*Trisha*

I should be used to traveling around the world, but with this year being such an emotional rollercoaster, I'm physically and mentally wiped out. Just getting us home was a lot of work. I managed to get in touch with Mac, Nate's pilot, who was overseeing the maintenance of his private jet. He was in Sanford, Maine, in a small airport awaiting news from Nate on what to do. Mac wasn't sure when Nate would be discharged from the hospital or when his services would be needed, so he had the jet professionally cleaned, fueled, and ready to go as soon as he got the call. He was at Logan airport first thing in the morning, and after the doctor went over all the rules, Nate was set free. We spent the day traveling from Boston to L.A., managing to avoid the paparazzi, who had no idea Nate was no longer in the hospital.

Ren transported us to Nate's luxury apartment building, and that's when it hit me. It's over. The effort I poured into The Around The World Tour drained me completely, and now that it's finally over... in a way... I have to admit...it's a relief. I'm not angry with Nate anymore.

"You're quiet," Evan whispers to me in the back of the SUV. Nate is in front, talking to Jonah, and Casey is asleep.

"Says the man who never speaks." I scoff and then shrug. "It's weird. Being back."

Evan knows my concerns. He knows I'm worried about the future and what happens now. For over two years, we planned this tour. Every single day for two whole years, I was employed, busy, planning,  and now? Now it's just...over.  Just like that.

"Yeah, I agree." He sighs.

"I'm sure your job is solid. Nate will always need a bodyguard, whether he's on tour or not, so your position is secure." I study his face while he looks out the window. "That is, unless you were looking forward to going back to managing your sex club."

"Ha. Ha. Ha." Evan answers dryly, full of sarcasm. "It's not a sex club. Well.. at least one floor of the building isn't."

I smirk and roll my eyes. "I still want to know who and what you've seen there! What celebrities are that kinky?

"You know I can't disclose that information, Miss Banks."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." I wave him off as we pull into Nate's parking garage. Jonah nudges Casey awake, while Nate wears an expression I can't quite decipher. Is he happy to be home? Sad? Undecided? Indifferent? I just can't tell. And I can usually read Nate like a book. If anything, I think he may be nervous. Never mind having to deal with Richard at some point, but Julia as well.  As we ride up the elevator, he remains silent.

"You're finally home, Playboy." I sigh as we all filter out of the elevator and into the massive apartment. Home. It feels like home. Everything about it. The fresh scent complements the immaculate and spacious environment. The cleaners were here recently. We kept them on schedule regardless of anyone occupying this place. I also had them do a last-minute food shopping so the fridge and cupboards weren't bare. The kitchen is the first place Jonah gravitates towards. Casey plops down on the couch, and both Evan and I join her, exhausted from our travel day.

"I'm gonna hop in the shower." Nate mumbles. Ren wheels the cart with all of our luggage. The rest of our wardrobe will be delivered by the end of the week. 

"So now what? Do you think Nate is still going to need two nurses, or am I-" Casey doesn't finish her sentence, and I realize, Evan and I aren't the only ones concerned about our jobs.

"I already talked to Nate," Jonah announces from the kitchen, before biting into a green apple. "You're fine, Case. He still wants us both here with him."

"Doing what? Julia's not here. James is.... well... you know.... " She glances over to the vacant bedroom we had built just for James. "Should I apply for some hours at the hospital?"

I understand Casey's concern. Technically, Nate does not require two nurses. He probably doesn't require one nurse. But he likes Jonah's company, and with Jonah comes Casey. 

"No, don't do that. He always finds a way to keep us busy. Just between us, I think Nate is afraid to be alone right now."

I arch my brows at Jonah's comment. Nate has never indicated that he dislikes being alone, but now that Jonah has mentioned it, I realize Nate hasn't spent much time by himself in a long while.

"He doesn't know where he stands with Julia right now, and I think he may be nervous he might slip up if he's alone." Jonah continues, taking another casual bite of his apple.

"Slip up?" I ask.

"Drink. He's afraid he's going to relapse. He's not there yet with his sobriety. I told him, as his sponsor, that now that we're back, he should start attending AA meetings again, and maybe even consider therapy  again as well."

I nod in agreement, but a pit forms in my stomach that I'm gonna have to get back to reality as well. Therapy, driving, and doing the things I was able to put off while we were on tour. 

We silence our conversation when Nate returns to the living room.

