Groo: I pull Julie further on to my lap and stand. I carry her to the bed and lay her gently down, curling up beside her and stroking her face softly.
Julie: I pull away curling up in a ball lost in the fear. She was my mom, which means she is going to take me away from them, away from what i know.
Groo: "Do not pull away, my sweet Julie," I say softly, pulling her gently back to me. "I will not leave you, I love you."
Julie: I pull away again my whole body shaking in fear.
Groo: I pull her to me, holding her firmly. "There is no need to be frightened, my sweet Julie," I say gently, kissing her cheek softly.
Julie: I backhand him causing him to let me go and move back to the corner of the room.
Groo: I rub my jaw briefly before moving closer to her, sitting near her, but not touching her. "I am here," I say softly.
Julie: "Go" I whisper as I turn away from him, towards the corner. I couldn't look at him...I shouldn't have gotten comfortable.
Groo: "I will not," I say gently but firmly. "I told you I will not leave, I do not lie."
Julie: "Just go" I repeat.
Edward: I hear her and walk into the room touching his shoulder. "I believe she could use her space.."
Groo: I look up at Edward, then back to her, then nod. "I will wait in the hallway," I say, standing.
Edward: I walk out into the hall with him shutting her door. "Why don't you join me for a cup of tea...let her have some time alone."
Groo: I look at the door, then sigh. "Perhaps you are correct. I would be honored to join you for tea," I say, following him down the stairs.
Edward: "Thank you" I said as I looked back to the room then walking downstairs. "She is fragile right now."
Groo: I nod. "I do not know how to assist her. It is quite difficult for me."
Edward: "Patience, and knowing when to walk away to give her space...they are quite important factors."
Groo: I look to him, "How are you able to assertain when is the appropriate time to allow her space? I am patient, I will not rush her, I simply do not understand."
Edward: "When she starts to act unresonable...like when she pushes you away..I simply walk away for a time."
Groo: "I understand. But how do you know how long to allow her to be alone? I am afraid she will think I have left her, I do not want her to consider that ever."
Edward: "I assure you, she knows you haven't left her. When it has been days and you don't return then she will grow concerned.
Groo: "That will never happen," I say. I then look up at him. "You are teasing me."
Edward: "I fear I don't understand?" I ask confused.
Groo: "You cannot truly believe I would stay apart from her for many days, can you?" I ask.
Edward: "That was the point I was attempting to make." I said "I didn't state that you would, I was simply saying if that happened, then she would worry."
Groo: "Oh, I am sorry, I misunderstood. May I ask you a question, Mr. Lawrence?"
Edward: "You may ask anything." I say
Groo: "How long have you known Julie?"
Edward: I think a moment "I believe it has been a year." I say as I think on this.
Groo: "And you love her?" I ask.
Edward: "Like a daughter i never had but always longed for."
Groo: I nod. "That is good. She deserves to be loved," I say softly.
Edward: "Is there a reason you wanted this information?"
Groo: I shrug, "I only want to know all things about her. I adore her, I wish to know everything. I suppose I just wanted to ensure she was loved by others as well as myself."
Edward: I smile "That makes sense." I said softly a I poured the tea.
Groo: I smile at him. "Thank you, I have never felt for anyone as I do her. It is a bit unsettling as I have only known her a short time. I do not believe it any less real, however."
Edward: "I trust you with her, just be patient, and when she begins to push your limits just walk away."
Groo: "I am a Pylean warrior, my limits are quite far away," I say, sipping my tea. "I have already adorned much tomato soup from her lips," I say with a smile.
Edward: I chuckle "You are a better man than I" I say as I smile. "You do however realize you need to be firm with her and not allow such things correct?"
Groo: I blush slightly. "I am afraid of controlling her as her father did."
Edward: "He manipulated and tortured her, you are looking out for her best interests, she longs to make you happy, I can see it in her eyes, work with that...I would not suggest this in >
Edward: any other case, it is truly what is best for her. You m ust let her fall back on what she knows in some cases, she needs that comfort zone, so if she desires to serve you, allow it...just don't let it go too far."
Groo: I nod, "I believe I understand your meaning. Thank you for your advice. I do not mind her serving me, I only do not wish her to think an obligation."
Edward: "She will feel as such for quite a while, he used her for most everything..." I said "You would not believe the things he forced her to do."
Groo: I feel a chill go up my spine. "I am sure I would not. I cannot understand the things I witnessed, much less what else she must have endured."
Edward: "What you witnessed was the worst of it, he mostly used her as a slave, she was to do anything he wished for."
Groo: "That is why she was so adamant the bed had to be perfect," I say, a piece of the puzzle clicking in to place for me. "Please know, Mr. Lawrence, I will never harm her."
Edward: "I knew that the moment you took her into your arms...I may not have been able to witness it, however I know...if that makes sense."
Groo: I smile. "I believe it does. You are a very good man," I say.
Edward: "I simply wish the best for her and only plan to accept that..." I said firmly "Which is to say, if you ever hurt her...expect pain."
Groo: I laugh, "I assure you I will because if I ever cause her harm, I will fall on my sword. I am only half joking."
Edward: "Good, I believe we have an agreement." I said softly
Groo: I nod, "I believe we do, Mr. Lawrence."
Edward: "Good." I said as I finished my tea. "Do you wish for more tea?"
Julie: I fell asleep in the corner, my body curled up against the wall.
Groo: "That would be excellent, thank you. I have not enjoyed tea with good company for quite some time."
Edward: I pour two glasses only one is not for me. I set them on a tray as well as some biscuits. "Take some to her, she will need the comfort, I assure you, lunch was your onoy hurdle, she shouldn't make you wear this one."
Groo: I smile. "Thank you again, Mr. Lawerence. I hope you are correct, my hair gets dry if I wash it too often," I tease. I take the tray from him, nodding again then turn to walk up the stairs.
Edward: "You are quite welcome." I said as I proceeded to clean up the kitchen and wash the kettle.