I've been doing my best to make time to write between finals ending, my play (A Midsummer Night's Dream) starting and getting off book, and training at my new job. Please forgive me! This is only really have of the chapter, but I felt it would be enough to hold you over. I should be able to write this weekend though! Joy-joy!

Dresses were picked up. Tuxes too.

Diane had assured Alicia and Will even despite the crazy schedule and case load, they would be off until Monday. But David Lee was planning something for Tuesday night.

"I'm just staying at the Hampton," Will told Alicia, as he dropped his suitcase by the door with Rue still in his arms. "If you need me, just call. Okay?"

Alicia couldn't help but smile at his unwillingness to leave her. They hadn't spent a night apart in months and he felt guilty about her staying with the kids while the boys took him out. "You know I'm just putting Rue to bed and then Diane and Kalinda are taking me out too, right? Then I'll see you at noon tomorrow. We can survive that long."

"That's part of the reason why I'm telling you where I'm going. Kalinda and Diane can get a little wild," Will said unconvincingly as Alicia raised her eyebrow at him.

"Please remember that my brother is taking you out. Remember that no matter what he tells you, we're still getting married tomorrow. There's no backing out now."

There was a dramatic groan from behind them followed by gags. "You guys are gross," Zach complained halfheartedly. They were gross, but the kids had sort of just gotten used to it.

Will rolled his eyes as he smiled at the three older children waiting patiently for their goodbyes too. When Alicia realized what they were doing, she felt her heart soar. It was obvious that Danni would want a proper goodbye from her dad, but Zach and Grace had spent more time with Will in the last several months than they had seen their father since the campaign. Zach and Will had gone to several baseball games, spent Saturday morning at the country club playing basketball, and even a few conversations about girls. Grace and Will had the budding relationship of what Danni and Will had. They were constantly teasing each other, teaming up against Danni and Alicia. Grace trusted Will to see her, and he always did.

There was not a hesitation as Will pulled the boy into a hug. It wasn't one of those manly hugs that usually looked like the physical description of someone saying "that-a-boy". No, it was a fatherly hug. One that a dad gave to his son when he was going to be leaving but promised to return. "Look after your sisters," Will told him pressing a quick kiss to the top of Zach's head before letting him go.

"Are you going to say goodbye to us before you leave tomorrow night?" Zach asked as Grace moved in for her hug.

Will hugged her tight as he answered. "Of course, but tomorrow will be a little crazy and I just want to make sure we get a proper farewell." He pressed kiss to Gracie's sandy hair too and smiled at her when he looked up at her. "I should never be out of cell reach if you need me," he assured her.

"But you'll be back Sunday, right?" Grace didn't move from the safety of Will's arm as she glanced over at her mother. Alicia took a moment to answer at the sight of Grace leaning into Will's blue and white pinstriped button up as Rue too leaned against his chest. When did these beautiful relationships happen? When did Grace become so attached to Will? Not that she was complaining, it was just amazing.

"Yes. Sunday afternoon," Alicia assured her opening her arms so Grace would come to her now and let Danni say her own goodbye. Sure enough Danni all but threw herself into her arms. She had never been without one of her parents within reach. Alicia and Peter's trips, she always had her down in town. Will having to head to DC or New York on business, her mom was there. Never were both her parents gone from Chicago at one time without her being with them.

It shouldn't have affected Danni like it did, but Danni was actually anxious about the whole thing. Probably just as anxious as her siblings, if not more. Peter was still in town if they needed him, but Danni was the go to person for her older siblings for the next several days.

She hugged him with her arms around his neck and his free hand tight around her waist. Two curly haired girls clung to their father. One two and the other two months away from being a legal adult. Danni was always a daddy's girl while Rue was probably going to have a very hard time spending the next several days without either of her parents. Alicia had even discussed bringing Rue with them, but Diane assured her that they deserved a real honeymoon that was already going to be short.

"I'll miss you," Danni said with a sort of sigh. But Will didn't kiss her goodbye like he had done the others. Instead, when she pulled away, he searched for her eyes and gave her that goofy grin that he did when he wanted her to feel better. He ruffled her hair before his large hand cupped her cheek and she looked into features that were every bit her mothers.

"Trust me, kiddo, not as much as I'll miss you."

Danni went up on her tippy toes to press a quick kiss to her Daddy's cheek before throwing her arms around Zach and Grace's shoulders. "Okay, time for us to make our plans for the night!"

"Remember, if you wake your sister, you're the one who's watching her tomorrow morning!" Alicia told them but she was dismissed with a wave of her hand.

