Nicholas POV: "What else?" "Since her mother's death, she was in the custody of her stepfather, Oliver, until she turned eighteen. He's a truck driver, and from what we can tell, is often on the road. They have a rental residence, but it appears that Miss Taylor has no blood relatives in the area." My mind focused on one phrase. "Until she turned eighteen?" Virgil shifted in his seat, his expression guarded. "Yes, she's nineteen. Her birthday is in a few months." Not a minor. Not a minor. Not a minor. I started to smile, but then remembered I was a sick fuck. This girl had no family and apparently thought she had no future without my help. I wanted to call her back immediately and tell her she would be taken care of. Taken care of? Yes. What did that mean? It could mean many things. Virgil cleared his throat, disrupting the dialogue in my head. "That's really all we have so far. Did you want us to keep digging?" I shook my head. "No." Maybe. "Yes." God, I had issues. "N
Nicholas POV: "He's not around much. No criminal record, and seems to be on the road all the time. Willow lives with him on a rental property. The lease is up in a few weeks and the landlord told me it wouldn't be renewed." Was he moving because Willow planned to leave for college or was she leaving because she had nowhere else to go? I hated the thought that she may feel she had no options. "What else? Did you get what I asked for?" He was silent for a moment. "Um… yeah, I got them. I'll go ahead and send them now." I messed with my mouse, waiting for the email to arrive. After clicking on the first image, I knew my dick was definitely still attached. "Holy fuck." She was gorgeous. Beyond gorgeous. I clicked through the photos I'd asked Virgil to get for me, each one better than the last. Walking into school. Coming out from work. Smiling at her friend. She was beautiful. Perfect. 'Mine.' "Boss?" I forgot I was still holding the phone with Virgil on the line. "Yeah?" I croaked
Nicholas POV: "Who is she?" My future wife. "Her name is Willow." How did I explain this? "She's… she's special to me." Kind of. She moved back over to the stove, mixing the food around. "How long will Willow be staying?" I rubbed the back of my neck. The knots of tension were killing me. I really needed a massage. When was the last time I had one? I wondered what Willow's fingers would feel like on me. "Nicholas?" Laura scooped the chicken and vegetables onto my plate, an inquisitive look back on her face. I tried to remember what she'd asked me. Oh, yeah. She wanted to know how long Willow would be here. Good question. "I'm not sure yet. It will be up to her." She nodded, put the pan in the sink, and turned to face me again. It was difficult to eat with her staring. I fidgeted on the stool, pushing the food around my plate more than eating it. I finally couldn't take it anymore. "What?" She let out a short laugh. What was up with people laughing at me lately? "I do
Nicholas POV: "You don't have anything in here about separation of assets in the event of divorce," he noted. "Would you like me to add in some standard clauses for your approval?" I shook my head. "No, that won't be necessary." "I must advise you to let me add those in. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't urge you to protect your assets." I knew the stakes. But I was the one pursuing this path with Willow and in the event she agreed, married me, had children with me, and changed her life for me, I was going to enter the agreement by taking some risks of my own. "At this point, I don't want any provisions about divorce terms except in the case of children. I will let you know if that changes in the future." He took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. "Okay then. This shouldn't be a problem. I'll have someone bring it to you tomorrow morning." "I want you to do it. I don't want anyone else to see this except you. Can you bring it to me at my house in the morning?" The
Willow POV: Months passed quickly. After discussing our feelings with one another, Nicholas and I both felt at ease and relished our time together. We had numerous romantic weekends at his several homes across the world. To visit each new location and truly experience Nicholas' world was fascinating and wonderful. I nearly didn't want the journey to end. But as soon as I came through the front door and gave Laura a big hug, I knew I was home. Home. Though I had called Atkins home for many years, the feelings evoked by living with Nicholas and Laura far exceeded what I had felt there. We also had to adjust to the fact that I was starting my first semester of college classes. I reached a compromise with Nicholas. I was enrolled in four introductory courses, which took up three days out of the seven days of the week while I finished the requirements for graduation. I had also agreed to let John drive me to and from college every day. "Would you like to drop by the coffee shop this
"We do, indeed. However, I also needed to know if you had Saturday free." Nicholas hadn't mentioned any plans, so I assumed he didn't have any. "I believe so. What do you want to do?" "I wanted to properly thank you and wish you a happy early birthday. On Saturday, there are openings at a resort, so I thought I'd take Lorelei and you to a girl's spa day." I jumped in my chair. "I won't argue with you on that. But you really don't have to do any of that. I would love to go. And perhaps after that, we can all return to my house and enjoy dinner?" "That sounds wonderful. Geoffrey can meet us at your house for dinner, then. I will ask him." "Since we're going to a spa, we could ask the men to go spend the day by themselves?" Courtney laughed in response. "I am fine with that so long as there are no strippers involved." I wrinkled my nose in distaste. If Nicholas didn't want his eyeballs gouged out, he best not even bring up the subject. "I was considering playing golf or shopping fo
