Family
Title : Family
Author: QueenWillie
Pairings : Connor/Wilhelmina but we’ll see where it goes J
Rating : R to be safe
Disclaimer : Don’t own ‘em, never will
Summary: This is a take off from my previous drabble also named family. It is also in response to the meade_slater prompt list re - the baby being born (named Christian Slater Meade lol) and Daniel wanting to be involved. - I feel this is gonna be a long angsty one
When one life ends another begins. Everyone has heard this expression but it never struck Daniel with such poignancy as it did right now. He had never had both happen to people around him at the same time. He had never held his girlfriends hand as she took her last breath as his baby brother took his first just meters down the hall.
He squeezed her hand in his as the tears spilled over. 6 weeks, that was all they had together, but it was real, she had been the one, he was sure of it. And now she was gone. She had waved to him from across the street, he had waved back, smiling widely. She started to walk quickly across the road to him. Neither had seen the car until it was too late. He could still hear the screeching tyres, smell the burning rubber and see her lying motionless on the road.
They had battled to save her, there was just too much damage. She never woke up. While the surgeons had been fighting to save her life he had paced the halls like a mad man. It wasn’t until he felt a hand slap his back that he shook himself from his delirium. It was Connor, smiling widely.
‘So you’ve heard.’
‘Huh…heard…what?’
‘Christina’s in labour, Wil and Betty are in with her now. Won’t be long now, you’re gonna be a brother again mate.’
‘Oh that’s…that’s uh good I guess.’
Connor suddenly looked confused and concerned at the same time. ‘If you didn’t know then why are you here?’
Daniel raised his red rimmed eyes to Connor, he didn’t need to tell him.
‘Oh my God.’
Chapter 2
Now coming out of his girlfriends room Connor saw him and enveloped him in a fierce hug. No matter how their relationships had ended, both men had loved this woman in their lifetime.
‘She’s gone.’ Daniel croaked.
‘I know.’
From somewhere up the hall a shrill voice was calling Connors name. Betty came into view, the blue scrubs she was wearing more stylish than the clothes underneath.
‘There you are. Wilhelmina asked me to come get you, actually asked not ordered, I think this baby is mellowing her already. He’s here, 7 pounds 8 ounces. Mother, baby and birth mother all doing well…Daniel, when did you get here, who called you?’
Daniel walked to Betty as fresh tears broke to the surface, his legs refused to work anymore and he crumpled to the floor. Betty rushed to help him.
‘Daniel what…’
Connor turned to Betty and said bluntly, ‘Molly’s dead.’
He walked up the corridor leaving a stunned Betty to comfort her broken boss.
Entering the delivery room he was met by a scene beautiful enough to make him smile through his cloud of grief. Willie was cradling her newborn son and gazing at him with a look he had never seen before, she was smiling so wide he thought her face would crack. Hearing the door close she reluctantly looked from her son to Connor.
‘So this is the new man in your life.’ He said smiling
‘This would be him.’ She was still smiling as she handed the baby to Connor. Connor rocked the baby gently as he began to cry at being moved.
‘Hey little man, that’s a fine set of lungs you’ve got there.’ The baby screamed louder.
‘Well, you definitely get your temperament from your mother.’
The baby began to quieten as Connor continued to rock him. Wilhelmina turned from the two most important men in her life to Christina, who was lying in the bed watching the scene around her with tears in her eyes. Wilhelmina took her hand and Christina squeezed it tight.
‘Look after him.’
‘I will.’ She whispered.
Christina nodded and tried to swallow back the tears threatening to spill.
‘I know you will.’
The nurses came into the room and started fussing around Christina.
‘Okay Ms McKinney we’re going to take you to a private recovery room now. Ms Slater, your son will need to be taken to the nursery soon.’
Willie nodded, the nurses began to wheel Christina out of the room. Wilhelmina was still gripping her hand until the nurses wheeled her further and her hand slipped from her grasp.
Willie turned back to the sight of Connor cradling her child and smiled. She placed a kiss on the baby’s head and then turned her head up to kiss Connor on the lips. As she broke away only then did she notice that he had been crying.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘I met Daniel in the hallway.’
‘And…’
‘There was an accident Willie…Molly…she didn’t make it.’
Her hand flew to her mouth, ‘Oh God.’
The door opened and Betty and Daniel came in the room. History momentarily forgotten, rivalry a thing of the past for now, Wilhelmina went to him and wrapped her arms around him.
‘I’m so sorry Daniel.’
He pulled back and looked in her eyes, she was sincere. He nodded his appreciation, he could feel the tears building again, and he tried in vain to fight them.
‘So do I get a hug from my little brother too?’
Connor gently handed the baby to Daniel. Holding this new life in his arms filled part of the hole he had felt in the hours since Molly had slipped away. He kissed his forehead and then looked at Wilhelmina.
