#will macpherson

"Boys! Dinner!" Pumpkin called from the back porch, ringing the bell a few times.

It had been over five years since the MacPherson's had been married, and they were now well established in the ranching community in New Hope.

Will appeared out of the barn first, smiling as his eyes landed on his wife, her bump somehow more round than yesterday. It made his heart burst with pride.

A year and a half into their marriage, they had learned of her pregnancy - one that would result in fraternal twin boys. Will had practically been speechless at the first ultrasound.

"I didn't think I'd be nervous going in to see our baby. Maybe it's just because it's the first time." Pumpkin's fingers intertwined with Will's on her small bump as they waited to be called back.

"It's definitely a new experience. I don't envy you having to keep a full bladder though, that sounds uncomfortable."

"Oh, don't remind me. If I don't think about it too hard, I don't need to go as bad. But we've been waiting a while, and dang."

"MacPherson?" A tech appeared, and Pumpkin sighed in relief, standing from her chair gingerly.

"Sorry there was such a delay, we were running a bit behind." The young woman smiled, leading them down the hall.

"No worries, we don't mind waiting. Well, my bladder does, but the rest of me doesn't." She chuckled.

"That will make it so much easier to see everything! You are the best - that's part of the reason we were running behind, the last patient didn't have a full bladder and we had to do an alternate ultrasound route. Here we are." The tech opened the door for them to the ultrasound room.

It was dimly lit, but had a calm atmosphere about it.

"Well, my bladder is most definitely full." Pumpkin chuckled as she laid down on the table, lifting her shirt as the tech instructed.

"I'll make it as quick as I can - and it should go by fast, considering you followed the instructions. We should be able to find your baby in no time." The tech applied the gel, beginning to press down on Pumpkin's abdomen.

Will took his wife's hand in his, noticing her discomfort.

"When did you find out you were pregnant?" The tech asked.

"It's been four weeks since the positive test, and we're guessing she was about four weeks when she tested positive." Will responded.

The young woman nodded, moving her wand around. When she found what she was looking for, she smiled.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. MacPherson, looks like you have two healthy babies."

"There's two?" Will's eyes widened.

"Yeah! Let me get some measurements while I'm in the right spot and then I'll show you the screen."

After a couple minutes, the nurse turned her screen to show the couple what she was talking about.

"We have twin A on the left, and twin B on the right. Both looking to be about the same size, which is a great sign in these early stages. We'll definitely want to keep a close eye on them as they develop though, so I'll add to your notes for your doctor that you'll want to come in for an ultrasound every other week, at least until we can see more. Twins can be high risk, so you'll just want to make sure you're taking extra good care of yourself to make sure they continue to grow."

After Pumpkin had wiped the gel off and the tech had handed them their pictures, the couple walked out into the hall in silence, taking in all the information they had just been given. Pumpkin went into the bathroom, and even their walk to the car once she was done was pretty quiet. Spooky finally seemed to wrap his mind around the fact that he not only had one baby on the way, but two, and turned to his wife with the widest smile.

"We're having twins. Two babies." He laughed, picking her up into his arms and spinning her, making her giggle. "We're having twins!!"

Despite their initial shock, they were elated that their family was growing by two. Nothing about those next seven months had been easy, and they'd had a couple scares - but even with everything they had to deal with, two healthy baby boys were delivered ten minutes apart and only had a NICU stay of twenty two days before they went home.

Raising their boys had been their pride and joy for the last four years, and Will was so proud of who they were becoming under their parent's guidance, even if they did get into mischief sometimes. They were his boys, he could expect nothing less.

"Wesley Miguel! Don't threaten the goat with the shovel. I know she head butted you, but you were chasing her. C'mere." Pumpkin chided, though somehow her tone was still filled with love - something Will adored about her parenting style.

"Theo!" She called, but as her second boy continued to giggle and chase one of the chickens, she chuckled. "Theodore William MacPherson, come here. It's time to get all the dirt off your hands and eat dinner."

"Come, boys. Let's get washed up." Will laughed, and both boys came running past them into the house, but not before taking their little work boots off at the door - just as their Mama had taught them.

"And as for you..." Pumpkin turned to Will, chuckling softly as he embraced her.

"Hey, beautiful." He whispered.

"Hey, handsome." She smiled as his thumb rubbed comforting circles on her belly. "How was working with the boys?"

"They've got a lot to learn, but they seem to understand most of it. Not that collecting eggs and shoveling dirt is very hard to understand." He nudged her nose with his. "How are my girls?"

"Good. She's been kicking away today, just letting me know she's there."

Just six months ago, they had discovered their third child was on the way.

Since the twins had turned two years old, Pumpkin had wanted another baby. The boys had come so easily, she was fairly confident that it wouldn't be too hard to have their third child. Will had plans for a house full of kids - and they weren't exactly getting any younger.

But time passed. Baby number three didn't come. Pumpkin miscarried twice, within the first few weeks each time. It broke Will's heart - not only to lose their babies, but that his sweet love had to endure such heartache each time she learned she had lost one.

After the second miscarriage, they had decided to take a break from actively trying, to take some time to focus on the boys. Their dream of the house full of children was still there, but Wesley and Theo kept them busy enough that they began to heal. Pumpkin made an extra effort to get her hormones balanced, to make sure she was doing everything she could to be able to have another baby.

One evening, after a long day teaching the boys how to manage their field crops, the dinner bell rang. He herded his tired twins towards the house, kissing Pumpkin softly before going into the kitchen to wash up. Spooky's smile grew as he caught the smell of her ravioli casserole - one of the family's favorites.

"How was your day, honey?" His tone was soft, carrying across the room to her as she set the table.

"It was good."

"Errands in town go well?"

"They did! I finally was able to get a hold of those melon seeds we've been waiting for. I want to see if we can get them planted within the next week or so, they'll be a little late but I think we'll be able to get some good profit off of them. The boys loved the melon jerky we freeze dried last year, maybe we could make some of that at the end of the season too."

After the last plate had been set, Will's arms came around her from behind, breathing in her scent.

"You're chipper today."

"Just have a lot of reasons to be happy, I guess." She chuckled. "And I picked up a surprise for you and the boys on my way out of town this afternoon."

"Oh?"

"Mhmm. Wrapped it and everything."

As if on cue, Wesley and Theo discovered the wrapped box on their way out of their bathroom.

"Mama! Is this a present for us?" Theo asked.

"It isn't even anyone's birthday!" Wesley giggled.

"Come here, my little loves, and open it with Daddy. It's for the three of you." Pumpkin smiled, and the boys sat on either side of Will on the couch.

"Yeah, boys only!" Wesley chuckled.

"Won't you help us, Mama? I don't think it should be boys only." Theo said softly.

"Of course. we can each grab a corner and pull. Ready, set, pull." She said softly, and the wrapping paper came clean off the box, in several pieces. Will opened the box, pulling out two folded t-shirts, evidently for the boys because of their size.

It all happened so quick after that. Will reached the bottom of the box, eyes widening at the two items that were left for him. The boys opened their shirts, a little confused.

"It says 'Big Brother'?" Wesley's little brow furrowed.

"That's what mine says too." Theo asks.

Will discarded the box, standing as he held the little printed picture and the stick in his hands.

"You... are you serious?" Spooky's voice shook, full of emotion.

"Found out today." Her lips met his nose, tears already on her cheeks.

"We're gonna have a baby?"

"We're gonna have a baby. Twelve weeks, and looking completely healthy. Sweetest little heartbeat."

"Is Mama having a baby?" Theo asked.

"A baby! Oh goodness! Mama's going to have a baby!" Wesley giggled, hugging his parent's legs tightly, Theo following suit.

"My little Dot." Will smiled.

"Dot Erin MacPherson. I love her name already. And she seems to as well, she's been kicking when I've mentioned it..."

Since the baby had begun to grow, Will had hoped for a girl. His heart wanted nothing more than a little copy of Pumpkin running around, as both of his boys seemed to take after him in most of their features.

