~Chapter 10~

Inevitable Questions

Until Daniel grabbed her arm to say something, but he lost his balance and fell on the pool, pulling Wilhelmina with him.

For a person who can't swim, what was there to do but to hold to someone close to you to save your life. And as hard headed Wilhelmina was, she wrapped her arms around Daniel to be saved from drowning. Daniel wrapped his arms around her waist too. He felt her breaths on his neck, they were sharp and a lot faster than normal. Her hair was loose too so he could feel it on his skin, it was tickling him a little. Oh how he wanted just to stay in that moment forever. It's not very often to have Wilhelmina in his arms.

"Sorry." he whispered as he brought one hand to stroke her hair. He felt her loosen her arms around him a little bit then she looked at him for a second.

"Help me up." she said and nodded towards the ladder.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just bring me close enough to that ladder so I can get out of here." He did, stroking with one arm while the other one stayed on her waist to guide her because she still had her arms wrapped around him.

"Look, I'm really sorry... But before you go, I was going to tell you that I'll always be--"

"Save it Daniel." she climbed off the pool, "Good night." were her last words before she walked off.

"Good night Willie."

--

Three days had passed and during that time, Daniel and Wilhelmina have avoided each other. Most of the time it was just Wilhelmina who's avoiding Daniel, but that was counted. Also, Daniel and Beau have started planning her birthday surprise. They've decided to go for a simple house evening dinner, since according to Beau, his mom doesn't like renting out or going out to places during special occasions; and Daniel could remember that she had a weird thing regarding family occasions, she hated it when there's too much guests in one place.

The boys also discussed what's hot and what's not in Wilhelmina's party list, and Daniel learnt a lot from that discussion and he could definitely use that to get back at her... but he wouldn't. Yet anyway. Daniel also called Nico, just to check if she was still coming.

"You do know that it would mean a lot to your Mom, right?"

"Yeah." she replied plainly.

"Look, it's in 2 days Nico, and you're still in Italy, when are you coming? When's your flight?" he asked, sitting on his bed - looking worried.

"Geez Danny, calm down. My flight is tonight. I'll be in Paris tomorrow morning, but I won't come 'til her actual birthday, just so you know okay?"

"That's fair enough. But just make sure that you don't forget."

"I won't." she said in a bored tone.

"Good. Thank you."

"No worries Danny, or should I say Dad? Haha. I'd definitely come, wouldn't wanna disappoint you."

"Thanks Nico, and dad, please! I might as well jump off a cliff and die, I'd never had a family or even kids of my own, and you know it."

"Only if you knew.." she said in a low voice, but Daniel still heard it. "Sorry?", "Nothing.. Anyway, gotta go."

"Okay, see you in 2 days eh kid?"

"Daniel! I'm freakin' 17!"

"Yes kiddo.. Bye." he laughed.

"Whatever, see ya."

He put the phone down.

"Was that my sister?" asked Beau coming behind the door, he looked to see him stood there peaking his head in.

"Yeah, yeah. Uhm.. Come in Beau." he did and sat next to him on the bed.

"Is she still coming?" he asked, his face turning a little nervous.

"Of course. Don't worry about it. It's all sorted now okay?" he said and pulled the boy for a hug.

Neither did both know that Wilhelmina was stood outside his door, just seconds after Daniel answered Beau's question. All she saw was the moment between the two. She felt guilty for not telling her son, and surprisingly also for not telling Daniel about the little version of him. Wilhelmina saw the look on Beau's face when he was hugged by Daniel, he looked comfortable and that made her heart skipped a beat. Then Beau pulled away and they had a conversation, which she couldn't quite hear, but they laughed together. She just walked off to go to her room.

"Hey. You've known my mom for a long time right?" he asked. Daniel nodded unsurely,

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Do you know who my father is?" he asked.

Daniel sighed and shook his head, "As much as I'd love to know that Beau, I just don't. Your mom wouldn't share that kind of information with me." he said and patted Beau on the back.

Beau took it as his cue to leave so he went out of the room after saying 'Good night' to Daniel. Then went to his mom's room.

"Mom.." he said and got Wilhelmina's attention. She turned to her son, wearing her robe and patted for him to sit next to her on the bed, while she was working on her laptop.

"Hey sweety, do you want anything?" she asked and pulled Beau for a quick kiss on the forehead. He shook his head and smiled lightly.

"Can I ask you a question?" Wilhelmina closed her laptop and put it on the side and then she faced her son with her full attention now, since he's been lacking it for the past two months.

"Go on."

"Who's my father?" he asked confidently. Wilhelmina was shocked at first. She then thought about Daniel; did he tell her son what he knew? What does he know anyway...

"Huh?"

"My dad.." he said again.

"Son, it's not really that simple you know."

"Just tell me something about him Mom." Wilhelmina looked around to make sure no one was listening, especially not Daniel.

"Daniel, please... Not now, it's not a good time." she said and rubbed his back.

"Oh.. Okay, good night Mom." he said and went for the door with his head down. He was upset, he knew his mom wasn't too happy since she called him by his second name. Which was rarely used by her. She only use it when she's serious or angry.

Wilhelmina sighed before walking to her son and pulling him for a tight hug, she was kneeling on the floor. Beau surprisingly hugged back and whispered, "Love you Mom.." before walking out.

Wilhelmina just watched him walk away. "I love you too." she whispered back, although she was alone in the bedroom.

A/N: I thought this was a boring chapter - but oh well, it's building up to W's birthday anyway.

And a little "WHAT" moment there, Beau's whole name is = Beau Daniel Slater. I'll get Daniel to find that out soon..

Next: Its Willie's birthday, weird morning, Daniel reminiscing about the 'past'.

R&R