The growing relationship (Tim and Julia Nicole)

Julie Nicole Just graduated from an independent fundamental Baptist college. She had come home. There had been a spark of romantic interest between him and a man in the church ten years older then her.
Neither one had been  ready to admit there interest. Now she was 21 . Tim decided to ask her out. She accepted.  It had not ways been easy.there was pit falls. It was difficult at times. There were differences. They had different life experiences.  They saw things differently.Tim was more serious. Julie was more bubbly.at times it created conflict.
Despite the obstacles , it was working. They were growing closer together. They were learning how to interact with each other.  It was transforming from a crush to something more. Both of them began to feel that way.
Julie had some time before work.she decided to visit him. He had two business. He sold insurance.he also ran a used book store and antique store. One was a business to provide . the other was kinda of a monetized hobby as he called it.
He was aEither  used bookstore . she had never visited him at his work. She decided to surprise him. She liked to read. She might buy something.
She went inside. A customer had just cashed out. The customer left the establishment.
He heard the bell ring.he did not know who it was. He looked up. He saw that it was her. "Hey Jules." he said."hi I had a little time before I have to work. I figured I would come say hi. "She said.
"I am Glad you did. " Tim said. "This is the book store?" she asked. "It is. I am prety proud of it.it's smal but I like it. "He said.
A customer came in.they had a list of books. He had all of them. The customer was happy.while He assisted the customers. After the customers left She brought a couple books to the front.
"Hey you can just have them. I won't charge you!"he said. "Oh no I am a paying customer. " she insisted."it is not about deal. They are a filthy cents a peace. " he said.
"That is why I am going to buy them. "She declared."your not backing down on this are you?"he asked. "No not a chance!"she said.
"We seam to be at a stand still!" he said.she chuckled."we seam to be. " she responded. " ok I know how to settle this !"he said.
He took her hand. They went to a wal. "A dart bored?"she said in a sceptical tone. He took out two darts. " closest to the bulls eye wins. You win you pay. I win it's on the house. " He said.
"Alright! " she said. He let her go first. She threw the dart. It almost hit the bullseye.he threw his,hers was closer.she ringed her hand and said yes.
"Your happy about paying ?" he said."it's a dollar.it won't break the bank I promise."she said. They went to the cash register. "Can I give you my girlfriend discount?" he asked. "No I will pay full price. " she said. "That price is very arbitrary Jules."he said. "I hope this is not how you run the business !"she said in. Kiding tone. "Do you want your recept ?" he asked. "Yes I do!" she said. "You do know you are extremely silly?" he asked. "Yes I am!" she said.
He put in a bag and gave it to her. "I should be going."She said. "Come back again hunnie. " he said. "Count on it!"she said.
He walked her to the door. He hugged Her. They hugged her for a few minutes.  Then she left. He laughed then went back to work.
The next day he was at the insurance office. "You have a visitor. It is a young lady. She says she is your girlfriend. " the receptionist said. "Send Her in. "He said.
  She came in with a cooler. "You do know we are not oficialy dating?" Tim asked. "I know. I did not know what else to call myself " she said. "You could say your a friend?" he said.
"Oh! I am just a friend now! " she said. "Well!" he said . "you do know I brought you lunch. Including desert. " she said. "I am very appreciative. "He told Her. "No problem. Happy to do it.will your boss let you take lunch now?"she asked. "I think He might "he said.
He told his Secretary that he was on lunch. He took out the food. "Its chicken salid . it's the way you like it."She said.
He smiled. They held hands as they prayed. They then eat. They had a good time just hanging out. After they cleaned up. "Thank you I appreciate it. "He told her. "Don't get to use to it. "She said. He laughed."ok! I won't. "He said .
He walked her to her car. He hugged her. "I love you !"she said. She was afraid to tell him that. She knew He was not ready for things like that. "I don't doubt that at all. I know that's true. I love you."he said. She smiled. She got into her car.
To be continued.

Tim and Julia Nicole (the party)

In a small church,everyone knew every one else. Nothing was not noticed. Tim figured that. He and Julia Nicole 's new relationship would be noticed. He was glad that he had gotten the permison of her farther. It was easier now. He knew that people would notice. It was bound to happen. It was natural.
