A/N: I have come to know that some of the best stories written are the ones that are personal and come from the heart. And this is going to be one of those stories; one that comes straight from the heart. This is going to be purely the raw me. Not me trying to satisfy and request, or need, or want or anything, this story is just me out there in the open. Just plain raw.
It's not like anything I have ever written and you guys will come to see that once you start reading it. I stemmed from a movie I saw not too long ago and I realized that the plot fit so well with my emotions I realized I could take it and twist it into my story.
This story is going to be posted and updated whether people read it or not, but I strictly hope you all do so you can get a full taste of my writing when I'm just writing purely from the soul. I've been told it's different from any other writing I'm do when I'm writing to fulfill a story. This story has already been mapped out from start to finish and nothing is going to change the outcome.
As always, I hope you enjoy and I do believe that I have gathered an interests in one of the requests left on Foreign Affairs so look out for that one in the future as well as updates from my other works.
Disclaimer: I do not know any of the unoriginal character's mentioned in this work. I also don't own the movie or the plot that this work stemmed from. Enjoy.
On the first page of our story,the future seemed so bright
Then this thing turned out so evil, I don't know why I'm still surprised
"I'm so sorry that I had to reschedule our appointment for today." The counselor explains as she takes a seat behind her desk and straightens herself out, sending a smile to the two women sitting across from her one of which looks very nervous while the other has a face of disdain and aggravation. "I hope that this is of convenience to the both of you considering that you were both able to make it today?"
The raven haired women across from the desk simply snorts in response and mutters something under her breath while the blonde on her right rolls her eyes briefly though she goes back to wringing her hands and speaks up for herself and her partner.
"Yes…thank you for being able to meet with us today. It's rare that we both have days off to do this." The blonde woman responds, sending their counselor a small smile.
The counselor simply smiles in response as her shaky hands shift through the papers on her desk searching for the couple's information. "So would you two like to tell me where it is that we left off the last time we were able to meet with each other?"
"We talked about how Jennifer is being a secretive but controlling bitch." The brunette mutters, keeping her hardened gaze trained on the wall opposite of her wife, the floor, the desk, the marriage counselor, anything that can draw attention away from herself despite her caustic comment moments before.
The blonde, Jennifer, sighs heavily and closes her eyes, pressing her fingers to her temples before she takes another calming breath. "Emily…we are here because we want to try to save our marriage. How can we do that when you insist on picking fights with me? And in front of the marriage counselor no less?"
"I'm not picking fights with you; I was just simply stating a fact. If you weren't being such a secretive bitch, sneaking about doing this that and the other, we wouldn't even have need for a fucking marriage counselor." Emily shoots back, sparing a glance and a dismissive sneer towards said counselor. "No offense."
"None taken." The counselor murmurs, clearing her throat to interject hopefully before the couple can erupt into a full blown argument. Which she realizes that she fails when Jennifer's eyes flare in anger as she abruptly turns in her chair, facing her clearly disinterested wife.
"You always do this! Always! You always start fights over things that don't even matter! Last week we fought about how I didn't pick up your paperwork from your desk after your finished it when you know damn well it's your job to hand it into me! You were just looking for something to yell at me about!"
"Well maybe I wouldn't have to yell at you if you didn't give me something to yell about! Maybe if you just came home when you were supposed to then there wouldn't be anything to yell about!"
"You know damn well that I have ten times more work than you do! You think I'm staying out just because I want to be? Is that what you think?"
"With you Jennifer, I don't know what to think anymore." Emily responds in a deadly tone before she abruptly stands from her chair, nearly knocking it over in the process as she storms out of the office, nearly slamming the door.
The counselor would be lying if she had foreseen this happening, but she feels that it was best to let things play out between the couple so it would give them enough time to cool off away from each other. She's been seeing them long enough to know how things work between the two what with the extensive amount of compartmentalizing that goes on between the two.
"I think that it's best that happened." She says after a brief moment of silence that's only filled with Jennifer's quiet sobs. Reaching behind her desk, she produces a box of tissues that she silently offers to the blonde across from her.
