Willow's Wish

by TC Rybicki

  Maverick giggled. Somehow, he still knew his father, or he remembered. Doug wasn’t sure, but his son’s face lit up looking at him. He wondered if Willow showed him pictures or talked about him during those months apart.

  Everyone continued to ask questions about the fellowship and England. What the hell was he doing was voiced a few times from her, but Dutch pretended he didn’t notice until Willow cuffed him on the back of the head.

  “Answer me. I want to know what’s going on. I promised to work with you, but we said our goodbyes, and it’s not fair of you to come in and out unannounced. I can’t…” Willow started crying. “It’s too much to ask, Dutch.”

  “I turned down the fellowship.”

  Willow wiped her eyes, “What do you mean turned down?”

  “I’m not going. My slot has already been taken by an alternate.”

  “Since when?”

  He had to think about it, “I guess since the second I got in the car to drive to Savannah to see you.”

  “What? That’s not true.”

  “How do you know it’s not true? Okay, maybe I hadn’t fully convinced myself until I saw you, but then the kid was sick. It wasn’t the right time to discuss my intentions.”

  “Where the hell have you been? Why did you leave me here and pretend you were still going to England? That’s cruel after everything we went through with Maverick.”

  “Sorry, I had no choice. I had to meet with the chief of cardiology and the entire board of directors to beg for my job back. They’d already hired my replacement, so I put them in an unusual situation.”

  “Yeah, I know the feeling, jerk.”

  “Are you saying you replaced me too? Because Tanner said Dr. Doolittle spilt with his head hanging low.”

  Willow folded her arms across her body. She was pissed, and he liked it, “I don’t need to replace you. Maverick and I were doing fine on our own.”

  He winked at her lie, “Whatever you say, Wills. Anyway, good news! I got my old job back, and Cambridge is keeping me in mind for the future. If they come up with a better solution that doesn’t require me leaving my family, I’m still on their radar. So, one day, I’ll learn the robot.”

  “Dammit, Dutch. Why didn’t you tell me all this? I know before Maverick’s surgery wasn’t a good time, but we were together all day before you left. Do you have any idea how painful it was to watch you leave thinking I wouldn’t see you for a year?”

  “Maybe as painful as it was not seeing you and Mave for four months. Are we honestly going to stand here and compare pain? That’s not why I’m here.”

  “Why are you here? I’m sorry for the mistakes I made in anger. I guess, you’re here for Maverick, of course.”

  “Yeah, and other stuff. Look, I’m sorry I fooled all of you, but I’m about to explain my reasons, so hopefully all will be forgiven.” Dutch took Willow’s hands. She tried to pull away at first. “Don’t make this difficult, Wills.”

  “I’m irritated with you, and happy at the same time, so it’s hard not to be difficult.”

  “Is that our mission statement?”

  She cracked a smile. “It should be.”

  “Hear me out. I told some small fibs because I had to tie up all the loose ends at my hospital. The reason no one else but Tanner knew because I always imagined that if one day I got the nerve to propose, I’d plan an elaborate surprise to wow you. I pictured a tropical island or an exotic location, but our little guy changed the details when his life was on the line.” Dutch dropped to one knee and reached in his pocket, “Wills, girl from the woods, my best friend, love of my life and mother to our son, can we stop all our nonsense once and for all and get married? We’re way overdue, don’t you think?” He opened the box to shrill screams. Two nurses ran in to witness the commotion. “Surprise! I even got the one you wanted.”

  The tears welled in her eyes again, but they were Willow’s happy tears. He knew the difference. “I didn’t point it out to you that day we were window shopping. How did you know?”

  “Because Wills. I’m always watching and not in the creepy kind of way. I just mean I pay attention to what makes your face light up.”

  Tanner joked, “You sure about that, bro? I think you’re a super creep.”

