A/N; I appreciate the reviews from everyone the past week or so! One more chapter after this, and then we'll get Alicia home! As always, feedback is much appreciated!

Diane and Will sat at lunch together in a crowded New York restaurant. She couldn't help but notice the tiredness in his eyes, but she knew it was the effects of work, and having a newborn in the house. "How are Alicia and the baby?" she questioned, setting her menu down.

Will assumed this meeting was to discuss the current case he was working on. He'd made partner just a year before. Diane being a friend, and the senior partner over him, liked to periodically check up on him, and his case load. She had always started out their lunch meetings by asking about Alicia. She was genuinely interested in his wife. He and Diane had become an unlikely match as friends early on in his days at the firm. Partially influenced by Alicia who had always been up for a lively discussion in Diane's presence, and whom Diane had been up against in court enough times time to know Alicia knew what she was doing. Diane had been one on a short list of colleagues who had been invited to, and attended their wedding.

Diane couldn't help but smile now at the fact that marriage had been good for Will. Alicia always pushed him to be his best. She'd understood the importance of putting in long hours at the beginning of one's law career, and it had paid off for both of them. Alicia had made partner just six years into her career, a good year before most associates would even be considered. Will had made partner a year later at his firm.

Sitting here now with Diane, a year into his partnership, he was grateful the days of paying their early associate dues was long past. They still kept long hours periodically, but gone was the pressure of being an associate.

"Zach and Alicia are good, really good. He started sleeping through the night a few weeks ago, which has improved his parent's moods significantly."

Diane smiled, and pulled a large from her bag. "Good. I'm looking forward to lunch with her this weekend."

"She is too,"

Diane removed her glasses, and set them on the table. "Will, there is something I wanted to talk to you about. I have a friend who runs a firm in Chicago. I started out working under him. He broke off from the firm, and took his business to Chicago a number of years ago. He's recently decided to retire."

Will was listening attentively wondering where this conversation was going exactly, continuing to pick at his food.

"He's offered to sell his firm to me."

Will stopped eating, and looked up at her. She had his full attention now. "In Chicago?"

"Yes"

"Are you considering it?"

"I've already accepted. He's got a good business built up there. It's small, but lucrative, with a lot of potential."

"And we're meeting today so you could tell me you are leaving New York, and the firm? Sounds promising." He was happy for his business partner.

"It will be." She sat back in her chair, and folded her arms. "Alicia is from Chicago isn't she?"

"Yes. Her mother and brother are still there." He eyed her, sensing her hesitancy in where the conversation was headed.

"I was wondering if you would consider joining me in Chicago?"

Caught somewhat off guard, he didn't respond immediately. "As a partner in your firm?"

She smiled, leaning forward placing her arms on the table. "As a name partner in my firm, it would be our firm."

He was speechless. This was certainly the last thing he was expecting to discuss over lunch. "Diane, I..."

"I know it would be a big change for you and Alicia. But I think we could really build something great there. And the hours might be more conducive to raising a family. I think it would allow us for more of a life. And the Chicago suburbs would be a great place for you and Alicia to raise your family." She had looked into all of this because she knew he'd ask about it.

"What about Alicia? I can't ask her to give up her job for me. She's worked too hard to get where she is to give it up."

"I was hoping she would join us. Make it a three partner firm. I'd like to stop losing to her in court, and have her on my side for once." They both laughed.

"You want Alicia and I to run a firm with you?" They had a good working relationship. He was just surprised that of all the people she could have asked to join her, she was asking him. He was honored really.

"I can't think of two people I'd rather be in business with! There would be start up costs, but within a year I think we could make all the money back, and then some."

He wiped the edges of his mouth with his napkin. He had to admit it would be appealing to see his name on the letterhead along side Alicia's. It's what they had always wanted, to run a firm together, to work together. To be able to make their dream a reality years before they thought possible, was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. He just hoped Alicia would view it the same.

"Talk to Alicia, let me know by weeks end."

He nodded, as they turned their attention to his current case.

/

He wrapped his arms around Alicia, when she made her way to him after putting Zach to bed. His tired eyes shown nothing but love as he pressed his lips to hers. "How's the most beautiful woman in the world tonight?" He smiled pressing his head to hers.

"Good. I'll warm some food for you." She took his hand leading him to the kitchen.

She sat next to him sipping some tea, while he ate. She always waited up for him no matter how late. Sometimes, these late hours of the night were their only time together. She told him about her day, and the things she'd done with Zach. Being a mother had changed her. Being parents had changed both of them. He finished eating, and took her hands into his.

"What would you think if we moved to Chicago, and started our own firm?"

She just smiled, and laughed lightly, placing a kiss to his cheek. "Sounds wonderful, maybe we could do it in a few more years." She moved to place herself on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I was thinking sooner."

"You didn't get fired did you?" Her smile disappeared. She was suddenly very concerned.