Once she sees that Jennifer has calmed down, the counselor sighs quietly before she folds her hands across her desk. "Jennifer, you're paying me to be honest with you, and I'm just going to outright say this as once again, it is my job to be honest. Though it may sound cheesy and cliché, honesty really is the best policy." She explains before taking a quiet deep breath of her own to gather the nerves that she doesn't know why suddenly gathered in her stomach. "There is someone else."
Blinking slowly, Jennifer lifts her eyes as a look of sorts flashes between them before it is rapidly replaced by confusion. "I'm afraid I don't know…what are you talking about?" she asks, her voice slightly trembling as she realizes that the phrase was a statement rather than a question; and it makes her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"There is someone else." The counselor repeats with a firm nod of her head. "In your wife. Someone other than Emily…someone that isn't Emily…"
"I…yeah…" Jennifer trails off, dropping her head back into her hands as a heavy blush covers her lips. "There's someone else…"
"Can you elaborate for me?"
"I don't know…it's someone I met outside of work. Trust me, if she was anywhere near work, Emily would know about it. But we met outside of work. I guess it…I don't know…it started with just accidental meetings, then intentional, you know, meeting for coffee, then that turned into lunch, a few dinners here and there…flowers…things like that."
The counselor nods silently before tilting her head. "And have you…?"
"No!" Jennifer answers quickly before she sits up further and shakes her head though the counselor doesn't miss how she averts her eyes. "No. I haven't…but that doesn't mean I haven't thought about it."
Nodding once again, the counselor takes a quiet deep breath before she stands up and moves around her desk finally settling on Emily's formerly occupied chair. Turning so she is facing the other women, she removes her glasses and tucks them into the dip of her shirt. "I would like to tell you a story. If that's okay with you?" seeing Jennifer hesitate for a brief moment and then nod, she takes a deep breath and starts.
"It begins here…"
Fumbling with her belongings, Alex damn near trips over herself as she tries to button her shirt, put on her glasses, put on her heels, and put together her purse all at the same time, while attempting to walk out into the living area of the apartment she shares with her wife. As she reaches the lounge, she stumbles on something, grunting in irritation when she recognizes it as her wife's satchel lying in the middle of the floor.
"Damn it, Abbie, the least you could do is throw your stuff on the couch when you get home!" she shouts, groaning when she ends up dropping her stuff from yet another stumble.
A paint covered brunette pokes her head from around a corner with a fearful look of concern on her face. When she sees that her wife is simply going through her morning routine, a smile spreads across her lips before she slowly steps into the lounge. "I'm sorry. I was kind of in a hurry when I got home." She explains softly, placing a gentle kiss to the other woman's lips before she bends over and picks up her belongings. "Here, I'm sorry you're having a rough morning."
Sighing heavily, Alex's irritated scowl dissipates as she puts on a small smile. "I'm sorry I snapped at you." she says, leaning in for a hug before she stops and pulls back. "Baby you're covered in paint…"
Looking down at herself, Abbie realizes that she is covered in an assortment of colors which contrasts greatly with her wife's crisp business suit. "Oh, right…" she chuckles, slightly embarrassed from her brief oversight. "I was up all night working on the painting, I didn't realize I got this much on me."
"I know you were up quite a while…You didn't come to bed last night." Alex mutters, averting her eyes to another portion of their small apartment. "Are those your only plans for the day? Working on that painting?"
"Yeah!" Abbie responds with an enthusiastic nod as she begins scrubbing the dried paint from her hands. "I have a really good feeling about this one. I was thinking about it all day yesterday and after I dropped the other one off, I just had to come home and start on this one before it went away. Really, I have a feeling about this one."
"That's what you said about this last one…"
"Alex…I really mean it this time."
Shaking her head, Alex sighs quietly as she begins checking her purse for all her necessary items. "I know you do…it's just…" she pauses quietly before she sighs again. "Abigail, you know your art is good, I know that it's exceptional and other people know it too. But don't you think that it's time you find something else instead of setting yourself up to be shot down?"
A smile flits across Abbie's face before she shrugs. "I could, but I don't want to. My mom always told me that if you believe in something long enough, that means it's going to happen." She explains as she moves about the room, gazing at her artwork that's posted around the lounge. "I'm gonna sell a painting Alex. I know it is. It's gonna happen, and when it does we can but that penthouse you always wanted, you know the one? The one that overlooks the city so you can stand out on the balcony deck and look at all the bright lights?"
