Wow, thanks for your feedback! I love that people are intrigued. This chapter might seem like a filler or fluff, but I wanted to establish how Will and Alicia are in their marriage and as parents. Don't think this is a romcom fanfic, rough waters are ahead. I'll try and update consistently, I'm on Christmas break till Jan 4 so I should be able to post soon. Without further ado, here is chapter 2. Let me know what you think!
How was court today?" Alicia asked as she lotions her elbows and wrists. The girls were fast asleep by now, leaving Alicia with peace and quiet. Emma had finished her call with Will an hour ago and showed him her purple nails. She had talked his head off in the short span of time they were given, but Will needed that after the intense day in court.
"Tiring," Will sighed and collapsed against the headboard, "we were there all day."
Alicia smiles sympathetically, tilts her head and watches his eyes flutter. She wishes he was here in their bed with her, hand running up and down her spine.
"What did the judge say about the gun model?" Alicia asked, her lawyer mind begging for details. This had been the most sought out case by all the lawyers at Lockhart, Gardner and Gardner and Will had been chosen by Nick himself.
She was extremely proud of him, he was always the better lawyer.
"It's under investigation, I think the judge is leaning on my side." Will answered and propped the laptop on his chest, watching Alicia settle into bed with the screen on the pillow next to her. He smiled as her hand curls under her chin with the sheets in a loose grip. She looked so beautiful, her face scrubbed clean and the tip of her nose tinged pink. Her eyes were focused on his, awaiting a story.
"Good, that's good." Alicia concedes. She placed the lotion bottle on her nightstand and she could feel his eyes on her. "You still have that smirk and you're not even here."
Will chuckled a low and hearty sound from his chest. "I'm not blind, just hundreds of miles away. And you're wearing my t-shirt. How can I not smirk?"
Alicia smiled Will's favorite smile, the one where he can see the pink tint on her cheeks. "It smells like you." She shrugs.
"Oh, are we back at Georgetown now? I distinctly remember my shirts being stolen and some smart ass hoarding all them." Will jokes, watching her sweet lips curve into laughter.
"Hey!" She giggled, in mock defense. "You would be in the library until like 4 in the morning. I needed something to help me sleep."
"You'd look so cute curled up in my dorm bed." Will mused. He had a vivid memory of sitting on the edge of the bed after coming back from the library and watching Alicia sleep. She was just as exhausted as he was from school, he could tell by the soft snores and her half open mouth.
Alicia sobers up, her eyes softening as she watches him through the screen. "God, I miss you and it hasn't even been 24 hours."
"I know, I miss you too." He replied in a low, sleepy voice. "I miss the girls, how were they today?"
"They were good, Emma was surprisingly okay. She fell asleep really fast, she barely made it through Goodnight Moon." She tells him as she settles more comfortably in bed.
"She was up early in the morning with me." He adds. "We watched her morning shows and she told me all about it."
"Oh yeah, you can't watch TV without her commentary." She said, pulling up the sheets to warm her arms. "I miss you and the bed is cold." Alicia pouts, her full bottom lip jutting out just like Emma does when she tries to get her way.
"This bed is too big for just me." Will added, suddenly feeling the emptiness in his hotel room.
"Two more days." Alicia whispered hopefully.
"Two more days, Leesh." He repeats with his eyes drooping, but trained on Alicia's. It felt like he could smell her shampoo, the vanilla smell welcoming him home. The lotion she uses is magic to Will. Her skin is impeccably soft to begin with, but with her Shea butter lotion it's like touching silk.
He watches her bite her lip and he doesn't know if she's doing it intentionally, but his heart beats a little faster. The little things she does turns him on the most like the way she licks her lips or twirls her wedding ring around. Honestly, Alicia could be sitting on the couch doing absolutely nothing and Will would have to adjust his pants.
"What time is Grace coming tomorrow?" Will asked after the comfortable silence in attempt to distract her.
"She said around noon, I'm worried the drive is too far for her." She answers truthfully. Alicia was always the worrier between them two and ever since her first little girl moved away, she had been in worry overload.
Will chuckled and watched her settle against the pillow. Her dark hair spanned across the beige pillowcase and he wishes he was there to run his fingers through it. She had grown it out, longer than before and Will loves it. Makes it easier for him to tug on during intimate times and play with during cuddle sessions.
"What?" She asked.