  Everyone laughed including Maverick. Doug loved the sound of his son’s joy. Momma couldn’t wait any longer and neither could he, “Well, what do you say Willow? You’re already part of our family but making it official was always our hope.”

  “Jeez, Momma. This is kinda between me and Wills. Give her a chance to speak.”

  Willow stuttered, “I… I. Give me a second to catch my breath, please.”

  He added a few more words, “Honest to God, we all know I don’t deserve you, and that’s what took me so long to accept this is the future we’re meant to live. You want a traditional family, but I didn’t think I could fill that role. Now that we have one, I realized it’s damn near perfect and the role I was meant for since the first day I discovered a peculiar girl sleeping in my boat. You know I’m far from perfect, and I’m still going to be me: a jealous, egotistical, over-protective asshole but with you, I swear I’ll be better.”

  She was quick to respond, “A better asshole?”

  “Yep, because that’s the guy you fell for all those years ago. So, what do you say? Please tell me I’m not too late because then I’m just going to have to be this unhinged stalker fighting off every man that comes near you, so basically same as ever.” His family laughed but agreed. Doug got serious next, he reached for her hand and rubbed the finger he was dying to put a ring on. “This summer was the worst season of my life without you and Mave. I don’t ever want to feel that lost again.”

  “How could I ever turn down such a ridiculous proposal? You made yourself sound like such a catch. I’d be a fool not to say a million times yes.” He loved her snark. God, he loved all of her. Willow wiggled her left hand in front of his face, so Doug could slip the engagement ring on her finger. He stood up, and they sealed her yes with a kiss. He wanted the kiss to linger since it had been so long, but she pulled away. The whole room clapped for them, but he only saw her, and their future reflected in her eyes. It had been a long, painful journey, but their lives were also full of joy, laughter and one precious miracle that he never regretted for one second. She whispered one other thing he’d never believed until that moment, “You make me better too, Dutch.”

  Four years later

  He picked the perfect day to take off work. The sun was shining, the fish were biting, and Doug was plotting his biggest surprise to date.

  “Daddy, swim?” Maverick pulled the bottom of his father’s swim trunks. Willow only let him swim at the water’s edge or in a pool, but his kid hadn’t forgotten the promise they’d swim in the deep water today.

  “Okay, Poppa and Uncle Tanner are putting up the fishing gear then we’ll jump in.”

  Willow caught that answer, “No, sweetie. It’s too deep. We’ll go back to the house and play in the water.”

  “I have a life-server.”

  She pulled Dutch to the side, “I’d rather not. I’m not comfortable with this. He’s so small.” She tended to be a tad overprotective since Maverick had a rocky start in life but every checkup since had been flawless. He was a happy, healthy, and active four-year-old.

  Before she could argue any longer, Malawi flew overhead, “Me first, Daddy!” His splash wasn’t louder than Willow’s screams.

  “No fair,” Maverick stomped his foot. Dutch treated his boys equally even though Malawi had only been with them two years. He grabbed his four-year-old and tossed him in the lake with his older brother.

  Willow was ticked and begged both boys to swim back to the boat, so she could pull them out of the water. “Calm down; they’re fine. I’m going in with them as we speak.” Doug pulled off his t-shirt and kicked off his shoes.

  She threw her hands in the air, “I give up. They’re bound to be daredevils with you for a father. Have fun. Do
n’t stop here. Take them rock climbing tomorrow or skydiving when they start Kindergarten.”

  Carly waved Willow over to sit while the kids and fathers went overboard. Dutch watched their interchange. “Have some wine and relax. It’s not every day their father is responsible for them all day long. Those two run you ragged, girl. You look exhausted.”

  “It’s the heat and my unfounded worry. Of course, they’re fine. We bought the best life jackets they sell.”

