Chapter 27 STANDSTILL (2)
WILLA'S POV
I had expected that this would happen sooner or later. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to leave before our family got the chance to sit and talk about my pregnancy and the decision I have made about it.
Because whether I liked it or not, my business was also my family’s business to an extent. That was how it was with old werewolf bloodlines like ours. Families were too knitted closely, making it impossible for anyone to become a complete island of a person.
I was used to it to a certain extent, but what made it easier to deal with was the knowledge that my family did such private and personal discussions out of care and love. It had also never felt like my agency, sense of self and boundaries were encroached and disrespected. My Grandpa and parents had always made sure to tread carefully, despite their own opinions and feelings. I was sure that this time would be no different.
“Grandpa, I will be leaving as soon as possible,” I said as I straightened my posture. My back was upright and slightly stiff, while my shoulders were squared and mildly tensed. “Like I have said to you and Mom, I firmly believe this is the best course of action for me and my unborn child.”
“Willa,” Dad and William interjected at the same time.
But Grandpa lifted a palm to silence them. “Let her finish, Wendell, William. Let her say her piece before you offer your own thoughts and feelings about the matter.”
I mouthed a ‘thank you’ to Grandpa before proceeding to explain why I believed my departure was necessary. I reiterated as clearly and as concisely as I could nearly everything I told Mom earlier.
“My answer is still no. You are not leaving on your own, Willa, especially when you are carrying my grandchild.”
“Dad,” I said, my voice almost slipping into a whining tone, but I managed to catch myself before adding, “My reasons are sound and wise.”
“Certainly,” he agreed. “But where will you even go? Do you have enough money to last you for years? You haven’t even staked your claim over your inheritance vaults as a direct living descendant of the Alfiero clan and the Warrick clan.”
“Slow down, Wendell,” Mom cut in gently.
Dad didn’t even spare Mom a glance as he argued, “No, Felicity. I will not slow down. As her father, I need to disillusion her of the notion that pregnancy and parenthood could be as easy as crossing bridges. As I see it, she is dreadfully unprepared for the best course of action she could think of.”
“It’s okay, Mom,” I assured. “Dad can have a say, and I shall have mine after he’s through.”
Dad regarded me in a stern way that could potentially rival Grandpa’s stare. “Right, you will. Because I want clear and definitive answers. How will you handle the pregnancy on your own? Who would your healer be? What about chores? Have you thought about how you will fare all alone during your third trimester? Your feet and legs will be sore. Your back will ache. Your body will feel tired. I haven’t even mentioned the mental toll it takes to carry another life for months! And have you ever considered that perhaps you would be safer with a family who wouldn’t hesitate to protect you and your child?”
William sighed and set his teacup down on the table. It was still half full. “Dad’s right, lil sis. Yes, there is a war. We understand your fears about safety. But we can keep your child a secret until the war is over. We can and we will protect you. Besides, you cannot deprive us of seeing you and your child like this.”
“I… I see and understand your reasons, but…”
I paused and swallowed down the rest of what I was about to say: ‘But Gallahan Wick is the father, and who knows what he’ll do once he learns about our child, or what the people who despise him will do.’
I cleared my throat as a way to recalibrate myself back to a better composure before continuing, “But it’s not just about safety. I do not want to raise my child in a home that talks about the war and the League nearly on a daily basis. I want us to be completely away from that. And the ceasefire? This might just be tentative peace. Who knows how long it will last.”
My hands clenched tightly on my lap, and I had to take an even breath before I dared to address my Dad’s questions one by one.
“Grandpa promised to help me find a suitable place for me. I am also in contact with Sarina, the kind witch who had earned my trust, and she said she will help me in any capacity she can. That includes finding me a place to settle down and performing spells to set up protective barriers around wherever I decide to settle down. I have also asked her to cast a Know-Me-Not spell on me, my child, and our would-be home to make us untraceable.”
Dad’s frown deepened, but I continued to speak before he could think of interrupting me.
“Of course, exceptions will have to be made, so everyone in this room has the liberty to visit me. As for my finances, Grandpa has said he will officially bequeath me of my Alfiero trust vaults. I believe it should suffice in supporting me and my child. I will handle my pregnancy as best as I can, because what else am I supposed to do other than that? As for the healer, I will stick to having our family healer since she already knows of my pregnancy anyway. But I am yet to discuss with her the matters of my move. I reckon I can visit her on a set schedule until I hit my eighth month. As for your concern about the chores for when I hit my third trimester, I am yet to think about it. And lastly, yes. I have considered it, but my decision remains the same. Did I miss any questions, Dad?”
Instead of answering me, Dad turned to Grandpa. It was how I knew that he was losing this argument.
“Father, surely you are not allowing this. Willa is too young to be on her own.”
“Dad, I’m twenty-one.”
“Still a baby among adults,” Mom countered.
“Mom!”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Did you really think I could agree and be at peace, knowing that you are going through your pregnancy all alone? No. I cannot allow it as well.”
“How about we compromise?” Grandpa asked with a certain glint in his eyes.
It was then that I understood what Mom meant when she said I was too naive to trust my Grandpa.