Chapter Seven - Of Dreams and Nerves

"Bryan Jacob Wills! Must you oversleep every day?" a lilting voice said, causing him to pop one eye open.

"Only on the days you keep me up most of the night," he said with a cheeky grin. "Which is most nights." The woman laughed, her bright green eyes flashing. It was like music to his ears.

"You cheeky git," she said, leaning over and kissing him. "There. Did that wake you up?" she asked. He opened both eyes and sat up.

"Yes, it did. But I have no plans of letting you out of this bed for quite some time," he said, pulling her towards him.

"Wills!" she squealed. "Stop! We have to get up or we'll be late!"

"Late to what?" he asked, nuzzling her neck.

"Christmas, you idiot. Mum needs us there early so I can help with the cooking," she said.

"Can't one of your many cousins take your place?" he asked.

"No. Lucy never learned to cook and James or Freddie would blow up the kitchen," she said, pushing him away. The glint of the ring on her left hand shimmered in the sunlight. Wills sighed and sat back in bed as she got out and pulled a robe on.

"As you wish, Daisy," he said, smiling at her. He threw the comforter off and stood, stretching.

"Did you get all the presents wrapped?" he asked, glancing at her.

"Yes, no thanks to you," she said, glancing at him.

"But you do it much more beautifully than I do, dear," he said, walking over to her. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her cheek.

"Dad is sure to like his gift," Daisy said. "Still trying to get on his good side?"

"I will spend any amount of money to get Dad on my good side. It's money well spent," he said.

"He'd like you a lot more if you stopped calling him 'Dad,'" she said, smiling.

"I very well can't call my father-in-law Coach Wood, can I?" he said. Daisy giggled.

"Heaven forbid," she said. "You'd probably had taken my name if they'd let you."

"Bloody well would have. Bryan Wood has a good ring to it," he said.

"Dunno, I'm quite partial to Daisy Wills," she said.

"I told you I'd marry you someday…"


Wills shot up in bed and looked around the room. It wasn't the first time he had a dream about Daisy. But it was the first time he had had a dream like that about her. He shook his head and lay back down, staring up at the ceiling as he thought back over it. A small smile played across his lips. But just as suddenly as it appeared, he frowned.

Wouldn't do to be entertaining such thoughts about Daisy. Joking or not.

He chalked it up to his sleuthing. Of course if he was spending his spare time digging into the Woods, Daisy would somehow find her way into his dreams. He sighed and sat up again, deciding he wasn't going to get back to sleep so he might as well get up and start getting ready.

He walked downstairs and put the tea kettle on, mentally going over his plans for the day. He didn't have anything much to do. It was Saturday, so there was no practice. Olive had said she had to work, so she couldn't meet up. He could always pop over to the Woods' and see what they were up to, though he figured they'd be busy with their own plans. He vaguely remembered Jamie saying something about meeting up with Lila. Remus would no doubt be out with his bird as well.

Daisy and John would no doubt out and about as well.

Wills took his tea out to the living room where he stepped up to the window and looked down around the Alley. People were bustling about. It was too nice a day to waste inside. Perhaps he'd go out to the pitch and get some time in the air.

No, that wouldn't do. It was his day off and he'd rather not spend it practicing. He thought over if there was anything he needed from the shops. He could always pop by to visit his mother. She'd be happy, though he'd likely end up miserable.

He continued people watching, getting lost in his thoughts, once again returning to the dream.

That wouldn't do either. He needed to get out and about to distract himself. He thought a moment and then remembered Vane. He never did get around to asking him about Jakes. Wills grinned as he walked to his desk and pulled out a piece of paper to owl him.

Perhaps a night with the boys would be good.


"Why are we out, Wills?" Vane said as he slumped down at the table. Wills smiled and leaned back in his chair.

"Just thought you could use a bit of a boys' night," he replied. "Unless you want me to owl Jakes…" Vane frowned at him as his ears started to turn red.

"Why would we owl her," he said as a pint appeared in front of him. He quickly grabbed it and chugged a fair amount.

"Dunno… thought you two were close," Wills said, calmly taking a sip of his own pint, studying Vane.

"Not any closer than you are with her," Vane said, shifting in his chair. Wills chuckled.

"How long have you fancied her?" he asked, deciding to be blunt. Vane gawked at him.

"I don't fancy her," he exclaimed, his face turning red. Wills just raised his eyebrows. "Has it been that noticeable?" Wills laughed.

