A/N; Thank you for all for your follows and reviews including those guest reviewers who I don't get the chance to thank personally.
May 2018
I reach my arm across the soft sheets of our bed to touch Will and am met with nothing but the sheets. From the cold feel of them he hasn't been here in quite some time. I turn to look at the clock it reads five in the morning. Will has been slammed with work this week being in court, and attending a few sessions of the annual ABA conference being held here this year. I can't believe he would have gotten up already. He was exhausted last night when he finally came home after the baby and I had already gone to bed. It being Saturday he doesn't have court, or need to go into the office early. His plan for today was to attend the final sessions of the conference with Cary and Diane. They don't begin until nine.
Suddenly it occurs to me that Mira may have woken and I didn't hear her. I bet that's where Will has gone too. It is about time for her to eat so I make my way over to the nursery and pause with a smile at the door taking in the scene set before me. Will is sound asleep in the soft oversized rocker with Mira sleeping peacefully in his arms. At this angle with both of their heads turned to the side I notice how the peaceful expression on her face is identical to the one on Will's. It's heartwarming to catch a glimpse of this and realize that she is as much of him as she is of me.
I'm tempted to leave them both in peace, but part of me worries his grasp on her will loosen a little too much and she will fall from his arms. I move into the room to take her from him, but not before I get a few good photo shots first.
I slowly reach to take her from Will's arms in an attempt to let him sleep, but as soon as I remove her from his warm grasp she begins to fuss. Will's eyes slowly open and he looks disoriented until he realizes where he is.
"What did you do to her?" he says teasingly as her whimper turns into a louder cry.
I roll my eyes and sigh. "I saved her from crashing to the floor. When did she wake up?" I question, pulling her in close to try and calm her cries.
Will is still trying to wake enough to have a semi coherent conversation and looks at me with quizzical eyes. "She didn't wake up," he said, rubbing his hands over his face. "After I came to bed I wanted to hold her for a few minutes so I came in here and obviously fell asleep."
I would like to believe that children don't choose a favorite parent at two months old, but it would be a lie if I didn't think that Will was the favorite in this family. As has become custom these days, most likely due to the fact that Will has hardly been here in two weeks, at the continued sound of his voice and the realization that her daddy is near but not as near as she would prefer, Mira starts to wail.
"She's probably hungry, I'll go make her a bottle," Will says, slowly making his way to the kitchen. I gently rock her as I move out into the living room and sit on the couch. Just a few moments later Will returns with a bottle in hand. I take it from him and place it in her mouth, but she continues to cry.
"Here let me try," Will offers, taking her from me and resting her gently in one of his arms. And then I have my evidence that he is the favorite, for as soon as she is settled in the crook of his arm she immediately calms and is quite content with her warm meal. I roll my eyes again and lean against Will's shoulder.
"She has you wrapped around her little finger," I muse as I settle against him.
"No," he protests. "She hasn't seen much of me all week. She just needs a little daddy time!" His eyes gleam at the statement and a broad smile crosses his lips. I already know that in this house it will be me against the two of them more times than I'm willing to imagine at this point. Thank heavens Grace is still on my side of this camp!
"Besides, she and I have to discuss our Mother's day plans for tomorrow!" he says as he lifts her to his shoulder for burping.
He's been hinting all week that he and the baby have big plans. I hope all it really involves is a nice lunch out somewhere, and a quiet day at home without work. I'm also hoping to get some face time with Zach and Grace.
_
I place the last wine glass on the dining table and stand back to observe my work of the past few hours. I'm glad to know that I haven't lost my touch for throwing a dinner party. It's been months since Will and I have had the opportunity to hold such an event for some of our closest friends. I admittedly reveled in the opportunity to put on a nice evening dress and do something more formal with my hair. It's nice to finally be fitting back into some of my favorite clothes. After trying on several dresses and asking Mira's opinion, of which she was no help, I finally decided on the dark red one that falls just at my knees. I seem to remember this particular dress as being one of Will's favorites. It may be a risk to have put such an outfit on with Mira, the chances of being spit up on are not to be overlooked, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons for tonight.
