Chapter 30

Julia September thirteen. The day I was brought into this awful world without my permission only to be abused mentally, physically, and emotionally. Thank Heavens I didn't turn out like the woman who gave birth to me.

Last year I spent it in my one-bedroom apartment all alone with a tube of cookies and cream ice cream. This year, however, was going great so far. Thanks to Rome I had a family to celebrate it with. Everyone who entered my life this year sat around a huge table with me in Mrs. C restaurant. Everyone wanted to take pictures with me to upload on social media or have them framed. I have never gotten so much attention in my entire life, and I was loving it to the point where I got all teary eyed.

"Open my gift now Julie," Em says walking around the table to give me a small blue box.

Taking it from her hand I start to open it, everyone was watching to see what she got me. I open the box to reveal a small silver necklace with a weird shape pendant. I look at her confused, she looks at Ky which made me do the same. The both of them had the same necklace but their pendants were shaped differently.

Everything clicked and my eyes became blurry with tears. It was a heart and we each had piece.

I stand from my seat and pull Em in a hug, Ky joined in.

"You're like that big sister I've always wanted Julie and I'm so happy I met you," Em says.

"Gosh, I love you guys," I told them before pulling away.

"We love you too," they replied simultaneously.

"Aww I'm going to start crying if you guys continue like this," Melanie says fanning her face with her hands, dramatically.

She had gotten me a designer purse. I wasn't a big fan of designer. I just wore what looks nice, but I do love the bag she had gifted me. It was so cute.

Ally who is finally Josh's girlfriend gave me a spa day, which I really need after having to clean and rearrange Rome's closet so many times. That alone was a big task. I was no longer his maid, but as his girlfriend I made it my duty to still clean the house. Like what kind of person would I be if I didn't?

"Alright, Alright it's my turn. Leave my best friend alone so I can give her my gift which I'm sure she'll love more than the others."

Rome, who sat next to me, roll his eye at his brother. "Make haste you imbecile, we have somewhere to be."

I glance at Rome. "Where are we going?"

He looks at me with a smirk, "You'll just have to wait and see."

I pout and was about to say something when Josh interrupted.

"Here you go June bug. Happy birthday!" He says giving me a large red box with a gold bow. He pulls me in a hug and place a sloppy kiss on my cheek.

I frown and wipe it away with my napkin. "Gross Josh."

"I love you too Julia." He smiles and I roll my eyes.

I stare at the box wondering what was in it.

"Just open it already Julia. We won't know what's inside if you just keep staring at it." Jimmy says which made Melanie slap him on the back of his head which is a good thing because I didn't want to show him the finger while my little brother sat across the table watching everything we do.

It was still so strange to say I have a brother. He is just so cute, in his little polka dot shirt and black shorts with his curls even wilder than mine. I wish I could have been there when he had just entered this world.

Finally deciding to open the box it revealed a laptop. It wasn't an ordinary laptop though. All over it were pictures. Some were pictures that Josh and I took together, some were of me and Rome. One was a picture we took on our first date right in the ice cream shop, a few minutes before Rome punched the old man. There was one of me and Carlos that I took when I brought him to the zoo, we were sticking our tongues with a monkey doing the same in the background. There was also another of dad, Yasmine, Carlos, and me. Rome took it when I first met them. The others were of Emmie, Kylashay, Jordan, Jimmy, Mel, and Ally.

This was such a thoughtful gift considering that Gina had sold my old laptop. Luckily the evil woman was spending fifty years in prison.

It was my turn to give Josh a hug and a sloppy kiss. "Thank you, Josh, I love you too," I say practically squeezing the life from his body.

Dad and Yasmine didn't want to give me their gift in front of everyone, but them being present in my life was a gift alone.

Carlos had given me a paper vase with our initials. He said he made it in art class, it was so sweet that Melanie started sobbing. I also couldn't hold back the tears even though I wasn't the one five months pregnant.

We stood by Rome's car. I wasn't sure where he was taking me, but he seemed quite eager.

Dad pulls me in a hug, "Happy birthday care bear. You have no idea how glad I was when Josh, told me I have a daughter and I'm so proud of you and happy that I could spend your twenty fourth birthday with you. I will spend the rest of my life making up for all the time lost. I love you, muffin."

"I love you too dad." By now the little makeup I wore was ruined, but I didn't care one bit.

Yasmine pulled me in a hug after," I hope we can spend some quality time together as soon as you can, honey."

"I hope so too." Yasmine was a really nice woman and I honestly wish that she was my mom.

Dad reaches into his pocket and pulls out an envelope. "We had this trip planned for a while, but we wanted you to join us. It's a plane ticket to Florida."

"Jesus, Julius. Couldn't you have let her open the envelope and see it for herself." Yasmine scolds him which made me laugh at the look he wore.

"Thank you, dad, Yasmine. I can't wait."

Rome "Alright baby, you can look now." I remove the blindfold from Julia's face and watch her reaction.

She had asked me to put it on hold, but I couldn't do that. This was what she wanted, and I am here to give her whatever it is that she wants no matter how many times she refuses my offers.

I had Ally deal with everything the pastry shop, needed to be complete. She spent two weeks working on it and thankfully it was ready right in time for Julia's birthday.

"Oh my gosh, Rome." Julia eyes were filled with tears as she looks around at the interior and furniture. Everything was up to date and gave a cozy and calm feeling.

"You got my ex and mother out of my life, then you found my dad and brother and now this."

"You know I would do anything for you baby."

Julia throws her arms around my neck and starts sobbing. I held her tight just like the first time I saw her cry.

"Thank you, Rome," she pulls away and stares at me. "I can't believe you're that grumpy man I met all those months ago. I love you Rome."

I smile at her. I can't believe I wanted to stay away from her, I treated her badly and look at us now. She entered my life by accident, but it was the best accident. She changed my life for the better. She made me see life from a different perspective, she made me feel something. Being thirty-seven I had given up hope, I believe that there was no such thing as love. This woman however proved me wrong.

"I love you, Julia Roderick."