A huge thank you to Sabrina for helping me with this chapter, i couldn't have done it without you 3.

Also Moni I hope you enjoy this chapter ;-)

I don't own The Good Wife

Chapter 7

She stared at him through eyes clouded by tears. Had he really just asked her that? Said those words? She had of course as soon as he started talking guessed he might really go there, yet hearing them from his lips was something else.

She closed her eyes for a few seconds, trying to get control over the tears filling them, while taking a few deep breaths. She didn't know what to do, or what to say. A huge part of her was tempted to pull away and run away as fast as she could. Leave this moment so she wouldn't have to answer, she wouldn't be forced to make a choice.

She knew he had taken them from zero to here, partly because of Cat. After all, she had in the past been careful regarding their relationship, when it was on and off because of how confusing it was for Cat.

She thought it was easier for her little girl to know he would always be a part of her life no matter what their relationship was, if their relationship was not a factor at all because it didn't exist. That meant Cat knew he was there no matter what and he was not leaving her just because he wasn't living or seeing Alicia anymore.

She knew he was now partly offering her everything at once because he wanted to be all in and had always wanted so. He also knew that to happen now, it would mean everything because she couldn't offer her daughter anything less than that. Her daughter that longed for a family like everyone else.

She began to smile at the thought through her tears. Her daughter had seen what she had not even seen; that she had created a family for Cat even without intending it. Will had been there for more or less every big event in her daughter's life. And when she had thought she was alone in this, he had stepped up and been there. Even when all they were was friends, he had been there, watching Cat when she was ill if her mother couldn't do it and she had a court meeting. Joining them for Cat's first day in kindergarten. He had even gone with her to the meetings with daycare places and preschools when Alicia was still looking into which one was the best fit for Cat. And Will was actually the one who found her the British School of Chicago and thought their programs sounded promising. Even though it was a bit further away from Alicia's new place than some of the other schools she has been looking into. He had also been the one touring houses and apartments with Alicia and Cat, faithfully every Saturday when she was looking into moving. And if she needed to go through the week to see a place he had taken over her work, and if her mother couldn't look after Cat, he had done that too.

Not to mention he was the one that had first come up with the idea that helped her keeping her pregnancy a secret at work when she started to show and couldn't hide it anymore. He had come up with the idea of them getting a doctor that already recommended a lower work load for her because her blood-pressure was getting too high in connection to the pregnancy, to declare her stressed and in need of leave because of it. And it had worked, amazingly well, so she had been given 6 months off for stress and depression. No one had wondered about it that much, after all most knew the divorce had been a long one though friendly and she had been working all she could at the time of it and after, pulling longer hours than ever, and harder cases. So it was no shock that it had taken its toll on her. No one had ever found out that the reason why she had suddenly started to look more tired than ever was because she was five months pregnant when she went on leave.

The day she had given birth premature, Will had been there too, taking her to the hospital and the months after with the newborn Cat that first was in the NICU and later at home he had helped her too in every possible way he could.

He had been playing the roll role of her husband and Cat's father already for years now. How could it possibly be a bad thing to say yes to what he was offering?

Cat deserved a father, she needed a dad. And blood didn't make one a parent. One time long ago she had told Will that "Poetry is easy, parent-teacher conferences are hard," and wasn't that what she was faced with once again? Will had never missed one single parent-teacher meeting of any kind, or dance recital of Cat's and he would never do so in the future either. He might not be her dad in blood and DNA but emotionally he was and he had been that since the day she was born.

And she? What about her? He was a good man. A wonderful man truly. For long she had been pining for him imaging how it would be, how it could be? And though it was nothing like the reality and they had not bonded over many things it was not just a bad thing, and now the last few years when they were no longer together they had seemed closer than ever. Why would that change back if they decided to be together again? Why would any of that go away? It wouldn't... she knew that. They would be great together. And she did love him. He did have a piece of her heart, something he always had since the first day she met him back at Georgetown.

Of course she was scared, actually she was terrified. After all, how could she not be? After all, last time someone, Peter said something similar to her, - well, asked something smiler of her - they had been over for good two weeks later. So of course she was scared to death, right now.