"I'm really sorry, baby. I know you were scared and even I was an asshole and didn't take your calls." He began peppering kisses over my face before settling on my lips. It was difficult to be angry with him when he was being sweet. And it was possible that I reacted too aggressively. I wrapped my arms around his neck and reveled in the affection. He muttered, "I'll fix it. There is nothing to worry about." Again, my stomach churned. Not in a nice way, either. "Do you have any guesses as to who it could be? What do they want by doing this?" "Not right now, but I'll investigate and get to the bottom of it." Somehow, I had faith in him. . By the time Saturday arrived, we still lacked any explanations for the enigmatic letter I had received. At least he hadn't told me anything even if he did know something or the other. I had shooed him off to go do guy things with Francis and Geoffrey so that I could enjoy my day at the spa. I made the most of the opportunity. The full works:
I tried to play it off and nodded, but I didn't think she bought it. The boys didn't take long to show up, and I hardly had a chance to say hello when Courtney and Lory dragged Francis and Geoffrey outside under the pretext of learning how to turn on the grill. I rolled my eyes and then walked over to Nicholas. "Why are they acting so weird?" I shrugged and grinned as I took hold of his hand and escorted him into the lounge. I kept my cool since I didn't want to blurt it out. Before I lost my composure, I put the neatly wrapped box in his lap. We sat down on the couch next to one another and he smiled, unsure as to why he was the one getting the gift. His cheeks were flushed and told me he had been out and about the whole day. "You brought me a gift?" He raised my hand and kissed the knuckles. "What is the occasion?" I gulped in anxiety. "You'll understand it when you open the gift." He laughed. "Your birthday is coming up soon. I ought to be the one giving you gifts." I held o
Nicholas POV:"What's the bad news?" Willow asked, squeezing my hand."We're going to keep you here. You're going to spend the rest of your pregnancy in this bed. I'm sorry. I know it's the holidays, but it's safer to keep you on complete bed rest and under observation. We're going to give you injections, which will help mature the babies' lungs. This blood pressure monitor will take measurements every ten minutes, and we'll continue taking daily blood and urine samples, along with daily ultrasounds."Willow and I were both quiet for a minute. "How long do you think I'll be here?" she finally asked."It's always best for the babies to mature as long as possible inside you, but at the first sign your health is being compromised, I'll deliver them." Dr. Whitney marked something off on Willow's chart before looking back over at us. "It could be hours, days, a week. It's difficult to give a firm timeline right now. But we want to keep you hear until the C-section is due."As soon as Dr. W
Nicholas POV:I'd always been a deconstructionist, breaking down complex issues into simpler parts to understand the whole better. I supposed the same could be said when I analyzed my life. It could be broken down into two basic parts: before Willow and after Willow.When I really looked at it, the truth was that I never lived much of a life before Willow. I was accomplished, admired, and even desired and envied by almost everyone around me. I'd once thought that was enough. But I was wrong. I'd never been more wrong.The last four and a half years had brought me so much more than I ever imagined possible. Much more than the decades preceding combined. More happiness. More fulfillment. More meaning. Before Willow, I was content with being successful in business, even at the expense of personal relationships. After Willow, my satisfaction was found nowhere near the billions of dollars at my fingertips.It was in her smile. Her laughter. The way her eyes lit up when I told her how beaut
Three Years Later:I glanced down, straightening my robe. My stomach was in knots as I waited for my name to be called. It was a big day not only for me but also for those I loved. My eyes drifted over the crowd, my heart stuttering at the glimpse of familiar faces. "Yo, Willow! Are you going to come out with us tonight for some celebratory drinks?" I turned to smile and shake my head at my fellow graduates. "Sorry, guys. I have plans with my family." My family. I wanted to wrap myself up with those two words. It was four years to the day that I'd crossed a similar stage and received another diploma. But my life couldn't have been more different than it was back in Atkins.This time there was no dread from wondering if I'd have anyone present to cheer for my success. This time I didn't have any longing in my heart for my own loved ones in the crowd. This time I didn't have the uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring. This time my family was there. All of them. After William's bi
