6.11 Packing away the past

Will had tried calling Draco to see why pretty boy turned up at his house but there was no answer which wasn’t unusual and Will knew sooner or later Draco would turn up as he always did.

Estevan had come over to see if Will had finally asked Victoria out. Dawn had a look at the new living area; she was impressed at how he had transformed the room.

“I love the picture above the fireplace.” Will smiled, “It was a good weekend.” Estevan asked, “Did you ask her out?”

They took a seat and Will looked at them, “We had our first date in this room but it got me thinking, if it gets to that stage…”

Dawn answered for him, “You mean sex.”

“Thank you Dawn, yes that…well I can’t ask her into my room because it belonged to me and Heather.”

“But you have an idea, right,” as Dawn interrupted his flow, “You’ve been with Dad too long.”

“No just observant.” Will shook his head then continued, “I was thinking of turning my room into a room for the twins and taking their room but I need some help.”

Estevan smiled, “I think it’s a great idea, what does Victoria think?”

“I haven’t said anything to her yet but I am serious about her.” Estevan looked at his son and said, “I will help you decorate.”

Will again looked at them both and said quietly, “I’d like you to both help.”

“Why don’t you just change the whole house and get it out the way?” Will looked at his Dad in shock but knew he made sense. He thought for a moment and replied, “It’s a great idea but if the relationship does become serious I would like her to have a say in how things look.” 

The conversation was interrupted by Victoria coming into the room with the twins, “Sorry William, the twins wanted to see you.”

“It’s ok; this is my Dad and my step mum.” 

Estevan smiled at her and said, “He forgot to mention that our names are Estevan and this is my wife Dawn.” Victoria became nervous and quietly said, “It’s good to meet you.” Victoria tried to make an excuse to leave but Estevan insisted she stay. 

“Are you two being good for Victoria?” as he looked at the twins. They just looked at each other and just gave a cheeky smile.

Dawn asked, “Did you have a good date?” 

Victoria went bright red not knowing what to say when Will interrupted the conversation and said, “Victoria and I had a nice first date,” as he put his arm around her then he added, “I hope there will be a second date?”

Feeling a little embarrassed but excited, “I’d love that.” Will looked at her and said, “Dad and Dawn are helping move the twins to a different room and I was hoping you would help?”

“Is something wrong with their room?”

“No, it’s just I’ve decided to swap rooms with them.” Victoria was visibly shocked, “Oh I see…when do we start?”

“Now if you don’t mind.” Dawn and Victoria went to start packing up the twin’s room, while Estevan and Will started emptying his room.

“You ok, William?” He looked at his Dad and said, “I am doing the right thing, right?”

“Yes son, you are. After all if you and Victoria do work out, you both need to feel comfortable.”

“What do I do with Heather’s things?”

“Important items like pictures and jewellery give to the children and as for the rest ask Spencer or give away.” 

William felt a pain of sadness as he looked around the room, he never thought it would be so hard but he heard Victoria voice from across the hall as she laughed with Dawn and said firmly, “Dad I really like her.”

“I know it’s hard but to have a real chance with Victoria, you have to do this. I remember you and Blake reminding me I couldn’t mourn forever.”

“I hate when you throw my advice back in my face but you are right and so was I back then. “Let’s get this finished.” Estevan and William spent the next few hours decorating it; they moved the cots over and brought in the toys that were packed up. 

The twins wandered in and without saying a word went straight for their toy box and Will voiced, “I think they like it.” Estevan smiled while he watched them for a moment.

“William, do you want help with any other rooms?”

“The hall could do with a face lift, it covers 3 floors.” Estevan smiled, “I’ll get Dawn and Victoria to help me.”

Will was surprised at having Victoria to help when Estevan saw the look he added, “She is a very nice girl and I have a feeling about her. I mean if you want to make the bedroom for both of you read her mind.”

“Dad, I already know her favourite colours.”

“Then you know what to do.” Will decided there and then until he knew if they were serious about each other he would sleep in Matt’s old room. This way when it was right for them they could decorate the room together as a couple. 

6.9 This is me

William got up with a headache and as he was made a drink he heard the twins laughing. When he looked out the window he saw Victoria playing with them and thought about everything she had said. Suddenly he heard Art say, “How are you this morning?” 

Will turned to him and said, “Sorry for snapping at you last night. I’m just nervous…”

“Dad you will be fine, do you want my help with the room?” Will smiled and said, “Thanks but I’ve got this one but I’ll give you that picture.” 

Art followed his Dad into the room and with a deep breath William took down his wedding picture and gave it to Art.

“Dad, you’ve taken a big step here and I’m proud of you.” Will smiled and replied, “I better get started on this room.”

