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Disclaimer: I don't own Finding Sky or Stealing Phoenix, but I do own this story and Missing Summer! :)
Manda xoxo

10. Conflict

I was happy, but there was a part of me that knew that all was not well. Xav and Will were refusing to talk and had had a huge fight one night while I was asleep. I hated feeling like I was the one who had caused a family to fight and begged Will to forget it and apologize, but he refused. It was completely irrational and stupid, and I told him so.

"Will, it's not such a big deal, is it? We were both drunk and slightly heartbroken. And think, if it hadn't been for Xav, Sonja wouldn't exist!" Fear clutched my heart. If Sonja didn't exist… No. No.

Will sat down next to me and looked down at his hands. Out of instinct, I rested my head on his shoulder. He glanced down at me. He was looking at me with… adoration? I think I was wearing the same expression.

"I know. And I try, I really do. But every time I see him, I think of you and him together and I can't help but snap."

"Why, are you jealous? Because that would be crazy, you know. I lo-" I stopped myself before saying what could ruin my whole relationship with Will. "I like you too much."

He smiled softly and gently brought his hand to the side of my face. I turned my head, already anticipating the kiss I knew would come.

It was gentle, like everything Will did. He was gentle, the living embodiment of gentle. Every girl's dream (though I did wonder if he ever gets fierce. 'Cause that would be hot).

"What was that for?" I asked as we ended the kiss. He grinned at me cheekily and nipped at my ear.

"Does there have to be a reason for me to want to kiss you? You're beautiful, you know that? And amazing, and fabulous and just…perfect." I swallowed hard. I didn't deserve these compliments. He was amazing. He was fabulous. He was me.

"Will, I think I'm ready to go back home." It was an abrupt change in topic, enough for him to sit back and look at me strangely.

"Really? Are you sure? You're feeling better? We can ask Xav to check, but I don't know, I mean…" He was rambling. I cut him off.

"I'm sure. I'm not made of glass, Will. Besides, I miss my home and my family. My brother and his soulfinder are probably wondering where I am. Hey, you should meet them!" He cringed and I fought back a snort. He acted all tough, but got all scared when it came to meeting Giorjio.

"I-I'll pass," he stuttered. I couldn't help myself and smiled brightly before breaking into heaps of unladylike snorts and cackles. When I had calmed down, I turned to see Will staring at me with the strangest expression on his face. It was a mixture of wonder and love. My breath became hitched and I wasn't sure how I felt about him loving me. Had I ever loved anyone, other than my kids, of course?

No. The realisation made me sad. While love was not something I thought of as necessary, it was definitely something that could support someone and make them feel less alone. I needed that.

"Hey." Will gingerly cupped my face. His warm breath rushes over my face and I sigh. Everything about him can calm me down. "You okay?"

"Yes, I am now." He smiles slightly, still worried. "I… want to ask you something, I'm just not sure how."

"I won't laugh or whatever, I swear. You can tell me anything, Angel. You know that." I did. I do.

"Hm…I just wanted to know," I swallowed nervously and rubbed my hands together. They were sweaty. Urgh, "If youwouldliketomoveinwithme." I flushed brightly and involuntarily continued talking. Great, just great. "I mean, I know you have your own apartment, but I think the kids adore you and well, I do too and I know I'd love to see you, like, all the time and well, that's the best way and I understand if you don't want to, actually, what was I thinking, you know what, it's okay, just forget I said anything." He stared at me, an amused expression on his face, and my blushed deepened. Shit.

"Angel." I hid my face behind a cushion that was lying on the sofa and exhaled deeply. "You want me to move in with you?" His tone made me peek out from behind the cushion and glance at him. He was smiling, a smile that lit up his features and showed his lovely little dimples. I loved that smile. "I have no words. I… God, yes. How could you ever think I would refuse?

I couldn't think. Wait, what? Had he just agreed? Was I hallucinating? I pinched myself discreetly and came to the conclusion that, no, I was not hallucinating. This was happening.

And I was happy.

I squealed happily and kissed him hard on the lips. His arms tightened around my waist and tugged me closer to him.

"Thank you," I whispered. He replied with another kiss, followed by many, many others. Did I mention he was a good kisser? Well, he is.

"Guys, guys! Jeez, get a room!" Oops. It was only then that I remembered we were in the living room. Xav had walked in on us. Talk about embarrassing.

"Whatever." Will rolled his eyes and tried to kiss me again, but I was waay too humiliated to continue our make-out session. I edged away from Will, a smirk playing at the corners of my mouth when I heard his 'humph' of discontentment.

"Anyway, Angel, I know you were thinking about moving back, and you're perfectly fine now, and I'm sure Will won't starve you, so, yeah, if you want to, you can move out. I will miss you and the kids. They're funny. But I suppose Will should get to spend more time with them, huh?"

Aw. Xavier had really enjoyed his time with Sonja and Daniel. They were so cute together, too, even if Sonja was kind of confused about who he was exactly.

"You know, just because Will's going to be spending more time with the kids doesn't mean you can't visit them," I said. It was only then that I noticed the tension in the room. The two brothers were staring each other down, their facial expressions both mad and angry.

Will. My tone was exhausted and no-nonsense. It was the tone I used around my kids when they were purposefully acting dumb. They didn't do it often, but, being little kids who were cute and got quite a bit of attention, it wasn't a surprise when Sonja started doing it.

Will's attention immediately snapped from Xav to me. The hard look in his eyes was gone, replaced by a calm, serene look full of bliss and joy. I felt my resolve to reprimand him dissolve as I stared into those gorgeous eyes of his.

Please stop. I pleaded with him. He nodded slightly and leaned back, refusing to look Xav in the eyes. I sighed. I didn't know what was better: him not speaking to him, or fighting with him.

This problem was going to take a long time to solve.

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