Willow Schnee
Twenty Years Prior;
August 31st;
City Of Atlas; Atlas
Downtown
"I'm terrified, James," I admit quietly and he sighs, running his fingers through his hair. "I mean, I'm due at the end of next month and..."
I groan as I collapse into his couch and rest my hands on my abdomen which, at eight months into my pregnancy, hides nothing. Feeling my daughter kick again, I can't help but wish that she would relax, even if just for a moment so that I can actually spend time with her father. Sitting down beside me and still in his military uniform, James hesitantly leans over and rests a hand on top of my abdomen as well and smiling when he feels her kick again. Though I know that we have both tried to deny that we love each other, neither of us have truly ended our relationship and the fact that I'm carrying his child yet pretending that it's Jacques's is proof enough of that. Though I love Winter with all of my being and will never regret having her, I do hope that, if ever given a second chance at love, I'll be able to choose James. Something I know that I should have done in the first place.
"Are you alright, Willow?" James asks, his concern dominating his eyes and I nod.
"I'm just thinking and I'm tired..." I murmur, leaning into him and gesturing to my noticeable abdomen. "I'm still nervous about...well this."
"I'll still be here for you Willow, I promise," James says with a kiss to my forehead. "You know that, right?"
I sigh, standing up and beginning to pace. "James, I don't want Jacques to take our daughter away from me."
"And he won't," James says, standing up and placing his hands on my arms. "I can't imagine you ever allowing that."
"Of course I won't!" I exclaim, tears streaming down. "It's just...this has been so stressful! No one except for you, Jacques, and the staff at the manor know that I'm pregnant and I'm certain that the reason for that is because Jacques suspected that I was...that I was..."
"Willow..." James begins to protest but I cut him off.
"James, it's so hard to even get out of the manor! I'm sneaking in and out of here a few times a month because I know you're worried about me and...and..."
"Willow, it's going to be alright!" James tells me, but I'm not sure. "Willow -"
"I love you!" I exclaim, wrapping my arms around him and crying into his shoulder. "And I want to -"
"Please don't say it..." James says, tears rising in his eyes as well. "Please, Willow."
I force myself to look at him and nod weakly. "I'm sorry, that's not fair to you..."
"Willow Amara Schnee, I love you..." James promises me but then sighs. "We shouldn't have done what we did, but I'm not going to regret it."
Impulse guiding me, I shift up and kiss him softly before pulling away. "Neither will I."
"Willow..." James murmurs, gently sliding his hands up under my blouse and feeling my abdomen as our daughter kicks more fiercely this time and I giggle though I wish she would stop kicking me all of the time. "She's going to be so strong, isn't she?"
"I think so..." I tell him but he sighs as he notices the time.
"Don't you need to be back at the manor soon?"
I nod before passionately kissing him on his lips. "I'll make sure you know when our daughter is born, okay?"
James looks at me with slight tears in his eyes before wiping them away. "I love you, Willow."
"I love you too, James..." I promise him as I head out the door of his townhouse and discreetly to my car where Klein is waiting, drumming his fingers against the wheel as I get in and we begin the drive back to the manor. For several minutes, he says nothing but eventually turns to me with his eyes blue and filled with sympathy.
"Lady Willow, do pardon my prying but is James the true father of that babe you're carrying?"
I stare out the window and take in a deep breath before nodding. Yes, but Klein please... I'm begging you, please don't tell Jacques."
"Lady Willow," Klein says sympathetically, trying to comfort me. "Of course I won't tell Jacques. I know that you are anxious for your child to be born because I know you want it to be safe and happy. Please don't worry, I'll keep your secret."
I start crying again in spite of myself. "I...I...thank you so much Klein...I don't even know what to do and if...and if I'll even be a good mother..."
"You've done a fine job with Winter so far," Klein tells me and I sigh. "That should alleviate some of your fears."
"I know but..." I trail off, struggling for words. "I know Jacques suspects that I might have been having an affair because...because why else would he have my pregnancy kept secret? Unless..." My eyes widen in fear as I begin to shake. "Unless there's something wrong with...with my baby that I..that I..I...I don't know about..."
"It's all going to fine," Klein assures me, his voice gentle as we pull up in front of the manor where Winter is waiting. "And it looks like your other daughter wants to see you."
I smile weakly as I carefully get out of the car. "Okay..."
"Mother," Winter begins nervously as I pull her into an embrace. "Where were you? Father wants to -"
"I can handle this, Winter," Jacques says, suddenly grabbing me by the arm while I see my eight year old daughter tense and run off. "Willow, I really don't think you should be leaving the manor."
I glare at him though I'm shaking. "I'm careful and I'm only -"
"Yes, I must admit that I'm curious as to why you're spending so much time with James Ironwood of late," Jacques says as he drags me into his study. "If only because he seems a little bit attached to you."
"Whatever do you mean by that?" I ask, fearful of his answer and the look he gives me makes it even worse.
"Willow," He begins slowly, trying to restrain himself. "Were you having an affair with James Ironwood, by any chance?"
I look at him in shock and shake my head. "Of course not! That's a ridiculous idea, I mean it's not as if I married him so why would I -"
"Just checking..." Jacques says though I can tell he's not fully convinced. "You should rest, though. After all, you don't want to risk harming our daughter my mistake."
I nod before quickly leaving his study. "Of course."
