LOU

I woke up the next morning before Will. He was still in the same position as our last rotation, lying peacefully on his side of the bed. I pulled myself up and watched him sleep. Last night, I had been so afraid—afraid that I wouldn't know what to do, that I might make things worse, that I would lose him. Will's AD was a serious condition. I learned that it could even be fatal if it's not caught early enough. But even with all that fear inside me, I managed to help him and bring his pressure back down. In the quietness of the morning, I couldn't help but feel proud of myself. I, Louisa Clark, had managed to do something right.

Smiling, I sifted my hand through Will's silky hair, trying not to wake him. He needed rest, and I knew how much AD attacks affected him. He put on a brave face for everyone, but last night, I could see the pain reflected in his eyes. As I drifted to sleep last night, I started to understand why he decided to go through with Switzerland. He didn't live an easy life; he never would. But I hoped that my presence made it a little more bearable.

His eyes fluttered open. "Morning," he said with a gentle smile.

"Good morning."

"How did you sleep?"

I returned his smile. Of course, he would worry about how I slept. "Like a log," I said. "How about you?"

"It was the best sleep I've had in a long time."

My heart soared. Hearing that made me feel warm all over. I loved every moment of sleeping next to him. We hadn't slept beside each other since Mauritius, and I realized how much I missed being close to him. All night, I felt his skin next to mine, the warmth of his body, and his masculine scent mixed with sweat. I never want to leave his side.

"I'm glad you slept well," I said because I didn't know what else to say.

We stared at each other for several minutes, letting the morning sun wake us. I wanted to tell him I loved him, but I couldn't form the words, too afraid that I might scare him away. Right now, I had to be content with quiet moments like these.

"I'm going to get your medication."

He nodded, closing his eyes again, the sweetest smile on his lips. My heart constricted, and I kissed his cheek before sliding out of bed.

Without Nathan around, his entire morning routine was up to me. By now, I knew all of his medications by heart. I grabbed each bottle, shaking a pill or two in the palm of my hand, mindful of each dose. I filled his beaker with cold water and added a fresh straw before grabbing his blood pressure cuff.

When I returned to the room, he was looking out the window. The sun hung in the sky, pale and distant. Fall was finally here, and the leaves were turning orange before our eyes. In a few short weeks, it would be Halloween. I cleared my throat, and he looked in my direction. I stepped into the room, and we began our day with the handful of pills that kept his body functioning.

"I'll call your dad so he can help you shower," I said. His skin felt sticky with the sweat from the day before, and I could only imagine how uncomfortable that might feel on the areas of his body with sensation.

He looked at me for a long time, his green eyes holding my gaze. "You can do it," he said, his voice low.

I swallowed hard, not believing my ears. Will had never allowed me in the bathroom with him before. "Okay," I said.

I helped him out of bed and into his power chair, the movements easy for me now. He moved into the main area of the annex, and I trailed behind him, my nerves a bit frayed. I was going to see Will Traynor completely naked. I'd given him sponge baths plenty of times, but this was different—intimate.

"I'll change into my swimsuit," I said, my voice coming out like a nervous croak.

Will smiled. I think he could sense my nerves. "I'll be right here waiting."

I left him in the living room while I changed into a plain blue one-piece—something completely sexless and economical. This was my first time showering him, and I wanted to keep it professional. I thought about what he said that night in Mauritius. How he would find it hard to see me naked and not be able to make love to me. I couldn't imagine what it was like to be trapped in a body that no longer seemed like my own, and I felt for him. But as much as I wanted to experience everything with Will, I didn't want him to feel uncomfortable.

I returned to the living area in my plain suit with a nervous smile.

Will studied me, his brow furrowing, and I wondered if I had made a mistake. Part of me wanted to dash back into my bedroom and throw on a robe, anything to cover myself up.

"And here I thought I was going to get a chance to see you in that skimpy number you wore on our holiday." His lips turned down into a mock pout, making me laugh.

He knew what to say to put me at ease. "Maybe next time. I didn't want to give you a heart attack on our first rodeo," I teased.

He chuckled. "You're a wise woman, Louisa Clark," he said as he made his way to the bathroom.