‘He’s beautiful.’
Wilhelmina smiled and then quickly composed herself, ‘Thank you.’
‘You know you can smile, you’re allowed to be happy.’ His voice dropped to a whisper, ‘Molly would want that…she loved kids.’
The nurse came into the room again, ‘Okay Ms Slater, time to take Christian to the nursery.’
Willie walked over and took the baby from Daniel, kissing the soft skin of her child once more she placed him in the cot and her eyes followed it as the nurse wheeled it out the room.
Everyone in the room could feel the tension, should they be happy…or sad. Why did it feel wrong to feel both. The atmosphere in the room was getting worse when suddenly Connor spoke up.
‘Did the nurse just say Christian?’
‘Yes, after Christina.’ Answered Willie with a nod
‘Christian…Slater?’ Asked Connor with his eyebrows raised.
Willie laughed a little, ‘Yes…well…not quite.’
She looked directly at Daniel.
‘Christian Slater Meade.’
Chapter 3
Connor stood looking through the glass at Christian, to anyone watching he was just another relative gazing in awe at the newborn, not a man trying with all his strength not to fall apart. He was fighting an internal battle, he wanted to be happy for Willie, he was happy for Willie and he had already fallen in love with that baby when it was placed in his arms, but right now he wanted to crawl into bed for a week.
Molly was gone, he had lost her to Daniel and now they had both lost her. Although he had a problem when he first found out about their relationship, even he had to admit that she and Daniel made much more sense that she and him ever did. He had seen the way they had looked at each other, they were the real deal and now it had been snatched away. It made him realise just how quickly you could lose everything.
He watched Willie walk towards him down the corridor, as she reached him she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her head to his chest.
‘How are you doing?’
‘I’m hanging in there, what did the doctor say?’
‘Christian’s feeding well and he’s in perfect health. We can take him home, Christina’s going to be in until the morning, I’ve said I’ll come and pick her up.’
Connor cupped her cheek and she moved her head away from his chest and looked in his eyes.
‘Careful Willie, people will start to think you’re softening.’
‘Don’t worry, it won’t last.’ She said with a smile.
Connor looked from Willie to the baby lying in the cot on the other side of the glass and then back to Willie.
‘Marry me.’
She pulled back, ‘What?’
‘I said marry me.’
‘I heard you…look Connor I don’t think you know what your doing. This is a reaction to Molly.’ She answered him gently.
‘You’re damn right it is. Daniel and Molly had only just started, they had everything in front of them and it was snatched away in minutes. It could happen to any of us. I need to start living for today. I fought against my feelings for you for long enough, marry me.’
‘Connor, it’s been six weeks.’
‘It was six weeks for them too and now it’s gone. We can’t just assume we’re going to be here forever, we never know what’s around the corner.’
‘I think you should think about what you’re asking.’
Connor groaned and rolled his eyes. ‘I’m done thinking. I want you, I want to be a father to Christian. I want this to be my family.’
Willie could feel herself softening, she loved this man but this was too fast. He had been through so much today, if she said no would she break him? She took a deep breath.
‘Ok’
‘Ok?’
‘I’ll marry you.’
Connor smiled and Willie did her best to return it as he kissed her deeply.
‘Congratulations.’
Wilhelmina pulled away from Connor and saw Daniel standing next to them, a blank look on his face.
‘Quite a day, birth, death, marriage.’
‘Daniel I…’ Connor began.
‘No, I get it, I do. Seizing the moment, make every day count and all that.’
‘Yeah…’
The three fell into silence, Willie and Connor watching Daniel stare intently at Christian through the glass. Wilhelmina broke the silence.
‘Daniel, is there someone you want us to call. Your mother? Betty?’
‘My uh…my mom’s in France and I’ve told Betty to stay with Christina.’
‘Connor, why don’t you take Daniel home? Stay with him for a while.’
Daniel started shaking his head furiously, ‘No, no you should stay with Wilhelmina, I mean you guys have the baby…the engagement…a proper little family unit.’ Daniel’s voice was starting to break again.
Wilhelmina closed her eyes and sighed loudly. ‘Stay with us.’
Both Daniel and Connor spoke, ‘What?’
‘Stay with us, you’re Connor’s friend. You’re both going through something only the other understands and…you shouldn’t be alone right now.’
‘I don’t think…’
‘For God sake Daniel, I’m not going to steal your soul while you sleep. Just say yes before the notion for doing the right thing wears off.’
He managed a weak smile, something he wasn’t sure he would have been able to do again, and nodded his head in acquiescence.
‘Okay, well I’m going to get Christian ready. I’ll send Betty to your apartment to pick up some of your things.’
