Page 55 of Julian

Julian glanced over at him as the helicopter lifted off the ground. “What do you mean?”

“You’re married,” Elijah stated, as if Julian could forget that. “Do you plan to try to build a relationship with her?”

Julian frowned. That hadn’t been his plan. His and Kiara’s marriage was the one thing they hadn’t discussed at length, but he thought he’d been pretty clear on where they stood with regards to their marriage.

“I plan to build a friendship with her,” he said. “That’s why I’ve been writing to her. I know that it’s best for our son if he has two parents who get along while they co-parent.”

Elijah didn’t push the topic, but his question had put the thought in Julian’s mind that people might have some expectations about him and Kiara now that they were both going to be at the estate. It could make things really awkward if people started hinting that they needed to make something more of their marriage than they’d intended.

He didn’t think Kiara had those expectations as their letters have never held a hint of wanting things to be different than they were. He felt like she understood that he was trying to help them establish a foundation on which to build their parenting relationship.

“This is a really beautiful part of the country,” Elijah said as he looked out the window next to him.

“Yes, and the estate has some beautiful views of the mountains.”

“While Texas has some mountains, we don’t live near them.”

“Have you ever skied?” Julian asked.

“Nope.”

“Well, come winter, we’ll have to go skiing.”

“I think I’d rather water ski than ski down a mountain.”

“We can do that too,” Julian said. “We have a boat that we can take to a nearby lake to go skiing.”

“Do you plan to stick around here for awhile?”

“For a bit,” he said. “But I want to go to Singapore soon. Do you want to come with me?”

“I’m not sure what I’d do.”

“You could be one of my bodyguards.”

Elijah chuckled. “Just because I look like I could beat someone up, I’m not sure I actually could.”

“Jude could teach you.” Julian hesitated, then said, “Actually, I wouldn’t mind having you along as an accountability partner. Especially when I first start going into environments where I previously used to drink a lot.”

“I don’t have a problem traveling with you,” Elijah said. “But at some point, I have to figure out what I’m going to do with my life, separate and apart from my dad. I don’t have any real skills beyond my ability to write songs, sing, and play a few musical instruments. I don’thaveto work thanks to an inheritance from my grandparents, but I want to do something productive in my life. Something honoring to God.”

Focusing on work was about the only thing that had kept Julian from going completely off the rails. He understood why Elijah would want something like that to focus on.

For the next week at least, they’d be at the estate. Julian really wanted to go to Singapore, and he did want Elijah to travel with him. Anthony would, of course, go with him as his bodyguard, but Julian kind of looked at Elijah as a guard for his sobriety.

Just as he was capable of protecting himself if he had to, he was also capable of remaining sober by himself. However, both would be easier with nearby help.

Tipping his head toward the window, Julian stared out at the familiar landscape. It was a short trip from Coeur d’Alene to the estate, and all too soon, the estate came into view.

Was he ready for this?

It didn’t really matter whether he was or not. It was happening. Thankfully, with Angela’s wedding that weekend, he wouldn’t be the sole focus of people’s attention.

The helicopter slowly lowered, then settled on the helipad. They removed the headsets and unbuckled their harnesses.

When the door swung open, Julian spotted Anthony waiting for them with an SUV. Elijah followed him off the helicopter, then they walked to where Anthony stood.

“Good to see you again, Anthony,” Julian said as he held out his hand to the man.