CHAPTER 14

"This is fine, I'll get out here," Will called to Driver. They were about two blocks from the manse, but traffic was tight and Will couldn't wait any longer. He jumped out of the limo and felt the sting of ice cold raindrops hitting his skin as he ran towards the manse.

This time, when Rosario opened the door, he didn't even bother with the formalities of his arrival.

"Mr. Will, you're soaking wet!" Rosario gasped as she opened to the door to reveal his dripping frame. Will didn't say anything as he pushed past her towards the stairs.

"Where is she?" he called over his shoulder as he took them two at a time.

"Bathroom," Rosario yelled up as she closed the doors. She smiled as she watched him disappear at the top of the stairs.

Will raced down the long corridor to the seventh door on the left; Karen's bathroom. He stopped dead in his tracks as he placed a hand on the doorknob. He took a deep breath, shook his head, and pushed open the door.

Karen gasped as the bathroom door flew open and immediately closed her bathrobe that she had just untied. She was standing next to the bathtub and had just turned on the faucet to fill it up when Will burst into the room.

Will closed the door behind him and backed up into it. "Hi," he breathed. Now that he was here, he didn't really know what to say. It took him a moment to realize how ridiculous he must look – soaking wet and breathless. A slight smile played on Karen's pink lips, but she just stood rooted to the spot, waiting for him to say something.

"Um," Will began, taking a step towards her. "Look, Karen. I'm so mad right now I can't even think straight. No- not even mad. Confused. What the hell was that down there? I came here because I knew you were hurting. Yes, I know about Stan, and I know what he meant to you, and I know what you mean to me…" he was rambling now. Karen remained transfixed on his perfect face as she slowly sat on the edge of the tub. "But Kare, I'm not going to lose you. I refuse. You know that what we had was more than a casual fling. I know you felt it too. Watching you walk away that afternoon after Valentine's Day was the hardest thing I have ever done. I know I'm gay. Well, I mean that's questionable now, but you know what I mean. And I can't explain it, but I'm attracted to you. More than I have been to any other person in my life. Those nights we spent together were the best I've had and I know you feel the same way. You gave up on us, Karen, and yes, it hurt – but I'm not about to give up. I'm going to fight for you," he said emphatically as knelt in front of her. She was looking down at her hands now, and as he tilted her chin up so that they were face to face, silent tears began to run down her porcelain face. "Jack and Grace know about us, and we have their blessing. Stan is gone. There's nothing stopping us now, and I want to pursue this," he revealed to her. Her eyes finally met his, surprised at this news.

"I love you, Karen," he concluded.

Karen had a million things going through her head, but most of all, happiness. She smiled and laughed as the last of her tears fell. Will smiled too, relief from her reaction filling his heart. She gave him a quick kiss and he pulled her into his embrace.

"I'm so sorry, honey," she whispered into his ear. She pulled back and looked at him, apology in her voice and eyes. "I've never felt this way about anyone before, Will, and it just…scared me. I didn't know how to respond," she confessed. He kissed her temple and hugged her once again.

"It's ok, it's ok," he said, nuzzling his face into her hair. She began to slowly and tenderly rub his back, as she had that first night in Shelter Island.

"And I love you too, honey," she whispered.