"You underestimate my driving skills, I taught her to drive." Will said in a pompous manner.
"I know, but I hate that she's driving alone. People drive so fast on the freeway."
"She'll be fine. Grace is smart and a great driver." Will comforts her. He can almost see the wheels turning in her head from worry of her oldest daughter traveling alone.
"You should sleep, Will." Alicia said, watching him yawn. "You're going to have another long day."
"Yeah, you're right." He nods lightly. "Call me in the morning when you get the chance."
"I will," she promises, "I love you."
"I love you." Will answers back. He smiles limply until the screen turns black and closes it. He's alone in his room and the bed has never felt so cold.
"How'd you sleep last night, baby?" Will asked Emma through his phone. It was the next morning and he was sitting on a bench outside, waiting for court. His little girl looked too cute for her own good with a milk mustache and curls pulled back in a barrette.
"Really, really good!" Emma smiled excitedly. "I had no accidents and slept in my own bed, the whole night!"
"Wow!" Will exclaimed, matching his daughter's excitement. "I'm so proud of you. What are you doing today?"
"Me and mommy are gonna go to the grocery store so I can help make a cake for Grace." She answers, her eyes wide with anticipation.
"Save me a piece for when I get home. You and mommy make the best food."
"And we're making Gracie's favorite dinner. Spaghetti!" She claps her hands. Emma loved Grace, she thought her older sister was the coolest thing. Grace would let Em play dress up with her clothes which entertains Emma for hours. It's her favorite thing to do.
"Mm, that sounds delicious." Will said distractedly, watching his client, Nick Talbot, walk into the building. "Hey Em, I have to go. I have to go to court like I explained."
"You have to talk to all those people and make sure the good guy doesn't go to jail." Emma explains matter of factly.
"That's right." He smiled proudly. "I'll see you later tonight, okay?"
"Okay," Emma waves at the camera, "I love you Daddy!"
Will chuckled at her sweetness. "Love you too."
Shoving his phone in his pocket, Will took the stairs two at a time to meet Nick. The opposing lawyer, Roger Wright, was standing against the door to the court room with a smirk. Roger was truly a horrible man, quite the asshole to say the least. Will had butted heads with him in the past, but has always fell to him.
"Ah, Will, pleasure to see you again. Coming back for more?" Roger joked without taking his eyes off his phone screen.
"Good morning to you too, Roger." Will spat as he breezed past him. He rolled his eyes as Roger added another comment.
"Mr. Gardner, thank god, I'm freaking out here man." Nick pops up from his seat once he sees Will.
"Nick, there's nothing to worry about." He soothed him. "We've got something they will never have."
"And that is?" Nick asked with sweaty palms.
"The truth."
Emma watched the screen turn black and she shuts it with a huff, her eyes meeting Alicia's from across the kitchen island. "Daddy had to go to work."
"Yeah, I know." Alicia smiled sympathetically as she walked over to her. "How about you go get your socks on?"
"Can I change my shirt?" Emma asked and wiggled out of the chair.
"Why? You just got dressed." She licked her thumb and wiped the milk mustache off the corner of her mouth.
"I want to wear my fishy shirt from Grace." Grace had gotten this adorable yellow shirt from a small lake shop in Michigan for Emma last year.
"Okay, be quiet when you walk past Libby's room. She's still napping." Alicia said as she started to clean up breakfast.
Emma took off like a rocket. "Okay mommy!" She shouted as she passed the living room.
"Quieter, Em!" She chuckled lightly as Emma scrunched her face up and held her pointer finger to her pink lips.
"Sorry." She whispered and tip toed dramatically up the stairs.
Alicia couldn't help but laugh at her antics. Her little girl could entertain the most uptight of people. The baby monitor showed Libby sleeping soundly with her pacifier bobbing in her mouth. A loud knock on the door caused Alicia to jump and Libby to stir in her crib.
"Who the hell...?" Alicia muttered under her breath as she practically ran to the door to cease the pounding. Swinging the door open with a huff, she was surprised to see an unfamiliar man in a heavy jacket.
Before she could yell at him for almost waking the baby, the man began his tirade. "You're Alicia Gardner, aren't you?" His voice was gruff and didn't match his appearance. Something about his tone and the way his eyes darkened caused Alicia to shiver in what was either anger or fear.
"Yes I am, can I help you?" She was irritated already as she looked at the monitor in her hand to see Libby starting to fuss.
