A note from your author...So not quite mid-week as planned, but updated none the less. I would like to extend my appreciation to all those reading, reviewing, messaging, favoriting, alerting, and just plain continuing to support this story in any and every way. We are closing in on 100 reviews in just nine chapters...that's incredible, guys! Thank you so very much!
As promised, this chapter gives a glimpse into the first few weeks of Louisa's internship both at home and abroad. Lots going on here, so I hope it's easy enough to follow and understand. Some very slight suggestive content at the end, but mostly sweet, fluffy adorableness ahead. One more chapter after this, focusing on the second half of summer, before we dive right into the wedding chapter(s).
Again, thank you all for continuing on this journey with me. Hope you enjoy this one and please let me know what you think.
~Bee
I'd started my internship on a Wednesday, the first of June. I not only found it odd to be starting midweek, but to also be jumping in, smack in the middle of the Resort Collection launch.
"Hey you."
"Hi," the sound of Will's voice resonating from my cell made my heart skip a beat. "How are you liking New York so far?"
"It's massive," I quipped, letting out a slightly nervous, but genuine laugh. Will's response was much the same, which immediately eased the tension I'd been holding in my shoulders, presumably the entire day. "Noisy and crowded. I have never seen so many people in all my life, Will. They are literally everywhere."
He let out another chuckle before asking, "And?"
"It's absolutely incredible," I muttered, still in shock my life had gotten to this point.
"I told you it would be."
I smiled at the memory, even after I'd detected a hint of weariness in Will's voice. "You sound tired."
"I'm fine," he countered playfully, but then I glanced over at the glowing numbers on the alarm clock and immediately remembered the time difference.
"Oh Will, it's so late - nearly 1am our time," I groaned apologetically. "You need to get to sleep."
"I will," he assured me, a hint of amusement counterbalancing the fatigue. "Just as soon as I'm finished talking with you."
It was then I realized. "You didn't have to wait up for me."
"Of course I did," he replied almost immediately. "I couldn't let you go to bed without me wishing you a goodnight."
My heart swelled and my eyes filled with tears. I felt the familiar pang of homesickness, but tried my best to mask it. "I miss you."
"Not for long."
"Ten days. Ugh, that's like a lifetime."
Through the phone, a soft rumble of laughter tickled my ear. "You'll be just fine," he stated, quite definitively, then hesitated slightly. "I love you, Louisa."
I tried sniffling back the tears, but a few spilled over. "I love you too, Will."
Day two(and every subsequent day after) met me with an early morning wake up call, and a fresh bouquet of flowers(sent every two to three days, or so) from Will. On day three, however, I was met with an even bigger surprise.
"Freddie?"
"Oh hey there, Louisa," he greeted, chipper as always. "Fancy meeting you here."
"Why yes it is. Though I suppose this being the most popular choice for those attending Fashion Week and I, of course, interning here," I pointed out, a bit surprised to see him at the same exact hotel as me, during the same exact time as me. "That isn't why you're here, is it?"
"Oh no, not at all. Here on a follow-up with our latest acquisition."
"Really?" I asked. "I thought that was to happen sometime next week, and over video conference."
Freddie gave a small shrug. "It was, but Will thought it best to come out in person. He was able to reschedule for first thing Monday morning."
"But it's only Friday."
"Yes well, always better to get a jump on things, yeah?" I nodded, a small smile appearing as my mind began swirling with suspicion. "Will was able to schedule a few more meetings for me while I'm in the city, so I'll actually be out here for the better part of next week - "
"Is that so?" I cut in, suspicion confirmed. "What a surprise."
"So if there is anything you may need while you're here, this being your first time in the city and all, don't hesitate to give me a ring."
His offer was completely sincere, even if motives behind it, were on the ulterior side. "Thank you Freddie, I appreciate that."
A slight look of relief washed over him and I nearly laughed out loud. "I'll be here through Thursday, room 915."
Nodding my thanks, I flashed him a dazzling smile. "I'll keep that in mind. Have a good day, Freddie."
"Same to you, Louisa," he called out as he waved goodbye.
I immediately pulled out my phone. "Did you send Freddie Foster out to New York just to keep an eye on me?"
As expected, his response took a few minutes. "What are you talking about, Clark? Freddie is out there on business."
"And just so happens to be staying at the same hotel as me, for the exact length of time?"
"Purely coincidence."
Luckily, Will's voice activated texting function worked faster than my fingers and my playful response of 'Oh, you are so full of shit' , never got sent. Instead, I let out a hearty chuckle.
"However, with him being so close, if you need anything, I'm sure he'd be happy to help."
Oh how I adored that man of mine. A foolish grin began to spread across my face as I typed up my reply, "Funny, that's exactly what he said."
My last day in New York, coincidentally, overlapped with what was to be my first day back in London. Unfortunately, that meant that I wouldn't be arriving home until very late on the tenth - if I were even that lucky.
A huge wave of emotion washed over me as I quietly stepped over the threshold into the annex. I wasn't quite sure who I'd find spending the night, and was pleasantly surprised when the familiar voice rang out.
"Louisa?"