Once inside, I transferred him from the power chair to the shower seat, ensuring he was secure. With infinite care, I positioned his arms and hands on the armrest and made sure his legs were in a comfortable position. After he was secure in his chair, I turned on the shower and tested the water. Even though Will didn't have feeling on most parts of his body, the hot water could still burn him.

I turned around, and he gave me an encouraging look. I carefully undressed him, folding his t-shirt and setting it aside. I removed his boxers next, careful to keep my gaze on the spot above his navel. The heat from the shower and Will's skin embraced me, and I swallowed hard. Don't look, Lou. Don't look.

Tension thickened the misty air around us, and I tried to remain calm, but my skin tingled all over. I stood up and pushed him under the running water, starting with safe areas like his hair. I poured shampoo into my hands and began working it in, massaging his scalp with my fingers. I love the feel of his hair between my fingers as I worked the shampoo into each strand.

"That feels incredible, Clark," Will murmured.

"Well, I used to work at a hair salon after all," I quipped. "Maybe I learned something after all."

We fell into a comfortable silence after that—neither of us was able to joke while Will sat naked as a blue jay in front of me. I gave him a perfunctory scrub, making sure to keep my hands light and efficient. I raised his arms and scrubbed underneath before moving to his chest and torso. I moved to his legs, taking extra care to wash his feet. I wondered if he thought I had some kind of foot fetish with the amount of time I spent washing between his toes, and I bit back a smile.

"What's so funny?" he asked, his voice interrupting my thoughts.

I looked up. "Oh, nothing."

He raised a brow, and he looked so cute with his hair plastered to his head. "Come on, Clark. I'm the one sitting in a shower buck naked while having the most beautiful woman in the world wash me, and I can't do a damn thing about it. The least you can do is tell me what's so funny. Put me out of my misery."

I laughed and stood up. "I was wondering if you thought I had a foot fetish."

Silence hung between us for a few seconds before Will let out a hardy laugh. "The thought crossed my mind. You did spend quite a bit of time down there."

"Well, we can't have you getting athletes' feet."

"No, we can't have that."

For some reason, that broke some of the tension, and my shoulders loosened. From that moment on, I could finish showering Will with ease. My hands still shook when I scrubbed his nether areas, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. He even told a few jokes to keep things from getting too awkward.

When we were done, I dried him off, fluffing his hair before planting a chaste kiss on his lips. Then I finished the rest of his body before covering him with a blanket so I could get him dressed. All the while, I tried not to think about the slight stirring in his groin and wondered what that could possibly mean.

After Will's shower, I helped him dress and return to bed before I disappeared into my room again to change. I knew he wouldn't want his parents involved, but I couldn't let the day go by without telling them about his AD attack last night. Reluctantly, I gave Mr. Traynor a call. He answered on the third ring, and I explained what happened.

"But he's well now?" Mr. Traynor asked.

"Yes, I think so. I checked his blood pressure this morning, and it seems normal. He's taken all of his medication, and I have him resting in bed for the day."

"Good, good. Thank you, Louisa." He paused for a moment. "I'm glad that Will has you with him."

"Oh, I, you're welcome," I said.

"I'll let Camilla know, and we'll come by around lunchtime to visit with him."

"Okay, we'll see you then."

After I hung up, I checked in on Will again. He was sleeping; his steady, even breathing filled the room. I slid the door closed and tidied up a bit, even though the annex was immaculate. Since becoming Will's carer and whatever I was now, I gained an appreciation for a clean house. After completing my chores, I checked on our garden, noticing that the fall chill had taken effect, but I was excited to see what would come of it in the spring.

If we make it until then.

I pushed the intrusive thought away and returned inside to watch a movie. As the film played on the screen, I texted Treena and updated her about Will's condition.

Treena

Oh, Lou, I'm so sorry to hear that. But it sounds like you were able to keep things under control.

Me

Yeah, I think so. He's doing much better today. He's resting right now.

Treena

Maybe I'll stop by and bring Tom. He's been wanting to meet Auntie Lou's special friend.

I laughed.

Me

I think that would be good for Will. Tom has a way of making things exciting.

