Jett's thinking, and he likes to do something while he thinks, so he takes the trash out. His birthday is in three days and even though it's supposed to be a happy birthday, he can't help but feel sort of sad. Every night he's been talking to his Dad. He sits by his urn and tells him about his day, and lately his birthday party, and how much he wants him to be there. He's not seen his Dad as a ghost, so he's not sure if ghosts are real. If they were, wouldn't his Dad be here by now? His Mom is napping with Jace so in a way he has the house to himself. He goes upstairs and turns on the stereo. He danced with his Dad all the time. He smiles to himself while he dances, Those were great days. After his impromptu dance party, he feels better. He'll keep hoping, and never give up on seeing his Dad. If he doesn't come back, it's okay to be sad, and it's okay to miss him. He'll always have wonderful memories. With the same smile on his face, he listens to some music and works on his math homework. Juliana wakes up to the sounds of Jett on the computer. Since he's busy, she calls Dominic. 'Dominic, hey, how are you? I was wondering, have you seen Moira since her passing?' Dominic is quiet for a moment, then he clears his throat, 'Um, it's not something I really talk about, but since it's you....she came back to me. Not at the house, but she'd call me and we'd go to parties, and out to eat. Why do you ask?' Juliana holds the phone tighter and speaks softly, 'Justice and I have been dating, in a sense. I want him to come back to us. Have you heard of that happening? The ghosts returning to the family?' 'Actually, do you remember Victor Feng? When he died his wife was a mess. She died shortly after, and now I see them around San Myshuno like nothing has happened. They even live in the same apartment and have their same careers. The afterlife is a nutty thing.' Juliana sighs relief. 'Do you think he and I can have something again? That he could move back in?' Dominic laughs, 'If anyone could make that happen, you and Justice can. I've never seen two people more devoted to each other, well, except for Moira and me.' Juliana knows he's right. She finishes her call, and then checks her calendar. The Humor and Hijinks festival will happen the day before Jace's birthday, and then Jett's birthday follows shortly after. She laughs to herself while she grabs some lunch; if the timing is right, she can bring Jett the ultimate birthday gift. She crosses her fingers and toes that Justice will do what he always does, and invite her out to the festival. As Juliana predicted, Justice called and asked to meet her at the festival. She immediately accepts to meet him; she has big plans for tonight. They meet at a food stand and Juliana gets her plate. Doubt sneaks in, and makes those little caterpillars of anxiety metamorphose into a full case of the butterflies. People are setting off fireworks all around, except for Bob Pancakes and Bella Goth, who set themselves on fire instead. Juliana and Justice laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, what else would they expect from this festival? They sit in a quiet corner and chat about this and that. Juliana is surprised at herself. Why the anxiousness? Perhaps it's that nagging doubt that Justice won't be allowed to return with her. Juliana grasps at normalcy, and decides that a little festival participation will settle her jitters. She drinks the jokesters punch, and attempts to convince Justice to join her. She's always a jokester, and loyal; how could he even consider being a prankster? Her jibes get Justice laughing, but he's riding the middle ground tonight. They take a seat at the bar and order drinks. Justice smiles, 'Are you having fun? You seem a little nervous or something,' Juliana blushes, 'I am a little nervous. You remember what happened the last time we came to this festival, right?' Justice beams, 'Of course I do! We left newlyweds.' 'Exactly!' Juliana laughs. 'I've been waiting to talk to you somewhere more private, but it's so crowded tonight.' 'Looking to do more than reminisce are we,' Justice raises a brow. 'Ah, I see how you think!' Juliana giggles, 'Follow me.' She finds a peaceful corner behind the screens. She gives herself a quick pep talk. 'You can do this! It's a simple question. No problem.' Justice and she are finally away from the noise of the crowd. Justice takes her in his arms, 'I love you so much, Jules.' 'I love you too.' She takes Justice's hands in her own. 'Justice, being with you these last several months has been magical. I thought I'd lost you forever, and now here you are, a part of my life again. I love our time out, but I want more. I want you to come home. Justice, will you marry me all over again?' Justice can't hide his feelings, he's pink with love. His eyes smile, 'Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!' Almost on queue, fireworks explode in the sky. The festival is over, and the jokesters have won once again. Sulfur fogs the air under star bursts of light. Soon the last flash of light disappears into smoke, and the festival is practically empty. Justice whispers to Juliana, 'Let's elope now, just like last time.' Their vows are different this time, filled with devotion and understanding that takes years to build. Both are from the heart and full of love. They seal their promises with a passionate kiss. The confetti falls, and Juliana and Justice have achieved the impossible and are living the ultimate love story. Justice can't stop smiling, 'Jules, do you want to go home?' Juliana holds his hand, 'I thought you'd never ask.' At the front door Juliana stops Justice gently, 'Would you mind waiting here for a minute, I want a chance to talk to Jett.' 'Of course, that's the best idea. I don't want to scare him.' Justice is having a hard time holding his excitement. He's wanted very little else than to see his sons, and now they are only a few walls away. Juliana knocks on Jett's door. It's not terribly late yet, but he may be in bed already. She knocks again, but he doesn't reply. She knocks on the bathroom door, 'Yeah?' There he is! 'Hey, I'm home. I need to talk to you. Are you almost done?' 'I'll be out in a minute.' Jett splashes a little in the tub. 'Okay. I'll come see you in a bit.' Juliana meets Justice out front. 'Jett's in the bath, so why don't you come upstairs and meet Jace?' 'Wild horses couldn't keep me away!' Justice and Juliana walk upstairs together. Juliana opens the bedroom door and turns to Justice, 'Looks like he's awake, come on.' Justice floats around her to the bassinet. 'Hey Jace. I'm your Daddy. Looks like someone needs a diaper change.' Jace smiles a gummy drool dribbled grin and wiggles his chubby baby legs. Juliana giggles, 'I can get that,' Justice intervenes, 'No, no. I want to do it.' Juliana feels the warm rush of relief as the months of stress wash over her and away. She needed his help. Justice changes Jace and smiles at Juliana, 'Why don't you put on your pajamas and get comfortable.' Juliana does just that, then leaves Justice with Jace. She goes downstairs and knocks gently on the bathroom door. 'Are you almost done?' Jett's bedroom door opens. He dressed and smiling. 'Did you have fun tonight?' Juliana hugs her son. 'I did. You know your birthday wish? About Daddy?' Jett's smile dims a notch, 'Yes. I'm still wishing.' 'I think your wishing is what brought him back to us. He's upstairs.' 'What?!' Incredulous yet intoxicated with joy, Jett climbs the stairs two at a time. The bedroom door swings wide and he stops, staring at his Dad. It's him. It's really him. 'Whoa, you look weird,' Jett steps back in amazement. 'I just hugged a green ghost!' Justice laughs his goofy laugh, 'Not too scary, right? There's no secret how I'm feeling, green means happy.' 'That's cool! It's weird, but you feel the same, like when you had a body. I really, really missed you.' Jett can't believe it. Everything he read is true; ghosts are real. It's a good thing I never gave up. Jett runs downstairs to gather some things he wants to show his Dad, and Juliana sits at her computer and fusses over her latest screenplay; Justice and Jace are together just the two of them, Look at this precious baby boy, the boy I've been aching to meet. 'Hi again,' Justice cuddles him close, 'I'm so happy to see you. Jules, your Mommy, is right. You do look like me.' Little Jace smiles and coos. Justice feels a small tear of happiness slide against his nose. 'This has been an incredible night.' Please click 'Comments' to share your thoughts. Thank you!
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