*Trisha*

James chose to live at The Avalon instead of with us, with me. That's a hard pill to swallow, and the car ride home is silent on my end. Everyone else is happy and chatting away while I look out my window aimlessly. I should be so thrilled for James. And I am. He's not going to jail. I just need some time to digest his decision to become an Avalon patient.

"Julia's going to freak." Nate exclaims, talking about James moving in with her. "Do we all want to go and visit?"

Everyone says yes but me. I continue my staring contest with the window, with tears streaming down my face. No one can see me with how far my head is turned, but I feel Nate, who is sitting next to me, squeeze my knee.

"You good?"

"Yep." I croak out. "I think I'm going to stay behind."

I turn my head, and my best friend frowns when he sees my emotions literally rolling off my face.

"I'll have Evan stay behind. I don't want you to be alone."

I turn my head back to the window.

Once we are at Nate's, I sit on the couch. Maggie jumps right up on my lap, and we watch everyone around us. I feel like I'm invisible, and that's fine. I'm relieved for that because I'm being selfish and having a really fucking hard time with it. I watch Casey drag out the dog's bed to put in the car. I watch Nate talk to Evan and then look away when Evan glances at me. I watch Jonah wheel a suitcase across the living room to James's room. The room I designed and decorated for him. I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted it to feel like a nice hotel. Like home for James.

I pet Maggie and watch everyone around me.

*********

*James*

"Is that everything?" Nate asks while zipping up the suitcase. "Casey is putting the dog's bed in the car as well as her toys."

"Julia doesn't know?" I look around my room to make sure I packed everything.

"No. I thought it would be a nice surprise. Hey. You will always have a home here. You know that right Gallo? This is just for your 6-month stint. You're not a full time Avalon resident. Hell, I actually don't know if I can afford to pay for another full timer." Nate teases. He can. "This is what you want, though, right Gallo? If not, you need to let me know."

I smile just thinking about it.

"I want to be with Julia. Wherever she is, is where I want to be."

"That's what I thought. She takes good care of you. TOO good." He rolls his eyes at me and I know exactly what he is talking about.

"Think Trish is pissed at me?" I bite the inside of my cheek

"Yes, but she'll get over it. She always does. But you guys should hash it out. Not today, but when things calm down a little."

I nod and look around my room again. None if this would have been possible if it weren't for Nate Hollan. 

He could have easily put me in a rehab center instead of building a room for me in his apartment. He could have pawned me off on to my sisters and not paid a dime in medical bills or resources I needed. He could have walked away completely. I'd have to be on state care, state health insurance and get a free court appointed lawyer that would probably lose this case and send me to jail.

He could have been selfish and not even mention the Avalon as an option for me. He could have Julia all to himself.

But Nate made all of this happen. And somehow found a way for me to live with Julia. Now he's paying my tuition too?

I turn around and hug the man who made all of this possible for me.

"Thank you, Nate. For everything." I feel Nate eventually give in and hug me back.

"You're welcome, Hulk. Squeeze any tighter, and you're gonna crack my ribs."

I laugh and back away.

"I think that's everything."

*****

*Trisha*

I watch Nate wheel out two suitcases and Maggie jumps off the couch and heads to her owner. She knows something is up but also knows it's a positive thing and wags her tail happily.

"You sure you don't want to come?" He asks right as James walks out of his room. I look at James and fake a smile, but he sees right through it.

"I'm going to stay here. It's been a long day, and I'm tired." I answer, but look at James.

"Trish..." James begins, but I shake my head.

"It's fine. I'll visit the Avalon another time." I watch them walk past me with the suitcases, and everyone piles into the elevator. Evan sits on the other side of the couch and remains silent. The second the elevator door closes, I start crying, get up, and head to my room.

*******

*James*

"You ready, Gallo?" Nate asks. "We have to go through the Avalon doors to get you registered, ok?"

I nod and watch as Ren pulls up to the front entrance. I must really be crazy to sign myself into the crazy hospital.

Nate has to sign all the paperwork for me since I can't coordinate my thumb and index finger to hold a pen. There are so many forms. I feel like I'm signing my life away. But I know I'm not. Six months. Six months at The Avalon. But six months with Julia. 

It's that asshole Jeremy that registers me. But it's because of him pulling strings that I'm able to be with Julia. Forgiveness won't be happening any time soon, I can tell ya that much.  I will forever be filled with hate towards Jeremy.

"We can still come visit, though, right?" Casey looks down at Maggie.

