A/N - Really want to say a massive thank you for all your lovely reviews - it really does make me carry on! :)
Hope you like this part
x
Mac stood opposite Will in his office and was on the verge of losing it completely. Things had been strained between them personally for weeks now but somehow Mac had kept everything on an even keel for them when it came to work. In public she was still supporting Will and everything he said but in private she was starting to run out of patience with him - In love with him or not the man was starting to become a giant pain in the arse. This latest conversation was doing nothing to help repair their troubled relationship...
"You're joking?" Mac almost laughed... She stared at him and waited for him to smile - utterly convinced he was going to laugh and tell her he was joking but the smile or the laugh never came. Instead he slowly shook his head...
"Brian?" Mac asked again quietly? Just in case she had misheard him...
Will didn't say anything – he just simply nodded and picked up his cigarettes...
"You're kidding me" Mac responded her voice getting louder with each word... "Brian Brenner?"
"Mac – it'll be ok..."
"It'll be ok? Have you lost your bloody mind?"
"Before you start going off on one Brian is..."
But Mac cut him off... She couldn't remember a time she'd felt angrier towards Will... "Let me get this straight" she shouted her face turning slightly red... "You could pick any writer in New York – sorry, from The United States of America - to do this article and you pick fucking Brian Brenner? Have you lost your mind completely?"...
Will put his cigarettes back down on the desk and made his way around the other side where Mac was standing... "You know the ratings are bad and I made it clear to you my first priority is the debate and Brian will help us get the ratings back up, which will..."
"Brian will help us get it? How the hell will Brian help?"
"You know what I mean – the article will help us"
Mac could feel the rage burning inside of her and knew she was going to struggle to control her temper...
"And you don't mind him hanging around here watching our every move?" Mac asked knowing full well he did mind...
"Of course not" Will replied trying his best to look cool with it all...
Mac stared again and shook her head – refusing to believe that Will was authorising this to happen...
"And you didn't think of asking me if I was ok with it?" she asked, her voice quieter and cracking a little at the end...
Will didn't say anything but again reached for his cigarettes...
"Fine… Dome of silence... Let me have a stab at what you thought... Of course you didn't think of asking me because you don't give a shit whether I mind do you?... What was it – a bit of fun for you? - let's piss Mackenzie off – that will be the laugh for today" Mac spat at him...
"Don't be silly - It's not like that" Will tried to defend himself but even he thought it sounded weak...
"No? Why else would you do it? Why else would you pick Brian?" Mac responded before Will could say anything else...
Although Will had known this would probably be Mac's reaction it was starting to pain him seeing her this angry and upset and he didn't know quite how to answer her last question... After a few seconds of silence he decided the best option was to ignore her question and carry on regardless...
"He might be a giant prick Mac but he's a fucking good journalist"...
"I don't give a damn how good a journalist he is... There's hundreds of good journalists out there Will... why the hell did you have to pick the one that ruined our lives?"
"No Mac – you did that not Brian" Will barked angrily…
Will tried to stop himself but the words were out there before he could shut his mouth – he closed his eyes immediately not even wanting to look at Mac's face knowing the hurt that would be written all over it...
"I'm sorry – I didn't mean to say that" Will whispered when he finally opened his eyes...
Mac didn't say a word – she stared at him until he finally met her gaze – biting her bottom lip so hard determined not to well up with tears in front of him... Will couldn't help but see the hurt in her eyes and he felt like shit for causing it...
"Mac – I'm sorry – that was out of line" Will repeated - he really hadn't meant for it to go that far...
"You're damn right it was" Mac almost whispered her voice low and raw with emotion... "How many times do I have to apologise Will before you let it go? I must be up to what? about five thousand apologies by now... but if bringing Brian in will help you to feel better about it then go ahead – don't mind me..."
Will didn't miss the sarcasm in her voice and for the first time since she'd rejected him and his voicemail message Will was awash with guilt...
"Mac – listen... I didn't mean to say that... I'm really am sorry" Will responded with his head bowed...
Mac ignored his apology and looked quickly at her watch... "We have a meeting with Charlie in ten minutes then the staff meeting starts dead on eleven. Don't be late for either".
She turned and headed towards the door catching a glimpse of Brian hovering at the entrance to Newsroom...
"Mac – wait" Will pleaded but Mac wasn't having any of it...
"You have a visitor" Mac cut him off and nodded towards Brian as she very quickly left his office and made her way towards her own.
"Fuck it" Will shouted the minute the door shut.
He really hadn't intended for it to go this far…. He was just about to go after her but Brian appeared at the door with a smug looking grin on his face – nothing changed Will thought to himself as he opened his office door and shook Brian's hand.
Mac closed the door to her apartment and leant back against it letting out a huge sigh – she didn't quite know how she got through the rest of the day without losing it completely but somehow she had. Her row with Will was followed by a row with Charlie and a firm instruction from him to cover the Casey Anthony trial – something both Will & Mac were strongly against but, to her amazement, Will had agreed with Charlie. Mac understood the reasons deep down - ratings were bad and she knew that Will was desperately after the debate but she just wished there was some other way they could get it without ruining all their good work over the previous year.