It would stil take time to a just. He did not like being the center of attention.he never did. He considered waiting for het to arrive . he decided not to. 
He sat down in the auditorium. He started to  look up. "How long have you been standing there?" he asked." couple of seconds! "She said. He smiled. She Sat down. She took his hand. He was not sure he was comfortable with hand holding especially at church. He decided to go with it.
"I heard you talked to my dad?"she said. "I have talked to your dad on many occasions. "He said. She poked him. "Yes we did. I got his permission to see you. I am not ready to become an official couple." he said.
"Why not? "She asked. "We should take it slow."he said. "Afraid you will get sick of me?"she asked. "Of course not. There Is need to rush this."he said. "Your right. "She said.
An older lady came over to her. "So do you two have something you want to tell me?"Mrs Osborn said. They both smiled. "We are informal for now but we will see."he said. "I am happy  for You two. I think you make a nice couple."She said.
They thanked her. She moved on. "Are you ashamed to be around me?"she asked."no of course not. It is just that you and I becoming a couple or potential couple is bound to be a topic of conversation. We might be a source of controversy especially given our age difference!"he said. "Because your so old?"she asked laughing. "No!"he said .
Mrs . Grainger saw them sitting together. Mrs.Grainger was a widow.she was a strong presence in the church. They had been missionaries to Argentina before his health forced them to return to the states.
She went over to them. "I have been praying for you two to get together to get together for a while now.I believe that the Lord will do great things with you two. "Mrs. Granger said . "thank you.we certainly want the Lord to use us and our relationship. "Julia Nicole said. "I know he will!"Mrs.Grainger said .
Julia Nicole laughed. "We are a smal church in a smal town. You are going to have to get use to The attention. It will die down . other news will take over. "She said . " ok!"he said.
After the service,many stayed around and talked for a bit. Tim and Julie talked to people. He walked her to her car. "Your a little uptight?"she commented. "Perhaps a little. "He said.
They said there good byes. He went to his car and drove home. The day seamed to be mixed. It probably could have gone better.
Julie was not sure how to process the day. Some of it went very well. Other parts was not as good. Perhaps that was how it was.
During the week,Tim was busy with his two business. He had an accounting firm and an antique store.that kept him buisy. Julie was kept buisy with her work.
Tim went home from work. His phone went off. He saw that it was sister. "Hi miss!" he said . "Tim I was hoping to have you and Julie over for dinner this week. " she said. "What day are you looking at?"he asked. "Wendsday if It is good for Julie but I am flexible."she said. "I will get in touch with Jules and get back to you."he said. "Oh ok! Sure!"she said.
He hung up with his sister. He immediately called julie. Julie was at home when her cell phone went off. She picked it up. "Hey Tim!"she said."hey Jules.missy wants to have us over for dinner. "He said.
"Oh! Yea that would be good!"julie said.julie was not expecting that. She did not know melisa well. She knew her from church. They had engaged in chit chat hear and there. They were cordial but not close.  She was not sure she was ready to hang out with her potentiall future sister in law quite yet.
"Are you available Wednesday night?"Tim asked. "Yea. Wendsday is good. "She said. She was nervous about it but did not say that. "Awsome. I will call missy back and tell her. "He said. "Ok cool!"she responded.
She was nervous about it she did not know why. Melisa seemed like a nice lady. She got the impreson that Tim and her were close. She probably needed to be on good terms with her. She wanted to be in good relations with his family .
She was surprised given that Tim seemed to wanted to slow down a bit.this seemed to accelerating things. She surmised that this was probably Melissa's idea. He was going along with it.
"So I will get back to you with any final details. "He said."ok sure!"she answered. Then they hung up.
She was really not sure about all this.perhaps it was because they had not had a particular good week.she decided she did want to go. She did hope that they would have a better week.
Wednesday arrived. She work until three thirty. She went home. She changed. She decided to go mostly casual. She hoped that she and Melissa would get along. Melisa had three kids. A six year old boy,a two-year old boy and a three mouth old baby girl. Melissa's husband was overseas in the army. She was ready to go.
As usual ,Tim was early. She anticipated that. She was ready. She went out. She went into the car. He hugged her. He was stil not sure about physical contact. He still did not get the courage to tell her that he was not comfortable with physical display of affections.
