Epilogue – Part 2

Julianna loved her Sweet Sixteen party.  The fact that all her family and friends were in attendance made the occasion that much more special.  Unlike at her parents’ wedding reception, Julianna and Michael shared almost every dance together.  Michael showed a bit of jealousy when one of Julianna’s athletic-looking schoolmates cut in, and Julianna reluctantly held her tongue when Shelly cut in on them, even though she was pleased her friend had seemed to have gotten her life back on track.  Frank and Diego were nowhere to be found. 

*~*

Julianna continued to excel in school, and in early June 2016, she graduated from high school.  Many people from Port Charles came to Philadelphia, including Michael, who had just completed his first year at Port Charles University.  Julianna had attended his graduation the prior year, and that’s when she announced to her parents and relatives her plans to attend PCU too.  Michael had decided to gear his studies towards psychology; Julianna planned to continue her goal to work with children. 

When Michael and Julianna were alone, after her graduation party at a nearby hotel, he presented her with another wrapped ring box.

“This is to replace the friendship ring,” he told her as she excitedly opened the gift.

Tears filled her eyes when she saw the sparkling solitaire diamond ring set in gold.

“Oh, Michael,” she said when she could finally speak.

He carefully removed it from the box and held it up for her inspection.  He took her trembling left hand in his and gazed into her soulful and compassionate hazel eyes.

“Julianna, I know we’re young, and I know we have our whole lives ahead of us.  I’ve thought about this and thought about this, and nothing has changed for me.  I love you with everything I am.  We don’t have to do it right away, but darling, will you marry me?”

“Yes, oh, yes, Michael!  Definitely yes!!”

She cried happy tears as he slipped the ring onto the third finger of her left hand.  She admired it for a few moments, telling herself this was really happening, and then she threw herself into his strong arms and hugged him so tightly he thought she might break his ribs.

“I love you so much,” she told him over and over.

“I love you, too, baby.  And I know I always will.”

Keesha, A.J., Tony and Bobbie were surprised at the engagement but were also happy for the young couple. Knowing they didn't plan to rush into marriage helped ease some of their concerns.

*~*

After Michael earned his Bachelor's Degree, he interned at the Port Charles Center while he continued to study for his Master's Degree. When Julianna graduated, she went to work at a day care. She soon realized she would rather run her own center. She used some of the money from the trust fund her great-grandfather had set up for her to start her own business. With so many residents in Port Charles having babies, the need was there. Julianna was determined to fill it. Running her own business also allowed her to work on her music writing career. She had sold several songs to L&B records. She couldn't have been happier or more satisfied with the way her life was going.

*~*

On March 10, 2020, Julianna and Michael married at the Quartermaine mansion. It seemed fitting to have the wedding and the reception there. Keesha was the lovely matron of honor. Dara, Brooke Lynn, Lesley Lu, Emily, Gia, Bobbie and Skye were bridesmaids. Tony and Lucas were Michael's best men. Brianna, Brian, Kristina, Sonya, Nikolas, Jr., Matthew and Veronica were candle lighters and readers. Dara and Brooke Lynn took turns singing. Ned sang a romantic duet with his daughter. Everyone in attendance knew just how proud A.J. was of Julianna. No one believed his feet touched the ground as he walked his beautiful daughter, dressed in a long white satin dress with a beaded bodice, and a veil that covered her face, down the aisle towards the man who was about to make her his wife.

The evening ceremony was simple yet elegant. The lit candles gave the room a special glow. Michael and Julianna only had eyes for each other. When the reverend pronounced them husband and wife, Julianna had never been happier.

When the groom inclined his head to kiss his wife at the reverend’s instruction, she knew she had married the man of her dreams.  He’s come so far, she thought, as she savored his lips on hers, and she knew she wanted to be by his side as they experienced whatever life had in store for them.

"I love you so much," Michael said, wiping a tear from her cheek as they remained in the aisle.  "Thank you for being in my life."

"Thank you," she said, gazing into his eyes. "Thank you, Michael, for loving me the way you do."

*~*
 

Having taken a liking for winter sports, they honeymooned in the Swiss Alps.  Their suite overlooked the snowcapped mountains.

“This is perfect,” Julianna said.

“I agree,” Michael said and pulled his wife into his arms for a slow wet lingering kiss.

They soon found themselves on the four-poster bed.  They had consummated their relationship soon after her high school graduation, but Julianna still wanted their wedding night to be special.

“I’ll be right back,” she said. 

“I’ll be here,” Michael said, running his finger along the comforter as he lay on his side, waiting for his bride to return.

And return she did, wearing a deep purple baby doll outfit that nearly sucked the breath out of her husband.  Julianna had turned into a woman right before his eyes.  Her luscious curves and shapely long legs enticed him while her full breasts nearly spilled out from the low cut top. 

“Come here,” he said, ready to take her right then and there.

She laughed as she sashayed towards him and then stopped and then moved again, making him that much hungrier with need and desire.

“You are absolutely breathtaking,” he told her when he finally had her next to him on the mattress.

“I want this night to be special.  I know we’ve made love before, but not as husband and wife.  I want to remember every detail.”

