Three months later…
Juliana took a deep and calming breath, reaching down to smooth her business suit. The black of the tunic-like top went well with the loose, sheer black over dark gray slacks. She held it together with a thick sash. The slacks flowed as she again started to walk, swishing around her legs. She paused at the door leading to the courthouse. Behind her, the sound of hover vehicles landing and taking off sounded. The landing pads were busy in this part of Baida Proper since it was the main district.
The wind had a cold chill to it, fitting for what she was at the courthouse to do. Maverick had offered to come with her, but she refused. This was her mess to straighten. Whatever happened was between her and Jeff. She reached for the door, only to hear a giggle behind her.
No. Not her.
Juliana ran her hand over the scanner. The door dissipated and she went through the empty space into the courthouse. She walked faster, not wanting to get caught in conversation with Jeff’s girlfriend, San de.
The courthouse was nearly seventy stories tall. The main floor was separated into two equal parts, one half offices and the other half lobby. The lobby’s ceiling was nearly forty stories high with a crystal chandelier in the center that reflected the outside light and made little rainbow patterns on the higher walls. When someone first entered, the rainbows spelled, “Baida Proper Courthouse and Earthbase Law Offices”. But, when one continued walking, the words disappeared and the little rainbows seemed to spread over the ceiling in random patterns.
Large columns supported the higher floors, which allowed them to stretch across the building’s full length. A transparent, force field elevator was on one of the columns, which would take one up to any floor. Past the elevator was a reception droid and a variety of stores and food pavilions. Above the pavilions, office space was stacked all forty floors up, then only switching to the full building length the rest of the way to the top.
“Yoo-hoo, Juliana, wait,” San de called, her voice an annoying trill.
If Juliana walked any faster, she’d be running.
Be nice. Be nice, she thought, hoping to make it to the elevator before being stopped by the woman. She heard heels clicking behind her. Don’t turn around. No matter what you do, do not turn around. You don’t want to be forced to talk to the woman.
“Julie, Julie, wait, I need to talk to you. Wait.” With each word, San de’s voice got louder. “Julie!”
Juliana stopped, waiting a few seconds until she turned around. The woman was screaming her name, drawing attention from the few people in the lobby. She didn’t want a scene and she most assuredly didn’t want to talk to the woman.
Juliana really tried not to look down, but San de’s very round, very prominent breasts drew her attention. They were like two planets orbiting a twit. The fact that she wore a bright yellow jumpsuit with lime green pin striping down the tight sleeves didn’t help matters. The neckline dipped low, showing an indecent amount of cleavage. No less repulsive was the woman’s short, bizarrely yellow hair. It was done in large curls that fell to her chin. Juliana blinked, almost blinded by all the yellow.
“Sandy Valley,” she acknowledged, her tone flat. “Can I help you?”
“Oh, no, no, Julie. It’s pronounced San de Val le,” she said, stressing her name. “San de Val le.”
“It’s pronounced Ms. Harrison,” Juliana said. The woman looked shocked at the tone, blinked several times and then giggled and waved her hand. “Was there something you needed? I’m due for an appointment.”
“Oh, I know. Me, too. I’ll walk with you,” San de said.
“Oh?” Juliana asked.
“We’re going to the same place,” San de continued, motioning that Juliana should go. “The Assets Distribution Hearing.”
Jeff was bringing a date to the hearing to divide their belongings? And why was she surprised by it?
“That’s why I wanted to stop you before we went in,” San de said. Juliana reached out and hit the scanner that would call the elevator platform to take them up. “I know you contested the first Assets Distribution Agreement thingy, but it would really be great if you could sign the papers right away today. My parents are coming into town and I was hoping that Jeff would be officially free before they got here tonight.”
“Are you jesting with me?” Juliana looked at her.
“No, they’re really coming to the planet today.” San de nodded enthusiastically. “And it’s been so long since he sent you those last papers. I mean, ugh…”
“It’s been three months.” Juliana arched a brow. Was this woman serious? Sadly, it was clear by her vacant, expectant look that she was.
“Exactly, I know.” San de nodded. “A really long time.”
“We were together for eight years.” Juliana frowned. “I hardly think three months is considered long in comparison.”
