Disclaimer: I don't own anything
A/N: this story is coming to a close
Also is anyone still reading my story because I have not gotten any reviews in a while and I'm wondering if people are still interested?
I hope this is not too cheesy towards the end.
Chapter 9
Thank You
It was over, it was finally over there was no recovering from this. Zach and Grace were heartbroken but deep down they understood, just as Alicia would have hoped. She did not want to do what her parents did to her and Owen but now she understood. It would be officially over when the divorce papers were signed after the election. People would talk about her and Peter but at least for the last weeks she would be in the media it would be over and she would not be as some people called her a "Celebrity" anymore. She knew dating Will right after would be too drastic but she wondered how long she would have to wait. The voting for States Attorney was in two weeks. If Peter won she might one day have to argue against him in court but that was the smallest down side of splitting up, the biggest were her kids. Alicia's mind was wild with relief and stress. Her mind never rests. To get things off her mind she walked into work eager to work on the new case.
"Alicia." Diane waved her into the conference room. "Good morning we need to talk to you about the firm."
So much for the focus just being on a case. Alicia says, "Ok."
Diane says, "As you have probably caught wind already Lockhart/ Gardner and Bond are splitting up. We need to know where you want to go. If you choose to go with one of us, the choices are Gardner and Bond or Lockhart and Lee. I understand if you need time to think about what is best, but the move is coming up in three weeks. We need a decision before then. "
While Derek and Will intently stared at her, Alicia answers with, "I will think about it. Thank you."
"Ok Alicia. Thanks. Now lets get on to the case. " Diane picks up the conference phone and phones Kalinda, Blake and some associates upstairs.
Once they were done reviewing the case Diane asked for Alicia once again. Alicia entered Diane's office and shut the door.
Across the hall in Will's office Derek said, "She's trying to poach Alicia."
Will turned around and looked into Diane's office seeing Alicia sit in a chair with her back to the door, "Yup."
"Do you want her with us?"
Will was surprised that this question was even asked. But of course Derek did not know about how he felt about Alicia. Will knew he was about to hear his honest opinion about Alicia from Derek.
"I just think she is not open to the law firm's community and she takes peer review as a joke. I think we could do without her."
Will contemplates Derek's words and before he can retaliate Derek says, "She may be a good lawyer but there are other good second year associates out there and once we are represented as a firm, just you and I, they will come crawling in."
Will was left with hardly any words to say but then he says, "She's worth keeping."
"Only if you are sure Will."
"I thought you were supposed to be her mentor not her backstabber. "
With a small sigh Derek smiles and leaves the room saying, "Think about it."
Will had already though about it she was an amazing lawyer and Derek is stupid if he didn't know that.
Although this conversation had come to an abrupt end across the hall Alicia and Diane's conversation was quite different.
"Alicia I called you in here because I want you to know a little bit about my firm before you make your choice. Lee and I would have a very striving business ad we already know many people are climbing on board. This may not be very important because Gardner and Lee have a fair chance as well. I want you with me Alicia, you are a good lawyer. I need you on my team. I don't want you because of the people you know, I want you because of your skill. You could not have any friends that would come in handy to the firm but I don't care I don't need that from you. I need you to be one of my lawyers." Diane was watching Alicia's reaction and then in hopes to show her another upside Diane says, " There would be no peer review or community reflection. "
Alicia smiles and says a sincere, "Thank you." Diane smiles back afraid she might lose Alicia. Alicia exits and head downstairs and when she does so she sees Bond reenter Will's office.
Bond says, "Your right Alicia is useful she knows people and that would help us."
With that he leaves for the second time. Will suddenly does not like the partner of their new firm.
Alicia goes downstairs and weighs the possibilities.
At the end of work later she comes upstairs to Will's office. All but his office is dark. Alicia comes in and Will if their drinking a beer and sitting on his couch. She knocked on the door then set the case files on his coffee table.
"Oh thanks Alicia."
"So not ready to go home yet?"
"Not yet, you know my world keeps spinning."
"Yep I know what you mean."
"Hey um….so what's up."
""Not a lot." Alicia says. Will watches her waiting for her real answer and then she says, "Ok a lot."
Will chuckles then hands her a beer.
"She sits in the chair next to him and opens it up."
"You might not want to hear this but between deciding who I stay with between the firms, the election, and the kids it is now my life. My world never stops spinning."
"Yea I know what you mean, I may not have quite as many weights on my shoulders but I have my share."
They sat in silence for a moment reflecting on their owns lives then Will says, "I'm hungry, you want to have dinner."
"Sure."
Will knowing that being seen with another man in public probably isn't the best idea takes out his take-out menus. "Choose I don't care."
Alicia flips through the flyers then picks up Chinese food. She passes the menu to Will he chooses then picks up the phone and orders. Alicia already informed her family she would be getting home late so she was stress free at the moment. Once Will was done ordering he sat back down and said, "So has anything in your spinning world slowed down yet?" Referring to their talk a few days ago Will wondered if there was any chance for them still or if he should stop pressing.
"Will I—"
Will nodded with a sigh with the back of his head to her he was ready to be shot down. He was ready because he was Will and he was chill he would be cool and blow it of later.
"Will I'm getting a divorce."
Will was surprised to hear what she just said and turned around on the couch and faced her. Unsure of what she said Will was in shock starring at her.
"I'm getting a divorce after the election."
Will could hardly contain his excitement he kept thinking a divorce. The election was in two weeks. Two weeks until she would be free but of course they would have to make it official before he could be with her. Also the media would have to die down and she would have to be out of his but it was a divorce.
The food arrived and they ate and talked as they normally did about their lives and how easy it was at Georgetown. Then Will said, "I have to head home."
They threw away their boxes and stood up to leave. She had been there for two hours and it was 12:00 Am. Will could only help but think only 13 more days until the divorce. Will smiled then picked up his things and made his way over to her. As she held hers she could not help but have a small smile on her lips. Will squeezed her hand and containing his need to kiss her and said, "Thirteen more days." She smiled he let her hand go and they walked to their cars.
They got in their cars took one last smile at each other and headed home. For it was now Saturday and for the first time in a long time the sun was rising on her life.
