*Willow*No one had ever gotten me flowers before. It seems silly and stupid to long for, but I couldn’t help it. I had seen all the women in my life receive flowers for birthdays or Valentine’s Day or apologies, but I had never received them myself.I had no idea my time was coming.“I have a delivery for Willow Monroe.” I was shocked to hear my name. I looked up from my computer curiously. In the delivery guy’s hands was a bouquet of lavender roses. I had never seen anything so beautiful!I got up and signed the clipboard before the guy handed the flowers to me.“Who are they from?” Jude asked. “I have no idea.” I laughed slightly as I went back to my seat.All eyes were on me as I took the card and opened it.Just something to brighten your day sweetheart. I love you so much you brilliant beautiful woman. You are everything and more to me.Love Stud MuffinI glanced over at Nathaniel who was trying to keep the smile off of his face. I couldn’t believe he had sent me flowers! Th
*Willow*This was truly the opposite of what I wanted.Was it so much to ask for a calm birthday?!I scanned the crowd of people. God who made the guest list? Shauna, Orlando, and Jude?! What the hell?I looked over at Nathaniel who also didn’t seem thrilled. We forced laughs as everyone swarmed around us with hugs and ‘happy birthdays’. “This is a lot Scar!” I said.“I know, but you’ve had a rough year and you and Nathaniel are doing so well in the internship. You deserve to be celebrated.” She smiled.I guess this was a pretty nice gesture.Was the giant HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHANIEL AND WILLOW banner and the piles of gifts a bit much? Yes, but it was sweet.“Happy birthday Willow,” Shauna forced a hug on me. “I got you a really good gift.”“Is it the gift of you ceasing your insane propositioning of my boyfriend?” I asked. “No, it’s even better! Don’t worry, you’ll love it.”She skipped off. That nutty fucking broad.“Willow, happy birthday.” Jude smiled. He gave me a kiss on the che
*Nathaniel*“What on earth are you doing, Nathaniel Scott Watson?” Mom demanded. “I’m kissing my girlfriend.” I said firmly.I thought Mom would crumple on the spot. Dad was holding on to her to steady her.“Willow Anne Monroe!” Bianca shrieked. “You explain this right now!”“I’m in love with him Mom,” Willow said, grabbing my hand. “This is my real boyfriend.”“Oh this is fucked up.” Robin said.“Watch that mouth, young man!” Scarlett snapped.“No, no! This is not happening!” Bianca stated. “Willow, you will end this insane and clear sham of a relationship.”“Sham?” I demanded.“Yes! This is clearly a ploy by you and your demon mother to throw my sweet girl off of her game! You obviously seduced her in order to take her down because you knew she was too powerful!” “Oh cut the shit, Bianca!” Mom exclaimed. “This is you and Willow trying to derail my son! She’s clearly distracting him so that she can beat him in that internship! I’m not stupid!”“Could have fooled me!”“Oh my god sto
*Willow*Mom hadn’t spoken to me since we had gotten home last night.I didn’t care much. She was blowing this whole thing out of proportion. She was acting though I was fucking Lucifer Morningstar or something!She was doing that really annoying thing where she muttered to herself in the car, instead of talking to anyone.“Happy birthday, Will.” Dad stated.“Thank you Daddy.”“Bianca, don’t you want to say happy birthday to our daughter?”“What so I can be reminded that I pushed her out twenty-two years ago just for her to betray and humiliate me? I don’t think so.”I rolled my eyes as we pulled into the driveway. We went to the dining room and I swear my whole body lit up seeing Nathaniel again. Even with our meet up last night, I missed him. “Hi,” I smiled. “Hey.” Nathaniel pulled me to him and kissed me fiercely.“Enough of that!” Mom snapped.I huffed but pulled away from him. Everyone else showed up and we sat down. “Um, okay. So we have a shit-ton of things to discuss.” S
