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 if 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, insisting that I'm doing good.

"There's always going to be a better reason to come back than there is to stay away Will," I tell him, "I'm going to meet baby Dylan, and we'll get to celebrate Annie's birthday. There was no way I was going to miss either of those. I'm trying to focus on the good things that are here and hope that it makes it easier for next time."

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

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

"Okay, that's the last time I'll mention it," he says.

Will watches the road ahead as we travel, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel to the music that plays.

"Oh, you know what I realised this morning?," he says, "Annie's party is technically going to be our first date as a couple."

"What? No? That can't be right?"

"Trust me," he says, I racked my brains for a solid 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 distracted with getting settled 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 ask.

"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 a lot more if we weren't born in the same decade right?"

"Were we? Damn it!"

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

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

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

"That sounds amazing! 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," I say, "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."

"Jeeze, don't make it too hard for me Iz," he says as he laughs to himself and reaches for my hand. "But alright, 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!" I say, "...but I love that you want to do that."

Little butterflies flutter in the pit of my stomach. I've only been living with the man for months, yet somehow the idea of a date with him gets me in a flurry.

♾️

It's not too much longer before we arrive at 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 bouncing off the walls as soon as I pick them up! They're like two little tornados running towards the car.

Back at their house, we spend some time together 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 while Will gets his nails painted pink. I then send all three of them out to the yard to play tag while I start dinner. I've no idea where they get the energy from -Will included.

While they're all running around outside, I hear Mark pull into the driveway. I'm as bad as the girls with excitement, barrelling my way 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. As soon as we've all eaten and I've helped make Sarah comfortable, I hog him for as long as I can, 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 Dylan if I had waited.

Mark has to bribe the girls in order to get them to bed. They're still wired after the afternoon we had and argue the whole time he carries them upstairs. I have to admit I'm pretty impressed with Wills ability to keep them entertained today. Those girls aren't easy, but he kept up with them pretty well.

I hand little Dylan over to Sarah for some cuddles so I can clean up before Will and I take over for the night. She's exhausted, so I thought it would be a good idea to let her get a full nights sleep and recharge before the fun starts. Once I've loaded up the dishwasher and wiped down the counters, I sit with her for a bit, winding down after the day.

"Thanks so much for looking after the girls Iz," she says, "They had the best time, did they wear you out?"

"They wore one of us out," I say, glancing over at Will. He's now fast asleep with his head tilted back as he sits on the couch.

"Ha, they're an experience alright, I hope he had a good time though, they love him."

I sneak another look at him, glad that they see everything that I do.

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

"He is isn't he?, It's definitely the way I cooked him."

"Oh sure, he's all you. Well, except for the fact he's identical to Mark."

"I know! That's so rude right?," she says, "After I'm the one who did everything!"

"Yes, how dare your baby defy you with things out of his control. Silly Dylan"

Mark finally gets back down stairs after getting the girls to sleep. To our surprise, he twists the lid off of a beer and sits down with us.
"What?," he asks, "someone had to wet this baby's head ladies!"

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

"It's wild. I mean it's great," he says, "but there really is this whole other world of intensity and worries. With the girls, I know that I've got to teach them what to except when it comes to how they want to be treated, and not to settle for things y'know? But with this little guy, it's different. I need to make sure that he's the kind of guy that I'd want for my girls. It's a whole different set of rules."

"I mean it is, but it isn't at the same time right?," I say. "Don't you think that you're already a good example to both him and the girls Mark? You show them all of those things everyday with how well you treat Sarah. The example you give is going to do a lot more than anything you could ever tell them."

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

"Of course I'm right," I say, "I'm a Tully."
Sarah nods her head in agreement. There's little point in him arguing with that one.

"I'm so glad there wasn't ten of you girls," he says, "I'd never get a word in." His cheeks rise as he smirks and 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," I say with a shrug. "Like I told Will, I'm back for good reasons, 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 more if I want the little guy to know his favourite aunt."

"That's right," Mark agrees, "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 diaper changing again.

I have to wake Will to move him so I can pull out the couch for us before I set Dylan down beside me in his bassinet. Climbing in beside Will, I cuddle in close to him to keep warm.

"I had fun today," he mumbles sleepily.

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

"I don't mind," he says, "it's good practice."

He squeezes me tight and leaves a kiss on my cheek before he drifts back off to sleep, completely unaware of the never ending smile he's just put on my face.

♾️

Will and I went out for some breakfast the next morning at a little diner he used to go to. We wanted to give Sarah, Mark and the kids a little time alone as a new family, but we also needed to step away from the chaos for awhile.

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 of a regular thing. Sarah is going to need help with the baby and the girls anyway, or at least that's what I tell myself. In reality I really just want to get to hold Dylan again.

