Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you

[dharmalady]

Juliet Scott was married for five years. Three of them were good. She was young, Damien was too. They were in love and carefree; had fun and had a lot of sex, traveled to a lot of places. She'd been on track to start med school but when she met Damien, she wanted him instead, and she thought she'd always choose him over everything.

Until she got pregnant.

He stuck around for a few months but then, conveniently his job took him away and the stretches of time between being home and being gone were longer. He was never a bad dad to Mia, not once, but it was like a chore to be home, to be a husband and civilian again. Juliet missed him but she tried to talk to him about it and it was a fight, every time. He had a job, he had missions, he couldn't just give that up. So she decided a year and a half ago to not make him choose anymore. She sent him divorce papers, certified mail, with a letter explaining to him that she was tired of feeling like she and Mia weren't a priority. Like he didn't want to be there when he was back in the states. She wasn't surprised when she got the signed paperwork back with no note in response.

She and Mia have been solo ever since, the two of them moving to Miami to be closer to Juliet's sister. Med school finally happens, and now Juliet's an intern and Mia is five. It's been hard, harder than Juliet ever thought she'd have to do on her own, but she's doing it. She's never told Damien he can't be a part of Mia's life, she's never tried to keep him away from her. When she moves, she makes sure someone in his branch of the military, wherever he is, gets her address. She's not even angry at him anymore, just sad that it ended this way between them.

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[dharmalady]

"I'm afraid, Damien. Because if I..." she swallows and wets her lips, letting out a breath before looking up at him. "I trust you. And I don't want you to let me down. Please don't let me down," she whispers.

[inthewar]

He feels nervous to promise this, because what if he really does fuck it up again? But he'd sooner just die than hurt her again, so he feels safe making the promise. "I won't, baby."

[dharmalady]

With that said, Juliet lets her lips brush against his lightly before resting her forehead against his. "I have a...few requests. Nothing major, I promise. I just...I want to really do this again. The way we did before. Dates. And I want you to stay in here but six dates. Six dates before we sleep together."

It's not that she doesn't want him right now, she just wants that deep connection first again, the way they had the first time around.

[inthewar]

"Fuck," he laughs softly under his breath. "Well, I think I can manage that. Gotta get creative, I guess."

[dharmalady]

"Doesn't have to be fancy. Cook me dinner or take me out. It's your choice. I just want to get to know us again. Who we are now after five years apart."

[inthewar]

He knows it's probably stupid, but he feels a certain amount of pressure now, suddenly. Not wanting to fuck up this second chance. He's been doing pretty well so far, though, and not even thinking about it too hard, so he must be doing something right.

[dharmalady]

Slowly and softly, Juliet kisses his face all over, then ends at his lips, stroking his cheek. "I already love you. That's the easiest part," she smiles before yawning and curling up against him.

[inthewar]

"Well, if you believe in me, I guess I can figure this the fuck out," he smirks a little, kissing her and falling asleep with her quickly.

[dharmalady]

Since the vacation, Juliet really has felt a little lighter, more at peace now, and she and Damien are in a great routine with taking care of Mia. Juliet goes to work in the mornings and just enjoys being with them at night and on the weekends, proud of Damien and everything he's doing to help even outside of just taking care of Mia.

[inthewar]

The only jobs he's been able to get are some part time ones at the auto shops and some various contracting jobs that basically just involve hauling materials. He doesn't like the work, but he doesn't say anything about it, he just works as much as he can to earn money to help take care of his baby.

He's trying to help Juliet, too, and especially wanting to do nice things for her with these dates she's requested. He doesn't really even have nice clothing, so he buys khakis and a nice button down shirt for an evening out. He doesn't know what to do really but he takes her out to dinner and a movie that night.

[dharmalady]

Juliet's not expecting anything fancy; she doesn't want fancy. It's not them, it never has been. She just wants to be with him. As they walk from the theater to the car after the movie she's holding his hand, lightly swinging their arms before looking at him with a soft smile. She doesn't say anything though, she just looks in love.

[inthewar]

Damien notices that look in her eyes as he glances over at her, and he smiles back at her with a bright grin, squeezing her hand. "That was really fucking fun."

[dharmalady]

"Yeah, it was," she smiles, and at the car she leans against it, pulling him close and kissing him softly as her arms wind around his neck. "Sorry, I don't put out on the first date. But I'll make out with you. A little," she teases.

[inthewar]

He smirks a little, leaning in close and kissing her. "Here in the parking lot? Fuck, I'm all in for it."

[dharmalady]

Juliet hums against his mouth, one hand cradling the back of his head and the other looping around his waist. Kissing him again like this is amazing, and her lips part to invite him to kiss her deeper.

[inthewar]

He's smiling the entire time as he kisses her back, sinking into this, wanting her to know exactly how he feels about her. He doesn't care that people are passing by them in the parking lot, he's only focused on her. She's all that matters as his tongue tangles with hers.

[dharmalady]

When she pulls back for air, Juliet nuzzles against his nose. "We gotta go. Let the babysitter go home," she laughs softly, kissing him lightly again.

[inthewar]

"Yeah," he sighs a little, smirking at her. "Got a kiddo waiting for us."

[dharmalady]

Juliet smiles and they go home where Mia's already asleep. Juliet pays the sitter and watches to make sure she gets to her car before leaving.

They go on more dates over the next few weeks, and after each one it's harder and harder to resist Damien. But tonight's date is actually planned by her. It's the last one, and it's a fundraiser she's required to go to. She rents a tux for Damien and gets a dress for herself, but then it's all champagne and fancy food with dancing and a silent auction. There's a motorcycle, a brand new Harley, and without Damien seeing, she bids on it, going a few thousand above the retail price. She only knows what it would cost because of Damien, and right now, she thinks he deserves it.

They dance together, pause to listen to people make speeches about the hospital and the new Children's Center they're raising money for. During a slow dance, her nose nuzzles in against Damien's neck, just breathing him in.

[inthewar]

Damien hasn't gotten this dressed up in years, but he really finally feels like he belongs here with Juliet. His arms are so possessive around her, wanting everyone to know she's his and he loves her.

"You make me so fucking happy, baby," he murmurs to her, kissing her temple.

[dharmalady]

"Damien?" Juliet looks up at him, her eyes so blue and bright and full of love. "You make me happier than I've ever been. I don't even know how to tell you how much."

[inthewar]

He grins at her, stroking her cheek as he leans in to kiss her tenderly. "That's all I wanna do. For the rest of my life."

[dharmalady]

When the song ends, the auction results start, and it's not even Juliet's name they read when she snags the highest bid on the bike, it's Damien's.

"Baby, you won a motorcycle," she says innocently, clapping and pushing him forward to go get the ticket.

[inthewar]

Damien's eyes widen and he looks at her, stunned. "What the fuck..."

But when she nudges him forward, he does move, grabbing his ticket and heading back to Juliet. "Baby, what did you do..."

[dharmalady]

"I bid. It was for a good cause," she smiles mischievously, giving a little shrug.