The drive form her house to Melissa's was a couple of minutes. Before they knew it they were there. He parked. They went inside.
"Hi Julia!"melisa said. "Hi!"julie said."I a really glad you can come. I know we don't know each other well but I hope to change all that."Melissa saId."I would like that too." julie said.
"So I am wondering who liked who first."missy asked at meal time. "I think I liked him first. "Julie said. "I suspected . I once asked him once but he hemmed and hawed. When you two decided to go out I figured it was only a matter of time. "She said.
"How did you meat your husband?"Julie asked. "When I was at college I went to a church near a military base. We met at church.I had no idea he was in the service. "She  said.
"I put him though the ringer. "He said "he was not that bad. They liked each other instantly. "Melissa said. "My parents like him. We have there approval. "Julie said .
"Our family is due for another wedding. "Melisa said . "so far only missy and my other brother are the only ones maried"he said. "No presue though. Just saying it would be nice to have another weeding."Melisa said.
After the meal,Tim was playing with the boys. Julie helped Melisa with clearing the table."so anything I should know about Tim?"she asked."well he spends an hour organizing his sock drawer and is still unhappy."She said. "I am not surprised."julie said. "If you borow a book from him return it exactly where you found it. He organizes book by dewy decimal syistom.I am not joking!"Melisa said. "I will keep that in mind."julie said.
"Do you think you will two will get maried?"she asked."I really hope so. I want to. "Julie said. "You would make a fine addition to The family. I would be pleased to have you as a sister in law."She said. "Thanks you that means a lot. "Julie said.
End of part 4

After the date (the party )

Tim and Nicky finally went on a date.the date went very well. They had been friends for a few years. They had a ten year age gap as well as very different life experiences. Such a union seemed unheard of. Right now they were in the early phase.
They got done the first date. Tim had a good time. He felt darned. He liked to process things. He never liked to from from one thing to another. Of course not long after getting home his phone rang.
Without even checking the caller I'd,he knew who it was. It was his sister Melissa.
"Hey missy!"he said. "How did it go?"she asked. "Uh good!"he answered. "That seemed hesistent."She said. "Oh no it went good. "He said. "Not great though ?"she asked in a follow up question. "No it we by fine. I am pleased with how it went!. "He said.
"There is something though "she said. "There might be a concern !"he said. "Ok what is it?"she asked. "The night went rely good. As we were leaving she took my hand,I was not sure physical contact is warranted at this early a juncture. Then she hugged me before we said our good nights. "He said.
"So the night went very good. Except she hugged you and held your hand
Did you tell her that ?"she asked. "No I did not."he said. "Now you have established a precedence. If you move away or recoil the next time ,she will think that you are mad or something. If you really don't think it is appropriate you need to  express that to her and soon. "She said.
"You think I am making a mount on out of a mole hill?"he asked. "From what I have heard right now yes. I suspect you think it might be a smaller issue then your making it!"she said.
"Perhaps. It is not a deal breaker. It is something that took me a back. "He said. She laughed. "Your so uptight!"she remarked. "No I'm not. "He said. "You really are. You have been for as long as I can remember. "She said.
"Its just awkward right now. I have not been on a date in quite a while. It a weird that she is the daughter of someone who is currently In my Sunday school class and who I serve with on the bored of trustries. "He said.
'I don't think this is a big concern.at least it does not need to be. "He told him."no your probably right."he said."remember she is young. You know she is a godly person.con the too harsh on her. We all live by Grace."she said. "I know that ."he said. "Good!"she answered.
When Nicky came home her while family was waiting in the living room. They all wanted a full report. She could not blame them,they were a close family. It made sense that they would be curious.
  "How did it go?"her younger sister asked. "It went very good!"she said. She tried not to smile too much.she found it hard to do so. "We can tell!"her younger brother said everyone laughed.
They noticed that she was beaming from ear to ear. She was normally fairly reserve. She was not an introvert by any means but not an extrovert. Today was different.
Her parents were supportive of the relationship. They knew she had a crush on her for a while. They saw it go from a crush to something more.
