Inez, Will and Orlando

[porter_inc]

[For orlandomuse]

Inez sighs and takes a sip of her coffee. She can't believe what she's reading. She may have banished all the trashy papers and magazines she could from her home on Will's behalf, but that doesn't mean she won't read something if Peter points her towards it. Sometimes her friends mention things to her, too. They'd seen Will grow up and are appalled by the things being said both about him and his new...

She frowns. Orlando is a lovely young man, she can't deny. It's just difficult for her to accept him the way Will wants her to, even if it isn't really his fault. After Talia and after Kevin, Inez is feeling particularly protective of her son. Add to it the solemn circumstances surrounding Orlando's previous relationship and Inez feels justified in her stance. She knows Will is upset with her about it, but that's part of being a mother; making sacrifices and risking your children disliking you or your decisions. He'll come around. Or, if she's wrong, she'll be very willing to admit it.

"Morning, Mom." Will smiles as he walks over to the coffee maker to pour himself a cup.

Inez quickly closes the magazine and gets up to throw it away. "Morning, baby," she says, giving her son a kiss on the cheek on her way to the garbage can. "How'd you sleep?"

"It's almost eleven," Will grins at her. "I'd say I slept late."

"Uh huh, smarty," Inez laughs. "But did you sleep well? I know you've been having a hard time."

Will nods. "It was okay. But lately I can't really sleep unless Orli's next to me."

Inez clears her throat and returns to her seat at the kitchen table. "Sweetheart, I'm sure half a Tylenol PM will be just as effective."

"Sorry, Ma, but I need stronger stuff than that." Will's smiling, but when he sees the concerned expression on Inez's face, he sobers a little. "What's wrong?"

"Baby, I'm sorry," she says softly. "I know I told you that I understand, but... I don't. I wish you weren't moving so quickly with him."

"Mom..."

"Honey, you have to understand where I'm coming from," she says before he can start arguing with her. "What if he's only with you because he's sad? Or he's lonely?" She winces, waiting for Will's angry rebuttal. When nothing happens, she looks at him, curious as to why he's suddenly smiling so sweetly.

"Mom, I know that you worry, and I'm sorry for getting onto you about this before." He walks over to her and bends down to give her a hug.

"You're not mad?"

"I'm not mad."

"How come?"

"Do you want me to be mad?"

"No..."

Will smiles. "I know he loves me, Mom. I was mad before because I let myself believe what you and Pete were saying to me. I couldn't admit I was insecure before but now I know differently." His smile widens. "He really loves me."

"Baby..."

"Tell you what," he whispers into her ear, hugging her around her shoulders, "why don't you ask him."

Inez looks up at him. "What?"

"You're worried, right? Call him and ask him what his intentions are."

"I..." Inez stops. She'd been about to say that she can't do that, but why can't she? Her son's right. Why shouldn't she voice her concerns? She's the mother, damn it! "Okay," she says with a firm nod. "I will."

"Just remember that you like him, okay?" Will laughs and goes to get the phone for her. "He's still the same man you dote on when he comes up here."

"Oh, that reminds me," she says. "I should find out how he's doing, too. I've been meaning to check on him, you know."

Will chuckles and dials Orlando's number before handing her the phone. "I love you, Mom," he says, kissing her on the cheek.

"I love you, baby," Inez smiles, putting the phone to her ear. "Now, go away. I want some privacy."

Giving her a mock salute, Will grabs his cup of coffee and heads out of the kitchen. He's not worried at all.

Comments

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

Orlando feels sad for this sweet woman and what all she must have gone through. "Maybe I could meet his uncle sometime."

[ex-will-port106.livejournal.com]

"He died when Will was ten, honey," Inez says, a little wistful. "We were told it was cancer, but I don't think that's what it was. Not knowing everything we do now..." She clears her throat. "But I know he would have loved you for his nephew!"

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry," Orlando says sincerely. "I'd like to hear more about him when you come down."

[ex-will-port106.livejournal.com]

Inez smiles. She's touched and relieved that Orlando really is as sweet as she'd thought and she doesn't have to worry about how he'll treat her son.

"I'd love to spend some time talking to you about both of our families, Orlando," she says. "If you wouldn't mind me stealing you away from Will every now and then, I'd love to get to know you better."

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

"I think that can be arranged," Orlando says with a laugh. "Especially since I'm probably going to need help finding a perfect Christmas present for him!"

[ex-will-port106.livejournal.com]

"Sweetie!" Inez giggles. "Let me tell you, Will is one of those boys who genuinely thinks it's the thought that counts and would adore anything you get him. Though I'll be happy to give you some ideas when I can be sure he's not within earshot," she adds in a whisper.

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

"Then you and I will have a date without him," Orlando says with a giggle.

[ex-will-port106.livejournal.com]

At that very moment, Inez can't even remember what she'd been worried about.

"That sounds like a great plan, baby," she says, smiling brightly. "I can tell you stories about him without him stopping me, too," she adds with a laugh. "But, listen, sweetheart, don't let me keep you any longer than I have. I'm sure you're busy, or you want to talk to Will."

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

Orlando laughs. "I'd love to talk to him. You know, if he's not too difficult to find!"

[ex-will-port106.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I'm pretty sure I can track him down," Inez says, laughing as she gets up and heads for the living room. "Orlando, it really has been a pleasure talking to you, sweetheart, and you just know that you are welcome here any time. This is your home, too." She winks at Will as he looks up from the sofa. "And I'll even make sure to clear out of the house before you get here so you boys can have some privacy for all that smooching you--"

"Okay, Mom!" Will laughs, grabbing the phone from her. "My turn. Go."

"I really like him, baby," she whispers. "I have an appointment now, but you and I will talk later, okay?" She leans down to kiss his cheek. "See you later, sweetheart."

"Yeah, okay, bye, Mom," Will says quickly.

The second Inez leaves the room, Will puts the phone to his ear. "She loves you, right?"

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

"I think so! I know I love her. She's a wonderful person. How's my love doing today?" he asks.

[ex-will-port106.livejournal.com]

"Better now that I'm getting some phone time with my baby," Will grins, settling on the couch. "How're you doing? Other than recovering from Hurricane Inez?"