New chapter! I really want to thank you a lot for all of your lovely reviews and suggestions. I do try to incorporate them all as much as the story's direction allows, but be patient with some of them. I hope you enjoy this, please let me know!
You called me?
Please come in and close the door.
Alicia stepped into the office and Will finally looked up. While his expression didn't change, his tone became softer, sweeter.
Kalinda is coming to tell us what she found out.
About us?
Yes.
Look, maybe you should... But there wasn't even time to finish the sentence when a knock on the door announced her presence. Alicia sighed and turned, feeling irritation flood her as she entered the office and closed the door behind. Will gestured them to sit and they did, both women keeping their eyes away from each other.
So, Kalinda, what news do you have?
Well. She placed her notebook in front, more out of habit than actually having to read anything from it. I was able to find out about your "lunches" at the Fairmont, which is not so problematic because someone would actually have to know very specific details to know what and who to ask for. Alicia felt somewhat embarrassed as Kalinda discussed her encounters with Will, but she just let her continue. Will looked sideways at her, trying to assess her reaction, but he just saw her best poker face in place.
But your visits at the Northwestern are more problematic. People there identified you, Alicia, and they also remember you were with a man, from whom they can give a description that will lead to you if anyone sees a picture of the partners here. And she looked at Will for the final part of the sentence.
While the discussion kept going in the office, another person was very interested in it: Eli Gold. He was now in active Alicia surveillance mode and he rested his shoulder in one of the glass walls, trying to figure out what could they be talking about.
There was a moment of silence and then just Will's expression. Damn.
Surveillance records should be deleted by the end of the month and maybe we could buy people's silence, but there is no guarantee.
What do you want to do? Will turned to Alicia, questioningly.
Do what you think is best. I trust you. Sorry, but I have to get back to work, my meeting is about to start. And she stood up and left. The meeting part was true, she had mere three minutes to get there, but also she preferred to discuss this matters with Will alone.
However, her day was just about to get worse as Eli entered her office right behind her.
Yes? How may I help you, Eli? She snapped, barely turning her head for a moment as she picked up files from her desk. It was just one of those mornings.
What did you talk about back there?
Alicia rolled her eyes. In Will's office? Airbag deployment mechanisms. Wanna join us?
No need to be so hostile.
What, Eli?
You have an interview with Willoughby tomorrow's afternoon, at six.
Alicia did turn around this time and stared at him, while shaking her head and lifting her brow in her best "care to explain?" expression.
Some media already picked up on the article. They called Peter's office for comment this morning.
Peter's? Great, now Peter's opinion about my life is more important than my own.
Well, they still think it's his. Good thing we're ready to go and, after all, we delayed it almost an entire week.
Much to her dismay, she'd have to give this one to Eli.
Fine. Where?
I'll text you the address. And please, please, remember you have to be as charming as possible.
Alicia rolled her eyes again. Whatever. She mumbled under her breath. If she'd done it for Peter she sure as hell could do it for Will and the baby.
At the same time, Kalinda was still in conversation with Will, but now about a different problem.
Is this coming from Peter Florrick?
I think it is.
So, it's about his wife? Well, ex-wife.
I don't know. I don't know anything anymore.
——
Lamps and screens were already set up when she arrived. A couple of cameras finished the circle around a couch in the middle of the small studio, and there were a few people working with the cables and lighting and other stuff. Alicia clutched her purse, looking around until her eyes met Eli. He was talking to Willoughby in one of the corners, but as soon as he looked up he waived for her to approach.
Alicia, I think you've met Ted before.
She smiled and shook his hand. Yes, during Peter's campaign. Good afternoon, Mr. Willoughby.
Oh, please call me Ted!
Thank you Ted. She mumbled.
You will be seated in the couch... Eli started coaching her as a nice lady approached to take her to a nearby chair for makeup and one of the guys passed her the microphone and started wiring her.
