Here's the long awaited chapter : the…nope !! I won't tell you, you have to read !! ;-)
And please : REVIEW !!! Like I said before, I wrote this a while ago and it's still unfinished (only two more chapters written), I think I'm going to continue the fic where I left off but I still need convincing…
Chapter Two
A week had passed since the little incident with Glenn. Ally had taken care of it : she had asked Richard to be removed from the case and told Glenn she needed time and put some distance. He understood that nothing would ever happen between him and Ally and was willing to try the friend card. Ally, on her side, was faraway from that. The next day was significant for Larry and her : it would be one year since they first kissed. She wanted it to be an unforgettable day…and night ! They were having lunch together that present day and she secretly hoped that Larry would talk about it. He did.
"I was thinking maybe we could have a romantic dinner at our place tomorrow." he proposed.
"Our place…love how it sounds." Ally faked the surprise and asked : "What are celebrating ?"
"Something that happened a year ago. " he reached for her hand and slowly bringing it to his lips, he kissed it softly. "Any idea ?"
"Oh, now I see what you're talking about, our first kiss."
"Exactly. Remember how nervous you were ?"
"Yeah, it still feels like yesterday."
"Well, it's not like we didn't get to practice…" he flashed her that sexy smile…and she was sent into another world. A world where she would have called in sick and spent the afternoon with Larry, doing naughty, naughty things. But she quickly got back to earth and whispered :
"We will have all the time for that tonight."
Half disappointed, Larry let her hand go and stood up.
"Okay, time to go back to work. See you at home."
He took his briefcase and exited the shop. In the meantime, Ally was subjugated : she gazed at the amazing man she was in love with and blew him a kiss through the crowd separating them. "I'm lucky" she uttered, a wide smile on her face.
On the oh-so awaited day, Ally was unusually busy at work. She had papers and papers to fill in, opening arguments to prepare, Richard got her on a new case… It was like everybody was trying to keep her from having that romantic dinner. At 8p.m., heartbroken she called Larry to tell him she'd be late. And half an hour later, someone was knocking on her door.
"Larry ! I thought you'd wait for me at home ?"
"Well, I couldn't wait to see you so I came." He took of his jacket and Ally saw he was dressed in an elegant black tux.
"Wow, you look……yummy ! Right, there are no others words. But why ?
"Our romantic dinner. I'm……yummy ?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Well, considering that you look incredibly sexy in that tux and that I missed you for the whole day, yes. I'd be ready to eat you." she was teasing him and he knew that. Noticing the suit bag he was carrying over his shoulder, Ally asked him what it was.
"A surprise, for later. Are you finished ?" he indicated the papers on her desk.
"Not even close, but…hell to work !" she closed her folder and got up. "Let me take my co-"
"Wait, sit down."
"What ?"
"Just…do it. Questions are for later."
She sat back down, questioning. Going round her desk, Larry stopped in front of her.
"A year ago, you let me in. You were sitting in that chair, scared of it, but you gave in anyway. I told you that you had forgotten how to love, and beloved. Now I realize how wrong I was. You are the one who taught me everything. We've both experienced the pain to be away from each other and I won't let that happen again. Ever." His voice began to crack with emotion. Ally ? She was already wiping away her first tear. "I've failed a lot of times, Ally. But if you're not afraid to give it a try, we can make it work……forever."
For once in my life I've got someone who needs me
Someone I've needed so long
For once unafraid I can go where life leads me
And somehow I know I'll be strong
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Someone warm like you
Could make my dreams come trueShe was ready to respond but he put a finger on her lips to prevent her from doing so. "I know it sounds terrifying, but…" he knelt down on one knee and took a small velvet box out of his pocket. "…I love you Ally, and you would make me the happiest man ever by becoming my wife." Inside the box was a perfect solitaire. Tears rolling down her face, she managed to say The word :
"Y-yes." Larry slide the ring down her finger and kissed her tenderly.
For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before
For once I've got someone I know won't desert me
And I'm not alone anymore
For once I can say: "This is mine you can't take it"
As long as I've got love I know I can make it
For once in my life I've got someone who needs meHis eyes searching for hers, he asked : "Now are you ready for a romantic dinner ? I booked a restaurant for us at 8p.m. Your dress is in that bag."
"You had it all planned, tell me ?"
"I didn't want any lousy waiter to screw up my proposal this time. " Forehead against forehead, Ally looked at the man that was now her fiancé and made an interesting suggestion :
"Since we're already late, there's no need to go to the restaurant… Right now, I'm not hungry for food…" her eyes were burning with desire. If they weren't standing in her office, he would have undressed her in a minute. Giving in, he kissed her. And sliding his hand down her back, he pressed her against him while Ally responded to his kiss. But when things heated up a little, Ally pulled away. While readjusting his tie, she explained why :
"Larry, it's not that I don't want to but I recall that Coretta is still working. She could to see me and…you know, I would be able to look at her again."
"You're right, let's go."
Larry drove them back, trying his best to focus on the road and keep his hands of her. Once arrived, Ally was asleep on his shoulder. Not wanting to wake her for the world, he carefully took her out of the car and tucked her in the bed. Too excited to sleep, Larry made himself some coffee and came back on the bedroom to take a look at Ally. "She looks like an angel," he thought "and she's my fiancée. Wow, it feels actually weird to say it…at last." At that very moment, watching her asleep, Larry had no doubts over the future : step by step, everything was falling in its place.