The man stepped closer to Alicia, his body towering over her small form. He was too close for her comfort and she could smell his stale coffee breath.
"Tell your husband he better throw that monster behind bars. I know he killed my brother and I swear if he doesn't do his job, you are gonna be sorry." The man spat with tight fists and spit on the corner of his mouth.
By this point, Alicia was no longer confused but enraged. "Who the hell do you think you are? Showing up at my door with my kids home? If you don't leave right now, I'm calling the police."
The man laughed sadistically. "You think the cops scare me. Sweetheart, I don't think you know what I can do, how much power I have. I'd snap your little body before you can reach the phone."
"Oh I know exactly what kind of person you are. Do you really think you're the first person to threaten me over a court case? Now get the hell off my porch." Alicia crossed her arms, her eyes hardening and her temper running short.
"Tell your husband he better be smart. Don't make me step in." He made a nasty noise in the back of his throat and spit on their welcome mat before walking down the porch steps.
"Show up again and the cops will be here to arrest you!" Alicia shouted, but he just hopped into his car. She squinted her eyes to try and see his license plate number, but was distracted by a tug on her shirt.
"Is Gracie here?" Emma peered around Alicia and frowned when no one was there.
Much to her dislike, she was shaken by that man. There was something intimidating about him, maybe it was how much bigger he was than her or how she felt like his words were truth. Painting a smile on her face, Alicia shut the door and picked up Emma. She held her daughter close to her, smelled her hair and kissed her cheek.
"Nope, Gracie is not here yet. But I think Libby is awake which means we can head to the store!" Alicia raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes to excite Emma and distract herself.
"I can pick the icing, right?" Emma asked as she played with Alicia's hair. "I want to get blue and purple because they're Gracie's favorite colors."
"Of course," Alicia began making her way upstairs, "chocolate or vanilla cake?"
"Hm," Emma scrunched her eyebrows and bit her fingernail, "chocolate. I love chocolate."
"Oh I know you do, Em. Remember that picture I have of you from your first birthday?" She asked as they walked upstairs.
"Oh yeah, I looked so cute in it!" Emma giggled.
"You looked so precious and messy." She laughed at the memory. "You had chocolate cake all over you."
"I do love chocolate, mommy. Can you take a picture of me with the chocolate tonight? Now that I'm a big girl?" She wiggles down Alicia's hold and ran to the crib.
"Yeah, we'll do it and send it to daddy. He'll love it." Alicia replied. She watched Emma hold the crib bars in her fist and push her head through. Her arm was so small it fit through the small opening and was holding Libby's hand.
"Did you sleep good, Libby? Are you not gonna cry? Because I don't like it when you cry in the car. It's too loud." Emma explained to her baby sister. Alicia laughed under her breath as she set up the changing station.
"Ma, ma, ma..." Libby babbled with a fist in her mouth. Emma sighed and slumped with a huff.
"Mommy, when is she going to talk? I want her to talk. And say my name." Emma asked as Alicia crouched down to talk to her.
"She'll talk soon, but give her a few more months. Maybe if you keep telling her your name she'll learn it." She suggested, caressing her cheek.
"I'll teach her from now on." Emma pledged.
"You're such a good big sister, Emma." She smiled warmly. "You're shirt looks so pretty."
Emma looked down and yanked at her shirt. "I'm gonna surprise Grace with it when she comes home."
Alicia stood up and reached for Libby. "Hello, my sweet girl." She kissed her cheek before holding her close to her chest. Alicia loved every stage of her children's lives, but her favorite was when they were a baby. This age was her favorite because they would always snuggle into her chest and have that sweet baby smell and warmth.
Once both girls were dressed and ready, they were all buckled in the car on the way to the store. From Emma's questions about the sky to how the car moves, Alicia's mind couldn't stay away from that man's threat. Should she tell Will? She didn't want to cause him unnecessary stress especially with the case, but she couldn't stop thinking about it. What if that man would stay true to his word?
"Emma, baby, I have to call someone from work for a minute. We can talk after Im finished, okay?" Alicia pressed the familiar buttons to make a phone call through the car radio system.
The ring was constant and for a moment, Alicia feared the phone would go to voicemail.
"Hello?"
"Hey Kalinda, it's me, Alicia." She cleared her throat. "I need your help on something."