A while later, everything was good to go. Alicia remembered all the times she'd done this before and tried to reassure herself it would be no different. A young man signaled them behind camera, rising three fingers.
Three, two, one, zero.
Alicia's expression remained neutral as Willoughby introduced himself and the show. Then, he turned to her and she smiled.
So, welcome here, Alicia.
Thank you Ted.
So, let's get right into subject. He gave an awkward smile. You recently divorced your husband, right?
She reminded herself to change her expression back to neutral. Yes, I did.
And, why was that? Alicia's eyes headed quickly towards Eli, who was watching intently the exchange, he nodded in reassurance and she focused again on the reporter and the camera.
Peter and I had, unfortunately, grown apart in recent times. We tried very hard to fix our differences, but we came to a point where we realized it was better for us to divorce.
I see. That was, what? At the beginning of the month?
Yes, although we decided it a while before that.
Well, I, I have to talk about this other topic. Ted laughed nervously and Alicia had to do her best not to lift her eyebrow at him. There has been, a rumor, going around, saying you had an, an... abortion. What can you tell us about it?
Alicia smiled a bit awkwardly, but with all the intention. Facial expression is more important than words to win audiences over. I heard about it, yes. I have to say that it was an unfortunate rumor. She paused for the briefest of moments. But, I also believe it's time to clarify some things.
Oh, okay, go ahead, we're listening.
It is me in the photos that were published, at the hospital they say it was. I went there, but not to get an abortion. In fact, I went there because I'm having a baby. And Alicia smiled, her best delighted mom-to-be expression, as she placed her hands in her belly, careful not to actually press on her flowy blouse to keep the bump hidden. Anyone who saw the size of it could easily guess that that baby had been growing for quite a while before the divorce, when Peter and her were still playing the charade of the married couple.
So, you didn't have an abortion?
Alicia couldn't help but lifting her brows a little this time. That was what she had just said.
No, I didn't. She said, her best smile still in place.
And you're having a baby? Alicia wondered how this guy had actually made it past elementary school.
Yes.
Well, that's indeed a surprise.
Yes, a little. But it is a wonderful surprise.
Congratulations!
Thank you.
And, I, I mean, we have to wonder here, what does Peter Florrick has to say about this?
Alicia's mind went back to what had happened earlier that morning.
/
So what?! Are we just going to say you got yourself a lover and are happily starting a new family with him?
Oh come on! Don't you dare...
Dare what?
Ahem, hum, excuse me, but I think we all need to calm down for a second here. Eli gave a couple of steps forward, placing himself between Alicia and Peter. They backed off, but barely removing their eyes off each other, stabbing looks crossing the room. Eli continued. We're not going to establish the paternity of the child on a live interview. You'll just say it's not Peter's and how you, as the two very mature adults you are, are taking it in the most civilized way!
/
Peter and I have been in touch throughout this process. He has been very supportive (Yeah, sure, Alicia thought to herself) and we've been working together to make this transition easier on our family.
And is this baby going to change anything in your relationship?
Everything. Alicia thought grimly. While they had had their good share of problems, she didn't want them to spend the rest of their lives treating each other the way they did now. And she knew things would just get worse once he confirmed who the father was.
A baby is always a change in a family's dinamics, but we'll have to see as things happen.
And, will you consider reconciling with him after the news of your pregnancy?
The news of my pregnancy arrived shortly before our divorce was made public. We discussed it and we just confirmed divorce was the way to go.
There's another question I'm pretty sure many people will have. He chuckled. You went through so much together, many even compared you to Bill and Hillary. What changed? Why divorce now that you're having another child?
Alicia looked down and then up again. The moment had arrived.
Peter and I had been separated for a while before our divorce. During this time I became close with someone. This person, and not Peter, is my baby's father.
The room was already silent, since the interview was taking place, but suddenly everything became even quieter, all eyes in the room on her. Willoughby let out a nervous laugh and looked around, unsure of what to do now. Alicia kept her expression neutral and her eyes on the interviewer, wishing this was over now.