"Mama, when do we get to see the baby?"

"Is the baby a boy or a girl?"

"Boys, come here." Will scooped his sons into his arms. "We've just got to wait. We'll get to see baby soon."

"MacPherson?" The tech came through the door.

Will stood with the boys on his hips, and smiled at Pumpkin as she went into the room first. She was radiant, even though she was only halfway through her pregnancy.

"What do you boys think your little sibling is?" The tech asked as the boys stood next to her to watch what she was doing.

"I think it's going to be a girl." Theo responded.

"Me too. But it could also be a boy." Wesley stated.

"If they're bugging you, let us know and we can wrangle them." Pumpkin chuckled, the gel cool on her bump.

"They're alright, it's fun to have older siblings want to be involved."

"Will we get to see the baby on that screen up there?" Theo pointed at the blank monitor.

"Is that the camera you use?" Wesley asked as the tech moved the wand.

"Boys, come here. Let the technician do her job." Will held his arms out, and the boy's little feet soon had them cuddled into his sides.

The technician chuckled, looking on the screen to begin her search.

"I can't quite see gender yet, but looking at measurements so far, baby is looking great."

"Is the baby shy?" Wesley's little voice was soft.

"Yeah, baby is being a little shy. Can you cheer them on a little bit to see if they'll turn for us?"

Will's boys clapped their hands, giggling as they cheered on for their baby sibling. The technician moved the wand a bit, trying to get a different angle and move the baby a little bit.

For a split second, the baby turned and stretched their legs wide, and the technician caught a glimpse before the baby's legs scrunched back up.

"You did such a good job cheering, friends! Your little sister moved just enough so I could see!"

Everyone went quiet, the twin's eyes went wide.

"A little sister?"

"Yeah! Baby MacPherson is a girl." The technician smiled. "Congratulations."

Will's smile grew wide, his gaze moving to his wife. "I'm so proud. We've been needing another girl in the house."

"Where did she go... come on, Dot, say hello to daddy." Pumpkin took his hand, placing it at the bottom of her belly, where the baby began to kick. "There she is."

"Three months, and the boys will have a little sister." Spooky kissed his wife's forehead.

"Sister! Sisterrr!" Wesley bounded into the room, Theo right on his heels.

"Is she kicking, Mama? Did she miss us?" Theo asked, and both sets of the boy's hands landed gently on her stomach, pleased to feel her moving around.

"I am certain Dot missed you both, very much. Did you get your hands all washed?" Pumpkin asked, and the boys showed her their hands. "Perfect. Thank you so much. Now, can you please set the table for us?"

"Yes, Mama!" Theo led his brother into the kitchen, pulling plates from the lower cupboard and silverware from the drawer. If there was one thing the MacPherson boys loved, it was being helpful.

"Oh, and one last thing for you, Daddy. Because you're the only one who will really understand it." She smiled, waddling back into their bedroom to retrieve something. It was not long before her feet padded into the living room once more. "I had this made for you. For us."

Will took the item from her hands, shaking his head with a smile as tears pored over his cheeks once more.

It was a little sunflower frame made from wood, the latest picture they'd had taken of their family in the middle. The top read "Our world is in color when we're together" and the bottom line was "MacPhersons, est 2009".

"Pumpkin..." Spooky chuckled, her fingers soft on his cheeks as she wiped his tears. "It's beautiful. We'll have to get another picture when Dot is born."

"Most definitely."

"Mama! Does Dot like the casserole like we do?" Wesley asked.

"Does she like ice cream too? Because we could make her ice cream after dinner!" Theo chimed in.

"I'm sure she does, boys. And if you eat all your dinner and help with dishes, we can have ice cream later." Will answered his boys before kissing Pumpkin.

"I hope they'll let us have the raspberry sauce from our raspberry bushes again. That was the best part." Theo whispered as he went to the table.

"Me too." Wesley sighed softly, following his brother.

Will carefully set the sunflower frame on the fridge, making sure the magnet was strong enough, before his hand came to rest on his wife's lower back as she brought the hot casserole dish to the table.

Things would come, and things would go. Seasons would change. The house would fill with children, and they'd grow up and move away. But one thing was certain.

As long as they were together, Spooky and Pumpkin's world would always be in color.

♡ ♡ ♡

previous chapter ♡ the end ♡

series masterlist

"Erin?"

"Will!" Her arms were stronger than the last embrace he had shared with her. "It's so good to see you!"

"But you're... how are you..."

"I'm no longer in pain, Will. I'm free. I only have a minute to visit, I have things to do."

"I miss you, Erin."

"I know. But it's your time now. Get hitched. I'd spent long enough waiting for you to propose, go and marry the girl!"

"I wish you could be there."

"I will be." She hugged him again. "Take care of her, Will."

♡ ♡ ♡

2:32. He startled awake, but after catching his breath, rolled over to drape his arm across Pumpkin like he always did. But his arm met cold sheets, an empty space she usually occupied.

His mind wandered to yesterday's events, heart sinking deeper into his chest.

A soft cadence floated down the hall as light slivered under the door.

She was awake.

Padding down the hall, familiar creaks avoided, Will did find her planted on the couch under the quilt she was working on for their wedding, watching "The Wizard of Oz".

"Hey." Will's hand rubbed his eyes from sleep.

"Hey." Her voice was quiet, almost tight - as if she held her feelings in her throat.

"What are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep." She replied, moving the hoop to another section of the quilt as Will sat down beside her. "She loved this movie. We watched it together quite a few times."

"I remember." He took one of her hands into his, pausing her movement. "I'm sorry. I know you're grieving too, and the way I handled mine wasn't right."

"I've been thinking about Erin a lot." Pumpkin paused, setting her quilting hoop next to her. It was in the way she wouldn't look at him that he knew her emotions were simmering at the surface. "I think she held on long enough to watch us get engaged." Those soft eyes met those of her fiancé, full of tears. "I'm sorry that I've brought such a tragedy on your family. It's my fault; if we hadn't gotten engaged, maybe she..."

The only thing that stopped her from speaking further was the immediate press of his lips to hers. It seemed to finally break through her wall of emotion she had been bottling to spare him for the last few days.

"No, no, Pumpkin. Don't think that way." He whispered as his forehead came to rest against hers and he affectionately nudged her nose. "Erin passed when she was supposed to. Our engagement had nothing to do with how she went. She may have waited, but that doesn't mean that it was the cause of her leaving."

After a few moments, his fiancee scooted a little closer on the couch. "I love you." Her soft tone hushed his fearful heart.

"I love you too. And I'm sorry I snapped at you yesterday."

"I forgive you." Pumpkin's arms wrapped around Spooky tightly, as if she was afraid he'd slip through her grasp. Her voice cracked with emotion. "She's home. She's finally out of pain, and she's home. I'm just gonna miss her." She sniffled as his hand held her to him.

"She is. Erin is home." His cheeks were salty only moments after hers. "And we'll get through this together."

♡ ♡ ♡

It took a few weeks to get back to what felt like something normal. Erin left a hole that - for a while - didn't feel like would ever be filled.

But buyers did finally approach and signed papers on Pumpkin's house, and the moving process really began to take shape. Everything, save the couch in the front room and the television, was packed the night before they were due to drive to Arizona.

"It was nice being with our nieces and nephews for a few hours tonight." Will whispered, kissing her softly and running his hand along her back.

"Mhmmm. Oh, how I love them so. I'll miss their sweet faces, since we won't see them until the wedding." She hummed. "You know what my favorite thing in the world is?"

"What's that, love?"

Pumpkin nuzzled his nose, the cool metal of her engagement ring meeting the side of his neck. "Being your fiancée."

"That's my favorite thing too." His lips met hers again. "Feel ready to move tomorrow?"

"I think so. It's..."

The doorbell rang, and they paused.

"Maybe if we ignore it, they will go away." Will chuckled, capturing her lips once more. But the doorbell rang a second time. He groaned. "I'll get it, love."

