His gaze was fixed on me. "Did you marry my son for financial gain?" I was furious internally. I had the impression that I was under attack on all sides. Rosemary, Julia, a strange man, a stalker who had been sending me menacing letters, and now Jeff. I pretty much believed Rosemary had to be behind that letter to me, even though Nicholas hadn't confirmed it yet. I spat, gazing at him, "No. Who said that to you?" "I don't believe that matters," he countered. 'Is this guy serious?' "I believe it to be crucial." I kept a close eye on his expression. "Did Rosemary tell you that?" His expression of composure briefly turned surprised, and I realized I was correct. That fucking bitch. "Rosemary has a close relationship with Nicholas and has known him all of his life. She's concerned about his life." He gave a weak excuse, and my mouth gaped. "You truly don't know anything, do you? You are somehow unaware of what truly occurred because she has sold some sordid tale to you." He start
He inquired softly, "Are you excited about tomorrow?" Against my pillow, I grinned. "Yes. I'm as eager as I can be to see the doctor. It will be nice to confirm that everything is in order." He took a long breath while burying his face in my hair. "My father showing up like that was strange." Keeping things from him made me uncomfortable, but I wasn't sure how he would respond if he found out how much I had told Jefferson. "Willow?" "Hmmm?" "What were you and my father discussing before I arrived?" I rolled over and positioned my arm over his waist while facing him. "Well, I'm very sure Rosemary sent me the letter under the guise of anonymity." His fingers tightened against my back and his nostrils flared with anger. It would have been sexy if he was not upset about his bitchy ex. "Why do you think so?" I extended my palm to his forehead to smooth away the wrinkles. "Slow down. Before I continue, I want you to know that I believe this may have ultimately turned out for the bes
When we arrived at the doctor's office, Nicholas assisted me in getting out of the car and gave me a hug before we entered. "Hey, don't be concerned about Rosemary, my dad, Benson, or anything else. Please keep your attention on the baby. I will handle everything else." I squeezed his hand while attempting to smile at him. Though in theory, it made sense, I was prone to care about everything and anything. I didn't, however, tell him that. As soon as we entered, I liked the sleek and relaxing atmosphere and felt at home. I requested the necessary documentation from the front desk staff, and Nicholas and I sat down to complete it. We were the only ones in the waiting room as we had taken the earliest slot available. We received a call almost immediately after I finished filling out the paperwork. A technician weighed me, took my vital signs, collected blood and urine samples, and gave me a gown to put on before seeing the doctor. It was incredibly silky and a lovely shade of pink. D
"Nah. After a while, boredom would set in. You put in way too much time in your work." He shrugged, which caught me off guard. "I might be changing. I'm not sure if staking everything in my business is still what I desire. I now have you." He touched my stomach with his hand. "I now have both of you. My priorities have changed." "What do you mean?" My toes curled as he leaned in close and kissed me. "When the baby is delivered, I might take a small step back. I've been considering it since you told me you were pregnant. I genuinely don't have anything else to prove or accomplish. Even if we had twenty children, they would be well taken care of for ten lifetimes to use up all my wealth. I might choose to prioritize my family right now over my job." His speech melted my heart. He really was going to be the best father in the world. And there wasn't anything sexier, in my opinion. Nothing made me more attracted to him than the idea of him turning his life upside down in order to prio
Virgil. I scrolled through my phone and found his cell number. He answered after only one ring. "Mrs. Rowe?" "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Willow?" I smiled at his insistence on propriety. He chuckled. "You're going to have to get used to it." I shook my head and sat down on the edge of the bed with a sigh. "Virgil, I think I need your help." "What's wrong? Where are you?" He was immediately on alert. "I'm at home. Is there any way you could come over here? I need to talk to you about something." "Yeah, sure. Are you staying there today? No classes?" "Well, that was part of what I want to talk to you about." "Are you okay? Do I need to be there immediately?" "I'm okay. Everything is fine here. Just come over when you can." He was silent for a minute. "I'll be over around noon. Does Mr. Rowe know you're calling me?" "No. Not yet. I didn't have time to talk to him this morning." "All right. I'll be over in a couple of hours." "Thank you, Virgil.
I hurried to the hall, catching a glimpse of Nicholas running up the stairs. "Nicholas!" I called out.It was as if he didn't even hear me. As much relief as I'd felt a few moments before, at the sight of him, I felt only despair as he disappeared again. He didn't even acknowledge me.What was wrong with him?I started up the stairs, cringing from the sound of another door slamming. Tears started falling from my eyes again and I felt silly looking down at my pretty dress and high heels.I hesitated outside the door to his office, not sure exactly what I was going to find on the other side. I knocked a few times, but he didn't answer. I took a deep breath before turning the knob and pushing the door open.He was there, sitting in his chair behind his desk, but he faced the window. I knew he was aware I had walked in, but he didn't turn his head, didn't acknowledge me whatsoever.It hurt. It hurt so much that I paused and tried to gather some strength before I continued further.He lift
I smelled him. I felt him. He was wrapped around me, caging me against the back of the couch. I would have laughed when I opened my eyes, seeing the two of us clinging to each other as we slept in the small space, but I quickly remembered the events from the night before.It was hardly a time for laughter.He was snoring lightly, and I took a moment to look him over. He was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans and had obviously taken a shower at some point because there was no hint of the liquor I had seen him consume.I brushed my fingers through his hair, and he tightened his embrace in response. When his eyes popped open, my heart stuttered."Hi," I said quietly. "Hi." I wasn't sure what to say, or even where to start."I am so sorry." His voice cracked as he too struggled for words. "I'm so fucking sorry."The truth was, I'd already forgiven him. I didn't know if that made me stupid or naive or foolish, but it was just the way it was. I understood why he reacted the way he did, and per
"I started walking. I don't even know where I went. After John got me out of the restaurant, I was raging and fighting him to go back in there after Hector. Jesus, I fucking punched John. I was so pissed." He swallowed a couple of times. "I need to give him a big raise. Poor guy took the brunt of my anger."'Until he got to me.' I didn't say that out loud. "So, you just walked around?""Yeah. I stopped somewhere. I don't even know where. I was sitting on a bench and John found me. He shoved me into the car and drove me home." He pulled back to look me in the eyes again. "I was a mess. I was cursing Hector, Rosemary, you, my parents, God, everyone. Including myself. Hector said he wanted to ruin me, and it felt like he had. I'm sorry you had to see me that way."I nodded, trying to understand. "I didn't want to see you when I came home. I was afraid of confirming that what Hector had said was all true.”"You scared me," I whispered. "God, Willow. I know. I'm so sorry. I know I scared
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