LOU

The room buzzed with the warm chatter of my family. Tom had finally settled down after Will showed him how his bed worked, and I could see the curiosity brimming in his wide, innocent eyes. He sat at the foot of the bed, swinging his little legs back and forth as if the weight of the world didn't yet rest on his small shoulders.

"So, Tom," I said, catching his attention, "what's this I hear about your Halloween costume?"

His face lit up like a jack-o-lantern. "Oh! I'm gonna be Batman! But not just any Batman—Batman with the cool armor, from Batman v Superman!" He said it with the kind of conviction only a six-year-old could muster, as if being Batman for the night was the most important job in the world.

I chuckled, glancing over at Will to see his reaction. His eyes were soft and humored. He was paying close attention, the kind of attention that made me love him even more.

"Sounds brilliant," Will said, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. "Batman's a solid choice. You'll need some serious muscle to pull off that armor, though."

Tom puffed out his chest. "I've been working on it," he declared, flexing a nonexistent bicep. Everyone laughed, the tension from earlier conversations dissolving into something lighter, more familiar.

Then Tom's face grew serious as if he had the most important question in the world to ask. "Auntie Lou? Mr. Traynor?" His eyes darted between us. "Will you come trick-or-treating with me?"

The room quieted for a moment. I hesitated, feeling a sudden pang of worry. Halloween? Will had barely ventured out recently. Could he handle all those stares, all those people in costumes? But then I saw him out of the corner of my eye—Will wasn't hesitating at all.

"Of course we will," he said without missing a beat. His voice was strong, certain. "And please call me Will. Mr. Traynor is my father."

I blinked in surprise. "Will... Are you sure?"

He gave me that look—the one that said he'd made up his mind and nothing I said would change it. "Clark," he said, grinning at me, "what kind of Batman would Tom be without his backup team?"

Tom clapped his hands together, his excitement infectious. "You can be Robin!" he exclaimed, looking at me, "and Mr. Tray—Will can be… uh, Alfred! No, wait, you can be Batgirl, Auntie Lou!"

I laughed, though my heart still fluttered with unease. "Batgirl, huh? I think I can manage that."

Will's eyes twinkled. "Looks like we're going trick-or-treating, Clark."

I wanted to argue, to tell him he didn't have to do this, but then I saw the joy in his face, the eagerness to be part of something—something that wasn't just about him. It was about Tom, about us, about being normal for a change. Sometimes, being "normal" was an adventure in itself.

After my parents' surprise visit, I started to hear more from my mother. She called me the next day to "catch up," hinting that I could come back home. I thought about my room, being close to my grandad and family again, but I was happier living with Will. We had a routine, and I didn't want to break that. Besides, I couldn't leave while Nathan was still on Holiday. Will needed me.

"Well, what are you doing for work?" she asked me one day.

We spoke on the phone while Will was in the other room watching a movie—another French one with subtitles.

"I've been looking for something, but Dad was right; there are no jobs around here. I gave my resume to the owner of the new cafe by the castle, but they aren't looking for anyone new just yet. They said they'd hold on to it, though. So, that's promising."

She grew quiet for a moment. "But you can't keep living off Will. If you're not his carer anymore, then what does that mean? You're shacking up?"

My face warmed even though she couldn't see me. "It's more than that, Mum. Will and I… well, we haven't called it anything, but it's more than 'shacking up.' God, you make it sound so dirty."

"Well, if he's not going to put a ring on your finger… you and Patrick were together seven years before you moved in together."

I barked out a laugh. "Right. His exact words were, 'We've been dating long enough.' It wasn't exactly romantic. Anyway, I don't want to talk about Patrick. How's Grandad doing?" I asked, eager to change the subject.

"Your grandad is just fine. I took him to the senior center the other day, and he painted a mug."

"Oh, that sounds lovely. I'll ask him to show it to me when I bring back your casserole dish."

"He'll like that. Anyway, have I told you about our new neighbor…"

I listened to Mum catch me up on all the latest neighborhood gossip for a few more minutes before I hung up to check on Will. He was half watching the French film while surfing the Internet using the voice assistance device."

"Cortona, close all windows," Will said as I entered the room.

I lifted a brow. "Don't want me catching you looking at French gay porn," I teased.

He chuckled with me. "I was actually watching regular French porn."

"Right. I know how partial you are to French girls." I grinned, not bothering to go into any detail about what he was doing on his computer. We both respected each other's privacy.

