Chapter 26
JULIA
J ulia left Grant’s office behind, a mix of excitement and exhaustion coursing through her. It had been a long two years, but finally, they had managed to put the entire mess with DG Industries behind them. Lydia would no longer be a threat looming over them at every turn.
She mounted the stairs, her thoughts turning to her family. They had come together, finally finding some acceptance for each other.
She hoped in the weeks and months to come, their bond would grow even stronger. As she threaded her way through the halls, the smile on her features faded.
One side of her family, though, likely wouldn’t stick around. She hoped her sister would stay for at least a week now that everything had calmed down. She’d barely been able to spend any time with her thanks to the drama that persisted since her arrival.
She’d talk to her about it, and hope for the best.
With a sigh, she arrived at Alex’s door and knocked. He pulled it open a second later, a grin crossing his features. “Sunshine, come in.”
Julia wandered inside, spotting his open duffel bag. “Worthington said you were getting ready to leave.”
He crossed to the desk and grabbed his power cord, wrapping it up. “That I am. There are a few fires burning at home that I need to get to.”
Julia winced before offering him an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t intend for this to be so…involved, but I cannot thank you enough. Sierra’s pictures, Kyle, the company, the murder. Alex, without you…we never would have been able to resolve any of this.”
“Ah, I don’t believe that, kid,” he said as he shoved a few other items into his bag. “Of course, you wouldn’t have done it as fast and with as much tech savvy, but I’m relatively certain you saved the old man from a murder charge and managed to escape a kidnapping before you called me for help.”
Julia offered a soft chuckle. “I did, yes. It’s been…a whirlwind two years.”
“Sounds like it.” He tossed his laptop into the bag and zipped it shut. “But it should be smooth sailing from here on out?”
Julia raised her eyes to the ceiling as she sucked in a breath. “Gosh, I hope so. This family needs to heal.”
“And…will our fair queen be healing with them?”
She grinned at him, lifting a shoulder in the air. “Yes, I will be.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “With Big G or Little G?”
She giggled at the question. “Big. I am definitely in love with Grant. I was when we spoke at the dinner party, I just…”
“Wasn’t certain?”
She nodded. “Something like that. But we’ve resolved everything, and we’re committed to moving forward together.”
“He’s a lucky man,” Alex said as he slung his bag onto his shoulder.
“Thank you. But I really feel like I’m the lucky one. I’ve found a wonderful family. And I hope moving forward will be much easier than it was with Lydia trying to destroy us at every turn.”
“The Iron Lady was really an interesting adversary. Did she ever reveal her reasons for doing this?”
Julia shrugged as she shook her head. “She said she felt abused by Grant during their marriage. I don’t know. I think she may have had some kind of mental disorder. Or maybe, to her, her marriage was that bad.”
Alex screwed up his face, cocking his head. “Why go after your own daughter to destroy your ex?”
“That she did address,” Julia said with a raise of her eyebrows. “According to her, she…can’t stand the sight of Sierra because she reminds her that she stayed in the marriage for five years with Grant. She said it was so bad she hates Sierra for it.”
“Wow, that is truly messed up.”
Julia bobbed her head up and down. “It really is. How you can hate your child for that, then leave her with the man you thought was so horrible is beyond belief, but Lydia was pretty self-centered.”
“At least you’ll no longer have to deal with her. I bet Grantster finds her death a blessing instead of a curse.”
“I think he does. Even Sierra does. Especially after her bombshell. Sierra seems to be taking it in stride, though. I guess despite her DNA, she really is a Harrington.”
Silence stretched between them for a second before Julia extended her arms to pull Alex into a hug.
“I really do have to thank you again, though. You went above and beyond. We’ll never be able to repay you for this. Oh,” she said as she pulled back, “Grant did say to tell you he’ll be looking to buy back the company soon.”
“Good. I look forward to handing HG back to him. I don’t like to dirty my portfolio with energy companies,” he said with a wrinkled nose.
She chuckled at the tongue-in-cheek statement. “We’ll be in touch. And please tell Ava we are so sorry to take you away from her and whatever is going on at home.”
“Oh, I will.” He narrowed his eyes at her again. “About that…”
“Yeah?” she prompted as his voice trailed off.
“You keep talking about repaying me…and it’s not necessary, but if you’re interested, I may have a way.”
Her eyebrows shot up as she studied his face. “I’d love to hear it. You were instrumental in solving our problems, it’s the least we can do.”
