Moment of Truth
 
 

“ I didn’t think you would come.”, Julian said.

“ To our private place? Of course, I would, Julian.”, Eve said, sitting beside him in the park.

“ I….I wanted to explain..I have only an hour of freedom left, and I needed to explain why…”

” Why you’re marrying Rebecca? Julian, it’s obvious. I mean, she really didn’t catch us together, but…”

“ It was enough. You are part of the equation, Eve. She’s rabid about going to TC again with her suspicions.”

” I know.”

” But, it’s not the only reason I’m marrying her. She’s blackmailing me, Eve.”

Eve looked at Julian and nodded. “ About what?”

“ About certain things that I’ve done to Sheridan. I haven’t been good to my sister. I haven’t been the brother she deserved. If Rebecca told what she knew, it could be enough to put me in jail.”

Julian lowered his head. He didn’t want to see the disappointment in Eve’s eyes. Eve reached out to him, and cupped his face with her hands, lifting his face to where his eyes met hers.

“ What you did to Sheridan, was it your idea?”

“ No, it was Father’s. But, I went along with it.”

“ What do you expect me to say, Julian? That I hate you for whatever you did to Sheridan?”

“ Well, I…”

“ Julian, I’m the last person to judge you. I know you, Julian. I know the part of you that Alistair had taken. I know how dark you were. Even knowing that, I can’t judge you. With all the bad things that I’ve done, a number of them criminal. And, I know a bit about being on the other end of blackmail. “

“ Eve, if it hadn’t been for our involvement…”

” Julian, you can’t blame yourself. It was my fault for not telling the truth all those years ago. And, it’s my fault that I’m a coward now. That has nothing to do with you. I don’t blame you. “

“ How could you forgive me?”

Eve laughed softly. “ You know, I’ve asked myself the same question a thousand times since I heard the words come from my mouth. I suppose it’s because your apology was sincere. Sometimes, all a person who’s been wronged really needs is for the transgressor to make sincere amends. Hearing you apologize and mean it did something for my heart. Healed it in a way that nobody else could. Part of me longed to heal from that hurt. It’s emotionally unhealthy to carry around that kind of pain and anger – all I have to do is look at TC for confirmation about that. I don’t have our son in my life, so that pain can’t heal, but this one could.”

“ Eve…”

Eve put a finger to his lips. “ Julian, you can’t know what our friendship means to me. How much I need it. You’re the only person in my life who knows the truth about me and still wants to be around me. That’s such a blessing. “

Eve leaned into him, and kissed him. It was long, delicate, yet passionate. When they came up for air, Eve smiled at him, with tears in her eyes. Julian wiped away the tears.

“ Eve, why…”

“ Julian, please don’t marry her. Please.” Eve’s hands began to tremble, and Julian took them in his own.

” I don’t understand, Eve.”

“ I…I’m so scared, Julian. Scared of losing you.”

” Even if I marry Rebecca, I would still be there…”

” For me? Julian, I’m tired. I don’t want to hurt TC. I don’t. But, I can’t continue with my life as it is. “

“ I don’t get it.”

” We should go.”

” Where?”

” To tell TC.”

” What?”

“ I can’t let you marry her.”

” But, the blackmail…”

” Julian, did she help you? Is that why she knows what you did to Sheridan?”

” She did, but..”

” Well, I don’t know a lot of law, but that makes her an accessory to your crimes.”

” But, if she testifies against me…”

” She loses. Julian, I’m willing to risk it. Everything to be with you. Are you willing to do the same?”

Julian looked into Eve’s eyes, and knew the truth. “ I would do anything to be with you.”

“ I’m not saying that you will get off, but you can hired good representation, and possibly get a reduced sentence.”

Julian shuddered at the thought of jail. Eve took his hand. “ I know you’re scared of jail. So am I. But, we’d be free. I’d be there for you. No matter what.”

Eve’s face had nothing but love all over it, and because of it, a calm settled over Julian.

“ We’ll face the future, together?”

“ Together, Julian.”

“ It will be hard, Eve.”

” As a man said once, nothing worth having is easy.”

Julian got up and reached out for Eve.

” Then, it’s time we tell TC.”

Eve smiled. “ And, then Rebecca.”

“ And, then, the world.”

Eve took Julian’s hand and they walked out of their spot in the park to whatever the future held for them. Together.
 

THE END