I sat on the sofa and covered my legs with a blanket. It was getting closer to Halloween, and the weather got chilly rather dramatically. It was raining today, which meant we couldn't go outside. Our little garden was done for the season, but we looked forward to starting it back up again once spring came back around.

"I heard you on the phone with your mother. How is she?"

"She's doing well. They have a new neighbor, and apparently, they have a dog that likes to dig holes in her garden."

"Maybe it'll find buried treasure."

"I don't know about that, but it did find the newspaper and chewed it up."

Will laughed. "I'm sure Bernard appreciated that."

I shrugged. "Hopefully, the neighbors will put him on a leash. Anyway, I'm going to stop by tomorrow to return the casserole dish. You should come with."

"I'd like that." He paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful.

"What? Do I have something in my face?" I touched my cheeks, wondering if I had a pimple or forgot to wipe sauce off my cheeks."

"Come here, Clark," Will said, his voice quiet.

I gave him a puzzled look, but I stood up anyway and moved in front of his chair.

"Sit on my lap. I want to be close to you."

I sat without any hesitation. "I love being close to you. I'd sit here all day if you let me."

He smiled. "You can sit on my lap anytime you want. I promise, I won't mind."

My heart melted at his words. If only Mum knew. Will and I were more than just shacking up. Maybe people didn't need silly labels like "boyfriend" or "girlfriend." It made us sound like we were in primaries.

"Comfy," I said, snuggling into him. I tested my forehead against the side of his face.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," he said without preamble. "But I heard some of your conversation with Josie, Clark. What we have is more than just shacking. You know that, right?"

I lifted my head to look at him and nodded. "Of course I do."

He looked serious; his green eyes were dark and full of unspoken emotion. "I didn't know what to call us because you're more than just my carer or my girlfriend. So much more, Louisa."

Oh, he said my first name. My insides quivered. Will hardly use my first name. This was important.

"I don't think anyone will really understand what we share. Or how much you mean to me. But we can't go on this way."

Oh no, was he going to break up with me? Not that we are dating. Still…

I drew in an unsteady breath, and my stomach did all kinds of strange things. "We can't?" I sounded incredulous.

"Louisa Clark, will you be my girlfriend?"

I don't know why, but I immediately burst into laughter. His question wasn't funny at all. I'd wanted to hear him ask me that for so long. I guess it was so unexpected that it was the only logical reaction for my frayed nerves.

Will lifted his brow in apparent shock. "Well, that's the first time I've had a woman laugh at me when I've asked her to be my girl."

I shook my head, tears springing to my eyes. "I'm not laughing at you," I said as they flowed freely down my cheeks. "I'm happy. Ecstatically, frighteningly, completely happy."

Before he could say anything else, I pressed my lips against his.

I love kissing Will Traynor. Every time my lips touched his, it felt like a thrilling joy ride, a brand-new experience. Like I'm being kissed for the first time. It also didn't hurt that he was a bloody fantastic kisser. He kissed me like he was making love, exploring my mouth with delicious ease, taking his time with me. He always left me breathless and aching for more.

I pulled back, planting tiny pecks across his face.

"Well, is that a yes?" He teased.

"Oh, a very enthusiastic, yes."

I couldn't express to Will how happy he made me. The significance of this moment washed over me at once. While I was happy just the way we were, somehow making our relationship official filled me with so much joy.

We kissed again, and I sighed, resting my forehead against his. A comfortable silence passed between us before he spoke again.

"You know, Clark, you don't have to worry about getting a job. That check is waiting for you at Michael's office."

I nodded. Somehow, I knew he was going to bring that up again. "I know."

"I don't want you to feel ashamed for using it. It's yours."

"I know," I repeated.

He sighed with a hint of frustration. "So, why haven't you used it?"

I eased back, not ready to talk about something so serious after agreeing to be his girlfriend, but I knew Will wouldn't be distracted.

"Actually, I plan to use it very soon."

He lifted a brow, waiting for me to continue.

"I've given your letter a lot of thought. And while I'm not interested in jet-setting around the world just yet, I do want to go back to school. I applied for the London School of Fashion and The British Institute of Fashion. If I'm accepted into either one of those schools, I'll be starting in January. I figure the money could go toward any supplies I'll need or trips into London."

"Clark, that's bloody fantastic!" Will said, his face full of happiness. "You don't know how happy that makes me to know that you're going to follow your dreams. I was afraid I was holding you back."

