Chapter 26

Bracing for the Hoard

The house was quiet as Willow sat in the kitchen, a small bowl of fruit salad in front of her. Stomaching rolling from last night's confrontation, she pushed away from the island, poured the fruit back into the bigger container and rinsed her stuff. It was still dark outside, frost creeping across the windows, its cold digits near taunting her as she stared listlessly out the window.

'Miss Willow? Bradley is out front.'

Wetting her lips, she snapped out of whatever daze she was in, smiling at James who stood with her pea coat and the crossbody bag she always used in New Hampshire. 'Thank you, James. You didn't have to get up so early, I can handle getting my things.'

'Your phone is in there as well, along with your purse too.'

'You didn't have to do that.'

He simply hummed as he smoothed the shoulders out and she headed to the front door, slipping her stocking covered feet into her knee-high boots as Bradley chucked on his own coat and scarf. Not bothering to button up, needing the air to cool her down.

'Where to?'

Her phone buzzed with a text from Alice – Pottery Barn or Nordstrom with what E is thinking of. Nordstrom will have an adorable one. Also, ADORABLE wreath.

Thanks, Trelawney.

'Either Pottery Barn or maybe Nordstrom? Evie wants a black, round alarm clock, for the tables. So, whichever first.'

'Pottery Barn is closest, and then Nordstrom.'

Nodding, Willow slipped her phone back into her bag and settled into the seat. 'Wonderful. I love a good plan.'

'I don't doubt it.'

The radio bubbled in the background as they both fell quiet. 'How was your dinner?'

'Brad,' Willow looked at him through the corner of her eye, tired, 'don't. please.'

'Alright kiddo.'

Swallowing, Willow turned to look out the window, unknowingly worrying the sunflower pendant on its chain. 'How did Finn enjoy yesterday?

'He kept babbling on about Gramma's mash potato, which he's never done before so we were all amused until we turned around for a second and then found him constructing a…I don't know what it was but it looked like a shit pile.'

She huffed a laugh. 'Could it have been a potato volcano?

'I'd have never thought of that – see, this is why you're an artist. What about Jasper? You still with him?'

'Yes,' she laughed, 'I am.'

He grinned over to her as they pulled up to a light, 'What did he get you for your birthday?'

'None'ya business.'

'Oh, c'mon Willow, that's not fair.'

Willow smiled a little, looking at him. 'Oh really? How do I not know that you're just going to go skipping off to the others and telling them?'

'I tell Sarah everything, she's my wife, we're married. It's in the fine print.'

'Oh really?' her hazel eyes rolled as he pulled into a parking spot, them both getting out, sharing a look at the crowds. If only she had Jasper right now.

'Ready to brace for the hoard?'

'We have to.'

He offered her his arm and said nothing at the grip on his bicep as they stepped into the mall.

Looking like a complete nut, Willow and Bradley had exited Nordstrom with the necessary decorations and she had even managed to coerce Bradley into letting her buy Finn a super-soft elephant plush that she, herself, nearly didn't want to part with. With their spoils in the back, no blood spilt, the two took a breather before he started the car.

'Please tell me Flora's isn't going to be as busy.'

Shaking her head, Willow checked the text that Jocelyn had sent her, 'No, no it shouldn't be. Jocelyn said that they were pretty empty.'

'You hungry?'

'Not really.' Willow denied, knee jostling from leftover anxiety, spinning her phone in her hands. 'You don't have to come in with me by the way, you can go and do shit if you want and I'll text you.'

Bradley laughed as the car started and he navigated them out of the hell hole that was the mall on Black Friday, 'I mean, I was thinking of getting Sarah some flowers but I could leave that up to you?'

'Because I actually know what the fuck I'm doing with them?'

'That and she really enjoys your bouquets.'

The two were quiet as Bradley pulled up to the flower shop, and Willow unbuckled herself, 'Colour scheme?'

'Surprise me.'

'Will do.'

Closing the car, she hurried into Flora's, the white front bright against the dark brickwork of the main street, the little bell going above the sage green door. A redhead popped their head up, dimples blooming across their pale cheeks. 'Hi, welcome to Flora's, what can I do for you today?'

