Author Note: This next part of the story is entirely new. I was a little inspired after finishing the fifth part, so I once again put pen to paper (so to speak). As always I appreciate any and all constructive feedback. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, it really means a lot. Thank you again.
Chapter 1
Simple chance was involved when they found the spot by the lake. Scouting for a location to shoot some models, Justin Cavalier and Julia Mooresfiled, were walking along the lake when they found this idyllic hideaway. Sitting on the bank, looking out at the blue water, Justin and Julia felt at peace. Things were finally falling into place. It had taken two years, with a lot of ups and downs along the way, but finally, he had found that which brought him joy. One of those things was the woman walking towards him. Julia. After their initial trip, they had spent some time apart, only to come back together stronger than ever. As she walked towards him, her hips swaying and mesmerising him before he looked up at her, Justin felt that pang of excitement inside of himself. Julia had this casual smile that touched him ways he didn't realise until that very moment. It was what made him realise he didn't want to spend his life without her.
It was different for Justin now. With Julia's support he had found photography enjoyable again. Nothing was ever much of a bother and he relished new opportunities as they came along. It helped that Julia was just as enthused as him and they could talk for hours, easily about anything. They had truly opened up to each other, with Julia being nothing like he had ever known, and it was truly wonderful. He hadn't had that with someone since Sally Mare from his college days. That buxom blonde who was so full of life and had so much in common with him. But as they say, a star that burns twice as bright, burns half as long. That seemed to be their relationship. It was intense, focused and without a doubt loving, until she got herself mixed up with the wrong crowd. Wild emotions followed by moments of blandness and then Justin found Sally, laying there with a needle and makeshift tourniquet by her side. They had all dabbled with drugs in college, trying a bit of a joint here and there, but Sally seemed to be hooked on something heavier. He tried to help, but she cast him aside and once again he had found himself in the arms of his best friend, Eva Blake. She was his comfort, his lifeline and his confidante until he met Bethany. Then it all changed again, in ways Justin thought life was meant to be. The last he had heard about Sally was that she had fallen off the wagon again after attending rehab for the umpteenth time.
Staring at Julia he had realised that all his struggles, all his decisions had led him to this point. Without them he wouldn't be where he was today and he wouldn't be with her, someone who was his other half. It was funny how life worked out that way and he wasn't about to let it go, again.
They had been swimming in the lake, their third time in as many weeks, and decided to spend the day having a picnic and enjoying the down time. Justin sat there enjoying the shade, his shirt hanging up the dry on a branch which was a reminder of the mischief they got up to when they first arrived. Julia had pushed him into the water and as a consequence, he then picked her up and threw her in leading to them fooling around like young teenagers. It was all in good fun, and when they finally calmed down, set up their little picnic to spend the day together, alone.
Julia's clothes were next to Justin's on the tree, and they had both changed into their respective swimming gear. Justin in shorts and Julia in a classic, black one piece. When she sat down next to him, he leaned over and kissed her shoulder causing her to smile at him and kiss his lips.
"What was that for?" Julia asked warmly, snuggling beside him momentarily. As always it felt good to touch each other, skin to skin.
"Just because," Justin replied kissing her shoulder again. "Thought you might like it."
Truth be told, Justin liked to shower her with affection at times. Just like she did with him.
"I do," Julia said happily.
"And I just wanted to discuss something with you," Justin said which piqued her interest.
"Oh? What's on your mind?" Julia asked sitting up attentively with her legs crossed.
"Us," Justin replied with a nod.
"Okay. What specifically?" Julia asked making sure she was paying full attention. The last time they discussed their relationship, things changed dramatically.
"You know how we separated for a year?" Justin replied seeing Julia nod hesitantly. "You know... It was so I could get my head on straight. And I did, but..."
