This is my first story. I don't own The Good Wife.
Will Gardner wasn't a father. Zack and Grace weren't his biological children. He definitely wasn't a father.
He wasn't there to catch them when they fell learning how to walk, but he was there to catch them when Peter cheated on Alicia, again, and another scandal broke out.
He wasn't there to comfort Grace when she was little and had nightmares, but he was there to make her hot chocolate late at night, and listen when she was nervous about college and scared about the future.
He wasn't there to coach Zack's Little League games, but he was there to teach him how to handle confusing girls.
He wasn't there to kiss Grace's skinned knees, but he was the first one she called when she got into her first car accident.
He wasn't there to see Zack off to his first day of kindergarten, but he was there to see him graduate college, with honors.
He wasn't there when Grace made the honor roll for the first time, but he was there to see her graduate high school as Valedictorian.
He wasn't the one who taught Zack how to work hard, but he was there to celebrate when Zack got his first job at ChumHum as tech support.
He wasn't there to teach Grace how to handle boys that picked on her, but he was there to pull her out of an abusive relationship.
He wasn't there to hold their hands when they crossed the street, didn't teach them how to tie their shoes, or kiss their booboos when they were small. Will Gardner wasn't a father. Which is why he was surprised to wake to breakfast in bed one Sunday morning in June, three years after Peter's last scandal broke and two years after he married Alicia. When he asked what it was for, Grace and Zack simply said it was Father's Day, and after all he had done for them, he deserved to be celebrated. He almost cried. After unwrapping a tie from Zack, and a Cubs paperweight from Grace, they spent the rest of the day reminding him of all the things he had done for them over the past few years, most importantly making their mom happy again.
Will wasn't there to hold Zack when he was first born, but he was there to see him and Neesa get married and have their first child. He was there to hold that little baby, and stared in disbelief when Zack said they were naming William. "We are going to call him Willy, and we hope he grows up to be like his grandfather and namesake." All he could do was hold the baby closer to hide his tears of joy.
He wasn't there to witness Grace's first crush, but he was there when she announced her engagement, and he was the one she asked to walk her down the aisle. On her wedding day, as they got to alter and he was about to give her away, she leaned over and whispered, "Thank you. For making my mom happy. For being there for me whenever I needed you. For being the best dad you didn't have to be. I love you. " He didn't bother hiding his tears and pulled her in for a tight hug. When he let her go he realized something these kids, his kids, realized a while ago. He was a dad.
So, Will Gardner isn't a father. He wasn't there to watch Zack and Grace grow. He didn't teach them how to walk, or talk, and didn't read them bed time stories. He was there for them whenever they needed him. Anytime, anywhere. So while he wasn't a father, Will Gardner is a Dad.
So, what did you think? Let me know!