Briar Valley: The Complete Duet

38. Willow

CHAPTER 38

WILLOW

SPIRIT – JUDAH & THE LION

A hand resting on my huge, swollen bump, I stare up at the finished cabin as Killian installs the very last window. After months of painstaking work and a labour of love, our home is finally finished.

Killian screws in the last bolt then climbs down the ladder to stare at his handiwork. He looks gorgeous as always in low-slung jeans and no shirt, despite the autumnal weather.

“Kill!”

He spins on the spot. “What the hell are you doing up?”

Waddling over to him, I walk straight into his arms and kiss him on the mouth. “I’m tired of bed rest.”

“Willow, you’re five days overdue. Do I have to tie you to the damn bed?”

“Mmm, sounds kinky. Let’s go.”

He gives me the stink-eye. “It’s really not. You’re a nightmare patient. Admit it.”

Rolling my eyes, I kiss him again until he softens. “I’ll admit no such thing. Come on, grumpy. I just wanted to watch you finish off the last bits. It looks incredible.”

Arms wrapped around each other, we look up at the cabin. It’s a real beauty, carved from dark-stained oak, steel and polished glass. Even bigger than Lola’s previous three-story beast.

“Better late than never,” Killian grumbles.

“I reckon the baby stayed in there past its due date just to give you time to finish.”

He snorts. “In that case, perfect timing.”

Holding each other close, it isn’t long before the twins join us, both finished up for the day. Zach took Micah into Highbridge to stock up the shop.

It took some convincing to get Micah on board with the idea of selling his artwork in an actual store. His days of ad hoc, online sales and invisibility are over. We’re dragging him into the limelight.

Using money from Lola’s estate, I purchased the small, corner plot a couple of months ago, located in the quieter end of Highbridge’s bustling town centre.

It needed some renovation, but Killian quickly took care of that. Now everything is ready for its first official opening in a few weeks. Micah’s art will finally get the appreciation it deserves.

“You get everything moved over?” I ask.

Micah drops a kiss on my lips. “That was the last of the canvases. Just got to take the last few sculptures and finish setting everything up.”

“I bet the studio looks empty.”

He laughs. “Plenty of space to fill it up with even more art.”

Shoving his twin out of the way with a grin, Zach steals me from Killian’s arms and lays a dramatic kiss on my cheek.

I push his shoulder, my body protesting at the sudden movement. All my joints are aching something fierce now that I’m overdue.

“How are we doing?” Zach singsongs.

“We? You’re not the one pregnant and five days overdue, mister. I’m fucking uncomfortable and miserable. How are you doing?”

“Oh, excellent. Very much not pregnant, thanks.”

“Micah, please punch your brother for me.”

He holds up his hands. “I’m a pacifist.”

“I’ll do it,” Killian volunteers. “Come here, kid. Take it like a man.”

“Sexist!” Zach accuses.

Getting him in a headlock, Killian thumps Zach right in the stomach, forcing him to double over with a cough.

I cringe, feeling a little guilty, but then pain hits me in the belly again, and I feel a lot less bad about it.

“Here comes another one.”

“Contraction?” Micah worries.

Nodding through the pain, I rest my hands on my knees, folded over as I breathe through the spasming. They’ve been coming on and off, but my water hasn’t broken yet.

“We’re close.” Killian rests a hand on my lower back. “Bed, Willow. No arguments this time.”

“Yes, sir. Can someone give me a ride?”

Micah takes my hand. “We’ve got the truck.”

Climbing into the backseat, I sit down as comfortably as possible, my bump barely fitting inside the space.

I’ve suddenly ballooned in the last month of my pregnancy, much to the guys’ delight. They can hardly keep their hands to themselves.

We arrive home to packed boxes and chaos. Killian decided we needed to move into the cabin as soon as possible, before the baby comes. But with a few delays, the timeline has gotten all messed up.

“I’ll get Ryder to help me move the rest of this stuff out of here,” Zach says, lifting a box labelled kitchen. “We need to move fast if we’re going to get this done before the spud arrives.”

“Zachariah, I’ve warned you about the S word.”

“And how much you love the nickname? Sure.”

“Jackass.”

“Your jackass, babe. Forever and ever.”

With a wink, he props the box on his shoulder then disappears, leaving Micah to manoeuvre me over to the sofa. I slump onto it with a sigh, taking the weight off my swollen feet and ankles.