'Oh, I'm here on behalf of Genevieve Crawford? I'm her sister –'

'Willow Crawford, as I live and breathe,' Jocelyn was an older darker woman, her deep skin barely creased with age as her greying dark hair littered her temples with grace and finesse, 'I feel like it has been decades since I've seen you.'

'I was in over summer, and you know it.' She smiled, stepping into the hug, 'Hello Jocelyn. How's Darrel, doing okay since his diagnosis?'

Darrel Webber had been her husband for the past near thirty years and had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, in the Spring. Willow may not have had the healthiest of relationships surrounding her when she was a child, but she had come to know Jocelyn over the years when she began headed out with Howard, the gardener, and he had introduced her to the lovely florist and her jazz player husband.

Jocelyn cupped her face with withered hands. 'Oh, he's doing just fine, sweet girl. What can I do for you?'

'The bride decided upon a centrepiece. And I promised Bradley a winter bouquet for his bride' Willow smiled, flipping through to the water-painting, handing it over to the woman, gesturing towards the street with her thumb.

Jocelyn sent her a raised eyebrow as she ushered her back, 'Now, girlie, I may be old and my eyes may be failing me but I know for a fact, that you have an eye for design. Same flowers?'

'More peonies than roses but yes. I simply gave her the idea.'

'I hope the Sherwoods are treating you well.' She tutted, 'What I would do to have an eye like yours in my shop.'

Laughing bashfully, she headed to the workbench, after setting her things down on a chair, as Jocelyn went for the ribbons she used for the bouquets and took the incentive to find some thicker wire, beginning to create the hoops for each wreath. The foliage would need a frame to stick to and give it shape. And sometimes, it was difficult for Willow to verbalise the idea she had in her head.

Looking up as a vase was put down, the redhead blushed at her, 'Jo, she said to start bringing the flowers back. To just let you go at it.'

'It's not my first-time making arrangements. And I know how picky my sister is.'

He ran a hand through his floppy hair, 'I-I've never seen you around here, I'm Aaron.'

'Willow Crawford. And I take it you started mid-Summer?' he nodded, 'I usually only spend a few weeks here between school and spend the rest of the year in Washington State with my dad, that's probably why.'

Aaron nodded, 'Can I help with anything else?'

'Uh, the cream peonies and matching roses with the berries would be great, thanks.' Willow smiled absently before she began to pick through the foliage. Humming under her breath, she began the task of twisting and twining the greenery around the wire, sending Aaron a smile of thanks as the flowers and berries were brought in and within half an hour, there was a wreath made. 'Here it is.'

Jocelyn's voice had her hiding a jolt and she turned to find her with a spoil of a black ribbon with a sliver of golden twined through it. 'That would lovely around the candles.'

'I have multiples of similar vases than the ones you drew up. More than enough for the arrangements with gold frames.'

'Jocelyn,' Willow grinned, 'you are a goddess among women.'

Her thick, warm laugh washed over the workroom and she came over, cupping her face as she turned to look at the wreath. 'Are you certain I can't steal you from the Sherwoods? The amount of work that you would bring in, my dear.'

'Unfortunately, not. You think you can mimic – not replicate – this?'

'Most certainly.' The florist smiled, ushering back to the front of the place, 'Come, I made up Sarah's bouquet.'

'Thank you, Jocelyn.' Willow sighed, taking the blue-toned bouquet from her, smelling the stars of Bethlehem, ranunculus, cream roses and rosemary stalks with other greenery wrapped up gently. 'I don't ever have anything to worry about with you. These are perfect.'

'Hide the toy.'

'It's in the back seat with Sarah's bouquet and the clocks are in the boot.' Bradley laughed as she unclipped herself, getting out himself, car in park, as he opened the boot. The two shared a look as Genevieve came down the steps to look over the black tripod metal clock with a Roman Numeral face.

'You made a good choice. Bradley, bring them and put them with the rest of the wedding décor. Jocelyn, did you settle on a design?'

'Yes, yes we did. She will have all eleven at your reception the morning of the wedding. Ten a.m.'

'Good, good. What colour are you wearing? And your invitation said you were bringing a guest?'

'Yes,' Willow swallowed, 'My friend. They're one of the children of the new doctor that works with Dad, and we get along. And I have my eye on a few ideas for a dress – it's between like a pale blush pink and a gold sparkly number.'

Pointing a red-tipped finger at her, Genevieve parted into the house, 'When you get home, send me a picture of both and I'll choose.'