She looked at him and smiled, sometimes you had to take a chance. Suddenly she knew that this, right here, was what she wanted, what was best for her and her daughter, you couldn't built a life on a dream, and she had always known that. And now she had once wanted a plan from Will, a plan on how to make it work, and this was what he was giving her. She nodded her head slowly, smiling a little more at him. She saw how the nervous, scared look in his eyes slowly replaced with hope and love.

"Yes... yes I will..." She whispered softly, suddenly smiling wide, and happy. The smile taking over his face was worth it all. The light in his eyes was one of happiness, and she knew it was the right answer, even though she was nervous and scared, and a part of her wanted to say no too, because Peter still had a part of her heart too. But Will's smile made her sure it could be right and it could be good, and it was all that she wanted.

"Yes..." She whispered again, and the next moment his arms were around her, pulling her into his chest. They hugged each other close, and she lifted her face to meet his. His lips found hers in a tender kiss. She smiled into it, and kissed him back. Letting her arms slid up to his neck pulling him in closer. He kissed her deeper, with more passion. She could feel wetness on his cheeks mixing with the tears on her own, and making her realize she was not the only one crying in this moment. He was too. She pulled back and caressed his cheek before he pulled her back into a tight embrace, lifting her a little of the ground making her laugh because of his almost childish excitement. He kissed her again silencing her laughter with his lips as he placed her back on the ground. He slid one of his hands up to her face so he could cradle her neck softly. The kiss was soft, yet passionate. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip, asking for entrance, something she gladly gave him. Her hands were playing with the hair at the nap of his neck, sliding though it gently. He had wrapped his other arm tightly around her waist and pulled her more into his body. They finally broke apart when they were out of breath, and she rested her forehead against his bare shoulder enjoying his warmth. She placed a soft kiss against his bare skin, enjoying how he shuddered lightly against her. She pressed tighter into him, wanting to crawl into him. He kissed her hair softly, continuing in a soft trail of kisses down her neck, nibbling at the soft skin of her neck making her giggle a little. It was like now that he knew she would be his completely, he couldn't or wouldn't want to stop touching her. He suddenly pulled back from her and she looked at him confused.

"Alicia... you mean it right? You are not gonna end it tomorrow or something or run in a few days or weeks, are you?" He asked looking at her seriously, and she shook her head.

"No, I won't run. I do mean it..." She smiled at him and placed her hands on his cheeks and pulled him down towards her, pressing her lips against his.

"I love you..." He whispered softly against her lips making her smile, how could this ever be wrong?

"I love you too..." She whispered back, making his lips curl into a smile. She sealed her words by closing the breath of air between them in another tender kiss.

"Mommy, mommy you look like a princess." Cat's told Alicia, excitedly, while she admired her with her big bright eyes. Eyes that were shining in happiness. Alicia smiled at her daughter, while thinking back to the morning they had told Cat they were getting married and Will would be her father. And the happiness Cat had showed because of those news, warming Alicia and confirming her choice. Alicia looked at herself in the mirror in front of her. She hadn't wanted a big wedding, actually she would have preferred the court house, if it was up to her, but her daughter's big disappointed eyes that she wouldn't get to be a flower girl had convinced her otherwise. They still hadn't gone for a big event, but close family had been invited. And Alicia was now wearing a wedding dress, that according to her daughter made her look like a princess. She had again originally not wanted one but Cat with the help of Grace had convinced her. And she truthfully loved the one they had settled on. It was relative simple and yet elegant, covered in lace, and a bouquet made out of small pearls at the hip. The closing in the back was a thin line of small buttons, - a detail she personally loved -. Her fingers played a little with the lace as she looked at the image in the mirror. She truly was happy right now, and so was her daughter. There was a knock on the door.

"Mom are you ready?" Zach called from the other side.

"Yes come on in." She answered, and Zach entered.

"Zachy..." Cat shouted in excitement running to her brother's side expecting him to pick her up, and he did happily so.

"Hey you... or is it a little princess." He told her tickling her sides, making Cat giggle and squirm in his arms. A picture that made Alicia smile, as she pushed a curl that had fallen forward behind her ear. Both Zach and Grace had been happy for her when she told them the news, neither had showed big surprise but they had still been happy.