“Ava and I are…having a little issue on the homefront. We’d love to have your help sorting through it. And what with all your experience with investigations, your insight is likely invaluable.”
“I don’t know about that, but I would be more than happy to help you in any way that I can.”
He grinned at her. “Then consider the debt repaid. I’ll text you when I’m home. We’ll talk dates. You’re going to love the Hamptons.”
She smiled at him. “I’ll let Grant know.”
“And the whole fam. We'd love to see everyone.”
“Okay, a family vacation may be just what this family needs.”
He offered her a coy smile. “Well, vacation may be a stretch, but…we do overlook a lovely area of beach.”
“Oh, perfect. I miss the sea so much. Although, I’m certain a hotel–“
“Dut, dut, dut,” Alex said with a wag of his finger, “you are almost family. You can stay with the Stones.”
“All right. I’ll talk to Grant, and we’ll be in touch.”
Alex pushed through the door into the hall. “I look forward to it, kid. I’ll see myself out.”
She stepped into the hall with him, giving him another hug before he left her behind. With a deep inhale, she threaded through the halls in search of her sister.
She reached Alicia’s door and banged against it, but no one answered. “Ally?”
“Yeah?” Alicia answered from her side.
She twisted to find her sister approaching her. “Hey. There you are.”
“Here I am,” Alicia said as she threw her hands to the side.
Julia pulled her sister into a hug.
Alicia leaned back, crinkling her brow. “You okay?”
“I’m just…happy to see you. Happy this entire nightmare with Lydia is over.” She heaved a sigh. “I’m just…happy.”
Alicia pushed through her door, motioning for Julia to follow. “You look happy.”
“Actually, I’m almost happy.” Julia drifted into her sister’s room, her gaze sweeping over the familiar details before she collapsed into the plush embrace of an armchair, seeking comfort.
“Uh-oh.” Alicia’s eyes narrowed, a shadow of concern flickering through her eyes as she studied Julia. “What’s that mean?”
“It means that with everything over, I hope you’re not planning on leaving just yet because I’d like to spend some time with you.”
Alicia tugged a corner of her lips back into a half-smile. “You mean now that no one’s trying to kill you or your stepkids or your husband or ruin your lives?”
“Yep, that’s what I mean.”
Alicia winced as she sucked in a sharp breath. “Well, unfortunately, my vacation is coming to a swift end. I’ve got to get back to work.”
A sharp pang squeezed Julia’s heart, each word from Alicia echoing in the hollow space of her chest. She wondered how much longer she’d have with her sister before she left.
While she loved her family, she’d miss Alicia.
Maybe they could stop by Harbor Cove before or after their trip to the Hamptons.
She pressed her lips together, putting on a brave face for her sister. She couldn’t blame Alicia for going home. When she hadn’t been home in over a year, Alicia had expressed the same sadness.
She now knew what her sister had gone through while they were separated. With a forced smile, she raised her eyes to her sister. “Yeah, I get it. Especially with that mean boss you have. How are things with Ethan, anyway?”
Alicia shrugged as she settled back in her chair. “Okay. I need to have a talk with him about how we’re going to move forward, but Ethan’s not the reason I need to get back to work.”
“Back to policing garden gnome heights?”
Alicia’s soft laughter filled the room as she leaned into her palm, the warmth in her eyes lighting the space between them. “No, I’m actually quitting HCPD. Ethan’s not going to be happy, but…”
Julia’s jaw dropped open. “Ally! Are you serious? I thought you loved that job.”
“I do. I did. I…come on, Juju. I left the FBI, and I went back home. I love Harbor Cove, but…I love my sister more. My bond with you–it’s stronger than any attachment to a place. You’re my true north.”
Julia blew out a surprised breath. “Wow. I mean, I love you, too, but leaving Harbor Cove is a big step.” Julia winced, shooting her sister a consoling glance. “It also means leaving Ethan.”
“Maybe, maybe not. That’s what I want to talk to him about.”
“Wow, Ally, that’s…” Julia heaved a sigh as she curled her legs under her. “It’s a big step. I love you for it, too, but…”
“But you don’t want me to stay?” Alicia asked.
Julia shook her head. “I would love for you to stay. That’s why I’m here. I wanted you to stay for at least a little bit so we could spend time together. But…moving here is a huge change. I don’t want you to be unhappy just to stay close to me.”
“I won’t be,” Alicia promised. “How could I ever be unhappy this close to my baby sister?”
Julia opened her mouth to respond, her features pinching.