"Evan, do you mind driving me to The Avalon?" Nate asks while towel drying the back of his hair. He just can't fucking wait to get to The Avalon, can he?

"Can I drive the Mercedes?"

"Over my dead body." Nate scoffs and begins rummaging through the basket of car keys for the many cars he owns.

"We can easily arrange that, hotpants.." I cackle

"Case, wanna go too? We can visit James... Maggie." Jonah doesn't have to ask twice. Casey perks right up and nods.

Nate throws Jonah the keys to one of the Range Rovers and gives him a little nod.

"Come with us, Trish. Visit James." Nate pauses. "Please."

"Fiinnee," I huff, but then give him a little smile. "We'll grab a few pizzas for dinner and meet you over there."

******

*James*

I'm on the edge of consciousness. I can feel it in my mind, my bones, everywhere around me. But I'm nervous. What if I'm brain-damaged? What if I can't walk, talk, or think? Will I remember any of this...this darkness, the beach, my boy? At least I'm safe here. 

But I can hear Julia. I can hear her voice, feel her body resting against mine, and hear her sharing the details of her day. She's the only one I hear, and I want to wrap my arms around her. Let her know I'm ok. Let her know I am here. About to be there. About to slip through.

"I'm gonna see who's here, ok James? I'll be right back."

That's the last thing I hear for quite some time.

******

*Trisha*

"I can't believe he wants to go to The Avalon tonight." I huff as we pull up to the back lot of the facility.

"You can't?" Jonah teases. We all know Nate too well, don't we?

"What does he think he is going to gain from this? She's with Paul. It's been months since she's seen Nate. Hell, the last time she physically saw him, he was getting into a car with Mila Giovanni."

"I think it's sweet." Casey chimes in. "He loves Julia. He probably always will."

"Ugh, you're such a romantic." I blurt out and exit the SUV. Evan is standing at the door, and I give him a weird look. "Why are you standing out here?"

"I wanted to give them some privacy, so I decided to wait for you guys." He grabs the pizza boxes from Jonah, who is struggling to balance them along with the bottles of soda.

"Thanks." Jonah knocks on the front door to Julia's private entrance, and we hear the dog bark a few times. Casey lights right up at the sound. We walk in together and are greeted by a very excited dog. Nate, Julia, and Paul are standing in the living room. Julia looks good. She's gained a little weight, so doesn't look so...deathly. Paul obviously looks good too; he always does.

"Didja eat dinner yet?" Nate turns to Julia.

"I had to eat in the cafeteria. I'm not on Dr. Cohen's good side right now."

I glance over to Paul, wondering what Julia did to piss the doctor off now.

"She had a moment," Paul says gruffly right before welcoming me into an embrace. I miss this. His muscular arms around me. His scent. His tight hold. I melt right into the bodyguard, but when we pull away, I can feel Evan's eyes on me. I turn, but he quickly looks away before our eyes meet. Is he jealous? The man hasn't made a single move on me this entire time, nor has he shown any hint of interest in me. He picks NOW to be jealous?

"Well, I haven't eaten, and I'm digging right in," Jonah announces, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Wait. Let's go see James first." Casey drags Jonah into Julia's bedroom.

Evan remains quiet like Paul, but a different quiet. Another one I can't seem to read. Within a few minutes, Casey and Jonah come out with sad looks. It's my turn to go in and say hi to James.

He lies still in the hospital bed, a nasal gastric tube in his nose and an IV in his left hand, surrounded by various bags and catheters sustaining him while he's in a coma. He's lost weight, which is to be expected, but you can tell he has been well taken care of. That's one thing Julia is good at. She takes exceptional care of others. 

"Hey, James, The Receptionist." My words crack when I hold his warm hand and study his lifeless face. "You can wake up now. We are all here. We're all waiting for you. God, I miss talking to you, you stubborn fucker."

Not even a hint of a reaction. No flutter of an eyelid or twitch in his face. I tear up, realizing James is never going to wake up, is he? This is it. 

"Come on, James. We still have messy tacos to eat in the Food Truck District and coffee to endure at that dreadful cafe Nate likes. We've got our runs through Griffith Park and plenty of talks waiting to happen." I kiss his hand, and my tears roll down quickly now. "Don't give up on us now. Don't give up on me. Your friend."

After a solid five minutes of silence, I finally pull myself together and head back to the living room. Paul is on the couch, his arm casually draped around Julia's shoulder, and my stomach sinks a bit. I'll admit it...I'm still a little bitter about how things ended between us, or more accurately, how HE suddenly decided to call it quits and declare his love for Julia while with me.