*Willow*Skyler and Avery looked as though they would faint.“Excuse me?” Skyler whispered. “I…found my biological parents and I’ve been meeting up with them.”“Why didn’t you tell us?” Avery asked.“I was scared. I just wanted to know them on my own first. Just in case they weren’t good people. But they are. They’re amazing. A-and I didn’t want to go by myself so Willow came with me for support. She was the only one I could trust.”“You could have trusted me!” Joy cried. “I kept asking you what was wrong and you refused to tell me. You purposely lied to me and instead told Willow.”Yeah that was going to cause some serious issues in their relationship. “Levi, do you realize how dangerous that could have been?” Avery asked. “You had no idea what these people were like and you put yourself and Willow in danger.”“They’re not addicts anymore. They’re good people.” Levi insisted. “Willow, tell them.”“They are good people,” I agreed. “They care about Levi a lot. And they don’t want to
*Nathaniel*Well that was shocking.“Are you serious?” Willow asked. “How did you know?”“Oh it was so obvious! I had my suspicions already, but then I saw you two kissing on the balcony on Fourth of July and it was confirmed. I mean your doors are always locked and both of you had secret relationships. I’m shocked no one else picked up on it.”“Why didn’t you tell me Joy?” Levi asked. She laughed bitterly. “Excuse me? You want to get upset at me about things we don’t tell each other? You found your fucking family and didn’t say a word to me! How do you think that makes me feel?”It took me until that moment to realize that Levi and Joy hadn’t revealed that they were dating each other at breakfast. Though with how angry Joy was, maybe they didn’t need to announce it. Maybe it was over. That’s not what I wanted at all. “Joy, there’s already so much going on with us, I didn’t want to complicate that, okay?”“So you told Willow and had her pose as your girlfriend?”“That wasn’t the in
*Willow*I didn’t ask anymore questions.Levi and I left immediately. Mark met us at the hospital. “What happened?” Levi asked. “Miranda fell down the stairs while doing laundry. I guess she slipped and then tumbled down with the basket. She’s got a sprained ankle and possibly some broken ribs.”“From a tumble down the stairs?” I questioned.“It was a really bad fall.” Mark informed me. “That's too bad.” Levi sighed. “Yeah, it was very scary. Thank you for being here.”“Of course.”We sat down as Mark went to go to talk to the doctor.“Please don’t mention you’re not my girlfriend.” Levi whispered. “There’s too much going on.”“I won’t. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you it was Nathaniel.”“It’s okay, I’m just..it complicates things, but if he makes you happy, then I’m happy.” “That’s sweet of you.” I kissed his cheek.“So Miranda is doing well. Willow, do you want to see her? I think she could use a friendly female face.”“Um, sure.”I slowly walked into the room.Miranda was sitting
*Nathaniel*I was so happy to be out in the open with Willow. We didn’t have to sneak kisses or glances and touches. We were just out. I was extremely happy that Jude and Orlando now knew. I imagined they would leave her alone. That was until Jude asked to speak to Willow on her own. What could he possibly be saying to her?“So how does it feel being out in the open?” Julian asked. “Kind of amazing. I mean the secret was fun and hot, but everyone should know we’re in love with each other.”“Has your mom talked to you?”“No. Has your dad talked to you?”“Not at all,” Julian sighed. “He really doesn’t get it.”“He’ll come around.” I assure him.“You know who did text me though? Lolli.” “Really? What did she say?”“She asked me to send her some of my remixes so she can listen. She loves house music.”“Well that’s pretty cool right?” I smiled. “Yeah, I guess.” He shrugged as Willow came to sit down. I was glad that Orlando wasn’t here. Now that he knew Willow was my girlfriend, I ex
