Will's POV

I wasn't sure how to feel about what happened to Patrick. I had been jealous of him being Louisa's first. But I also felt there was something about him that was off. Dark. He appeared to be a nice guy. I know a lot of guys like him. Faced a lot of them across the conference tables in boardrooms or in my office. They were the ones I had to be extra cautious with. Sometimes, I was able to win and get what I wanted. Sometimes, I lost.

The big difference between us was I never would physically harm a woman. True, I might have mentally and emotionally harmed them. Like with Tanya and Alicia. But I also felt terrible when it happened. I would always apologize. Got slapped more than once.

During Patrick's trial, I watched Louisa give her testimony. It reminded me of the trail about what happened at the hedge maze. This time? This time, she wasn't scared. She had an air of confidence about her. A sense of self. Something I have seen growing in her since she started working at Grace's agency. Or maybe it was due to my accident and her learning just how much she could handle.

When the verdict was given, Louisa stayed calm and her face was blank. Patrick, on the other hand, erupted into a fit of anger. He had to be restrained and led out of the courtroom. I watched Louisa speak to the press and we were both amazed with how people reacted. Not only about the trial, but about her.

Even the two interviewers who came to the house after the trial told her how brave she was.

Granta House

It was late-April when Rupert came to visit. I was in the back garden. Stevie was riding the tricycle Mother had given him for his birthday around the cement path and I was looking at the budding flowers, the new leaves spreading out on the trees and the spring birds enjoying the fresh seeds in the bowls embedded in the mossy rocks or bathing in the waterfall.

"Vroom! Vroom!" Stevie said as he came by on the tricycle and he had some cartoon animal stickers on the safety helmet on his head.

"Not so fast, Buddy," I called out.

Not sure when, but I think I became one of those overprotective parents. I never wore a helmet except when I used to ride my motorcycle. I found out Mother had brought my motorcycle back to the main house and one of the staff was taking care of it.

"Not like you'll ever ride it again," a voice said in my head. I flicked the joystick to move the wheelchair and I went to catch up with Stevie.

"Beep. Beep," I said and Stevie moved so I could move the wheelchair by him. He peddled a little harder to ride next to me and we made one lap around the garden.

"Again!" Stevie said as the doors opened and Mother walked outside. "Gram-gram!"

"Hello, Darling," Mother said then she looked at me. She seemed slightly agitated. "It appears you have a visitor."

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Rupert Freshwell."

"Why would Rupert visiting me upset you?"

"Come and find out."

She led us into the house when she closed the doors and she helped Stevie removed the safety helmet.

"What's wrong?" Louisa asked as she walked closer.

"Rupert's here," I told her and she smiled.

"I'll go put the kettle on."

"He isn't alone," Mother said after she had picked up Stevie.

"Who's with him?" Louisa asked.

"Alicia Dewar."

I thought Louisa was going to faint. I moved the wheelchair to her and Louisa placed her right hand on my left shoulder.

"I will send them away," Mother said.

"No. Have them come to the house," Louisa said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Would it be alright if I took Stevie to see the ducks at the park?"

"That will be fine," I said and Mother went to get Stevie's coat. She left the room while I looked at Louisa then I looked at the doorway to the hallway leading to the main house. "You really sure about this?"

"Yes," Louisa said then she went down the hallway to the kitchen.

A short time later, I heard footsteps and Rupert and Alicia walked in the room. Rupert seemed tired. Alicia was flawless as ever. Rupert glanced at me and he walked to the wheelchair.

"Hello," he said.

"Hello," I said and he looked around like he was looking for someone.

"Where's Louisa?"

"She went to make us some tea."

"Finally found her place, has she?" Alicia asked and I glared at her.

"Not now," Rupert warned and they went to sit on the couch. We waited a few minutes when Louisa walked into the room and she held the tea tray in her hands.

"Tea's ready," Louisa said. She served the tea as Rupert thanked her and Alicia just took hold of the teacup and saucer.

"Well… I guess you're wondering why we're here," Rupert said and Louisa sat on the chair next to the couch. I parked the wheelchair near the chair and we looked at him. "First of all. I would like to say how impressed I am with you, Lou. All those interviews. They're amazing. Mind showing us the house?"