He paused a moment, the emotions coming up suddenly and taking him by surprise. He never wanted to hurt Julia and he knew he had. While they had discussed it all and worked through everything, it still got to him. It was a year of reflection, therapy and sorting out what he wanted in life. He also knew Julia had been doing the same, so when they came back together it was for the right reasons. Still, while he had thought those emotions had been dealt with, remnants still remained.
"Justin, it's okay. I understand all that," Julia said putting a reassuring hand on his arm. "It was best for both of us." She wasn't expecting what he said next.
"I love you Jules," Justin said which felt good for him to say. "It was the hardest thing I ever did, us separating. And I never want to do it again. You mean too much to me."
It had made Julia's heart sing and the few tears of joy rolling down her cheeks confirmed it.
"I love you too," Julia said pulling him close and kissing him tenderly. "So much."
"I know. I know we also needed that time apart," Justin said with a nod. "But I don't want to spend another day without you. You are the only one I trust. Everything we found out, the letter from Miriam, how she was part of it all. You were the only one through all of it, that seemed to genuinely want to be with me and I can never, thank you enough for that."
There were a few tears shared between them as they held each other. There was a lot of emotion there and they had been through so much, even if it was two years on, that it took a few minutes before either one of them could speak.
"You don't have to thank me," Julia said stroking his arm slowly. "It's not why I am with you."
"I know. But seeing you walking towards me just now and us being here. I feel like this is home now. You and me, us... home," Justin said which made her smile brightly.
"Me too," Julia said happily. But then she thought about that other person in their lives that still had ties to them. "What about Soph?"
"What about her?" Justin replied with a shrug. "She only wants kids. I know we've resolved our differences. I know we've righted that ship, but she isn't who I want to be with."
"Are you sure? She has said she wants more," Julia said kindly. It wasn't a judgment, just trying to make sure he was clear with what he was saying.
"I know. But it's not what I want," Justin said caressing Julia's face softly. "I will be there for our child and Soph... I will be part of both of their lives, whatever that looks like, but... I've got all I need right here."
They looked into each other's eyes lovingly.
"Sounds like you've made up your mind then," Julia said kissing his palm before he pulled his hand away slowly.
"I have," Justin said with a nod. "So, with that in mind, I want to ask you something."
Julia froze looking at him for a moment. The way he said it sent her mind into a frenzy.
"No... you can't, Justin," Julia said looking at him but he simply gave her a cheeky grin. "We said..."
But Justin put his finger to her lips to silence her and then gently touched her hand. He could feel she was trembling.
"All I want is a companion, a lover, someone to share my life with and for me to share theirs. I know our relationship is like that and I know you like to be, well... submissive in the bedroom," Justin said taking a breath. Her nod and cute smile confirmed his words. "I was hoping you would be my equal in life. Be my partner, my... other half. I'm open to exploring things with you and I am hoping you are with me, like we have been doing so far. Does that sound alright?"
He immediately felt her trembling stop and then she smiled again.
"Yes. I would like that. And yes, I want all those things. To be equal, to explore together," Julia said smiling when she saw Justin smile brighter. She then let out a relived sigh.
"Excellent," Justin said taking her hand and kissing it.
"My god, I thought you were going to ask me to marry you," Julia said clutching her chest and sighing again.
"Would that be such a bad thing?" Justin asked with a chuckle. Julia giggled and shook her head.
"Of course not. But after our year apart and now... this last year together, I didn't think you'd want to," Julia replied sweetly. "I didn't think you'd want to get married again."
"I didn't either," Justin said which caught her attention.
She looked over at him and could see the emotion in his eyes. She was most definitely hooked. They had reconnected and strengthened their relationship over the last twelve months. They had become constants in each other's lives and that was not about to change. She could see that in him.
"Okay. So, now what? We enjoy our day together and get back to planning our next major work?" Julia asked believing it was time to move the conversation along.
They had been successful with their work over the last year, with Justin shooting, among other things, Julia for one particular project that was still selling quite well online.
"Well yeah, but," Justin replied turning to face Julia head on. He moved to his knees and took her hands.