“And so you shall.”

With that said Michael placed himself on top of his wife and captured her mouth with his.  Soon their tongues were meeting and dancing while they both ran their fingers along each other’s backs and arms.  Julianna was the first to remove a piece of clothing.  She discarded Michael’s shirt so she could feast her eyes on his well-built upper torso.  She ran the warm palms of her hands along his bare chest while he continued to tease and cajole her mouth, her throat, her neck and her shoulders.

He expertly moved his hands to lift the hem of her lace top to reveal her toned belly and abdomen.  Her mocha skin felt satiny against his smooth hands.  He couldn’t get enough of the feel of her smooth skin and soon had raised the top so he could see all of her, including her luscious pert breasts that seemed to be calling his name. 

He moved his mouth to suck on one breast and then the other.  With his hands, he fondled and squeezed and brought her dark nipples to harden within the palms of his hands.  Julianna stretched out further on the bed, already wet and needing release.  Her core pulsated from her husband’s delectable movements and when she felt him reach inside for the waistband of her outfit, she emitted a soft cry of pleasure as she automatically parted her shapely legs.

Michael teased and nibbled and ran the pads of his fingers all across her soft dark flesh.  Her legs trembled at his touch and his pecks.  He mercilessly teased her inner thighs and when he finally lowered her lace panties, he saw that she was soaking wet. 

She writhed and arched when she felt his fingers deftly sliding inside her clit.  So ready to come she nearly screamed for sweet release, but just when she thought he would grant her what she so desperately craved, he removed his fingers and instead rolled her over so she was lying on her stomach.

With her belly on fire and her insides clamoring for what only he could give her, he began to slide his tongue across the soft flesh of her bare bottom and hips and then nip at the pliant flesh.  She grabbed the sheets to keep from crying out as she shuddered with pleasure.  She wanted to feel his every move, his every touch.  She loved the way he took his time to please her.  She couldn’t wait until it was her turn to tease and tantalize him.  He knew what she liked and how she liked it.  She knew the same about him.  Her flesh practically molded to his hands as he ran his fingers along the sensitive skin of her curves and the flare of her cheeks as they responded to his touch.

“Michael,” she practically groaned, not sure how much more delicious punishment her body could take.  “Baby, I need to feel you inside of me.  Soon.  Very soon.”

His hands roaming across the back of her caused her to shiver with anticipation and excitement.  She knew once he moved upward towards her shoulder blades, he would roll her over and see how ready she was to receive him.

And he did exactly that.

They removed the remaining clothing barriers until all that was left were Michael’s briefs.  His manhood throbbed painfully against the fabric.  With a smile on her face and a glint in her eyes that Michael had come to enjoy, she pulled him closer and then reached for the waistband.  With her fingers resting against the skin of his waist, she waited until he began to squirm from the hotness of her touch.

“Julianna...” he ground out.

And then she knew what she needed to do.

With fingers as deft as his had been she slowly pulled down his briefs, her insides on fire at the thought of seeing her husband fully erect and waiting to enter her.  She was not disappointed.  When she would have reached out to touch him, he pulled away slightly and instead used his fingers to make her even more ready to receive him.  She twisted and turned on the already wrinkled satin sheets and moaned softly with pleasure as he drove her to near madness with his warm fingers adding to the hotness she was already experiencing.   

When he knew she couldn’t take another moment of sweet torture, he placed his hands behind her back and drew her closer so she could feel his throbbing shaft against her wet center.

She bit her lip to keep from crying out as he worked his way in slowly, ever so slowly, making her desperate to feel him fully inside of her.  When he couldn’t hold back any longer, he entered her and she immediately felt her insides explode. 

She cried out his name as he rocked her and held her by her hips as they found their rhythm.  She grabbed his bare bottom and held on tight to his flesh as her core throbbed with the pleasure he was providing her and when he deepened the thrusts and the urgency, she finally came with a cry that shook both of them and the bed.

Michael’s completion came soon after and then he lay on top of her but remained inside, not ready to remove himself from her very being.

“I love you so much,” she said, wiping the sweat from his face as she pushed his damp hair away from his forehead.

“I love you, too, my precious, Jule,” he said, knowing this was the beginning of a whole new way of life for him.

Sane and happy and so very much in love.

*~*

During a small lull in their honeymoon activities, Michael couldn't help but wonder about Jason.

"Do you think he's still here?" he asked his wife.

She shrugged. "I don't know. Do you want to contact him?"

"I'd like closure. I feel I have that now with my mom and Sonny, but Jason still crosses my mind."

After looking into it, they found out he lived in a chalet not too far from where they were staying. They decided to visit him and discovered he was living there with Brenda. Looking healthier and seeming to have a better attitude, he welcomed them into his home and introduced them to Brenda, who immediately noticed Julianna's beautiful rings.

"You're married!" Brenda exclaimed.

Julianna and Michael couldn't keep the smiles from their faces.

"Yes," he said. "We're on our honeymoon."

"You crazy kids," Jason said. "You're here on your honeymoon, and you come to see me?"

"I need closure," Michael said. "I need to close the book on this chapter of my life, so I can begin my new life with Julianna by my side."