Daniel nodded again as she started to walk away, when she was level with him he grabbed her wrist making her turn around.
‘Thank you.’
Chapter 4
Daniel was standing at the window in Wilhelmina’s sitting room holding Christian in his arms. He had been staying at Willie’s for 3 days now and he was strangely comfortable. The baby he was holding was his life net, all the love he felt for Molly he was pouring into this child. He fed him, changed him, cradled him. That’s when he could get him away from Wilhelmina.
Seeing her in her home, with her child was already a sight he was accustomed to. She doted on the baby, cooing at him, kissing him. He was the centre of her world now, the word Mode had not left her mouth since he was born. He liked this side of her, domestic Wilhelmina, mommy Wilhelmina. He knew it would all change once they got back to work. He had made up his mind he was going back the day after tomorrow, the day after the funeral.
Her funeral, it still felt surreal. How could she be gone, how could someone so full of life not be here anymore? Connor had handled most of the details, he had known her longer, knew what she wanted. Connor was the one who had told her parents and made all the necessary arrangements. He had tried to include Daniel but every time it was mentioned he would pick up Christian and leave the room. He couldn’t handle it.
Tonight it was just him and Christian, Connor had taken Wilhelmina out for a meal an hour ago. Willie hadn’t wanted to go, didn’t want to leave Christian so soon and thought it was in poor taste considering Molly’s funeral was the next day but Connor had insisted, going into his now familiar mantra of life’s too short. Wilhelmina had eventually agreed but Daniel had known she didn’t want to go, could practically hear her heart break as she left Christian with him.
Shaken from his thoughts now as he heard the door open he could hear voices arguing in loud whispers.
‘One dinner, you couldn’t even make it through one meal!’
‘Would you keep your voice down, Christian might be asleep.’
‘Willie he’s fine, Daniel would have called if there was a problem.’
‘I don’t care Connor, I shouldn’t have let you talk me into going out, he’s 3 days old.’
‘Yes and for all 72 hours the 4 of us have been stuck in this apartment.’
‘Drop it Connor.’
She walked through the door of her sitting room and her eyes immediately fell on her son. Daniel saw her face light up and couldn’t help but smile.
‘There’s my boy.’ She took Christian from Daniel and placed a kiss on the top of his head. Daniel felt a horrible emptiness when she took the baby away.
‘How was he?’
‘Fine, I fed him just after you left, he’s not long gone to sleep.’
Daniel figured it was about time he asked the question he couldn’t bring himself to. ‘What’s the plan for tomorrow?’ He looked at the ground and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
‘So you do care.’ This was from Connor.
‘Excuse me?’
‘You haven’t mentioned her name since we came back from the hospital. Left me to do all the work, as if you’re the only one who’s grieving.’
‘Connor that’s enough.’ Wilhelmina shouted at him.
‘You! You’re taking his side?’
‘This isn’t about sides Connor, you’re both hurting and you’re looking for a fight.’
Connor huffed and left the room.
Wilhelmina turned towards Daniel but her eyes remained fixed upon her son. ‘The car will be here at 2 o’clock for you and Connor, he’s asked me to come in the car too. You ok with that.’
‘Yeah, he’ll need you there.’
Willie nodded, ‘Marc will come by about a half hour before to watch Christian, I could feel his terror down the phone when I asked him.’ She said with a smile.
‘You’re not bringing him.’ Daniel asked, a note of panic in his voice.
Willie looked at him, ‘No of course not.’
‘But…but…I need him there, he’s the only thing keeping me together right now.’
‘Well maybe you need to fall apart Daniel, before you can start putting yourself back together. Besides, a graveside is no place for a newborn.’
‘But…’
‘I said no.’ She snapped and Daniel saw the Wilhelmina he knew rise to the surface. She started to walk away, she stopped at the door and turned back.
‘I’ll have Marc bring him to the wake.’
Daniel nodded and exhaled in relief, ‘Thank you.’
Chapter 5
He sat at the graveside, everything was a blur, he was numb and nothing seemed real. He felt guilty for grieving, guilty to her parents, her friends, Connor who had known her much longer than him, yet he was being treated like the grieving widower. His mother had flown back from France to be with him and was sitting on his left side patting his hand. Connor was on his right and he was gripping Connors forearm so tight he must be hurting him.
At one point during the service it had become too much for Molly’s mother who let out a loud sob and would have fallen to her knees had her husband not been supporting her. Seeing this, Connor pulled Daniel’s arm away from his and rushed to her side to hold her. Daniel started panicking, he needed something to hold, Connor was keeping him grounded. He saw Betty start to move for him from the end of the line but there was no need. Seeing the panic in his eyes, Wilhelmina moved up a seat into the one her fiancé had just vacated and took Daniel’s hand he gripped it tightly and smiled sadly at her.