"It has to me," he said. "But I don't think anyone on the team has picked up on it yet."

"You think she knows?" Vane asked quietly, leaning across the table. Wills shrugged.

"Depends. You told her?"

"No! I couldn't tell her," Vane said, as though it was the most preposterous thing. Wills rolled his eyes. It would appear Vane would need his help with this.

"You should," he said.

"But what if she doesn't feel the same? Then it'll be awkward and we have to play together… I can't tell her," Vane said. Wills sighed.

"Fine. Don't tell her. But don't come crying to me when she takes up with another bloke," he said before taking a sip. Vane's eyes went wide.

"You don't think she would, do you? Has she mentioned anyone to you?" he asked.

"Oh yes, she told me all about it the last time we hung out and then we did our nails and drank fizzy drinks and I braided her hair," Wills said sarcastically.

"Come off it, Wills," Vane said, sitting back in his chair.

"You'd have better luck asking Ashley about it," Wills said. "Or Lizzie herself."

"I'm not asking her," he replied with a frown.

"So, you intend to do nothing?" Wills asked.

"Pretty much," Vane said. Wills shook his head. About that time Vane looked over and stood. "Oi! Over here!" Wills looked over and noticed Alan walking over, John following. He grinned, deciding he would have a bit of fun with the beater. Though he suspected Vane was grateful for the distraction.

"Alan, Kingfisher! How good of you to join us!" he said, scooting over so the two could sit. Vane looked relieved, thinking they could now stop talking about his crush on his teammate. "Vane here was just regaling me of his undying love for Elizabeth Jakes." Vane glared at him.

"Jakes? Didn't know you fancied her," Alan said with a grin as he sat next to Wills. Kingfisher chuckled as he sat next to Vane.

"Teammate, huh?" he asked, looking at the irate chaser. "Need any advice?"

"Kingfisher is sure to be a fount of wisdom when it comes to dating teammates," Wills said. Vane continuing glaring at Wills.

"Thanks for keeping that to yourself," he grumbled.

"Oh please, everyone would have found out eventually," Wills said offhandedly. "Not like you haven't been noticeable with missing passes every other practice because you're too busy staring at her."

Vane's face turned redder as Alan howled with laughter.

"You should tell her," Kingfisher said as two more pints appeared.

"I can't tell her. What if she doesn't feel the same?" Vane said. Kingfisher shrugged.

"Sure it'll be awkward for a bit, but you'll get over it," he said.

"How can you be so sure? You got your bird," Vane said, looking at his glass.

"Ah, but there was a fair bit of drama with it before Pix came around," Alan said.

"She turned me down at first," Kingfisher added. "And it was awkward for some time."

"And then she was miserable for weeks before she finally gave into her feelings. Remus and Jamie came home one night to find her wailing over a movie – half a bottle of wine gone and all the ice cream in the house devoured," Alan said. Wills chuckled.

"Is that so?" he asked. "My, you must have done a number on our poor little Pixie. I should box your ears for that."

"It's all good now," Kingfisher said. Wills noticed Alan clench his jaw slightly, as though he was attempting to keep from saying something. Something told him that things were not as good as John liked to think. Or say.

"That is good to hear, I suppose. Well, for you at least. Bad news for me," Wills said with a sigh. "Though I suppose it's only a minor setback." Alan rolled his eyes.

"You're going to have to give up someday, Wills," he said.

"Absolutely not. I feel like I'm finally getting closer," Wills said, looking at Alan.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're delusional," Kingfisher said, amused.

"I like to think I'm rather optimistic," Wills countered. "And observant. Best watch your back, Kingfisher. I will be waiting in the wings the next time you mess up." John flinched slightly, and his eyes lost a bit of their happy glint, though his smile remained bright.

"I don't intend to mess up a next time," he replied, his voice full of warning.

"Oh, but you never know, dear Kingfisher," Wills said, smiling. "I am anything if not determined when it comes to Pixie."

"How's practice going?" Alan asked suddenly, changing the topic as he sensed the tension rising.

"Decent," John said. "Nilsson's not taking it easy on us. But I guess that's to be expected."

"After another coach of the year award, I gather," Wills commented.

"I don't think he really cares," Kingfisher said. "He just wants the Cup."

"You did give us a good run in the final this year," Vane said. "Nearly thought you had it."

"Good thing Coach Wood has been working us hard as well," Wills said. "I doubt you'll be able to get passed us this season either."

"Is that a threat?" John asked.