As angry as she'd been with Will she still couldn't help but give in when Charlie told her Leona needed nothing more to fire him – the thought of him not being around every day and anchoring their show was something Mac didn't even want to consider. She had glanced across at Will and had seen the pleading in his eyes and of course her heart had once again taken over. She didn't like it one little bit but they would do what they had to do to get through this and get the ratings back where they belonged.
Mac kicked off her shoes, dropped her bags onto the floor and headed straight into her kitchen to pour herself a large glass of wine - today had been just about the worst day she could remember since she'd joined ACN. She couldn't for the life of her figure out what was happening between Will and her personally and that upset her more than Brian hanging around. She'd tried time and again over the last few weeks to bring the subject up of them but she could tell Will was obviously not interested. Just last week she had suggested dinner – just the two of them but Will tensed up almost immediately in-front of her and it hurt her feelings more than she thought it would have done. They had grown so close up until the Bin Laden broadcast but since then they seemed to be back to how they were when Mac first arrived. Work ok – personal relationship just about in tatters.
Mac flopped down on her sofa and rested her feet on the coffee table – she was fed up, lonely, wound up and very quickly feeling sorry for herself tonight. It was actually the first time today in four years that he had out right blamed her for everything that had gone wrong between them. On the actual day of the split, four years ago, he had been so busy trying to question her as to why she had cheated that he'd never actually blamed her for it. She had always known of course, but she'd never heard the words leave Will's mouth and they had hit her right through the heart when he'd said it earlier.
Mac sighed and closed her eyes... She had no idea why she still waited around so patiently for him – days when they were close and getting along like a house on fire Mac would always remind herself that it was worth it – that she was willing to wait for him – however long it took for him to figure out his issues but then days like today when she couldn't ever see them in any kind of loving relationship again Mac wondered why the hell she just didn't accept one of the many dates she was asked on by other men.
Stupid question really Mac thought to herself - she knew the answer to that question and it was simple – no other man would ever come close to Will – he was perfect for her and deep down she knew she'd wait forever if that was needed.
She took a sip of her wine and picked up her phone to check her messages – she was convinced he might have sent her a message of some sort but he hadn't. She hated rowing with Will – she always had done but at least in the old days when they were dating there was the making up – they were always very good at making up…
Mac sat in her office and stared out the window – her mind wandering all over the place. She'd been dating Will for six months and they'd been blissfully happy together – that was until that morning... It was Friday and they'd been disagreeing most of the week at work about how they wanted to run a story. The disagreements at work had started to cause bickering at home and it had erupted into a huge row that morning as they were getting ready for work. After half an hour of shouting Mac had stormed out to work, slamming the door behind her and hadn't heard or seen Will since. He was already an hour late for work but Mac has stopped caring about work now – she was worried... worried that she'd taken it too far and was certain Will was going to end their relationship.
She knew he loved her – he'd told her and shown het so many times but Mac always had concerns at the back of her mind that she didn't deserve him – that she wasn't enough for him. He was stunningly handsome, extremely sexy, charming, rich, intelligent, not to mention famous, and she constantly questioned herself why he would pick her – why he would choose her to fall in love with. She'd was normally an optimistic person but she couldn't see him sticking with her too long - he was sure to find a super sexy six foot model soon and Mac was well aware she'd probably get pushed aside. Now, she was worried she'd given him the perfect opportunity...
"Hey... Is it safe to come in here or am I going to get something thrown at me?"
Mac smiled when she heard his voice - she swung round to face the door and instantly felt relieved to see him. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she saw Will standing at the door with a massive bouquet of flowers in one hand and a big fluffy teddy bear in the other. She couldn't help the huge smile that spread across her face...
Will made his way across the office to her with a very sheepish grin on his face... "Peace offering" he said simply as he reached her desk and set the flowers down...
Mac jumped up and made her way round the desk to where he was standing and breathed in the smell of the flowers – she always had loved fresh flowers... She nodded her head at the bear and grinned... "Who's this then?"
"Ahh, this little fella – he's actually got no name yet poor thing... He was staring at me in the flower shop and looked like he could use a good home" Will joked as he took a step nearer to Mac, took one of her hands and dropped a soft kiss on her knuckles... "I thought he could cheer you up when I'm an idiot again – maybe be a reminder of just how much I love you" he added almost shyly as he squeezed her hand tightly...
Mac's heart was melting inside of her and she let out a little laugh and took the bear from Will... "He's gorgeous... I think I'm going to call him Billy"
"Billy huh?" Will repeated... "Good name!"
"Yep – Billy The Bear" she laughed and bought the bear to her chest for a little cuddle... "He's cute and adorable... reminds me of someone I love very much too"...
"Mackenzie - I'm sorry about this morning" Will whispered softly... "I'm an idiot at times"
"I know" Mac giggled...
"Forgive me?"
Mac thought her heart may just stop at the sincerity in his voice – never before had an apology sounded so genuine and full of love...