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Never! You could never hold me back, Will Traynor. Because of you, I found the motivation to return to school, and you've also given me the means to do it. It's the best gift anyone has ever given me."

He gave me the most beautiful smile. "That makes me feel so damn good, Clark. I'm happy I could do that for you. Whatever you need, say the word, and it's yours."

"You. I need you, Will Traynor."

The corner of his lip pulled up into a half smile. "I'm all yours. For as long as you want me."

Forever, I thought. I want you forever, Will Traynor.


Later that evening, during dinner, we talked a little more about my plans, and I could see that Will was just as excited as me. Maybe even more. I know he doesn't want to burden me, but he could never be a burden. I wish Will understood that love doesn't always have to be about sacrifices. Love is a choice, and I'm choosing to stand beside him.

Eventually we will get to a place where we can see the world, but for now our life is a bit more self contained, and there is nothing wrong with that.

"I also applied to a few jobs," I said as I fed him a piece of baked salmon.

He chewed carefully, his expression thoughtful.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. The new cafe at the castle. But they don't need anyone right now. I also tried the Blue Boar. Theo, he's the owner; he said he'd call me if he needs someone to pick up shifts."

I never minded working. I enjoyed working and accomplishing tasks. It made me feel useful. I wasn't used to sitting around, spending my days doing nothing. Now that things were stable with Will, it was time for me to get back out there and earn my keep.

Will frowned. "But what about school? Will you be able to manage a full class load and work?"

"I haven't been accepted yet."

"You will be."

"Well, it'll only be part-time. I think I can manage."

"Alright, but if it starts interfering with your school work, promise me you won't let it, Clark."

"I promise."

After dinner, Will suggested we grab a bottle of wine from his parents to "celebrate" our new relationship status. I sat on his lap, giggling like a teenager as we sneaked over to his Parent's side of the house to nick a bottle from the kitchen wine rack.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked in a loud stage whisper.

Will chuckled. "Oh, come on, Clark, I never took you for a fraidy cat."

"I'm not! And also, I never thought I'd hear the words 'fraidy cat' from your lips."

"First time for everything."

He stopped in the kitchen, and I hopped off his lap in front of the wine holder. I read some of the names on the label to him.

"Grabs the Château Margaux," he said.

I removed the bottle from the rack. "Oh, sounds posh."

"I think you'll like it," he said as I slid back onto his lap.

"Well, anything has to be better than Griffin's boxed red blend."

Will chuckled. "You're a riot, Louisa Clark."

A few minutes later, we were back in the annex, and I poured us a glass of wine.

"You know what would make this night even better?"

I lifted a brow.

"Candlelight and music."

"Oh! I think I saw some candles around here. The fancy kind with names like 'Gardenias and Lace."

"Alright, you handle the candles, and I'll take care of the music."

I placed a hand on my hip. "Not that head-banger stuff you're fond of, I hope."

He gave me a mock glare. "Come on, what do you take me for? I was thinking more like Jay Z since we never did make it to his concert."

I laughed, remembering the night we went to the classical music concert together—me in my red dress, and he, like an even more dashing version of 007 in his suit.

I found the candles in a cabinet near the kitchen and placed them around the room before lighting them. When I was done, I grabbed Will's glass and placed a straw in it.

"Those smell nice," he said as I walked toward him.

"They do. Did your mother pick them out?"

A pained expression crossed his face before it disappeared, making me wonder if I had imagined it.

"Alicia," he said.

"Oh." I made myself smile. "Well, she has excellent taste in candles." With that, I slid onto his lap and helped him sip his wine. "Now, how about that music you promised me."

His eyes sparkled as he commanded Alexa to play Bruce Chanel's "Hey Baby."

"I've never heard this one before," I said.

"It's an American song. It's what they call an oldie."

"Oh, well, I guess it is fitting since you are eight years older than me."

"Funny girl," Will said. "Give me another sip. Then kiss me."

Grinning, I held the straw to his lips, and when he was done, I gave him his kiss.

Heeeyyy, heybaby

I want to know if you'll be my girl

Hey, hey baby

I want to know if you'll be my girl...

I listened to the lyrics, and my smile widened. "Oh, Will!" I said.

"I thought you might like this one."

"I love it!" I said, wrapping my arms around his neck, careful not to spill our glasses of wine.

The music filled the room, and Will navigated his chair so we could dance together.