William's POV:

Anna asks me, straight shot with no turnarounds, how did I get so comfortable crying in front of Jarrod and Camilla, especially since I was embarrassed to cry in front of Anna. "Two things, the first is that once the tears have been clearly seen, there is honestly nothing else to hide. Now, why did I feel comfortable with Jarrod wiping my tears, well, he's my brother, but... to tell you the whole truth, we met the day I walked away from you without having the courage to speak, he made me see things I couldn't see before, and (blushing) he broke me as he talked about you, I mean, you know you as in us, he said I could lose you... I couldn't handle it and I broke down, fortunately we were alone, or so I thought, because Camilla entered as I was losing my battle against tears."

"I threw myself into his arms so he didn't see my tears but I didn't know his embrace would make me sob. I sobbed in his arms, when the hug ended, for the first time in my life, he wiped my tears and told me it was ok to cry, more so, it was good to have a release and get in touch with my feelings. I still felt embarrassed, then he asked me if I would rather cry in front of a man or a woman, thinking of the possible loss of image, I said woman, and to my surprise, that's when Camilla came in. I turned giving my back to her out of shame, I didn't want her to see my tear streaked face, but i also didn't want to admit I was crying, so I didn't wipe my face. She came closer and said hi, even touching my shoulder, at one point I knew I wouldn't get my way out, so I turned to face her, still extremely embarrassed, I threw myself in a hug so she didn't see my tears, but the hug made me sob. I couldn't control it nor had I been more embarrassed in my life, but when the hug ended, I felt her soft hands wipe my tears and I found out, nothing bad happened, she even encouraged me to let go, especially with you so our bond would grow stronger. So, basically, both Jarrod and Camilla talked to me about the benefits I would get not bottling things up, especially the fact that it wouldn't turn to anger and frustration anymore and I would be able to think clearer and calmer.

Jarrod said I could lose you forever if I continued behaving this way and the only way to get you back was being true to myself and allowing myself to show you what I feel. I couldn't afford that to happen."

Anna's pov:

I can't believe William was so honest. He answered all my questions. He gave me a better understanding of where he was coming from. He explained about the time he cried in front of Jarrod and Camilla and what they said to him. How they told him he'd feel better after crying (less angry and frustrated).  Also how they wiped his tears and nothing bad happened it even made him feel better. Also he told me by the time his tears were out he felt like it was useless trying to hide them (that would just be lying to everyone that they weren't there) as embarrassing as it was.

"I'm so glad you had that experience with Jarrod and Camilla. I'd love to thank them for this new version of you that I always knew was there deep down.'" I said happily leaning over and giving William a kiss on his cheek. "And always remember I'm always going to be here for you. That's what wives do. I promise to never make you feel bad for your emotions/feelings. I want you to feel open to come to me any time and I will always lovingly without judgement, wipe your tears lovingly and tenderly away." I finished lovingly looking into his eyes.

William's POV:

I was surprised how Anna took it that I cried in front of Camilla before I did in front of her, I am extremely happy she loves my "new me" and feel supported by her as she says she will never make me feel bad and wipe my tears. She gives me a look, staring at my eyes, which I feel a bit watery because of emotion.

A question came to my mind: "Since when does Jarrod have the confidence to lean on your thigh to kneel down, he never used to do that, what happened in order for that boundary to be crossed? Not that I mind, just curious."

Last edited by Amans lacrimae (September 18, 2021 4:15 pm)

Gemma's POV

My phone bleeped with two messages. As we were in the middle of dinner I didn't read them right away but when I had a minute I looked at them

The first was from Caroline thanking me for her present and showing me the photo of her rejigged glass cabinet, and the second was from Laura giving me her route for the NY Subway Challenge for Rachel.

I had decided to get it for her to show support for her and Kate's relationship. I had told her my concerns, that I was worried she would neglect their budding relationship for her travels but she assured me she wouldn't 

I was starting to think about going home. I had only a few days left and it was time to prepare myself to go back to my house. The same house Sadie had spent a couple of weeks in.

Tears ran down my cheeks as I walked to a private corner of my sisters house. I knew my love for Sadie was eternal, that if would never die. 

Laura's POV

I smiled at Tristan's text. I got ready and decided to also bring along my favourite Enid Blyton film The Island of Adventure.

Whilst it was true I did like sad movies, I also liked adventure ones too and the Enid Blyton film did the job in that department.

After putting on my ankle boots I scrunched my knee socks down to my ankles, got my coat and walked to Tristan's house