"Maybe later," Louisa said.

The room became quiet and Rupert and Louisa drank the tea. She helped me with the juice in the plastic cup in the holder on my wheelchair and I noticed how Alicia was looking at me. My fingers twitched. I glanced from Rupert to Alicia and she was looking at her hands folded on her lap.

"How are things at the office?" I asked.

"Busy. That new guy? Not bad for someone from America. Works long hours. Hardly goes home. Reminds me of...," Rupert said then he paused.

"Of me?"

"Yes. He's making us work harder. Martin doesn't mind. He says it's good for business."

"That's…nice."

"Martin didn't give him your old office or made Cally his secretary. Turns out the new guy brought his own assistant. Said she's worth her weight in gold and he's be lost without her."

"Who has my old office?"

"I do. And Cally loves working for me. She says it's like working for…"

"Me."

"Yes," he said then he reached over for the teacup. He took a long sip then he placed the teacup back on the saucer. "How's the boy of yours? He's…two, isn't he?"

"Yes."

"He's starting Baby School in September," Louisa said.

"Amazing," he said then he looked at me. "Guess you're glad you're here to…"

"To see it? I am," I said and Rupert cleared his throat.

"Rup, I think we should tell them," Alicia said as she touched his left upper arm.

"That would be nice."

"Right," he said with a nod and Rupert sat up a little straighter. "As you know, Lissa and I have been together for a while now. True, there have been ups and down, but things have a way of working out."

"That's good."

"Well, we talked about this for a long time now and we decided it was time."

"Time for what?"

"Rupert and I are getting married," Alicia said like they were going on holiday. She looked happy and excited, but Rupert's eyes were blank. I looked at Louisa and she looked at me.

"That's wonderful," Louisa said with a fake smile.

"Isn't it!? I was so surprised when he proposed!" Alicia said and she got up to show us the engagement ring on her left ring finger. The diamond was larger than the one I picked for Louisa. I glanced over at Rupert and he lowered his head.

"It's beautiful," Louisa said with another fake smile. "Isn't it, Will?"

"It's very nice," I said with a dull voice.

"Father said we can get married at the family chapel," Alicia said and I wondered what Colonel Timothy and Jane Dewar thought when they found out about their engagement. The Colonel always had this feeling she would marry me and he was angry when I broke things off with his daughter.

"The Colonel is a very generous man," Rupert said.

"He only wants the best for his little girl."

"I bet," I whispered.

"When is the wedding?" Louisa asked.

"It's in May," Alicia said then she pouted. I forgot how much I hated it when she pouted. "Not sure when."

"Well… How about that tour?!" Rupert asked as he stood and Louisa went to show him around the house. I looked at Alicia as she sighed and she lowered her head.

"Will?" she asked and I slightly tilted my head to one side. "I am sorry."

"About what?" I asked.

"For springing this on you. You must feel terrible."

"Why? I'm already married," I said with a small smile.

"But are you really happy?"

"Yes. I am."

"But you're… You were… Uh…"

"I know what I am, Lissa. And you want to know something? I don't think I could handle this on my own. I know you couldn't handle it. Could you? Could you see yourself married to me after my accident? Could you handle the hospital visits? The doctors' appointments? The ups and downs of my condition? Could you handle having to change the tubes I have in order to pee? Feeding me? Dressing me? Could you really do it?"

"No. I couldn't."

"So, you'd leave me?"

"Yes."

"Well, Louisa hasn't. She has been here since day one. She does all those things I mentioned and balances being a mother and a career woman. I don't know how she does it."

"It's not going to last."

"Are you talking about what you think, or hope, will happen to her when I die? I know what you told her," I said and the color faded from her face.

"Who…? Who told you?"

"She did. And my mother told me about the restraining order against you. I guess Rupert is going to have to cancel the wedding once you're sent to prison."

"Rupert!" she called out and Rupert and Louisa came running down the hallway.

"What's wrong!?" Louisa asked as she ran to the wheelchair and she knelt down next to the wheelchair.

"We… We need to leave," Alicia said to Rupert as she looked at me and Louisa with fear in her eyes. "Now!"