"And I wanted a second chance for you to make a better impression on me," Julianna added, only half kidding.

"Jason wanted to contact you, Michael, he did," Brenda explained. "But he figured you wouldn't have wanted to hear from him."

"I wanted...I wanted to apologize for how I acted at the hospital," Jason said. "You didn't deserve my wrath, Michael. I realized, with a lot of help, that I assumed a position in your life that I never should have. I should have either married your mom and tried to adopt you through legal means or I should have stayed the hell out of your life. The games your mother and I played are unforgivable. I'm sorry. I'm very sorry we messed with you when you were just a baby and you couldn't fend for yourself."

"That sin is forgivable, Jason," Michael said. "Very forgivable. The fact you just said that proves it to me. You finally said what I wanted to hear. What you and my mother did was wrong. You hurt so many people besides me. I'm just thankful my mother told the truth before she died."

"You're right, Michael, and I was wrong not to acknowledge Tony as your father. It took becoming a father myself to make me realize how I would've felt if someone had done that to me. We never should've played the cruel mind games on A.J. either. Julianna, would you tell your father how sorry I am? For everything?"

"I will."

"Would you like to meet our daughter?" Brenda asked.

"Sure," they both said.

With a smile on her face, Brenda went into a nearby room and returned carrying a sleepy little girl who looked to be about one.

"This is Cheyenne Barrett Morgan," Brenda proudly announced.

The little girl with the russet hair giggled when her father tickled her tummy and waved her fists in the air as she kicked.

"She's adorable," Julianna gushed, wanting to hold her.

"Very," Michael agreed.

He couldn't help but notice how natural Julianna seemed while holding her. They'd talked about starting a family. Michael knew he was ready.

"She was a total surprise," Brenda said and smiled at Jason. "But so incredibly wanted and loved."

They visited for a bit longer and then took their leave. As Julianna was about to head out the door, Jason stopped her.

"Tell your mom I got her letter, and let her know I agree with every word she wrote. She'll know what I'm talking about."

Julianna nodded and waved good-bye to Brenda and Cheyenne.

"Thanks for your address," Brenda said. "We'll be in touch."

For whatever reason, Julianna and Michael agreed that night's lovemaking was more incredible than usual.

*~*

On March 26, 2021, with Michael by her side, Julianna gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy. Mother and father couldn't have been happier.

"I love you so much," Michael said as he wiped his wife’s damp forehead and watched her hold their son.

"I love you more," she said and leaned in for a kiss.

"Anthony James Ward Quartermaine Jones," Michael said, sounding every bit the proud father he was, "welcome to our lives. We love you, son."

After Julianna and Michael got to spend some quality time with their newborn, Keesha, Bobbie, A.J. and Tony were allowed inside Julianna's room. She held the sleeping baby for all to see while Michael stood beside her, a giddy smile never leaving his face.

"He's so tiny," Keesha gushed. "But so very beautiful."

"Congratulations, you two," Tony said. "I know you're going to make wonderful parents."

"What's his name?" Bobbie asked, pulling back the sky blue blanket so they could see his angelic face better.

Julianna and Michael looked at each other.

"You tell them," Julianna said.

"In honor of our fathers," Michael said, "we've decided to name him Anthony James."

"Hey," Tony said to A.J. "Sounds good to me. What do you think?"

"I like it."

"I like it, too," Keesha said. "It seems very fitting."

Bobbie agreed.

Julianna and Michael exchanged grins.

"We thought when he's being good," Michael teased, "we'll call him Anthony or Tony, for short."

"And when he's being a bad boy," Julianna said, barely able to keep from laughing as she looked at her mother, "we'll call him A.J.!"

"Thanks a lot!" A.J. said, and then joined in the joyous laughter.

Keesha couldn't stop laughing.

"It's not that funny, sweetheart," he gently reprimanded her.

"Yeah," she said, trying to control herself, "it kinda is."

"Don't listen to them, Anthony James," he said to the baby who had not stirred. "They're already trying to turn you against me, but it won't work."

"Dad," Julianna said, her voice taking on a serious tone, "would you...would you like to be the first after Michael and me to hold him?"

"I would be honored," he said, his voice husky with emotion.

The room became suddenly quiet as Michael took the baby from his wife's loving arms and carefully placed him into A.J.'s. Anthony James briefly opened his eyes, looked in his grandfather’s direction, let out a yawn, and then snuggled further into his chest and closed his eyes, looking very content. A.J. thought the tears in his eyes were going to spill onto the newborn.

"Thank you," he said to his daughter, whose eyes were glistening. "I guess you know I never got to hold a baby."

"I knew you never got to hold me," she said, her voice quiet.

"And thanks to certain circumstances," Bobbie said, "A.J. never got to hold Michael either."

Keesha gently massaged her husband’s back as he held the precious infant in his strong arms and looked at him in awe.  She knew what a precious moment this was for him.  For all of them.

"Don't worry, A.J.," Michael said. "Julianna and I will always let you love and hold our children."

*~*

Gone,
Love is never gone
As we travel on,
Love's what we'll remember

Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for
Love

*~*

What I did for
Love

THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)