I quickly check the time on my watch as I put the finishing touches on the salad I've prepared. Its a few minutes past eight, and Will should be here any minute with our guests. The occasion that brought on this little soirée is a multitude of things, but first and foremost it's a thank you slash sending off event for Cary. I started working part time from home a few weeks ago, and it's time for Cary to go back to Chicago. He came to New York at the beginning of the year when I had to give up working even from home, and Will dramatically cut back his hours in order to spend as much time with me as he could in the event that those months were to be our last. It truly is thanks to Cary that the New York branch has continued on such a smooth path for the past five months. You find out quickly who your true friends are, and who is more than happy to grab the corner office and throw you and your years of hard work aside.
Mira begins to fuss as I light the last candle in the center of the table. I have the lights turned down low. One of the things that drew Will and I to this apartment when we moved here, were the large floor to ceiling windows and the view of the city. With the lights dimmed at night it's a spectacular scene from the dining and living areas.
I gently lift Mira from her swing where she's been quite content for the past while just as the front door opens and I hear the all familiar voices of Will, Diane, Kurt, Cary and Kalinda. Cary is the only one I've seen in nearly a year now, and honestly they are all a welcomed sight for these eyes.
Will leads the group into the living room moving over to me and placing a gentle kiss on my lips. "Sorry we're a little late. The last session of the conference ran overtime, and then we had to grab Kurt and Kalinda."
"Its fine, I just finished preparing the food." I say to reassure him turning my attention to our guests who greet me warmly. Everyone's attention is quickly drawn to the wrapped up bundle in my arms. Will takes her from me and hands her over.
"Will, are you sure she is your child? She looks just like Alicia!" Kalinda teases and everyone laughs.
"Ha ha," he says with a grin. "She has my eyes, and that's all the proof you need."
"Good thing, because there is no other evidence she belongs to you!" Cary adds amusingly.
With Mira being passed among our guests, Will helps me get the food to the table. After we're all seated I continue to notice the subtle sneaky looks that everyone keeps passing as we finish up the salad and move on to the main course. Something is up, and I seem to be the only one not in the know. At the end of the main dish, and as dessert and more wine are being served I can't take it anymore so I speak up if for no other reason than to quiet my curiosity. "Okay, what's going on?" I question, and everyone's attention turns to me.
Will smiles, clearly deciding it's time for a little fun as he responds. "It's my fault. I clearly need to get you out of the house more often!"
"What's your fault?" I say placing my napkin on the table.
"The fact that you've been so involved in the opportunity for some adult conversation that you've missed something." Everyone chuckles, but I don't see the humor in this at all.
Cary speaks up. "Alicia we have some news for you!" he says taking Kalinda's hand into his. The fact that he takes her hand is no surprise to me. Cary and Kalinda have been dating for nearly two years now. There is another pause and I look around the table they are waiting for something, but I don't know what. So I turn my attention back to Cary.
"So what is this news?" I say with a gentle smile. He's about to say something, but then Will shakes his head and cuts in.
"We're ready to open up the D.C. branch!" Will says with a smile, placing his arm around me while continuing to hold Mira in his other.
"That's wonderful!" I respond. This has been in the works for months but nothing seemed to be pulling together. It's only when I turn my gaze back to Cary and kalinda that I notice something for the first time this evening, and I realize that this was actually meant to be the news Cary spoke of just moments before. Will was right, I had been very unobservant, and he obviously wanted to see how long it would take me to notice the diamond that sat on Kalinda's left hand.
I can't help but stare at it. It seems so out of place on her hand. Yes, she and Cary seemed to be in a serious relationship, but I can't quite get over the idea that Kalinda's "flexible" relationship views have changed. I honestly never thought she'd want to commit to just one person again after her previous marriage. I really have been out of the loop even though Will has done his best to keep me in it. I had no idea our two friends had grown so close.
Everyone seems to notice my recognition at the fact at hand, and Will chuckles under his breath and gently kisses the top of my head. "You're right this is your fault!" I muse with a quick glance in his direction before turning my attention back to Cary.
Cary smiles making eye contact with me. "We're getting married!" He leans over and kisses Kalinda as I stand from the table and go over to hug them.
