by Selena Kitt
Piper ran off to explore before Haley could catch her.
“I hope that’s okay,” Haley said, looking fondly after her daughter.
“She’s fine.” Will smiled. “It’s your new home.”
“Well, for now...”
“For as long as you need it,” Will said as he led her deeper into the apartment.
“I really can’t thank you enough, Will, for what you’ve done for us. Oh what a beautiful piano!” Haley stopped and gaped at the baby grand in the family room.
“My father was a composer,” Will said by way of explanation. “And my mother was a classical singer.”
“And you ended up a scientist?” Haley exclaimed.
“Oh, I can play.” Will sat down at the piano and played some Erik Satie as he spoke. “My father taught me music from before I could talk. It was my first language.”
“That’s beautiful.”
Piper ran into the room and she stopped when she saw Will, her eyes widening. Then she clapped her hands in delight, running over so she could sit on the bench beside him. He slid over slightly to make room, watching her little fingers pressing the white keys, smiling when she pressed her cheek up against the wood every time she played a note.
“What is she doing?” Haley asked.
“She’s listening,” Will replied. “Feeling the vibrations of the sound.”
Will took Haley’s hand and pressed it against the wood as Piper hit three keys at once.
“Feel that?”
“Yes.” Haley’s eyes were on him, not the piano.
Will played a little tune, fingers dancing over the keys.
“The acoustics here are wonderful,” Haley said.
“That’s the reason my father chose it,” Will replied. “I think they paid $150,000 for it. I had it appraised at 1.8 million last year.”
“Oh my word.” Haley sank down onto the piano bench on the other side of him like her legs didn’t want to hold her.
Will made room for her, so the three of them could sit on the bench, Will playing while Piper pressed her cheek to the piano, her eyes dancing with delight.
“Let me show you the rest,” Will said, laughing when Piper banged hard on the keys with both hands to make the most vibration possible.
He took Haley through the rest of the apartment. There were two bedrooms. One had been his parents, the other he had shared with his younger brother. His mother had redecorated when he went to med school, so the second bedroom had become a guest room, done in tasteful florals, perfect for a little girl.
“Piper will love this.” Haley looked around the room in wonder. “I love this. Will, it’s too much.”
“Nonsense. I told you, it’s sitting here empty. Someone might as well get some use out of it.”
They went back to the family room, where Piper was still experimenting on the piano.
“So what do you know about Piper’s deafness?” Will asked. “Is it genetic?”
“It’s entirely sensori-neural,” Haley told him, blushing when his eyebrows went up in surprise at her vernacular. “I was in nursing school when I got pregnant with Piper.”
“Why didn’t you finish?”
“Once I had her, I had to take care of her.”
“Didn’t her father help?”
“He was never reliable. But when we found out she was deaf... he just couldn’t handle it.”
“It can take some adjustment,” Will said, shrugging when she gave him a sharp look. “My brother was deaf.”
“Ahh. That explains a lot.” She expounded when he gave her a funny look. “I just mean, your research for the deaf. And how good you are at signing.”
Will noticed Piper hitting a key and then climbing up onto the piano bench to look inside the baby grand, the lid propped up, so she could watch the vibrating wires.
“Easy there,” Will said, knowing she couldn’t hear him, but he moved to steady her as she touched the still trembling wires. She looked back at him in wonder and he smiled, nodding.
“She won’t hurt the piano?” Haley asked, as Will hit another low note, letting Piper feel it.
“My father would have a fit.” He laughed. “Oils and secretions from your fingers might oxidize the strings. But hey—piano wire can be replaced. Her learning is more important.”
Haley smiled, watching as Will set Piper on the ground, pressing her hands to the long, curving side of the piano. She looked at him quizzically and he held up a finger [wait] and sat on the bench, playing a series of long, loud, dramatic chords. Piper’s face lit up. She quickly signed [more!] so Will played. First, more loud chords, then, he launched into a medley of various songs from memory.
Piper began to dance, one or both hands on the side of the piano, with an amazing sense of rhythm.
“Look at her go!” Haley laughed when Will banged out some boogie woogie and Piper could barely keep her hands on the piano, she danced so enthusiastically.
They were interrupted by the doorbell.
[“Pizza,”] Will both said and signed. Piper did a somersault upon learning this clearly more than welcome information.
“I didn’t know you ordered pizza,” said Haley as Will headed toward the door.
“Hope you don’t mind,” he replied over his shoulder. Piper was right there, already holding her arms out for the box the pizza guy pulled out of the red bag.
Haley laughed. “I never mind pizza.”
Will had already paid for the pizza online but he tipped the guy with cash, taking the bag of soda, also filled with paper plates, plastic utensils and napkins.
“I didn’t want you to have to do dishes your first night.”
Piper was already at the large dining room table, opening the box and breathing in the scent of cheese and pepperoni.
They sat down together at the table and began to eat.
Will asked lots of questions about Haley and Piper, but Haley seemed reticent to talk much about her life. She’d told him the important parts already, she said. The rest was just boring. Or depressing.
