and bliss. They crept into the hallway and stopped outside her room. ‘I’d ask you in, but the kids come into my bed in the morning,’ she said, and Merritt smiled.
‘I know,’ he said.
They stood facing each other, clutching their costumes.
‘Right then. Night,’ said Willow, embarrassed.
Merritt pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently on the mouth. ‘Thank you,’ he whispered, and Willow felt her knees buckle. She opened the door with one hand and dragged him inside. They dropped the clothes and headed to her bed kissing, and she pulled the covers back so they could slip underneath them, the cool sheets a shock to their warm bodies.
Lying her down on the bed he kissed her all over, and Willow let him take her. This time he lay on top of her and watched her face as he entered her, and together they reached a climax that Willow thought was going to drown her.
They lay together, Willow’s head on his chest, and they slept soundly.
Merritt was woken by breath on his face. He opened one eye and saw Lucian standing in his pyjamas at the edge of the bed, face to face with him. Merritt, startled, woke Willow, and she sat up and saw Lucian.
‘Hi Luce,’ she said casually.
He smiled at her and she felt her heart pound. He never smiled.
‘What you got there?’ she asked, pulling the covers up around her nakedness.
Lucian clambered onto the bed and sat in between them, pulling the covers up over his lap, and held out Custard.
‘Is that Custard?’ asked Merritt, surprised.
Lucian held the bear close to him. Merritt smiled at the small boy. ‘I’m glad you found him, although I have no idea where.’
‘Who’s Custard?’ asked Willow, looking at the worn bear.
‘My bear from when I was a child. Maybe Kitty found it,’ said Merritt, looking at his childhood friend. Willow went to get out of bed and felt Lucian’s hand on her arm pulling her back in. ‘I have to get up, Luce,’ she said, but Lucian held her arm tightly.
‘Alright, just a minute then,’ said Willow, settling back into bed. The three of them lay there in silence while Lucian tucked Custard under his arm. He held his mother’s arm and put his head on Merritt’s pillow.
Merritt lay still, smelling the boy’s clean hair. It was so bizarre to experience this feeling of contentment. He wondered if Willow felt it as well.
Willow, however, was silently freaking out, panicking that Poppy would soon come darting into the room. The door opened quietly and Kitty poked her head around. ‘Sorry, is Lucian …?’ she started, and then saw the three of them in bed. Willow felt her face turn the colour of beetroot.
‘Hi Lucian,’ she said, not missing a beat. ‘Morning Merritt, morning Willow. When you three are ready I have eggs and bacon,’ said Kitty, a small smile filling her voice. ‘Or I could bring them up to you if you like.’ She looked at Merritt, whose turn it was to flush red.
‘No, no, we are just coming,’ said Willow, not moving.
‘Come on Luce, you get first pick of the bacon!’ Lucian jumped over Merritt and ran towards the door and down the hallway. Kitty closed the door, held her hand over her mouth and ran down after him. Well done Merritt, she thought as she served up the bacon.
Willow sat on the edge of the bed. ‘Oh god, I’m so sorry,’ she said, her head in her hands.
Merritt rolled over and ran a finger up her spine. ‘It’s fine. Lucian’s sweet,’ he said honestly. ‘I liked it actually.’
‘You say that now. Wait till you have three of them in the bed,’ she laughed, shivering at his touch.
Merritt nuzzled against her back. ‘Come back to bed,’ he whispered.
Willow tried to stand. ‘I have to get up. God, what will Kitty be thinking?’ she said.
‘She’ll be fine. She won’t care. Kitty’s pretty Zen about things, I think you’ll find.’ Merritt pulled her about the waist and laid her back on the bed. ‘Now, there is something I like to do in the mornings. Want me to show you?’ He laughed, and leant down to kiss her, his unshaven face rubbing against her cheek.
‘Make it quick,’ she said, half jokingly.
‘Not a chance lady,’ he said, and disappeared under the covers.
Kitty fed the children and waited for their mother to come downstairs. Today was Saturday and there was no filming, so Willow had promised Kitty she could have some time off. She sat