Ted stuttered as he finally seemed to get his brain working again.
Peter is not the father?
He really had to repeat everything? Alicia thought in annoyance.
No, he isn't.
Who is it then?
Since that information pertains both my baby and the father's privacy, I won't disclose his identity. I will just say he and I have been in close contact, he has assumed full responsibility and we're both happy about this baby arriving into our lives.
That's why you divorced?
For someone who stuttered and repeated everything so much, he asked some pretty good questions.
No. The separation and the divorce provided the conditions for this baby to arrive, not the other way around.
And while the baby had been the trigger for the divorce, there was truth behind her words, because the separation came long before Peter's overnight eviction from her apartment. It came when she couldn't be with Peter without thinking about Amber and then also Kalinda; since she realized for all she knew he could've been banging half of Cook County State's Attorney office. That separation came when she had to go home to an empty bed while Peter stayed in prision. It happened when she was suddenly left alone, with no friends, no support, no nothing. And she knew, and Peter knew, and even Eli knew that had Peter not cheated she would've probably been at Highland Park, supervising that Zach and Grace did their homework, cooking dinner and planning the next Parent's Association event over the phone. So, if there was one thing Alicia was completely sure about, was that she hadn't divorced because she was pregnant. It had just been the consequence, not the cause.
There weren't many more questions Willoughby could do and with the time quickly ticking by, he finally wrapped up and Alicia left. Eli was the most satisfied; since Peter now was the guy his wife had left to start another life, he could use it to salvage his campaign, he just had to convince him to run.
—-
Oh god. Alicia let out with a huff. She hated seeing her interviews because she always saw the thousand and one ways in which it could've gone better.
You did just fine.
She just shook her head and sighed. Will and her were lying in his couch watching the news. It had been a rough day for both and none felt in the mood for sex, which was almost always their excuse to stay over at each other's place. His arms surrounded her, crossing above her ribs, and he placed a kiss on her scalp. Her hands held his and moved them softly to her belly, like giving him the silent permission he hadn't asked. As the newscaster moved onto some other topic, Will spoke.
What does Peter know?
About us?
She turned slightly to be able to see him and he nodded, his mind deep in thought about the day's events.
I guess he strongly suspects but nothing for sure. Why?
He shook his head. No reason.
She was about to ask again when a ring made both of them turn to the coffee table.
Yours or mine?
Yours. She huffed, having no idea who would be calling at this hour. Will passed her her phone and the caller ID showed a number she didn't recognize.
Alicia Florrick.
Hey darling!
Mom?!
Will, whose attention had been back in the screen turned to Alicia in curiosity. She freed herself from him to sit in the edge of the couch.
What's going on? Alicia stood up and headed towards Will's kitchen. He eyed her, wondering about Veronica. He had heard about her, but he had never actually met her.
I just saw the news! Are you seriously pregnant?!
Alicia rolled her eyes. Please, no, not now.
Mom, look, I...
I can't believe you didn't tell me!
Mom, you've been away for two years. Your last number stopped working months ago.
Oh right, I did lose that phone. Alicia frowned in exasperation at the phone.
But still, you should've told me. Anyway, I can't believe I'm becoming a grandma again! And that you left Peter, I thought it would never happen.
So did I, Alicia thought to herself.
Well, it is happening.
Oh my god, you have so much to tell me when I go!
Alicia doubted she had "so much" to say, but let it pass. I'll be right here.
Good, I think I still remember your address. I hope I won't get lost.
The definitive tone and phrases Veronica was using made Alicia suspect something.
Are you planning to come soon?
I'm going back to Chicago.
When?!
I fly in in two weeks.
Oh. Why? I mean, if it's for my pregnancy you really don't have to come. I'm sure Malcolm has work to do, I'm fine...
No. There was an unusual seriousness in Veronica's tone and a small silence. Malcolm died. It's time for me to get back home.