A note from your author...finally back with chapter 7. Thank you to all who continue to read and support this story. I appreciate you all so much! Got another 'fluffy' one here, very family oriented, and very pivotal to the main plot of this story...plus it is my absolute favorite dynamic to write. I took some creative liberties with the Granddad arc, so please keep an open mind. I will be developing his character and story line throughout the future chapters. We are starting to pick up speed heading into the summer months(both in the story and in real life) so you can expect quite a bit of story growth, as well as more frequent updates from me. I truly hope you enjoy this chapter and please let me know what you think. Your comments mean the world to me, so thank you in advance.
~Bee

The comfortable simplicity of our life quickly evolved into a frenzy of activity, beginning with the month of May. Will's plans for the expansion of his business had taken off almost immediately. The requirement to finish out the last few weeks of my term, had me commuting to London on a just about daily basis. All the while, I was helping to plan two weddings - well, panning ours and helping with Georgina's - and running a household.

I actually didn't mind the busy so much, but it was beginning to feel like I was never home anymore. So as Friday finally approached, I was looking forward to some much needed downtime with Will, only to end up spending the day stuck in seminar after seminar, then to hit weekend traffic on the way home. I rushed from my car, leaving everything but my purse inside, and nearly ran into the annex, but to my surprise, was greeted quite unexpectedly and not by my by husband-to-be, but by four paws and a wet tongue. "Well hello to you too, Willa", I chuckled, my hand reaching down to pet the excited puppy.

After a moment, I glanced up to where she hand come and noticed the back door was slightly ajar. "Will?" I called, but got no answer. "The rest are outside, aren't they, Girl?"

Willa barked as if she understood (she probably did), then turned for the door. As I moved to follow her, my nephew came bounding inside. "There you are," he squealed, greeting his puppy before noticing me. "Auntie Lou, you're finally home."

"I am," I replied with a smile and relieved sigh, as I bent down to receive the hug he was offering. "And how is my favorite nephew doing today ?"

"Great," he beamed back.

The soft chuckle his response elicited, faded more quickly than it probably should have. With no sign of anyone else around, I had turned curious. "So, what has you and Miss Willa over on this side of the castle?"

"Gran had to take Great-Granddad somewhere and Granddad still had to work, so Uncle Will and Nathan came to pick me up from school." My smile widened at the sound of Will's newest title. "He said we should stop home to get Willa and bring her here so she wouldn't have to be alone for longer than usual."

I nodded. "Well that was very nice."

"Yup. She has lots more room to run over here," Thomas exclaimed as he reached for my hand. "Come on, I'll show you." But just before we reached the door, he turned to me excitedly, "And you need to see what Granddad made for Uncle Will."

Curiosity was getting the best of me but my heart won over, fluttering in my chest at the sight of my Dad and Will having a good chuckle out on the side lawn. I loved watching the strong bond developing between the two.

Willa had run ahead, quickly giving away our approach. "Well, well, look who Thomas found," Dad quipped, grinning as he turned around.

Will followed suit, maneuvering his chair until he was facing me. "Hey you," he greeted with a smile of his own, and I couldn't resist planting a kiss to those perfectly inviting lips.

"Hey," I whispered into his ear before straightening back up. "Hi, Dad."

Dad enveloped me into a hug and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "Good to see you, Love. How was your day?"

"Good. Busy," I sighed, the tension in my shoulders dissipating as I released the breath.

"Auntie Lou, Auntie Lou - watch what Uncle Will can do," Thomas called out as he ran toward us. I glanced down at Will and before I could even think to ask the question, my nephew was dumping an armful of tennis balls into his lap. "Granddad made a ball thrower so Uncle Will can play catch with us."

My gaze shifted from Thomas, to Will, then to Dad, who was blushing slightly. "We haven't quite achieved the trajectory needed for playing catch, but we've definitely got the fetching part down pat with Willa."

"Watch, Auntie Lou," Thomas called as he placed one of the balls into the catapult type contraption attached to the right side of Will's chair and pulled the arm back. "All Uncle Will has to do is press the lever and it throws the ball for him."

Will demonstrated with only a bit of added effort and sure enough, the ball went flying. Willa nearly went flying after it and I couldn't help but let out a giggle. "Dad, that's incredible."

He gave a casual shrug. "Not really. It was quite simple in fact. The only thing that ended up being a bit tricky was calibrating that spring. Nearly took off my fingertips a few times trying to get that lever system to work."

Will chuckled along with Dad's joke, but then turned slightly serious. "I appreciate you risking bodily harm for my benefit, Bernard."

