Page 25 of Will & Patrick's Endless Honeymoon
Patrick frowns. “Why?”
“Earlier, you made it sound like you were worried about going, because of having to trust your patients with the other doctors.”
“I’ve planned this trip down to the last detail. We’re going.”
“But it won’t be fun if you’re going to panic about it.”
“Panic is a strong word. I’ll be stressed about it. But I promised you a honeymoon and you’ll have a honeymoon.”
Will smiles, but his heart isn’t totally in it. Maybe he’s being selfish to go away right now. Maybe he should drive to Vermillion and make sure Ryan’s getting good medical care. Maybe his mom does need his help with the kids, and what if Patrick’s wrong about Kevin being okay?
“Hey, don’t you panic now,” Patrick says, closing in, soap glistening on his skin and his blue eyes knowing in a way that makes Will shiver. “We’re going on a honeymoon, and no one, not even ourselves, will get in the way of it. Understand?”
Will’s smile is wobbly, but he knows Patrick’s right. “Got it.”
Almost an hour and a half later, Patrick sleeps cradled against his chest, and Will wishes he’d talked with him about Ryan after all. He wants to hear him say, “It’s not your fault.” Sometimes he has a hard time believing that simple truth.
He drops a kiss on the top of Patrick’s head, digs deep, finding the strength in himself to push away the guilt. He hopes one day he’ll fully accept that he can’t fix everything and everyone.
He’s only a pretend superhero.