Will emptied the entire room so it was like a blank canvas and just stood there looking around the bare room. He remembered how he and Heather had argued about starting family. This was also the room where he and Heather found out they were expecting Art but now this room had to become William but how? 

The phone rang and it was Dawn, “Do you need help?” How did she know at that moment he needed ideas then he remembered if he was hurting his Dad would know and in this case tell Dawn.

“I could use a little help Dawn. I’ve emptied the room but I don’t know how to start.”

“Ok, what is your favourite colour as in what does William like?”

“Aren’t you coming here?” Dawn firmly said, “I’d love too but you need to do this. I’m just giving you ideas.”

“I like purple and blues.” Dawn paused on the other end of the phone and asked, “Remember Will, this is a living area so I suggest go with an accent wall. Purple would be a good move and the sofas, you don’t have to get rid of them just get covers to give them a new look. I hope this has helped?”

“Thank you, I’ll get working on it now.”

Will spent the afternoon getting the room changed and when he needed the new covers, he lock the room door so no-one saw what he was doing until it was finished. 

When he was finally done he found Victoria trying to feed the twins, “Victoria when you have a minute I’d like a word.” 

Will waited in the hall for Victoria too appear, “Ok William what is it?

“I want to show you something.” She followed him to the living area and then he stopped by the door and without looking back he said, “I took everything you said on board and well see for yourself.” 

He opened the door and when she entered the room, Victoria was in a state of shock, “Wow, the colour it’s beautiful and the picture…I don’t know what to say.”

“This is me moving forward…look I was hoping that you’d spend the evening in this room with me, you know a date,” William looked nervous as he asked her. “I’d really like that.”

When the twins were settled Will put some music on and sat by the fire place and asked, “Tell me about yourself, Victoria.”

“Not much to tell really, I’m an only child and I’ve never dated much. There… very short and sweet.”

“Come on…what about your parents?”

“I haven’t seen them in years, since I left home at sixteen. We make the odd call from time to time but that’s it.” 

She sat next to Will and asked, “Ok I know you have two brothers, any sisters?”

“Not yet.” She looked shocked at his remark but before she could say anything Will added, “My Dad and Dawn are so in love and if it was up to my Dad he’d have more kids.”

Victoria now had to ask, “And you, would you have more kids?” Will thought about it and said, “I’d love more kids but I’d be scared the whole time because I couldn’t handle losing the woman in my life. 

Victoria, would you dance with me?” He offered his hand and Victoria accepted as they danced around the room Will thought, ‘She has a beautiful smile and her eyes sparkle.’

Victoria thought, ‘I can’t believe he changed the room and it’s so him. The way I feel right this minute, I hope he never lets me go.’

When the music stopped Will could see that she was tired and offered to walk her to her bedroom. She tried to protest and say she didn’t live there anymore but Will wouldn’t hear it and told her that she was moving back because she only left in temper. 

“Good night Victoria.” She smiled at him and replied, “I know everyone calls you Will but I want to call you William, if that’s ok?”

“I don’t mind either way.”

“Good night William.”
Will suddenly had this lift in his step when he heard a loud knock at the door.When he opened the door pretty boy grabbed him by the shirt and said, “Where the fuck is Draco?” 

Will quickly moved his hands from his shirt and said coldly, “He is not here and if I catch you at my house again there will be hell to pay.”

“Pass this message on then, tell him to stay away from the new girl in town Torri because he’s mine.”

6.7 William's Dilemma

William was looking at the gravestone of his late wife Heather feeling low and ashamed he could like another woman. 

Estevan came out of nowhere and sat next to him and said, “You know when I found out your mother died, I wanted to die with her even though we hadn’t seen each other in years. You and Blake were what kept me going for a long time. If it wasn’t for my sons encouragement I wouldn’t have Dawn in my life or Nathan. If it helps William you will never stop loving Heather but you can’t live with the guilt forever you need to move on. Victoria seems a very nice girl; don’t let your fear hold you back from asking her out.”

“Dad, everyone will think I never loved my wife…” Estevan turned to his son and replied, “No-one would think that, we all know how you felt about her but ask yourself what Heather would say?”

“Same as me, it’s time to move on but I haven’t been on a date in years…I mean have things changed?” 

Estevan laughed, “Not much, just find out what she likes or in our case cheat and read her mind.”

“Dad!”

“Dawn drove me nuts at one point so that’s how I found out her true feelings for me.”

“Thanks Dad.”

Victoria was in the garden with the twins when she saw William approach her, “How have they been?”

“They have been mischievous today but they have been alright for the last hour…” Suddenly Will felt a tug on his trousers and when he looked down it was Cole, “Daddy, Holly being mean to me.” 

Will picked him up and shouted to Holly, “Be nice to your brother.”

Cole shouted, “Daddy, do claw hand.” Will did as he was asked and Cole smiled as they played. 

