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Julia and Mark had been penfriends for 3 years when the decided it was time they met... but will Mark's revelation about the new band that he's in break them apart?
Julia and Mark had been penfriends for 3 years when the decided it was time they met. Julia had arranged to travel to Ireland and was staying with Mark and his family for a week. As she got off the ferry Julia couldn't miss Mark, his photo just didn't do him justice, he was tall, dark and very handsome with a dazzling smile. Mark's face lit up when he saw Julia, she was really pretty.
"Hello Mark, how are you?" Julia said as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Great." he replied, "You look fantastic."
"Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself." said Julia thinking, if I can keep my hands to myself all week it will be a miracle.
Mark carried Julia's bags to his car and took her home to meet his family.
"Julia, I'd like you to meet my mum, Marie, my dad, Oliver and my brothers Barry and Colin."
"Hello everyone." Julia said sounding more confident than she felt. Mark took her bags upstairs and showed her where she would be sleeping, her room was right nextdoor to his. They then went downstairs to have lunch with the rest of the family and afterwards Mark decided it was time to take Julia out.
"Right, I think it's time you met the lads." he said.
"The lads?" Who are they?" asked Julia.
"I'll explain on the way." Mark replied.
They got into Marks car and drove to an old warehouse, Julia turned to Mark and said,
"So come on, explain, who are 'the lads'?"
"I've been keeping a little secret from you." Mark explained, "Two guys I went to school with and myself decided to set up a band, we've just taken on two new members and have been offered a record deal. I didn't say before because I was worried that it wouldn't work out. I hope you don't mind me keeping it from you."
Julia was quiet for a minute, then she said,
"No, I don't mind, I can understand why you didn't tell me."
They got out of the car and went to meet the others.
"Julia, this is Bryan, Kian, Shane and Nicky, guys, this is Julia, my friend of 3 years."
Many handshakes and kisses later Julia said,
"So what are you going to call yourselves and do I get a preview as to what you sound like?"
"Our manager wanted us to be called Westside, but we weren't allowed that one, so we will be known as Westlife." Shane explained, then they sang 'Swear it Again'. Julia was stunned, they were really good.
"That was really good." she said, "I'm impressed, I think you'll go a long way."
The rest of the week was totally manic. Julia sat in on recordings and rehearsals, and when they had spare time Mark and Julia went for walks together or out for meals with the rest of the lads. All too soon it was time for Julia to go home, she didn't want to go but she didn't have the courage to tell Mark how she really felt. Mark took her to the ferry and hugged her tightly before she left.
"Write soon and Good Luck!" She called as she boarded the ferry.
The first week at home was awful, Julia just wanted Mark to be near her all the time, little did she know that back in Ireland Mark was feeling the same.
"Why don't you go and see her." said Kian, "Tell her how you feel, you've got to sort this out and we've got no rehearsals for the rest of the week."
"I know, but what if she doesn't feel the same way about me." Mark replied.
"Well at leats you'll know, but after watching you for the last week I'll eat my hat if she doesn't." said Kian, chuckling.
So the following day Mark set off to England to see Julia.
Julia was sat reading Marks letters when the doorbell rang, she felt like ignoring it but whoever it was was very persistent. Dressed in scruffy jeans and an old T-shirt with unbrushed hair Julia went to the door.
"Mark! What are you doing here?" she said feeling embarrased about the way she looked.
"I had to see you Jules." Mark replied, "I haven't stopped thinking about you since you left, I miss you so much."
"I've missed you too." said Julia, "But I didn't think you felt the same."
"Well now you know." Mark said wrapping his arms around her, "Now, can I come in or do we have to do this on the doorstep?"
Julia led him in and as the door closed Mark bent and kissed Julia, everyting they felt for eachother being exprassed in that one kiss. They talked for hours about how to work the relationship, they lived miles apart and Westlife were about to embark on the road to stardom, with their first single due out in a matter of days and it was a hot tip for number one.
Julia said she'd travel to see him as often as she could and they would phone each other every day.
"I know we'll work it somehow." said Mark, "I love you too much to let you go now."
Over the following year Julia and Mark spent as much time together as they could. When Mark was away he phoned every day and Julia was there to congratulate him when their songs went to number one. When Mark wasn't working they divided their time between England and Ireland.