  Dutch loved making Willow happy. They all knew she longed to adopt one day but figured her past would come up. She never imagined she’d be approved. Once they were married, and certain Maverick was healthy, Dutch started looking into adoption rules in every country. They ended up finding a boy almost the same age as Maverick named Malawi from the county bearing the same name. His name meant the heart of Africa which was fitting to this little family. The heart meant so much, figuratively and literally to them. Willow was nervous about adopting a three-year-old instead of an infant. She worried the boy might not like them or be frightened from the huge change moving to America, but she read his backstory and was in tears when she declared, “this is our son. We have to go get him.”

  Their new son was a perfect fit for their family, and the fact that he was abandoned in the village before he could walk created a unique bond between mother and child that no one else could touch. Willow knew what abandonment felt like, but she also knew the reward of acceptance.

  The guys and Tillie played for almost an hour swimming and climbing in and out of the boat to practice their jumps. Willow leaned over the back of the boat to see if her boys were tired and ready to head back for dinner. Dutch thought that meant she was tired and had her share of sunshine for the day. Tanner grabbed her and said they were going in the lake too, but first, he was carrying her to the upper deck. Willow squealed. She didn’t want to swim or go flying from ten feet up. Doug said without thinking, “No way, do not throw her off that height.”

  Carly clapped her hands together, “I knew it. That’s why you wouldn’t have wine with me.”

  Their cover was blown. Wills wanted to wait longer before they told everyone. She and Dutch planned on having another child, but not until Maverick was five or six. Malawi was only nine months older, so she was basically chasing twin boys around day and night. This third one was an uh-oh, but they were happy about it. Willow said it was for the best since she always thought her biological clock was ticking too fast.

  The family was overjoyed as they predicted but concerned for Wills. She kept up the condo, took care of the boys and kept her travel blog going even though she was more selective with her trips now. A newborn would add challenges, but she was up for it and had no idea what secret Doug planned to reveal that would help. Tillie begged for it to be a girl cousin because she was so outnumbered.

  Dutch couldn’t make any promises, “Chadwyk men made boys, kid.”

  “Then what I’m I?” his niece asked.

  “You are the best, sweets, and proof your father does whatever your mommy says.”

  “Idiot,” Tanner shook his head at Doug and gave Willow a kiss on the cheek, “Sorry I almost threw you overboard, little momma.”

  “It’s okay. I’m sure it wouldn’t have hurt anything.”

  “Are you kidding? I would have been hurt. Doug has been itching to kick my ass. It’s been years since we fought.”

  Doug play punched his brother in the arm when he got back in the boat, “True, I would have hurt you bad. Hey, everyone. Would it be alright if Wills and I take a little walk by ourselves after dinner?” She was confused. They normally took the boys with them on their hikes around the lake. He winked at her. “Relax. Nothing is wrong. I have a surprise.”

  Willow was speechless at first and then she cried when she realized what he’d done.

  He walked her down the old trail they frequented as children. She was nervous because Willow had never been through those woods since she fled her old life being chased by a maniac at thirteen.

  “Do you trust me?”

  “With all that I am, but we never go this way.”

  “Please follow me. I swear the past is erased and all that’s through these woods is the future.”

  Dad bought the land all those years ago at auction. Willow never knew. He bulldozed the shacks and planted a bunch of trees which were full grown and hid the ugliness that was once there. Doug held Willow’s hand while he explained it all to her. The place closest to the lake where they hung out and hid from Willow’s weirdo cult had been cleared. His father covered up the area that held bad memories for Wills, but Dutch paved the way for something brand new in the spot they shared so many secret meetings.

  “Why? I mean, how? What are we doing here? It looks so different.”

  “A buyer offered Dad a hefty sum to build a lake house. He told me about it to get my opinion. Mom and Dad aren’t hurting, but they’re getting older. Dad retired earlier than he thought he would. That health-scare a while back cost a small fortune too. This land has been empty twenty years, babe. It only makes sense that he would sell it to cushion their nest egg.”

  “Oh, so someone’s building a house here. That’s nice. It’s a beautiful piece of land with the best views of the sunrise. I’m a little jealous of whoever enjoys this scenery every morning.”