"Of course" Mac replied... "I shouldn't have gone off on one either... I'm sorry too..."
Will nodded and took the bear from her hands and placing him on the desk, then took both her hands in his... "You know what?" He gently pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear before taking her hand again... " Billy and I were talking on the way over here and we wondered - if you accepted our apology for me being such an idiot - whether you'd come over tonight after work so we can show you how sorry we are..."
Mac smiled and closed the small distance between them... "Hmmm... what do you and Billy have in mind?" she asked raising her eyebrow and grinning...
Will pulled her tightly against him and savoured the feeling of her next to him - she really was the love of his life and Will cursed himself for being such a prick at times... He wrapped his arms firmly around her waist and placed the most gentle of kisses on her lips... "Well, we thought we'd cook you a romantic dinner, soft music, slow dancing... and well - generally spoil you rotten..." He kissed her again, this time soft and long... "Then maybe, we could... hmmm – I don't know... make love all night long?"
Mac giggled at the cheeky, but hopeful, look on his face and ran her fingers through his hair - she loved the feeling of how soft his hair was... "Make love? All three of us?"
Will laughed out loud and shook his head... "Oh no – I'm not sharing you with anyone after dinner – I'm afraid Billy sleeps on the sofa... You can save his cuddles for when I'm not around..."
Mac loved the soft, tender, romantic side of Will – it was a side that no-one else saw apart from her – she'd often thought their colleagues would be amazed if they saw the gruff, outspoken anchor when he was at home with her alone...
"I think that sounds perfect" Mac whispered before she pulled him into her for a tender but passionate kiss... They pulled apart a minute or so later and Mac buried her head in his chest as his hands lazily rubbed her back...
"mmmm – can we just go home now?" Mac asked a minute later as Will tenderly stroked her hair and dropped a soft kiss to the top of her head...
"I wish... but we have a show to do first beautiful! Speaking of which – I better get on – had to go shopping on the way to work for some odd reason – it made me late!"
Mac giggled and leant up for one last kiss... "Thank you" she said smiling at the flowers and the bear... "They're beautiful".
"My pleasure" Will whispered and put the bear back into her arms... "I'm really am sorry about this morning Mac – I hate it when we fight"...
Mac nodded and looked up into his eyes... "I know me too".
That night was more perfect than Mac could have ever imagined. Will had left the building the moment the show had finished and when Mac arrived at his apartment forty minutes later it was filled with candles and soft music. When he opened the door, he took her straight in his arms and started to slow dance straight away – he knew how much Mac loved to dance – she always told him she felt so safe and sound when they were dancing close together.
It was later that night, after they had made love, that Will had asked her to move in with him – Mac knew it was maybe a bit too soon after they'd gotten together but she couldn't have said no – she was completely smitten and convinced they were meant to be together. Everything felt right and everything felt so perfect.
Mac could only see happy times ahead for her, Will and Billy the Bear.
Mac felt her blackberry buzzing rather than actually hearing the beeping that told her she had a text. She shook her head slightly trying to put all her happy memories to the back of her mind. Letting out a small sigh, Mac put her wine glass on the table and opened up the text – it was from Will.
'I'm sorry about Brian... I can get rid of him if you want?'
Mac shook her head and didn't quite know how to reply – she wanted Brian gone, she was certain of that, but now she felt a bit silly for throwing such a strop that morning… Then there was also a part of her that wanted Brian to see just how well she had done since they'd split...
'Don't worry. I can handle him. Mac. x'
After she sent the text she finished her wine and decided on an early night – hopefully everything would be better in the morning – she was thinking that a lot lately. She quickly undressed and put on her pyjamas. As she brushed her teeth another text came in...
'Only if you're sure? I am sorry though. Always the idiot messing things up.'
Mac felt a pang of guilt as she read the text. She climbed into bed and thought for a minute before replying...
'Let's just forget it. I don't like fighting with you over these things Will. No more arguments between us over Brian? Please?'
'No more arguments – I promise' was the simple reply from him a few moments later.
Mac smiled and was tempted to ring him – they hadn't spoken out of work for weeks but then she was scared to push it too much with him so she decided on the text instead…
'Am sleepy now – goodnight. x'.
Mac switched her lamp off and reached across the bed and pulled the big fluffy teddy bear in tightly against her chest. Billy the bear was well worn now after four years of no Will to sleep with but he was all Mac had at times like this when she missed Will more than words could say. The bear reminded of her of better days in the past and reminded her not to give up on another chance with Will in the future. She was determined to fix things between them somehow – she loved him and she would never give up on him – not ever.
As she closed her eyes she heard her phone beep again...
'Goodnight. Love Billy. x.'
Mac smiled and felt a small flutter in her chest – she hadn't heard him call himself 'Billy' for years. The name she'd given to the bear that day had stuck with Will too – he had never allowed anyone but Mac call him by that name but from her he had to admit he loved it…
"Night Billy" Mac whispered.
Whether it was to the bear in her arms or the man across town not even Mac really knew.