Upon opening the door, Will found a young man, probably at least a few years younger than himself, looking very pompous with a bouquet of roses.

"Who are you? Her brother?" The man asked, clearly not impressed with Will.

"I could ask you the same, Mr...?" Spooky replied, gaze hard and unmoving.

"David."

Will paused. David... David... oh - David.

"Can we step outside for a moment?" Will asked.

David nodded, and Will closed the door behind him, something he was sure Pumpkin would question and look out her window. It was what he wanted.

Wanted her to watch him protect her and dispel other interested parties.

"Listen, kid." Will began. "That woman in there is my fiancee. She tells me you've been calling her for months despite her refusal of your advances..."

David's eyes widened. "You... you're the soldier..."

"I was. Now, I'm about to be her husband. So, if you don't mind, I never want to see you around again. Don't try calling either."

Watching the fear increase in this stranger's eyes brought Will a certain satisfaction. Not only had the words seemed to sink in, but he also appeared to take note of how much taller and larger Will was compared to him.

Within moments, the man had dropped the roses and darted down the steps and down the street to where his car was parked. While these details would have originally been cause of concern, the fact that Pumpkin had the ring on her finger and that they were moving to Arizona in the morning lightened Will's mood significantly, instead procuring a chuckle. The front door opened, and Pumpkin's tone was amused in a nervous sort of laugh.

"Hey, honey. What's going on out here?"

"David. David happened out here, my sweet." Will put the roses off to the side of the porch, ushering her back inside as her eyes widened.

"David? You mean gingerbread house psycho David?" She began to shake a little as her hands gripped Will's shirt. "He's never shown up to my house before. He must've... he must've figured out where I lived and hunted me down and now..."

"Shhh, Pumpkin. It's alright. I'm here now." Will's arms were tight around her, calming her anxious demeanor. "I'm here now. And we're moving across the country tomorrow. He won't be able to find you."

"Promise?" Those gentle eyes searched his as their foreheads met.

"Promise."

♡ ♡ ♡

June 3, 2009

Will rolled over and snuggled closer to Pumpkin as the sun sparkled through the dew on the motel window like stained glass, pushing light in every direction.

"Today's the day, hun."

"It is indeed, my love. It's our day." She hummed as his thumb padded over the ring on her finger. "You feel ready?"

"Ready for you to be officially mine? Yes. I have never wanted anything more than what we'll be doing today. Well, that and the future we're going to build together."

"I feel the same way."

The door of the motel room shook softly with a knock. Joanna's voice asked to take Pumpkin for her part of the wedding preparations.

"Be right there!" Pumpkin called.

"I don't want you to leave." Will held her a little tighter.

"I know, love. But think of it - the next time you'll see me, I'll be walking down the aisle to become your wife. Isn't that worth the separation?" She turned to face him as her arms propped her up on the bed. Soft fingers trailed his cheek. "I'm going to miss you too."

"See you soon, hun." He captured her lips.

"I love you." She nuzzled his nose before grabbing her bag and heading towards the door after donning the fancy robe Erin had insisted on purchasing for her before she had passed.

"I love you too." Will called back, watching her leave with Joanna.

♡ ♡ ♡

Standing in front of a room full of people with his brother in law behind him, Will was certain he had never been more nervous in his life.

Six years. Six years of waiting, Six years of knowing. Six years of her.

How long had he been stationed here? When would he finally get to see her again? It had felt like an eternity since they had parted this morning and Joanna had taken her away from him.

Will's mind wandered to the future. Their future. Today would be their first night in their new home, recently completed by their friends as a wedding gift. Tomorrow, plane tickets to Alaska. After that, anything was possible.

Suddenly, the music changed. The small crowd stood, turning towards the doors at the end of the aisle.

Will's niece appeared, diligent in her spreading of flower petals across the aisle.

Her brothers followed, each carrying little ring boxes.

As cute as they were, all he wanted was...

Her.

There she was.

If there was a moment in time that Will wished he could frame, it would be this one. The way her dress flowed around her with each step, the flowers in her hand, the way her hair sat so perfectly on her head, the way her eyes glistened as she caught his gaze.

Everything seemed to stop, nobody else mattered anymore as he looked at Pumpkin coming down the aisle. She was so perfect, so ready to be his. Nothing else made him happier. She took steps forward, and one by one, they brought her closer to him.

Before Will could comprehend it, she was next to him, and they turned to the priest together. The ceremony was spoken over them, but all Will could focus on was her. She was stunning, catching every ray of light that made it through the stained glass. In what felt like moments, they had exchanged rings and were at the end.

"You may kiss the bride." The priest smiled.

There was no hesitation - Will pulled her closer and captured her lips with his. The pews creaked slightly as their friends and Erin's family all rose to their feet and cheered.

"Everyone, please welcome Mr. and Mrs. MacPherson." The priest happily announced as they descended from their spot.

Finally, she was his.

♡ ♡ ♡

"I'm glad we decided to do the reception here, instead of at our house. The house that you still haven't let me see." Pumpkin chuckled softly as they walked towards the table with their cake.

"I promise you'll get to see it, sweetheart. I just..." Will pulled her close as some friends took pictures. "I have a surprise that I didn't want spoiled until today when I take you home."

"Oh? I’m excited - that sounds wonderful. I wasn’t actually offended, I hope you know." She teased, kissing his cheek softly before she took the little knife to cut the cake. Spooky's hand enveloped hers, and their cake was sliced, and put on a little plate.

She took a dab of the frosting and put it on his nose, and he did the same, giggling all the way through as more pictures were taken. This was everything he had hoped for and more.

But the cherry on top of it all was their first dance.

Erin's husband had asked if he could show them something beforehand. So, on a small television screen, he hooked up a video camera and Erin popped up on screen. It was evidently just a few hours after they were engaged, as her outfit was the one they had last seen her in. Tears were immediately in their eyes, and the video began to play.

"To my favorite couple in the world. I just watched you get engaged a few hours ago, and my heart is full. You are so special and dear to my heart - after all, I'm the one that pushed you together in the beginning! But you took that initial nudge and created a love that I could have only dreamed of for the both of you. I am so proud, and so happy that you made this decision to be together.

I know I'm not going to be able to make it to your wedding. I've known this for a while, I've felt it coming down the pipeline and I just can't ignore it anymore. But after seeing you finally take the first step towards tying the knot, my soul is at peace. So, I've asked my husband to play you this video before your first dance.

Marriage is special. A bond that you both will begin to discover goes so much deeper than just surface-level romance. This is a tie that will pull you through the good and the bad - together. You both love each other so much - don't let anyone or anything get in the way of that.

Take care of each other. I'll be around."

Pumpkin embraced Erin's children, and Will gave Erin's husband a hug.

"She made sure I knew exactly where it was so I could show you. She said it was important." Erin's husband choked.

"Thank you. This means the world and more to us." Spooky responded, his own tears falling as he hugged his nieces and nephews after they approached him.

"I knew something was missing. This was exactly what we needed. Thank you so much." Pumpkin hugged her brother-in-law.

Erin's family stepped back, wiping tears as they started John Denver's "Annie's Song" over the speakers.

Will turned, holding his hands out to his new wife. Pumpkin smiled and took his hands as he led them to the empty space in the middle of all of their friends.

Spooky and Pumpkin had danced before, but Will held her closer than ever as the music played. It was special - slow and delicate as he whispered in her ear and made her smile. Joanna was making sure to get all sorts of pictures, ones that Will knew he would want forever.

This was it. Mr. and Mrs. MacPherson.

♡ ♡ ♡

The drive home took about forty minutes. Will insisted on driving, which impressed his wife an incredible amount. He had struggled for years driving with his prosthetic, and had let Pumpkin drive whenever they had to go anywhere. But, under her supervision and help from Joanna, he had been practicing driving and was quite pleased with how easy it had been to transition.

"I'm proud of you, love." She smiled, the fabric on his suit pants now warm as her hand came to rest on his thigh.

