I stood there for a second longer than I should have, staring at him like he was a ghost.
"Why didn't you tell me you were in town?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even, casual but the edge slipped out anyway.
Julius grinned like he didn't notice. "Wanted to surprise y'all."
He shifted the boxes in his arms and stepped inside like old times, like everything was still the same. Like the foundation of this entire house hadn't shifted while he was gone.
Beyoncé gasped from across the room. "Julius?!"
Her face lit up as she got to her feet, Blue squealing and running over as he walked in.
"Uncle J!" Blue nearly tackled him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Julius laughed, leaning down to hug her tight. "I missed you too, kiddo. You getting taller?"
"You always say that," Blue grinned.
Beyoncé reached them next, smiling wide as she pulled Julius into a warm hug. "You really just showed up, huh?"
"Didn't want to miss Christmas." he said, pulling back.
Beyoncé looked over at me, eyes flicking to mine just long enough to check in.
I gave her a small smile and tried to breathe. She could tell I was still reeling, but neither of us said it out loud.
Julius had no clue. No idea what had happened while he was gone. No idea I was the reason she glowed a little more every day. That we were more than just what he left behind.
Beyoncé turned back to him, brushing her hand over Blue's hair. "Well, you definitely surprised us. You're just in time too... we were about to do dessert."
"Perfect timing then," Julius said.
I stepped further into the room and placed one of the gift bags I was holding onto the table. My chest was still tight, but I forced a lighter tone.
"Well... welcome back."
He gave me a smile, genuine and unsuspecting. "It's good to see you, YN. Glad you're still keeping things in order."
I nodded, heart skipping.
If he only knew.
And soon he would.
Later that evening, the house had quieted down just enough for me to find a moment to breathe. The lights on the Christmas tree twinkled softly across the room, casting a warm glow as Beyoncé and I sat side by side on the couch. She was curled into my side, both of us full from dinner, hearts fuller than that. But I could feel her glance on me before she even spoke.
"You're quiet," she said gently.
I looked over at her. "Just thinking."
"About Julius?" she asked, already knowing.
I nodded slowly. "Yeah... I just—I didn't expect him. Not like that."
She shifted a little to face me better. Her hand rested on my thigh, comforting and grounding. "You should talk to him."
I sighed, leaning my head back. "You think he's gonna be pissed?"
"I don't know," she said honestly. "But I think he deserves to hear it from you. He cares about us... and he's been gone, so there's a lot he missed. But you telling him? That matters."
I looked at her, really looked at her. The way she was trying to keep peace, trying to help me carry this without forcing me. "He was your security first. He protected you for so long..."
"And now you do," she said, her voice soft but full of weight. "You protect me in ways he never could."
Her hand squeezed mine. "This isn't about loyalty or rank. It's about honesty. And you don't owe anyone an explanation for falling in love with me, but a conversation could help clear the air."
I let out a small laugh, nervous. "You make it sound so easy."
"It's not," she admitted. "But I'll be right here when you do."
I looked at her, her bare face, her silk wrap slipping over one shoulder, her warmth pressed into mine. This woman—my woman—was the reason I even cared about making things right. For her, for us... I could face it.
"You'll really be right here?" I asked, needing to hear it.
"Always," she whispered, leaning in to kiss me gently. "And just for the record... you've handled everything better than I ever could have imagined. I'm proud of you."
I held onto her, thinking about what needed to be said, about the storm that might come—and how I was ready to face it. Because she was worth it. We were worth it.
I took a breath, deep and steady, and pushed up off the couch.
"I'll talk to him now," I told Beyoncé, who looked up at me with nothing but love and support in her eyes. She gave a slight nod, her fingers brushing mine for a second longer than necessary. Just enough to remind me that she was with me. All the way.
Julius wasn't hard to find. He was in the den, standing by the fireplace, sipping on a glass of eggnog and laughing with Uncle Larry about something from back in the day. He looked relaxed. Comfortable. And it made the knot in my stomach twist tighter.
"Julius," I called, my voice even but low.
He turned, surprised, but his face lit up. "Hey, YN. You good?"
"Can we talk?" I asked.
His smile faltered just slightly, but he gave me a nod and stepped away from the group. "Yeah, of course."
We walked out onto the back patio, the cold air biting but welcome. It helped clear my head. Julius shoved his hands into his coat pockets and leaned against the railing, watching me.
"What's on your mind?" he asked.
I shifted on my feet. "I just... I wanted to be the one to tell you something. Before you heard it from anyone else."
Julius gave me that older-brother look, part concern, part knowing. "Alright."
"It's about me and Bey."
His eyes narrowed just slightly. His posture didn't change, but I saw the tension ripple through him.
"We're... together," I said quietly. "We've been seeing each other for a while now."
He looked away for a beat, like he was processing.
"Really?" he finally asked, voice low.
I nodded. "Yeah."
Julius looked down at the snow-dusted railing, then back up at me. "Do you love her?"
"With everything," I said without hesitation. "And she loves me too."
He exhaled slowly, lips pressed together. "You know she's like family to me."
"I do," I said. "And I respect the hell outta that. Which is why I needed to tell you. Not to ask for your blessing... just to be honest."
"You had one job, YN," he said, amused.
I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, I kinda blew that one, huh?"
He shook his head, lips curling. "You didn't blow it. You just... went off script."
"I didn't mean for it to happen," I said, more serious now. "It wasn't some plan. It just... she got under my skin. The more I saw her, the more I felt like I couldn't not love her."
"I'm not upset," Julius added. "I'm not here to give you a hard time. If anything, I'm glad it's you. You've always had her back and Blue's too. That matters."
I looked down, heart heavy with appreciation. "Thank you. That means everything coming from you."
He shrugged. "You don't owe me anything but the truth. And from what I see. You're in love with her, and she's in love with you. I trust her judgment and I trust you."
My voice caught for a second. "I just want to do right by her. I don't take this lightly."
He smiled then, genuine and calm. "I know you don't. That's why I'm not worried."
We stood in a brief silence again, but this time, it was peaceful.
Then he added, "She's got that glow lately, you know? You did that. So, whatever you're doing, keep doing it."
I grinned, a little emotional. "I will. I'm really glad you're here."
He softened. "Me too."
We walked back into the glow of the family room, side by side. I felt different... lighter. Julius knew now. And he wasn't just okay with it... he was rooting for us.
A/N: Sooo twinssss ? lol