"I know the one." Alex responds quietly before she gives her exhausted lover a gentle kiss. "I've gotta get to work. I'll see you when I get home?"
"I think I may stay at the studio just a bit today, but I should be home in time for dinner." The brunette states with a grin. "Have a good day. Make tons of people happy. It's what you're good at."
"They wouldn't have hired me for it if I wasn't." Alex responds with a grin as she heads out of the apartment to head to her office.
"She's still trying to sell a painting…" Alex's best friend Kim states, oncoming reprimand evident in her tone. She remains seated on the surface of said friend's desk with her feet crossed at the ankles as she briefly draws Alex's attention away from her work. "Is her art even that good?"
"Her art is amazing Kim." Alex responds, though a small chuckle escapes her lips at her friend's question. "Honestly, you should see it sometime. It's really beautiful. I can't understand why no one has picked up on it. But to answer your question, yes she's still trying. She's trying really hard, bless her heart."
Rolling her eyes, Kim continues to examine her perfectly manicured nails before a snort of mirth escapes her lips. "Right. Bless her." She mumbles, albeit sarcastically before she continues on. "Tell me Alex, what is she doing for you?"
Alex's fingers freeze over her keyboard as a frown creases her features before she looks to the woman sitting on her desk. "What do you mean what does she do for you?"
"I mean, you and I have know each other for what, six years? And not once have I heard you rave about how Abbie does this or that, you know? How nothing spontaneous ever happens. No surprise dinners, or romantic evenings or special gifts or something like that."
"Being in a married or any kind of stable relationship is more than just about material kinds of things. It's about the sentimentalities and the feel of just being married. Not…whatever it is you do to anything that breathes."
Kim raises her eyebrows at the remark, though a smirk tugs at her lips. "I'll have you know that I am a lady of class, thank you very much. Not the harlot or jezebel you're trying to make me out to be." She says in an overdramatic tone before her tone turns serious. "But all jokes aside, I have enough modesty to know that marriage isn't all about those kinds of things, but what I'm saying is that they wouldn't hurt once in awhile. Your marriage just seems…dull."
Rolling her eyes, Alex continues to type on her computer with haste. "This coming from the woman who doesn't believe in marriage." She chuckles quietly.
"Hey, I'm just saying. What is it that you wanna be? A therapist right?"
"A marriage counselor Kim. It's not just a 'therapist', a marriage counselor is someone who listens and advocates for couples who are striving to improve their married."
This time Kim is the one who rolls her eyes as she shakes her head. "Yeah, yeah, counselor, therapist, it's all the same thing." She supplies with a waft of her hand. "Who knows, maybe when you become your fancy therapist, you'll even give me free sessions when I need them."
At this Alex makes a face. "Kim, it's called a marriage counselor for a reason. You have to be married. You know, 'joined in holy matrimony' married?"
"Yeah, but since I'm your best friend you'll make an exception for me and you'll just be my therapist."
"Sometimes I question why I know you. And why we're even friends for that matter."
"Because without me your life would be extremely boring." Kim answers as she slides off of the desk. "Unless you consider it to be already boring."
Shaking her head, Alex sighs heavily as she swivels in her chair. "I don't consider my life to be boring. I'm happy, Abbie's happy which means our marriage is happy. Simple as that." she explains firmly before she frowns. " Kim, have you been using our own services to find yourself dates?"
Kim looks appalled by the question as she places her hands on her hips. "Why Alexandra Cabot-"
"Carmichael…" Alex corrects quickly.
"Cabot." Kim challenges back with a firmness in her voice that silently states that she isn't budging. "I am simply shocked that you would ask me such a thing. As if I can't get a date without using this crummy matchmaking service we work for."
"If it's so crummy then I can easily find someone to fill your position." A stern voice says from the door of Alex's office. Two women quickly spin around to find their boss, Liz eyeing them with her typical 'no bullshit from either of you' look.
Kim suppresses the urge to roll her eyes before she puts on a rather convincing smile. "No Ma'am, Alex and I were just joking around. I didn't mean anything seriously." She explains, knowing that the older blonde isn't buying it, but she could care less.
