Chapter Eight

Louisa watched Will, Nathan and Alec playing with Will's die cast metal cars when her phone buzzed and she picked the phone up, looking at the screen. The photograph of Treena and Thomas smiled at her when she pushed the button and looked at the text.

Hey!

Hi.

How're things going?

She wasn't sure if Will would want her to tell Treena about Alec as she sighed and Will noticed the look on her face. He flicked the joystick with his finger as the wheelchair came closer and he gave her a puzzled look.

"Is everything alright, Clark?" he asked.

"Treena wants to know how things are going," she said.

"Tell her things are fine."

"Can I tell her about Alec?"

"Yes," he said with barely a nod and she looked at the screen.

Things are ok.

Just ok?

Yes.

Is Will alright?

Yes.

Are you alright?

Yes.

What's wrong?

What makes you think something's wrong?

Lou!

We just found out something about Will's ex-girlfriend.

Did she get pregnant at some point and he's the father?

She knew Treena was kidding as she sighed and typed on the keyboard.

Yes.

The phone started ringing as she pushed the button and lightly carded the side of Will's head.

"Are you kidding me?!" Treena asked and Louisa held the phone away from her right ear.

"No, I am not kidding," Louisa said and placed her hand on Will's shoulder.

"When did this happen?"

"It happened four years ago."

"Shit. Is he sure the kid's his?"

"Yes."

"But….?"

"But what?"

"Come on, Lou. There's more to this story than you're telling me."

Louisa looked at Will when he saw the concern in her eyes and barely nodded his head for her to continue.

"She was sleeping around with his best friend around the time she got pregnant."

"Then how does he know for sure it's his?"

"Will had a paternity test done."

"Oh," Treena said and Louisa saw how upset Will was getting. She patted the top of Will's head when she headed for the kitchen, walked to the counter and went to sit on the top of the counter. "Lou?"

"I'm still here," Louisa said as she looked at Will sitting in the doorway and he saw the concern in his eyes.

"How did Will find out he's a dad?"

"His best friend told him."

"Why wait until now to tell him?"

"He said she'd ruin his life or terminate the pregnancy if he said anything."

"Seriously?!"

"Yeah."

"So, was it a boy or a girl?"

"It's a boy," Louisa said with a smile. "His name is Alec."

"I bet he looks like his daddy."

"He does."

"Have they met?"

"Yes."

"How is Will handling things?"

"He was really upset at first, but now he's fine."

"Is Alec at the annex?"

"Yes," she said and told Treena what was going on.

"Bloody hell," Treena said then sighed. "Is Will going to fight for custody?"

"Yeah, he is, but we're going to wait until we get married first," she said and watched Will go back to Nathan and Alec.

"Are you sure you're up to this? He's not…"

"He is Will's son, Tree. Maybe the only child he's ever going to have," she said with a slight growl.

"I get that. Just hope you know what you're getting into."

"I already know how to handle a kid."

"Are you talking about from being around Tommy or from being around Will?" Treena asked and Louis broke out laughing.

"Tree!"

"Sorry," Treena said and she could picture her rolling her eyes. "Anyway, Mum is going to freak when she finds out she's going to have another grandson."

"How should I tell her?"

"You better think of something fast. She wants you and Will to come for dinner tonight."

"Great," Louisa said in a soft voice when she saw Will coming into the kitchen and parked the wheelchair near the counter.

"What's wrong?" Will asked. He watched her get off the counter then sit on his lap and slid her arm around his shoulder.

"My mum wants us to come to dinner tonight."

"Should we bring Alec?"

"We have to. I know your mother won't mind babysitting, but I don't think Alec would like the idea of us leaving him."

"Lou?" Treena asked.

"Tell Mum we'll be there."

"Dinner's at six," Treena said as she ended the call then Louisa pushed the button, looked at Will and he gave her a small smile.

"It's going to be alright, Clark," he said, but a part of her wasn't sure. She nodded then placed her head against his and sighed.

The van moved down the street when Louisa saw Josie standing at the curb and was waving.

"Right, how do you want to do this?" Louisa asked as she glanced into the rearview mirror and Will leaned his head back against the headrest.

"I want to go first," Will said as the van stopped at the curb and Louisa opened the door.

"Hello, Love," Josie said as they hugged and she looked at the van. "Need any help?"