“You need anything, angel?” he fusses, fluffing the pillow behind me.

“Just you.”

Smiling, he sits next to me and begins to massage my shoulders. “You’ve got me.”

“Distract me. How’s the shop looking?”

“Chaotic, but it’ll come together.” He bites his bottom lip. “I can’t believe it’s actually happening after all this time.”

“It’s going to be great, Mi. You’ll be amazing.”

“I’m not a good people person.”

“Then we’ll hire some front-of-house staff or stick a name tag on Zach.” I wince as more pain stabs through my lower belly. “He can chat all the customers to death while you paint.”

Micah laughs. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”

Inhaling sharply, more cramps hit me in a bigger wave this time, taking my breath away. I lean over, moaning through gritted teeth as my lower back twinges in protest.

“Shit.” Micah rubs my back. “That was a big one.”

“I don’t think we have long. You should get the guys.”

“What about the cabin?”

“It can wait until after. I need you all here with me.”

Micah grabs my phone from the kitchen table to round everyone up. “I’ll ask Aalia to pick Arianna up from school and keep her occupied for a bit.”

“Thanks, Mi.”

Left alone, I place both hands on my tight belly and imagine the life inside. It’s been another tumultuous, messy as hell pregnancy, but despite all the odds, we’ve made it to this moment.

“Hey there, little one.” I stroke over my swollen bump. “Thanks for sticking with me, baby. I’m so excited to meet you. We made it.”

I have to keep telling myself that, over and over again. We made it. That still doesn’t feel real, even if the monsters who tried to break me are all safely locked up behind bars.

Mr Sanchez’s trial is set for January, while Mason Stevenson and Mario Luciano, along with other members of the human trafficking ring, have both been sent down for lengthy sentences.

I know I’ll have to face him again. There’s no avoiding it. But now I get to sit in that courtroom, safe in the knowledge that he will never hurt me or another woman again.

Justice will be served.

That’s how I sleep at night.

The contractions continue for hours, over and over, until I’m sweaty and exhausted. When another hits, even stronger than the last, I cry out Micah’s name. He’s back in a flash to hold my hand, rubbing my back and whispering assurances.

As we’re riding the wave of another spasm, warmth gushes from between my legs. I take one look down at the wet patch spreading across the sofa and my breath stalls in my chest.

“Mi!”

“Shit.” His eyes are wider than I’ve ever seen them. “Was that your water breaking?”

“Yes. Call Doc! He needs to come.”

“I’m on it, angel.”

Briar Valley moves fast in an emergency, so before long, the guys are all back where they belong. Doc arrives soon after with Rachel and Miranda to assist, loaded down by medical bags and fresh towels.

“Alright, then.” He crouches down in front of me. “It’s go time, Willow. Let’s have this baby.”

Tears pour down my sweaty face. “I’m scared, Doc.”

He places a reassuring hand on my leg. “You’re going to be just fine, kid. We’ve had a lot of experience. Your baby is in safe hands.”

With Killian’s help, I strip off my drenched lower half then manoeuvre down onto the towel-covered floor. Doc ducks his head between my legs, only to come back up seconds later.

“There’s no time to move her to our cabin. She’s fully dilated.”

“Crap,” Zach curses. “This wasn’t the plan.”

“Plans change.” Doc looks up at me. “It’s time to push, Willow.”

Killian grips my hand tightly. “We’re here, baby. You’re not alone.”

Pain rips through me again—blurring my vision with agony. Sweat drips from my forehead, and my entire body trembles with tiny earthquakes as I scream and push.

The cycle repeats. Scream. Push. Scream some more. Pain. Dizziness. Sweat.

“Push again, Willow. Just keep pushing.”

Their words filter into my mind as my body takes over, entering a primitive state. Rachel dabs my forehead with a wet towel while Miranda stays with her husband, monitoring the situation.

The guys take turns holding my hand until one of the others gets impatient for a turn, and they have to swap over.

“How much longer?” Killian growls. “She’s hurting!”

“We’re close,” Doc confirms. “I can see the head.”

“I love you.” Micah kisses my temple. “And so will this baby, Willow. You’re so close now. Keep going.”

“Almost there,” Zach murmurs.

Killian nudges Micah away and takes my hand. “You’ve got this, baby.”