"Because Julia lives in one of the in-house apartments, yes.  Anytime she wants you to. You would have to go through her apartment door in the back, though. If you come through this way, you will have to follow the Avalon rules and visiting hours. There are only certain places patients are allowed to have guests due to the sensitivity of other patients and their confidentiality. Some are in the middle of rehab. Most are celebrities or well known in one form or another." Donovan explains. 

"Except you." He turns to me. "I think your lawyer went over the details with you, but there's a packet in your welcome folder with a copy of your court order. A woman named Lauren Denault?" He asks and looks down at the form to make sure that was the correct name.

 "She'll be coming here to go over everything in further details with you later in the week. But if you want to leave, you have to have your paperwork, sign out here, and they will put your monitor on you. You can't leave through Julia's apartment door. We have security throughout the building plus security cameras in all three parking lots. We will have to report you to your parole officer right away if you break your house arrest."

"I understand."

"All set." Nate puts the pen down, stands up straight, and hands the receptionist a check.

"Oh, sir. You didn't have to pay in full. We would just need a deposit. We have payment plans-" She stops short when Nate cocks his head to the side and gives her an 'are you serious' look.

"Right. Well then... Mr. Gallo. Welcome to the Avalon." She shuts the folders and attempts to hand them to me but Jonah takes them knowing I will drop it all.

"You paid in full?" Jeremy whispers as we all walk down the hall. Nate gives him the same look he gave the receptionist. This is like purchasing a houseplant to Nate and we all know it.

 I look around and thank GOD Julia has her own apartment that is far away from all this. These patients...well some of them...they're in rough shape. We walk a good distance; I want to say at least ten or fifteen minutes away from the regular sage green Avalon rooms before we get to double doors that say Staff Only. We go through those doors and I notice the halls are not a light yellow like the rest of the place. They are a contemporary grey with fancy artwork hung and tables here and there with plants on them. We turn a corner and go to the end of the hall. Julia's apartment. The door on the outside looks like a regular heavy Avalon door but I know the inside is a home. Her home. My home for the next six months.

Jonah knocks on the door and it's Paul, being the bodyguard, who answers. He pats my shoulder and nods, happy to see me free. As I walk in, Maggie squeezes by me and jumps right up on the couch, making herself at home, which is a good sign. This will be an easy adjustment for her. Nate, Casey, and Jonah all stand behind me.

Julia stands in the middle of the room. Clearly in shock.

"Julia."

"James...

"wha-what's going on??" She stammers and looks at everyone as they filter into the apartment. Nate wheels in two suitcases, Jonah has a bag, and Casey is holding Maggie's doggy bed.

"Surprise." Nate kisses her on the forehead. "You have a new roommate. Mr. Gallo has chosen to spend the next six months with you."

"I don't understand. What's happening?"

"My house arrest. Babe, it's here," I look around the large apartment. "With you. Do you mind taking care of me for a few months? Me and Maggie?" 

Julia raises her eyebrows and looks at Nate again. He nods with a big goofy grin on his face.

"REALLY?" Her face contorts. "Oh my God." She bursts into tears which doesn't surprise me and then Casey does the same- also no surprise there.

Julia runs and literally jumps into my arms. "Oh my God!" 

"Wait." She backs away. "The Avalon said this was ok??"

"Dickwad Donovan made it happen, doll." Nate gives her another nod. "He pulled strings. James will be an Avalon patient here. Not full time but it works out because being on house arrest he can only do certain things. His grief therapy and all that can be done with counselors right here at the Avalon. I've already paid for it in full. He's all set."

"C'mon James. I'll help you unpack." Jonah takes me into the bedroom while Casey goes outside with the dog and some of her toys.

This is it. No prison. No more court. Hopefully no more seizures. I'm home.

 Julia is my home.

*******

*Trisha*

"Um. Ma'am? You ok in there?"

Evan fucking just ma'am-ed me again. I'm gonna kill the bastard. I get out of bed after a half hour of self- pity and sulking and swing the door open.

"You call me Ma'am one more time-" I wipe my eyes and he's fucking laughing. He did it on purpose didn't he, that ass.

"I had a feeling that would be the thing to get you to open the door." Evan raises his brows and scratches the side of his bearded face. "But seriously, are you ok?"

"Do I fucking look ok to you, Evan?" I open the door more and plop back in bed to look up at the ceiling. Evan doesn't move from the doorway.

"Do you always have a trucker mouth?"

"Always." I close my eyes and pinch the tension between them. "I can't believe he chose the Avalon."

Evan leans against the doorframe and crosses his arms.

