Nowadays Every Night: Chapter 18

They were able to keep their little relationship secret for the time being. No one seemed to be the wiser, which pleased Julia and Michael to no end.

No one except for a certain Mr. Jones.

He'd noticed not only a change in Julia's mood, but one in Michael's as well, and one day, asked him about it.

Michael hesitated at first, because it was a really good little thing that he'd had going with Julia.

She and Eric were broken up for all he knew.

TJ decided he'd let things be, because he knew Michael would do the right thing

THE HONORABLE thing.

Michael rolled his eyes as if to say, COME ON!

But he knew deep down TJ was right.

He knew the time was coming to end it.

And deep down he knew Julia knew it too.

But he also hoped there'd be some way to delay it, somehow.

He was dead fond of both Angie and Dani, 'specially Angie, she was a near twin of Julia.

Dani too, I s'pose I'm just seeing Jules everywhere I go.

But GOD I finally got the chance to tell 'er how I feel about her, and not only that, she's been keen on me too.

And the other night..wow..better that I'd hoped it'd be. Guess  I have Eric to thank for breaking her in so to speak, but I'VE got her now.

And I don't wanna let go.

I know I'll have to eventually. But I know something else.

I'll never forget her. I'll always remember her.

I'll always love her.

Julia got a room on her own, hoping it'd give her a chance to clear her head. She knew, as badly as she'd wanted to, it wasn't a good idea to be in Michael's bed another night.

That didn't stop him from coming to her though.

She found herself giving in to him..to the kisses..giving in when he touched her..letting him ... letting him make love to her.

The whole time, no matter how good he made her feel, she was plagued by guilt.

Julia'd lie awake, eyes open, looking at the ceiling as Michael moved inside her, her arms around his neck, legs around his waist.

He was so willing to love her, to please her, and she couldn't bring herself to return it, no matter how badly she wanted to.

Every thought turned to Eric.

Wonder if he's missing me just as badly? Or is he even giving me a second thought?

Michael'd been kissing her neck, and paused. "Babe?"

"Huh?" asked Julia.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," she lied. "Honest."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, really. I'm fine. You didn't have to stop, Meep."

He raised his head to look at her with blurry brown eyes. "You sure you're okay? We don't have to if you don't want to."

But I WANT to..really badly...That's the thing..You're not the only man I want though.

"I'm fine," she said, rubbing her leg against him. "Really. And I do want you."

"Never doubted that," he purred.

He leaned in to kiss her, and when they did, Julia slid her tongue inside his mouth.

"Mmm.." he groaned.

She rolled the two of them over, all tangled up in the bedsheets, Michael now lying below her.

Julia sat up, straddling him.

Michael's hands were on her hips as she did, adjusting her to bring himself back inside.

He did make her feel good, better than she'd felt in a long time.

When she leaned in to kiss him, he stopped her. "No..wait.." he whispered. "Let me look at you."

"You've seen me naked already, Meep."

"I know..I know.." he whispered, his hand stroking her. "I just like looking."

Julia groaned.

"Lean over me," he whispered.

When she did, he looked up at her.

"I know this IS the last time we can be together, baby. I've known it for a long time now."

"Me too," she whispered as they kissed. "I'm glad you understand."

"I love you. I'll always understand."

He kissed her another time then whispered, "Close your eyes."

When she did, she felt his breath on her skin as he took one of her breasts into his mouth.

"Ohh.." she whimpered, her hands gripping the pillow underneath his head. "Oh..Oh God..Ohh.."

"Be with me," he whispered, suckling her. "Mmmm.. Be with me."

Julia moaned.

"Let me love you," he whispered, rolling them over.

"Don't stop..Ohh don't stop.." she whimpered, eyes squeezed shut as he moved to the other side, his breath warm and damp against her.

Michael licked the skin as he sucked, pulling at her nipple with his teeth.

Julia moaned again, quivering underneath him.

He then lowered his face to her, one hand on either side of her ribcage as he kissed her heart, his lips trailing down.

Michael lifted her up, holding her close as he kissed and nuzzled her, treasuring her.

He could feel her relax more and more under his touch, her head back, eyes closed, biting her bottom lip.

Her legs went tighter around his waist, and he knew she was loving every move he made.

Just as he loved every inch of her.

Julia's breath came out in little gasps as Michael teased her, played with her.

