The drive to Ardeen was relatively easy this afternoon. Little to no traffic, clear skies and sunshine. Textbook.

Every now and then Will would look over to check I was doing okay, but like I keep telling myself, it's just a road, and when we get there, it's just a place, that's all.

I continue to put his mind at ease.
"Theres always going to be a better reason to come back than there is to stay away Will. I get to meet baby Dylan. We get to celebrate Annie's birthday. I wasn't going to miss either of those, so I'm going to focus on the good things that are here and hope that it will make it easier for next time."

"I like that you're thinking of it that way, but if at any point it's too much-"

"I'll let you know. Stop worrying."

"Okay, that's the last time I'll mention it..."
He stares ahead at the road for a minute before turning his head to me again.
"Oh! Hey, you know what I realised this morning. Annie's party is technically going to be our first date."

"What? No?...that can't be right?"

"Trust me, I racked my brains for about an hour this is going to be our first time actually out together."

He's right! We were meant to do something earlier this month for his birthday but he was a little under the weather.
I guess we were so busy all this time with moving, work, therapy, the band and everything else that came along that we kind of just fell into being homebodies, not that I dislike that at all, but at the same time what the hell? We've never been on an actual date!?

"I can't believe it, what kind of boyfriend are you?", I purse my lips together and fold my arms over my chest, well aware that it's just as much my fault.

"I know, I'm terrible right? I was so busy starting a life with you that I forgot to woo you."

"You forgot to leave the term 'woo' back in the decade you were born too."

"Ouch, right for the jugular Isobel!
But y'know it would hurt more if we weren't born in the same decade though right?"

"Were we!? Damn it!"

"How old do you think I am?", he shakes his head with laughter. I know he's far from ageing, but I love to annoy him about it anyway.

"Well if you ask me, I don't think you can count a surprise birthday party as a first date. Shouldn't it be dinner or something?"

"I suppose you're sort of right. Okay then, how about this, next weekend I'll take you on our first actual date. Somewhere nice, just us."

"That would be nice! Ohh can we try that place that we always walk by? What's it called again? Wilde? The place that always smells so good!"

"Iz, that's like a ten minute walk from our apartment?"

"Exactly, that means we can drink all the nice wine that they have and then stumble on home, you don't have to do anything too fancy to get me into bed Will, you'd have me at wine!"

"Don't make it too hard for me Iz!" He smiles to himself, reaching for my hand. "Okay, it's a date. Food, wine, home. I'll even kiss you goodbye at the door before I follow you in."

"You are such a nerd...but I love that you want to do that."

I feel little butterflies in the pit of my stomach. I've only been living with the man for months but somehow a date gets me excited.

It's not too much longer before we get to the girls school. Sarah and Dylan are going to be home a little later so I volunteered to pick the girls up and have them for the day instead of Donna.
I'm not too sure if Will has ever spent any amount of time with children, but it's going to be baptism by fire with these girls because they are excited! They're like little tornados running to the car when I pick them up.

Back at their house, we spend some time playing Mario Cart, at first I thought Will was losing on purpose, but now I'm starting to think he just sucks at it.
After that they want to play dress up, I get to enjoy some sparkling blue eyeshadow, then it's onto tag out in the yard while I start dinner. I've no idea where they get the energy from.

While they're running around outside, I hear Mark pull into the drive way. I'm as bad as the girls with excitement, running through the house to greet the baby.

He is every bit as cute as the pictures showed, even cuter! I can't keep my hands off him, I hog him for a solid hour after we've eaten, rocking him in the arm chair and taking in that new baby smell. I'm so happy that Will suggested coming here early, I don't think I'd have gotten this kind of time with him if I had waited.

Mark has to bribe the girls to get them to bed. They're still wired after the afternoon we had. I have to admit I'm pretty impressed with Wills ability to keep them entertained. Those girls aren't easy but he kept up with them pretty well.

Sarah takes little Dylan for some cuddles before I take over for the night, so I sit with her for a bit, winding down after the day.
"Thanks so much for looking after the girls Iz. They had the best time, did they wear you out?"

"They wore one of us out."
I glance over to Will, who's now fast asleep as he sits on the couch.

"Ha, they're an experience alright, I hope he had a good time, they loved him."
I sneak another look at him, happy that they see everything that I do.

Dylan lets out a tiny cry, his little hand reaching out for Sarah.
"Ugh gosh he's just so cute! I just wanna' smush his little cheeks!"

"I know, It's definitely the way I cooked him."

"Oh yeah, he's all you. Except for the fact he's identical to Mark."

"That's so rude right? After I'm the one that did everything!"

"Yes, how day your baby defy you with things out of this control.

Mark finally gets back down stairs after getting the girls to bed. He twists the lid off of a beer and sits down with us.
"Someone had to wet this baby's head already ladies!"

"I'm glad you have your priorities straight.  So, tell me, how does it feel to have a son?"

"It's wild. Theres a whole other world of excitement and worries. With the girls I've got to teach them to know how they want to be treated, and not to settle for things. But with this little guy, it's different, I've got to be the one showing him how to be the kind of guy that I want for my girls. It's a whole different set of rules."