That night her parents talked about it."so what do you think about Nick and Tim?"her mom asked. "I am trying not to !"he said jokingly. She laughed. "I think this is a good thing. "He said. "I do too. We might be planing a wedding soon!"she said. "I am not ready to think about That !"he said. She laughed.
The next day was Sunday. Tim taught a class on bible survey course.He enjoyed it very much.he had designed the course consulting other material.
In the time between the Sunday school and the morning service,Tim looked for her farther. Bob Hilliard sold insurance. He was also an avid outdoorsman. 
Tim could not believe he was doing this.he felt like a teen. It was odd. He and Bob had worked together on the trustries and other commities. Bob even was under him in some cases.
He went over to him . "hi Bob!"Tim said."hi Tim!"bob said.
"Bob I wanted to talk to you. I would like to continue seing your daughter. I am not ready to formerly court her. I would like your permison to continue to pursue her. I do not want to step on your toes. I value your opinion. I hope I can have your blessing to continue. "Tim said.
"I figured that this was coming! I have known you for several years now. You are an important part of the church. I see no reason to object to you and her continuing to see each other. You have my blessing to continue. "He said.
"Thank you I appreciate that. I am determined to do right by your daughter and you with the lords help."Tim told Bob. "I know that. "Bob said.
While Bob hated the thought of his little girl growing up,he was supportive of her and Tim. He felt that God was bringing the two of them together. While he would perfer she not start dating until she turned  sixty ,he knew that That was probably not likely no should it be. It was a good thought. At least he thought so.
Tim then looked for Julie. He found her. She skilled when she saw him. "Hi "she said. They Sat together during the service. He knew that this would raise some eyebrow. They during together might be a topic of conversation and speculation by people in the church.
Tim was a fairly private person. He was not an introvert by any means but he liked his space. He kept some things private. He like to have boundries. This was unusual for him. It was a bit uncomfortable. He did not relish the thought of being the topic of conversation. This was a smal church in a smal town. It was only natural that people would talk. He stil was uncomfortable with it.
After church he walked her to her car.
She just kept smiling. He liked her smile. They said there good buys .
In the afternoon,she heard that he asked her farther for permission to seem her. "What did you tell him"?she asked. "I told him no ? "Her farther said jokingly. "Did you really?"she asked."no I wanted to say it in jest but I figured I had better not!"Bob said."he would probably have a heart attack."she said ."I did say yes."he said."I'm glad!"she said. " I have to know do you see this going beyond what it is now?"he asked."I really do !"she said.
He knew the answer to that question.for the most part He was ok with that. He was ok with it as he could be.the relationship was stil new.it was very much in it's infant stage. A lot could happen. It was hard to know what would happen next.
End of part three
Notes
In part one I called her Julie.part two I called her Nicky.this post I called her both. Perhaps her name is Nicole Julie or Julie Nicole. It was an oversight. I am not sure which name I will go with.

The date (part two of the party)

Tim and Nicky had liked each other for a while. There were obstacles. They were. 12 years difference between them. She was 21,he was 33. There was other differences.he was a business owner and she was a recent bible college graduate. She grew up in an I.f.b church. He was converted in his twenties.
There were other differences as well. It seemed unlikely that they could make it as a couple. In Manny cases those differences do not decide as much as they could.
Tim could not believe that he had gone though with It. As the day of the date close closer,he got even more nervous.
She was nervous and excited at the same time. She was glad that the day had arrived. She spent quite some time getting ready for the date.
She put on a pink t shirt and Gray skirt and flip flops. She styled her hair.she waited for him to arive.
She got really nervous waiting for him.what if it did bot work out? Would there friendship servive.she started to think of every doomsday synerio she could think off. Then she calmed down. lookBecided not to get bent out of shape about it.
He was two minutes ahead of what he said. That sounds just like him.she laughed.she figured that was how he was. He tended to be task oriented and time conscious.
She came out and went to the car. He smiled at her when he saw her. She smiled back. She got in. "You lookB really nice tonight!"he said. "Thank you. You look handsome yourself!"she said.
They drove to the restaurant. They went inside and seated. "I can't believe we are hear!"he said."this restaurant is not hard to get into !"she said in a tounge in cheek fashion."I can't beleve. We are hear together. "He said.
