Louisa's POV
One of the things I have learned about Will's condition is things happen quickly. He would be fine one day then bedridden in pain the next. He would be miserable and he barely spoke. We tried to keep his spirits up when he was sick and he seemed to enjoy the attention.
I had found a chatroom to talk over things and Ritchie, who was also a quad, became a great friend to me as well as Will. He and Will would talk for hours and I would hear Will laughing over something Ritchie said.
We spent warm days out in the back garden and Stevie spent a lot of time chasing the butterflies, playing in the sandbox and the water table or playing on the small, plastic slide.
Lily's friends from school would come over to the house and they loved the fact she lived in a small castle.
Then, in early November, Will got pneumonia again and we had taken him to the local hospital. I had called Doctor O'Shea and Maeve assured me Will was going to be fine.
I headed down the hallway as one of the nurses nodded at me and I walked into the doorway to Will's room. The head of the bed was up enough to help him breathe and the oxygen mask covered his nose and mouth. The tubing to the intravenous drip poked out from under bedding and the pulse clip was on his right index finger. I glanced over at the screen to the heart monitor then I walked to the bed and Will moved his eyes to look at me.
"Hey," I said while sliding my hand under the blanket and I placed his left hand in my hand.
"Clark," he said with a raspy sound to his voice.
"Yes?"
"I hate…this."
"Me, too," I said and I rubbed my thumb over the back of his hand, being careful of the surgical tape.
"I want…to go…home."
"You will."
He lowered his eyelids as I slid my hand out from under the blanket then I moved my fingers through his hair. He moved his eyes to look at me and I softly smiled.
"Lily," he said.
"She's at school. She told me to tell you her class is hoping you get better soon. I'll bring her tomorrow."
"Stevie."
"Mum is looking after him. He doesn't know what's going on. He wants his papa."
"Then take…me home."
I knew he was shutting down. He became quiet as he looked at the wall and the oxygen mask lightly fogged over when he sighed.
"I heard from Grace. Turns out a lot of people are noticing my designs," I said and his eyes moved to look at me.
"Even the…strange one?" he asked with a tiny smile.
"Even them," I said with a nod.
"I always…knew you…were good."
I felt the blush moving over my cheeks and he gave me a pleased look.
"She said a fashion magazine wants me to do an interview."
"Go…for it."
"But… But I'll mess things up."
"No. You'll be…fine."
"But…."
"You. Will. Be. Fine."
I heard the truth in his voice as I nodded and I wanted to remove the oxygen mask to kiss him. He must have known what I was thinking as he crossed his eyes to look at the oxygen mask then he looked at me. I reached over for the tissue box on the table next to the bed and I removed two tissues. I wasn't sure if I should remove the oxygen mask. I slowly lifted the oxygen mask up a little and he barely nodded his head. Will breathed a few times through his nose then he smiled and I moved the oxygen mask up. I cleaned off the film of sweat around his nose and mouth, leaned over and I lightly kiss his lips. He smiled and I moved the oxygen mask back over his nose and mouth.
"Are you…going to…do the…interview?" he asked.
"I want to," I said with a sigh.
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Don't stop…doing something…because I'm…sick."
"What sort of person would I be if I did that? I have to be here. You need me."
"I do. But I…would feel…better knowing…you got…your chance…to get…some notoriety…for all…your work."
"I would have to go to London."
"Go!" he said with wide eyes and I smiled.
"Or I can see if Grace would have the interviewer come to our place."
"I was…going to…suggest that."
"Ok. I'll do the interview," I said and Will slowly closed his eyes. I watched him drift off to sleep then I leaned over and kissed the top of his head. The nurse entered the room as I looked at her and she walked to the heart monitor. I left the room as I headed down the hallway and I hoped Grace would agree to let me have my interview at home.
Granta House – three weeks later
Mum and some of the staff from the main house helped me clean the house for the interview and Mum took Stevie with her. I had made some tea and small sandwiches and I was wearing a brown suit jacket over a white blouse, a thin, black leather belt, dark brown trousers and black low heels. I had my hair brushed back and held by a black clip and I had placed on a trace of makeup. The butterflies in my stomach slammed into each other and I tried not to look nervous.
Grace and the interviewer were to come in through the main house and I waited at the end of the hallway while they walked closer.
"Louisa!" Grace said with a grin and we hugged. We moved back and I looked at the tall woman standing next to her. The woman's face was flawless and she had a lean, well-toned muscular built. She had long, glossy black hair and shiny green eyes. Her makeup was perfect and I bet she even had straight teeth. Her dark coat was closed, but I could see the black trousers she was wearing and the black high heels on her feel. "This is Inga Markenson."
"Hello," Inga said with a German accent.