“Oh, but that wasn’t a real marriage. Jeff says you were just a starter wife and that his parents made him marry you. Poor man. Forced marriages are so nineteenth century Earth—that’s what Jeff says.”
Okay, that stung. For the most part Juliana didn’t give two comets what Jeff thought about her, but even she could admit being called a “starter wife” stung—even if she and Jeff both knew the words weren’t true. The fact that he even discussed her with San de was annoying.
“I’m sure he has told you that we are engaged to be married.” San de lifted her hand. Juliana wondered why she hadn’t noticed the ring before. It shone almost as bright as the yellow jumpsuit and hair. The champagne diamond was huge, cut into a large square and held in place by bright gold. “He’s told everyone about it. Well, everyone but my parents. We’re going to tell them tonight over dinner. That’s why I need you to make it quick today. I would really like to make it official, for my parents. You know how parents are.”
“Uh-huh,” she mumbled, more in disbelief than in agreement of the babbling twit’s words.
“Oh, and another question, can you give me the program codes to the cleaning droids? Jeff’s pants aren’t coming out right. No matter what I tell it to do, the droid won’t listen to me. I’ve been yelling at it day and night.”
“Are you living at my house?” Juliana tilted her head to the side.
“I’m living in your old house.” San de nodded. “Jeff says it’s mine now. Well, ours. As soon as this is final, I’m going to redecorate. No offense, but it’s so … unmodern.”
“It’s called retro-Earth.”
“Whatever. It looks old.” San de snorted.
“Let me see if I understand this correctly. This is my Assets Distribution Hearing and you’d like me to make it more convenient for you after you started dating my husband, while he was still by all accounts my husband, after you moved into my house and are wearing one of my old rings on your finger and,” Juliana leaned forward, sniffing, “my imported perfume, which was missing the day I was asked to leave.”
Juliana’s lips pressed tightly together as she stepped onto the elevator platform that appeared. Why continue talking? The woman wouldn’t ever get it. Her type never did.
“Uh-huh.” San de came with her. “I guess that’s what I’m saying.”
Juliana looked through the transparent walls as it took them up to the fiftieth floor. The ground level got smaller and smaller and she entertained thoughts of pushing the woman off the platform.
“So we’re agreed? You’ll make this fast so Jeff and I can get out of here?”
Juliana desperately wanted to ask San de how in all the known galaxies she’d managed to live as long as she did being as stupid as she was. She refrained, but it was hard. No part of her wanted to sink down to San de’s level or Jeff’s for that matter. She was only here to do what she had to do. If Jeff was fair, she wouldn’t fight it and let him take exactly half. But, if he refused to see reason, she’d have no choice but to defend her position.
“You know what, San de, forget I said anything. I don’t want Jeff, you can have him. He’s all yours.”
“So you--”
“Wait,” Juliana said, her tone falsely pleasant. “I wasn’t done speaking.”
“Oh.”
“To answer you’re inquires. No, you can’t have the program codes for the cleaning droids because you’re not old enough to legally operate much more than a tooth cleaning laser. No, I won’t go into the courtroom with the aim of making your life easier. This has nothing to do with you and, I can assure you, when I’m in there today, you and your parents will be the last thing on my mind. If you want this over quickly, tell Jeff to stop being a greedy little rocket boy and to give me a fair division of assets. All I’m asking for is fair and equal.”
Do not let her get to you, she told herself, trying to calm her nerves. How could she not be hurt by being called a starter wife? Do not get in the muck. You don’t want Jeff. These last few months with Maverick have taught you that there is a better way to live. Let this atrocious, airhead of a woman have Jeff. They deserve each other.
“You know, he’s right. You act like he’s been unfair to you or something. You just cleaned the house. At most, all he owes you is a wage for services. I mean, he already told me he’s been giving you credits all these months out of the goodness of his character. He’s already given you five hundred space credits,” San de said, as if that made a difference.
“Ah, actually no,” Juliana took a deep breath. This not being angry was hard. Jeff hadn’t given her a single credit. “He originally offered a hundred and then tried to buy me off with a measly twenty-thousand.”
“Oh.” The woman looked lost.
Thankfully, the platform stopped and they could get out. Juliana paused only long enough for the security droid to scan her for weapons. At the end of the hall, a woman was in tears, being comforted by a group of friends. The floor was designated wholly for familial domestic affairs—marriages, divorces, asset disputes, custody and any other type of disagreements between family members.