"No... mommy is the princess." Cat laughed, and Zach looked over at her.

"Yeah she looks like one too... Mom you look amazing..." He smiled at her and Alicia nodded while blushing lightly.

"Thank you Zach... umm is it time?" She asked him, suddenly feeling her stomach flutter in nervous excitement.

"Yeah it is... well if you are ready..." He asked her with a smile.

"Mommy is ready to marry Daddy right mommy?" Cat asked with a big smile on her face, and Alicia smiled back and nodded, yeah she was ready.

Zach carried Cat while she followed them outside, where she was met by Grace, holding the flowers. Zach placed Cat down on the ground, and she ran over to her sister, who gently fixed the bow and flowers in Cat's hair, that had fallen down a little and handed her the little basket with the rose petals in the same color of red as Grace's and Cat's dresses both had in them. Grace's was completely that red color with a scarf around the waist in another red. And Cat's was white but the back and edge of the neck line was in red, along with the thin straps.

Grace then handed Alicia her own bouquet, a mix of green leaves and dark red and white roses. Alicia quickly pulled Grace close and into a hug, kissing her daughter's cheek.

"You look amazing..." She told Grace, that pulled back and returned Alicia's smile doing so.

"You do too mom." Alicia nodded. She was really relieved that both of her older children had accepted and supported this the way they did.

"Are you ready mom?" Zach asked and offered her his arm, which Alicia accepted.

"I am..." She answered, making Cat laugh excited.

"Yeah we are getting married!" Cat exclaimed, making the other three laugh, much to Cat's confusion, but at the same time the music started to play and Grace opened the doors to outside pushing Cat a little so she started to happily walk down the aisle, throwing the petals before setting into a sprint when she saw Will at the end smiling at her, running all her small legs could carry her up to him, expecting him to catch her. Something he of course did, bending down and catching the little white and red ball of satin running all she could into his arms, picking her up gladly, making her laugh and giggle. A sight that made Alicia smile and warmed her heart. He loved her so much, and her daughter adored him.

Grace followed Cat down the aisle before the music changed and Zach guided Alicia herself down to Will. But Alicia didn't notice the beautiful surroundings of the early fall. She didn't see the reddish and brownish colors of the trees that made the house of their union. All she was focused on was Will, and his smile and her daughter in his arms.

As they reached Will, Zach let go of her arm and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and Judge Lessner bid them welcome. She smiled up at Will who still held Cat in his arms. Through it all, she smiled at the two. He had to put down Cat as they were to say their vows, like she handed her bouquet to Grace. He carefully took her hands in his stroking her palms gently, as he began.

They had written their own to make it more personal and intimate.

"When was it we fell in love? I am not sure... because the truth is I can't picture a time I wasn't in love with you, ever since I first met you. I always knew you were the one for me. The one that could look into my eyes and see me for who I am. You are my partner and my best friend above all others. It's a miracle to find the kind of peace and happiness that you've given me. And here with our families today I plead myself to you." He smiled at her gently, squeezing her hand and she blinked a few times quickly to get rid of the tears in her eyes, and she was relieved to see that his eyes were misty too.

"I look at you and I see my best friend. Your energy and passion inspire me in ways I never thought possible. I didn't know what love was until I met and loved you. You were my first love and today I promise you will also be my last. You are like the sun in my life, brightening the rainy days. When I was down you were always there to lift me up and kiss away the tears and pain in my heart. And I am thankful for that every day like I am for you loving me unconditionally, no matter what. You give me purpose when I feel I have none. Without you my heart would be broken, and my life incomplete, you are my beginning and my end. And here in front of our families I promise that it will always be that way from this point forward," she whispered softly, as she felt a tear run down her cheek, he squeezed her hand once more, making her smile further as she looked at him through her misty eyes, seeing the tenderness and love in his, made her heart beat faster. He took the ring Zach him, held it up.

"With this ring I plead myself to you, and join my life with yours forever more. I promise to love, cherish and adore you as long as we both shall live." He slid it carefully down on her finger beside the ring he had brought her the day after she agreed to marry him, and gently lifted her hand and placed a kiss upon it.