Great. That was always a good sign with her kids.

"You know they'll behave. They just like screwing with us," Will teased her. Then he turned his attention to his youngest who had been extremely quiet throughout the entire exchange. Those big eyes watched him, knowing very well that her daddy was getting ready to leave and she did not like the idea. Every time they brought up the idea of leaving to Rue, she reacted poorly. Will turned back to Alicia. "Are you sure we shouldn't just bring her?"

Ugh. Why did he have to ask her? If it were up to Alicia, she wasn't even sure if she would leave town. She had half a mind to just get a hotel room in Chicago and just bring Rue along with them. "We need a honeymoon," she said halfheartedly reaching up and pushing some of Rue's curls out of her face.

"No go, Daddy," Rue said so weakly that Alicia's heart broke. It may have been partially manipulation on Rue's part, but it was still earnest. All Will was doing was heading to his bachelor party, it wasn't even like they were heading off for their honeymoon yet.

"Mommy's going to put you to bed, but I'll see you tomorrow morning," Will promised. "You get to see Aunt Aubrey and Aunt Sarah tomorrow too."

Rue did not seem too fond of that idea as she clung tighter to his neck. "Tomorrow I see you?"

"Yep, tomorrow," Will promised as his eyes fell on his soon to be wife again. "Tomorrow we get married."

"Yep," she replied caressing his bicep as she stepped in closer. "I'm ready."

"Me too." His hand came up to her cheek to cup it ever so gently. Her cheeks held a rosy glow and her eyes sparkled. Slowly he pressed his lips to hers for a fairly passionate kiss without making it too awkward for the other kids in the room. Her hand covered his when they broke apart, they're foreheads resting against each other. "The next time I kiss you, you'll be my wife."

Arousal flooded Alicia's body as her eyes looked up to meet his without breaking any of their contact. It was a fairly obvious statement, but at the same time it was so exciting to think about.

The only think that kept her from jumping his bones right there was the children in the room, but he could read the promise of what would happen tomorrow evening when they were alone as Mr. and Mrs. Gardner.

"You better give me Rue before I change my mind and decide to not let you leave here tonight," Alicia purred softly so their words stayed private. The arousal was getting thicker in the room and Will swallowed before obeying.

"I'll see you tomorrow, kiddo," Will promised before pressing a quick kiss to Rue's cheek and locking eyes with Alicia one more time. Damn it, they had to stop doing that or else he was never going to get out the door.

"Bye," Alicia said with a smirk, knowing his hesitation.

Will blinked in surprise then nodded. "Yeah… bye…"

He awkwardly picked up his bag and escaped out the door before their wedding night decided to happen twenty-four hours early.

The entire way to the hotel, Will was lost in thought. His mine wondered to how beautiful she would look in her dress. No matter the shape or color he was sure that he wouldn't be able to tear his eyes off her. Then he realized that the children would also be there looking their absolute best. He would have to get a dance with Danni, and Grace too, before the night was over. Then again, he may have to pry Danni away from Travis. Rue would be attached to them most of the night, but he didn't mind. He was sure his toddler would look gorgeous as well.

The wedding had gone from something quick at the courthouse to a cathedral with over a hundred guests. Danni, Grace, and Diane had handled all the decorations, mostly because Will and Alicia really only wanted something small. However they were public figures now. They had to invite their top clients, the firm partners, and of course family. Oddly enough it was easier to invite the business than the family.

Alicia had complained about having to go to the dress shop the day before because her waist and bust size growing so quickly. She could only hope the dress still fit with the rate she was gaining weight. Apparently it did, but was a snug fit. Alicia had made a comment that she was already looking forward to Will taking off the dress so she could breathe again.

"Will!" Owen called as he tipped the valet. The younger man came halfway running over to him as a bellboy was already taking his bag for him. He fell into step next to Will. "I get how you didn't want to stay on my couch because the last thing you want is a cramp in your back while you're screwing my sister's brains out tomorrow, but why are you staying a block away from your house?"

David Lee appeared beside Owen too, looking ever pompous and all knowing. "Have you seen them? Will and Alicia can't stand to be a mile away from each other for more than a couple hours. And he's- oh what's the term- oh yes: pussy whipped."

Will rolled his eyes, but offered no comment in return. Perhaps he was a bit whipped, but he was happy. Alicia would probably admit to her endless affections as well. As long as the feelings were mutual, he would never be bothered by his friend's terminology. Besides, if they only knew the half of it, they would be very jealous of all he received in thanks.