'I will. Have you all had lunch?'

'Yes, an hour ago.' Genevieve threw back and Willow took a breath. She'd be leaving tomorrow. It was fine.

Danielle would probably have food in the kitchen anyway. James took her coat and bag with a smile and she navigated the halls of decorators for Christmas now that Thanksgiving was finished, Mother was already in gear for one of the biggest events of the year. The big real fir was already in the foyer, the Help decorating it with lights at the current moment in time. The thing was huge, coming eye level with her when she was on the top level. Mother always did go over the top.

Shaking her head, she slipped into the kitchen and over to the island where Danielle slid a turkey and cranberry sandwich over to her and crisps. 'You look haggard.'

'We were braving the hoards today.' Willow droned, chomping down. 'How has everything been?'

Carter, the garden helper, rolled his eyes, boots being knocked of snow and dead leaves in the wet room, spoke, 'Dad and I have been putting lights on the bushes all morning.'

'Thanks, Carter.'

'What about you? You look like you need a nap.'

Playing with a crisp, Willow focused on her plate. She felt like she needed one and it would probably be a benefit to stay out of Mother's way but she had things to do, presents to wrap for Amelia to put under the tree and a suitcase to pack again. 'I would love one but I'm busy. On that note, thanks for lunch, Dani. Dinner was lovely by the way.'

With a smile, she took the plate away and Willow left to sneak up her room, heading into her closet where Amelia had put the wrapping stuff in. Settling down, she slipped an earbud and pressed play on her audiobook – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – before cracking on.

The hours passed, with dinner particularly frosty, and Willow found herself setting out her clothes for the early morning flight in her pyjamas and putting her dirty ones that she left here, into the wash basket. Sadly used to the treatment from her mother, there was a part of her that was now just going through the routine of leaving for heading home. The other part of her – the now-legal-adult – was bitter, listing reasons as to why she just shouldn't come to the wedding or ever again.

The pushover part didn't want to ruin Genevieve's day and regardless of Mother's emotions, Willow wanted to be there to support her and wish her luck in the new chapter of her life. Even if she and Jasper would be getting people nudging them going 'You next.' with 'goodnatured' grins on their faces as they teased them.

Why did people think that saying that was funny? If people her age did it to the elderly at a funeral they'd be whacked with a handbag or cane and be called rude. Double standards.

Falling back onto her bed, Willow stared at the cream ceiling, watching the way her light reflected off the paint. She just wanted to go home now.

Even with the airport being as bitterly cold as it was, Willow felt her chest warm when she spotted a familiar head of honey gold and her bag hit the ground as she jumped at Jasper, her vampire clutching her tight with a soft laugh. Hanging on him like a koala, Willow wrapped her arms around his neck and hid away for a second. 'I thought Dad was picking me up.'

'He got the times mixed up,' Jasper pulled back, eyebrow rising, 'and I wanted to see your face.'

Moving her hands to cup his face, she kissed him, pouring everything she was feeling into it. 'I love you. You know that.'

'I do.' He murmured, setting her down and snatching her bag before Willow could, offering his arm. 'C'mon, let's get you home.'

And just when she thought she couldn't fall further for the vampire beside her, Willow felt her heart swell as he just wanted her hand as they settled in for the ride back from Port Angeles, snow spattering sections of the woods on either side of the freeway.

With winter settling as fast as it did on the West Coast, Willow watched as the sun painted the sky on fire as it set in for the night to have its time and quietly appreciated where she lived. Yes, Washington was one of the rainiest, if not the rainiest, state in the United States, it did have spectacular scenery to entertain someone as they watched the world go by.

'I told her about Canada.' Willow admitted as Jasper wove through several cars with ease, one hand in hers.

'Yeah?' he looked at her, seeing her watching the trees blur by, 'how'd that go?'

'Not well.'

'Want to talk about it?'

Willow shook her head, 'Not right now? Maybe later.'

'You know where to find me.'

She squeezed his hand, her thumb going over his knuckles. 'I know.' Willow spoke after a minute of silence, 'Wanna know what I got Emmett for Christmas?'

'What?'

'A Superman onesie.' Jasper barked a laugh, head tipping back, 'Oh wait, there's more.'

'Wait, what else did you get him?'

'A cuddly black bear.'