"Hello," I said and we shook hands. I led them inside the living room and I could see Inga scanning the room with her eyes. "Would you like some tea?"
"Tea would be perfect!" Grace said as I took their coats and I placed their coats in the closer. We walked to the couches as Inga and Grace sat and I served them the tea. Grace sipped on the tea, but Inga placed the saucer on the coffee table and I sat down on the couch across from them.
"Shall we get started?" Inga asked as she removed a small digital recorder from her purse and she pushed the button. "So, Miss Clark, tell me about yourself."
"Her last name is Traynor," Grace corrected and Inga gave her a cold look.
"I am well aware of the fact she is married. Most women tend to use their maiden names."
"Either one is fine," I said with a tiny laugh. I started telling her about myself, but the look in her eyes made me feel like I was boring her.
"Miss Wellington tells me you are one of her top designers. Mind tell me what goes through your mind when you are designing one of your creations?" Inga asked. I had placed a portfolio of my designs on the coffee table and I showed the designs to her. I explained the ideas behind them and Inga's widened a few times then she smiled. "I will admit I do have a few of these."
"You…? You do?!" I asked with a small squeak to my voice.
"Yes. Now…," she said as she took a sip of the tea then she placed the saucer on the coffee table. "Have you thought of doing a line of men's or children's clothing?"
"I do have some ideas for both," I said and I showed her some sketches. I had designs clothes I thought Will, Lily or Stevie might wear and I waited for Inga to say something.
"These are pretty good. Mind if I give you a few suggestions?" she asked. I nodded then I used a pen to write down what she had to say. I refilled the teacups and we snacked on some of the sandwiches before Inga spoke again. "Miss Wellington also told me you designed the rooms in this house."
"I did," I said.
"Mind showing me around?"
Smiling, we stood as she picked up the digital recorder. We walked around the living room as I explained why I put this there or that there and how most of it were things Will had bought or found on his business trips. I explained about the letters on the large, circular window and she liked the little stain glass bees. We headed down the hallway of the left wing and we went into the rooms. Inga was impressed with how I decorated the rooms and how I made sure the rooms were wheelchair friendly.
We headed back to the living room then we went down the hallway to the right wing and I showed her the bedrooms. She did seem a little sad about the medical equipment in the master bedroom, but she commented on how well I decorated the bedrooms.
"Shall we look at the garden?" Inga asked after we went back to the living room. We headed outside while I showed her around the garden and she told me she liked the small play area for Stevie. I told her how Will's mother helped with the garden's design and Inga was surprised that one of London's high court judges was so good at gardening. I just wish the garden was in full bloom. Some of the flowers and flowering bushes were still blooming, but the rest of the garden was getting ready for the winter.
"I love those mossy rocks with the waterfall," Inga said as we looked at the mossy rocks and some winter birds were nibbling on the seeds from the indents in the rocks.
"My son loves to sit on his papa's lap and they watch the birds eating the seeds or splashing in the water," I told her and she smiled. We headed back to the house as we went inside and she looked over at the doors leading to the towers. I led her to the door on the left, unlocked the door and we walked in the room after I turned on the light. We took the lift up to the observation room and we looked out at the view from the windows. "This is one of my husband's favorite places."
"Speaking of him…," she said and I noticed the shy look in her eyes. "I did a little research. Would you mind if we talk about him?"
"No. I don't mind."
"Miss Wellington told me he used to be her financial advisor."
"Yes. He was also a corporate raider."
"I read some articles about his accident. I… I don't know if I could handle being with someone who wasn't able to move."
"True, it is a lot of hard work. But I don't see a broken man when I looked at Will. I see the man who showed me a world I never thought I would be a part of. I see the father of my son and a daughter he had from a previous relationship. I see my husband. I see the man I love. I see my soulmate.:
I thought I saw tears in her eyes and she wiped the tears away with the pad of her left thumb.
"Where is he?" she asked.
"He is in the hospital with pneumonia."
"Is he going to be alright?"
"Yes."
"So, you made all this for him."
"And for me and our children. This is our castle. Our home. Our safe place."
"I see," she said and we went back down to the living room. We went back to the couches as we sat down and we talked more about design and fashion. She and Grace got up a few minutes later and I went to get their coats. I followed them down the hallway to the main house and I felt the butterflies flying around in my stomach. Camilla was waiting for us at the other end of the hallway and she led us to the front door. Grace and Inga left as Camilla closed the front door then she turned and looked at me.
"You look like you need a glass of wine," Camilla said with a small grin.
"I think I do, too. That was so stressful," I agreed.
"Interviews usually are. I'm sure you did fine," she said and we headed for her den. After a glass of wine and a short kip, I went back to the hospital.