Laughter rumbled from Dad. "Nonsense my boy, it was Thomas' idea again," he explained. "I think he knows how much I like to tinker, and finds all of these projects for me to fiddle with. All the better if it's something you're able to participate in. I have a sinking suspicion that's his intent to begin with."

Will's smile returned as he glanced over at where my nephew was desperately trying to pry the tennis ball from his puppy's mouth. "Again, very kind of you, Bernard."

But before Dad could respond, a shriek from the edge of the garden rang out. "Granddad, help! Willa won't give me the ball back." And after a quick apologetic smile, he was off.

"Well, it looks as though you had as busy a day as I did," I quipped playfully.

Will smiled up at me and gave that little head nod that mimicked a shrug. "Not too bad," he countered. "Typical day, aside from the addition of Thomas and Willa, of course."

Taking the look he was giving me as invitation, I moved the remaining tennis balls from Will's lap to the ground beside him and gingerly sat myself down. I then rested my head against his and draped my arms around his shoulders. "Thanks for that again."

"It was my pleasure - again," he teased back, then placed a kiss to the side of my cheek. My gazed followed his and we both laughed as Willa slipped from Dad's grasp and took off across the lawn. "I love having him here."

"I'm not so sure your Mum would agree with that," I mock warned.

"Why do you say that?"

I gave him a pointed look and motioned out to where Dad and Thomas were chasing the puppy. "Just five weeks until your sister's wedding and here are my Dad, nephew, and his dog tearing up her entire garden."

"It'll be fine, Clark," he reassured me. "How much damage could they actually do?" And just like that, Dad nearly took out the nearest hedge as he lunged to grab Willa.

We were still laughing when Dad returned, squirming puppy in his arms and Thomas hot on his heels. "Well, I think it's time we headed home," he began. "Before this one destroys the entire grounds."

I shot Will a 'told you so' smirk and he grinned. "Not to worry - "

"Wait, Granddad," Thomas cut in. "I'm not ready to go yet."

"Sorry Love, it's time," Dad replied firmly, but apologetically. "Gran should be home by now and this girl needs to be in her own yard,"

"But - "

"And you get to see Mummy - "

Dad cleared his throat softly. "Actually, Treena won't be able to make it in this weekend."

"Right. Probably studying for final exams already," I quipped, though by the look on Dad's face, my assumption had been wrong."

"Something on a more personal level has, um - come up," he replied, then leaned to whisper in my ear. "I believe she's met someone and has a date."

Surprise hit me first, but only because Treena hadn't mentioned anyone the last time we spoke. Sadness was next, as I glanced over at my slightly disappointed looking nephew. I could sympathize with both of them - Treena was young when she had Thomas, just four months past nineteen. She had to drop out of college and put her whole life on hold to raise him. But he was her son, and that's every parent's duty, to makes sacrifices for the well-being of their children.

"He can stay for dinner."

Will's voice lifted me from my thoughts and I couldn't help but smile at his thoughtfulness.

"Are you sure?" Dad asked, glancing between the two of us. I flashed Will a questioning look, then nodded affirmatively as an excited Thomas continued to bounce next to me. "Alright then."

Thomas squealed and lunged at him. "Thanks Granddad."

Dad chuckled as he hugged back. "You just be sure to be on your best behavior."

"I will," Thomas called out as he took of for the annex door. Amused, Will and I quickly followed after him.


As usual, Thomas was a ball of energy during dinner, chatting about everything from what he'd had for breakfast, to the antics that occurred on the school playground. " - and Uncle Will said he and Nathan will pick me up from school every day from now on." My mouth fell open and I turned to Will who simply grinned and took the bite of food I was offering. "Or you can when you're home, Auntie Lou."

"Hmmm, I see," I quipped, glaring pointedly at Will.

"Yup," Thomas continued, between bites of his own. "Because Gran will be busy with Great Granddad - "

The smirk I was wearing instantly faded as my thoughts drifted back to the afternoon. "Oh God, that's right. I never asked - Mum had something with with Granddad. Is everything alright?"

Will flashed me a comforting smile and gave a slight nod. "As far as I know," he replied reassuringly. "That therapy program. I believe they had an appointment for an evaluation."

"Finally," I let out a relieved gasp. "He's been on that wait list for over two years."

"Uncle Will helped," Thomas piped in.

I turned back and he tilted his head in a shrug. "I just made a few phone calls."

"I can't believe it," I gasped again, this time in both adoration and appreciation. "Thank you, Will."

