Among The Wildflowers

𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕪-𝕤𝕚𝕩: For Good

It's been almost three weeks since Will's surprise return and though she hates to admit it, Gina's enjoyed having him around.

They've gone out a few times, but today Gina's decided to have Will over at the cafe.

He hasn't been properly introduced to Nic, and today's the day that changes.

"Bella, please go put on that dress I laid out for ya," Gina pleads, adding some salt to the pot of green beans.

"No. I am not wearing that stupid pink dress."

Gina picks up her wooden spoon from the counter and turns to her daughter.

"What was that?"

"I mean it, Gina," Nic states, crossing her arms,"hit me if ya want, but I'm not wearing that dress."

Gina frowns at the word hit. She sets the spoon down.

"Bella, c'mon. It's only for one night."

"No," Nic repeats, and Gina can tell by the look on her daughter's face that she means what she said.

"You're lucky I don't have time to deal with your disobedience right now," Gina says, turning back to the stovetop.

She practically jumps when she hears a heavy knock at the door.

Removing her apron hastily, Gina walks to the backdoor. She smoothes out her hair with shaking hands.

"He's almost an hour early," she says, her hand hovering near the knob.

"Well, aren't you gonna open it?"

"Oh, right."

Gina opens the door with a small smile. She greets Will, but then she notices the boy next to him.

"And who's this handsome young man?"

Will places a hand on his nephew's shoulder,"This is my late sister's son, John."

Gina's expression becomes gentle,"Well, it's very nice to meet ya, John."

The boy gives a timid smile.

"Nice to meet you too, Ms Flynn."

Gina allows the two to come inside and she closes the door behind them.

"John, this is my daughter, Nic," she says, gesturing to the girl seated on the couch,"Darlin', come say hello."

"I can say it just fine from here, thank you."

Gina's eyes narrow at her daughter. But she brushes the comment off and tells the two visitors to make themselves at home.

When John goes to sit next to Nic, the girl scoots away so she's sitting against the arm of the couch.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Nic snaps,"what's wrong with your face?"

John's eyebrows knit together.

"Dude, I've literally done nothing to you."

"Not yet you haven't."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Nic begins to flip through channels, ignoring the question altogether.

"Gina," Will says, approaching the woman who's hovering over the stove,"anything I can do to help?"

"Well, ya could've gotten here about forty-five minutes later," Gina says, a smile on her face.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Guess I was just excited to eat your cooking again."