Saint Bartholomew's Hospital
"How did the interview go?" Will asked while I walked to the bed. He was looking better and the oxygen mask was replaced with oxygen prongs.
"I think it went well. I didn't sound like an idiot or freeze up," I told him and I took hold of his left hand. "What did you have for tea?"
"The usual baby food."
"Did you eat all of it?"
"I didn't eat my vegetables."
"William John…"
He sunk his head into his shoulders and I gave him a disappointed look. Then I smiled.
"I forgive you," I said and I lightly kissed his cheek.
"The reason I didn't was because they forgot to do something," he explained.
"Let me guess. It was carrots and they forgot to put honey in it," I said and he nodded. "Did you tell them how you like your carrots?"
"I thought it was in my medical file under food preference."
"I'll remind them before I leave."
"I wish I could leave."
"Do you want to know something? I wish she had seen the garden in full bloom for the interview. It looked so…"
"Dead?" he asked as he arched an eyebrow.
"Sort of. But she did give me some suggestions for the new line of clothing I was planning."
"New line of clothing?"
"I was thinking of doing some men and children clothing."
"Got something I might like?"
"I have a few ideas. But nothing too wild."
"But I like your wild ideas," he said with a grin and his dimples deepened. I blushed and he titled his head to one side. "Is it alright if I look at these ideas when I get home?"
"Of course."
I sat on the chair near the bed while we talked about Lily, Steve, his being bored of being in bed instead of helping me with Christmas shopping and if we should get a real Christmas tree or a fake or just decorations.
"Excuse me," the nurse said from the doorway and I looked at her. "Visiting hours are over."
I stood then I kissed Will on the lips then I headed for the doorway. I turned to look at Will and he smiled at me. I left the room as I headed down the hallway and I felt like I should be skipping with joy.
Granta House
Will returned home a week before Christmas. He looked tired, but happy as we left the hospital and he nearly cheered when we got him in the van. Nathan got him out of the van and Nathan pushed the wheelchair to the front doors. I moved back so they could come inside then I closed the doors.
"Papa!" Stevie called out while Lily held him in her arms and she placed him down on his feet. He headed for the wheelchair when I picked him up and I placed him on Will's lap.
"Hey, Buddy," Will said and Stevie gave him a hug. Will placed his head against his son's head and Lily helped Will hold him. Stevie carefully moved to sit on Will's lap and Will flicked the joystick. He stopped the wheelchair as he looked at the Christmas decorations decorating the living room and the fairy lights outlining the windows. "Wow."
"Kitty!" Stevie said as he carefully raised his arms up in the air.
"Right. Let's get you settled," Nathan said and Will frowned.
"Do we have to?" Will protested.
"Papa," Stevie said and Will glanced down at him as Stevie pointed toward the right wing.
"Fine."
We watched Will flick the joystick as he steered the wheelchair toward the right hallway and we followed him. I went to open the doors to the master bedroom then moved back and Will steered the wheelchair in the room. He stopped when he saw the fairy lights on the walls and the Christmas decorations and I saw the smile on his face.
"Like it?" I asked and he barely nodded his head.
I helped Nathan get Will in bed and Stevie crawled on the bed to snuggle next to his papa. I sat next to Will on the bed and I moved his arms so he could hold his son.
"Welcome home," I said and Will smiled.
"It's good to be home" he said and Lily sat on the foot of the bed, being careful of his legs.
"Do you like how we decorated the house?" Lily asked.
"Oh yeah!" he said with wide eyes and she laughed.
"I have something to show you," I said while I reached into the drawer of the small table on my side of the bed and I removed the fashion magazine. I closed the drawer then I pushed the button to move the head of the bed up to a comfortable position.
'What do you have there?" Will asked as he tried to see the fashion magazine.
"It's the magazine with my interview," I told him and I sat next to him on the bed. "Mum said she wanted to buy all the copies in the store, but Dad talked her out of it."
He smiled and I showed him the cover. There was a small photograph of me in the lower right corner and I opened the magazine to the interview. I knew Will was a fast reader as I let him read the article and he looked at the photographs.
"I see you included photos of the lawn gnomes," he said with a pleased look then he read what I said about him. "Clark…"
"What?"
He didn't speak and some tears formed in the corner of his eyes. I used the tissue to wipe his eyes and he gave me a tiny grin.
"What got you upset, Daddy?" Lily asked.
"Louisa just said something really sweet," he explained and I lightly kissed the side of his head. He then made a small groan and I knew he was yawning. "Sorry."
"Look like someone's ready for a kip," Nathan said.
"No. I'm…," Will said then made another small groan.
"Get some sleep. I'll wake you up when it's time for dinner," I said then I got off the bed. I placed the magazine back in the drawer and Nathan made a quick check of Will's vitals. Lily picked Stevie off the bed and I moved the blankets up to Will's shoulders. He closed his eyes and we left the room. I closed the doors after I made sure he was asleep and we walked down the hallway.
