Julie was shocked. She didn't know whether to believe her parents or not, but from the serious look on both their faces she knew they weren't lying. Needless to say, finding out that your whole life was a lie, and the person you loved wasn't who you thought they were, she took a bit of convincing.
"Honey, I'm so sorry. I've always wanted to tell you, but I respected your mom's wishes. I've always loved you like my own, and to me you are mine. Your mom and I love each other very much, so I did what we thought was best. I've never felt bad that you weren't my flesh and blood because I've never looked at you as the kid from her past relationship. This has been tearing Sandy apart for years, and now that you and Jim are obviously in love, we had to tell you our secret. I hope you'll forgive me," Joe said with a tear running down his cheek.
"Of course I forgive you, Dad, I understand why you did it. This doesn't change how I feel about you because you've always been my dad and always will be. I am mad at mom, though, because for these past 3 years I wouldn't have had to feel ashamed of who I was with. It's gotten easier over time, but at first it was so hard for me to lie to people about Jim. I felt so dirty. And all this time he wasn't even my blood relative!" she yelled at her mom.
"You have every right to be mad at me, dear. I was selfish, and in that selfishness I hurt you deeply. I'll understand if you don't want to talk to me anymore," Sandy said with obvious sadness.
"Yes, I'm mad, but that doesn't mean I don't understand why. I'll talk to you, I just need some space. Do Dan and Cheryl know about this?" she asked.
"No, we never told them. I doubt Dan would have ever accepted Sandy if he knew, so I've kept this from my brother the whole time. I'll tell him tonight. He'll be disappointed, but when he finds out about you two he'll understand."
Luckily Julie replayed this whole conversation for me later. Was I shocked that we weren't actually cousins? Hell yes, I was. I was angry too, but definitely not as angry as Julie. I totally understood her anger, and it was hard for her to come to terms that she wasn't who she thought she was. She made it thru her last semester of college just fine, so she was able to compartmentalize that part of her.
Her parents came to graduation to see her, but it was obvious that there was still a lot of hostility towards her mother, and Julie's treatment of her mom was cool at best. I could tell it was killing Sandy to have to go through this, but she did what she had to do and I didn't hate her for it. I actually thought she was pretty brave to finally come clean. Just don't tell Julie I said that.
Uncle Joe was still Uncle Joe to me, and things with him and Julie were as natural as before. We all went to supper after graduation, and Julie announced that she was moving to Minneapolis. It was assumed that she was moving in with me, but she still wanted to make sure they understood.
"I'm moving in with Jim. Most of my stuff is already there, and the rest we'll take tomorrow. I'm sorry I didn't ask your permission, Dad, but this is what I want. I just can't move back home. I hope you'll understand, and if you hate me, you hate me," she told them flat out.
"We kind of thought that you would, and we support your decision, Jules," Joe said. "Your mom does, too, in case you were wondering."
"Can't Mom dish out her own zingers, or did you guys practice that?" she snapped back.
"Julie, I'm sorry, but I love both of you, and I hate to see you not talking. This affects me too, you know," he said in a resigned tone.
"I know, Dad, I just need some time. Now that school is done it should be easier to absorb."
"So how about them Vikings? They sure suck, don't they?" I said to change the subject. This is pretty much blasphemous talk in Minnesota, but it got them to quit bickering.
"They have a good record of late, so how could you say that?" Joe asked me.
"Hmm, they are playing now? Couldn't tell you, as I don't watch football."
Joe laughed, then added, "you smart ass. I do see why Julie loves you so much. Take care of her. Promise?"
"I always will, Joe, you never have to doubt that."
Sandy reached across the table and squeezed my hand, saying, "we know. Thank you, dear."
Julie smiled for the first time since we sat down, and I actually stayed modest for the moment and didn't say anything stupid. She actually hugged her mom goodbye, and I took my girl home with me. She'd had a few to drink, so we'd just pick up her car the next day when we finished moving her out.
Julie was running the full range of emotions that night, and I enjoyed the good ones and supported her during the bad ones. She was elated at graduating Magna Cum Laude from a prestigious school, yet sad it was over. Sadness over her mother, yet delighted she was now living with me. I took advantage of that one, too, by making love to her slowly and passionately soon after arriving at my apartment.
She awoke the next day content with who she was with, and a little nervous about being in the real world now. It would have been nice to stay the whole day naked with each other, but we did have to go back and get her belongings. Julie hugged me tightly after we finished loading her things, and I knew she was going to miss her college days, but then she kissed me and said she was glad to be starting her next chapter with me.
Her mood changed for the better once we settled in to our apartment, and our love life was as passionate as ever. Now we also enjoyed introducing each other as boyfriend/girlfriend and not feeling any shame about it. None of our friends know the whole story, as we figured it was none of their business anyways, and the past was past. Right?
That Christmas Eve as we opened our presents to each other, I got on one knee and asked her to be my wife. She accepted without any thought, and we were very excited to tell our families the next day. Both sets of parents were to be at our place, so we made the big announcement during supper. My parents took the news about Joe and Sandy fairly well, so they were overjoyed that they were going to have a daughter-in-law now.
Well, I know you're dying to hear what my parents thought of Julie and I not actually being related, so I'll tell you. First off, my parents are kind of old fashioned, and pretty reserved. Before we came out as a couple after Sandy's big revelation, they had pretty much guessed we were together. But being the quiet people that they are, they never said anything bad or preachy about us. They were visibly shocked when they heard Sandy's story, and I could see the anger burn in my dad's eyes. He never made one outburst, but I could tell he harbored feelings that weren't quite nice towards Sandy, yet his feelings towards Julie never once wavered.
While the parents all waited at the table for dessert to be served, I excused myself to go help Julie in the kitchen. This was our first time alone since the announcement, so we had to ask each other how we thought it went. Both of us agreed that it went over quite well, and I kissed her lovingly for no other reason than I was so happy she wants to be with me. She returned the gesture by giving me a quick blow job. I didn't last very long since both of our parents were in the next room, but man, do I love that girl or what?