We stopped off first to pick up my mail. There wasn't much, bills that had already been paid, a few letters and a small package I thought had been lost.

We decide to take a walk before checking in at our hotel, and it's only as we go by a shop window display that I suddenly realise that I left my dress for Annie's birthday party at home. We were in such a rush packing that I left it on a hanger on the back of the bedroom door. I've no option but to get a new one, so I drag Will along as I check out a few stores before I cast my eye over a dress that might work.

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

Will suppresses a smile. "That one?," he asks, staring up at the mannequin in the window.

It's simple enough. It's a beautiful Ivy colour with a tulle skirt and 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 after all so I don't see the harm. Although Wills mom will be there, maybe thats what he's thinking.

"Is it okay?," I question.

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

"Well then it's perfect!"

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

Afterward, we go and check in at the hotel. 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. There's a really nice couple and their daughter living there now. I mostly deal with them if there's any questions or issues, but they're so lovely that it's not really any trouble.

As soon as we've dropped our bags off, we shoot over to the party venue to help Adam out with the decorations, and I'm so glad we did, because this is not his area of expertise at all.

It's mayhem. Good mayhem in a way. The buzz in the room is moving, everybody here wants the best for Annie, but nobody is taking the lead on how things should look. The place is only half ready and there's a lot still to be done. I kind of muscle my way in and take over, dishing out orders to get the room looking right. I notice Will roll his eyes at me at one point, 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 the lead anyway, I don't think this is really his area of expertise.

By the time we're done, there's pearl, silver and teal coloured decorations anywhere I could squeeze them in. All the helping hands that were here have began to taper off, making their way home to get ready for the party. By the end there's only Will, Adam and I left.

I check my watch, wondering what kind of plan is in place to get Annie here.

"So Adam, what excuse have you given Annie to get her dressed up?," I ask.

He looks back at me like I've got ten heads, and then he goes eerily quiet. Oh no.

"Please tell me you thought about that part?" I say.

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 a pair of sweats?"

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

"You know what I mean!"

"I can tell her it's a nice place?," he says, shrugging his shoulders.

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," I point out, "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. Thankfully Will steps in with an idea before either of us go in melt down.

"Why don't you let us finish up here Adam," he says, "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 at his temples, this has totally derailed the stress free set up he wanted.
"I still have to pick up the cake!"

"Send me the details," Will says. "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.
"Shit," he says, "I can't believe I didn't think of this."

I'd almost feel bad for him 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," I tell him, "you'll have plenty of time if you go now. She going to be so happy about the surprise that arriving a little late won't even matter."

His face is still grey as he speeds his way out of here. I really hope he can convince Annie to be somewhat punctual.

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

"Oh! You want to see if you can win your money back?" I ask him.

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

"Why not? You technically did the exact same thing with mine."

"No, that was... oh, actually, yeah I kind of did." He sighs with defeat. "Fine, but don't tell her, she'd kill me."

"Deal. So what's your prediction?"

"I'm gonna' say anytime between nine thirty and ten, what about you?"

I feign a shocked expression. "Wow. You really bet against your own sister? That easily?"

"It was your idea!" he exclaims.

"Stone cold Will. That is stone cold." I shake my head at him 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 and tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear.

"You tell her, and I won't be responsible for the retaliation you'll receive," he says.

"Nice try, but 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'll to have to think about it then. Maybe I'll withhold something."

"Like what?" I ask, flashing him a devious grin.

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

I do a quick double take of the room, ensuring it's still just the two of us in here. I decide to put that threat to the test by daringly reaching out and running the palm of my hand over his jeans, touching him.

"Are you really trying to tell me that if I offered to let you take me into the bathroom right now, you'd say no?," I ask.

I hear him swallow as I discreetly continue to stroke him.
"I- I could..."

I quickly whip my hand away, holding both in the air as I back away.
"Alright then," I say, "not a problem. But before we leave, I'm just going to pop into this very empty bathroom over here okay? So that's where I'll be if you need me."

My eyes settle on the bulge that now sits in his pants as I move towards the door. Will tries his best to be cool about it, but once I'm inside that bathroom, I barely even get to the count of five before he's coming through the door behind me.

He crowds me, pressing my back against the sink as he hungrily puts his lips to mine.
"This doesn't count," he says.

"Whatever you say Will."

He runs his hands up my body, stopping to get a good grip of my ass as he continues to nip at my bottom lip. He pulls at the edge my top, only stopping when he gets a look at himself in the mirror behind me. A wicked smile spreads over his face.

"Turn around," he says.

My eyes widen, I've done a whole lot of new things with Will, but I've never watched myself before.
He doesn't ask twice though. He grabs my hips and sharply 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 asks, breathing heavily as he presses himself against me from behind.