Thankfully they were at a light when Willow had spoken because she watched with a grin as Jasper had to take a second, giggling into the stirring wheel, coughing even though he was dead. 'I love you.'

'Thank you. I'm tossing around the idea of getting Carlisle 'Operation' but I'm not sure if you have it but I'm definitely getting him a Dad jumper. Alice told me he didn't have one and that is honestly a travesty of the high regard.'

The two chatted about what presents they had gotten for the others, tossing ideas back and forth for those they hadn't gotten, the Cullens were a little stuck on what to get their humans and because she had been getting them presents for several years at this point, Willow was well versed in their hobbies. 'Well, I'll check with Elizabeth about what they've gotten him but he tries to get a new baseball jersey for either,' what was the team he supported? 'it's not the Mets or any of big ones, I think it might be either the Maritimers or the Nationals.'

'Do you, perchance, mean the Seattle Mariners?'

Willow snapped her fingers, 'That's what their name was. See? I got the realm of the name.'

His grin was soft as Jasper looked at her, 'So you didn't watch the football game then?'

'Nope.' Willow popped the 'p'. 'I didn't even get to watch the parade – Chicago was supposed to be a guest this year. And I missed it.'

'I have a feeling the rest of our years are going to be a fight over the Parade and the game.'

'I mean, I only care for the musical parts so you can go back to watching men throwing a ball and ramming others down and I can rely on Alice on telling me when to snatch the remote back. Simple.'

Jasper laughed as he pulled into her house, 'You and Emmett fighting over the remote is something that I cannot wait to witness.'

'You can just knock him out and then I can grab the remote.' Willow grinned cheekily up at him as she jumped up onto the porch, grabbing the post on the way, 'See? Big brain thinking this time.'

With her being on the top of the steps, it let her be equal with him and Jasper slid a hand around her waist and kissed her softly, shaking his head at her. 'Yes, dear.'

'You're a comedian.'

'Thanks.' Jasper patted her softly on the butt, 'I have been trying in front of the mirror, daily.'

'Oh yeah? You gonna try it at the Talent Show this year?'

'Might do. Emmett's tossing around the idea of doing magic and is trying to coax Rose into being his assistant. She isn't for it.'

'What if he dressed up as the assistant but did the magic instead?' Richard drawled as he came in from the living room. 'Hey, sapling.'

'Kill Count?'

'Zero.'

'Good job. Gold star.' Willow congratulated, being lifted off the ground by him, 'But yes, I think that is a remarkable idea that you should so run by the two of them.'

'Might do.' Jasper slouched against the stairs after he set her bag down and checked his watch, making a face.

Willow couldn't help the slight pout. Even though she hoped he'd come by that night. 'You gotta get back?'

Richard rolled his eyes with a slight grin as the two walked back out to the porch, turning back to the news on the tv. Jasper tucked a bit of her hair back behind her ear. 'Yeah, I gotta go. Esme's gonna start decorating and she insists on all of us helping'

'Ooooh.' Willow mused as her hand smoothed down the front of the soft zip-up he wore under the leather jacket that she really enjoyed on him. 'I like this by the way. Anyway, I can come up tomorrow, I might check what the others are doing though. Say, around lunch.'

'You just want Esme's soup again.'

She smiled into the kiss, 'Yup.'

What could she say? The woman made good soup.

'Text me when you're on your way.'

'Will do.'

'Bye, doll. Love you.'

'Love you too.'

Willow wrapped her cardigan around her as Jasper jogged to the car and slid in, and waved as he tapped the horn quickly twice as he straightened the car up. 'Hey, Daddy?'

'What?'

'Christmas decorations?'

'No. Not yet.'

'Die Hard?'

'Get the popcorn.'

Happy Willow Wednesday!

Short but sweet. I just love the moments Willow has with Richard and those Wisper moments? Chef's kiss.

Also, your reactions to the last chapter - made me laugh, not gonna lie. Again though, it takes time for someone to build the courage to step away from a toxic situation. You can yell and scream and ask the person to get away from it but the courage takes time to build, especially for people who aren't exactly the loudest of people. Willow, knows how toxic the situation is, she's in therapy, and she is taking those steps to get out. Little victories. They'll turn into bigger ones and her confidence will grow.

Anyway, let me know what you all think.

Enjoy,

K x