He lowered his head to her body, his tongue lapping at her.

She whimpered, reaching for him.

He gently pushed her hand away, as he slid out of her, his hands stroking her thighs.

Michael got a wicked expression on his face as he lowered his head.

"OH GOD!"

He watched her body bow up off the mattress, then kissed her again.

"Michael......" she breathed, clutching a handful of sheet.

He rose to his knees, lowering his head once more, his tongue sliding into her.

"Mmm..mmm...mmmm...."

Bofh of his hands were around her backside, lifting her body up to him as he sucked.

Julia writhed, her head tossing back and forth.

She didn't fight the need she felt any longer.

"Michael..."she groaned. "GOD...Michael.."

It turned him on to hear her say his name, he slid his tongue deeper inside.

"Julia.." he whispered.

"Come up here," she whispered, eyes closed, shivering every time he went down on her.

Michael breathed her in as he sucked, sighing to himself.

"You be with ME now," she whispered, grasping his head.

He released her, sliding up her body all wet and warm.

They kissed deep as she spread her legs, guiding him inside her.

He licked at her lips, sucked her tongue as he moved.

"Jules.." he groaned,  as she raised her hips to meet his, legs wrapped around his waist.

She looked up at him with blurry eyes as they made love, her hands sliding all over his body.

He buried his face in her neck, losing himself in the scent of her, in the scent of them, as his body plunged deeper.

"Don't stop..Don't stop.." she moaned softly. "Mmm...don't stop."

Michael licked and sucked the skin just below her ear.

"Mmmmm..." purred Julia.

He found his rhythm easily and was gliding in and out of her, the bed creaking underneath them.

She moaned in his ear. "Harder..Take me harder..."

"I'll hurt you."

"No.." she said in between breaths."You won't. Do it, Mike."

"You want me to .."

"Yeah," she said softly, stroking his face. "I want you too."

He looked down at her for a second, then crushed his lips to hers.

She kissed him back just as passionately.

When she did, he rammed himself deep inside her.

"That's it," she whispered in between kisses. "That's it."

Michael drove himself even harder into her, the bed thumping against the wall now.

Her legs locked around him, Julia threw her head back.

God she's beautiful, he thought.

He found himself speaking the thought out loud.

She giggled in response.

"You knew that all along, didn't you?" he whispered, licking her neck.

Julia moaned.

Michael got to his knees, lifting her up, holding her close as his body pumped into hers.

Julia's arms went around his neck as he  licked the skin around her breast as he suckled her, taking her in.

Everything sounded and felt warm and wet to him, Julia's moans turning him on even more, his skin meeting hers, sliding into hers.

"Ohhh YES..OH GOD YES..." she moaned, a little louder than before.

When he kissed her lips again, he licked the roof of her mouth, Julia clutching the sides of his head, before they lay back down once more, Michael licking every inch of her, in time to his thrusts.

Should I have done that? she thought. What the hell. As long as I don't yell his name out. But what if I did? Eric cheated on me first.

God..ERIC.

As she and Michael rolled around the bed, Eric reappeared in her mind once more.

But Julia was lost in the pleasure she felt with Michael, and the thought of Eric disappeared as quickly as it had come.

He's so willing to be with me..so willing to love me...he's so good to me.

It's better than the dreams, better because it's real.

I'll always remember this...

Michael'd raised his head by this point, looking first at her, then at the two of them, watching their bodies coming together, then back, his forehead damp with sweat, brown eyes blurry, as he leaned in to kiss her.

She kissed him back, a kiss sweeter than she could have ever hoped to receive.

And I'll ALWAYS love you.

Eric lay alone in his bed, clutching the pillow next to him.

He hadn't had the nerve to approach Julia during the filming, but he wanted to badly.

His heart ached for her.

I should have waited for when she got here. I can't believe I've done what I've done. God I miss her.

As he lay awake with his thoughts, he could hear a thumping noise from the wall across the way.

Looks like Palin's got someone, he thought, closing his eyes.

I'm gonna fix this, Julia. Whatever it takes to get you back, baby.

After it was over, Julia looked at Michael.

"I'm going to have to leave now," he said softly. "Aren't I?"

She nodded. "I'm afraid so."

He propped himself up on one elbow, the sheet falling down to his waist.

"But," began Julia. "I wanted to thank you, for everything."

He looked at her.

