WILLIAM

Carter and Dennis' engagement party ended on a high note last night. The bowling alley became an impromptu discotheque, and the owners were on the brink of kicking us out when it was becoming too late and the guests wouldn't stop dancing. I slept like a baby and felt so energized that when I made it to the store, I started working on the illustrations for Bree and George's wedding invitation. Since the Valentine's day rush is over, I'm less interrupted by customers coming in to pick cards or cute stationery items to give as gifts. Only my regulars come in for stamps, copy work, and any other small office supplies they run out of.

It was almost noon, and I was ready to take a break and head to Cesar and Annette's to pick my sandwich when London entered the store dressed in her nursing scrubs.

"Hey, what a pleasant surprise!" Her presence made me grin.

"I hope I'm not intruding, but I brought you something. Well, for us both," she shook the bag in her hand and gave it to me.

Inside, I found two parcels wrapped in brown wax paper, chips, and cookies.

"You brought me lunch?" I couldn't hide my delight and surprise.

"Yeah, it's your favorite. You took great care of me the other day and I felt like treating you," her cheeks turned pink and I felt so moved that I grabbed her in a hug.

"Thank you, London. Thank you for thinking of me."

She took a step back, and I felt embarrassed for a second that my burst of affection was unwelcome.

"The chips!" She laughed, and I understood why she moved away. "It's my pleasure, really."

"Let me close the door," I said as I locked the door and turned around the 'I'll be back soon' sign. "Not trying to be a creep, but this way we can eat without interruptions. Would you like something to drink? I have cold soda, juice or I can make some coffee, tea or hot chocolate."

"Hot chocolate sounds great. It's again windy out there. Annette told me she wrapped the sandwiches double, so they should still be warm."

"Heaven sent. I was about to head their way to grab lunch. I had a productive morning and my belly was reminding me I needed the break."

"What have you been working on?" She asked, standing close to me as I prepared the hot chocolate.

"Printed and assembled a wedding stationery order that I need to bring later to my brother Thomas and started on designs for invitations for friends of ours. After lunch, I was going to place the order for Mother's Day cards. I support a small group of creatives and every year I get something beautiful but different from the commercial cards. You can pick one for your mom if you want."

Her eyes turned momentarily sad. "For my grandma. I lost my mom when I was a little girl."

"Oh, I'm so sorry London. That was careless of me."

"Don't worry, you didn't know. She was lovely and beautiful. Unfortunately had a stroke in her sleep and passed away. Besides seeing him in a few photos, I never knew my dad. My grandma raised me and I still live with her. She's my everything."

"Then I'll make sure to order a special card, just for her," I caressed her cheek as I gave her the hot drink.

We sat in my cramped work space and enjoyed our sandwiches while talking about our week. I noticed she got a ham and cheese sandwich for herself. My omelet one wasn't a success for her.

"And you know Will, I have seen tons of weird stuff at the hospital. The x-rays showed a ring in this man's intestine. We thought maybe he did a grand gesture and put the ring in a drink and swallowed it by accident. His wife stood next to him when he admitted he didn't. I'm afraid the divorce papers will be ready when he gets released."

"Gross," I laughed. "I've always assumed that hospitals were full of stories, but nothing like this."

"Sometimes I need to pinch myself to see if I'm not dreaming. Kids get the first prize for stupid acts that land them in the emergency room."

"I think you are a tough woman and I truly admire you. Would you like to go out with me? I know your break up is still recent, but I would like to take you out on a proper date."

"But I thought this was a date. I did my best to cook this for you," she gave me a cheeky grin and made me laugh. "Of course, I would love to go out with you."

"Too bad this date is ending soon since you have to go to the hospital. Am I allowed to kiss you at the end of it?" I risked my luck, but felt so happy when she nodded.

I came closer and cupped her face. Nicole's words swirled in my head, and I hesitated.

"Is everything okay?" London asked.

Gathering all my courage, I got closer and gave her a chaste kiss. Her lips opened, giving me access to her sweet mouth. Something between a moan and a sigh escaped her lips, and I felt myself getting aroused.

"Will..." She whispered.

"Was that alright?" I felt anxious.