"Having four kids makes you unwilling to go far," Will told them.

"Five, if you count the one that's on the way," Owen added without thinking. David Lee shot a wide eyed look at Will and Owen made an apologetic face. "Did I mention I have a sorta big mouth? Just be glad I didn't accidently let it slip to Mother."

David Lee snorted. "You've gone from one to five children in a matter of a year. That has to be some sort of record."

"Alicia already had Grace and Zach, we share Danni, and Rue wasn't something any of us could have planned for," Will explained starkly.

"At least you can say only two are yours," David continued, earning a severe look from Will.

"They're all mine," Will insistedw3e firmly. "I am Rue and Danni's father, Zach and Grace's step-father, and we're about to have another. I'll be his or her father too. They're mine."

David rolled his eyes. It was difficult not to be annoyed with this Will. His friend Will was a brutal-do what needs to be done to get results lawyer, not this wannabe family man. It annoyed him to no end, but at the same time he was almost envious. Being in family law can take the romance out of life, because romance ends and then there is all the rumble of lives to be shifted through. Quick, pointless relationships that are built from drunken sex and mutual pleasantries.

Alicia Florrick, in the eyes of reason and in all actuality, was the very definition of a high risk relationship. The whirlwind romance that sparked a little over eight months ago. She had children, they had children together and now they were having another. Hell, he even liked Danni. He like Alicia. But they made his friend soft.

"So what are we doing tonight, boys?" Will asked as they took the elevator up to the room.

Owen smirked. "Don't worry, boys. I've got the goods."

Alicia glanced at the clock as she leaned on the door frame with Rue still in her arms. It was going on ten o'clock and she couldn't seem to calm her youngest daughter. Her young mind only understood that her dad wasn't there and he wasn't going to put her to sleep or be there when she woke up. If it was this hard with just one parent missing, Alicia hated to think how the rest of the week was going to go.

The hard sobs and constant tears continued to fall despite Alicia's whispers and coos. Danni offered her help but it seems futile.

After a solid hour of tears staining Alicia's top and repeated lullabies, the soft cries of "mama" and "daddy" grew quieter as the sobs turned to whimpers and sniffles.

"That's my girl," Alicia cooed as she cradled Rue and prepared to lay her down in the soft sheets of the toddler bed, but then hesitated. Half the time the girl didn't stay in her bed for a full night anyway. Will and her bed would be a better fit. The scent of her parents would comfort her in their short absence. "Mommy and Daddy's bed probably sounds better, isn't that right my sweet girl?"

Alicia kept her voice soft and continued the lullabies.

The whimpers offered no verbal answer, but Alicia hugged her daughter and kissed her hair as she moved down the hushed hallway, lit only by the TV that the older children had turned to subtitles so they didn't disrupt their sister. She quickly crossed down into her own bedroom and laid the toddler on her pillow with tucked Will's night shirt into her hand, putting her in the center of the mattress so if she rolled it would take quite a distance for her to fall off the king size bed.

Just as she let out a sigh of relief, her phone started to blare on the nightstand.

Rue shifted as Alicia dove for her phone and immediately answered it, but remained painfully silent and still with her eyes glued to her daughter. Don't wake up. Don't wake up…

Sure enough, Rue rolled back over and buried her face deeper into her mother's pillow with Will's t-shirt against her cheek.

Releasing a breath, Alicia quickly moved out of the room. "What?" she hissed into the phone. If that would have woken Rue there would have been hell to pay!

"Did you forget we're waiting outside?" Kalinda's voice hummed through the speaker as Alicia groaned and immediately looked down at her t-shirt and jeans.

"I need fifteen minutes."

Ten minutes later, Alicia stood in front of her mirror with touched up makeup and a red dress she had in the back of her closet. It came just above the knee with a black lace back. It was fitted and Alicia almost talked herself out of wearing it with her baby bump noticeable. However, it was noticeable, it was not entirely distinguishable yet. Maybe she was lying to herself. Truthfully, it didn't at all matter.

It wasn't very often anymore that she wore clothes that could reveal the bump, but she knew Will would be dying to see outfit, just because it seemed to showcase her pregnancy. She smiled and grabbed her phone, taking a picture of her and the baby in all their glory.

Alicia smiled as she attached it to a text that said: Your child made it very hard to zip this dress.

Will may not have replied, but she knew it would be a good thing for him to see, especially on his wild night out with the boys.

What are the boys up to? What are the girls going to do? Will Rue really stay asleep? And three teenagers free and knowing that all adults that are responsible for them are indisposed? What could possibly go wrong?