Will didn’t want to make her sad, so he entertained them both with stories from his life, signing for Piper. How he’d met Pavarotti when he was young, because his mother was such a famous opera singer. Piper didn’t know who that was, but she was excited that he’d visited the country that looked like a boot to do it. Haley explained that Piper knew most of the countries in Europe and Asia. She’d learned them since her father had moved there.
Then Will told them about the safari he’d been on in Africa and the time he’d spent with the lions. Piper signed a million questions about [how big] and [how scary] they were and [how hot] Africa was. He told her about the time he saw a big, bull elephant who almost charged at them in the bush.
Haley threw away their paper trash and put the rest of the pizza in the fridge while Will and Piper went back to the piano—at Piper’s request. He played more boogie woogie for her and then switched to stride piano.
She moved to sit on his lap, sometimes putting her hands over his as he played. He remembered doing the same thing with his father when he was learning to play. Haley joined them, sitting next to Will on the piano bench.
He shifted the mood, playing a lullaby that his father had composed. It was a song he wrote for Michael before he was born—but he’d been born deaf and had never heard it. Piper responded to Will’s gentle playing, the slow movement of his hands. She nodded off, resting her head in her mother’s lap.
“Out,” Haley commented. smoothing her daughter’s hair away from her face, the same motion Will had seen her do with her own. “I should take her to bed.”
Will lifted Piper from his lap, handing her over to her mother. Piper tucked her face into her mother’s neck, her thumb finding its way to her mouth. Her eyelids fluttered open for a moment and she smiled at Will, who signed [good night]. Piper just waved with four fingers—her thumb stuck firmly in her mouth—before closing her eyes again and letting her mother take her to bed.
&nbs
p; Will retrieved Haley and Piper’s belongings from his car, leaving them in the hallway. He was putting his suit coat on in the family room when Haley appeared.
“Oh, you’re leaving?” Haley had let her hair down from the bun she’d worn to work. She was still wearing the black flower print dress, though. “I saw a bottle of wine in the fridge. I thought we could have a drink?”
Will hesitated. “Are you sure? It’s not too late for you?”
“It’s Friday. Let’s live a little, Dr. Pfeiffer.”
“Will,” he reminded her, taking off his suit coat and hanging it over the back of a chair. “Have a seat. I’ll get that wine.”
She came back with two glasses and the wine bottle. Will sat on the sofa by the fireplace. It had once been wood burning but it was gas now. Haley asked how to turn it on, and he pointed to a button.
“Easy peasy,” she said as the fireplace came to life, bathing them in a warm glow. Her hair looked like warm honey flowing over her shoulders and he wanted to compliment her on it, but he hesitated. He wasn’t quite sure yet if this letting down of her hair meant anything.
Haley picked up the corkscrew she’d brought from the kitchen and before Will could offer to open the wine, she had it in the cork and had pulled it out of the bottle.
“Well done!” His praise was genuine.
“Waitressing,” she explained. “I’ve opened hundreds of bottles of wine.”
She poured for both of them.
“What shall we toast to?” he asked, holding up his glass as she sat beside him on the couch.
“To our new place.” Haley’s cheeks flushed when he looked at her. “Me and Piper, I mean.”
“Of course.” They clinked glasses and drank.
“So... I know you’re not married,” she said, sitting sideways on the couch, her left elbow on the back of it. She held the glass in her right hand. “But have you ever been? Any children?
“No.”
“You’re good with them.”
“I love kids.” He smiled. “I practically raised my little brother. Until...”
“Until?”
“He passed away when he was ten.”
“Oh Will, I’m so sorry.” Haley put a hand on his arm in sympathy. “What happened?”
“Cystic fibrosis.”
“That’s horrible.”
He nodded. “It was a long time ago.”
“But he’s the reason you went into this sort of research?”
“Yes.”
“I think that’s amazing.” She slid a little closer to him. “You’re amazing.”
“The feeling is mutual, Ms. Gaibler.” He put his wine glass down on the coffee table and she did the same.
“Haley.” She smiled. “Haley. And Will. First name basis. Remember?”
Will took a breath to say something and found Haley’s lips on his.
The kiss surprised him initially, but he leaned into it as her hands went up to his cheeks. Her palms were soft and so was her mouth. He let her lead, not moving to put his arms around her, but he let out a little groan when her tongue slipped between his lips. His cock jumped as her fingers trailed down his neck, her hands on his shoulders.
His head was swimming when they were interrupted by a sharp cry from the direction of Piper’s bedroom.
“Nightmare,” Haley gasped as they parted, her eyes flying open. “I’ll be right back.”
She got off the couch and rushed out of the room. Will sat there for a moment, taking deep gulps of cool air, waiting for his body to settle down. Then, he followed her. Piper was still crying. He could hear her.
He found Haley in Piper’s room, the overhead light on. holding her daughter and rocking her back and forth. Piper looked up when Will appeared in the doorway.
[Monster!] Piper signed. [Under the bed]
“No monsters,” Haley murmured, like any mother would, even though Piper couldn’t hear her. “I promise.”
Will went down to all fours, raising the edge of the comforter and blanket to give a good look. Then he popped up and smiled at Piper, who looked at him with wide eyes.