Clearing her throat, Liz sends the brunette another firm look before she addresses the two women as one. "Anyhow, I would just like to inform you that I have a very important client coming in soon that will be a valuable asset to the company meaning that we even have possibilities of expansion."
"Which translates to you want all of us, most importantly Kim, on our best behavior." Alex offers with a smug grin when she catches her best friends glare.
"Precisely." Liz responds with a nod. "Alex, I would also like you to meet with them to discuss the business deals since you handle our financing as well."
"Yes Ma'am, of course."
"Oh and Kimberly?" Liz begins, poking her head back through the doorway before she leaves. "I really do need you to be on your best behavior."
"I'm always on my best behavior." Kim mumbles, rolling her eyes and flipping off her boss's retreating form all the while murmuring incoherent obscenities about being treated like a child.
"You wouldn't be treated like a child if you didn't act like one." Alex answers as she pushes away from her desk and stands up. "I suppose that I should go wait for them in the conference room? Considering I'm handling finances and such…"
Nodding, Kim straightens up and follows Alex out of the office. "Yeah and I'll go with you to keep you company or you know, just in case you need more or anything."
Alex chuckles and shakes her head as she makes her way down towards the large conference room in their office building. She isn't surprise that as soon as they enter the room, Kim opts for taking a seat on the table rather than the chairs which gives whoever their guest is entering the conference room, perfect view of her toned legs before anything else.
In all of her time that she has known the other woman, Alex can't help but admire her personality for being so forthcoming about her sexuality. There are times when she jokes about, referring to Kim as being slightly promiscuous, though it isn't anything that the brunette has tried to deny.
"You think it's a man or a woman?" Kim asks, finally getting tired of the silence of waiting.
"It's got to be a man." Alex answers with confidence in her voice.
"What makes you so sure?"
"They're here meeting with Liz about business expansion which means that they've got to own property and a lot of it. I don't know. I just feel like owning property is kind of a man's field. Not a lot of women do it."
However, Alex damn near swallows her tongue when the door opens several minutes later admitting Elizabeth with a stunning crimson haired woman following closely behind her. The woman has both of her hands in the pockets of her slacks and as soon as she fully steps into the room, their eyes lock and stay that way for a good solid minute, or it feels like a minute. It may be more or less considering the time that it has taken someone else to speak. No matter what it is, Alex is the first to look away, and it stays that way as she can still feel the presence of eyes on her.
"Ladies, this is the client I was telling you about." Liz states, finally getting over the initial shock of seeing Kim halfway lounging on her conference table. Honestly if this woman wasn't such a valuable asset to her, she would have thrown her out on the curb years ago. "Meet Casey Novak, she's going to be working very closely with us for the next several months."
Seeing this as a great opportunity, Kim puts on her best 'oh hell yes I'm interested' smile as she gracefully slides off of the table and offers her hand to their guest. Her face falls however when she realizes that said guest is still gazing rather intently at Alex who has her eyes focused on the floor.
"It's very nice to meet you." Casey says, her voice low, but smooth as she extends her hand to the blonde who has yet to speak. "I'm Casey…and you are?"
"Alex." The blonde replies, accepting the offered hand. Now she is sure several moments pass and a shiver rolls down her spine as she realizes that the newcomer still has her hand while intense emerald eyes continue to stare her down. "It's very nice to meet you Miss Novak."
"Casey, please." The redhead corrects as she pulls out one of the chairs at the table. "Please, sit."
Blushing at the other woman's spontaneous act of chivalry, Alex blushes heavily as she scolds herself for momentarily forgetting that there are other people in the room. Once she seated and pulls out her notepad, she glances out of the corner of her eye to find Casey still staring at her intently and she knows by now that the others have to have noticed. Right?
"Anyway, Miss Novak will be here working with us for the next several months so it is going to be our priority to make sure she feels accommodated." Liz explains firmly, not necessarily to Alex but more to Kim who is still gaping like a fish at being bypassed like that, though she finally recovers as she begins to pick up on the woman's interest in her friend.
Maybe things won't stay boring after all.
Yes I had to. Who caught that cameo appearance up there in the beginning of the chapter? Anyone? Anyone? Leave your thoughts.