A note from your author-I would first like to say that the response to this story has been astounding. Thank you all so much for your incredible kindness and wonderful feedback. My goal is give this couple, these characters I adore so very much, the continuation I believe they deserve. I hope to accomplish this is the most honest and accurate way, while still holding true to the beautiful backstory Jojo graced us with. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it. Thank you!

The Traynor's had been keeping Nathan up to date with all the details of the situation as it was unfolding, then passed the duties on to me. While our correspondence was mostly positive and he was truly grateful Will was alive, he warned that this sudden turn of events might actually cause a regression of sorts in him.

He wasn't that far off.

As predicted, Will began retreating into himself once again, and by the next day, was refusing any further medical care from the hospital staff in Switzerland. Something which left us scrambling for immediate medical transport for most of the weekend.

Our request was finally granted late Sunday night, too late to leave by then, so we arrived home early Monday afternoon.

After Will was settled in his new hospital room, I headed home for some much needed rest. I hadn't recalled that my house was no longer mine, that my mother told me if I'd gone off to Switzerland that I needn't come back, until my key was in the front door. I half expected her to have changed the locks, but when I turned the key, the door magically swung open.

"Louisa!"

"Mum."

My voice was soft, a vast departure from the exuberant cry I was met with. She immediately pulled me into a huge embrace and began sobbing. I let her hug me for a moment, I even hugged back, before breaking away. "Mum, I know you said I was no longer welcome here, but I had to-"

"No Love, I'm sorry. I should have never said that to you. This is your home and we all love you so very much." She glanced away for a moment, looking slightly embarrassed. "I suppose I was emotional, distraught even, thinking of poor sweet Will and what was about to happen to him-" Her tears began again and she pulled me back against her chest. "I can't imagine what you've gone through, can't imagine never seeing you again. Oh Louisa, I love you so much. Please tell me you'll come home to stay. Please."

The weight of the weekends events finally caught up with me and I began to sob softly into her shoulder. After a while, and I was fully composed, I pulled away again. "You're sure about this?"

She nodded vigorously. "Of course."

"Because it's really what you want?" I was asking very cautiously. "And not just because Will's still alive?"

"Will's alive?"

If I wasn't still holding on to one of her arms, I think Mum might have fallen over. "Of course he is. He-didn't Treena tell you and Dad?"

"I'm not sure about your father, but I know bloody damn well that sister of yours said nothing of this to me." Mum sounded angry now, but it quickly dissolved into a smile. "Oh Louisa, that's such great news. I hope now Will can-"

"He's in the hospital. They're treating him for a very serious infection," I began, trying to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat, and sighed. "Mum, you have to understand that this turn of events might not be enough to ultimately change his mind. That he still may end up resubmitting his request for approval."

"I understand-even if I still don't agree with it. I trust Will to make the best decisions for his life, just as I trust and love you."

This time, I'm the one who pulled Mum into a giant hug.

We stayed there like that until the rest of my energy began to wane. "I'll head up for a bath," I told her as I walked over to retrieve the bag I'd dropped by the door. "And maybe a nap as well."

Mum smiled at me. "I'll make you some tea." I was just about to call out my thanks from the stairs, when she called out first. "Oh Louisa, this letter arrived for you this morning. It's from a Mr. Lawler in London. Looks important, even had to sign for it."

I forced a smile as I took the envelope from Mum, and quickly ran up the stairs, ripping it open before I'd even entered my room. I flopped down on my bed, read the short note that accompanied the graciously summed check, and immediately burst into tears. Tears of elation and relief, for I knew exactly what this gift was to represent.

I'd taken my shower, but had forgone the bath and nap in order to visit Will again before visiting hours had ended.

"What are you doing here, Clark? I thought I'd told you to go home and stay home."

It was the most he'd said to me, to anyone, all weekend, and I tried not to show my surprise, or slight pleasure in hearing him say more than yes, no, and I don't care.

"Couldn't stay away, I suppose."

It was meant to sound more playful than it actually did, and Will could see right through my facade. "What's wrong, Louisa?"

I pushed the visitors chair closer to his bed, but before sitting down, I pulled the envelope from my purse. "This came for me today, it's from Michael Lawler-"

I could see the change in his expression and he nodded for me to sit. "Okay, here me out," he began with a sigh. "I'd asked Michael to send that out on the thirteenth-a little something to show my gratitude for all you had done for me. I'd made sure that there was enough for a few weeks of unemployment and-"

He paused a moment to glance down at where my hand was caressing his. I knew Will's level of sensation was patchy at best, there were spots where he felt pressure or sometimes pain and other (larger, more significant) areas that were completely deadened to any stimuli. That patch at the base of his wrist, was definitely not one of those. "-and a holiday in Paris."

My head snapped up in surprise. "Will?"

"No fussing, Clark," he warned before continuing. "I did this because I needed to make sure you were taken care of. I wasn't going to be here to-"

"But you're here now."

The muscles in Will's neck and jaw tensed slightly. "You must promise me something, Clark. You must promise me that my being here-my being alive, will not prevent you from doing all of the things you've already set out to do. That you will still go after every dream you have and every goal you've set for yourself."

"I will." I smiled lovingly at him, and entwined our fingers together. "But you are here and can now share those experiences with me-"

"I need time, Louisa," he muttered brokenly and I momentarily wondered if he were disappointed he was still alive, and more importantly, if he still wished he were dead. "I can't look farther than the here and now, at the moment. I'm still trying to process what's happened, what will be happening-." I felt the warmth of his hand squeezing mine, no more than a soft flutter, but with all the strength he had in it. "But I can promise you that I will try. That I am really trying."