The pain is blinding. Over and over. Hitting me relentlessly in every last corner of my body, until I can hardly grit out a scream through my clenched teeth. Doc’s head is still ducked low.

And then… bliss.

Relief.

I draw in a deep breath.

The sound of a wailing infant fills the half-packed cabin. Everyone falls silent, as if struck by the most magical, awe-inspiring bolt of lightning. Doc’s head lifts as he cradles my baby in his arms.

“One healthy baby boy,” he pronounces proudly.

“Oh my God,” Zach manages through tears.

“Who’s cutting the cord?”

Killian claps Zach’s shoulder. “You’re up, kid.”

“Me? Shouldn’t it be you?”

“I think you can handle this one.”

Zach looks completely freaked out, but more at Killian trusting him with something important than the idea of cutting the cord.

Taking the scissors from Doc, he slices through the umbilical cord, his eyes red with tears and mouth hanging open in shock.

Miranda passes her husband a towel, then Doc cleans and wraps up the screaming bundle before carrying him over to me. My heart explodes in my chest as I hold my son for the very first time.

He’s here.

We made it.

Body sagging, I slump into Killian’s arms as our baby cries into my chest. He’s so small and perfect, his eyes sealed shut and features soft. The love that rushes over me is indescribable.

“Our son,” Killian says in wonderment.

I look up and find the big guy sobbing his damn eyes out.

“Oh, Kill.”

“Not a word,” he snarks.

“We have a son,” Micah whispers.

All of them are bawling, and unable to control it, I join in. The entire roomful is crying and smiling, all looking down at the angelic bundle of perfection clasped in my arms.

“We’re dads now.” Zach shakes his head. “I actually have to be an adult.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it, kid,” Killian mumbles, wiping off his face.

“What should we name him?” Micah drops the gentlest of kisses on our son’s bright-red nose. “What about after your father, Willow?”

Confusing emotions wash over me, mingling with my tears, pain and joy. That man brought nothing but misery into my life. I don’t need his memory when I have my family and future right here.

“No. Not that.” Looking up at the twins, I smile. “What about after your dad?”

“Hayden?” Zach asks, a grin blooming. “I like it.”

“Hayden,” Micah repeats.

Killian smooths a giant hand over his son’s head. “Hell of a name.”

“Hayden it is.” Doc wipes off his hands. “Congratulations.”

Leaving the room to give us a moment to ourselves, we all snuggle and pass the baby around. Seeing the guys holding their son for the very first time is enough to set me off again, the tears stinging my cheeks.

“He’s so small,” Killian says in awe.

Zach clasps his shoulder. “You’re just huge, Kill.”

“You calling me fat, asshole?”

“Hey,” I snap at them. “Language. Little ears are present.”

Both rush to apologise while Micah rolls his eyes at their antics. When there’s a soft knock on the cabin door, I hear Doc answer before the sound of Arianna’s excited voice travels into the cabin.

“Should we let her in?” Micah asks.

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

Covering myself with another couple of towels, I take Hayden back into my arms and snuggle him close. His eyes are still sealed tightly shut, but he’s fallen silent, his lips popping adorable little spit bubbles.

“Mummy?” a little voice whispers.

Arianna sticks her head into the room, appearing tentative. I nod for her to come in.

“It’s okay, Ari. Come and meet your little brother.”

“I have a brother?”

“Yes, baby. You’re a big sister now.”

Creeping closer, she kneels next to me, her eyes blown wide. Micah makes sure she’s sitting comfortably before propping a cushion up on her lap to bridge the gap.

“Want to hold him?” I ask her.

“I can?”

“You just have to be nice and gentle, baby. Like this.”

Demonstrating for her, I slowly lift Hayden onto her lap and ensure she’s holding him correctly. Arianna clutches the towel-wrapped bundle, her mouth hanging open for a moment before her lips stretch in a smile.

“He’s so small,” she coos. “And… and… ugly.”

“Hey!” Zach laughs.

“He’s all red and shrivelled up!”

Killian smacks his forehead. “Aren’t kids the best?”

But I’m too busy staring at my little girl holding her brother to pay any attention. My entire life is right here, bottled up into two amazing human beings. My world. My love. My everything. This is our family.

That’s what I ran for.

That’s what I survived for.

This moment and all that’s to come.