"Alright? That was more than alright, that was the best kiss I've had in my life," she cupped my face this time to kiss some more.

After a heavy make-out session that left me in need of a cold shower, it was time to say goodbye. We agreed to go out tomorrow to have dinner and play mini golf, something she mentioned before that she likes. My head was so high in the clouds that I left the store and only when I was sitting in my car I remembered the stationery order that I need to bring to Thomas.

As I take a turn into the street where my brother lives, I see Mom's car parked in the driveway. What's she doing here? When I ring the bell, she answers the door.

"Will, what are you doing here?" She gives me a kiss on the cheek.

"I came to bring this to Thomas," I motion to the box in my hands. "Where is he? Is everything okay?"

"I'm okay. Can't say the same about your brother. He had left two trousers at the shop to replace the zippers and when I-" Her words are interrupted by retching sounds coming from the bathroom. "Then I came inside and found that," she points behind her with her thumb.

I come inside and hear the flush of the toilet, followed by an open faucet. A minute later, Thomas comes out clutching his stomach and looking terribly pale. Rosita rubs against his legs and as he bends to pick her up, he sways and I rush to support him.

"You need to get in bed," I say to him after putting his arm around my shoulders.

"I'm okay... I'm okay... I have a wedding in two hours. I need to dress," he shivers and looks as if he's about to pass out at any moment.

"Tommy, you probably have the flu. Look at you! Can barely walk up straight. Going to that wedding is out of the questions," Mom feels his forehead and shakes her head. "Boiling in fever. Let me call Abigail."

"Abi is working at a baby shower right now. We need Didier," Thomas says as we get him into bed.

I call Didier and he answers promptly on the second ring. "Hi, Didier. We have an emergency. Thomas is quite ill," I say, and behind me, Thomas groans. "I'll put you on speaker, because I'm not even sure he can hold the phone. Tommy, what do you want to say to Didier?"

"Didier... I need you to take over for me... at the wedding..."

"Sure, I can do it, since I'll be there, anyway. But isn't Abigail a better fit to lead? "

"She's at the baby shower and there's an hour of overlap, plus travel time. You know this one as well as I do. Fifty guests, sit down dinner, the ceremony and the reception are on the same manor. I have the entire file here in my tablet... I'm going to throw up again."

Mom hands him a mopping bucket right on time.

"Didier, it's Will again. I'll go home and change and will give you a hand, even if it's for moral support."

"What about Thomas? "

"Our mom is here and she'll keep an eye on him. I'll meet you here in an hour."

Thomas barely gets sick, but when he gets ill, it's epic. Mom helps him to lie back and heads to clean the bucket. I head to the kitchen to get him a glass of water when I see empty food boxes, some from O'Brien's.

"What did you eat?" I ask him as I hand him the glass of water.

He gives me the guilty face I can recognize since we were little. Mom walks into the bedroom and waits for his answer.

"Whatever was left from the party last night. But it was all appetizer-sized."

"Thomas David Morgan! You irresponsible fool!" Mom yells and we both flinch because calling someone by their full name is never good.

"That food was outside for hours and I bet you didn't even put it in the fridge when you came home. I will talk to O'Brien and his daughter, and will tell them to cut you off sweets until you learn to control yourself. This is the 'chocolate covered raisins summer' all over again!"

The memory makes me laugh, but Mom's stern stare makes me stop. I was around 14 years old, and Thomas was twelve. That summer, he spent his allowance in boxes of raisins covered with chocolate. He was out of control, until one day when he got so sick, my parents had to bring him to the hospital.

"Please Ma, don't," he pleads. "O'Brien is a vendor, and he already hates me. Don't give him reasons, because Marissa will wonder what happened. It's embarrassing..."

"Holy shit! You are in love with Marissa!"

Mom stares at me amused, and Thomas looks mortified.

"I'm not... Am I?" Thomas looks confused.

"Papa O'Brien's girl... Will he get in her pants and discard her like those bridesmaids?"

"Ma! Oh dammit. No... Marissa is different. I don't even know how I feel," he whispers.

Seeing Thomas conflicted about his feelings is amusing. He's never shown serious interest in women and now I realize that it's all because he cares too much about a specific one.