"More like a promise," Wills replied. "How does it feel? You can't seem to beat us and then someday I'm going to steal your girl." Alan rolled his eyes.

"Wills," he said softly in warning.

"We can and will beat you," John replied shortly. "And don't think for a moment you've got a chance with my girl." Wills laughed loudly.

"I seem to have hit a nerve," he said. "Relax, Kingfisher. It's all in good fun."

"You and I seem to have different definitions of fun," John said, rolling his eyes.

"Come on, then, Kingfisher. Don't you like a bit of competition?" Wills said.

"May the best man win, and all," John said, lifting his glass.

"And it'll be me, just you wait," Wills said with a wink. "One day Pix will come around and see what's been staring her in the face for years. That she and I were meant to be."

John stopped and stared at Wills, looking as though he were fighting with himself to say something. Alan sighed heavily, preparing to step in if needed.

"I reckon you two are just a few more fights from calling it quits and all," Wills said, taking a drink. John took a deep breath, staring at his glass before looking up at the chaser.

"You know, I just remembered something I need to get done. I'll see you guys later," he said before standing abruptly and stalking out of the pub.

"Really, Wills. Must you push his buttons like that?" Alan griped.

"I didn't realize he was so touchy," Wills said with a shrug. "He always seemed game before."

"Probably because he's worried they actually are a few fights away from a breakup," Alan grumbled. Wills stared at Alan a bit.

"Surely it's not that bad," Wills said. Alan rolled his eyes.

"Of course you'd think that. The only thing you seem to care about is you," he replied. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed."

"I did, but I didn't think it was really that bad. Is it about the big family secret?" Wills asked.

"What secret?" Vane asked, looking confused. Alan glared at Wills and then looked at Vane.

"It's nothing," Alan said. "Wills seems to think we're hiding something big from everyone and we're not. It's nothing to concern yourself with." Wills and Vane shared a look, both silently acknowledging that the Woods were most definitely hiding something big.

"So it has nothing to do with the fact that Jamie's been looking rather ragged lately?" Vane said. Alan stared at Vane and glanced at Wills.

"I haven't said a word," Wills said, taking a drink. "Jamie says he's always off early to meet Lila, but even I know that's a bit much for him." Alan sighed.

"I've told you a million times – there's nothing going on," he said. "If you'll excuse me, I better go see to Kingfisher."

With that the beater stood and walked out.

"You still think something's going on?" Vane asked. Wills shrugged.

"I suppose there is, but they won't be saying anything," he said.

"You're looking into, aren't you?"

"What makes you think that?" Wills asked with a chuckle. Vane laughed.

"Because we all know that when it comes to you and Pixie, you won't stop until you know everything," Vane said.

"Too true, Vane…"


Later that night, Wills sat in his flat watching the television he managed to install. It had taken a few hours, but getting it set up to his liking was worth it. Helped there was a rather attractive woman helping him when he stepped into the muggle store to purchase it. She seemed impressed when he said he'd take it with him and there was no need for delivery.

A mystery-thriller was playing and he found himself enjoying it, though he still didn't quite understand muggle cinema.

He found his thoughts once again returning to Pixie and her family. He had felt bad about pushing Kingfisher. While he was known for pulling punches here and there, he did genuinely like the bloke and wanted things to work out with them. He hadn't realized that he could have been making things worse. Perhaps he'd left off for a bit. Just until things returned to normal.

Once again, his thoughts returned to the dream. It didn't seem to be far off in his mind. Wills sighed and shook his head. He didn't really intend to act on it, but he couldn't lie. A warmth filled his chest whenever he thought about Daisy with his ring on her finger.

"Daisy Wills," he said softly. "Does have a bit of a ring to it…"

Chuckling, he shook his head and returned his focus to the film. Coach Wood would most definitely have something to say if he knew his star chaser was actually entertaining such thoughts about his daughter.

There was no way Daisy Wood would ever marry him, he had to admit. But it was great fun to pretend that she might.


I was this close to adding another chapter - may still do so - but for the moment, I think I'm going to leave it at ten. I added some more to the beginning of the last chapter to smooth the story over, but... I dunno...

Anywho, I have officially finished writing all the chapters. May do some tweaking as I post, but planning to start focusing on Dom's story. It's going to need a fair bit of rewriting as I've decided to change the direction a bit. To be honest, I wasn't completely sure where I was going with it anyway. I'll do the usual - try to get about half of it written before I start posting so that there's not a lag in chapters going up.

As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!