"I mean it is but it isn't at the same time. You're already a good example to him and the girls Mark. You're showing them everyday with how well you treat Sarah. That teaches all of them. The example you give will show them more than anything you could ever tell them."

"Huh... I never thought of it like that...I suppose you're right."

"Of course I'm right! Im a Tully."
Sarah nods her head in agreement. Theres little point in him arguing.

"I'm so glad there wasn't ten of you girls...I'd never get a word in!" He smirks as he takes another sip of his beer before placing it on the table.
"So, how are you feeling being back Iz? Was it difficult at all?"

"No, not really. Like I told Will, I'm back to meet Dylan and celebrate with Annie, it's all good news so I'll just do my best to keep that in mind. And besides I'm going to have to be back here a whole lot if I want the little guy to know his favourite aunt!"

"That's right. You might even squeeze in a little baby sitting?"

I look over at Will, still asleep on the couch.
"I think two might be his limit, but I suppose I could take the third."

"That's the spirit!"
Mark can barely finish his beer he's that tired, so
I send him and Sarah off to bed while I watch the baby and tidy up. They get to have one full nights sleep now before it's all feeding and diper changing again.
I have to wake Will to move him so I can pull out the couch. I set Dylan up beside me in his bassinet and climb in beside Will.
He cuddles into me, wrapping his arm around me.

"I had fun today", he mumbles sleepily.

"I'm glad, I hope you feel that way in two hours when the baby wakes up."

"I don't mind...it's good practice."

He drifts back off to sleep, leaving a kiss on my cheek and a huge smile on my face.

——————

Will and I went out for some breakfast at a little diner he used to go to. We wanted to give Sarah, Mark and the kids a little time alone as their new family.
I hugged them all goodbye with promises of visiting again in a couple of weeks. This trip was easier than I thought so far so I don't see why I can't make it more regular, Sarah is going to need help with the baby and the girls. Or at least that's what I tell myself, I really just want to get to hold Dylan again.

We stopped off to pick up my mail. There wasn't much, bills that had already been paid, a few letters and a post card from Carol and Michelle, which reminds me that I need to send them my new address.

It's only as we walk by a shop window display that I remember that I left my dress for Annie's birthday behind. We were in such a rush packing that I left it on the hanger on the back of the bedroom door. We check out a few stores before I notice one.

"Can we stop in here? I think I like that one."

Will tries to suppress a smile.
"That one?"

It's simple enough. It's a pinkish colour, with a tulle skirt and a Queen Anne neck line, I think that's what drew me to it. It's kind of short but not painfully so, and it is a birthday party so I don't see the harm. Although Wills mom will be there, maybe thats what he's thinking.

"Is it okay?"

"If you want my eyes glued to you all night it is."

"Well then it's perfect!"

Will leans into me, kissing me right there on the street before we head into the store to pick it up.

We go check in at our hotel right after, we had debated staying with Annie and Adam but figured it would be easier to keep the surprise if we did our own thing.
Wills apartment is still being rented out so that wasn't an option. Theres a really nice couple and their daughter living there, I mostly deal with them if there's any questions or issues but they're so lovely that it's not really any trouble.

We have to go to the venue to help Adam decorate after we've dropped our bags off, and I'm so glad we did because this is not Adams area of expertise at all.
It's chaos. Good chaos in a way. The excitement is spilling over and everybody here helping has been dodging Annie all day, but the place looks half ready.

I kind of muscle my way in and take over with decorating. I notice Will roll his eyes at me but he knows Annie as well as I do, if I really allowed these half inflated balloons to be stuck up next to ribbon that wasn't curled correctly she'd never let me live it down.
Adam happily lets me take over anyway. By the time we're done there's pearl, silver and teal coloured decorations anywhere I could squeeze them in.
People taper off, making their way home to get ready until there's only Will, Adam and I left. I check my watch, wondering what the plan is to get Annie here.

"Adam, what excuse have you given Annie to get her dressed up?"

Adam goes eerily quiet, oh no.
"Please tell me you thought about that part?"

His face pales.
"I just figured I'd see if she wanted to get something to eat..."

"Something to eat? What if she throws on sweats!?"

"Have you met Annie? She doesn't own sweats."

"You know what I mean!"

"I can tell her it's a nice place?"

This is not good. Annie takes forever to get ready for things that I'd just about brush my hair for.
"The party is three hours away, when are you planning to do that, how long will she have to get ready?"

Adam darts his eyes between Will and I, realising his error. Will steps in before I go in melt down.

"Why don't you let us finish up here Adam. There's very little left anyway. Go home, tell Annie you're going out, suggest a place that she knows costs a bomb so she has a clue what to wear and we'll see you back here at eight."

Adam rubs as his eyes, this has totally stressed him out.
"I still have to pick up the cake!"

"Send me the details, I'll get it."

"Are you sure you have time?"

"Absolutely, and if you go now Annie might get here before the party ends."

Adam doesn't get the same laugh I do from Wills attempt to lighten things up.
"Okay, I'll go see what I can do, I can't believe I didn't think of this."

