“Willow? Ariel?” I called out, looking for my two favorite people in my life. “Willow, Ariel?” I called out again.

I ran out to the back of my house where I saw them rolling around in the grass in different clothes. Ariel was wearing something I didn’t even recognize. I jogged down the stairs, smiling at them having so much fun.

The light that danced off of Willow’s face as she played with Ariel was ethereal. I could put a ring on that. Quickly.

Willow lifted her head up from rolling around in the grass.

“Hey, Darien, how was work?!” She got up and strode over to me. Ariel took notice and was soon close behind.

“Good,” I said. I felt a little ridiculous in my jacket and tie, so I took the jacket off and started rolling up the sleeves. Willow’s eyes flicked to my arms, but immediately returned to my face. “What’re you two up to?”

“Willow took me to the mall,” Ariel exclaimed, twirling in the new dress she got. “Dad! It was so cool. We got jewelry and hair stuff. She even bought me these cute dresses and clothes. When I go to school, all the girls are going to be so jealous.”

“Looks like you two had fun. But I thought I said to come straight home.”

Willow frowned and threw her hands on her hips. “Come on, after what happened, we needed a little letting loose.”

Ariel was on Willow’s side. “Plus, I got to meet Willow’s brother Sam. He’s asleep right now, but Willow said he was going to wake up soon so I can talk to him!”

Willow’s face dimmed. If her care of Ariel was anything to go by, then I knew she deeply loved and worried about him.

I remember she told me about his medical bills. If only she would tell me more.

“Willow, I’d like to talk to you.” I began to walk back to the house. Willow followed.

Ariel ran up around me and stood in the way of the door. “Daddy! She’s not in trouble, is she?”

“No, darling. Why don’t you go into the game room, we’ll come to get you in a few minutes?” I patted her head, and she smiled.

“Okay. Be nice to Willow.”

“Yes, my bossy princess!”

We walked into the living room and I waited until I heard Ariel close the door to her game room. Willow took a seat on the couch and sat her hands on her lap. “So, what’s up?”

“Willow, about earlier—”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t prevent Morgan from—”

“Not another word. None of that was your fault and you know it.” It was impossible for Willow to be the shit starter that Morgan was. I was truly hurt that she felt like she failed in any way whatsoever.

“But—”

“Willow… please. I wanted to show you my thanks.” I took out a slim small box from my back pocket that could fit in the palm of my hand and handed it to Willow.

“Huh?” She looked at it without taking it. “I can’t. I’m sorry. You’ve done so much and I… I don’t want to put anyone in jeopardy.”

“Willow, why can’t you let me spoil you?” The desperation in my voice was apparent. I wasn’t used to letting people see me in want for something. That usually meant it was hard to get, and things were never hard for me to get.

Willow, on the other hand. She wasn’t a thing. She was perfection. The mother figure to Ariel I wished a thousand fucking times Morgan would be.

She leaned her head to the side and held her arms.

“I have to go.” She stood up. “The hospital needs to talk to me about some things. Are you sure it’s okay to take the Audi? I can just get a cab─”

“No. Please take it. That car means nothing in comparison to your safety.”

“I hate to leave Ariel,” she mused. “She didn’t seem to be traumatized by the stuff this morning, but…”

She shifted back and forth on her feet. For a minute I was afraid she’d run and not come back. But she knew where she belonged. With me.

By my side.

Under me.

“You’re a really wonderful man, Darien. Ariel is so damn lucky to have you.”

I grabbed her, and our lips crashed together in a starving kiss. I reached into her hair and tangled my hands in their golden depths.

Breaking our kiss, Willow rubbed my chest, patted it, then ran off.

“I’ll be back later, promise!”