"Wha made you decide to ask me out?"she asked. "I thought about it for a while. I was not sure you would say yes. You might not want to be seen with an old geezer."he said.
"I suspected you liked me. I was not sure. "She said. "I was really afraid that you would say no!"he remarked."really?I have liked you for a while!"she said. "I thought so but sometimes men misterpret simple greetings as something more. The your so veign you probably think Nicky likes you!"he said. She laughed.
"I thought you liked me but I feared you might think I was immature !"she said."I have observed you over the years sense your family came to the church. I saw you grow in maturity and in your relationship with the Lord."he said."that means a lot. I think it is hard for people to see passed the teen Nicole of so long ago!"she said."I think more people have noticed that you are aware!"he said.
"You are bot that old. Besides when your 82 I will be 70. "She said. "When you put it that way. "He said. They both laughed.
"Man I Love that smile!"he thought to himself. "So when did you first like me?"she asked. "The first time I ever even considered it was when you came home from college the first time. When we stayed at church until the church custodian threw US out so he could clean!"he said. "I forgot about that. I totally lost tract of time that day "she said. "So did I? It was so not like me!"he said.
"I like had a crush on you sense high school!"she said."really! We never talked except an occasional high and hand shake until pastor curtas stoped the one in the bound of love routine!"he said.
"You made an impression. Of course I was a teen in a town that even lake wo be gone forgot about!"she said."I wanted to ask you out over the summer of your freshman into sophomore year. You stated dating trevor!"he said.
"He is a good guy. He is on a Sumer missions trip. We both felt it was not God's will. "She said.
"I expected you to date someone else.I did not want me to be a rebound date. "He said. "After Trevor ,I decided to take a step back. I did not want to date everyone in sight. I was a bit guy crazy. I decided to back off. "She said.
"I backed off for a time. I decided to wait. I had no idea when the right time was!"he said. "Now is perfect! To tell you the truth I was begging to founder if you had lost interest. "She said."not at all. I am am accountant at heart. I like to cross my ts and dot my eyes."here told her.
"I figured that about you!"she said.
"I gues maybe I went overboard. I almost talk myself out of it.now that I did not want. I was scared of rejection."he said. "Becuase your so old?"she asked jokingly. "That is definitely part of it. What if you don't like my  table manners or my endless resitation of Obscure facts."he said.
"Well! Your table manners are fine. I don't see the obscure facts being a deal breaker yet!"she said. "Oh ok! I think I am very scared that if this did not work,it would end our friendship." he said.
"I had that fear as well. "She told him."I decided that I felt like I was at liberty to ask you out. "He said. "I knew you were interested but I was wondering when you were going to ask me out. I admit I got a little restless. I considered asking you out myself although I am not sure it is proper. " she commented. They both laughed.
"So was inviting me to the graduation party a way of tipping my hand?"he asked. "A little bit. "She said. "I see. I was afraid you might say no!"he said."I was not going to say no!"she said. "I see!"he said.
"So I have to know,is this just a casual date? Is marriage a possibility?"she asked. "No I would he perused this if I did not think mariege was a viable option. I definitely think marriage is a possibility.I am at a place in my life where I don't want to cassuly date. Is marriage between US a possibility for you?"he asked.
"Yes it is. While I am younger ,I did bot date in high school,mostly because I was homeschool, I regret dating the way I did in college. I believe if I date now it should be to someone I could marry!"she said.
"Excelent I hoped so. "He said. "If you want to lay off the recitation of obscure facts that would be ok"she said jokingly.
"For the record I did not bring up lake woobegone!"he said. "Oh ok!"she said. He paid the Bill then they left. She took his hand. He was not too keen on hand holding but Decided to go with it.
They went to the car. "I had a good time today. I am glad we got to do this!"she said. "Me too! "He said.
They engaged in smal talk until they arrived at her parents house. "We will have to make aragement to get together again soon . provided your bot sick of me !"he said. "No not yet! I will let you know!"she said."ok fair enough!"he said. She hugged him.he did not feel that physical contact was warranted at this juncture but let it go.
He watched her go in. Then he drove home. He had a good night.he felt mentally exhausted.he felt a bit overwhelmed.he was pleased with how the night went.he needed time to catch his breath.
End of part two.