"For being there," she said. "I really mean that."

"Not just for the sex?"

"No," she said, poking him in the tummy. "Not JUST for that. That was amazing in itself."

"It was, wasn't it?" Michael said playfully.

"Aye," she said, leaning in to kiss him. "It was."

They kissed for several minutes, Michael sliding his tongue across the roof of her mouth.

"Mmm.." groaned Julia. "I hate it when you do that."

"Do you now?"

"No, not really," she said in between. "But.."

"I know," whispered Michael, sucking on her bottom lip. "I know."

He was leaning over her by this point.

"It's going to be bloody distracting later on," he whispered, rubbing her stomach. "Bloody distracting."

"Mmm..how so?"

"Seeing you looking so gorgeous out 'ere, knowing I won't be able to do..mm..anything about it anymore."

"I'll be in armor," she whispered, touching his cheek. "You won't see me."

They continued to kiss for several minutes.

That's how it all started, thought Julia. With a kiss.

"But you're not the only one who'd be staring, Meep," she whispered, as Michael kissed her shoulder.

"I know..Idle'll be there too."

"That's not, well, that's part of it, but, that's not what I meant."

"What'd you mean then?"

"I mean," Julia said with a groan, Michael licking her neck. "I meant me. Me looking at you."

Michael purred softly. "Would you now?"

"Aye, I wouldn't get caught see, I'd have me helmet on."

"I hope you like what you see then."

Julia raised the bedsheet, looking underneath. "Already do," she said.

"As do I, lassie," said Michael, leaning in once more.

Later the next morning, was the filming of the scene with the wizard Tim, who was one more of John's nutty characters.

They were back out on the moors, it was a very windy and blustery day.

Someone else'd been chosen to be Sunshine for this scene, Gilliam, who was to be Sir Gawain in a visible shot, choosing to play Patsy.

He'd asked Julia to stand in for him, and she'd agreed.

She was to be another knight in the visible shot, the one before the battle with the killer rabbit.

Gawain was the name of that character.

"Do I have to talk?" she asked.

"Nope," smiled TJ. "Just die dramatic."

"Like this?" said Julia, clutching her heart and falling to the ground in a really over the top way.

"Close," said Gilliam, grinning. "That's close."

Graham and John both grinned at her.

Michael was over talking to someone, and glanced her way.

She returned it, nodding politely.

"Told you," he mouthed, blinking his eyes.

"Can get away with it once," she answered.

He smiled, then went back to his conversation.

Just then, coming across, she saw Eric.

And felt weak in the knees.

He's even more beautiful..oh my..

Michael glanced up again, as Eric headed her way.

Julia glanced to him, and Michael nodded at her.

"I need to talk to you," said Eric when he got closer.

"Okay."

"In private," he whispered.

Julia nodded, following him to a spot down in the cave.

"What's on?"

"I've done something I'm ashamed of, very ashamed of," he began. "The other night, I..I was drunk and.."

Julia knew what he was referring to, and the memory stung a little.

I'm just as guilty.

"I didn't realise 'til the next morning when I was sober and.." said Eric in a trembling voice. "I'm so sorry, baby. I really am. It wasn't just the one time though, it happened 'fore you got here."

"What?"

Eric nodded, his face pale. "I was drunk both times. But I..I never stopped loving you. I still do, Julia. I really do. And I'll understand if you don't..if.."

"Wait."

"Yeah?"

"I understand."

"You do?"

"Yeah. And I forgive you."

Eric's blue eyes went wide. "You're not going to chuck me?"

"No. I still love you too. I've never stopped either."

"Oh!" he exclaimed, hugging her tight.

She hugged back. "I need to ask the same of you now," she whispered.

"Anything, baby, anything."

"I need to ask you to forgive me."

"For what?"

"I've been human too."

His eyes searched hers. "You.."

"Yes," she said, nodding.

Across the way, TJ went to Michael.

"You broke it off yet?"

"Yeah," said Michael softly. "This morning. While we were in bed."

"Oh Christ.."

"No, listen. It's over, T. Between Jules and I. It's over."

"S'pose she's going to tell Eric you slept with her?"

"I don't know. I'll stand up if he does. At least I was there when she needed someone. I got my wish. I got to love her once. I still do."

"Does she love you?"

"Fond. That's the word. Fond. Eric's who she needs to be with. He found her first, he got her first. She loved him first."