"No," Louisa said as Josie followed her to the back of the van and Louisa opened the doors. She pushed the button as the small lift lowered the wheelchair to the street and Josie noticed the look in Will's eyes.

"Hello, Josie," Will said then moved the joystick and the wheelchair moved off the small lift.

"Is there something wrong?" Josie asked. Treena had told her Louisa and Will had something to tell them as Josie watched Louisa closed the doors and headed around the other side of the van.

"May we go inside?" Will asked and Josie nodded. She followed him down the front walk then up the ramp when Will saw Treena in the doorway to the front room and she nodded her head toward him. She moved back so Will could go in the room and Josie gave Treena a puzzled look. Will stopped the wheelchair at the center of the room while Treena used the remote to turn the television off and Bernard and Granddad looked at her then at Will.

"What's going on?" Bernard asked while Josie sat next to him and Will looked at both of them.

"I asked Louisa to allow me to talk with all of you before she came in because I have something to say," Will said and Josie balled her fingers into fists on her knees.

"Does this have to do with the wedding?"

"No, it has to do with me," he said and Josie saw the seriousness in his eyes. "You see, before I met your daughter, I had a girlfriend. Her name is Alicia. We were together on and off for seven years, but, after I had my accident, I decided it would be best if we ended our relationship."

"It's understandable," Bernard said with a slight nod

"What I didn't know was something had happened and that something would have prevented me from ending things with her."

"What happened?" Josie asked.

"She… She had gotten pregnant," Will said and saw the shocked look on Josie and Bernard's faces.

"Are you the father?" Bernard asked.

"Yes, but, at the time, she was also sleeping with my best friend."

"Does he know about the baby?" Josie asked.

"Yes."

"Does he know you're the father?" Bernard asked.

"Yes, he found out after he had a paternity test done."

"If he was your best friend, why didn't he tell you?" Treena asked.

"Alice threatened to ruin him if he told me."

"That bitch," Josie said, thumping her fist on her thigh.

"How did you finally find out?" Bernard asked.

"He recently sent me a letter, the paternity test and some other information," Will said.

"I hope you are going to have another test done," Josie said.

"I already have. The results match."

"What made the bugger finally decide to tell you?" Bernard asked.

"He couldn't stand living a lie anymore. That and he and Alicia are being investigated for child abuse."

"Oh my God!" Josie gasped.

"So, do you have a son or a daughter?" Bernard asked with a grin.

"I have a son," Will said with a small smile.

"Where is he?" Josie asked.

"Louisa has him," Will said and Josie got up then walked to the doorway. Louisa stood in the hallway with Alec in her arms and Josie walked to them.

"Oh, he looks just like Will," Josie said with a smile.

"He does," Louisa said as she looked at Alec and he looked at the framed family photos then at Josie

"Hello," Alec said with a little wave.

"Hello, Little Love," Josie said then looked at Louisa, smiled and shook her head. "And here we thought something horrible had happened with how Treena was acting."

"You're alright with this?" Louisa asked.

"Of course, we are," Josie said as they walked to the doorway and went in the room. Bernard smiled when he stood up then walked to Louisa and Alec placed his cheek against Louisa's shoulder.

"Hello," Bernard said and Alec gave him a little wave. A sharp cry made them look up when Treena got up and headed for the hallway.

"Sorry," Treena said while going by them and went upstairs. Louisa walked to Will when she placed Alec on Will's lap and moved Will's arms so he was holding Alec.

"Well, I better go check on dinner," Josie said when she left the room and Bernard and Louisa went to sit on the couch. Will looked at Granddad and Granddad gave him grin and a nod and Bernard turned the television back on. Treena came down the stairs with Thomas in her arms when she came in the room and Will moved the joystick to turn the wheelchair around.

"Will!" Thomas said with a grin then looked at Alec and frowned. "Who?!"

"This is Will's son, Alec," Louisa said as Treena walked to the wheelchair and Alec looked at Thomas.

"Want to say hello to Alec?" Treena asked.

"No!" Thomas said then looked away.

"Want to say hello to Thomas?" Will asked.

"No," Alec said with a shake of his head and leaned against Will's chest.

"Oh boy," Bernard sighed.

"It's ok," Louisa said as she got up, took Thomas in her arms and hugged him. Thomas looked at Will as Will smiled and Thomas smiled back.