Id almost feel bad if I wasn't so aware of the fact Annie would die if she walked in here unprepared. I do what I can to reassure him anyway.
"Don't worry, we've got things here, you've plenty of time, and she's going to be so happy with all the work you've done too."

His face is still grey, I haven't done a great job putting him at ease.
Adam speeds his way out of there as Will and I share worried looks.

We hang up the remaining decorations, placing balloons and centre pieces on tables with confetti. As we do I get an idea.

"Hey Will, you want to see if you can win your money back?"

"I'm not making a bet on how late my sister is going to be."

"You technically did the exact same thing with mine?"

"No...oh, actually, yeah I kind of did.", he sighs defeated. "Fine, but don't tell her, she'd kill me. I'm going with anytime between nine thirty and ten, what about you?."

I feign a shocked expression.
"Wow...you bet against your own sister, that easily?"

"It was your idea!"

"Stone cold Will. Stone. Cold."
I shake my head in mock disappointment.

Will takes the last set of helium balloons, placing them in the middle of one of the round tables before moving towards me. He tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear.

"You tell her and I can't be responsible for the retaliation you'll receive."

"Sarah already knows we had a bet, and I'm not afraid of her, so you can't use that as a threat."
I quirk an eyebrow at him, daring him to do better.

"Hum, I'm going to have to think about it then...maybe I'll withhold something."

"Like what?"

He leans into me, letting his breath hit my ear.
"I think you know..."

I do a double take of the room, there's nobody else here now, so I reach out and run the palm of my hand over his jeans, touching him.
"Are you really trying to tell me that you'd say no if I told you I'd take you into the bathroom right now and let you do whatever you wanted to me?"

I hear him swallow as I discreetly stroke him over his jeans.
"I...I could..."

I take my hand away, holding both in the air as I back away.
"Alright, if that's what you really want... I'm just going to go to this bathroom right over here before we go...so that's where I'll be if you need me."

I let my eyes settle on the budge that now sits in his pants as I back away towards the bathroom door. He tries to look cool about it, but once I'm inside I barely even get to count to five before he's pushing the door open behind me and locking it.

He crowds me, pressing me against the sink and touching his lips to mine.
"This doesn't count."

"Whatever you say Will."
He runs his hands up my body, making me whimper beneath him.

As he pulls away I see him get a look at himself in the mirror behind me. A devilish grin spreads over his face.
"Turn around."

My eyes widen, we've done a whole lot of things but I've never watched myself before.
He doesn't ask twice, he spins me around, letting me see the reflection of us both in front of me.

"You ever wondered what really does it for me?", he breaths heavily in my ear.

"Tell me."

Slowly he slides my pants down my legs, leaving them in a pile at my feet. Bending me over slightly, he runs his hand up my centre, making me gasp.

"That's it. That face you make when I touch you."

"Do it again."

He slowly teases me with his hand, watching me in the mirror as he does it. I feel his fingers push their way inside of me, stretching me as he unbuttons his pants. I arch my back and move with him.

"I could see that face for the rest of my life and never get tired of it Isobel, because I know that only I get to see it."

I get lost in the movement he creates, I don't think I could ever get tired of him either. An empty feeling pulls my eyes to his as he takes his hand away, but when he steps behind me and lines himself up, I know it's about to be replaced by something even better.
He nudges his tip gently inside of me, holding my stare. Doing this in some shitty little bathroom somehow still manages to feel just as intimate as any other time with him.

"Keep those eyes right here Isobel."
He slides himself the rest of the way in, I have to grip the sink just to keep myself steady.

"Will..."

He thrusts harder at the mention of his name, it's amazing. He's unbelievable when he's gentle with me, but it is hard to be romantic here. And I just really want him to let go and fuck me.

I try to move myself with him, guiding things there but he presses me to the sink, keeping me still.
"Don't rush it Iz...I know what you want."

And he does.
He runs his hand up my back, gripping my shoulder with one hand and my hip with the other. He pulls back ever so slightly before literally pounding himself into me.

There's a healthy sex life and then there's this one that I get to have with Will. This could sustain me forever.

He pushes himself into me, harder and faster each time. God help us if somebody has walked into the room the party's going to be in because their ears will be filled with my ecstasy and some profanity thrown in for good measure.

Will continues his rhythmical movement until I feel like I couldn't possibly take anymore. My hand reaches out for him in the mirror, pressing against it as I grip the sink with the other and call his name. I've never had sex like the kind I have with him. It's secure.
Each time is as amazing as the next.

"Jesus Will...I'm...oh god..."
I can't even finish my sentence as I feel a rush of blood to my head. That beautiful feeling takes over my whole body as I hold on for dear life.

The second he feels me let go he does the same, throwing his head back as he stiffens and tries to keep some composure.
His chest heaves, the sweat on his forehead glistening. I stare up at his reflection, even in this little bathroom he manages to look glorious.

I manage to get a few words out between my inhales.
"Still think you'd be able to say no whenever you want?"

A little curl forms at the corner of his lips.
"You'll have to try that again later and find out."