Wilhelmina felt Clare’s eyes boring into her. Let her stare, she wasn’t about to look at the woman. She knew a scene would start and she didn’t want to end up thrown into another open grave. She could feel Daniel crushing her hand, he was squeezing it harder than Christina had while she was in labour with Christian. She didn’t try to get him to loosen his grip, after all she had done to him, all she had put him through the least she could do was the simple act of holding his hand.
The ceremony was over and the mourners had left the graveside. Connor had escorted Molly’s parents to their car to go to the wake. Daniel, his Mother and Wilhelmina remained seated, Betty was hovering nervously around them.
‘You can go Wilhelmina, I can look after my son.’ Clare said with contempt.
Ignoring her, she placed her other hand on top of her and Daniels joined ones. ‘I’ll see you at the wake.’
‘No wait, mom take Betty to the wake, I’ll see you there.’
‘Daniel…’ started Clare.
‘Do it mom, please. I want to talk to Wilhelmina.’
Clare looked at Wilhelmina open mouthed and then looked at Daniel who was pleading her with his eyes. She closed her eyes and nodded at him, she got up and linked arms with Betty and the two of them walked away from the grave.
Daniel’s gaze drifted down to his feet.
‘I want to be there.’
‘Be where?’
‘There…for Christian. He’s family, I want to be a part of his life.’
Wilhelmina nodded at him.
‘I guess that means you’ll be part of my life too huh?’
‘Well I am his mother.’
The two sat staring ahead, still holding hands.
‘We should try to get along.’
‘Ooh I don’t know a Meade and a Slater…it’ll end up in a heart attack or arson.’ She said mockingly.
He smiled at her. ‘Maybe that’s the one good thing that can come from this…new beginnings.’
She returned his smile.
‘New beginnings.’
-xxx-
Back at the hotel Connor had hired for the wake Daniel walked to the bar and tapped Connor on the shoulder.
‘Thank you…for everything.’
‘Look Daniel, what I said yesterday…’
‘Forget it, really.’
Connor smiled in gratitude. ‘Where’s Willie?’
‘She’s calling Marc, he’s bringing the baby down. We uh…we had a talk at the…we’re gonna try to get along.’
‘Good, that’s good for Mode.’
‘It’s not for Mode. It’s for Christian, and for you, I’m gonna be around a lot and it’ll be a hell of a lot easier if we aren’t at each others throats.’
‘You know Daniel, she’s not the devil you think she is.’
‘I told you not to tell people that.’ Interrupted Willie as she joined them both. Connor smiled and kissed her. Daniel averted his eyes, he didn’t know why but he didn’t like seeing Connor kiss her.
Daniel heard the door swing open and he felt himself smile the first real smile in days as Marc walked in holding his baby brother. He moved to put his glass down but before he could start walking towards Marc, Willie had hurried forward and scooped her son from her assistants arms, smiling broadly.
Daniel could see his mother heading towards Wilhelmina and hurried to intercept her.
‘So this is the bastard child of my dead husband?’ She had obviously been drinking.
‘Mom, stop it.’
‘What?’
Wilhelmina rounded on Clare. ‘This is not the time or place and whatever you have to say to me you keep my son out of it.’
Clare looked around, everyone in the room was looking at the scene she was creating. She swallowed and looked at the child in Wilhelmina’s arms and then looked at her.
‘Well…Bradford did make beautiful children.’ She said quietly and walked back to her table.
Daniel stroked Christians head. ‘I’m sorry about that.’
‘It’s fine, I’m surprised I got off so lightly actually. You had to stop her, I’ve got bunch of comebacks I’ve been working on for the past 9 months.’ She said smiling.
‘The scary thing is, I know you’re not joking.’ He laughed. He gestured the baby, ‘Do you mind if I go show off my baby Brother?’
Wilhelmina handed the baby to Daniel, ‘Make sure they know he got his looks from his mother.’
Daniel smiled and walked away.
Connor walked up behind Willie and wrapped his arms around her waist, he planted a kiss next to her ear.
‘Hey you.’
‘Hey you, how you doing?’
‘I’m good, had a long talk with Molly’s parents. I’ll be fine, so will he you know.’
‘Who?’
‘Daniel, I know you’re worried about him.’
She snorted, ‘Please…’
‘You are. Just be careful though, he’s using Christian as a crutch, it’s going to be hard for him when he’s back in his own place.
Wilhelmina felt her heart beat harder. It had only been four days but she had gotten used to Daniel being there and he was so good with the baby. Connor was there but Daniel was hands on, would help with anything the baby needed. He had bee a great help to her and she wasn’t sure how she would manage when he left, didn’t know if she wanted to. Her eyes found Daniel holding her son across the room and smiled.
‘He can stay as long as he needs.’
-xxx-
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