"Been practicing just for you, Pumpkin. Thought you'd like riding in the passenger seat for once." He chuckled.

"I am enjoying it. Mostly because I get to watch you without having to worry about the road."

"That is a clear advantage you have over me. Perhaps someday they'll have technology so cars can drive themselves and I can look at you just as much."

"Oh, I'm not sure about that. We'll just have to see... oh my gosh, is that it?"

Spooky's smile widened as the car came around the bend of the newly paved road. The rambler was finally in sight, in all its Tuscan-inspired glory.

"That's home, Pumpkin." He pulled into the driveway, and laughed as her mouth remained wide open as she stared at the house. "Would you like to get out of the car and see it?"

"Oh, yes. I'm just... This is stunning. You hadn't told me about all the plants! I love them!" She chuckled, moving to open her door. Will reached over and locked it, just as he had so many years ago.

"Let me get that for you." He pressed his lips to hers, eliciting a smile as she remembered their first date.

The car paused its soft rumble as the key clicked out of the ignition, all the doors unlocking afterwards. Will climbed out of the driver's seat, sauntering around the car to the passenger side. The door was opened, but before she could step out, he took her into his arms and kicked the door shut after her.

"You romantic, you." She giggled, throwing her arms around his neck.

"Only for you, Pumpkin." He smirked, strolling up the front walkway to the rounded door. A simple wreath, made from fake flowers identical to the bouquet she had at the reception was on the door. 'MacPhersons, est. 2009' was laser cut on some wood in the middle. His wife looked at it with surprise, and he took the opportunity to kiss her cheek.

"Welcome home, Mrs. MacPherson." She was soft in his arms, and the way she looked at him sent his heart soaring. "Here's to our world in color."

♡ ♡ ♡

previous chapter ♡ next chapter

"Will, baby, did you buy celery at the grocery store?"

"I did, my love. It's probably buried in the right hand drawer underneath all the sticks of butter you pulled out of the freezer for rolls and pie crust."

Dinner preparation was in full swing at Pumpkin's house. Pots and pans were used, washed, then used again.

"I really hope I didn't burden Erin too much, the turkey and mashed potatoes are a big de-AL!" She squeaked as Will spun her around and lifted her to sit on the counter. "William! We don't have..."

His lips met hers softly, hands resting on her thighs before he responded. "You worry too much."

"She has stage four cancer. I'm worried."

"Erin is strong. She'll..." Will went quiet. Erin was strong, that much was true. But she had been declining so rapidly since she called that hot August afternoon that he couldn't deny the future possibilities.

Pumpkin held his face in her hands.

"She is strong. And we'll help her enjoy today as much as we can." Her kiss was light on his lips, and he moved to cut the celery for her stuffing mix as she slid off the counter, wiping it down.

Noticing his demeanor had dampened, she leaned against him.

"Hey."

Will turned to look at her, taking her hands in his and rubbing his thumbs along the backs of her fingers, she gave him a soft smile.

"It's gonna be a good day. She said she was feeling a little better today."

He leaned into the kiss she pressed on his cheek, turning back to the celery.

"Oh, and another thing..."

This time, as Will turned, his nose was covered in flour. Her giggles brought a smile to his face.

"Oh, you're going to get it." She barely missed his arms trying to sweep her up, running out of the kitchen.

"Don't try and run from me, you little trouble maker!" He laughed, trying to figure out how to corner her. She seemed to be able to read his every move, even while her eyes were practically shut from laughing so hard.

"You can't catch me, Spooky." She bit her lip.

Will smirked, and he noticed her expression shift slightly.

"What's that look?"

"It means..." He lunged forward, tackling her to her couch, beginning to tickle her sides. She squirmed underneath him, giggling uncontrollably. "...that I've got you."

"No! Please! Stop! You can't... do this to meeeee!" Her giggles only continued.

Will did pause, leaning in to kiss her neck. After she had caught her breath, she leaned into his touch.

"Feel any better?"

"A little." He smirked against her warm skin. "I think you're right - today is going to be a good day."

♡ ♡ ♡

"Just a minute, hun, doing a last minute check to make sure I got everything!"

It was almost deja vu. Almost six years ago now, he had been looking at a similar ring box before his deployment that early morning in March. He had taken the ring out and put it into his pocket.

This time, the ring would stay in the box. It would travel with them to Erin's house. He'd have to be as discreet as he could, since Pumpkin recognized the smallest of details that were subject to change. But that didn't matter. She'd be his soon - they would finally be official. This had been waiting long enough.

The next time the ring came out of it's box, it would be on her finger.

"Got everything?" Her soft voice came from the doorway, and he jumped slightly, thankful that the box was already in the bottom pocket of his cargo pants.

"Goodness, love. Didn't think I'd scare you." She chuckled.

"It's alright. I have everything." His lips met her forehead, warm as usual even with the cool air blowing outside in the early spring sunshine. "I had promised I'd bring something from my time as a Marine to show the kids, since they've been asking so much about military life."

"You feel okay about that? I know you don't love reminiscing on your time in the military."

"I think so. I'm not a Marine anymore, Pumpkin. I'm..." His brain short circuited. In just a slip of the tongue, he had almost called himself her husband. But he caught it early enough that instead, he continued, "... just an Arizona rancher."

Her eyes flickered with curiosity, studying his facial features in the same manner that she did when she'd question his tone. Will wasn't certain if he could hide the surprise if she asked, even knowing that Erin was waiting and wanted to be there, he couldn't keep this from Pumpkin if she asked.

But, she just chuckled, putting him at ease. "That is true. Well, you will be. Got to get someone to buy this house first."

"You are correct there, my darling." His lips met her temple. "We got all the dishes into the back of your car?"

♡ ♡ ♡

"Isn't it my favorite couple in all the world! Hello!" Erin smiled from her armchair in the living room.

"Erin, you're looking lively today. How are you feeling?" Pumpkin sat next to her, taking her outstretched hand as Will directed his nephews to put the food he had brought in onto the counter.

"Lively. Today is a good day. Thank you for doing so much, I feel like my husband needed more to be doing, he seemed to get bored." At her husband giving her a teasingly annoyed look, Erin chuckled. "But really, thank you. It helped a lot."

"Of course."

"I think we'll just serve everything buffet style, you can get your plate and come right through... boys! Stop fighting and get ready to say Grace. It's Easter, heaven forbid." Erin chuckled. She had been in the middle of some intense treatment and an extended hospital stay during Thanksgiving, so she had requested they do that traditional dinner on Easter instead.

Since her rediagnosis in July, Will and Pumpkin had flown up to Wisconsin a few times, for Christmas mainly, and had watched her decline. This trip would be different, their time would be extended by a few weeks, and as dinner began, they realized how beneficial their stay would be.

♡ ♡ ♡

Will was pleased with how well Pumpkin continued to mesh with his sister's family. She loved the kids, she was considerate of Erin and her every need, and made sure everyone had eaten and was taken care of.

The evening began to slow, and the kids set a movie onto the television softly as Pumpkin moved to the sink to begin doing dishes, even at Erin's insistence that her family could take care of it.

"Hey Pumpkin." Spooky kissed her cheek, beginning to rinse and dry the dishes.

"Hey, love." Her voice was soft and affectionate as she smiled at him.

A few minutes later, Will had turned around to put something away, and Erin nodded softly.

The dishes were almost done. He was running out of time.

But as the silverware came through, it all became clear. His hand 'slipped' and dropped a fork, and it made her chuckle.

This was it. This was his moment as his knee hit the floor. He took her hand in his after he had pulled the box out of his pocket.

It was only a matter of moments before she noticed he didn't need her hand for balance.

The gasp that escaped her throat as her eyes darted between his stance and the box in his hands was everything Will could have wanted and more.

"Pumpkin, sweetheart, I have been waiting an eternity for you. You have painted my world in color and I cannot imagine life without you by my side." He opened the ring box, provoking her tears. "Will you do the honor of marrying me?"

