Ronnie was lying on the couch the next morning when Will ambled in holding a duffel bag on his shoulder. He looked as if he had just had a shower with his hair still wet. The jeans he had on hung low on his waist and he had a shirt in his hand. "Good morning," he spoke awkwardly. After three years of marriage and knowing each other for eight, it seemed as if they would never be able to speak to each other normally again. When Ronnie didn't answer him he dropped the duffel on the floor and sat down beside her. "We can't avoid each other forever."

"Really? Because I think I am off to a great start." Will smiled at her joke. "Where are you off to this morning?"

"I'm going to spend the day with Annie. Her sorority is holding an end of semester bash and she asked me to go."

Ronnie felt her chest squeeze out her air. "And you're bringing an overnight bag?"

Will shook his head," I haven't slept with her if that is what you are asking. Gosh, Ronnie, I don't know what I'm doing. All I know is one day I'm married to the woman I love and the next I'm single and getting hit on by this beautiful woman. If you know how I'm supposed to handle this, then tell me."

Ronnie stared down at her pajamas; which consisted of a violet colored tank top and a pair of shorts to match. If she was at a friend's house she would have considered it skimpy but she felt like she was home with him. That's where all the problems stemmed from. In all of the plans to divorce she had thought she was moving on to her own home and to a new life. But Will was her home. He was everything she had ever wanted. "I don't know how to handle this either."

"What do you want," he asked.

This was the first time anyone had asked her that. What did she want? First she wanted to have a healthy baby. One who had all it's fingers and toes. Then she wanted to feel whole again. It was time to stop feeling like a murderer. But most of all she wanted him. He was the one thing that was off limits. She knew it would be selfish of her to ask him back after she had hurt him so much. "I want to give you a healthy baby and make up for all the hurt I've caused you."

Will rose from his seat and pulled his shirt over his head. "The only hurt you caused me was when you left." After picking up his duffel he turned back to her," I got to go."

Will parked in front of the sorority house observing the party that was already in full swing. There was a large group of people lounging on the lawn and a group of guys huddled around a row of grills. The smoke billowed out of a few inciting the cook to swing the spatula over it. They all seemed delighted to be there with a youthful exuberance Will hadn't felt in a long time. He had never felt old before but today he almost felt elderly. Through the crowd Annie spotted him and ran over to his vehicle. She leaned in the window and placed a kiss on his lips.

"Howdy, stranger," she drawled in an exaggerated accent. She had on a pair of shorts and a bikini top Will had seen her wear on vacation. "I told some of the guys about your volleyball days. They are getting excited about the game."

Will extracted a smile trying to focus on the day ahead. The last two days with Ronnie had put a damper on his mood that he couldn't seem to snap out of. "We need to talk. Why don't you hop in?"

Annie traversed his BMW and settled into the passenger seat. He knew this wasn't going to be an easy conversation but it was time to tell Annie the whole truth. His unease seemed to fill the vehicle until Annie started to squirm under the pressure. "What's going on?"

"I didn't lie to you on purpose, Annie, but I wasn't truthful to you either."

"You mean you're not CFO of Blakelee Brakes," she teased.

Will smirked hoping she had the same sense of humor when he was done. "I told you that I'm divorced but I didn't tell you that the reason I'm divorced is because my wife lost a baby."

"Oh my gosh, Will. I'm so sorry." Annie leaned over and put her arms around his neck, whispering soothing words into his hair.

"You may want to hold off on that hug until I tell you the rest," Will reached up and unlocked her arms. "It gets worse. Three months after the divorce she tells me that she is pregnant and now I have her living in my house." Will watched Annie's eyes widen in surprise. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you but my life is really messed up right now."

Annie sat quietly in her seat staring out at the crowd on the lawn. He couldn't blame her if she was angry. This was a hard situation to be in and she didn't have to get involved. If he had a choice he would get away as quickly as possible.

"I like you Will," she stated. "And despite the fact that your life is crazy I want to give us a try."

Will couldn't believe what he was hearing. Annie was one of a kind and he was lucky to have found her. Most people would have walked away. "You're an angel."

Annie smiled at him showing off the dimple in her right cheek. "I think I'm falling in love with you Will Blakelee."

The sun shone bright in the sky all afternoon creating the perfect condition for him to kick some butt at volleyball. Some of the guys from a fraternity down the street had shown up ready to prove their superiority when it came to athletics but Will had sent them home with their tails between their legs. It felt good to be playing again. He felt lighter when he was with Annie. Not everything had to be about Emma or his divorce from Ronnie.