Later that night, I rested next to Will on the bed and the fairy lights sparkled in the darkness. I watched his face. He seemed so relaxed and happy. I knew I had to get up and turn the fairy lights off, but I was going to wait until he fell asleep.
"I still wish the garden had been in full bloom for the interview," I said in a soft voice. He didn't answer. He just focused on the fairy lights blinking in their preset patterns. I moved my hand up to turn his head to look at me and he smiled.
"It was a very good interview," he said in a soft voice. "Mostly what you said about me."
"I meant what I said. You're my soulmate."
"And you're mine," he said and I saw his face darken. "Even after I'm gone."
"Don't talk like that."
"I'm not going to live very long, Clark. You know that as well as I do."
"Maeve told us you can live another ten years or so."
"And most of that might be with me not being able to breathe on my own or talk."
"We'll deal with that when it happens. Right now? Right now, I just want to snuggle with my husband."
We became quiet when I heard Stevie moving on the baby monitor and I turned to look at the baby monitor.
"Papa!" Stevie's voice called out and I moved the bedding back.
"I'll be right back," I said then I got out of bed. I headed out of the room then down the hallway. I headed into the nursey and I saw that Stevie had pulled himself up. He held onto the railing and I lifted him into my arms. We left the room as we headed for the master bedroom and I walked to the bed. Will looked up at us as I placed Stevie down on the bed next to Will then I went to get back in bed. I carefully moved Will's right arm so Stevie could snuggle next to him and Will smiled at me. I moved Will's arm around Stevie and we watched our son drift off to sleep while the fairy lights twinkled in the darkness.
Stortfold
I wasn't sure if I should go food shopping shortly after Will came home, but Nathan swore he would call me if something happened. I looked at the list of things we needed while Christmas music played over the Tannoy and I steered the grocery trolley down the aisle.
"Hello, Lou," made me look up to see Mrs. Tate. She was one of Mum's friends and I have known her for ages.
"Hello," I said with a small smile.
"How is that little family of yours?"
"We're good. Though Will just came home from the hospital."
"Ah. Your mum told me he was ill. Pneumonia, wasn't it?"
"Yes. The second time in two years."
"Poor darling. It must be so hard. Having to deal with things like that. I'm glad he's going to be alright."
"He's tough."
"So are you," she said as she pointed her index finger at me and I laughed. "And I bet that little one of yours is keeping you busy."
"Yes."
"I remember when my little Johnny was his age. He got into everything!"
"Yes."
"How is that girl of yours?"
"She's fine."
"That's good. Well, I better let you get back to your shopping. Tell your mum I said hello."
I nodded as she pushed her trolley by me then she stopped, turned and looked at me.
"I loved that interview. Maybe you can help me redecorate my kitchen," she said then she walked away. I smiled as I headed down the aisle and went back to my shopping. I felt lighter than air as I walked and some other people stopped me to tell me how much they loved the interview. I headed for the checkout when I stopped the trolley and looked at the man standing in front of me.
Patrick.
I haven't seen him since the day I broke things off with him.
He looked thinner and leaner and he was wearing a down jacket over a white t-shirt, jogging trousers and work boots. A black knit cap stuck out of the pocket of the down jacket and he wore fingerless, leather gloves on his hands. His hair was brushed back and the start of a beard spread across his cheeks.
"Hey, Lou," Patrick said.
"Patrick," I said with a nod as I tried to push the trolley around him, but he kept blocking me.
"It's good to see you again."
"No, it's not," I whispered.
"What's with the face? I thought you'd be happy…"
"Happy?! After what you did?!"
"Keep your voice down," he hissed while looking around to see if anyone was listening. I hoped the security guys were watching as I glanced up at the black cover over the security cameras.
"Look. I need to go," I said while trying to move the trolley, but he kept moving to stand in my way.
"I just wanna talk."
"I don't."
"Are you really in that much of a hurry to get back to him?" he asked with a small growl.
"He is my husband."
"He should be dead."
"I am going to pretend I didn't hear you say that."
"Lou…"
"Oi, Pat! You wanna move yer ass!? These kids are driving me nuts!" came from behind him and he turned.
"Hold on! I'm coming!" he yelled then turned to face me.
"Looks like you got your own family problems," I said as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"They're not my family. Ruthie and I are just living together."
"Well, you better get going," I said while I half-turned then I quickly moved away when he tried to grab onto my arm. "Hey!"
"Come on, Lou. I really need to talk to you," he said and he tried to grab me again. I dodged him as I ran and left the store. I quickly got into the car as I slammed the door shut, started the engine and I steered the car out of the carpark.