"Alright," Rupert said and he led her to the front door. They left the house and Louisa stood, walking to the front door. I flicked the joystick as I steered the wheelchair to her and she closed the front door.

"I hope your mother called the police before she left," Louisa grumbled then she stormed down the hallway to the left wing and I heard a loud slam of a door.

"What's going on?" Nathan asked as he and Lily walked in after opening the front door.

"We had company," I said and he walked to the wheelchair.

"What sort of company?" Lily asked.

I told them what happened and Nathan sighed.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked.

"Why shouldn't I be alright?" I asked.

"She used to be your girlfriend."

"One of many. But the woman I love is in her home office and I don't know what to do."

"You can help us make dinner," Lily suggested as she walked to the wheelchair and she slid her arms around my shoulders.

"Sounds like a plan," I said with a grin and she leaned her head against mine.

Louisa came out of her home office around dinnertime. I sat in my wheelchair next to the dining table and Louisa noticed we were the only one in the room. Nathan had given me a shower, dressed me in one of my best suits and I was clean shaven.

"Where are Nathan, Lily and Stevie?" she asked.

"They're eating dinner with Mother in the main house," I said. I watched her walk around the dining table as she looked at the plates of food, the glass of white wine and the plastic bottle with a protein shake, the silverware and the napkins and the candles in the candleholders were lit. "Kind of romantic, don't you think?"

"Very," she said as she walked to the wheelchair and she sat on my lap. "Look… I know I shouldn't have let Alicia get to me. But she acted like such a…"

"Bitch?"

"Yes," she said with a nod. "Are you alright? I mean with her and Rupert getting married?"

"Yes."

"Did you see the size of that diamond? There is no way that can be real."

"It's real. Just wonder how long will it take for him to pay it off."

"Did you tell your mother about what happened?"

"I did. She wants you to know the police were informed and I'm sure Rupert and Alicia were escorted out of town."

I saw the sadness in her eyes and I tried to move my right hand toward her, but it only moved an inch. She took hold of my right hand as she wrapped our fingers together and she looked at our hands.

"Don't," I said and she looked at me. "Don't blame yourself for all this."

"I can't help it."

"Want to eat? I'm hungry," I said as I changed the subject and she smiled. We had a lovely, romantic dinner for two and we kissed by candlelight.

Will's den

"I can't believe they had the balls to do that, Mate," Ritchie typed as I sat at the computer and I looked at the screen.

"Some people are assholes," Wheelergirl22 typed.

"You ain't going to the wedding, right?" WheelerDealer typed.

"I don't know," I said and the words appeared on the screen.

"Mate, you have more guts than I do if you do go," Ritchie typed.

"Or I am a glutton for punishment."

"Is BumbleBee ok?" FourWheelDrive asked.

"She's fine. Well… As fine as she can be."

"I read her latest interview. She seems awesome," MamaWheels typed.

"She is."

"Wish I could decorate my bedroom like yours. That wood paneling behind the bed looks sweet!" BrightStar typed.

"I'll tell her you said that."

"How's the little guy? Bet he's getting big," Ritchie typed.

"He is. And he's a handful. We have to remind him my chair isn't a toy."

"He's two, right?" Wheelergirl22 typed.

"Yep."

"Terrible twos are the worst. I remember when my boys were two. I thought I'd lost my nut."

"He does challenge us sometimes."

"What about your daughter? How's she doing?" FourWheelDrive asked. He was Lily's age and I wondered if he had a crush on her.

"She's good. Getting full marks and she loves working in the school shop."

"My school shop's not wheelchair friendly. The aisles are too small and I can't reach shit."

"Have you told anyone?" MamaWheels asked.

"Yeah. My folks told the headmaster. He said he'll see if he can me some help."

"Good," Ritchie wrote.

"Will," Louisa said as she slid her arms around my shoulders and I turned my head to look at her. "Sorry to do this, but it's bedtime."

"For me or for Stevie?" I asked.

"Both."

"Night, Will. Night, Bumblebee," the others wrote and I told the computer to shut the chatroom window.