Towards the end of their first year together things started to go wrong, they argued over silly things. Julia frequently accused Mark of putting the band and all that went with it before her. One day she just snapped,
"I've had enough Mark." she said, "The band are obviously more important to you then I am and I can't compete with that. I think we should call it off, I don't want to see you anymore." Then without giving Mark a chance to answer Julia got in her car and drove away leaving Mark bewildered. She got to the ferry terminal just in time to get the last ferry back to England and then went to stay with a friend where she knew Mark wouldn't find her, she knew if he did he would somehow manage to talk her round.
Mark was beside himself when he couldn't find her, he tried to call her but she never answered and her mobile was permanently switched off. He couldn't go to England to find her as they were due to leave on their first world tour at the end of the week, and they still had a lot of rehearsing to do.
"Give her time to cool off mate." said Bryan "When we get back you can go and see her then, it's only three months away, I bet she'll ring you before then anyway."
Mark had no choice but to agree, although ha wasn't happy, he would just have to throw himself into their gigs, he knew he couldn't let the other guys down.
But Julia didn't ring and a week later Westlife set off on tour, they were amazed at the reception they got, the fans loved them and queued for hours,rain or shine, to see them.
Meanwhile, back in England Julia got a surprise of her own. She'd missed a period a month ago but put it down to the hectic life she was leading with the band, now she'd missed another. A test and an appointment with the doctor confirmed her suspisions, Julia was three months pregnant with Marks baby.
Julia spent the next few days wondering what to do. Should she keep the baby? Should she contact Mark? Westlife were only two weeks into their world tour and she didn't want to spoil it for them. She knew Mark well enough to know that if she did tell him he would want to see her and she wasn't sure if that was what she wanted.
Julia finally decided to keep the baby but she wouldn't tell Mark. This was her problem and after the way she spoke to him when they parted he probably wouldn't want to know anyway.
By the time the lads came back from their tour Julia was six months pregnant and could no longer hide it. She was surprised one morning to find an envelope on her doormat with familiar handwriting. Julia's heart skipped a beat as she picked up the envelope and opened it. Inside was a letter from Mark telling Julia how much he missed her and that he wanted to see her to try and sort things out. Also in the letter was a ferry ticket to Ireland for the next day. Julia sat and read the letter over and over and then she sat staring at the ticket. Should she go? Would Mark be angry at her for not telling him about the baby? There was only one answer, Julia sent Mark a text message saying she would be there and Mark replied saying he would meet her from the ferry.
The next day was sunny and warm and Julia dressed in a pale blue dress she had just bought to accomodate her expanding figure. She was nervous about seeing Mark but there was no turning back now.
Julia was stood on the deck as the ferry docked and she could see Mark, he was tanned, sporting a new haircut and looking better than ever. At that moment Julia knew she still loved him.
Mark had seen Julia too and was confused, she looked pregnant, but she couldn't be, could she?
"Hello Mark." Julia said as she approached him.
"Hi Jules, it's good to see you." Mark replied "Lets get out or here before we're spotted."
Typical Mark, thought Julia, still more concerned with himself to see whats happening to me. Julia was quiet all the way back to Marks. The house was deserted when they got there and Mark couldn't hold back any longer.
"Why didn't you tell me Jules?"
"Tell you what." Julia said although she knew it was a bit late to be acting innocent.
"About the baby Jules, you must be what, seven months. You must have known before you left." Mark said looking hurt and confused.
"I'm six months actually, and I didn't find out until after you'd left for your tour. After the way we parted company I didn't think you'd want to know and I probably wouldn't have told you if you hadn't sent me the ticket." Julia said starting to cry.
"But I love you Jules and I always will. Please don't cry." Mark said wiping away her tears. "I never wanted you to go, and if you'll have me I want you back."
"I can't think of anything I want more." Julia replied putting her arms around him. They kissed for what felt like forever until the baby decided it had had enough of being ignored and gave Julia a resounding kick.
"Wow!" exclaimed Mark "Was that what I thought it was?"
"Yep." said Julia, a smile lighting up her face, "That was your baby saying hello."
Three months later Mark was with Julia as she pushed their son into the world. He had lots of dark hair and looked just like his dad. They named him Micheal Oliver, after his dad and Grandad.
"I've got a question for you Jules." said Mark as he watched her cradling their newborn son, "Will you marry me?"
"I thought you'd never ask, of course I will." Julia replied looking at the two most important people in her life, her son and her future husband.
Just then the mood was gone as the rest of the band came in to congratulate them, but for Julia, life just couldn't be better.