"James looks good. You're doing an incredible job taking care of him, Julia." Jonah provides some positive feedback to break the silence.  It's true. She takes good care of James. She deserves the compliment.

"He's gonna pull through this and wake up," Julia says with boldness and this confidence that takes us all aback. I raise my brows at her sudden declaration and look over at Nate, who shakes his head a little. She really thinks James is going to wake up? Moretti is going to flip when someone finally breaks the news to her.

"Actually, I'm gonna go check on him."

As soon as Julia leaves the room, everyone's shoulders drop, done with the act, and our genuine frowns are shown.

"She still thinks he's gonna be ok," Casey whispers.

"Let her be. She needs this." Paul mutters. He's not serious, is he? Feeding into her delusional world like this isn't going to help her. Donovan hasn't been working with Julia on this?? What the hell has been going on around here?  Someone needs to be honest with her, but I'm not going to be the one to say it.

"It's not healthy. She's caught in this delusion that someday James will just snap out of it and be okay. His brain is damaged." Jonah is the first one to set things straight. "He's made no progress."

I nod in agreement but get a disapproving look from Paul.

"It helps her." Paul abruptly stands and leaves the room.

"Aren't you glad you came back?" I scoff, and Nate lets out a sigh.

"Hopefully, all the doctors here have been working with Julia. Grief therapy...coping skills.. that sort of thing." Evan joins the conversation now.

"I seriously have no idea," Nate responds, and I see him look down at his phone before shoving it back into his pocket. I know it's Mila texting, and he is avoiding her like the plague.

That's another thing. If Nate still has a job with Richard,  he's going to need to sort things out with Mila. She's coming back sooner or later since she's contracted to star in the Safe Haven music video. Once Nate realizes Julia isn't his anymore, he needs to either choose Mila or tell her it's over, because stringing her along isn't fair. And I know there was definitely something going on between the two of them. He may never admit it, but I have a feeling in my gut about that one.

******

*James*

"They think I'm crazy." Julia's voice is a whisper, and I feel her breath near my ear.

I feel her breath near my ear. 

I sense her presence. I hear her voice. My eyes flutter open, momentarily blinded by the bright light, causing me to squint. Julia is speaking to me, her eyes remaining closed.

"You're going to overcome this. I don't care what others say. You have so much life ahead of you, and I'll be right here by your side, taking care of you every step of the way. I love you. You're my best friend."

I look around the room with confusion before my eyes meet Julia's. She stares at me for a moment in disbelief. Her brown eyes widen as she screams, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me up until I'm sitting upright.

I feel confused and out of place. Swallowing is uncomfortable, and my left hand throbs with pain as I notice an IV inserted. Tubes are attached to me all over...everywhere. EVERYwhere.

"Oh my God!" Julia shrieks again, holding my head down against her chest. 

I'm.... where am I?

Next thing I know, I'm looking at a room full of people. All crying.

"Oh my God." I hear someone say as Julia sobs uncontrollably while holding and rocking me, burying my face against her chest.

"Jule..." 

"Casey, grab my phone and call Dr. Giovanni!"

"Dr. Giovanni and his team of physicians are heading over now. They may need to bring James to the hospital for further testing and evaluations."

"Jule, if he has to go to the hosp-"

"I'm going with him," Julia says while holding me tight. "I'm not staying behind just because I'm an Avalon resident. Jeremy will figure it out."

I don't quite know what's going on aside from the fact that I'm in my best friend's arms.

And that's all that matters.

*******

*Trisha*

"I'm going with him," Julia says while holding on to James. "I'm not staying behind just because I'm an Avalon resident. Jeremy will figure it out."

Predictable. Go ahead and trust the guy you shouldn't be trusting, why don't you? I don't even care. She's a big girl and knows the consequences of her actions. All that matters to me is that James is finally out of his coma. He's awake. He's back.

"I'll go notify him." Jonah covers the phone and whispers while listening to the call. He leaves the apartment to find Jeremy, and Julia finally loosens her grip on James, giving him room to breathe. I quickly grab the pillows from the couch and place them behind James to support him as Julia lowers him. 

"You were just waiting for everyone to be under one roof again, weren't you, "James, the receptionist?" I choke out as he looks around the room, then turns to Julia.

And he smiles.

******