*Nathaniel* I was kind of nervous for Willow to come with me to counseling. I hoped it wouldn’t change the way she saw me. I knew I wasn’t a finished product just yet, but I was getting there and I wanted her to see that. “Thank you for being with us today, Willow,” Joel smiled. “Thanks for having me. I’ve never been to therapy before.” Willow smiled. “It’s not therapy.” We chorused. “Right, sorry.” She laughed. “So, what happens in…counseling?” “Well we talk about my issues and how I plan to fix them.” I informed her. “What do you got for me today Joel?” “Well, you’re back in a relationship, how does that feel?” Joel asked. “Honestly? Pretty fucking great!” “You’re allowed to say ‘fuck’ here?” Willow asked “Yeah, there’s like no rules here.” I grinned. “Um, I feel great about being back with Willow.” “Do you feel mentally ready?” “I think so.” “Why wouldn’t he be?” Willow asked. “Well, previously in your relationship, Nathaniel used you as a crutch. Almost like a
*Nathaniel*Being back in Willow’s room was amazing. Nothing was different. She even still had the photos of us up.“I missed being in here.” I kissed Willow as I reached around to unzip her dress. “Espcially your bed.”“Oh my bed missed you too, baby.” Willow smiled. “No, call me my special name.”“Stud muffin.”“Oh sweetheart, I love you.” I grinned. Willow’s dress fell to the floor and she stepped out of it before removing my clothes. I closed my eyes and just reveled in feeling her hands on me again. Finally I was just in my briefs and Willow was in her bra and underwear. I kissed her again as I lowered her down on the bed. “I missed you so much,” I murmured. “I know. Now make love to me, Nathaniel.” Willow smiled up at me. The rest of our clothes came off and landed on the floor. I was breathing heavily as I kissed down Willow’s body. I think anticipation was making me breathless. Her fingers ran through my hair as I hooked her legs over my shoulder, ready to blow her min
*Willow*I never thought Nathaniel and I could be together again.He had done too much. He drank too much, lied, and ruined my relationship with my mother. And now he didn’t really drink, was incredibly honest and he had fixed things between me and Mom.Mom and I spent hours at that restaurant, laughing and talking. Not about my accomplishments or beating Nathaniel. Just about any and everything. Sure, she was still a nut, but she was my nut and I was so happy to have her back. I had Nathaniel to thank for that.I couldn’t lie, I was starting to think that maybe it could work. But did he feel that way? Had I pushed him away too many times now and he was done trying?I wanted to know so desperately, but the wedding was actually happening and I had to focus on that. It felt like kind of a miracle that Lee was actually getting married today.“Where is your mind girl?” Joy asked. “Nowhere,” She raised her eyebrows. “Nathaniel.”“What happened?”“Nothing, but I might want it to again. H
*Willow*I had no idea what to expect for this lunch.I wasn't sure what to wear at all, but Nathaniel assured me a nice summer dress would do. I trusted him even though this was super weird. “Do you know what Nathaniel has planned for me tomorrow?” I asked Julian.“Maybe.”“Well what is it?”“A surprise. Sorry Willow, I am sworn to secrecy.” Julian stated. “It's a good thing though right?” I asked. “Of course. I think Nathaniel is way past hurting you at this point. He got tired of himself too, but he’s doing so much better.”“I can really see that.”“You like what you see?” Julian raised his eyebrows. “You still crushing on him?”I forced a laugh. “What? No, no. I mean…why? Does he talk about me like that still?”“Not sure. He’s really trying to focus on being a good person and not just for you, but himself.”“That’s good. It’s what he should be doing. He shouldn’t be thinking about me.”“You’re right,” Julian smiled. “But he definitely still does.”--I got to the restaurant ear
*Willow*I was so disgusted with Jude.I thought he was different. I thought he would actually help me out of the kindness of his heart and because he believed I was something great. But no, he wanted to fuck me.“What a creep,” Levi shook his head. “I’m sorry that was happening all summer.”“I didn’t even realize it. I was so oblivious and I just wanted to succeed.”“I completely understand. I mean I didn’t see how awful Mark was.”“True enough. I just hope I still get to prove myself to other people.” I sighed. “Hey, you’re going to. The great part is he really did introduce you to important people. Your name is still on their minds, you just don’t have to deal with that jerk.” I smiled. “Hm, you're right about that.”“I have been known to be very smart.”We pulled into Katherine’s driveway and rang the bellMiranda answered with a smile on her face. “Hi guys!” We hugged before entering the house. “Willow, I’m so glad you’re here, I need your help.”“With what?”“Well remember th