"I will." She smiled, watching as Will put the ring on her finger. Her forehead met his the moment he stood to take her into his arms, and as their lips met, Erin and her family clapped from the living room.

"I knew waiting for you was worth a million heartaches." Pumpkin whispered.

"We'll never be parted again." Will whispered back.

After another few moments to themselves, Erin's children were insistent on seeing their new aunt's ring, asking if they could help with wedding planning, asking if they could come and stay in Arizona. It made Will's heart soar with pride as he watched her interact with his nieces and nephews.

Mrs. MacPherson. It was written in the way she moved, the flicker of light in her eyes every time they landed on him, the sparkle of the ring on her finger that looked so at home there. It was in way she held him like there was no other thing on the earth more precious to her. Yes, this was the right decision.

Pumpkin moved to hug Erin, wiping her tears.

"I've been waiting so long." Erin chuckled, trying to blink away the emotion spilling from her eyes. "William has always looked for someone he could feel safe with. I'm just lucky it ended up being someone who I consider a sister. I can see how much he loves you - and how well you take care of him and treat him with the respect and tenderness he's needed since we were kids."

"He's my everything. And you have been there for me since the beginning, Erin. I don't know what I would have done without you." Pumpkin squeezed her hand.

"We have waited a long time. But now, I get to call you my sister. And that brings a peace to me I don't think I've ever known before. I know you'll take such good care of him." Erin chuckled, her knuckle running along her bottom eyelids again. "Feels like I'm finally able to give him away to someone who knows how to handle his heart."

"I promise, Erin, I'll take care of him. And we'll come and see you often, even after we're married."

Erin gave her a soft smile, fingers tightening softly around hers. "I know you will. I trust you. And I love you."

♡ ♡ ♡

Three days. Three days of peace, tentative wedding planning, and packing up more of Pumpkin's house into a moving truck.

That's all it had taken.

"I wish it wasn't snowing, it's the beginning of April, and we don't even get to enjoy the sunshine!" Pumpkin's fingers were soft on Spooky’s cheek as he swayed them to some music from her record player.

"It does feel unfair. But..." He chuckled, humming the tune of a Christmas song.

"No, don't you dare. It'll make the snow want to stay!" She giggled.

Will's phone began to ring on the counter, and after pressing a gentle kiss to her lips, released her from his arms to answer.

Erin's husband's voice immediately wiped the smile from his face.

He had never expected his life to be completely changed within a sentence.

The words coming over the telephone made his ears ring. Made him numb, tired, confused.

No. No she wasn't. She couldn't be.

"Will, what's happening?" Pumpkin asked again, concern filling her gaze.

Spooky shook his head, setting the phone onto the counter and turning away. When she picked up the phone with her usual ginger touch, he waited. Waited for the moment she'd know too.

The gasp that left her throat was enough to pull the pooling tears from his eyes, and his shoulders shook with the effort of expelling them.

"Thank you. We'll be right over." Her constricted throat barely let out a tone as she hung up the phone.

Wrapping her arms around him from behind, she nuzzled into his back and sobbed.

A symphony of sadness, their cries reached what felt like a sky of cold stone - no astronomical amount of grief could bring Erin back.

She was gone.

♡ ♡ ♡

The following Saturday was a blur, gloomy and devoid of any light that hope could bring. No, nothing could change things now. The cold was only amplified with the snow falling on top of everyone who had gathered at the cemetery.

After the service, Will went and knelt in front of the stone Erin had apparently already prepared for several months. The carved stone served as yet another twist in his stomach that she had known this was coming for such a long time, and hadn't said a word.

And, perhaps, it was his engagement to Pumpkin that she had been holding on for, as the state of her illness could have taken her much earlier than an early morning in April. Maybe the reason she had lived so long was because she had wanted Will to be taken care of.

Maybe if he hadn't proposed to Pumpkin, she would still be around.

His fiancée came and put a hand on his shoulder, her words not registering in his ears as emotions flooded his mind.

"Please, just..." Will shrugged her hand from his shoulder. "...let me be."

Pumpkin stood there for just another moment, her own tears of grief still falling, before standing and taking a few steps away from Will. "I'll be in the car."

The rest of the crowd had dispersed, leaving Will alone, crouched in the snow. He cried for what felt like a forever.

"You weren't supposed to go, Erin. You were supposed to stay... why didn't you stay?" He whispered, his hand touching the cold stone that held her name - the only physical thing in the cemetery that would lead him to her.

"I love you, Erin. Thank you." His forehead touched the stone, wishing he could have instead wrapped his arms around her one more time, instead of talking to carved rock.

Will was there for a long time. He had almost expected to have to take a bus home when he had decided he was finished - but there Pumpkin was, faithful as she had ever been, the exhaust steaming out the back of the running car. It would be warm, and that sounded lovely after freezing in the snow.

But Will would freeze in the snow any day for much longer, if he could just have his sister back.

The door unlocked as he drew closer, and he opened it to find a blanket draped over the heaters.

"I thought it might warm you up. Get in, let's go home." Pumpkin said carefully. Will noticed her tone was even more gentle than usual.

He sat in the passenger seat without a word, and she tried to move the blanket.

"I've got it." Will's tone came as more of a snap than he intended, and he noticed how fast her hand moved back to her half of the cab. Before he could apologize, she was speaking again.

"Buckle up. It's icy." The car slowly maneuvered out of the cemetery, and after his last glance at Erin's spot on the hill, his gaze watched Pumpkin as she drove them home.

He knew she was hurting - it was in the way her shoulders tensed, the way her eyes hadn't been anything but red since the early morning they had found out about Erin's passing. Her usual tapping of the steering wheel had stopped, and she didn't turn the radio on for the full half an hour drive home.

The blanket did help Will warm up, although even with her consideration of his temperature, the air in the cab of the car was heavy. Tangibly melancholy.

Will didn't try to talk to her as they pulled into her driveway. His eyes wandered to the for sale sign out front, but even the thought of their future together wasn't enough to help him feel better.

Pumpkin made him tea, warmed up a quilt or two in the dryer, and had set a sandwich on the nightstand of his preferred side of the bed while he showered. But the moment he came out, finally feeling like he could maybe have a conversation, she closed the door to the bedroom and went out into the main living area.

Healing wasn't going to be linear.

♡ ♡ ♡

previous chapter ♡ next chapter

If there was one thing Will loved most about his new chance at life, it was mornings with Pumpkin.

Whatever was left of the coolness that nightfall brought began to dissipate as the sky illuminated into all sorts of warm pinks and oranges.

Cotton sheets rustled and wrinkled as she cuddled into his chest, barely conscious and unwilling to move too much just yet.

"What if we just... call in sick?" He mumbled, tone deep with fatigue as his arm draped over her.

"Can't. It's our house." Her soft fingers played with the edge of his tank top at his shoulder.

"Damn." Will kissed her forehead. "Better get moving then, it begins to get really hot at 8."

It had been several months since the incident with Rhodes. Now that the people of New Lago and New Hope were free from tyranny, they were much more welcoming to Will and Pumpkin than they had been before. The two of them had been offered housing by countless families, but unwilling to burden any of them as they all got back on their feet, the couple had decided to stay at the hotel. 

Kisses exchanged, toast and coffee made, they had been through the usual morning routine as she settled onto the bed behind him, massaging some of the knots in his shoulders and back after they were dressed.

"Now, if I remember correctly, you love breakfast." She kissed his shoulder.

"Mhmm. The whole she-bang, if I can help it."

"Gosh, I'm so excited to have a kitchen so I can cook for you again. I'll make you the tallest stack of pancakes you've ever seen, my love."

"Mmmmm. I'd like that. But we'll have a kitchen again in a few months, when we go back to Wisconsin to visit Erin for the holidays. We've got to get your house ready to sell."

Will could feel her smile, and his heart beat just a little faster before her fingers found a spot that he had injured in the incident with Rhodes.

"Ouch." He groaned, flinching slightly.

"Sorry, love. Didn't think your shoulder was still that sore." Pumpkin said softly, her hands pressing into his shoulders more gentle than before.