"Did you know he was going to propose?"

"He'd already done once."

"What?"

"Aye," said John. "She told me and Con all about it 'fore we got 'ere."

Graham nodded. "Julie confided in me that she had feelings for you too, Mike."

Michael nodded. "I know. I've loved her since I saw her."

"Does she know?"

"Aye. We ended it this morning."

"Ended what?" asked Gilliam.

"Wait. You..you were with Julie?"

"Aye."

"He was her rebound," said TJ.

"God in Heaven.." muttered John.

"Well, I for one am glad things are sorted out," said Graham.

"Thanks, mate."

"I'm just jealous she didn't pick me."

"What was she like then?"

"You've got a wife, Terry."

"I know, but I can wonder."

"She was.." said Michael, the memory reappearing. "She was..incredible."

"I s'pose I deserve that," said Eric.

"No, no one does. We both made mistakes, love. Doesn't mean we can't sort things out. And start over."

"You want to?"

"Yeah. I do. I still.."

"I think I know where you're going," said Eric, going down to one knee.

"What are you?"

He reached in the pocket of his tunic and pulled out a little box.

"Julia Boyd," he said softly. "Will you marry me?"

"Oh my God," she said, looking at the antique diamond. "You.."

"I promised I'd get a real ring," he said. "The claddagh only went so far."

"Oh my.."

Out of the corner of her eye she could see the other Pythons, and caught Michael's eye.

He nodded at her.

"Babe?"

"Oh..I'm sorry, Eric. I'm sorry."

"It's alright," he said. "I love you. I'm used to waiting."

"I love you too," she said. "And yes. Yes, I'll marry you."

He beamed from ear to ear, Julia couldn't help but smile back, as he slid the ring onto her finger.

There was applause from the other Pythons and the crew, as Eric got to his feet, pulling Julia close.

She hugged him tightly, Eric kissing the side of her cheek.

Over his shoulder, she looked at Michael once more.

Good on you, he told her silently.

Thanks. For EVERYTHING.

That's what friends do, Jules. Friends forever eh?

And EVER.

"I love you," whispered Eric in her ear.

"I love you too," she whispered back as he kissed her.

The filming that day went well, as did the rest of the shoot, better than anyone'd expected, despite John having a scary moment with the explosives.

The last evening, Julia followed Eric into their room.

"I missed you," he said softly, pulling her close.

"And I you," she said, as he kissed her. "Things will work out. Married couples fight, but they work through it."

"We're not married yet," he said.

"No, but we're getting practice."

He chuckled.

The kisses grew a little deeper, Eric groaning.

"What's wrong?"

"Mmph..nothing..Nothing's wrong," he said.shifting against her.

Julia leaned in, kissing and sliding her tongue along his neck.

"Ohh..God.." groaned Eric. 'I remember the first time you did that to me."

She chuckled evilly, pushing him down on the bed. then straddling him.

"I just know you good," she whispered, leaning in to him.

They kissed again, Eric's hands going up and down her back.

He rolled them over, Julia's legs going around his waist.

She slid her tongue in his mouth as he pulled at her clothes, she at his.

When everything was gone, all dumped on the floor, he paused, raising up to look at her.

"What?"

"I just missed seeing," whispered Eric.

Julia slid her hand down his arm, feeling the muscle there.

"Me too," she whispered, as he leaned his head down, settling his body against hers as they kissed.

Her arms went around his neck as he kissed along her jawline, down to her heart, his hands going to her chest.

The body memory of Michael doing the same thing appeared in her mind and she dismissed it.

He's the past..Eric's the one now..The one who will always be.

His head lowered , taking her in, sucking gently.

Julia groaned.

Eric skimmed his hands down her ribcage, spreading her legs a little further apart, putting her left leg a little higher around his waist.

One hand went to her center, stroking her, Eric watching Julia's reaction, her body lifting off the bed, as he slipped one finger inside her.

That was something she remembered, he was more of a feeler, which she loved.

He stroked and rubbed her, kissing the inside of her thigh, until she was close to releasing.

Then he let go, sliding up, his body sleek.

"Let me come home," he whispered as he entered her.

They began to make love, and it was better than she dreamed, better than she remembered.

Things are how they should be now..how they should ALWAYS be.

Always gotta look on the bright side of life, you know?

The End.