Okay the song isn't verbatim how Willie feels but it's close enough and I like the way it sounds with this chapter so don't take anything too seriously, in the song that is. Review and maybe I'll drop a chapter your way on Saturday. PS: Music by Jazmine Sullivan and Sony Music.

-NWJ

If I could... could forget him
I would... please believe me
And I know that I should throw the towel in
But baby it's not... not that easy
You treat me so much better than him
And if I was sane there'd be no competition
But I'm in love with someone else
And I'm so sorry
I'm in love with another man
And I know it ain't right

Wilhelmina hopped from the bathroom slowly, fresh out of the shower with her hands rested on the wall as she made her way painfully to her suitcases. Carefully she continued, seeing how there was no other way even though her plastic bag covered cast was in the way and her other leg had cramped up like a clutched fist. Finally she reached her bag and plopped down on the floor in front of it, pulling it closer to her. She unzipped it, flipping open the top to see everything neatly organized by Season, Color and Designer; just how she liked it. He had packed everything in zip-lock bags so nothing would wrinkle, being extra careful with how he placed her things. He had marked one side Maternity and the other side Non-Maternity. Reluctantly she reached over to the Maternity side and pulled out a light gray ruched tank top and then reached then over Non-maternity for a pair of Brooke Skinny jeans; dark wash. She pulled off her shower cap and shook her hair lightly until it fell gently at her shoulders. She threw off the robe to reveal a black lacy undergarment set. She leaned back and took off the large plastic bag, then unlatched her cast. Wincing, she ran a hand down her nailed leg, stitches everywhere. Wilhelmina leaned back again and pulled the jeans up to her waist, a painful and miserable effort that she was determined to get done by herself. I can dress myself..I don't need anyone's help...to dress myself. Of course she was Wilhelmina Slater...She should be able to accomplish small insurmountable tasks such as this one...Right? Her hands moved to zip her fly and button the top but even that was hard seeing how her stomach was now in the way. She growled, pulling it with all her might until she could get it buttoned. Daring to exhale, she released a large breath, already exhausted from such a miniscule feat.

"Willie..." She flinched, turning around slowly to see Daniel in the doorway of the room, arms crossed and shoulder leaned up against the doorway. "What are you doing?"

"Getting dressed." She answered monotonously, turning back to her suitcase.

Daniel huffed and sat down behind her, his hands instantly finding her shoulders. "I could have helped you...You didn't have to do it alone."

"I'm was fine." She answered, tensing up as his lips touched the curve of her neck, a yearn ignited in her for him to continue as he wrapped his arms around her waist adoringly. She leaned back against his chest tensely, her back arched from anxiety. His hands circled around her abdomen, focusing on the peaked top that she could now identify as her ever growing baby bump. She closed her eyes slowly, thinking about the how she would come home to what was no longer an empty house. How she would come home and lean her back against Connor's chest and the world would stop. How he whispered softly in her ears, proclaiming his love for her as she relaxed.

"I love you."

She gulped, afraid for what name might come out if she replied. "I love you too ...Daniel..." She felt even heavier now, a sense that she was lying to him coming over her. She felt so horrible, her heart torn between the two men. I love Daniel...I've never felt this way...No ones ever treated me like this...No one's ever cared like this...Except Connor. For some inept reason, she couldn't seem to let him go. It was as if Daniel slipping that ring on her finger brought up a repressed want for Connor that had been discovered and she couldn't seem to shake it. I have something good here...Don't mess it up

"Daniel...We need to talk..." She spoke sternly.

Daniel pulled her closer, his touches softening as she spoke. "Are you okay?"

"I...I honestly don't know." She answered in a raw manner, her voice shaking and unsure of whether or not she should go on. If she didn't then their relationship would be a fake..But if she didn't she might lose him.

"Is it the-"

"No it's nothing medical...We just need to talk...now."

Daniel, confused, turned his body to face hers. His arms linked around her waist as they sat on the floor, her legs thrown across his. "What is it?"

NWJ

"Guuuuu-cci...Guuuuu-cci...Pra-da...Pra-da...Co-Co...Cha-nel..."Marc coached hopelessly as Mason feigned for his bottle, sitting in the highchair. "Uh Uh Uh...Not until you learn a major designer." He taunted, holding the bottle in his hand.

Mason wailed angrily, slapping the bottle from Marc's hands, causing it to land between his own small fingers. He looked up, a tear stained and red rimmed mess, sucking on his bottle happily.

Marc just shoo his head and snatched up the bottle cap. "Ugh...you're just like your mother."

"Wait...Daniel...Just wait!" Wilhelmina screamed from the second floor as the heavy tote of feet sounded down the thick staircase. Marc froze, watching as Daniel belted from the the stairwell and out the back door, his eyes nearly over welling with tears. He slammed the door behind him, the kitchen shivering form the anger that riveted within him. Puzzled, Marc grabbed Mason and headed upstairs to the bedroom, the door wide open. He peeked in to see a sniffling Willie packing her suitcase quickly, no sign of a fight in sight.

"Willie...What just happened?" He asked, setting Mason down beside her with his bottle still in hand.

"Go pack...We leave in half an hour." She replied monotonously, zipping the Dior Luggage and pushing it away from her. She then reached over to her other suitcase and pulled out a pair of grey Ugg boots, a surprising fashion choice yet comfortable with her injured leg and foot.

"Why are we leaving? What's goin-"

"Just do what I ask of you...please." She whispered, turning her head slightly. Her voice had moved from an annoying boil to a soft hurt. Marc stepped back, his hands now resting on the archway as her back faced him. She sounded so...broken...fragile...Not even close to the Wilhelmina he once knew. Everybody had their breaking point...Even Wilhelmina Slater. Sure she's tolerated a lot but this...this had pushed her over and no one knew what to do...not even her.