He shook his head and grinned up at her. He explained Diane's proposal from earlier in the day.

"There's a lot to work out, and it would mean moving, but our own firm Alicia." he said, with enthusiasm. "A firm that's already established."

She cupped his face in her hands. "I'm so proud of you. This wouldn't be happening if you hadn't worked so hard all these years. You did it - for us." The love in her eyes was evident.

"No we did it. You've worked just as hard as I have, and Diane took notice." He stood lifting her from the floor spinning her around. "Our own firm Leesh!"

Her lips crashed into his, as he set her back on the floor. Sometime later her head rested on his bare chest. "I want to buy a house when we move," she said, running a finger in circles on his arm. "No more apartment living. Zach is going to need a place to run around." She turned her head to look at Will. He brought his hand to her chin. "And any siblings that come along."

He shifted to his elbows next to her. "A house full of little me's and little you's!"

She laughed out loud tilting her head back. "Just keep in mind who has to give birth to all these little beings."

"You don't want more?" His smile turned to a straight line across his lips.

"I didn't say that. One or two more seems right."

He settled back down next to her. "I can handle that."


Diane sat staring out the window, her work long forgotten. Her mind had wondered to that day she'd asked Will to join her. It had been a difficult nine months after that day, moving, establishing themselves, hiring employees. But it had been worth it. She would never regret her decision in choosing Will and Alicia to run the firm with her.

She had always assumed that her two young partners would long outlast her working days. She never imagined that just ten short years after opening their doors, they would be facing the possibility that Alicia's career was over.

It deeply saddened her to even think she and Will would have to have the discussion she intended for later in the day. But rumors were beginning to spread among their colleagues. She and Will had deflected the truth for as long as they could. People would be expecting Alicia back at work in the next few weeks, and that wasn't going to happen. Not for now.

"You look worried," Kurt said, entering the house noticing Diane staring blankly out the window in front of her. He moved behind her placing his arms around her waist, bringing her closer to him. She looked up at him pressing a kiss to his cheek before returning her gaze to the large yard in front of them. They had two homes, her apartment in the city, and Kurt's house, an hour out of town on a large lot, which held a good portion of his business. She enjoyed being here, getting away from the noise, and fast pace of the city.

"I am worried," she remarked with a tired tone. "I'm going to talk to Will tonight while he and the kids are here."

Kurt ran his comforting hands over her arms. "It was bound to come up at some point. You two can't avoid the topic forever."

"I know. It's not Will I'm worried about. It's the arguments I know will ensue among the firm in a fight for Alicia's seat."

"Are you going to allow someone to take her seat?"

"I don't want to, but I'm going to leave that up to Will. Although I'm sure it's the last thing on his mind. We don't need another name partner, but I don't know that some of our colleagues will view it that way once they know the true extent of Alicia's condition. And you know how Will is when his wife's reputation is at hand. He'll do his best to be civil, but this is going to be very difficult for him." She had discussed this with Kurt at some length in the past day, and even more grateful to have him in her life.

He embraced her, causing her to turn and face him. "I'm sure it will all work out."

She nodded. "I know, it's just difficult to think Alicia may never work on another case with Will and I. It makes one take a step back to evaluate one's life. Everything can be taken from you in a matter of seconds."

"Okay, now you're depressing even me." He smiled down at her, and took her hand. "Let's go for a drive, clear our heads," he suggested.

She appreciated his positive attitude, and attempt at distracting her mind for awhile. "Okay, but I need to stop at the market on the way back. Grace specifically asked if we could have strawberry shortcake for dessert tonight, and I don't keep any whipping cream in this house."

Kurt chuckled. "I'm well aware."

"You'll thank me years from now for doing my best to keep you healthy!"

He just nodded, and smiled as they turned to leave the house.


Nearing the end of April, the weather was beginning to warm. The kids always liked being at Kurt and Diane's house, the yard was much larger than their own in the city. They were allowed to throw and hit baseballs without having to go down the street to the park. Alicia always worried that at their ages it would be to easy to hit a ball right through a window of the house.

Diane watched from the large window in the kitchen, noticing how relaxed Will seemed tossing a ball to Grace, and showing Zach exactly how to move his wrist to get the perfect pitch. He was definitely in his element with a ball in his hand.

As it got later Will sat next to Diane on the back porch, while Kurt took the kids around the house to the shed to get some wood for the fire pit.

"Thanks for dinner Diane," Will said, bringing his drink to his lips.

"Any time. Although my cooking will never match that of Alicia's," she commented pulling her jacket around her more tightly.

He chuckled. "Well it's far better than mine. I haven't seen the kids eat so much in weeks."

"Is Julia still n town?"

"Yes, she flies out tomorrow. She's been great. We've all enjoyed having her around, and she's practically spent the past two days with Alicia. I can only imagine the stories she's told her, that I'll have correct at some point." They both chuckled.