The walls were dark brown, making San de stand out even more in her yellow. The woman tried to hurry past the security droid and Juliana hid a smile as the droid forcibly stopped her. Going down the long hall, she spotted the courtroom labeled for Assets Distribution and went inside. Jeff was already there. His insipid brown eyes found her and she frowned back at him, returning his look.
She thought of Maverick, missing him terribly. The months had been hard, but she’d gotten though them. And all because of Maverick. He left her alone when she needed to cry and be alone, gave her passion when she needed sex and when she needed someone to hold her, he held her. For three months, he hadn’t demanded anything from her. He hadn’t even insisted she help with bills, even after she’d gotten a job at a local school, working with troubled children. The job came from his recommendation, and was one of the most rewarding things she’d ever done. His not asking for money didn’t stop her from helping out. She liked contributing. In fact, just doing that had made her more confident in herself.
Giving a stern look, she stepped inside, walked boldly to the court’s record keeper and let her thumb be scanned for the record. Then, turning to Jeff, she asked, “Are you ready to make a fair division? All I want is half.”
“You don’t deserve a single credit,” Jeff answered, his tone confident.
Juliana shook her head, truly disappointed in him. She hadn’t come here with the intention of being a bitch, but he wasn’t going to leave her a choice. Knowing Jeff, he would never know what hit him, she reached into her pocket and she handed over a chip to the judge, who in turn put it into her reader so everyone could see the contents on the viewing screen behind her. “I seek only to fully reclaim what is mine, your grace.”
“Which is nothing,” Jeff said. “I’m the one who works for a living.”
The door in the back of the courtroom opened and San de called, “Wait for me. I’m here!”
“And you are?” the judge asked.
“San de Val le,” San de answered, holding out her ring finger. “I’m Jeff’s fiancée.”
“Quiet, Miss Valley,” the judge said, her tone stern. San de opened her mouth to speak. Jeff shushed her and told her to sit down. She did, sulking.
“Your grace, I have proof that my marriage to Mr. Harrison was never legally binding. He used a fake scanner print in what I’m guessing was an attempt to hide some very unsavory arrests on his record involving women of, ah,” she paused looking at San de, “low morals.”
“What?” Jeff demanded his face red. He looked down at his table and tapped his pockets, as if searching for some defense. He’d come unprepared, clearly thinking she would be blindsided by the proceedings and not have a clue.
Juliana knew he’d never find a defense for it. In her search of the documents for their assets, she had found Jeff’s print. She didn’t know why she never caught it before, but there was an obvious difference in the marriage contract and the documents he’d signed after becoming a lawyer. It took some doing, but Maverick was able to look up his old record for her. It would seem Jeff was a very bad boy, one who probably thought that he’d erased his record when he became a lawyer. But, electronic records never really went away.
“As you can see, we were never married legally. All the documentation is there—affidavits from the arresting officers and a denouncement by the clergy. The only legal thing was when I changed my name to fit his.”
“Who wrote that for you?” Jeff demanded.
“I did,” Juliana smiled, moving to take her seat. “I warned you. I paid attention when doing your homework. By the way, Jeff, you should really call your parents. They would like a word with you.”
“You called my parents?” he gasped, appearing very much like the child about to be scolded.
“The clergy did, sorry,” she said, not really sorry. He’d lied to all of them for years and it was time to face his deeds.
“Do you have a list of your personal assets?” the judge asked.
“I do,” Juliana said. “Screen two is a list of what I brought with me into the marriage, itemized and documented. As you see, it includes Ms. Valle’s ring, which I’d be willing to sell to Mr. Harrison for fair market price.”
San de pouted, but looked relieved when she didn’t have to give it back right away. Jeff sulked, looking miserable.
“Screen three is a copy of my inheritance and the purchase documents for my home using the money from it.” Juliana continued to list her case. Jeff had no defense.
“In light of there not being a legal standing marriage, all personal property is hereby returned to the original owner. As for assets shared or purchased during the time of co-habitation, they will be divided equally as it appears Mrs. Harrison was one half partner in the business of your law position.”
“What? This is—” Jeff was cut off by the judge’s hard look as she continued her ruling. The ruling was fair, as the judge let him keep the hover car and a good portion of the house’s furnishings.
