Julian really liked Galina, and he was glad she would be living here with his father, where she was bound to be happier than she had been at home, the poor thing. Julian could not, however, say he felt the same way about Galina's aunt. He had watched as Annik flirted obviously with his father, putting her hand on his arm, and telling him how amazing he was that he was taking Galina in like this. Julian agreed, but he didn't act like a complete slut while advising Joe of this. It was completely unnecessary and it made Julian feel sick to his stomach.

( NO TOUCHIES I AM SERIOUS! )

Julian arrived home from his classes with a huge grin on his face. "I'm baaaaccckkk!" he announced, and he dropped his bag by the door before prancing into the living room. Joe was sitting there with Aislinn on his lap. The lack of further babies must have meant Ethan had already retrieved them. "My baby girl!" Julian scooped her into his arms and he kissed her all over her face before hugging her tight. "Was she good today?"

( Troopers )

Julian had watched his father's condition deteriorate over the past few weeks, until he had relegated himself to the sofa completely, and refused to move. Julian couldn't understand it, but not because he wasn't trying. Simply because he had no frame of reference. He hadn't lost the person who had been his companion for over twenty years. He hadn't even been alive for twenty years. He knew how he would feel if he lost Jane, but even Jane he wasn't in love with. He would be inconsolable and this...what his father was going through, it was beyond inconsolable. Julian didn't honestly know if there was anything anyone could ever do to make it better. Joe had lost his wife and child. Children, though Julian had very little emotion left over for his unborn sibling. He hadn't even known until afterwards that there was an unborn sibling. And Joe had stayed away from depression until no one actively needed him anymore. Then he had let it claim him.

( Steps )

Taking Aislinn to meet Alexa had not been something that Julian had taken lightly. He had thought about it over and over again, but Alexa was doing so well. In fact, she was due to get out of hospital and into a house with her sister in the next week. So if he wanted to introduce them while having the safety of the hospital around him, now was the best time...

( Mother... )

The previous night had been wonderful and ghost-free. Damon and Julian had played with Aislinn together, before sharing a wonderful dinner. And after Aislinn had fallen asleep, there had been yet more sex. Julian was feeling quite empowered by the fact that this was the first time he'd taken care of Aislinn without adult supervision (not including being abducted...) and he was doing fine. Aislinn was happy. He could take care of his daughter. He knew exactly what to do, and he felt quite proud of himself.

( Family )