"It's alright. Did you and Joanna decide what we're doing for lunch?"

"Well, since we're eating with Victor and his family tonight and they had mentioned fajitas, we decided to do sandwiches. I'm also making that lemonade you really like. It should get up to at least 100 degrees today, so it'll be nice to have something cool in the middle of the day. If I'm not there, make sure to reapply your sunscreen and drink plenty of water. I don't want you burning or dehydrated."

"I've been in the Syrian Desert and been just fine, I don't think I'll burn, hun."

"Alright then, but I don't want to hear it if you do." She kissed his cheek, only having a moment's peace before Will flipped around and pinned her to the mattress, hands by her waist.

"William!"

"You're just too cute for your own good." He pressed his lips to hers. "You ready to go?"

The familiar horn of Joanna's truck sounded outside the window.

"I think so." She chuckled. "But I'm a little stuck."

Will pushed himself off the bed, holding his hand out to her. "Come, my lady. Our castle awaits."

"Castle." She laughed, taking his hand. "Tuscan castle in progress, for sure. Your plans are quite ambitious, my love."

"Only the best for you, my darling Pumpkin." He kissed her forehead, the floor of the hallway creaking in the same spot it always did.

"When did Don say my car would be done?" Pumpkin asked, stumbling a little. The work boots she had been using were just a little big on her feet. Will caught her arm and continued down the stairs.

"I think tomorrow, since the tubing should be coming in for your oil intake. I was going to go see if I could help him install it and change your oil out before we get it up and running again."

"Perfect."

♡ ♡ ♡

The cloth was cool in the backseat of Joanna's truck. Will soaked it in, knowing the Arizona sun would beat on it for the rest of the day. Even with the windows down, blue skies illuminating his surroundings, it was surely already close to eighty degrees.

Carly breathed deeply, eyes closed as she slumped into Will's side.

"Sorry, she's still getting used to the early hours. I told her she could stay at the shop, but she insists she be there to supervise." Joanna chuckled.

"I don't mind." Will whispered back. Practice for when you have yours, he told himself.

The way Pumpkin's voice was so much softer in the mornings was something he'd never forget. Like silk, woven so delicately, and yet it held such power over his heart that he couldn't describe.

And to think, just a few months ago, this could have been taken from him.

"It's okay, love. It's alright. Joanna's taking us to the hospital. Breathe for me." Pumpkin kissed his forehead, tears spilling down her cheeks as he hugged her tight in the backseat of Joanna's truck.

She had wrapped his leg wound, and stopped most of the bleeding, along with the wound in his hand. But there were little abrasions everywhere, bruises were forming, and he felt that there wasn't an area where he didn't hurt.

But she held him through it all. She hadn't left his side since it began. She took care of what she could before wrapping him in a blanket and helping him into the truck. And even then, she wouldn't let go. Not that he wanted her to. She brought the only semblance of comfort that he could recognize.

"Pumpkin..." He coughed a little. "I know I'll be alright, but... I have to ask you something."

"Anything."

"I want to build where Miguel started before... before all this happened. But... I want to build it... with you."

She kissed his forehead again, soft and affectionate fingers running through his hair. "Okay."

The white noise of asphalt turned to the rumbling of dirt, the gentle clang of rocks in the wheel wells now familiar.

Right before him, Spooky could see the culmination of the life he had so desperately wished for coming together, piece by piece.

♡ ♡ ♡

Will had seen Pumpkin work before - but this was different. The way she shuffled through the dirt, sweating in the heat as she moved things around, how she worried over Will's hydration, applying sunscreen on his skin a second time before she left to make lunches with Joanna - her magic didn't have boundaries.

And as much as she refused to believe it - to Will, she was gorgeous like this.

"Spooky! Where's your chica?" Eduardo asked.

"She left with Joanna to go make lunch."

"Is she your fiancée yet or what? You're taking a long time."

"Not yet. Haven't found the ring."

"If you take too long I'll have to set her up with someone. Those dog tags you gave her don't count."

Will chuckled. This teasing was normal - predictable, even. It seemed that there was not a soul within New Lago or New Hope that didn't know of his intention to marry Pumpkin. He had given her his dog tags once things had settled down, and she hadn't stopped wearing them since.

"My darling Pumpkin, they really aren't that special."

"To me, William 'Spooky' MacPherson, they are. Look out world, this girl's taken!" She put them on her neck, spinning around once before pausing to look at them.

Will chuckled, holding her hand that grasped his dog tags so tightly.

"Yeah, you are."

"My soldier's come home. Gotta make sure everyone else knows." She whispered as their lips met.

He loved how she wore them so often now. He could understand why many of his new friends thought he had offered it instead of an engagement ring, with how faithful she was to always having them on her person. Perhaps she also considered them an engagement item. But it was quite the opposite of what everyone assumed - because a ring was in the works.

"Well, I'm actually planning on proposing around..."

"Spooky! Spooky! Come see the spot I picked for your yellow flowers!" Carly giggled, taking Spooky's hand and leading him away before he could finish answering.

"Soon!" Will called back to Eduardo, who laughed as he turned back to the cement mixer.

♡ ♡ ♡

"I'd never thought I'd be settling down in Arizona - I had always imagined that I'd live in Wisconsin my whole life."

"Yeah?" Joanna was focused as bread knife thunked against the cutting board.

"Yeah. My family is from there, it's where I grew up. Will's sister lives there, but at least from what Erin's told me, he's always been pretty independent. Now, we have ties to Arizona." Pumpkin pulled the simple syrup off of the stove to cool.

"I'm so sorry about Miguel. But I think he would be proud that you two are building your life together where he had begun."

"I hope so." Her tone softened, the familiar pang of loss settling in her stomach for a moment as she turned to help begin the assembly of the sandwiches.

"Now, for the important question." Joanna's tone lightened. "Have you and Will discussed marriage yet?"

Pumpkin blushed, the smile returning to her face. "I mean, it's come up, but we haven't discussed anything in depth yet."

"With the look in his eye, I think you don't have much longer before he's asking." 

"Oh?"

"I've only dealt with it twice myself, and been around it for other friends a few more times than that, but I have seen enough to know the look. He's asking soon, I'm sure."

♡ ♡ ♡

Never in his life had Will been more grateful for sunscreen. Not that he would admit it to Pumpkin out loud.

The sun had been out in all its glory all morning, and by some miracle, a pleasant afternoon breeze blew some clouds into view and allowed some facade of the cool air everyone wanted so desperately.

Don was reading the newspaper out loud, about Halicorp's recent action after they had entered a law suit and things had settled after everything with Rhodes.

Will perked up, the familiar rumble of Joanna's truck tires coming down the road. She honked, and he waved to his friend and his love as the truck came to a stop.

"Hey, you sure you don't wanna move into Rhodes' place?" Don asked, following Will towards the truck.

"Yeah, you can have it."

"You can have it for nothing."

"Miguel Silva saved my life. He invited me here. I think I'll stay." His smile grew as his eyes landed on Pumpkin - the very reason that Miguel had saved his life. The person his whole life revolved around.

She disappeared behind the truck to get things set up to serve, like she did every afternoon. Will's steps took him to stand next to Joanna for a moment.

"You think you're gonna be safe here? Rhodes had a lot of true believers working for him." Don's tone was slightly nervous.

"Carly, lunch!" Joanna called to her daughter.

"Let 'em come. I'm not going anywhere." Will smiled, turning to Joanna as he saw the familiar glint in her eye. "What?"

"She's like a sister to me now. Don't let her down." Joanna teased.

Will shook his head, walking past her to the back of the truck.

"Hey, honey. How..." His brow furrowed as he found her in tears, on the phone with someone. He took her into his arms. "Pumpkin, what's wrong?"

"It's Erin."

♡ ♡ ♡

previous chapter ♡ next chapter

It was hell.

Spooky had seen war zones before - each equipped with their own atrocities and numbing surroundings.

But here?