"Will," Thomas said as he pointed to him and Louisa walked to the wheelchair.

"Is it ok for Tommy to sit on Will's lap?" she asked and Alec looked at Will then at Thomas.

"Yes," Alec said with a nod and careful moved over so Louisa could put Thomas on Will's lap. She moved Will's arm so he was holding both boys and Will gave her a wink.

"Dinner's ready!" Josie said as Thomas and Alec looked at the control panel then at Will and Wil barely shook his head while looking at Treena and Louisa.

"Is it alright if Tommy steered the wheelchair into the dining room?" Will asked.

"Yes," Alec said and Thomas smiled. Louisa switched them so Thomas was sitting near the control panel and Thomas flicked the joystick. Will glanced up at Louisa while they left the room then down the hallway and went into the dining room. Josie smiled as the wheelchair came to a stop at the highchair and Treena lifted Thomas off Will's lap.

"No," Thomas said as Treena tried to put him in the highchair and started wiggling in her arms.

"Tommo, you have to sit in the highchair," Treena said.

"Alec," he said as he pointed to Alec after Will had moved the wheelchair to his usual spot and pushed the button to raise the seat up.

"Hold on," Louisa said when she left the room then came back with a red and green child's booster seat. She placed the booster seat on the chair next to her chair then picked Alec off of Will's lap and placed Alec on the booster seat.

"Where did you get that?" Josie asked.

"It used to be mine," Will said.

"Are you going to sit down now?" Treena asked, looking at Thomas and he nodded. Treena placed Thomas in the highchair then sat down and Josie placed the bib around Thomas' neck. She went back into the kitchen then served dinner, sat down and looked at Louisa, Alec and Will.

"Do you need some help feeding them?" Josie asked.

"No," Louisa said when she removed the small spoon and fork from the bag in the back of the wheelchair then placed them on the table and Alec smiled at her. Thomas looked at Treena then at the fork on the table and pointed.

"Me," Thomas said. Josie got up when she went into the kitchen and came back with a toddler spoon and fork. She placed them on the tray while Thomas smiled up at her and she lightly patted the top of his head. Treena showed him how to use the fork as he started eating and Will gave him a wink then opened his mouth as Louisa fed him a piece of chicken.

"Lou, Treena, you have to come see this," Bernard said while they helped Josie wash up the dishes then followed him out of the room and they went in the other room. Granddad and Will were watching the news while Thomas and Alec were playing with Thomas' toys and both boys were giggling. Louisa walked to the wheelchair when she slid her arms around Will's shoulders and he glanced at her.

"How did that happen?" she asked and Will looked at Alec and Thomas.

"Thomas came over and asked Alec if he wanted to play with him," Will said as she smiled and he made a little moan.

"Are you alright?"

"I am getting sleepy," he said and she softly moved her fingers over his cheek. His skin wasn't hot, but he did close his eyes and a small smile spread across his face. "That feels nice."

"Behave," she whispered and she felt the heat of the blush on her cheeks.

"Will," Alec said, holding up a die cast metal car and Will opened his eyes. "Come play with us."

"No!" Thomas said.

"Yes!" Alec said, crossing his arms over his chest and glared at him.

"Alright, you two, that's enough," Will said while flicking the joystick to make the wheelchair go toward them and Alec handed him the blue die cast metal car. Louisa walked closer when she knelt near the wheelchair and carefully turned Will's right hand and helped him move the die cast metal car up and down his thigh.

"Beep-beep," Alec said as he moved the die cast metal car toward Will's car and Will smiled.

"Beep-beep," Will said and Thomas got up, walking to the wheelchair,

"Beep-beep," Thomas said as he moved the die cast metal car toward Will's car and giggled.

Louisa stood up as she wiped the tears from her eyes then looked to her left and saw Treena using her phone to film Will playing with Alec and Thomas.

The van came to a stop when the door opened and Camilla came out of the annex. She walked to the van while Louisa got out then walked to the back of the van and opened the doors.

"How did it go?" Camilla asked.

"A lot better than I thought it would," Louisa said when she pushed the buttons and the small lift lowered the wheelchair to the ground. Will gave his mother a sleepy smile while Alec slept snuggled against him and Camilla was in awe by how cute they looked.

