Chapter 5

With tears running down her cheeks, Julie could only stare at the ring a moment, speechless. Then she looked up at Carlos, realizing he was watching her and waiting for an answer. Snapping out of her momentary stupor, Julie was able to find her voice, "Of course I'll marry you!" Wrapping her arms around his neck, Julie kissed Carlos passionately.

* * * * *

* * *

Once word was out about Carlos and Julie's engagement, Julie knew she had to tell her parents.

"I know my mother will be happy for us, but. . . "

"Your father," finished Carlos.

"Yeah. I know he's going to make a scene," said Julie.

Carlos nodded. He knew how much of a struggle Julie has gone through with her father. He was constantly trying to control Julie and she was constantly resisting his control.

"Look, maybe you should choose a neutral location. Not your apartment and not their house," suggested Carlos.

Trent, who had joined Carlos and Julie for lunch, said, "Why not C.D.'s?

It's a public place and I'm sure your father would never want to create a public scene."

Julie laughed, "You're right Trent, he would never do anything to draw negative attention to himself."

Later that night Julie called her mother. After the usually pleasantries

Julie said, "I want to invite you and dad to dinner at C.D.'s."

"Is everything okay honey?" asked Ellen.

"Yes, everything's great, but there is something I want to talk to you and dad about."

"Okay, of course we'll come. When?"

"Is tomorrow night okay?"

"Yes it is."

When she hung up the phone, Julie needed to get out. Throwing on some workout clothes, Julie went out for a run. After her run, she felt a lot better and was able to concentrate on the work she had brought home with her.

Going through her appointment book, Julie saw that she had three appointments, one with the parents of a girl who had attempted suicide. She was fifteen and a very fragile girl. Julie worked with her, but knew that it was time to talk to her parents. From experience, Julie knew that these meetings could be tough.

Continuing to look through her appointments, she saw that she had a lunch meeting with Alex about a teenager who was being put on trial for the death of his friends. The courts wanted a psychological profile done on him. Another tough meeting. Then, to top off the day, there was the dinner with her parents. At least Carlos will be there with me, she thought as she put everything away and shut off her laptop.

The next morning Julie decided to dress as professionally and comfortably as she could, knowing it was going to be a rough day. Choosing black flare-legged pants and a simple white blouse, she then combed out her long straight hair and clipped it together at the base of her neck.

Two hours later, Julie felt her first two meetings had gone well. Then her secretary sent in Mr. and Mrs. Williamson. Julie right away took note of the man and woman who came into her office. Mr. Williamson was easily six feet tall and built like a line backer. His hair was cut close to his head and was a very deep black. His eyes were hard and cold. Mrs. Williamson was the total opposite of her husband, she was small with light blue eyes and fair hair. She noticed that Crystal got her looks mostly from her father.

Julie led them into her conference room, a room that only contained two arm chairs and a sofa with a coffee table. Julie had designed the room to offer comfort and a sense of safety. Taking seats in the armchairs, the Williamson's waited for Julie to speak. Julie sat on the couch and set her notes on the table.

"I asked you both here to discuss the progress of Crystal's therapy,'

Julie started.

But before she could continue, Mr. Williamson spoke up, his voice practically booming. "I don't want to hear any of you psychojunk. All I want to know is that Crystal is cured and something like this will never happen again."

"Mr. Willimason, first of all, I would appreciate it if you lowered your voice and second of all, I cannot guarantee that and neither can Crystal," she said in a calm, but firm tone.

Mr. Willimason settled down and looked at Julie. When she was sure that she had his full attention once again, Julie continued, "Crystal is recovering and will continue to recover, but it will take time." Consulting her notes, Julie looked up when she heard Mrs, Williamson clear her throat.

"Is there anything we can do to help her?" she asked.

This was what Julie had been waiting for. By wanting to know how to help.

Mrs. Williamson was demonstrating that Carystal would get support from one of her parents.

"You could be there for her, listen to what she has to say and support her decisions."

An hour later, with the meeting over, Julie felt that Crystal would be okay and be given the support and love she needed, even from Mr. Williamson, who showed how much he loved his daughter.

Finishing up her notes on the meeting, Julie saw that it was already six o'clock. Locking up, Julie headed home to get ready for her dinner with her parents.

Looking in the floor length mirror on the back of the closet door, Julie felt that the light blue, knee-length skirt, white tank top and light blue shrug were suitable for this dinner. She brushed out her waist length dark hair and was ready to go.

* * * * * * *

* * *

Julie and Carlos decided to meet at C.D.'s a half an hour before her parents got there.

"Are you okay?" Carlos asked her as they were sitting beside each other at a table in the back of the restaurant.

"I'm really nervous about this," she said honestly. Julie couldn't remember ever feeling this nervous about facing her father about something she knew he wasn't going to like.

Carlos put a hand over hers, "Everything is going to be okay," he said, and then he kissed her lightly. As the kiss became a bit deeper and Julie started to melt into it, the sound of someone clearing their throat broke them apart. Julie looked up and saw her parents standing in front of them.

She jumped up and hugged her mother, then invited them to sit down. Deciding to get to the point as quickly as possible, Julie looked quickly at Carlos, who nodded to her, Julie took a deep breath and said, "Carlos and I are engaged to be married."

Then there was silence. The silence made Julie nervous and just as she was about to sat something, her father spoke up, "I will not allow this Julianna. . .I forbid it!"

Julie stared at her father in amazement, but Carlos spoke first, "Mr.

Lawrence, you have to understand how much I love Julie."

"Oh, I understand it!" Edward said in a low dangerous voice. "I understand that your love for Julie is solely based on what you can get from her."

Julie had enough of this. She stood up and said in a tone that matched her father's, "You understand NOTHING! You don't understand love because you have never loved in your life. . . not the type of soul-searching, deep, passionate love that I share with Carlos. I wanted to be the one to tell you about your engagement before you heard it from somewhere else." Julie had to pause to catch her breath, but she was so angry and she had this inner need to get her feelings out. "I did not tell you about our engagement to gain your approval or permission!"

She would have continued with her argument, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. Carlos had also stood up and was standing beside her. "Mr

Lawrence, I love Julianna very much for who she is, not because of what she has or may someday have. I know you have never liked me and feel I have been a bad influence on your daughter, but I believe Julie has been the better influence on me." Carlos held up a hand when Edward went to speak. "I have supported Julie in whatever she wanted to do, including this meeting with you. But the one thing I will not support, is you thinking you can continue to control her life. Julie's life belongs to her and what I want most is for her to live it. Julie and I are getting married whether you approve or not."

Silence followed Carlos's final words, them Edward said, "Your right Mr.

Sandoval, I don't approve of this marriage." Then he looked directly at Julie, "And as long as you insist on marrying him, you are no longer my daughter."

"Edward!" exclaimed Ellen. She knew her husband could be controlling, but this was extreme.

"I think this is what has to be done Ellen, for Julianna to understand how serious I am," said Edward, his hard cold eyes staring at his daughter.