“Jeffy?” San de asked, her voice a whine. “But what about my parents? If we don’t have a house where will they stay?”
Juliana didn’t speak to Jeff as she thanked the judge and left. Within seconds the judge had her half of their credits instantly transferred to an account under her name and police officers dispatched to assure Jeff left her property and her belongings without incident.
As she left the elevator platform and walked into the lobby, she smiled. Maverick was waiting for her on the outside steps. She saw him clearly through the front lobby windows. He was always on her mind and seeing him in his uniform still made her shiver every time.
Nodding his head, he smiled as she came out. The small dimple showed on the side of his beautiful lips. She’d spent hours kissing that mouth. In fact, since their very first embrace, she couldn’t seem to stop kissing him. It was crazy to jump from a nonexistent marriage straight into a relationship, but that’s exactly what had seemed to happen. Only, neither one of them had ever talked about it.
Pushing through the door, she started to go to him, only to be stopped by a familiar voice.
“Juliana?”
Juliana was surprised to see Arielle, the wife of Jeff’s boss. She hadn’t seen the woman since before the restraining order. They’d served on charity boards together and Arielle was one of the few women Juliana had missed talking to in her exile. The woman was stunningly beautiful, with a slender, graceful body and a delicate bone structure. Her brown hair was pulled back into a bun, but she by no means looked dowdy with the tame style.
“Juliana,” Arielle said, hugging her. “I was so worried about you. No one knew where to find you. When I found out the proceedings were today, I came down to see you. How are you?”
“I’m good. It’s thankfully over and I … I’m good.”
“I can’t believe Jeff. When I found out what he’d done…” Arielle shivered, shaking her head. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“You’re married to—”
“Pish!” the woman dismissed, as if knowing what Juliana was going to say about her being married to Jeff’s boss. “But, that is exactly my point. I am married to his boss and have some authority over the business. I may be a housewife, but my husband lives in that house and I’m ruler there. When I found out what happened, that he had evicted you without a credit to your name, I made sure my husband was aware of the situation. Jeff is about to get his just reward. Mortimer is going up there right now to have a word with him.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Juliana said.
“Oh, but I did. Besides, it wasn’t hard. I just used the skills all women have to negotiate.” Arielle leaned in and said quietly, “I refused sexual attention until I got my way. It only took about five minutes.”
Juliana laughed.
“My husband quickly saw the light and agrees with me. A man who doesn’t take care of his family obligations wouldn’t be a team player and the firm needs someone reliable. He will still have a job, but a woman will be promoted into his spot as a partner. Lacy Vanders.”
“That will be a real sting to his ego,” Juliana said.
“I know,” Arielle chuckled. “So, how are you really? Do you have a place to stay? Please tell me you got the house? That is your house. All that work you put into it.”
“Yes, I did.” Juliana saw Maverick standing back from them.
“Good, good,” Arielle nodded. She turned to where Juliana looked.
“Ah, Maverick,” Juliana said. “This is Ariell--”
Arielle gave a small whistle. “Well, well, well, I see now why we haven’t seen you around lately. And, in which case, we all forgive you.”
Juliana tried not to blush.
“I’m going to head up.” Arielle pointed up the side of the tall courthouse. “But I’ll get in touch with you later. I need your help with some luncheon thing. You know those Tennian diplomats are so fussy. I can never please them, but they rave about you. I just might have to hire you to do it for me.”
“I’d be happy to help,” Juliana answered as Arielle waved goodbye.
“I see you have more friends than you thought.” Maverick’s voice washed over her. She’d missed him even though it had been a short time.
“It would seem so,” Juliana answered.
“So it’s over,” he said.
“Yes, completely over.” She sighed, feeling light and carefree.
“Congratulations. I heard a call go out over the dispatch for a couple of the officers to escort Jeff from the courthouse. Apparently, he’s causing a scene and broke a chair.”
“That isn’t too surprising considering his mood when I walked out.” Juliana touched his arm, lightly stroking his uniform. She wanted to lean into him, but was aware that they were in public and he was on duty. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you.”
“Anytime,” he said, not meeting her eyes as he looked up the building. “So I heard you got your house back.”