"I didn't want to wake him," Will said in a soft voice as he flicked the joystick with his finger and the wheelchair headed for the door. Camilla followed them inside as she closed the door and they headed for the bedroom. Will parked the wheelchair near the bed while Louisa lifted Alec off his lap and Alec made a little moan, but he didn't wake up.

"We're home," Louisa said as Alec slightly opened his eyes and looked at her. "Do you have to go potty?"

Alec nodded and she carried him into the bathroom while Camilla walked to the wheelchair then placed her hand on Will's left shoulder. He glanced up at her when he made a little moan and she looked toward the bathroom.

"Louisa, come quickly! Something is wrong with William!" she said.

"Nothing's wrong, Mother. I was yawning," Will said with a small smile.

"Oh."

"If you can get Alec to bed, I'll take care of Will," Louisa said after coming out of the bathroom and Alec had his head on her shoulder. Nodding, Camilla held her arms out as Louisa handed him to her then put the wheelchair on manual and pushed the wheelchair out of the room.

Will was lying under the bedding while Louisa wrote the information in his medical file then placed the medical equipment away and he made a soft moan.

"Sorry," he said and she placed the medical file in the drawer. Camilla knocked on the doorframe while walking in the room and Louisa turned to look at her.

"Is Alec asleep?" Louisa asked, watching Camilla walking to the bed.

"He was out just as I finished tucking him in," Camilla said.

"Thank you for doing that for me."

"It was my pleasure," she said with a nod then saw Will's eyelids lowering. "Well, I guess I better go."

"Aren't you going to tuck me in?" Will asked with a childlike tone to his voice and Louisa cupped her mouth with her hand. Smiling, Camilla moved the bedding up when she tucked the bedding around him, leaned over and kissed the top of his head.

"Goodnight," she said when she walked to the door, looked back at them, smiled and walked down the hallway. "I'll turn the lights off before I leave."

"Thank you," Louisa said then looked at Will and his eyes were closing. She went into the bathroom then came out a few minutes later wearing one of Will's white shirts and white pajamas shorts and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" he asked, watching her turn to look at him.

"I'm going to go sleep on the couch."

"Why?"

"Well, your mother went to all that trouble to tuck you in….," she said and he arched an eyebrow as he gave her an annoyed look.

"Clark….," he said as she walked to the bed, moved the bedding back, turned the light off, crawled under the bedding and snuggled next to him. She kissed his cheek as she moved the bedding back up then they closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Sydney, Australia

Rupert sat on the barstool as he sipped on a beer and pushed the bush hat out of his eyes.

He was amazed when one of his former clients agreed to give him a job and he had found a cheap flat to live in until he found something better.

He placed the glass on the bar when he felt like someone was watching him and he turned around, looking at the doorway.

"Damn," he whispered when he saw two police constables talking with the bar owner then he slowly got up and headed for where the bathrooms were. He walked down the small hallway when he opened the fire exit door and slid outside. Pushing the bush hat down to cover his eyes, he headed for the alleyway, but didn't see the man following him and jumped when he felt a large hand on his right shoulder and his heart slammed in his chest.

"Going somewhere, Mate?" the man asked as Rupert turned and looked at him. The man was taller than he was as well as stronger and he had brown hair and eyes.

"Just going home," he said, but the man didn't let go of his shoulder and Rupert tried hard not to look scared.

"I don't think so," the man said as the two police constables came out into the alleyway and the man glanced at them. "Told you he'd try to slip out the back."

"Who are you?" Rupert asked and the man smiled.

"I'm DI Hills," DI Nicholas Hills said with a small nod as he reached into his jeans pocket and removed the leather wallet, showing Rupert his identification and badge.

"How…? How did you find me?"

"Your passport and credit card were perfect, but you dying your hair and wearing contacts was a really sloppy disguise. Didn't take long for Scotland Yard to find you after checking the CCTV footage at Heathrow. Once they found out where you were heading, it didn't take long to get a warrant for your arrest. It was just pure luck that one of my men was in the pub when you came in. He called the precinct and here we are."

Rupert sighed as he leaned against the wall and Nicholas walked closer, removing the handcuffs from his belt holder. Nicholas read him his rights while placing the handcuffs around Rupert's wrists then they headed for the police car and Rupert looked out the window as the police car headed down the street.