He was fighting two fronts - gun in his hand, uniform soaked in sweat and stuck on his skin in the desert heat. Heart beating irregularly in his chest with every bullet ringing in his ears as he thought of her.

Pumpkin was everywhere. Her soft embrace was in the soft glow of the sun that brought the first warmth of the day. Her eyes were in the wide expanse of the sky, ever watchful. Her hair in the soft rolling sands that slipped so easily between his fingers.

How was he supposed to focus if she was all that occupied his mind?

"Hey, man - mail's come in." Miguel nudged him as they sat on base, waiting for another assignment after another grueling mission. Will sat up a little straighter, and Miguel handed him two envelopes.

Erin always wrote. Always. Didn't matter the length of the letter, she always wrote something. He set the other envelope down, reading Erin's entry. She updated him on the kids, and he chuckled as he read it.

His eyes scanned the rest of the letter. Sometimes, Erin would give an update on Pumpkin - what she was up to, maybe she had come to visit a month ago, or they had talked on the phone and she wanted to tell him how Pumpkin was doing. Ashamedly, it was his favorite part of Erin's letters.

However, this letter didn't contain anything on his love. He finished it nonetheless, brow furrowing as he came to the bottom. There was a post script note.

Erin never did post scripts.

Nevertheless, there it was :

Read the other letter. All the way through.

Will set Erin's letter down, and picked up the other envelope. He turned it over to see the return address, and his heart jumped. He couldn't decide if it was in fear or in excitement.

Pumpkin.

Spooky couldn't believe it. The ring in his breast pocket practically burned into his chest. She had been at the forefront of his mind for almost a year now, and here her beautiful handwriting was, in his hands.

For the first time in months, even though he had been living in desert heat 24/7, Will felt warmth wash over his being. It still couldn't compare to feeling her against him, but for just a moment, he had a glimmer of that sweet presence he loved so much.

The envelope was opened, and he couldn't help the emotion collecting in the bottom of his throat. He wanted to hold her. Hold her and never let her go.

It was short, but he couldn't expect a lot from someone that had been abandoned by the one person she really trusted.

Will,

I know I'm the last person you want to hear from, but I hope everything is going well, and that you're staying safe. I was just wondering if you know when you'll get to come back to the states. I'd love to talk sometime, if you're willing.

Will held it in his hands, running his thumb along her small handwriting. He could tell she had written it when she was anxious - every letter was calculated and practically perfect - she wrote it slowly, probably having written it several times before until she got exactly what she wanted to say.

"MacPherson!" The commanding officer barked.

Spooky set the letter down on his bunk, moving out to the aisle to stand at attention. He was then told to report to the offices, for a special debriefing. He left the room immediately.

Miguel finished his letter from his wife, chuckling at the picture of his little boy. Juan Miguel had so much energy, he could just feel it emanating from the picture. It was his fourth birthday a few months ago - and he was just as perfect as the day he was born.

As he turned to look down at Will's bunk, he noticed one of his letters, wide open on the mattress.

Unable to stay his curious mind, he climbed down the ladder and looked at its contents, his eyes widening. Spooky had never shared any part of his personal life with anyone, besides the fact that he had a sister, who wrote often. But this?

It couldn’t be… Spooky, in a romance?

Miguel heard footsteps again, and set the letter down in a panic, walking outside to the yard to maybe stifle the guilt.

♡ ♡ ♡

Later that evening, everyone had settled down into bed, but Miguel remained awake. His little walk had not stifled the guilt, it had only grown to ten times its size. Unable to handle it anymore, he whispered into the darkness.

"Spooky, you still awake?"

Will adjusted on the bottom bunk. He had the engagement ring between his fingers, playing with it. He hummed in response.

"Dude, I read the letter from your girl earlier. It was an accident, I promise. I'm sorry, man."

There was silence for a moment, until Miguel spoke again.

"If you don't mind me asking, what's going on there?"

Spooky was quiet for a few moments. He closed his eyes, drawn back to the moment his eyes had fallen on her. Like a carousel, their short time together played through his mind, ending much too soon as usual. The details were blurring together as time was passing. Forgetting the sound of her laugh, forgetting how her hand felt in his. He hated that.

"I loved her. But..." He could only imagine the damage his departure had left to her sweet soul. "...but I had to leave."

"Ah, you found she was cheatin' on you with some other guy, huh?"

"No." Will's voice was sharp, before softening again at the feeling of the ring between his fingers. "No. Pumpkin wasn't that way. She wouldn't. Our connection was different. Ran much too deep."

"Are you going to write her back?" Miguel asked.

Another moment of silence. He could write her back. Tell Pumpkin how sorry he was. Send the ring to her and mend the wound he had opened, promising her to return to her, as she deserved.

But there was always the chance he wouldn't return. And then, she would be even more heartbroken than before.

"No, I don't think so." Will's soft voice replied.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out, man. Deployment is hard. But with the right person, it isn't so bad." Miguel yawned.

Will was quiet. The guilt he had carried since he had left Erin's was beginning to deeply root itself in his heart. Maybe he had been wrong. Maybe he shouldn't have left her. Maybe he should have driven to her house that early March morning and kissed her senseless and slid that ring onto her left finger, where it belonged, and not taken it across the world to sit so uselessly in his pocket, burning a hole into his heart. Now, it was much too late for that.

With the right person, it wouldn't be so bad.

♡ ♡ ♡

Last day on base. They had another undercover assignment.

Spooky had noticed Miguel had been busy on his bunk writing a letter for most of the morning after drills. He assumed it was to his wife.

He had no idea it was actually to Pumpkin.

The letter wasn't long, but Miguel described Spooky's behavior, how distant and quiet he was, but also how soft he was when he had mentioned her.

I'm sorry that he won't be writing you back, I assume he thinks he's keeping you safe from being hurt again. But let me tell you this again - I have never seen Spooky more gentle than when he was talking about you.

He sealed it, and turned it in to the commanding officer.

Pumpkin deserved to know.

♡ ♡ ♡

Another year passed. Will was beginning to forget what she looked like. The way her voice carried in a room, the way her smile lit the fireworks in his heart off. He was beginning to forget her touch, that soft skin he so desperately wanted to feel against him.

It was almost his two-year mark in this desolate wasteland. The rolling sands no longer held comfort. It just got everywhere and into everything and it had a way of dulling emotion and any depth of a dream for a better future.

A future he had no idea Miguel was advocating for.

Pumpkin had received Miguel's letter, and had written back. And since then, they had become pen pals. Miguel was cultivating Pumpkin's hope in Spooky, and he jokingly told her she should name their first boy after him, which she had found amusing.

Chupacabra,

Thank you for your last letter. Your encouragement is everything to me - since we still have snow where I'm living, and you know how I feel about winter. I would love to come down to Arizona and help with your ranch sometime when you get back - then I can meet Lucinda and Juan Miguel, who I request you send my love to. I don't know a lot about them but they sound amazing.

Please take care of Spooky for me. I can feel his heart hurting as we are worlds away and I just want him to come home safe.

Miguel had become very good friends with Pumpkin, who had nicknamed him Chupacabra because she had never seen him before, and he was wanting to move to Arizona once his papers were finalized after the war. Miguel liked it, teasing back and forth like siblings would - and supporting each other like siblings as well. Through all of their letters, he insisted that all Spooky thought about was her. She just needed to hold on a little longer.

Miguel was brought back to reality as the commanding officer stood in front of them and explained what exactly they were doing as the "United States scalpel" - to remove the cancer and save the lives of the citizens without blowing the entire city away.

"We're only two klicks from the kill zone. And even though it's a dry 100 in the dark shade of this lovely evening, you will keep frosty."

Miguel's heart beat irregularly. It wasn't different than anything else they had been doing for the last two years, but something tonight was different. And while Spooky had a special assignment, Miguel was determined to keep a close eye out for anything out of the norm. He'd promised Spooky's girl that he would keep Will safe.

But, even with a few injuries, everything was going smoothly. Like normal.

