Okay, so I lied about waiting to publish the last chapters at the same time. It's right before dead week, (week before finals) so I have to do a bunch of make up work to get my grades up. So I'll publish this chapter now because I absolutely love it! Few more weeks and this book is done. This chapter is dedicated to NicoleBinkley.
Love you all!

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"He's so precious!" Bente squealed as she held little Shaz. Aarah was sleeping after a long night, and Tristan asked Willy to watch him while he left to catch up on sleep as well. After a few minutes, Bente came knocking on the door. Word had spread fast around the village that Aarah's baby had arrived. Bente sat at the table with the baby in her arms while Willy stoked the fire. Winter was almost to an end, but they needed to keep it warm so Shaz wouldn't catch a cold.

"Aarah and Tristan are excited he's finally here." Willy said.

"It's so sweet Tristan adopted him. Are he and Aarah like... a thing now?" He shrugged.

"I think so. Otherwise I don't think Aarah would be so willing to share her baby." He chuckled. He sat down next to her and she passed him to Willy. Willy carefully stood and placed Shaz in the bassinet that Jesper and Hal had made for Aarah. Willy made sure he was situated correctly so no blankets would get in his mouth while he slept. He had listened in on Abby's lecture to Tristan and Aarah about having a baby, and how babies could be easily suffocated. She taught them how to swaddle Shaz so he would be comfortable. Willy had practiced swaddling Shaz once Aarah went to sleep.

   Once Shaz was asleep, Willy made his way back over to Bente. He turned his chair so he could be facing her and sat down, staring at her. She rose an eyebrow, blushed, and looked away from him.

"So...how are you? We haven't spoken since I got here." She said. He cleared his throat awkwardly and nodded.

"I'm good. And you?" He asked.

"Good." She folded her hands in her lap and twiddled her thumbs. Something Willy knew meant she was nervous.

"That's good." He said, with a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. She glanced up at him before diverting her gaze once more.

"How are things going with Emmy?" She asked quietly. He could detect the hurt in her voice. It was a subject he was hoping to avoid during their visit.

"We're good." He said simply. She nodded.

"And your crew?" She asked. He opened his mouth to answer, but she looked up, cutting him off. "And if you say 'good' again, I will punch you, Willy Jesperson." He let out a laugh and she joined in.

"We're fine?" He said, phrasing it more as a question. She laughed again.

"Well that's good." She bit her lip and he glared at her.

"That's not fair!" He accused. She continued to laugh.

"Yes it is. And shush, you'll wake the baby." His eyes flickered over to where Shaz slept. He was still sleeping soundly. He chuckled quietly.

"So..." His eyes grew more serious. "You and Quint, huh?" Her eyes widened and a look of disgust was etched across her face.

"Oh Gorlogs breath, no!" She exclaimed. Her voice grew softer. "I'm in love with someone else. He's much better then Quint." She said. He coughed awkwardly.

"Is that so?" She nodded, smirking slightly.

"He's an idiot. Caring, but stupid. He's a real romantic, but he doesn't really see it that way." She said dreamily. Willy felt something in his chest that ached. It was good she was moving on from him, but he felt jealous. Who in Hallasholm could possibly make her feel that way after only knowing her for a few months? It suddenly hit him.

"Oh Gosh, it's Boyd, isn't it?" He asked, completely horrified. He hadn't even thought of it being one of his own crew members. He felt the need to sit Boyd down and have a serious discussion with him, that may or may not end in a fist fight. Only when he finally snapped out of his thoughts did he realize Bente laughing, and shaking her head.

"It's not Boyd, so please don't give him any 'talk'." Willy blushed.

"Did I say all that out loud?" He asked. She nodded, giggling slightly. "Well that's embarrassing." He hid his face behind his hands because it'd be red. She continued to laugh.

"No it's not. I think it's cute!" She said smiling. Willy peeked out from behind his hands to see her face contorted from laughing too hard. Her face was a cute shade of pink from lack of oxygen. He let out a sigh of defeat.

"It's not Quint, and it's not Boyd. Who is it then?" He asked, clearly frustrated. She finally calmed down and was able to breathe again before her eyes softened.

"It's you, you caring, romantic, stupid, idiot." She said quielty. His heart melted as she said the words. The past six months felt as if they never happened, and Bente and Willy were sitting on their little shelf near the river having lunch. He had been so mad that she hadn't told him about Preston that he was willing to push her away, even when she came back for him.

"You ditched your wedding for me..." He said, coming to a sudden realization. She rolled her eyes, nodding.

"Yes, I did. Where have you been the past four months?" She said. "I love you, Willy. I never stopped. If I could go back in time and change what happened I would. I would have never listened to my aunt." Willy swallowed and bit his lip.

"I'm so sorry, Bente. I should have listened to when you told me you didn't know. I was just so angry." He said, running his fingers through his unruly hair.

"And you had every right to be. I was mad too. I was mad that Lyla kept this from me. I was mad I had to see you so hurt." She said. He let out a deep sigh.

"I will never get over you, Bente. But I have moved on. Emmy doesn't deserve any of this." He said softly. Bente nodded.

"I know. She's lucky to have you, and you're lucky to have her." She said. "Just know I will always be here for you. Even if it's just as a friend." Willy gave her a thankful smile, and took her hand, kissing her knuckles briefly.

"Thank you, Bente."

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Two more chapters left! Hoped you liked this chapter! Please comment and vote!

~Avis