Treena

Then it's a date.

After messaging Treena, I grabbed my laptop and hopped on the quad message board to tell them about last night. I was inundated with encouraging messages, and congratulations for handling it so well. Feeling proud of myself, my smile stretched across my face. Maybe I really could do life with Will, even with all its complications. I knew in my heart that he and I could make something beautiful together.

Mr. and Mrs. Traynor came by around lunchtime just as Mr. Traynor promised. I played hostess, serving a lunch of chicken and a light side salad. We sat around his bed while we ate.

"Really, I'm alright, mum. I promise," Will protested between bites of chicken. "Lou took care of me." He looked at me, his eyes shining. "She's all I need."

My cheeks warmed, and I knew they'd gone pink. "Maybe you're mother's right," I said. "We could get the temporary nurse to come in and give you a check just to be sure."

"I don't think that's necessary. You took my blood pressure a few times today. I'm fine."

Mr. Traynor dabbed at the corner of his lips with his napkin. "If Will says he's fine, then I think we should respect that."

Camilla rolled her eyes. "Of course you would say that."

I looked between the older couple, unsure what to say. I'd always sensed an underlying tension between them, but this was the first time they'd ever shown it quite so openly in front of me. I didn't know what to say. I glanced at Will, and he seemed to shrug using his eyebrows.

"Everything alright?" Will asked, breaking the tense silence.

Camilla fidgeted with the cross around her neck, and her eyes darted to the side. Mr. Traynor cleared his throat. I watched them closely, feeling as if something big was about to happen.

"Actually, no," Mr. Traynor said at last. He looked at his wife before shifting his gaze back to Will.

"Perhaps it would be best for Louisa to excuse herself," she said.

"No." Will's firm voice filled the room. "Whatever you have to share can be said in front of Clark. She's part of the family."

I didn't have much time to process his words or the implications before Mr. Traynor announced, "Your mother and I have decided to separate," he said. "She and I have drifted apart over the past several years, even before your—even before all of this. We've tried to see it through for your sake, Will. But you and George are adults now. It would be cruel for your mother and I to continue pretending that everything is the same between us."

His words hung in the air. I couldn't say that I was shocked. Will and Nathan had intimated that the Traynors were in an unhappy marriage. I immediately felt bad for Will and Georgina. I'd grown up with parents who adored each other. I didn't know what it was like to see my parents in a loveless marriage. I reached out and took Will's hand, squeezing it between mine.

"Well, it's about time you two were honest with each other," Will said.

My mouth fell open. I wasn't expecting that. "Will…" I said in a stage whisper.

"He's right," Mrs. Traynor said. "We have been fooling ourselves for quite some time now. But it seems like we aren't fooling anyone else."

"We tried to make it work," Mr. Traynor said. "But sometimes things run their course."

Oh. I'd never heard anyone speak about marriage so… clinically before. Okay, no, that wasn't true. When I worked at the Buttered Bun, I heard all kinds of stories about marriage. Perhaps this felt different because I actually knew the couple.

"We've decided to make it official after the holidays. You know your father and I are hosting our New Year celebration for our closest friends. We didn't want to break tradition so suddenly," Mrs. Traynor said. "Of course, you're both more than welcome to attend. You're family, too, Louisa."

I nodded, unsure what to say. We'd been told about their divorce and received an invite to a holiday party all in one breath.

"I'll be moving out of the house," Mr. Traynor said, "But Louisa, you may call me anytime you need anything."

"And I'll still be just through the annex doors for any immediate needs," Mrs. Traynor followed up.

I nodded, glancing at Will. His features remained impassive.

"Have you told George?" he asked.

Mrs. Traynor shook her head. "Not yet. We planned on calling her tonight."

"I'm sure she'll have a few words for you both."

"We hope we haven't upset you too much, darling." Mrs. Traynor continued to fiddle with her cross.

"I'm not upset. I'm just glad it's finally out in the open so we can all stop pretending," Will said.

I stood up. There wasn't anything for me to add. This was family business, and despite Will's announcement that I was part of the family, I felt out of my depth. I began collecting our plates and taking our dirty dishes to the kitchen.