“Yes, I did.” She wondered at his tone. Her house didn’t feel like her home. She liked living with Maverick. “I got everything I asked for. A completely fair division.”
“You deserve it, Juliana. You deserve everything you could ever want.” He touched her cheek. “Are you ready to go celebrate? I got off shift an hour ago. Sean can give us a ride.”
“I know I said I wanted to go out after this was over, but would you mind terribly if we just went home?” Juliana asked, peeking up at him to gauge his reaction when she said home. “I just want to take a long shower and relax the rest of the day while we watch an old transmission.”
“I suppose you miss your place, don’t you?” His face was strained as he glanced around the front of the courthouse. They were relatively alone, with only a few people walking back and forth.
“I don’t know. It’s just a house.” She gave him a coy look. “And I don’t have a water shower.”
“I can help you put one in,” he offered. She grimaced. That wasn’t what she’d been hinting at.
Juliana started walking, pulling him along with her. “Can we get out of here before they drag Jeff down? I don’t want to create another scene.”
“All right.”
“Is something wrong? You sound strange.” She studied his handsome face as he brought her toward the hover patrol car. His partner, Sean, was sitting inside, waiting for them. He lifted his hand, smiling and waving. All the guys on the force had been really nice to her, accepting her easily into their midst. A few of them even came to the house to eat, mostly the single guys with no woman at home, and Maverick had invited them over a few times for drinks.
“No,” he said, only to stop before the car, not opening the door. “Well, yes. No.”
“Maverick? What is it?” Her gut tightened. What was this? This was supposed to be a happy day. Now that she was completely free of commitments, did he not want her anymore? Was he going to end their affair? Demand she move out of his house now that she had her own? Did he regret the last months?
“I don’t want you to move out,” he blurted. “I want you to stay with me.”
Juliana gasped, suddenly realizing how silly her worries were. She knew this man, knew him with all her heart. He was good, kind and he would never hurt her.
Smiling, she touched his face. “Why would I move out?”
“Well, you have money now and you,” he paused, taking a deep breath. “You don’t need me.”
“Don’t need you? Maverick, that’s foolish talk. I don’t want to move out of your home. You’re my best friend. I like our living arrangements. Just because I have money doesn’t mean I’m going to change anything. If you’ll have me, I want to stay.”
Maverick shook his head. “That’s a real shame.”
Juliana gasped. “What? You…? You don’t like the way things are between us? I don’t understand. I thought you said you didn’t want me to move out.”
He again glanced around. Juliana followed his gaze. No one was there. He was acting so strange. Sean knocked on the window to hurry them up. Maverick ignored him.
“I want more,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes. “I’ve waited for this day. I knew you wanted to get this part of your life over with once and for all and well, now that it is, I have something to say.”
Her heart beat faster and her mouth became suddenly dry. She’d never seen him look at her like this.
“I love you, Juliana. I didn’t expect it to happen, but I do. I like having you at the house, and these last months I’ve been so scared that after your financial arrangements were taken care of, you’d want to leave and start over. Well, I’m asking you to start over. With me.”
Juliana frowned, confused. What was he saying? He loved her? He wanted her to start over? It was all so sudden, and yet not. Joy unfurled within her, spreading over her entire length.
Reaching into his jacket, Maverick pulled out a ring, “I was going to give this to you tonight at dinner, but… marry me. Not right away, just someday. Say you’ll be mine. I love you. I want to give you a life that rocket boy never could.”
“Maverick,” she whispered, tears in her eyes.
“I love you, Juliana,” he said, cupping her face. “And I want to be with you. I don’t care if we get married tomorrow or in twenty years. I just want to know that you’re mine for the rest of our lives.”
Nodding, she smiled, never having felt so happy even as her eyes spilled over with tears. What was it about his man? He could take what should be her toughest days and make them the best. “Yes. I love you, too, Maverick and yes. Yes, I will marry you … someday.”
He whooped at the top of his lungs, darting forward to wrap his arms around her waist. Spinning her in circles, he kissed her. Everything was perfect.
Sean poked his head out of the hover car’s window. “I take it she said yes? Does this mean we are having a party at your house tonight?”
“Sorry, Sean, tonight is a party for two,” Juliana said, unable to keep from laughing. Then, to Maverick she whispered, “I love you, Officer Perkins.”
The End