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
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,
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
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
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
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
It seemed nothing in my life was going according to my charted-out plan. As I typed out the letter and waited for my old printer to spit the inked paper out, I hoped the letter would be the one destined to work in my favor. All the emails I had sent received the standard auto-response and not a single word more. Now, I hoped and prayed that a physical letter would do the magic needed to get my concerns across…To,Mr. Nicholas Rowe, I am writing to you directly since every other medium of communication with you regarding the Rowe Scholarship has been blocked and exhausted.I, Willow Taylor, am currently a student at your alma mater, Atkins High School. Three weeks ago, I received a letter from your employee Julia Reyes which stated that I had been selected as the recipient of your prestigious scholarship. As it is awarded to a final year student with outstanding scholastic aptitude from Atkins High School, I received the news with great excitement. Upon realizing that my entire coll
I was at my breaking point a few days later. I had already sent a total of twelve emails after the original one. I had yet to receive a response to any of them. There was no copy-paste response… this time, there was radio silence. It was even worse than before. Lory had given me Mr. Rowe's phone number—which may or may not has been illegally obtained—but, I had been hesitant to use it until that point. It felt too intrusive to use the number... like it was solidifying a criminal act I had committed. However, desperate times called for desperate measures. And I was beyond desperate.I was finished with my final exams and our graduation ceremony was a week away. The clock was ticking and I had no other option. It was now or never.I sat on the dining table, the timer on the oven keeping me company in the empty house. I stared at the empty message box with Mr. Rowe’s number on the top. I had never been so jittery in my life. Even though I had expansive notes on how to approach the conv
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