Until that little girl showed up.

She looked innocent enough, a teddy bear in her arms and wearing a backpack that she likely used for school before everything had started to go downhill in her country. She was showing her teddy bear to a soldier in the middle of the structure.

Miguel kept to the edges, staying close to Spooky, and keeping his eye trained on her.

Then, when there was a lull in all the commotion, when the sound had softened, they could hear the beeping.

"BOMB!" The soldier screamed.

Miguel was already tackling Spooky before he was fully able to process and react to this information, rolling down onto the sand as the explosion crashed through the stone and set everything on fire.

It was loud, the force of the blast throwing them about twenty feet, burning their skin and knocking them unconscious for a little while.

The first thing Will could remember after waking up was the ringing in his ears. Was this it? Were these his final moments?

He focused his thoughts on Pumpkin. On how much he loved her. That soft figure he so longed to feel holding him in his final moments.

But it didn't end. He hadn't died.

Will's hearing began coming back. The screaming. The rushing feet, trucks pulling in that brought the familiar smell of diesel that made his head spin.

He couldn't move, his body in enough pain that he knew if he did, he'd be worse off.

The medical truck arrived, and they began getting ready to transfer the more injured soldiers to the hospital first. Will was on the less fortunate end of the spectrum, so he was going to be transferred first.

The soldier helping him called to the helicopter team.

"Let's get this guy out first!" He turned to Spooky, talking in a calm tone. "It's okay, you're gonna be okay. We're gonna get you out of here."

But that wasn't fair, Will thought to himself.

Miguel had saved him. Miguel was the reason he was alive. Miguel was the reason he was going to make it home to Pumpkin.

"Him first." Will whispered. He could feel the bruises forming all over his body, blood from his wounds mixing with sweat, making him feel hyper aware of how sticky his skin was.

"I got a lot of injured men, he doesn't need help as much." The soldier replied calmly.

"He saved me. Him first. Him first." Spooky nodded slightly, being as persistent as he could with his body in shock. As the moments went on, he could definitely tell something was wrong with his right leg. But for now, he pushed that aside. Pushed all thoughts aside through the screaming and the moans of pain and the deafening rumble of the equipment - so he could make sure Miguel was going to be taken care of.

“Him first.”

Even if he didn't make it out of this piece of hell, he had to make sure Miguel did. He had a family - people who depended on him.

Spooky's thoughts went back to Pumpkin. She needed him. She depended on him. She needed him alive.

The soldier called to the incoming helicopter team.

"Him too! Let's get him on board!"

Will relaxed, now trying to focus on his breathing. Miguel was safe. He was going to be okay.

They set their two stretchers side by side, and Miguel choked a little, struggling to breathe.

"T-thank you, Spooky."

"I owe you." Will smiled gently.

"Damn right you do." Miguel chuckled back at him, and for the first time since the accident, Will opened his eyes as they picked their two stretchers up and put them into the helicopter.

He couldn't look around much, but he could see Miguel sort of clearly. He was injured, but the way Miguel and the other officers looked at Will, he knew something was worse when it came to him. The lights from the helicopter were bright and hurt his eyes, so he closed them again, fighting unconsciousness back until they had made it to the hospital on base. Clean sheets beneath him, rubbing his skin and making it burn again, but knowing he was safe, he finally let himself sleep.

♡ ♡ ♡

The next several months in the hospital were grueling. Surgery had been imminent upon his arrival, and Will had been experiencing some severe PTSD afterwards.

Upon waking up for more than two minutes at a time, he was informed that he had lost his right leg from the knee down. Gone.

This only fueled his self hatred.

Miguel kept him pretty level, and they snuck out a lot to go chat or just decompress, even when they weren't supposed to.

Last night, Miguel had cried for hours over losing his copy of Watership Down. It was his favorite book, the one he had learned English with, all marked up in the margins and underlined and as a bookmark, one of his favorite pictures of Lucinda and Juan Miguel. It was lost in the explosion, but he had been told it had saved his chest from burns that could have been much worse.

So tonight, Will managed to get a hold of a computer and logged onto EBay to find him a new copy. It was the least he could do for someone he owed his very life to.

Not to mention, Miguel had told Spooky about all the letters he had sent to Pumpkin.

"Sorry, man. I know you probably didn't want me getting involved, but she had just sounded so sad."

Will chuckled softly.

"How long?"

"Oh, about a year. She's crazy about you, Spooky."

Will chuckled again.

"Oh, I'm not so sure anymore..."

"No, Spooky, I'm serious. And she's been consistent the whole time. I mean, I haven't been able to write back since..." Miguel went quiet. They hadn't been able to send letters since they had been transferred to the hospital, but their family had been notified, their belongings from base retrieved, and that had to be enough for now.

Will just nodded.

Finally. Watership Down, practically unused, and hardcover.

Hardcover. Pumpkin insisted on them.

"You see how nicely they fit together on the shelf? I mean, yeah, sure, they're a little more expensive. But even after I read it 15 times, it will still have this shape. The pages won't be as tattered because the cover can actually hold them together."

"Sold! It's yours!" The bright white screen declared in its multicolored font.

But Will's heart was still somewhere else.

♡ ♡ ♡

Despite her best efforts, even upon learning about his transferral to the states, Erin couldn't convince Will to let her see him in the hospital.

He felt bad - it wasn't her, it was about his leg. He had spent the last four weeks learning to use crutches, and had recently been given a prosthetic, which took a lot of physical therapy and practice to get used to. He didn't want her to see him struggle like that.

This morning, upon discharge from the hospital, Will was informed he was honorably released from the Marine Corps, due to his injury.

His pride was damaged in a different, almost worse way than his body had been. Something that even if he wanted to admit, he couldn't. His body could heal. His mind was something else.

He had, however, asked Erin to help him move some stuff into his new apartment. It was cheap. What he could afford on what the military was still paying him. Erin had tried to tell him to go see Pumpkin, but he just shrugged his shoulders and waved to her from the sidewalk after she hugged him goodbye.

Since he had left Pumpkin, color had begun to fade from his soul. The birds singing in the morning weren't singing. The clouds in the sky didn't hold fantastical shapes. Sunsets were no longer magical. Living became a chore.

Pumpkin had breathed color into his life, tiptoeing barefoot, planting flowers through his heart like no one else had. Or could.

Maybe that’s how he had ended up here. In front of her house, a few months after being home.

It looked almost the same as the day he had left it that spring over two years ago, but this time, the autumn breeze had stripped her favorite tree of its leaves.

His eyes wandered over the house. The porch where too many goodnight kisses were shared. That time she had tackled him in the snow. Sidewalk chalk right before the big rainstorm at the beginning of March a few years ago that had them running inside.

Will felt his heart ache. His letter’s words mocked him, knowing how he must’ve broken her heart. Erin’s first letters out had left little for him to go off of, but he knew Pumpkin had been hurt.

Then, her letter. How sweet she had been - how she wanted to talk. Maybe she still wanted to. Maybe there was hope.

Spooky went to touch his pocket where the ring had resided, and felt guilt sweep his entire being into the gutter.

No. It couldn’t have.

His mind glazed over his injury. It must have fallen out of his pocket or been lost to the explosion.

Not that she would want it anyways. Not now.

He began walking back to the bus stop. The bus back to his area would be back in about fifteen minutes or so.

Pumpkin wouldn’t want him. Not only had Spooky shattered her sweet soul, but he had ignored her letter for a year.

He glanced at his prosthetic, cursing under his breath. She really wouldn’t want him now. Pumpkin deserved a man who was whole - not someone with a bruised psyche and a peg leg.

But his steps paused, looking back at her house. The color was there. The color and the life his soul so desperately longed for. Will knew, deep down, that she would love him no matter what. At her core, that is who she was.

Will’s feet began to move again. Back to the gray. Back to the colorless, purposeless, futureless life he was beginning to build walls around.

Perhaps he could… no.

He couldn’t.

♡ ♡ ♡

previous chapter ♡ next chapter