Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 85 The Final Say

"Yeah, I had a feeling you would want to. I already talked to Paul to ask what kind of condition Julia is in."

"What did he say?" I look down at the man while he ties my dress shoes.

"She's a mess but she'll be fine. Whatever they injected her with yesterday was strong. Really strong. It's still in her system. C'mon. We'll go now."

Withing ten minute, Me, Nate, Evan and the dog are in Julia's living room. All of us suited up and ready for court. I'm exhausted, and Julia can tell.

"He had a seizure after breakfast this morning so is a little more worn down today." Nate informs her as she walks up to me to tuck my hair up off my forehead and straighten my tie.

"You look nice." Her eyes fill with tears.

"Can we go somewhere private?"  I ask and Julia takes me to her room. I sit on her bed and drop my head into my hands to cry. She rubs my back to comfort me.

"I'm so scared." 

"I know. I love you, you know that? No matter what happens, I love you and I'm so proud of you." Julia says.

"Proud of me? Why?" I look up at her in confusion. I'm about to go to jail. What's there to be proud of here?

"Look at all the things you've overcome in your life, James. And you're going to overcome this too and come out even stronger. You're my inspiration. You're why I don't give up. You never give up on yourself."

"Do you think if they sentence me.... d-do I go right away? Will I be able to come back to see you?" I croak out.

"I'm not sure. But let's not assume you're going to jail, ok?"

"Imagine me not having sex for a year?" I laugh a little at that. I'm a fucking mess.

"I will break in and have sex with you. I don't care who sees." Julia jokes. "You know I don't."

"I don't think it works like that, babe."

"I love you. I wish I could go to the courthouse with you and be by your side. I haven't been a very good best friend to you, have I?"

"I'm glad you are staying here. I don't want you to deal with that. It's a zoo. I rather you stay here and be safe. It puts my mind at ease knowing your here and Paul is here w-with you."

Julia pulls my head so I'm resting on her lap like we would at Griffith Park. She plays with my hair to comfort me but while doing so, she suddenly bursts into tears. I sit up and hug her right away.

"I love you so much!" She wails and it breaks me to pieces. I cup her face and kiss her lips over and over again like it is our last kiss. Because it very well may be for a long time.

After about an hour, Evan lets us know we should head out. Ren is waiting in the back parking lot and the courthouse is going to be complete mayhem with reporters. I stand in the middle of Julia's living room hugging her, unable to pull away.

"We really should head out." Evan looks at his watch and Nate nods, needing to intervene.

"James. Time to go buddy." 

Julia squeezes me tighter and hides her face in the crook of my arm. "Not yet." She muffles between her cries. She's going to make this hard for me. I start crying, unable to let her go. 

"Julia, you gotta let him go." Paul says. "C'mon. You'll see him later, ok?" He doesn't sound very certain of this, though. I can hear it in his voice.

"Oh God, I don't think I can do this." I whimper. Nate swallows hard and has to look away now. "I can't do this." I bury my face in Julia's hair.