TW: This chapter depicts elements of sexual harassment.*Willow*I was frozen in my seat, unsure of what to do. I truly didn’t think that Jude had feelings for me like this or that he thought I had them for him. “Jude, just wait-”“I can give you everything you want Willow. And you can do the same for me.”He kissed me again, wrapping me tightly in his arms. I think this was wrong. He was kind of my boss and I didn’t want to wreck that professional relationship. But I also wasn’t sure how to tell him that.Jude’s lips moved down to my neck as he moaned loudly. I could feel his erection through his pants. What the fuck should I do?I was relieved when my phone rang.I shoved Jude away and answered. “Hello?”“Hey, just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Are you coming home?” Scarlett asked. “Yes, yes! Right now actually see you soon. Bye.” I hung up. “Um, Jude that was my sister and-and she really wants me home.”“You’re an adult, Willow, you don’t have to listen to her.” Jude looked m
*Willow*“You know, you two are much more affectionate than usual.” Katherine pointed out. “We just feel more comfortable around other people, I guess.” Levi smiled. “Yeah, that must be it.” I kissed his cheek. I think I was throwing myself into my relationship with Levi a bit. I just didn't want to think about Nathaniel and all that was going on with him. It was easier to focus on me and Levi. “You guys are so good together,” Miranda smiled. “I’m glad Willow has a nice guy.”“You’ll have one when you’re ready too,” I assured her. Miranda already seemed so different. She wasn’t nearly as jumpy or fidgety now that she wasn’t with Mark. While Mark was at work, we went to their home and got all of Miranda’s stuff out. Mark had been constantly calling both Levi and Miranda and they blocked him. They were both done with him and I was so happy about that. “I’ve started reaching out to old friends from when I was in grad school. I’m hoping they’ll forgive me for just ghosting them.” M
*Nathaniel*Therapy was weird. Every day after the internship, I would go to therapy to talk about my feelings and it was strange. I did like that so much attention was on me, but I could tell my therapist didn't think I was digging deep enough. I hadn’t even told him about my relationship with Willow yet. I just told stories of me drinking too much, leaving out that Willow was here for a few of them and saved me. “This isn’t therapy, Nathaniel, it’s counseling.” He reminded me. “Whatever, it still feels weird. Why can’t we just get to the root of the issue and get it over with?” I asked. “Because you don’t want to go deeper.”“It's hard.”“Lucky for you I’m a very patient man and know how to deal with Watson men.”“Maybe that's what it is. It’s weird that you actually know me.”Joel chuckled. “I guess me being your godfather does make things a little strange.”“You think?”Joel was basically my dad’s best friend. He was his sponsor while my mom was pregnant with me and really he
*Willow*God that was so fucking humiliating. Nathaniel sure knew how to cause a scene, didn’t he?“Wait…you two are seeing each other?” Scarlett asked. “Um, kinda.” I muttered. “Willow, is it so hard for you to sleep with someone outside of this house and family?” Mom practically sneered.Even though I was no longer with Nathaniel, Mom still didn’t want to talk to me unless it was something mean being said. This was the woman I was desperate to have back in my life.“It was me, Bianca.” Levi informed her. “I’ve just really always liked Willow.”“Oh I believe you did start it, Levi. My daughter can’t seem to resist a boy when he gets her on her back.”“Mom, come on!” Scarlett snapped. “You’re only defending her because you were the same way.” Mom shook her head. “So I'm not dreaming?” Skyler asked. “You two are together?”Levi smiled. “Yeah, Mom we are. I mean we’re testing the waters anyway.”“Exactly.” I nodded. “Willow, I thought you were a nice girl, but you broke my son,” S