"Will, we need to talk." Her tone sounded more serious than she had intended.

"About what?" He looked over to her, setting his drink on the table in front of him.

She took a deep breath before beginning. "We need to decide what to do about Alicia and the firm."

His expression shown concern. "I know." He leaned forward clasping his hands in his lap. "I don't know what to do," he admitted gazing off in the distance.

"I don't like this any more than you. But we need to do something with her client's. We can't keep stringing everyone along as if things are fine."

He shook his head, inhaling the crisp evening air. "I keep thinking something will change, that she'll snap out of this, but..." He sighed and moved to the railing turning to face her. "I can't deal with the idea that she may never practice law again right now. If she doesn't get her memory back, there are a thousand steps between where we are now and figuring out if she would be capable, and even legally allowed to practice law again. Would she have to take the Illinois bar again? Will client's trust her if they know what has transpired? She's still got her impeccable intelligence, her memory since the accident is almost scary she remembers things in such detail. But practicing law is not just a walk in the park." He sighed. "This was our dream Diane. I don't want to just take it all away from her."

She stood and moved next to him. "I know, and neither do I. It's still early. We don't know what will happen in a few months time. This entire conversation could be irrelevant for all we know."

He looked almost desperate standing there in the fading sunlight. "Yes, but the more time that passes..." He turned placing his hands on the railing. "It's time to tell people." He sighed with a burden she was grateful to not have.

"We do need to let employees and clients know. But I don't think we need to close the door on the idea of her coming back at some point. We may lose some of her clients, and we'll just have to deal with that."

He looked at her, his eyes set firm. "I don't want her name removed from the letterhead. I understand that her share of the income this quarter will be based on the work she did prior to her leave, but she holds equity in the firm. That still needs to be paid on a quarterly basis. That income isn't based on billables. It feels wrong to remove her as a name partner, but we'll have to."

"Yes, but we can always reinstate her later on. And I wouldn't dream of removing her name from the firm title."

"Good. Then we're agreed. No one takes Alicia's seat. If we have to have the firm bi laws rewritten we will, but under no circumstances will I even entertain the idea of replacing her."

"Okay, glad we're on the same page. It will be easier to fight the battle that may ensue if we're united on our decision."

He nodded as the kids appeared, arms loaded with firewood. "We need to tell Alicia. I think it's important for her to know, and have a say in things that directly involve her." He smiled at Grace from across the yard.

"I agree. Let's do it during lunch tomorrow. I've been meaning to go see her anyway."

They watched as Kurt and the kids set the kindling a flame. Kurt helped them add additional wood to keep the flames going. "How much longer before she can come home?" Diane asked.

"Soon I hope. She's slow, but making progress. She can get around on her own now with little or no assistance. Really the thing she's struggling the most at this point, is her up and downward movements, like climbing stairs. She get's so frustrated, and I can't blame her, but her brain can't seem to figure out how to tell her legs to move up or down."

"Daddy, can we roast marshmallows?" Grace called from across the yard where Zach and Kurt were setting up the lawn chairs around the fire.

"I don't know. You already had strawberry shortcake, with more whipping cream than cake itself. That might be enough sugar for one night."

Diane couldn't help but chuckle at the disappointed pout across the nine year olds lips. "I think we can roast marshmallows," she chimed in, moving from Will down the stairs, walking towards the others. "And since this is my house, I get to out vote your father." She briefly turned her head towards Will with a grin and raised brow.

He only chuckled and moved to join them. "Okay, I guess it's alright. But don't tell your mother. I get the sense she still wouldn't approve of so much sugar so close to bedtime."

They spent the next hour roasting marshmallows, and listening to Kurt tell the kids a story that he made sound so realistic, even Will and Diane weren't certain if it was true or not.

Grace was nearly asleep, her head resting against her father's shoulder, by the time Kurt was finished. He carried her sleepy body to the car. Her drowsy hazel colored eyes, and dark curls reminding him so much of her mother. He hoped the next time they were invited to dinner Alicia would be at his side.

He called Alicia as they pulled away from Kurt and Diane's to see how she and Julia were doing, and to tell her he and Diane would be by the following day.

After saying their goodbyes, Alicia set the phone down, and turned her attention back to Julia who sat next to her, photo album in hand. The two had been looking through the photo's for quite some time, Julia telling her all about their college days together.

Alicia curled her legs beneath her, her gaze fixed on a photo of she and Will at graduation. "Can I ask you something?" Alicia avoided making eye contact with her friend.

"Anything," the brunette responded, noticing a change in Alicia's mood.

"Does Will still love me?" she looked up at Julia's confused expression. "I mean now that this has happened, and I don't remember anything about our past, does he still want to be married to me, or is he just acting the way he is because he feels obligated to take care of me?"

Julia furrowed her brow. "Alicia, where is this coming from?"

Alicia looked away. "I overheard him talking to one of my therapists the other day and… I'm just wondering."