"Hello Mr. Traynor," I whispered back into the dark room. "Sorry to have woken you."
"Not at all, my dear," he countered as he rose to his feet and switched on the lamp to his right. "I just wasn't expecting you. Will said you wouldn't be able to make it home until tomorrow night."
"I was scheduled to stay in London, since we were arriving so late, but just couldn't imagine spending the night in the city when I was so close to home."
He flashed me a fatherly smile. "How did you get here?"
"I rang Dad as soon as we landed and he picked me up."
"And you have to be back in the morning?"
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment and I gave a small innocent shrug. "Just a few hours, actually. We start at 8am."
Mr. Traynor chuckled under his breath as he crossed the distance between us. "Well, all that matters is that you're here now," he stated before enveloping me into a huge hug. "Welcome home, Louisa."
"Thank you," I replied, squeezing back.
We broke apart and Mr. Traynor glanced down at his phone. "It's just about time for Will's position change. Would you like me to do that while you get ready for the night?"
I smiled appreciatively at him, but shook my head. "I'd like to be the one, if you don't mind. I'll just wash up and change in the guest bathroom first, it shouldn't take me too long."
"Very well, then. Goodnight, Louisa."
"Good night."
I hurried to get ready for bed, and within minutes, was standing over him in preparation for his position change. "I heard your voice," he muttered, eyes still closed. "Thought I was dreaming."
"Maybe you are," I quipped teasingly.
One eye popped open, then the other and he smirked. "Prove it."
I let out a soft giggle before leaning forward to press my lips to his. We lingered there, savoring the moment for as long as possible. "So?"
"Definitely not dreaming," he answered playfully, though his expression had turned curious. "But still surprised your here."
"I couldn't wait to see you," I confessed sheepishly.
Will grinned. "Get over here."
"Shift first. How do you want to lay?"
"Left side," he replied without hesitation. "I want to hold you."
Smiling, I complied, then slipped into the bed next to him. And with Will's arm around my middle, our fingers entwined, and his lips pressed to the back of my head - and after ten long days, I was finally home.
Our bridal shower was scheduled for that Sunday, the twelfth. It was an affair neither of us had any desire for, but eventually acquiesced in favor of appeasing our mothers mutual infatuation with giving us the ultimate wedding experience. While I appreciated the gesture, I was definitely more eager to spend some much needed time with our family. With only two weeks to the day from her wedding, Georgina was now home for the duration. David was due in the following weekend. Even Treena managed to tear herself from her overloaded school and social schedules, to make it in.
Of course, I was struggling to simply commute back and forth for the four days I was expected to be in London. And as a result, was utterly exhausted.
"What are we going to do with all of this stuff?" Will asked as we both stared in disbelief at the massive amount of items we'd been gifted.
"I have absolutely no idea," I replied, sinking down into the kitchen chair closest to me.
"Would it be rude to return them?"
"Will?"
"I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the proper etiquette when to comes to matters such as these, Clark." I wasn't either, and I frowned. "We could have an estate sale." I scoffed. "Okay. How do you feel about re-gifting?"
I could no longer hold back my amusement and began to giggle. "Be serious, Will."
"I am," he countered with a playful smirk as he scanned the room again. "Though I suppose we should probably sort through them first." Nodding in agreement, I reached out for the large stack of cards sitting on the table in front of me. Will chuckled. "I didn't mean now, Louisa."
"Then when did you have in mind?" I asked incredulously. "With how crazy our schedules have been, I'm not sure we'd be able to get through all of this before the wedding."
I was being melodramatic and we both knew it, yet Will still managed to appease me. "We can at least get a head start. You have some time off coming up, yeah?"
"Only four days, starting the day after tomorrow."
"My schedule is pretty light this week. I'm sure we could manage to make a dent - even if it is only a small one." The undignified snort I'd let out at the same time Will finished, had absolutely nothing to do with what he'd just suggested. "What was that for?"
"I'm sorry, that wasn't meant for you," I giggled apologetically. "I'm just a bit, um - confused, by this gift." Will shifted his gaze to the card in my hand. "Your parents are giving us a new bed?"
Will blushed, then cleared his throat awkwardly. "My mother wasn't sure what to get us, since there is really nothing we need, and asked what I thought we could use most. I said a new bed."
"But I like our bed."
Will rolled his eyes at me. "Yes well, I was thinking it would be nice to have something a little less clinical, while still providing for my specific needs, and replace it with something bigger and a lot more marital," he countered pointedly.
I thought the gesture both adorable and practical, and couldn't help but smile at him. "When should we expect it?"
There was a slight suggestiveness to my tone that Will immediately picked up on. "End of the week, I believe."
"Hmmm. I suppose we should give the old one a proper send off then."
Will smirked, his eyes sparkling as brilliantly as mine. "Just what did you have in mind?" he quipped, playing along.
I rose to my feet and ran a finger across his cheekbone and under his chin. "Maybe you should follow me to find out."
"What about the rest of these gifts?" Will asked teasingly.
My playful smirk intensified. "Like I said, I have some time off coming up."
"Right," he returned in full flirtatious agreement, as he followed close behind. "Four days, beginning the day after tomorrow."
