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“What books?” hair tickles my cheek as my brows raise in confusion.
“My mum’s books. She didn’t say your name, but I’m pretty sure you’re the evil fairy queen.” I stare at him in confusion, until he hops down with a thud and rummages around in his bag.
“See?" He withdraws a small stack of children’s books, placing one open on my desk. His tiny finger points to a watercolor portrait of a beautiful fairy with ebony black wings, she has purple eyes and whitish blonde hair. Tears sting my eyes, as I contemplate the fact that I’ve been painted a villain in a nursey book, literally. She carries a staff made from twigs and flutters just beyond a huge, green willow tree. Everlend.
A gasp escapes my lips as my fingers brush the delicate paper in awe of the likeness.
I knew Willow wrote and illustrated children’s books, but I’d never actually held one in my hands.
My heart absorbs everything my eyes see when flipping through the pages. The artwork is exquisite. When I reach the end, I find that the dark fairy has joined forces with the good fairy to protect the secret garden from an evil pirate lord.
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you, see?” he asks. “Even the villain gets to be the hero sometimes.”
“I do.” I whisper as he sits, looking rather pleased with himself. He’s his father’s son alright. “How'd you get so smart?”
“My mum writes books; I know these things.” He quips back.
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of my mouth at his cheeky reply.
“Drew?” Willow’s panicked voice floods the space as she barges in my office with Piers on her heels.
“He’s here!” Her hand flies up, covering her heart. “He’s here, Piers.”
“What’s going on here?” Piers asks me while Willow catches her breath, looking back and forth between Drew and me.
“Drew here was just entertaining me with some of Willow’s books.” I smile at Drew.
“Oh.” Piers seems at a loss for words. “Drew, you can’t just wonder off like that! You scared your mum, and me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He hangs his head. And I instantly feel bad he’s in trouble for trying to cheer me up.
“You guys were so busy talking about the wedding, I didn’t think you would notice.” he continues and all the sound evaporates from the room. The silence is so deafening; you could hear a pin drop.
“Umm- well.” Piers starts, and I feel someone’s gaze on me, gauging my reaction no doubt. A reaction that surprises even me.
“Congratulations are in order then?” Looking up I find all eyes on me.
“It’s only been a few weeks with everything going on, we thought it best not to—” Willow’s voice trails off as she nervously twirls a ring around her finger.
Piers pulls her into his arms and regards me over her head as he holds her tight. “But I think what she’s trying to say is that we needed a little time to let it all settles in and, things had been so…”
“I completely understand, please say no more.” I waive him off. I thought if this day ever came, that I would feel crushed, but I feel nothing but happiness for this family that has been through so much, some at my own hand. “I’m happy for you, truly.”
“Thank you, Scarlett. That means a great deal, to us all.” Willow smiles at me, she actually smiles.
“So these books,” I attempt to change the subject. “The artwork in them is quite exquisite they really are very lovely Willow; you should be proud.”
“About the dark fairy she—” she starts to explain, the awkwardness still thick in the air.
“Is quite beautiful.” I finish for her.
The old me might’ve been offended by how I was portrayed, when in all reality all she did was tell the truth. I think the only thing I have a right to be at this point is flattered that she included me at all.
“Wendy would have been very proud.” I tell her, afraid to let this moment pass, even though my voice trembles and tears threaten.
“Thank you.” she blushes as my mobile rings out loudly, breaking the moment.
“I’m sorry, I just need to check that.” I excuse myself thinking it may be Cohen, I rush to find a number I don’t recognize lighting up my screen.