"I'll be ready in ten."

"Thank you..." She responded gently, her hand moving to cover her now damp face as Marc left the room. A low sob escaped from her chest as the tears rolled down her face. She looked over slightly to see Mason crawling on her leg, a smile on his face and his hair in loose curls atop his head.

"Momma.." He muttered, slapping her thigh lovingly. She shook her head, only being able to see Connor's grin when he smiled at her. She turned away, not even able to look at her own son without cringing, his father's memory being to much to handle.

NWJ

Claire sat at her desk quietly, turning every inch in boredom as she watched the Editors scurry to put the issue to bed without the instructions of Wilhelmina and guidance of Daniel. She looked over to the corner of the glass palate where her phone shook with vibration. She picked up hurriedly, seeing Daniel's name on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Mom..." Daniel called out, his voice breaking slightly as he wiped his tears with the sleeve of his shirt.

"Daniel...honey what's wrong?" Claire asked, sitting up in her swivel chair, and bringing it closer to the desk as she sat her elbows on the glass.

"She doesn't love me mom..." He sobbed softly as he sped down the roads.

"Who doesn't love you?" She probed, confused as he roamed in circles verbally.

"I love her and she doesn't love me back." He broke down even further, an obvious mess.

"Daniel, are you driving?"

"Yes..."

"Pull over..."

"Why?"

"Just pull over." She ordered sternly. Her anxiety rested as she heard the car turn over the keys jiggle from the ignition. She didn't know where he was or what he was talking about but she had never heard him like this. Daniel doesn't cry...And yet hear he is, his eyes overflowing with anger and sadness. Never had he acted like this...not even when Molly had passed.

"Honey...just tell me what happened?"

"I took..her to..the beach house...and she...she told me that she doesn't love me..." He spoke between sharp inhales.

"Wilhelmina?"

"Who else!"

"Okay...alright just calm down...I'm sure she didn't mean it...What did she say?"

"She said that she thinks she still has feelings for Connor."

"That doesn't mean she doesn't love you.."

"Yes it does!" He answered hastily, his voice rising

"Daniel...do you still have feelings for Molly?" Claire asked bluntly. She listened as the line went silent, all but heavy breathing.

"No."

"Daniel...Do you still have feelings for Molly?" She asked again, more sternly and louder, pressuring him into an answer.

"No." He replied with a hint of anger, growing agitated with his mother and his own self.

"Daniel...Do you still love Molly?...Your first true love...Your first wife...Who died in your ar-"

"YES! But I can't help it okay! She was the first person to ever show me that type of affection,..that type of love...I had never been in a relationship like that before."

"And what's the difference between you and Wilhelmina?"

"She...She thinks about him when I do things that he used to do."

"So? Don't be a baby Daniel."

"I'm not...I just...I want her to be committed to me."

"Oh..I see...You don't want to share her."

He huffed, rolling his eyes and irritated from all of this honesty. "Why should I? She's my fiance...The mother of my unborn child...I shouldn't have to share her with a dead man."

"Connor's Mason father."

"Connor is a sperm donor...He didn't even bother to stick around to see if Mason was really his son...He had already made up his mind to leave her alone with a child that could have and actually is his...Why should I have to tolerate her having feelings for someone like that?"

"Because she's sharing you with a dead woman...If you still love your wife...but it's not as strong as it is for Wilhelmina..It's not the same anymore...You just love her like a friend...someone who watches over you...But Wilhelmina is still sharing you."

"But with her and Connor it's more than friends."

"That's because she hasn't let go of him yet...Don't you remember that she didn't attend the funeral...She never got to say goodbye...Her last memory of the man she loved was of him shoving her and throwing her engagement ring in the gutter...Their relationship never had closure..It's like an open wound...And for you to just demand that she let go is wrong on your part. She's pregnant...hormonally in-balanced...stressed over her legs because she still can't walk on her own two feet...She's afraid to come to Mode...has a son to take care of...A wedding to plan and a life to live...She's not perfect...Your job isn't to punish her for not being able to let go...it's to help her get to the place where she can let go, If your going to marry this woman, you have to realize that your each of you is going to have your baggage...and if you can't, that maybe you shouldn't be getting married...Should you two be getting married?"

"I love her...I really do."

"But should you two be getting married?"

"...Yes."

"You don't sound so sure...why don't you go talk to her and don't run out this time."

"Yes, mam."

"I love you son."

"I love you too mom." Daniel hung up the phone slowly, tapping the scruff on his face as he sat on the side of the road, contemplating the situation. He sighed, shifting the gear and turning back around in the vehicle.

You should go and find someone else
Who can treat you right
Give you the world
Someone who understands the man you are
Baby you shine so bright
And I would just dim your star
A girl who'll treat you like you treat them
Boy I know there's plenty women
Who would love to have a man like you
But I'm in love with someone else...
I'm so sorry baby

NWJ

"Wilhelmina!" He yelled as the backdoor swung open. He ran in, dropping his keys on the counter. "Wilhelmina!" Again no response. Fear built within him as he jogged up the hardwood steps that he had once ran down. He curved against the hallway, running to the bedroom. He looked around to see everything neatly in place, the bed made and her suitcases gone. He walked to the crib to see the sheets folded. His eyes then flew to the note on the bed, dried tears stilled in between the words.

D-

I love you

-W

I'm in love with another man

And I know it ain't right

You should go and find someone else

Who can treat you right

Give you the world

Someone who understands the man you are