His brow furrowed in confusion. “If our son starts making ringing noises while I am fucking you, there are going to be bigger problems than not cumming.”I slapped his arm. "No, silly. I meant being interrupted. You better get used to having no private time."He leaned in and kissed my neck. "That's where you are entirely wrong, gorgeous. I'll hire a nanny.""You want to hire a nanny just so we can have sex?" "If necessary," he replied without a pause to think.I rolled my eyes. He was hopeless. I didn't know why I ever thought he would process information like a normal person."I did want to ask you something though." He pulled back, twirling my hair through his fingers. "What?" I asked.“Well, you being pregnant got me thinking about something. Remember when I told you about my wanting to semi-retire?”I nodded, wondering what in the world was going through his head."Did you have your heart set on QCU, or would other colleges work as well?" "What do you mean?" I asked, unable to
"Well, Hector is ignoring my calls and hasn't spoken to me in a couple of weeks. It hurt when he cut all communication and it just didn't make sense. Then you were... uh..." She blubbered as she glanced at Virgil. "You had him around you all the time. I guess I started to wonder if something bad happened. If you were in some kind of danger. I was scared to say anything, but I was feeling guilty. I told Russel everything a couple of days ago, and he convinced me to tell you everything. I just hope nothing I've done caused you any trouble.""Willis was playing you," Virgil said. "And your actions resulted in a lot of problems for many people." I cringed a little at how unsympathetic he was. But he was correct. "I'm sorry," she cried.Russel put his arm around her shoulders, and I sighed. It wasn't going to do any good to continue berating her. I frowned at Virgil and he rolled his eyes in response."There may be something you can do to make up for it though," Virgil finally conceded.
I stared at him. "You’d have been ashamed in front of your parents because I would jump you on top of the table." "At least my parents would get a show with their dinner," he joked. We were both laughing when John returned. He let us know that Nicholas’ parents were already seated.I smoothed down my clothes and hair as much as possible without a mirror. I took Nicholas’ hand as we strolled inside and were led to our tables. Our tryst in the car almost made me forget the reason why we were meeting his parents.But as I neared the private room, it shot back to the front of my mind. Baby Rowe was about to be announced.Jefferson stood up when we got there, distinguished as always, waiting for me to be seated before sitting back down himself. Brief nods were exchanged between him and Nicholas, while Clara greeted us both warmly with smiles and hellos. The difference in reception was evident.I wanted to blurt out the news as soon as we sat down, but I kept my excitement at bay until Ni
A thousand thoughts and questions swirled in my head. How could Jefferson do this? Was it really possible for Nicholas to lose everything? What would that mean for us?The money meant nothing to me, as long as I had Nicholas. Did he feel the same? Was I selfish to want him to pick me over everything else in his life? Could I do that to him? I was angry, anxious, and nervous to the point of being sick as the seconds ticked away. Somebody needed to say something—anything—just to end the awful silence which had fallen over the table. Nicholas snapped out of it first, lifting his head and staring at his father. "Quit being so fucking melodramatic. You're scaring her." Was he talking about me or Clara? Could he feel my anxiety through our linked hands? Before I could think any more, he turned to face me, letting go of my hand and placing both of his on my cheeks. He leaned in close, almost touching my nose with his. I sighed and closed my eyes when his familiar, warm breath washed over
I laughed a little, getting out of my chair to walk over and give her a hug. She meant well, even if I didn't give a flip about any baby shower. In fact, she was the only one—aside from our friends—who had been on our side from the start. "You put the reception together despite all this," I said, watching her eyes. She lifted her chin. "Yes. The fight I got from wanting to celebrate your marriage was the reason I ended up forcing Jefferson to tell me what was going on. I'm only sorry any of the Hewitts were there at all." She blew out an angry breath, seething in her chair. "It took me awhile after that before I could even look at Jefferson, but I love him. He made a terrible mistake, but he takes up too much space in my heart not to forgive him." I nodded. "I understand."She placed her hands around mine. "We'll get this fixed. Nicholas will know what to do." After getting her calmed down and taking my seat again, I decided to ask what had been in the back of my mind for a while.
"I know you said it couldn't happen, but if they were somehow able to take your company away because of what your father did, I'd let you go." He pulled back, his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at me. "What do you mean?""I don’t want to be the reason you lose everything. If my being away from you keeps you out of trouble, I won’t mind it. I would let you go to Rosemary to keep Simon quiet. Of course, until we figure out what to do." There was no way I would allow it permanently. He shook his head. "I'd rather have you and nothing else than have all of this without you." With one sentence from him, it no longer mattered who was trying to take us down. Whether it was Hector, Rosemary, or Simon, it didn’t matter what else happened because I knew Nicholas prioritized me and the baby over money and power. He loved me as much as I loved him. I kissed him until he was groaning in my mouth and tugging my panties down. We made love with the sound of the pounding rain accompanying our whis
"I am not letting him off. Once I get what I need from him, I will give him the final blow. He might think he is getting ahead because of the promises of promotions and money, but that won’t happen. He is so greedy that he won’t even see it coming. I will never forget how much shit he has made me go through.”"Won’t he know you are bullshitting him?" Hector didn't seem stupid to me. Arrogant and evil, yes. Stupid, not really.Nicholas placed my head on his shoulder. “We were friends for a long time. He knows my weakness, but I also know his. I know how he functions and what makes him drool. Willow, believe me. I have my ass covered even if Hector finds out I am screwing him over.” I relaxed against him. He sounded so confident, and I knew when he put his mind to something, he always got it. I was just going to chill out and trust him. "Did your father call you today?" I felt his smile against my neck. "Yes. He gave me everything I asked for." That warmed me inside. If nothing else
I couldn't believe she came right out and accused Nicholas of buying me. My eyes flitted to the friends beside her, but they didn't really seem to be paying much attention or care about what she was saying. Clara grabbed my hand and held it in a vice grip. "I'm sure Nicholas will throw you out, just as he has for the last many years." Clara picked up a plastic ball and tossed it in her hand. "Are you here for some ball bobbing? I hear you're a champion at it." Rosemary's eyes narrowed, the facade she put on for the public crumbling right before our eyes. She glanced from Clara to me and back again. "Is there a particular reason you're being so rude?" Clara chuckled darkly. Actually, it was almost a cackle, which would have fit perfectly with her outfit. I bit my lip to keep from smiling. "There are many reasons," she said, lowering her voice. "But mostly I just don't care for insufferable bitches. You can move along now. You're in the way and we're here to raise money." I stood
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