He had to admit that Annie's admission that she was falling in love with him had thrown him for a loop. His feelings towards her were complicated. On one hand he did care for her but when the baby arrived would he have time to develop their relationship? How would his family feel if Annie stuck around? The ultimate decision was his but he was close to his family and their opinion mattered. Megan was happy that he had found someone but his mother was worried about how this would affect his relationship with Ronnie and the baby.

Ronnie hadn't been too happy to find out that he was dating someone. It was worse that he had kissed her right before. The question was, why did she kiss him? She had made it perfectly clear with the divorce that it was over. Was it possible that she was having second thoughts?

"What are you doing over here all by your lonesome," Annie sat down beside Will and bumped her shoulder against his. She had put a hoodie on over her bikini top because of the chill settling in the air.

"Just thinking," he gazed up at the night sky that was showing off an array of stars. The party had quieted down a bit and most were huddled by the bonfire. Its flames brightened the parking lot beside the house and he could make out a truck like the one he had sold two years before. Ronnie had been dead set against him selling it but he figured they needed something more reliable for their growing family. "My parent's anniversary is next weekend and my sister is throwing a big party. Would you like to go with me?"

The smile dimmed on her face," Are you sure that is a good idea? I mean, is Ronnie going to be there?"

"Yeah, well, she is helping put the whole thing together."

Will pulled Annie into his arms and she leaned her head on his chest. "Maybe we should wait. I don't want to cause problems for you."

"I don't think there is a good time to introduce my girlfriend to my pregnant ex-wife. Something tells me that it's going to be awkward no matter what."

Annie giggled against his chest creating a hum through his body. Without thought Will tilted her head up and claimed her lips. They were soft yet demanding as Will deepened the kiss. His fingers hid in her hair reveling in its softness.

Annie pushed against his chest breaking them apart. "Come with me." They walked through the yard and into the house till they made it to her room.

Ronnie stood in the kitchen with a cup of decaf coffee in her hand. The sky outside the house was black and she sighed knowing that the weatherman was right. It was going to be a lousy day. There was a light drizzle; which kept the beach empty. It was odd for this time of year and gave the scene an eerie feel. The rest of the house was in shadows and she had to turn lights on to see.

Ronnie felt the baby move, most likely caused by the unease in Ronnie's stomach. She placed a hand over her belly hoping to calm herself as much as the baby. Will hadn't come home last night. She had found it odd that he hadn't come down for breakfast since it was his favorite meal of the day and had gone to his room to check on him. By quick inspection she had noticed that his bed hadn't been slept in and his towel hadn't been used.

She would like to think that he hadn't spent the night with that girl, Annie, or whatever her name was. But in her heart she knew something had changed the night before. He was no longer just seeing her, he was starting a relationship with her.

"Ronnie." Ronnie rushed to the front door to see Will in the entrance holding the bag he had taken with him. He was wearing the clothes he worn the night before and all doubt was erased. "Sorry I didn't call and tell you I wasn't coming home."

The guilt in his eyes almost made her feel sorry for him but anger was boiling under her cool exterior. "I guess you had fun last night, didn't you Will?"

"I can explain," he moved closer to her making her retreat farther into the hallway.

"Don't touch me," she yelled at him. "I hope it was worth it."

Turning away from him she headed towards the stairs hoping to escape this nightmare. She should have known this was coming. Will was attractive, funny, romantic, and a whole list of other good things that any woman would like. Ronnie had reached the top of the stairwell when Will grabbed her arm. She lost her balance but he caught her in his arms.

"Careful," she snapped. "You wouldn't want me to kill another one of your children. Or maybe you do so you can be with your precious Annie."

Will grabbed her roughly by the arms and brought her face to face with him. "You want me to blame you, fine. You're right you killed our child. No matter if it was an accident, you killed her. You ruined our marriage by acting like you were the only one was hurting. And worst of all you pushed me into dating Annie by not coming back to me. It's all your fault. All of it. But don't you dare think for a minute that I would put Annie in front of our child. Do you understand?"

Ronnie felt the tears gathering in her eyes and Will's fingers; which were digging into her arms. He shook her when she didn't answer and for once she was afraid of him.

"Do you understand," he repeated.

"Yes," she angrily answered before running to her room and locking the door behind her.

Hope you enjoyed the interaction between Will and Ronnie! If you have a second please leave a comment. It will be most appreciated.