"Computer off," I said and the computer shut down. I followed her out of the room as she smiled and I flicked the joystick with my finger.

May

"Mail's here," Louisa said while she walked to the wheelchair and I flicked the joystick to turn to face her. I was up in the observation room in the half tower and I was looking at the castle. She had a thick looking envelope in her right hand and I titled my head to one side.

"What's that?" I asked and she carefully sat on my lap.

"Looks like the invitation to Rupert and Alicia's wedding."

"Open it," I said. She opened the envelope as she removed the wedding invitation and there was also folded pieces of paper. "That must be the list of wedding presents."

"Yes," she said and she placed the folded pieces of paper on her lap. She opened the wedding invitation as we read the information and she looked at the small RSVP card with meal choices on it. "So… Are we going or does this go in the bin?"

"I think we should go for Rupert's sake."

"You're right."

"Though, I'm not sure I can eat anything of those meals."

"I don't you think you can either."

"Maybe Alicia picked them so we wouldn't go."

"I wouldn't put it pass her."

"I'll contact Rupert and see if he can have the caters make something I can eat."

"Let's see what's on the gift list," she said and she unfolded the pieces of paper. Most of the gifts were from the most expensive shops in London and they had a photo of what the gifts looked like. I also noticed the list were divided into three categories. One for Rupert. One for Alicia. One for household. "Are they serious!?"

"Looks like," I said as I looked at the lists. "Hunh. I was thinking of getting Rupert that video camera for his birthday."

"Then let's get it."

"Anything else?"

"Do you think Alicia would like that picture frame?"

"What about this one?"

"It's horrendous."

"Get it."

"Yes, M'Lord," she said with a grin. We picked out a nice set of shot glasses for the third gift and I grinned after I noticed what was etched on them.

"We might need to reserve a hotel room for the night. It's going to take a while to get there," I said.

"There was mention in the invitation that guests could stay at a hotel not far from the estate. I'll check to see if they have rooms for someone with disabilities. Maybe I can talk Nathan into letting me take care of you for a change," she said.

"I'm sure he'd like the night off."

She tucked the folded pieces of paper, the RSVP card and the wedding invitation back in the envelope and I flicked the joystick to steer the wheelchair to the lift.

Dewar Estate

The car moved down the road while Louisa tapped her fingers on the steering wheel and the music played on the radio. She glanced at me from the rearview mirror and I looked straight ahead.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I was just thinking," I said.

"About what?"

"Our hotel room, for one thing."

"It is a nice room."

"Nice?! It's amazing! I have stayed in smaller suites."

"I asked the man at the front desk. He told me their owner is in a wheelchair. He wanted the guests with disabilities to enjoy their stay like any other guests."

"I wasn't sure about having someone help you get me in and out of my wheelchair or in and out of bed."

"It's all a part of package."

We became quiet while Louisa steered the car down the road and I wondered if we should just turn around and go back to the hotel.

"What else were you thinking about?" she asked.

"I miss Lily and Stevie," I said.

"I miss them, too. Mum says they're having a blast at my parents' house."

"Maybe we should plan a family holiday. Lily's formal adoption hearing is in June."

"That would be an excellent way to celebrate. I'll look into it."

The car arrived at the gate to the Dewar Estate and people were showing where the guests could park their cars or limos.

"Excuse me," Louisa said and a young lady walked to the car. "I'm sorry, but my husband is in a wheelchair."

"Disabled parking is down that way. Next to the chapel," the young lady said.

"Thank you."

Louisa steered the car down the road as the chapel appeared at the end of the road and two other cars were parked in the carpark. She found a place to park as she turned off the engine then she went to get me out of the car. We headed down the path as people walked by us and some of them were people I used to work with.

"Will!" someone called out and my old boss, Martin, walked closer. A young man with dark hair and eyes was walking next to him and the young man scanned me with his eyes.

"Hello, Martin," I said.

"Hello," he said to her and Louisa smiled. "Hello, Louisa."

"Hello," she said.

"This is Paul Anders. He's…"

"He's my replacement," I said as I looked at Paul. "Hello."

"Hello," Paul said with a mid-western accent then he held out his right hand. He quickly moved his hand back and he cleared his throat. "Sorry."