Then another contraction hit, and I was cursing Nicholas and his sperm. He had me in his arms and inside the car in a flash, the others piling in behind us."Squeeze my hand if it hurts. Breathe with me." Nicholas was holding me close, murmuring in my ear while the car zoomed through traffic. "Where's your father?" Clara asked him. He shrugged. "I don't know. Probably in a cab somewhere. I ran and didn't wait for them to catch up." I giggled a little at Clara, who shook her head and pulled out her phone to call Jefferson. Then I remembered where he had been and turned to face him. "What happened? What did they say?" "She's out of our lives now." "What does that mean?" His eyes hardened and he frowned. "Let's concentrate on this now. I don't want you thinking about that nonsense." I huffed. "Just tell me."He looked around at everyone before meeting my gaze again. "Okay. They're pleading her out. Evidently, Simon talked her out of going to trial, wanting to avoid the media circ
Since my release from the hospital, we had weekly appointments with Dr. Whitney, our last one being the day before. I was already two centimeters dilated, and she suggested I could go into labor at any time. I had worried it was too early, but she assured both me and Nicholas that our son was full-term and healthy. It was a difficult decision, but I had agreed to have a C-section. It was scheduled to happen in another week and a half... if I didn't go into labor before that time. When she explained the intracranial pressure from bearing down and possible complications from my recent concussion and ensuing brain swelling, Nicholas pleaded with me to choose the surgery. I could actually feel the fear rolling off of him. The choice to go with the doctor's advice made sense on all fronts and calmed him down significantly, even if I was still a little nervous. "I'd rather stay here today."I kept brushing my teeth, my eyes meeting his in the mirror as I shook my head. I spit and rinsed,
I scanned around the room, noting each of those who were most important to me. Lory exchanged silent smiles with Francis. Courtney and Geoffrey laughed and tickled each other. Laura gushed over Virgil and John. Sarah chatted with Clara and Jefferson.Each of them was special to me in their own way, and my heart felt so full knowing they were here at this moment to celebrate with me and Nicholas. That they shared our sorrows and our joys. None of them were blood-related, but they were all my family.Clara was seated next to us and took my hand, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Before opening all the gifts, I did want to talk to you about your baby shower." I'd forgotten all about that. I cringed, remembering her wanting to give me a huge party. "I'm not really sure..." She stopped me. "I was thinking—considering everything—that maybe you'd prefer something small? Maybe we could even do it here? Just us girls?" I nodded. "That would be great." She grinned. "I have the perfect plan i
His lips were back at my ear again. "Relax, Willow. Here..." he broke off, massaging my thigh a little before lifting my leg and nudging his knee between mine. "Open up for me." It had been so long, and I was too tensed with excitement that I was inadvertently making it difficult for him to get it in. I focused on his chest rising and falling against my back, calming with each breath I took in time with his. With his caution and trying to be tender, it took longer than normal. But finally, he filled me, and I bit my lip, moaning from the feeling. One of his arms was nestled under my neck, his hand on my breast, while the other gripped my hip as he pumped slowly in and out of me. "Is this okay?" he asked. "Does your head hurt? Anything?" "No. It’s fine. This feels good." And it did. It felt great. Yet... something was off.I tried to twist around enough to kiss him, but it wasn't the easiest task. Twisting my body was the one thing that still hurt my ribs. His lips met mine briefl
“You got the short end of the stick as you were growing up, but you didn’t let that stop you. You weren’t bitter about it or trodden down. And I remember thinking how strong you were when I met you.” He leaned in and brushed my lips with his. "It's the same now. If I were you, I would be so angry. But you're smiling and beautiful and happy about the snow..." He broke off and shook his head.I threaded my fingers with his, not needing him to say another word. I knew what he was trying to say, and it meant the world to me that he felt that way. Suddenly the baby kicked hard, and both of our mouths fell open, our eyes widening in surprise. "You felt that, right?" I asked, knowing he hadn't been able to feel the baby move much at all up to this point.He nodded slowly, his eyes glancing down at our hands. "He's going to be a soccer player." I giggled when he bent over to place his head on my belly. "Kick for Daddy. Kick me." It took a few pleas for him to get his wish, but he sat back
Willow POV:He looked like he would explode if he didn’t get time to relax. Finally, his shoulders fell and his lips curved slightly into a smile of resignation. This was a sign that he was giving in.He stood up and hovered over me for a moment, surprising me when he buried his head in the crook of my neck, nuzzling and kissing. It bit back a gasp.Nicholas was far from shy when it came to public display of affection, but it was awkward for him to be so forward, even if it was only in front of Virgil."Maybe I should leave..." Virgil said slowly.Nicholas mumbled 'yes' as I said 'no' at the same time. I laughed and put my hands on his cheeks, to push his face away, taking pleasure in the sight of his small smile."I'll be right back," he said. "Please take a shower." I ran my fingers through his much longer-than-normal hair. "And maybe sneak in a trim."He laughed, and it was the first time I'd heard that sound since my fall. I liked his laugh. It was infectious. It made everything