She took the other ring from Zach's hand, and carefully slid it onto Will's finger while repeating the same words.

As Judge Lessner pronounced them husband and wife, Will cupped her face and kissed her gently before the judge even managed to say that he was now allowed to kiss his bride. Cat was laughing and clapping her hands happily, and as he pulled away, she was back at them, wanting to be lifted back up which Will did once more.

Alicia smiled as she looked at them. She truly was happy, and all was perfect. The thought long away in the back of her mind that she was rubbing her daughter of her other father and that she was rubbing Peter of his daughter was only a faraway echo that didn't break through the happiness she felt right here. This could be right, she knew that completely.

He pulled her even closer against him and she rested her head against his shoulder, as they softly swayed together in their first dance as husband and wife. She closed her eyes trusting him to guide her where needed.. The moment was perfect, everything she could wish for it to be, and had wished for it to be. He placed a soft kiss on her hair, making her sigh softly in happiness.

"Are you alright?" He whispered softy, and she nodded softly. How could she not be alright here, in this moment? After all, everything was perfect, right then and there.

"Alicia I love you, you know that right? I would want to marry you even without Cat..." He told her gently, and she nodded, she did know that. It might be furthered by Cat, and her needs but she did know he loved her and always had.

"I love you too," she whispered softly, into the warm skin of his neck as she curled in to him even closer, letting her lips brush his neck, an action that made him shudder a little.

"Alicia…" He hissed, his voice tense, and laced with passion now. It made her feel giddy that she could get such a response from him, this easily.

"Yes?" she answered in a sing song whisper, teasing him, though she knew very well what he meant.

"We have hours left for this..." He told her softly, his lips finding her ear, brushing it, making her the one to shudder and tense now. "Not so teasing now?" he whispered into her ear and she shook her head softly. He was right, he could get to her just as easily. And right now she was close to telling him they should skip the party so he could take her home and make love to her all night.

"I want to actually taste the cake before we leave, plus I know you have a thing for chocolate." He joked with her making her laugh lightly, but he was right it would be a mistake not to enjoy the chocolate cake she settled on in the end.

"Fine, no more teasing..." She whispered back.

"Good, Mrs. Gardner. Now play nice and I will feed you, your cake in a little while." He joked, and she giggled a little, as she felt a strange nervous but excited flutter in her belly. It was the first time he called her that, and the name did sound strange in her ears. Not in a bad way but it was different. She had gone back to Cavanaugh after the divorce when she learned she was pregnant, and Cat had that name and her own mothers, to keep her hidden from the press, and make no one wonder about her parentage. And now she suddenly had another last name once more. It felt strange and confusing, mixed with exciting.

She pulled back so she could look at him, his eyes were loving and tender, with a hint of merriment in them, glimmering, shining with his happiness, and love for her, making her feel warm all over, like on a warm summer day with the sun shining at her, warming her skin.

"I love you..." She whispered again, because it was the truth, she did love him. He smiled at her and pulled her in close so he could kiss her gently on the lips. His lips felt like velvet against hers, making her sigh lightly. It was everything it should be this moment in time. It was perfect in every possible way, it was like a dream.

Still i love reviews and they do make me write faster and more;-) hahaha they honestly do, because it lets me know you want it... so yeah even if you want to kill me now please review...

AW fans that reads this, I added Will as a charcter to the story because he is central for it and will continue to be so through the rest of it too, and it certainly invovles him far more than i thought it would then i started writing...

review replies to anon/guests:

Emily: thank you for reading and reviewing... umm i can promise you for sure there will be no such thing happening. First of all i am having an AW fan as my beta, so she would never ever let me do it! Second I am crule sometimes but in this story i am doing my best to paint Will well and good and kind, so i would never do that to him in the story.

Emilie: thank you for reading and reviewing... sorry for the wait on the new chapter, hope the sooner posting of this chapter helps ;-) and yes Will was amazing in the last chapter. He loves Cat a lot.

Also I would like to mention i have made a tumblr account for this fic, where i will post pictures of clothes, and stuff, and notices of then i have updated this fic. it is not complete yet but i hope it will be soon. I will link to it in my profile.

And last to your all remember the story is categorized as an angst story!