"It's alright. This is my wife, Louisa."

Paul looked at Louisa when he smiled and I arched an eyebrow.

"Pleased to meet you," Paul said.

"Hello," Louisa said then she looked at the chapel. "We better get inside."

"Yes," I said and I flicked the joystick. We headed for the small ramp and I glanced up at her. "He was flirting with you."

"I noticed. Maybe I should have worn something else."

"Don't be silly. I love you in this dress."

She blushed and she leaned in for a kiss. She wiped the lipstick off my lips and we headed inside the chapel.

"Well… Look who it is!" Freddie Derwent said and he and Samantha walked closer.

"Hello," Samantha said and she hugged Louisa. "How are you?"

"We're fine," Louisa said.

"How are the kids?" Freddie asked as he pushed his glasses up with his right index finger.

"They're fine. Staying with my parents."

"I can't believe Steven is two," Samantha said.

"Neither can we."

"Oh. I read the latest interview. You really are coming into your own."

"I knew you'd make it," Freddie said. I listened to them talking with Louisa when Freddie looked at me and his face fell. "Sorry, Old Boy."

"No. It's alright. I'm used to being left out of the conversation. Not like I have a lot going on," I said with a sigh.

"You're here," Samantha said and she hugged me.

"Yes, I am," I said and she smiled at me after she moved back.

"Will! Louisa!" Michael Lawler called out and he and Marcy walked over. "Nice to see you."

"Nice to see you, Michael," I said.

"Where are the kids?" Louisa asked.

"My mother is looking at them," Marcy said. "How are your kids?"

"They're fine. They're staying with my parents."

"You're looking good, Will," Michael said.

"Thanks," I said and Michael lightly patted my right shoulder.

"You know… Alicia asked us to be bridesmaids," Samantha said.

"I told her I'd rather poke my eyes out with a fork," Marcy said.

"I heard she's going to walk herself down the aisle," came from behind us and I flicked the joystick to turn the wheelchair. Tamara walked closer as she hugged us and she sadly smiled. "Here we are. The old gang. Only one of us is missing."

"I still think the reason he's marrying Alicia is because she tricked him into getting her pregnant," Freddie said.

"She does look like she's gained a little weight," Michael said.

"I just hope he knows what he's doing," Freddie said then the music started. "Guess we should go find our seats."

"Already found mine," I said and they laughed. We headed down the aisle and one of the groomsmen showed us where we were supposed to sit. I was able to sit on the aisle and Louise looked at the decorations in the chapel.

"I think all these flowers are a little much," someone said.

"And what is with all these ribbons?" another guest asked.

"I remember the Traynor wedding. Now that was class," another guest said.

"I bet Louisa Traynor wouldn't have agreed to this mess. She is a true talent," someone said and I glanced at Louisa. She was blushing and I reached out my fingers. She took hold of my right hand and I moved my thumb against her finger.

A young woman began playing the violin as the flower girls headed down the aisle and one of them looked at my wheelchair. I gave her a small smile and she waved. The ring boy headed down the aisle a short time later then he stopped and he looked at me.

"Why are you sitting in that?" he asked and people looked at me.

"My legs don't work," I told him.

"Why?"

"I was in an accident."

"Why?"

His mother quickly ran to us as she hushed him and she led him down the aisle. Louisa must have noticed how uncomfortable I was as she reached over to brush some hair behind my right ear and I glanced at her.

"I'm fine," I whispered.

The junior bridesmaids walked down the aisle and I thought back to when Lily was in our wedding.

"What are they wearing?" someone asked.

"I don't know," someone said.

"I heard Alicia designed them," someone behind me said.

"My daughter's dolls have better dresses," someone else said and soft laughter filled the air.

The bridesmaids walked down the aisle and their dresses were just as bad as the junior bridesmaids.

"Oh my God," someone whispered.

"Is this a wedding or a circus?" someone asked.

"Those poor girls," someone across the aisle from me said.

The girl finished playing the violin as some of the guests applauded then the Bridal March music started. I flicked the joystick to turn the wheelchair around as the guests stood and the doors to the chapel opened.