"Well, this name should be good for something," he quipped with a wink of his eye. "Besides, no one should have to wait that long to get medical treatment, no matter age or diagnosis." My heart swelled exponentially and I nearly broke down in tears. "I just wish I would have done something sooner."

I took his hand in mine and leaned in to kiss him. "I can't thank you enough."

Will chuckled softly. "I can think of a few ways," he whispered into my ear and I rolled my eyes incredulously.

Hoping to temper my blush, I cleared my throat and glanced over at Thomas. "What do you say we have some ice cream for dessert, before I call Granddad to pick you up?"

"Awwww," he whined, a reaction I wasn't expecting. "Can't I spend the night this time?"

"Thomas," I warned.

"Please?"

"But tomorrow is Saturday. Don't you have football practice?"

"Yes."

"Then you should - "

"Let him stay, Louisa," Will interjected with a smile. "We can take him to practice."

"Will?"

"Really?"

"Yes," he replied to us both, but was looking directly at me. "I haven't been able to see him yet this season." My resolve began to soften. "It's finally nice enough out - "

"Fine," I acquiesced. Ugh, these two had me completely wrapped around their fingers. "If the weather holds up and Uncle Will is feeling up to it in the morning, we will take you to practice."

Thomas squealed so loudly I feared every glass we owned might shatter. "I'll go call my parents," I stated as I stood from my seat.

"Wait, Auntie Lou," Thomas called out after me and turned to glance over my shoulder. "Do we still get ice cream?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Yes Thomas, you can still have ice cream."


I gave Thomas his bath while Nathan was getting Will ready for bed, then sent him off to watch some telly while I got myself changed and ready. When I returned, I found the two snuggled up in Will's bed with a book. The sight nearly melted my heart, and I waited until they were done as to not interrupt.

"Alright young man, I've laid out a new toothbrush and some paste in the guest bathroom for you. And a timer. Two full minutes, remember?"

Thomas nodded dutifully as he slipped from the bed. "Yes, Auntie Lou."

I smiled at him as he passed, then filled the spot he had just vacated, first picking up the book he'd left on the mattress. "You're teaching him to read?" I playfully asked Will.

"Just building on what he's already learned," he reasoned. "He's off to a great start, actually."

I glanced down at the cover and let out a soft giggle. "You couldn't find anything easier than Oliver Twist?"

"He picked it out," Will shot back defensively. "Besides, it's not like I have much of a selection suited for his age group." I had to agree and tossed the book to the foot of the bed before curling up against Will's side. He placed a kiss to the top of my head. "We can stop at the bookshop tomorrow to pick up some that are more his level."

A grin spread across my lips as I lifted my eyes to meet his. "You spoil him."

Will smirked back at me. "Just fulfilling my duties," he teased. "I do believe I've finally got this Uncle thing down pat."

My smile widened as I pressed my lips to his. "It's not good to get into the habit of spoiling children - "

"I don't see the harm," he cut in contentedly. "Especially since he's the only one we have to spoil."

"For now, anyway."

"True, but I don't really see Georgie in a huge rush to have a baby."

"Well, Georgie isn't the only one getting married this year - "

"Louisa," Will stopped me and I lifted my head to look at him. "You know it can't happen." I did, or so I thought, but the more I researched, the more I began to hope. "You were with me at the specialists - "

"Yes, but he never said - "

"No," Will interjected, his eyes shifting away from mine. "And he wouldn't. But 'very costly', 'potentially life threatening complications', and 'still very highly unlikely' are all extremely polite ways of saying impossible."

Nodding, I returned my head to his chest and swore I heard him mutter an "I'm sorry" into my hair. But before I could respond, Thomas came bounding back into the room, smelling minty fresh. "Right. All set for bed then?"

A frown and a shrug were his only response.

"Did you want me to tuck you in?"

"I'm not really tired yet," Thomas replied innocently.

"Well then, what do you say we all watch a film together?," Will suggested and Thomas' face instantly lit up.

Realizing I'd be outnumbered no matter what, I stood from the bed to make room for my nephew. "A short film," I conceded, though made an effort to do so pointedly. "Then right off to bed for you." My warning gaze darted from Thomas, to Will, and back again. "In the spare bedroom."

I tried to hide my smirk of amusement as I watched both of them nod in agreement, then turned to find a film appropriate for a six year old, in Will's vast collection. Surprisingly, it wasn't too hard.

"This bed isn't big enough for the three of us," I muttered teasingly as I shifted so we could all fit easily, while first making sure that Will's safety and comfort were of the utmost importance. It worked, just barely, but we were nestled adequately and within ten minutes of the film starting, all fast asleep.