A/N: Thanks again for the reviews/follows and for sticking with this story. This chapter follows on directly from Chapter Six.

Love Me Tender (Elvis Presley)

Chicago, April 2014

Alicia took the second letter from its envelope and held its folded form in her hands for a few seconds as she contemplated what he could write to top the previous note. Jonas had died in April 2011 and she and Will had begun their affair a few weeks later. She wondered if the next letter was written during that time or even after their relationship ended. Sighing, she hoped it would be the former as she would love to know his thoughts during that time. She loved reading that he loved her. Yes, he once told her accidentally then retracted it like a teenager, but she knew he meant it, and he also told her in a voicemail that she never heard. Reaching out for her wine, she smiled to herself as she pictured Will in his white undershirt sitting on a bed, slowly but sensuously planting tiny kisses along her collarbone and up her neck. She swallowed hard as she realised that the memory of his touch had caused her breathing to quicken and raised her temperature, just as it had done at the time. Taking a mouthful of wine, she closed her eyes for a moment and tried to regulate her breathing. Replacing the wine glass on her nightstand, she unfolded the paper and her breath caught in her throat at seeing Will's handwriting again.

….

Dear Alicia,

This is not the first letter I have written to you, but I had to write something now that we are together and you have allowed me to fulfil my wildest dreams in loving you. I hope you know that I love you and have probably loved you ever since Georgetown.

I was prompted to write to you after Jonas died. He died so suddenly that I wanted to let you know how I feel. I hope you don't have to read my words anytime soon, but just in case, as we don't know what is around the corner.

Having these months together has made me the happiest I have ever been. I have never felt so alive (how ironic?) than when we have been together and I hope that I have not left you too bereft that you feel you can't go on. No, wait, scratch that, I'm narcissistic enough to think women should give up sex altogether after me, I am pretty memorable. Feel free to laugh.

[Alicia let out a little snort and felt her eyes tear]

I enjoy being close to you, knowing that I can lay down next you, our skin melting into one so much so that I sometimes don't know where I end and you begin. I feel my senses are heightened and even rubbing my finger against yours, the tiniest touch unnoticed by others, sends a shiver of pleasure through my body.

I always regretted the fact we did not date at Georgetown. I hated seeing other men attempt to chat you up, some even took you on dates and all I could do was smile my silly smile and say 'have a good time' while inside I was hurting, my heart shredded at the prospect of losing you. I did lose you. I lost you to Peter. But, crucially, I now have you back in my life and I will do everything in my power to make you happy and ensure you feel safe. I don't want to lose you again.

I have always thought I am a better candidate for your love than Peter, even if my juvenile behaviour or lack of commitment over the years might not have shown me to be the one you should have chosen. But now I am ready to show you how much I have changed and that I want to commit to you, to our future.

I also wanted to say how much I admire you as a parent. You have so much courage to raise Zach and Grace in the wake of Peter's indiscretions and I love the way you love your kids. They are your world and I know they will always come first. But know this, you will always come first with me.

I am so grateful that the stars aligned and we met in an elevator in Midtown. I am thankful everyday that Wells & Bowen didn't work out and you came to work at SLG. From your first day I enjoyed watching you in the halls, at your desk, or in court. It was a pleasure to see that determined lawyer come to the fore again, just as you had fought in mock trial all those years ago. But more so, it was a pleasure just looking at you, catching a glance when I didn't think anyone else was looking. You are truly beautiful and I can't believe that after all these years I finally get to call you 'my girl.'

Whatever happens, be happy Alicia and remember that I will love you forever.

All my love,

Will xxx

…..

Alicia barely finished reading the letter as her eyes filled with tears, she let out a weary howl and slumped forward over on the bed, grabbing a pillow and squeezing it hard as her tears fell onto the soft silk. Will Gardner really had taken her heart, even if she failed to tell him that directly. She wished she could tell him how much she loved him and her regrets just made the tears fall faster.

A/N: Okay, so let me know what you think. I envisaged Will writing this letter around the time of 'The Death Zone' and tried to link in the scene where A/W touched fingers at the end of the court case.