Page 22

TWENTY-TWO

WILLOW

I wake slowly, feeling warm and safe. As my eyes flutter open, I realize I'm nestled in Rogue's arms. For a moment, I tense, old fears and doubts creeping in. But then I remember last night—the nightmare, Rogue comforting me, our kiss...

I look up at his sleeping face, so peaceful. I know he had trouble sleeping last night. Every time I woke, he was awake. Thankfully, he’s sleeping now. Part of me still can't believe I'm here, in his arms again, after everything that's happened. But another part feels like this is exactly where I'm meant to be.

Careful not to wake him, I extricate myself from his embrace and slip out of bed. I need a few moments alone to process everything.

In the small bathroom, I splash cold water on my face and stare at my reflection in the mirror. So much has changed in such a short time. Rogue is back in our lives. Wren knows he's her father. And now...now I'm starting to let my walls down again.

Am I making the right choice? Can I really trust him again after everything that happened?

But then I think of how gentle he was with me last night, how patient he's been with both me and Wren. He's not the same man who hurt me all those years ago. He's grown, changed.

And if I'm being honest with myself, I never stopped loving him. Even when I hated him, even when I was terrified of him and everything he represented, a part of me still loved him.

A soft knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. "Willow?" Rogue's voice is gentle. "You okay in there?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. When I open the door, Rogue is standing there, concern etched on his face.

"I'm fine," I assure him. "Just... processing everything."

He nods, understanding in his eyes. "I know it's a lot. If you need space, I can go?—"

"No," I say quickly, surprising myself. "Stay. Please."

Rogue's expression softens. He reaches out, gently cupping my cheek. "Whatever you need, Little Flower. I'm here."

I lean into his touch, closing my eyes. "I'm scared," I admit in a whisper.

"Of what?" he asks softly.

"Of letting you in again. Of getting hurt. Of..." I trail off, unable to voice my deepest fear.

"Of loving me?" Rogue finishes for me.

I nod, feeling tears prick at my eyes.

Rogue pulls me into his arms, holding me close. "I know, Little Flower. And I don't expect you to just forget everything that happened. But I promise you, I will spend every day proving to you that you can trust me. That I'm worthy of your love."

I look up at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "I want to believe that," I whisper.

"Then let me show you?—”

His words are broken when I hear the soft knocking at the door of my bedroom. “Mama? Daddy?" Wren's voice calls out.

Rogue and I exchange a look, both of us smiling at hearing Wren call him 'Daddy'.

"Come in, Little Bird," I call out.

The door opens and Wren bounds in, her face lighting up when she sees us. Without hesitation, she slides up to us, wedging herself between us.

"Can we have pancakes for breakfast?" she asks hopefully.

Rogue chuckles, ruffling Wren's hair affectionately. "Pancakes sound great, sweetheart. Why don't we all go make some together?"

Wren beams up at us, grabbing both our hands to pull us toward the door. As we follow her out, Rogue catches my eye and gives me a soft smile.

In the kitchen, we fall into an easy rhythm—Rogue mixing the batter while I help Wren measure out chocolate chips to add. For a moment, it almost feels normal, like we're just a regular family making breakfast together.

But reality intrudes as Ghost enters, his face grim. "Rogue, we need to talk," he says quietly.

Rogue nods, wiping his hands on a towel. He kneels down to Wren's level. "Daddy has to go talk to Uncle Ghost for a bit. You keep helping Mama with those pancakes, okay?"

As Rogue follows Ghost out, I feel a knot of anxiety form in my stomach. Whatever's happening out there, it can't be good.

I focus on finishing breakfast with Wren, trying to keep things light and cheerful for her sake. But I can't shake the feeling that our brief moment of peace is about to be shattered.

As we finish up breakfast, Natalia joins us. Wren excitedly tells her "Aunt Natalia" about making pancakes with both her parents.

Once Wren is occupied coloring at the table, I pull Natalia aside and quietly fill her in on what happened last night—the nightmare, Rogue comforting me, our kiss. I tell her all about my conflicted feelings; how part of me wants to trust Rogue again but I'm still scared of getting hurt.

Natalia listens patiently, then says gently, "It's okay to be scared, Will. After everything you've been through, it's natural. But I've seen how Rogue is with you and Wren. He's not the same man who hurt you before."

I nod, knowing she's right. "I know. It's just... hard to let go of the past sometimes."

"Take it slow," Natalia advises. "You don't have to figure everything out right away. Just keep communicating with each other and see where things go."

Her words help ease some of my anxiety. We rejoin Wren at the table, and I try to focus on the present moment—my daughter's laughter, Natalia’s friendship, and the little hope blooming in my chest.

But in the back of my mind, I can't help wondering what Rogue and Ghost are discussing, and what new dangers we might be facing.

As we sit with Wren, Natalia rubs her small bump with a soft smile. "The morning sickness is finally over," she tells me. "Ghost is over the moon that I’m no longer sick."

"Thank god. I’m glad that it’s finished. How is the baby?"

"All good," Natalia says. "Everything's going well so far. The doctor says the baby is developing right on schedule."

"Have you decided if you’re going to find out if it's a boy or girl?" I ask curiously.

Natalia shakes her head. "We decided to keep it a surprise. Though Ghost is convinced it's a boy."

I laugh. "Of course he is. I bet he's already planning how to teach the kid to ride a motorcycle."

"Oh, you have no idea," Natalia rolls her eyes fondly. "He's got all these big plans. I keep reminding him the baby needs to learn to walk first before we worry about motorcycles."

As we chat about the pregnancy and Natalia's plans for the nursery, I feel a pang of nostalgia. I missed out on having this kind of support from Ezra when I was pregnant with Wren. Part of me wishes I could go back and do it all over again, with Rogue by my side this time.

But then I look at Wren, happily coloring nearby, and I know I wouldn't change a thing. She's perfect just as she is, and we've made it through so much together.

"You know," Natalia says softly, following my gaze to Wren, "it's not too late for you to have this too. A real family, I mean. With Rogue."

I sigh, conflicted. "I know. And part of me wants that. But..."

"But you're scared," Natalia finishes for me. "And it's okay to be scared, Will. Just don't let fear keep you from happiness if that's what you really want."

Her words hit home, making me wonder: what do I really want? And am I brave enough to reach for it?

Before I can respond, the door opens and Rogue enters, his face grave. Whatever news Ghost had, it clearly wasn't good.

"What's wrong?" I ask, feeling my heart rate pick up.

Rogue glances at Wren, then back to me. "We need to talk," he says quietly. "In private."

As I follow him out of the room, I can't shake the feeling that our fragile peace is about to be shattered once again.