This is dedicated to malika7bajpai because she's awesome, it's that simple. She rocks my socks, so here's some Xavier just for her.
Good news my darlings, I got into my college of choice and will be attending in the spring! I am super excited and cannot wait! In the meantime however, it means I have two months to get all of my affairs in order, namely finding a new job, not that you guys care about that. Anywho, I thought I'd share my excitement and post for you all. Vote, comment, enjoy!
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Chapter XXVI: My Own Bed
"Well, since you're all settled, I figured I'd just stay in the guest room." Xavier sighed.
"We don't have a guest room."
"Don't be silly, of course you do. Down the hall - "
I sat bolt upright. "Please tell me you haven't been in there."
"Juliet, what's the problem?"
I jumped out of bed and opened the door and Xavier's suitcase was in there and it looked like he was starting to unpack. I felt the tears brimming before I knew what was going on.
"Juliet?"
"This is my mom's room."
Xavier pulled me against him and I let him hold me while I cried. "I'll stay on the couch then, I'll take everything out then. I'm sorry, I didn't know."
I shook my head. "It's, it's,"
Xavier was rubbing small circles. "This isn't good for you." He murmured against my hair. "Come on, back to bed." Xavier picked me up and carried me back to my bed. "You need sleep." He tucked me in and went to leave, but I grabbed his arm. I didn't want to be alone.
"Stay?"
"Are you sure? You need your rest."
"Just stay with me? Just for a little while?"
Xavier sighed. "If that's what you really want." I was curled under the blankets and Xavier laid on top of them next to me. He refused to get under with me, but let me cuddle up against him. He ran his fingers through my hair until I fell asleep.
"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you." Xavier murmured.
"It's alright. How long was I out?"
"A few hours."
"Did you say Amanda was staying at her parent's house?"
"Yes."
I nodded. "Want to watch a movie?"
Xavier smiled. "If you want to. What would you like to watch?"
"Ever seen Casablanca?"
Xavier shook his head.
"What?" I sat up. "Oh we are so watching it. I think this is my favorite movies of all time."
We sat and watched it. God how I love this movie.
"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine." I smiled as I quoted the movie. I love Humphrey Bogart movies. I love Humphrey Bogart to be honest. He's one of the favorite actors of all time. Xavier chuckled and I looked over, he was not watching the movie, instead he was watching me. "Can I help you?"
Xavier shook his head. "No, I'm quite alright."
"Then I think I should tell you, the movie is that way, dude. You're missing it."
"That's alright."
"No, it's definitely not alright. It's Casablanca. Missing it is not alright. Watch the movie, mister."
Xavier let out a small laugh but turned back to the movie. "It's cute how into this you are."
"Shut up at watch."
Xavier continued to tease me throughout the movie. We were at the part where Rick is telling Ilsa to get on that plane or else she would regret it when Xavier burst out laughing. I was gaping at him as Rick's line came up.
I'm saying it because it's true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with Victor. You're part of his work, the thing that keeps him going. If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.
But what about us?
We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.
When I said I would never leave you.
And you never will. But I've got a job to do, too. Where I'm going you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Ilsa, I'm not good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that. Now, now . . . Here's looking at you kid.
"How are you laughing?"
"Because it's ridiculous." Xavier laughed.
"You are ridiculous. Casablanca is pure cinematic gold."
"You need your rest. You are delirious." Xavier smiled as he crawled out of bed. Xavier kissed my forehead. "Good night, Juliet. Sweet dreams."
"Get back here and enjoy Casablanca!" I shouted as he closed the door.
Eventually I got comfortable and snuggled up with Loki and managed to fall asleep. I was awoken to a fit of laughter and Xavier growling to 'get off of that bed this instant' and Amanda's mom tone. I knew who was jumping on my bed.
"Auntie Juliet! Wake up! We should play!" I looked into an adorable pair of hazel eyes and fuzzy hair that was currently cut into a mohawk.
"Good morning, Maverick." I smiled up at him.
"Maverick, I said to get over here this instant." Amanda warned. Maverick pouted and Amanda's eyes narrowed. "Mommy said now."
Maverick burst into tears. "I just missed Aunt Juliet! I just wanted to play!" he cried as he ran over to Amanda and cried into her jeans. She sighed and gave me a look I knew too well.
"That's sweet, and all, but when Mommy says something you have to listen." Amanda soothed as she knelt down. "Look at me." Maverick did. "Right now, Aunt Juliet has a few booboos and we need to be careful with her. She has a few owies, and we don't want them to get worse, do we?" Maverick shook his head. "I didn't think so. Now, if you want to and she's feeling up to it, you can play in a little while. Until then, I think we should go make her breakfast." Maverick's face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Aunt Juliet, do you want chocolate chip pancakes or French toast?"
"Whatever your little heart desires." I smiled at him.
"YES! CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES!" Maverick practically sang. "Come on, Mommy!" he grabbed her hand and dragged her out of my room. I couldn't help but smile.
"How are you feeling today?" Xavier asked. "He didn't hurt you when he jumped on you, did he?"
"No, Maverick is fine. He just hasn't really gotten to see me since I've been back."
"I just don't want to see you hurt."
"Xavier, I'm not made of glass."
