Ch. 4: Stranger to Guilt

Daniel was still livid the next morning; he had Wilhelmina had spent the rest of the day avoiding each other. Wilhelmina had said a lot to him in the short time they'd known each other, but this time she'd gone too far, if that was even possible. He'd left that morning, wheelchair and all, and rolled himself to Mode to sit in his office, away from her damned apartment. He didn't really know why he'd done that, because he didn't have anything to do there. So he just sat in his office, pouting to himself and drawing a moustache on a picture he found of her in a magazine. After about two hours, he'd had enough of himself and his pity party and wheeled his way back to her house. He wondered if she'd jumped for joy when she realized he was gone.

"That bitch probably thinks I'm gone for good" he snickered to himself. "I can't wait to see her face when I wheel my happy ass through the door." His cocky attitude in tow, Daniel opened her door and pushed himself inside, kicking the door closed with his shoe. He made his way to the living room and stopped in his tracks when he lifted his head. There, in the middle of the room, was a Christmas tree. Not a flimsy little thing like the one he had. No, this was it, ornaments, branches and all. His mouth dropped. The thing had to have been at least 10 feet tall. He wheeled a little closer, trying to take it all in. He leaned forward a reached a gentle hand toward a piece of ribbon that was delicately laced around the tree, feeling the roughness of where it had been sprinkled with gold glitter. He slowly raised his head, looking at the different colors and shapes of the ornaments that made their way to the very top, greeting a raven-haired angel whose blue eyes peered back down on him.

"Did she do this because she felt bad, or was this an impulsive purchase she made to express her joy and the fact that I wasn't around this morning?" he wondered curiously. After some contemplation, he grabbed a blank piece of paper from the kitchen draw, folded it in half, and made a Christmas card for her. "At least I can tear it up if it turns out she was wishing me dead" he thought. Suddenly, the door swung open and Wilhelmina stepped into the apartment. She hadn't noticed him sitting there in the kitchen as she threw her purse down on the armchair. He slowly wheeled himself into the living room.

"What's this?" he asked, gesturing toward the tree. She looked up in surprise, and then resumed pulling off her gloves.

"It's a Christmas tree, Daniel. That's what your people get to celebrate the holiday, remember?" she answered, a small smirk forming on her lips.

Daniel cocked his head to the side and wheeled a little closer. "So…is this your way of saying you feel bad for what you said?"

"Well you were being nosy first!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening. She took a deep breath, stopping herself. "I just don't want to be known as someone who disrespects people who've lost the person they love, that's all" she said, retreating to the kitchen to get two glasses and a bottle of champagne. Daniel smiled to himself as he watched her come back and fill their glasses. "So I guess she's capable of feeling guilty after all" he thought as she handed him some champagne.

"Oh, before I forget, there's something I should give you now before your mom and Cal get here."

"What are you talking about, they'll be back tomorrow."

Wilhelmina shook her head. "While I was out they called and said they'd be here late tonight to take you back to your place."

Daniel shifted in his chair. "Is she seriously gonna charge me rent or something?" She reached into her purse and pulled out a small, wrapped object that looked like a book.

"Here" she said, holding it toward him, but avoiding his eyes. He took it slowly, trying to figure out what would happen if he opened it. He slowly unwrapped it as she sat down, smoothing her skirt. It was a beautiful silver picture frame, with a small white dove on the top left hand corner.

"What's this for?" he asked curiously.

She shrugged. "In case you have any pictures of Molly that don't have a frame yet" she said nonchalantly.

Daniel gazed at the object in his hands. "Wilhelmina, this is beautiful. I don't-"

"Look, don't waste your breath thanking me. Your time would be better spent appreciating the fact that this is the most thought I've ever spent on a gift for someone. Actually, it's the only thought I've spent, since Marc does all my shopping for me."

Daniel was shocked. He had no idea that Wilhelmina could actually come this close to being nice to anybody. "Well, before I leave, there's something I made you" he said, reaching for the card.

"Oh, let me guess, that's a picture of my grave" she said sarcastically.

"Just read it" he said, handing it to her. She cocked her brow but took it anyway. On the front, he'd drawn a picture of himself standing victoriously over her dead body, with a header that read 'Sometimes, I did want to kill you…'

"Oh, gee, this is so thoughtful, Daniel."

"Open it, it gets better, I promise."

She glared and flipped it open angrily, expecting to find nothing. But instead there was a note on the inside.

'…but I'm glad I didn't. If I had, I would've never had the chance to really know you. It's been fun.

Merry Christmas,

Daniel'

Wilhelmina was taken aback. She looked at him. "Well, for the first time in my life I don't know what to say." She paused, turning back to the card in her hand. "Thank-you, Daniel" she said quietly, not meeting his eyes.

"You know, I'm glad my mom made us do this. I know she was hoping I'd kill you, and Cal was hoping we'd both be dead…but I really think this was good for us."

Wilhelmina laughed. "Well, one thing's for sure, I can't kill you now since everyone knows I was the last one to see you alive" she smirked.

Daniel grinned. "Especially not since your fingerprints are all over that card."

They sat in silence for a while. Daniel spoke first.

"When did my mom say she'd get here?"

"Sometime around 10:00 tonight; why?"

"Well, how about we get dressed up for the hell of it and go out to eat?"

Wilhelmina paused, and then giggled. "Daniel, I'd rather not repeat the boat incident."

He shook his head. "No, no, I mean for real this time. Let's go somewhere and have fun just to spite Cal."

Wilhelmina cocked her brow and lifted herself off the couch. "I'll be ready in an hour" she said, throwing her hair over her shoulder and disappearing down the hall. Daniel grinned. He headed into the bathroom to change and shave himself. Twenty minutes later he emerged wearing a shiny black business shirt, black pants, and leather shoes. He sat down in the living room and flipped on the TV; he was in the middle of an exciting football game when Wilhelmina appeared.

"Ready to go?" she asked. He turned and looked at her. Her hair was parted on the side and cascaded over one shoulder. She wore an emerald green silk Cavalli that stopped just above her knees, and long diamond earrings that just barely touched her shoulders. His mouth dropped, and it took a moment for him to realize he was gaping at her and he quickly turned away and wheeled himself toward her, slowly meeting her eyes.

"You look really nice, Wilhelmina."

"What's new?" she cracked, turning and opening the front door.