Holly glanced for a moment then carried on playing. Victoria watched as William played with his son and asked, “You are a good Dad!”

“I had a good role model. I remember my Dad did things like this with me and Blake and I wouldn’t trade those memories for the world. My Dad wants the twins for the weekend as he wants to play Granddad so you have the weekend off.”

“Thank you but what will you do?”

“I’m having Nathan. Blake is coming over so it’s just the brothers having a good time.”

“Nathan isn’t much older than the twins...” Will interrupted her and replied, “He is my brother and Blake and I can teach him things that as a father I can’t teach the twins.” Victoria raised an eyebrow, “You mean teach him to annoy your Dad.” Will smiled at her without a reply.

All 3 brothers were lying on the living room floor when Blake asked, “We have the house to ourselves?”

“Yep, Art is on a date with Ellen and Victoria is out.” Blake had to ask, “Have you asked her out yet?”

“Nope now let’s play that game read minds.” Nathan asked, “What is that?”

Blake said, “It was a game we played with Dad but as we got older we just used to play it. It strengthens your mind powers so you can read other people and stay connected with the family but I didn’t listen at the time but thanks to Grandma and Dad I now can use my mind powers.”

Will then asked, “Nathan what object am I thinking of?”

Nathan thought for a moment and said, “Table.” Blake then asked, “What is Will thinking about as I try and block you then?”

“Victoria….”

Will sat up and asked, “Has Dad been teaching you?” Nathan giggled, “And Grandma.” Will and Blake then tried to confuse Nathan as they threw a variety of images then block them but Nathan kept getting every item correct.

Suddenly Nathan blurted out, “What is a virgin?” Blake and Will shouted together, “WHAT!”

“I’m playing the game.”

Blake asked before Will could, “Who’s mind are you reading bro because the only virgin here would be you?” Nathan looked puzzled as Will said, “Have you slept with a girl?” Nathan’s eyes widened with disgust, “Yuck no, girls are horrible.” They laughed at their brother and Nathan stood there arms folded, “I read Victoria’s mind, she is a virgin like me. She is in her room.” 

Will looked surprised then the door opened and there stood Victoria looking her best before leaving but Nathan didn’t hear the door as he was still angry at his brothers. He was still yelling at them when he blurted out, “Will, you like Victoria so why isn’t she your girlfriend. I know you want to kiss her.” Will went bright red and Blake gave that look Nathan knew all too well and when he finally turned around and saw Victoria all he could say was, “Whoops.”

Victoria left the room and ran for the door but Will got there before she could open it, “I’m really sorry, we were playing a game but we thought that the house was empty.” Victoria tried to look away and asked, “It’s true that you like me then?”

Will didn’t want to answer the question and said, “You look beautiful, going anywhere nice?”

“I’m going on a date,” but Victoria was secretly hoping that Will would protest and kiss her to convince her to stay but instead he opened the door and said, “Have a great evening.” She just looked at him for a moment then walked out the door and as Will closed the door he heard, “You fucking idiot, why didn’t you tell her that you liked her?”

“Blake, leave it. You wouldn’t understand…” Blake got right in his face and growled, “Try me!”

“There is the age gap…” Blake pushed him as he said, “That is a poor excuse, look at Blair and Teddy…ummm let me think 45 years minimum between them; then there is Dad and Dawn, almost 30 years between 
them.” 

Will pushed Blake back and said, “That is different.” A fight broke out and all the time Nathan watched. He wasn’t old enough to stop them so he contacted their Dad to stop the fight.

Suddenly they were being pulled apart by Estevan as he shouted, “ENOUGH!” He made them sit on the sofa side by side as if they were kids again and said firmly, “Explain yourself.”

“Blake started it…”

“No way, you did…you wouldn’t ask her out.”

“Shut the fuck up as I said it’s none of your business.” Estevan had heard enough and yelled, “Have you both finished?”

In unison they both said, “Sorry Dad.”

“William, I thought I told you to ask the girl out?”

“Nathan was the one that blabbed that I liked her while she was behind him then when she asked me I just avoided her question.”

“So Victoria knows and asked you if it was true and you changed the subject…” Blake interrupted his Dad, “She really likes Will and was hoping he’d kiss her so she didn’t have to go on this date. When the idiot here opened the door, she looked hurt.”

“William, don’t do this to yourself ask her out.”

“What if it didn’t work out the twins…” but Estevan stopped him before he could finish, “The twins would be fine. You are trying to over complicate things. Ask her out because at the end of the day there are only two answers she can give a no and a yes.” William sighed as he thought about what his Dad had said when they heard the front door open and footsteps running up the stairs. 

“Go and see if she is ok.” William looked at his Dad and smiled. Estevan left with Blake and Nathan while William walked upstairs to talk to Victoria.