It wasn't fair, Isobel felt cheated. She did everything to make sure William didn't fall under someone else's spell. But he did and under Lily's, to say the least. That September night, it didn't occur to her that William was the warlock in disguise. The shivering night was nothing compared to what she felt when she saw it.

That kiss fueled something, so much hatred, and betrayal, it burned her heart like lightning, it burned even more than it would touch the brightest star in the sky. Her voice was numb, broken. She hadn't the will to say anything but scream, scream, and pull her hair out like a madman. The stillness broke the night and with the slowing car, she hid her face.

"It's rather late. Get in." He suggested. "I'll take you home."

"Great." She murmured, laughing almost hysterically. "Walking is fine but thanks." She gestured with a dull wave.

"A walk it is." The driver pulled over, parked the car, and within a second, was beside her.

When Isobel's face came to light, she was astonished that all she could say was. "William?"

"I thought it was you." He said, almost as relaxed as the bending wheat in the fields beside them. "Oh, here." He slipped off his coat and Isobel stopped walking.

"I, I"

"It's okay, you need it more than I do."

"I saw you~" She paused, thinking about it then breathing out causing a crisp smoke in the air. "with Lily."

"Did you?" He leaned his head back for a moment, chipping in a chuckle. "Is that why you're like this?"

"I thought you had feelings for me, William." She looked down, stuffing her hands deep into the coat's compartments.

"Well, I certainly don't have feelings for her." He bit his lip before watching her with a long sigh. "We've known each other for a while, Isobel. You know by now I'd love you."

"I love you." She nodded. "But I think it would be best if I stayed away."

"Look." He held her swollen round face, it was red and warm. "Look at me." And she did. "If I ever met a girl as wonderful as you, I'd marry her within the blink of an eye." He didn't realize the impact his words had on this girl.

"Then do it." She said in a sharp tone. He watched her confused for a second before she demanded softly. "Marry me." Then he realized that what he said was something neither of them could take lightly.

He grabbed her, hugged her, and gave a long sigh. Almost as if to beg for a second chance. "I'll do it." He forced. "I'll marry you, Isobel." He nodded, biting his lip.

If there was ever a night that Jacob felt his lowest, it must've been this one. The windows were up but the inside was cold, nothing more deadly than the silence that sounded the vehicle. The car came to a halt and Jacob slapped his thighs with a sigh.

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"We're here." He said finally looking at her. "Lily?" She was fast asleep by then. Jacob took her out and carried her into the house and up to her room. He could feel her sudden clutches on his shirt whilst walking.

"Lily." He sang but her sight didn't come back yet. She winded, finally gazing at him. "You're home."

As soon as he left her to rest, she sat up, and before he could leave she asked him to stay. "Sit beside me." She said.

"Besides you?" It was an intriguing thing to tell him.

Lily bobbed her head.

"Just for a minute."

"What you said tonight..." She paused.

"Just forget about it, Lily. Please." He groaned, glaring down at the floor. "It was a selfish thing to do."

"I can't." She reached to touch his shoulder but hesitated, then she did it. "You must know this, running was the last thing I wanted to and I'll regret that for the rest of my life... and I'm grateful because you were still there. You didn't care about your pride or how you felt at that time, you still came for me. That's the most selfless thing you could've done."

"You think so?" Just saying that made Jacob blissful.

"Yes." She smiled at his youthful expression. "The first thing I wanted to do was this." She stared at him and he at her, she got close until their noses touched. And Jacob's heart sank deeper. When he heard her breathe in and ]out slowly, he quivered, grabbing the back of her head as they kissed. They drew a mouthful of air that ended in an innocent laugh.

"There's one more thing I need to tell you." He sat up, humorless. "I've let a lot of things slip away and I don't want you to be one of them. "

"What do you mean? That's not going to happen." She batted her eyes, thinking. "It's not. I'm not, I'm not going to le-"

"Will you marry me?"

"Why are you crying?" It was an apprehensive question.

"The last time someone told me they loved me, I walked away... because I knew what it was like to see someone, fall in love then watch them just disappear. It wasn't true love then but I know that it is now. I took you for granted but I won't anymore because I know you'll cherish me and protect so yes. Yes, I will marry you, Jacob."

And if there was ever a night Jacob felt his highest, it must have been this one.

The next morning, Lily went to the cemetery. She watched her father's headstone, it was fairly new even though it had been ... months.

"Father, I bring good news... I've found the man I want to marry. It burns that you won't be there, it does. I don't want to be alone when I walk down the aisle. I wanted you to be there with me, holding my arms as I take you to the front. And on our way there you'd tell me how proud you are of me, then you whisper something absolutely hilarious and I'd have to fight my giggle and let the tears flow. I just don't want to be alone. I don't know where Aunt is now, I couldn't bring myself to write about your passing. That woman would be devastated if she only knew. I also came to seek your blessings, I've decided that I'm going to find my mother. Wanted to, ever since you left, and suddenly, I have the courage to try and find her. Maybe she's as brilliant you say, as beautiful... maybe she has other children, a family I could call my own. Maybe I won't have to be alone. It's funny really, I always thought we were packed, that it was always going to be me and you. Always. Now I'm talking about finding family and Jacob wants children and I'll have Uncle John and Tammy. It's overwhelming, I love it. Makes me feel guilty that you had to be the ransom for me to get all these things. A family, a home, a husband, a child, a mother. It makes my stomach turn. I couldn't look at myself in the mirror this morning. How could I be happy? You're dead, if you were here, it'd just be me and you! This isn't good news, far from it. Why?" She bawled, falling to her knees. "Why did they have to kill you? I know that you want the best for me, Pa, and I am happy. These other feelings, I can't explain them but I'll try to keep them at the back of my mind for now. I know that this is the first time I've come to see where you lay and it might be my last for now so I want to say, I love you. I love you."