"Tell me."

He takes a step back before grabbing for my waistband and sliding 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," he says, "That face you make when I touch you right here."

"Do it again," I beg him.

Slowly he 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. Trying to control the pace, I arch my back, feeling every move his fingers make as I do.

"I could look at your face like that 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 world he creates for me, closing my eyes and letting all the the good feelings take me over. I don't think I could ever tire of him either.

A sudden empty feeling moves my eyes to his as he pulls his hand away from me. Lines form between my eyebrows with confusion.

"You know what," he says, "on second thought maybe I should hold firm on this... can't have you getting your way all the time."

"You better be joking."
I am literally dripping for this man right now, there's no way he could really deny me is there?

"I might be," he says as he slips his hand up my shirt and under my bra.

"I see torture is still your kink Will."

Stretching myself back a little, I try to encourage him to touch me again. A tiny laugh escapes his throat as he takes my nipple between his fingers, squeezing it. I force myself to keep quiet, wondering if two can play at this game.

"There might be a way you can convince me," he says.

"Yeah, how's that?" My grip on the sink tightens, if he doesn't do something right now I'm going to go insane.

"Tell me what you want Iz."

"You know what I want."

His hand kneads my breast, reminding me just how much control he has right now.
"Tell me," he husks, "and I'll give you exactly what you're looking for."

I watch him in the mirror as a tiny creases form at the corner of his mouth. God damn it I need him.

"I want you to use you mouth," I tell him. "I want to scream so loud that every person in this building hears it and wishes they were us."

Spinning me around, Will drops to his knees before I even get the chance to blink. He kisses my thighs as he lifts my leg and wraps it over his shoulder. His breath falls heavy on me, and I swear he can hear my pulse as my body weeps for him to finally touch me again.

"I fucking worship you Izzy."

With those words now scorched into my memory, Will leans in, connecting his tongue with every nerve ending I have. I rise up onto my tip toes with the rush it gives me. I'll never ever get used to how unbelievably amazing this feels.

It takes seconds, and I mean literally seconds for me to hit that point where my knees are about to give out as I call out Wills name again and again. He knows this is going to be quick, so wastes no time giving me everything I need. I lean back against the sink, gripping his hair between my fingers as he runs his tongue over my clit, pulling an orgasm so strong from me that he needs to hold me up. God, I truly love this man.

Holding me close, Will kisses his way upward, stopping when he lands on my mouth. "See how good you taste?"

Something I've learned in our time together is that I adore when Will is gentle and romantic with me, but there's something about that dirty mouth of his that really drives me wild.

There's no time to waste it seems as Will hurries to drop his pants before turning me back toward the mirror.

"Maybe now is a good time for me to decide to withhold," I tease.

"I think we both know there's little hope of that Isobel, especially not with what else I'm about to do to you."

Will is the kind of lover you dream about. The one who gets off on your pleasure. I think we're a match made in heaven though, because I enjoy nothing more than watching him come apart.

Pressing his hand to my back, he leans me as far over the sink as I can get. "Keep those eyes right here Isobel," he tells me through the mirror, "I want to see how much you like it."

He steps behind me and lines himself up, smirking at me in the process. I know I'm about to be left a quivering mess in this bathroom. Gripping my hips, he gently nudges his tip 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.

"Jesus Will, " I gasp.

He thrusts himself all the way in at the mention of his name, the very one I know I'll be calling for the rest of my life. I try to move myself with him, needing to feel the build up, but he presses me closer to the sink, keeping me still. "Don't rush it Iz," he says, "I know what you want."

Damn right he does.

Running his hand up my back, he grips my shoulder with one hand and my hip with the other. Pulling back ever so slightly, he then pounds himself into me again and again, understanding every single desire I have. There's a healthy sex life, and then there's this one that I get to have with Will. This could sustain me forever.

My toes curl and my body tenses as Will thrusts himself inside of me, harder and faster each time. God help us if anyone has walked into the room the party's going to be in, because their ears are going to be filled with nothing but my ecstasy.

Will continues his rhythmical movement until my body begins to feel like I can't possibly hold on any longer. My hand reaches out for him in the mirror, pressing against it as I hold the sink with the other and let him take me over.
I've never had sex like the kind I have with him. It's secure. Each time is as amazing as the last.

"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 as I hold on for dear life.

The second he feels my release, Will does the same, throwing his head back as he stiffens and battles to keep some composure. His chest heaves as the sweat on his forehead glistens. I stare up at his reflection, even in this little bathroom he looks magnificent.

"Still think you'd be able to say no whenever you want?" I ask, managing a few words as I catch my breath.

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