"I'm so happy for you both! When's the big day?"
"We haven't decided yet." Kalinda says, as she takes Cary's hand into hers.
"Well congratulations!"
We all move to the living room for more comfortable seating and get caught up on Diane and Kurt's latest adventures. I have to chuckle to myself listening to them. They are completely opposite in so many ways, but honestly they couldn't be a more perfect couple. And when I hear about Diane going hunting with Kurt I just can't imagine it. So Kurt pulls out his phone to show me the proof. Sure enough, there is Diane Lockhart in hunting gear. I am certain I could die now and honestly say I have really seen it all!
Will excuses himself for a few minutes to put Mira to bed. Once he's out of ear shot Diane turns to me. "Is he always so adorable with her, or is it just a show he's putting on for us?"
I chuckle under my breath and shift a bit to get more comfortable. "You mean is he always like putty in her hands? Yes! But don't tell him that, he thinks he's just like every other father on the planet! And certainly don't tell any of our clients that he has a soft side. It might ruin his reputation!" Everyone chuckles. "His attentiveness is a bit stronger tonight since he hasn't spent much time with her over the past few weeks." I add for a little more context.
"Have you guys decided on a nanny yet?" Kalinda asks.
"No, I don't know what the hang up is. But every time I bring it up we talk about it for a few minutes and he changes the subject. It's just going to take some time for him to get used to the idea that someone other than us is quite capable of taking care of her."
"Hey, maybe he could be a stay at home dad! He seems to have a real knack for the whole father thing!" Cary says. Everyone chuckles again.
"No, he loves the law too much, and I'd be willing to bet that after a few weeks of full time care he'd want back into the workforce!"
The hour grew quite late before we all said our final goodbyes. It was refreshing to spend time with some of my most favorite people. Once Will and I retire to the bedroom I notice a package lying on the bed, and can't imagine how he snuck it past me. "What's this?" I ask as he begins to unbutton his shirt.
He moves over to me placing his arms around my waist. "That is your Mother's day gift," he says as he places a gentle kiss on my lips.
"You can open it now if you want," he says with a twinkle in his eye. "It is technically Mother's day now."
I can't decide if I should open it now, or wait until later. But watching him I know he's hoping I'll relieve the suspense and open it now. So I agree and sit on the edge of the bed. He sits next to me and places his arm around my shoulder as I open the meticulously wrapped box. "Did Diane wrap this for you?"
He smiles sheepishly, and I have my answer. "I was so excited I had to show it everyone first so I didn't get it gift wrapped. Diane couldn't handle me giving it to you in a paper bag!" he admits.
I smile as I open the lid and remove the tissue paper. A few weeks earlier while Grace and Zach were here we had a professional photographer come in and take some family photos. The prints weren't due back for another week, yet here they were. All but the larger one I plan on putting above the fireplace mantle. There are no frames, Will didn't dare, or want to try, to figure out what would go with the rest of the apartment decor. However at the bottom of the box is one framed photo with a shot I don't remember us taking. I pull the framed print from the box admiring the soft black and white image of Will and Mira.
"I don't remember the photographer taking this," I say still staring at the beautiful portrait.
"That's because you weren't here when she took it," he says smiling placing a soft kiss on my forehead. "You left with Grace after the session, remember?"
I think back on the day two weeks earlier and he's right. Grace told me she needed some new clothes for her summer job so she and I left as the photographer was cleaning up.
"I had already talked to Grace and the photographer about my plans." he admits with his "I got you" look. "I didn't want Zach and Grace to feel left out, but they both thought it was a great idea!"
I turn my gaze to his with a few tears in my eyes. "It's perfect."
"I'm glad you like it. There are a few other images, including a great one of Mira and Zach that you can look at and get prints to add to our album if you want."
"Thank you! I love it." I say as I place the frame next to the lamp on the bedside table. I stand and begin removing my dress to get ready for bed. Will stands to help with the back zipper then turns me to face him.
"Happy Mother's day!" he says. I smile as his hands begin to run along my now bare back, and he pulls me in close for a passion filled kiss. I obviously made the right decision on the dress.