  “So, I was right. Damn, babe. How do you stand me always being right?”

  She cocked her eyebrow, “Come again.”

  “I bought the property from Dad. It’s ours, and I’m building you a dream house right over there where we used to lie under the stars and make believe we were invincible together.”

  She covered her mouth to hold back her rapid breaths. He encouraged her to have a seat before she hyperventilated. She’d been having dizzy spells this entire pregnancy and said it was entirely different from being pregnant with Maverick. Maybe Tillie was right, and it was a girl. Dutch liked the idea of a little princess with Willow’s eyes and gentle spirit.

  “Are you excited? We’re coming home to the lake for good.”

  “Yes, but I don’t want you to spend half your day commuting in the car. You’d hate that. The kids and I would miss you even more than we already do.”

  “We’re about to expand to five. The condo isn’t going to hold us any longer, and I know for a fact you hate living in the middle of the city.”

  “I don’t hate it, but I love this more.”

  “Exactly. That’s why I resigned from Atlanta Memorial yesterday.”

  “What? Are you insane? We can’t afford this or our dream house then. I know how much lakefront property costs. Dutch, you quit your job without talking to me? I can’t believe you.”

  “Calm down. I only quit when I was sure I had another job secured. I’m not an idiot even though I often behave as one. You’re looking at the Chief of Cardiology at North East Medical.”

  “In Gainesville? Are you serious?”

  “Yes.”

  “A small hospital. What the heck, babe?”

  “I’ll still be the best just on a smaller scale. I’ve done my time playing the hotshot. I’ll be good prescribing old fishermen cholesterol meds or treating the occasional MI.” Doug learned the robot. Cambridge brought the fellowship to him, and he’d made a name for himself the past couple years. That stuff didn’t mean as much to him as he once thought. He saved some lives, but more importantly trained other doctors with the new techniques. If he still practiced medicine, he was satisfied with his career.

  “Okay, full disclosure, I’m going to consult in Atlanta occasionally, but I swear I’m committed to this new job. It’s a fifteen-minute commute tops if I get behind some old lady on the lake road. I want this life with you Wills. I promised you that years ago. Tell me though if it’s too close to your old memories, and you can’t deal with this location. I’ll understand, but I think we can make this place our home and have a place our children will want to come back to even when they’re grown just like we did with Mom and Dad.�
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  She stayed quiet for a minute and he wasn’t sure if he’d blown it or not. Quitting his job and paying for all this property was a gamble since he hadn’t discussed it with her, but Doug loved surprising Wills. There weren’t too many opportunities for that since she read him so well.

  “I want it.”

  “You sure?”

  “Of course. I want it with you and our boys, and this new one on the way. Your idea sounds amazing, but I want to be a part of the rest. No more surprises. Can I at least design my own kitchen, and Felix needs his own room?”

  “Are you serious? Isn’t that cat sure to die soon?”

  “No, hater. I take excellent care of him. He should live at least ten more years if we’re lucky. The boys love Felix, and he loves them.”

  That might be true, but that cat still hated Doug. She didn’t want any more surprises, but he swore he was buying them a dog when the house was finished. It was time his sons had a real pet that was loyal for no reason not just when he was hungry.

  “One more thing, Dutch. Don’t you dare ever quit a job without discussing it with me first, but other than that, you did good, Babe. I’m surprised and excited. As much as I love travel, I love this lake the most and raising our family here where we grew up is going to be our best adventure yet.”

  Doug wrapped his arm around Willow as they stared out at the lake they’d always call home. “You deserve all your wishes to come true. I’m glad you like my idea.”

  “I honestly love it so much. Our kids are going to love it too. If it wasn’t dark, I’d go get them right now and tell them the good news.” She added a huff, “Funny how you think you know what all my wishes are? I like to imagine there’s still some mystery to me.”