[No monsters] He signed. [I promise]
Piper looked a little more satisfied, but not completely.
[Stay with me?] Piper signed to her mother, then put her arms around her neck.
“Yes, sweetheart,” Haley whispered, nodding so her daughter knew she was agreeing to stay.
“I should go.”
Haley glanced up at Will, her face falling. “I’m sorry...”
“Don’t be.” Will shook his head, waving her apology away. “You take care of her, Mama. She needs you.”
He started out the door, but Haley called his name and he turned back.
“I had a wonderful time tonight,” she told him over Piper’s bent head. “Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome again.” He smiled. “I’ll see you at work on Monday.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “Monday. At work.”
“Good night, Haley,” he said, trying not to sound as reluctant to go as he felt.
“Good night, Will.” She gave him a regretful smile and he couldn’t help but remember how her mouth felt pressed against his.
[Good night] he signed to Piper. She waved her little hand, offering him a sleepy smile.
He left them, mother and daughter, sitting in the room he’d once shared with his brother.
He put the extra key to the apartment on the kitchen table where Haley would be sure to find it.
Then, he went home to a house that seemed far emptier than it had just a week ago.
Chapter 6
“What if it falls out and she loses it?” Haley wrung her hands like a worried mother, hovering over her daughter on the examination table. And, of course, that was exactly what she was, Will thought, putting a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s inserted too far into the ear canal for that,” Will told her.
“It won’t hurt her?”
“Not at all. See, she’s all done.”
Piper sat up on the table, helped by Libby, the tech who had inserted the device.
“She won’t even know it’s there,” Will explained. “And it doesn’t require major surgery, like some of the other hearing implants.”
“But will it work?” Haley bit her lip and wrung her hands some more, watching Piper choosing a flavor from the lollipop bouquet that Libby offered her.
“That’s the hope.” Will squeezed her shoulder gently.
Touching her gave him a little zing of pleasure that made him feel guilty. He moved away from her, a professional distance, kicking himself for forgetting.
It had been almost a month since Haley and Piper had moved into his parents’ old apartment, and they had kept things on a business-only basis since. He didn’t blame her for not pursuing things after the kiss they’d shared that night. He was her boss, after all. And her daughter was involved in the study. He wanted to reassure her that no matter what, he wasn’t going to fire her or kick Piper out of the study, but that would just make things awkward. Besides, aside from that one kiss, he had no further indication that she was interested. It had probably just been a fluke. Just a one-time thing. One spontaneous act that wouldn’t be repeated.
Except on repeat in his head when he couldn’t sleep at night.
[What flavor?] Haley signed as Piper hopped off the table and came over to them
[Cherry] Piper signed, taking the wrapper off and putting the lollipop into her mouth.
[My favorite] Will signed with a smile.
Piper brightened, pulling it out and offering him a taste.
Will shook his head, laughing. [No, that’s yours]
“So now what?” Haley’s hand moved through her daughter’s hair, pulling Piper close so her back was against Haley’s front. “I read through the booklet, but it was so long and involved...”
“It’s really easy.” Will held his hand out to Libby and she handed over a small white rectangular remote. “We just push
this button here. Then the devices in each ear will cycle through all of the frequencies until we find Piper’s. Then we hit this button to keep it in memory.”
Will reached down and picked Piper up, putting her back on the exam table.
She frowned at him, signing [All done?] with the lollipop in her mouth.
[Almost] Will signed. [One more thing]
[Won’t hurt?] Piper looked worried.
[No. I promise]
She nodded, trusting him. Will hit the button to start the device cycling, watching Piper’s face. She was intent on her lollipop, which had decreased in size by half already.
“The remote also tells us when her devices need the batteries replaced,” Will told Haley as she came to stand close to the exam table.
“Is that often?”
“We haven’t had to replace a battery in one yet and we have participants who’ve had them in for two years.”
“Wow. That’s amazing,” Haley remarked. “And they can hear? These participants?”
“Most people experience immediate hearing once we find their frequency.”
“Does the frequency make a sound?” Haley asked. “Like... lions?”
Will laughed. “No. We’ve just matched the correct frequency at a supersonic level. Kind of like a dog whistle? She won’t be able to hear that part. She’ll just...”
Piper’s eyes went suddenly wide and she almost choked on her lollipop.
“Be able to hear...” Haley finished her sentence, looking at her shocked little daughter, incredulous herself.
“That’s it,” Will said, hitting the memory button to save the setting. “Talk to her, Haley.”
[“P-i-p-e-r?]” Haley asked, signing her daughter’s name at the same time. Piper’s eyes grew even wider, her mouth dropping open, the lollipop falling out and to the floor, completely forgotten. Libby, who had her phone out recording video, picked it up. “[“Piper, it’s Mommy... can you hear me?”]
Piper’s mouth moved, but no sound came out. She looked between her mother and Will, then back again.
“It can be a little scary at first,” Will said. “Especially for children who were born deaf.”
[“Don’t be scared”] Haley said. Will saw there were tears welling up in her eyes. [“Mommy’s here. I’m here. You’re safe. Remember how we said that Dr. Pfeiffer was going to put something in your ear to help you hear?]
