Billionaire and the Sisters Ch. 92

I laughed, "So, what does the future Julie Yates look like?"

Julie grinned broadly. "I never put what I'm about to say into words until now, but I felt it. I intend to challenge each part of what I'm thinking, especially in terms of what's right and wrong in relationships. You made me realize how I've been avoiding what might be the best things in life by staying away from other people - and I mean that in an intimate way. I was scared, and you've shown me there's nothing to be afraid of." Julie got tears in her eyes. "From now on I plan to err on the side of forming a new relationship ... and even doing daring things. If my first reaction is to shy away from it, I'll take that as a major reason to go do it."

She went on, "I intend to broaden my perspective and be widely permissive and accepting. I want to be freer and libertine in what I do without incriminating self-judgment, especially regarding things sexual and romantic. You know I've been hiding from this side of life. That's probably why I went into child development and psych, and then became the ultimate nanny; the kids were safe. Their natural inclination is to like you if you like them. There's no real rejection. They trust you implicitly. They love you unconditionally."

I pushed gently, "What does that mean for you if someone you like spurns you?"

Julie nodded, "It means I fall back on the new self-confidence you've given me. I know that Mark, you, and a few others love me unconditionally. I find great comfort in that. It gives me a basis to weather lots of things life might throw at me as I venture out into it, including rejection. In this family, there's no rejection. I've never seen anybody do anything but express love for everyone else. This is about as safe a place to start as I could find. I intend to make sure I express my love to everyone here and receive whatever they can offer to me with deep gratitude and appreciation. I already feel so much love I feel my heart will burst."

My mind made a few leaps in thinking. I said in a worried tone, "Does that mean you're going to stop being the ultimate nanny?"

Julie spoke immediately so I knew her response was genuine, "I have no plans to do that, but I'm realizing I don't need the kids as a crutch or a safe place to hide. There are other things I can do in the same field as I do the same things. Only in the long-term might I change what I'm doing slightly, and you'll have plenty of input to it all."

"Like what?"

"My major was child psychology. There are many abused and troubled kids that I could help with a little more study and experience. In the middle of last night I thought about this. I think I'll go back to school on a part-time basis. I can do it via the Internet and it won't interfere with my being your nanny. I can get a master's degree, and do a lot of the work towards a doctorate in this field without impacting what I do for you. It's a long journey - several years, but I think I'm going to look into it in more detail when we get home, if that's OK with you."

I hugged Julie and got a warm hug in return. I told her, "It's more than OK. If there's any cost, we'll pay for it. If you need time off for classes or exams or whatever, we'll find a way to work through it. We do love you."

Julie's eyes teared up again, and I got another hug. She choked out, "I know, and I'm so appreciative. I love you."