Katie peeks into the family room and Eric is fast asleep in between Julia's upperarm and right breast. Katie can't help but cry, he is resting and looks so beautiful and safe. Eric hasn't had more than an hour sleep at a given time and neither has Katie. Not for months. Julia senses Katie's shadow so she pauses the movie and gently cradles Eric's head with her hand and cushions his head and neck with a pillow as she heads to the kitchen.

Julia whispers, "Miss Katie, are you okay?"

Katie wraps her arms around Julia and kisses her on her right dimple, "More than ok since God has brought you back into me life. I have some cool milk and honey. The brownies will be done in 5 minutes." Both women sit at the kitchen table.

"Julia, baby girl, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but are you and Eric...well together or a couple?"

Julia purses her lips and wiggles them back and forth. If one of my gfs asked me last month, I would have told them he was my best friend and that is all it would ever be. He is the first boy I have ever cuddled and pecked on the cheek and it felt warm and natural. Frankly, other boys in my class are in a neverending contest to see who can bathe the least and be most disgusting." Katie squeaks and laughs softly. "You raised him right Miss Katie. My dad makes dating boys impossible. Eric has sexual boundaries because he is sick. Everything seems impossible for us...Today we had our first kiss, our first real one on the lips. I want to tell him I love him so bad, but the not being able to go all the way is like a wall for both of us."

Katie generously spreads thick amounts of cream cheese on the brownies, "I wouldn't worry about semantics or defining the relationship to others. My son adores you and would follow you anywhere. He is yours if your heart wants him." Katie presents her loved guest with two of the largest brownies to start with and neatly places the fork in one of them.

Julia takes a bite and covers her mouth at the intense pleasure, "Oh, so, so good, Mom kept us from sugar when we were little. This is so amazing, I can't even tell you Miss Katie."

Julia's first instinct is to share her new found pleasure with Eric, she gets up and sees Eric squirming and wincing on the couch in discomfort, "Miss Katie, do I have your permission to do something about your son? He is honestly flat out refusing to try the medicine?"

"Be my guest, sweet girl and good luck, the box is in the cabinet."

Katie peeks from the corner of the kitchen hearing a muffled, playful argument.

"Julia, no, this is so weird."

Julia gently has her hands on both his ribs, "Yeah, well, you're being so weird now. You're coming with me to your bedroom. It will take one minute and we can finish the movie."

"Julia, seriously stop, I am fine."

Julia puts both hands on his face and looks him in the eyes. "We both know I am gonna be very gentle with you... You can either follow me and I gently give you your medicine respectfully OR I can make it extra gentle and carry you like a baby and make it embarrassing."

Julia takes both of Eric's hands and rocks him back and forth until he stands up. She puts both hands on his shoulders, steers him toward the door and then locks the door behind them.