Xavier let out an exasperated sigh. "Juliet, you will never understand, will you? Forget it." He huffed and left the room. I was staring at the closed door a few moments when Amanda walked in.
"Hello gorgeous." She smiled and plopped herself on my bed. "I've missed you. How are your ribs?"
"Well enough." I smiled back and pulled her into a hug. "God, I've fucking missed you!"
She squeezed me back and the pain didn't even phase me. I missed this girl. She may as well have been my sister. "Me too! It's been crazy without you!" Amanda held me at an arm's length and gave my arm a gentle slap. "A phone call doesn't hurt every now and then. I never did get to yell at you like I should have for the way you left."
My grin widened. "Too true, I'm pretty sure I'm due for a punch from the pacifist by now."
Amanda sighed. "Too bad for you I'm a Buddhist now." She smiled. We caught up, chatted and laughed. I loved that it felt like only an hour had passed since I'd last hung out with Amanda. I found out she almost had her master's degree in anthropology and she was still working as a nurse for now. Amanda was a gypsy at heart and we both knew it. Everything seemed normal again until Amanda went quiet for a moment.
"What is it?"
"Chase made bail today."
"What?"
"Yeah, he showed up at my parents house."
"Are you guys - "
"We're all fine. I'm still worried, he's not well. His father agreed to bail him out so long as he goes through rehab. But, it's Chase."
I nodded. "What all did he say?"
"He really wants you back. Apparently, since you ended things with him, he's been in a downward spiral."
I nodded. It broke my heart to hear it, but didn't really surprise me either. Chase had been my first love, hell, he'd been a lot of firsts for me. The Chase he used to be would always have a special place in my heart. That wasn't the Chase he still was today.
"I don't care how guilty you feel, if you ever go back to that sorry sack of shit, I will personally kick your ass, Buddhist or not." Amanda teased, with that serious undertone. "I just thought you had a right to know. Stuffy McI'mBetterThanYouPants doesn't want you to know. He doesn't want you upset, but I know you better than he does. You'd be pissed if I kept this from you, so I'm telling you." I nodded. She was right. If she had kept this from me I would be pissed, in fact I was a little upset Xavier wanted to keep it from me. "I'm pretty sure he has the best of intentions, but they pave the road to hell with those. How are you feeling about this?"
I shrugged. "Chase is Chase. He's definitely not the guy I used to love, he stopped being him about sophomore year I think, to be honest. I'm worried about him, sure, but I can't have people like him in my life anymore."
Amanda nodded. "Sounds like you're thinking clearly, then - "
"AUNTIE JULIET!" Maverick slammed the door open and he had a plate in his hands. It was a chocolate chip pancake with egg and bacon on it in the shape of a smiley face. "I HAVE BREAKFAST FOR YOU! And I made it myself." He beamed. Xavier was trailing behind him and made a small cough and Maverick sighed. "Well, he helped a little."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, you little monster, where's Mommy's?" Amanda asked, her hands on her hips, but a smile on her face.
"In the kitchen. Your legs aren't broken." Maverick teased, sticking his tongue out. "Only Auntie Juliet can eat in her room. We have to eat at the table like civilized people. Nana always says we weren't raised in a barn."
"Oh, we're quoting Nana now? How about what Nana says about tv?"
"Nana's not always right."
"What did Nana say about tv?" Xavier asked, looking very amused.
"That television will rot my brain so I shouldn't watch it." Maverick retorted in a very matter of fact tone. "But it's okay, Nana's old."
"Well, I'll be sure to tell her you said that."
"I always tell Nana she's old." Maverick shot back.
Amanda laughed. "Well, come show Mommy what you made me."
"I made it for Aunt Juliet, Mommy, not for you."
We all burst out laughing.
"Great, Jules, my kid will cook for you, but not for Mommy." Amanda chortled. "Well, I'll give you two a little bit of time. Let's go have breakfast, Maverick." Amanda picked Maverick up and closed the door behind herself.
"So, did you or Maverick make this?"
"I made it."
"Alright," I took a bite and it was fantastic. "You seem thrilled to be dealing with a toddler."
Xavier seemed tense. "Yes, children are something else." He muttered.
"You don't like little kids?"
Xavier looked at my over his glasses, lips pursed. "They're lovely, so long as I'm not the one caring for them."
"Aww, you don't want to babysit Maverick?"
"No, I'm quite alright, thank you very much."
"Aww, that's so cute." I noticed a tinge of pink on Xavier's cheeks. "Aww, you're blushing."
"I most certainly am not." Xavier snapped, his cheeks flushing a deeper shade.
"Aww, you're adorable when you're embarrassed."
"Juliet, I, your nurse is here to check up on you." Xavier stammered and hurried out.
My nurse drew blood, checked my vitals and told me everything looked good. I spent the day watching movies, playing monopoly and sorry with everyone, Maverick and I teamed up and won them both, and just relaxing. This was the home I remembered. This was how home was supposed to feel. Finally, I was home.
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Wow, that was a shorter read than I thought it would be. That means I need to post the next chatper sooner then. Thank you lovelies, I hope you enjoy! Now, vote and comment or i will be a sad panda and sad and busy pandas get distracted far more easily than happy pandas do. :D kk thanks