Author's Note: Hey everyone! So sorry for the delay. I've been a bit busy with work and prepping for this next semester of classes, but I've been writing Chapter 2 for a couple days on and off. And yesterday, I finally got to see my favorite band in concert, so that was my focus. This time, we'll be hearing the story from Will's point of view. I have great plans for this fanfic! Hope you all enjoy.
24
Will
As she held the phone to my ear, I could feel her hand trembling. I wasn't sure whether or not she was nervous or if her arm was beginning to give from being held up for too long. Maybe both. Before she'd answered the phone, our conversation gradually became more heated. I guess you can say we were "saved by the bell".
Mother's words came out with a tinge of hope, but still monotone as she usually sounded. As she had spoken those long anticipated and rather unexpected words, I was speechless. As she spoke, I could tell she had been crying. Her voice trembled. "William?"
"Hello, mother."
"I have news. Specifically, wonderful news." I could hear my father speak quietly with someone. Perhaps my sister, Georgina.
I smirked playfully. "Oh, do tell."
"Well. . .a former quadriplegic man from Austria has complete use of his arms and is making significant improvements in his legs. I figured this would be especially important to you because he had planned on going forward with assisted suicide. His spinal cord was operated on 8 months ago."
My jaw dropped and I felt like the world was spinning at sixty miles per hour. I stared out onto the black horizon over the ocean. I zoned out completely, day dreaming of the possibilities of my future. A normal man once again. In the back of my mind, I heard my name being chanted.
"William." I snapped back into it. Louisa stared at me with a look of utter confusion and curiosity.
Finally, I had realized how exciting the news really was to me. "Mother." The shock had subsided and the gratefulness emerged. It showed in my smile. Now Louisa was smiling at me at the sight of my happiness.
"Oh, there you are," mother said.
"I'll have Louisa ring you tomorrow before we take off."
"Okay, William. I love you."
"You too. Bye," Louisa took the hint that my phone conversation had ended. My attention was hers as she shoved her phone back into her pocket. I then focused on her. I took a minute to mentally appreciate her features. Her pink cheeks, her lips, her sparkling blue eyes. Her features were defined by the dim lighting that lined the walkway beside us. The wind blew her hair slightly back.
Once she looked back up at me, I smiled widely and told her the news. "Clark," and the rest of those moments were history.
As we headed back to the bungalow, Louisa had her hand placed firmly on my shoulder. She looked down to me and smiled brightly; I reciprocated. Even though her plan was to change my mind herself, I could tell that nothing could steal the smile that remained on her face.
I chose to stay.
She had told me at one point that night that she'd wanted nothing more than my company for the rest of her life. If I had known what I know now, I would have told her she could have it. It wouldn't be so bad since I wanted her company for the rest of my life as well. She loved me furiously and that made me the happiest I have ever felt.
"I just can't believe it!" she shouted into the night sky after a long, but comfortable silence.
At first, I laughed and then watched her lovingly. "Me neither actually. I never imagined my life would get better. Only worse." After a short pause, I cleared my throat. "Clark?"
We stopped moving. "Yes?"
"I just want you to know that I wouldn't have changed my mind otherwise. Without the chance of being a normal person again." I anxiously awaited her reply in hopes I hadn't hurt her feelings.
"At that point, before your mum called, I was desperate for you to choose any reason to stay." Her smile was lopsided as she playfully kicked the sand.
"So you're okay. . .?"
"William!" she giggled. "Of course I'm okay. I'm more than okay. In fact, I feel like I could fly!" she spread her arms out as if she had wings. She soared ahead of me about five feet and turned back around giggling. Her laugh was contagious, so I chuckled at the wonderful sight. When I caught up to her, our laughing subsided into smiles. She climbed into my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck and we stared into each other's eyes.
"I love you, William Traynor." She ran her fingers through the side of my hair and brought her hand back to my face to cup my cheek.
"I love you, too, Louisa Clark. You're scored on my heart." Her face lit up and she kissed me on the cheek. We rode back to our room, laughing the rest of the way.