"I'm still learning... are you part of the love triangle thing? Or square or hexagon, whatever it is they have?" He chuckles, remembering this conversation at the restaurant oversees.

"No. I mean...Yeah, no." I sit up and wipe under my eyes.

"But you slept with all of them but the nurses and the crazy girl, right? Nate's fiancé?" Evan teases.

Bold, kid. Bold.

"I don't need a bodyguard, you know. I'm fine here alone." I cross my arms and huff, making him laugh.

"You don't need to get into it. I'm learning as I go here. It's kind of fun actually. I'm just, you know, waiting in line for my turn."

"Mr. Scolfield, is that your way of flirting?"

"No. That would be extremely unprofessional of me, now wouldn't it. I'm hungry." He changes the topic. "If I order pizza are you in?"

"I'm starving." I get out of my bed as Evan glances around my room. My room with clothes and shoes strewn everywhere.

"You're a mess." He snorts.

***

We keep fairly quiet while eating our pizza and waiting for everyone to return.

"So, am I waiting in the wrong line or you think I have a chance?"

Shit he really was flirting back there wasn't he? I can't help but smile and his face lights up right as Nate buzzes everyone in.

The house is full but it feels different now. It's still loud with people talking and everything while they all grab slices of pizza, but no one is helping James with his food. No one is petting the dog or throwing one of her toys across the room for her to fetch. Evan sits on one side of the sectional couch with his food and I'm on the other side.

I look around the room at everyone going about their business and my eyes fill up again.

Evan looks up from his pizza right as my eyes make their way to his. When he notices me, he gives me a slight smile, nod and wink of the eye, letting me know it's gonna be ok.

It has to be. I don't have a say in the matter.

******

*James*

"So, this is home." I sit down on the couch next to Julia. Everyone is gone and Paul is taking a shower.

"Your home is still home, James." Julia settles in under my arm and curls up on the couch.

"Actually," I kiss her cheek. "You're my home. I want to be wherever you are."

She smiles at me and then stands up and drags me into her bathroom.

"I'll help you shower. This knob is tricky even for me." Julia turns the knob on the shower one way then shakes her head and turns it the other way.

I look at my reflection in the mirror. I look tired and worn out. Older than my age.

"I wonder how I will get my hair cut now. Good thing I just went to the barber the other day."  I shrug. 

"I'm sure Nate can have the barber come here. Or, if I order clippers, I can. I can cut hair, did you know that?" Julia begins undressing me.

"I don't think I trust you with sharp objects, babe." I smirk at her through the mirror.

"No really. When Danny was a baby, I thought maybe I'd becomes a hairdresser. I was so young and stupid. But I went to night school for a little bit and learned the basics. Then it got too expensive, and Luke told me I had to quit and get a real job or stay home with Danny." She frowns. "He didn't like me going out at night while he was stuck at home with the baby."

Sounds controlling if you ask me...

"You could still do that now. Nate would pay. You know he would."

Julia lets out a sigh.

"I signed up to be a permanent Avalon resident, remember?" She frowns again. "It's for the best." It sounds like she is still trying to convince herself of this life altering decision she made.

Once I'm full undressed Julia begins taking her clothes off and rolls her eyes when I become aroused with a smirk on my face.

"Men."

"Did you really think I wouldn't get turned on seeing you naked?" I laugh but then Julia covers her face and cries. I had a feeling this would happen, though. It happens every time she comes down from that medication.

"Aww, it's that med, huh?" I wrap my arms around her. "C'mon, I'll help you shower." I mimic and pull her into the shower with me. Once we are in the warmth of the hot water Julia drops her head to my chest and hugs me.

I almost lost her. I almost went to prison.

It's over.

Now it's my turn and when I feel the stinging sensation in my eyes, I hold Julia tighter and cry. No, I sob. I let it all out and Julia holds me like I need her to.

"I've got ya." She whispers.

Once our emotions have run dry and we are showered, Julia wraps a towel around my waist and tucks it in for me. I can't help but think how I would even shower or get dressed in prison. There would be no one to help and those who would want to would want something in return.  And I'm not into being prison raped.

I try not to think of all that scary stuff. Julia opens a new toothbrush and gets it ready and in my hand for me.

"Shit this is disgusting." I make a face after successfully brushing my own teeth.

"I know. Nate is coming by with real supplies." 

I study the two toothbrushes side by side in the cup and smile.

"Look." I tick my chin to the toothbrushes.

"You've got my toothbrush next to yours and my clothes in your drawers."

******