The next morning, when Ally woke up, she found Larry sitting on a chair besides the bed, staring at her.
"Morning."
"Morning." she replied with a yawn. "Come here, I need a hug from my fiancé." And she opened her arms to him. Larry got on the bed and complied, that wasn't something he was going to refuse. Ally became pensive. "Larry, there's something that I don't get : you once told me you wanted to clear things with Sam before getting serious. Here we are, engaged, but nothing's changed about Sam's custody."
"Don't worry, things are on their way."
"What do you mean by that ?"
"You'll see." A mysterious smile formed on his lips.
Ally felt weird, she knew that Larry was hiding something from her. Something important. "Remember what I told you about hating being left out ? Larry, tell me what's going on."
"Shh," he kissed her on the shoulder "Nothing bad is going to happen. Trust me on this."
"I guess I'll have to." she sighed "But promise me I'll be the first to know."
"Promise."
Larry rested his head her shoulder and surrounded Ally with his arms. They simply wanted to enjoy this quiet moment. It made Ally forget about her earlier anxiety, she felt secure in his arms and it helped her relax.
Comfortably installed on the couch, Ally was chatting with Renee.
"Yes, I can't believe it myself !"
"I thought the two of you decided to take it slow ?"
"Apparently something came up and made him change his mind. All I know is that it has to deal with Sam's custody."
"And when's the wedding ?"
"We've thought of early-January : it gives me a whole months to take care of the preparation. Will you be able to come ?"
"Since I'm moving back in Boston in a few weeks, I surely will."
"You what ? Why didn't you tell me ?"
"Hey, that's why I called you Ally ! I've made my decision this morning. I'm feeling better and the doc said it was time for me to get back into my daily routine.
"That's fantastic ! It's going to be like old times. You and me…"
"……Plus Larry."
"Yeah……wait, do you realize I'll have to change my name ? Ally……Paul."
"Sounds good but you'll always be Ally McBeal to me : banging her head on the walls, plowing down pedestrians…"
"These days I tend to correct that. With Larry, everything's easier : he gives me-"
"Balance."
" Exactly. Oh, and I almost forgot : you're my bridesmaid. And don't you dare to say no !" she laughed.
"That's an offer I couldn't possibly refuse." Renee heard a door opening at the end of the line : it was Larry coming back from work.
"Hi honey, who's on the phone ?"
"It's Renee."
"Say hi to her." Lowering his voice, he added : "could you be quick, I've got something to show you."
"Okay." Ally took back the phone : "Renee ? Larry's home. I have to hang up but I'll call you next week to settle things for your arrival."
"No problem. Bye, Ally."
"Bye." She put the phone down and looked at Larry : he couldn't stand still. "What's up ?"
"You have to sit down for that one."
"I'm already sitted, Larry. Tell me."
Clearing his throat, he began pacing back and forth in the living room. "Five months from now, when I was back in Detroit, I tried to fix things with Jamie." Seeing the look on her face, he quickly added "About Sam's custody, that goes without saying. She was still willing to take him to Canada for some reasons, and I wasn't gonna let her do that. So I hired a lawyer –unbeknownst to Sam- to resolve the situation. The day you left Detroit after the Dawn's case, I got a call from him :Jamie is allowed to move in Canada but Sam gets to spend two weeks by months with me and some of the vacation."
Ally was stunned. "Wow, that's an improvement !"
"And it's not over : I was waiting for the approval of the judge and I received it this morning ! " He took a letter out of his pocket. " Here : it's clearly written and it's official."
Ally got up and took his hands in hers. "I'm proud of you : Sam's got a wonderful father. I hope he realizes that."
"I'll do my best not to screw it up this time."
"How do you feel about it ?" she asked, concerned.
Larry took off his glasses and concentrated on wiping them. "In a way, I'm petrified : I'm given a new start. But then I become conscious that I got you…and him. And I know that with the two of you in my life I'm gonna make it. Everything will just work out fine." He kissed her on the forehead and hugged her, confident in the future.
"Riiiiichard !!" Ally burst into his office, slamming the door behind her. Ready to make a killing, she found him struggling with a pair of rollers he couldn't take off.
"Hi, Ally ! Could you help m-"
"Glenn resigned !"
"Yes, what are the news in that ?"
"Nobody told me, that's the problem !!"
"Look, Ally" he tried to get up but lost balance and fell right back in his chair. " Glenn wanted it to be a secret. I owed him that."
"Since when do you keep secret ? And why was I the only one being left out ?"
"Cause he asked me to. Ally, it's pretty damn simple : he loves you, you're getting married with Larry, he leaves for another firm."
"He's still here , in Boston ?" she looked surprised.
"Of course ! The guy didn't want to move to Russia !"
"Funny, ah ah ! I also had something to tell you and since you're in such a good mood, I'm going to say it now : I'm taking my afternoon off. Renee's waiting for me at the airport." And she stormed out of the room.
"Hey, Ally wait ! You can't leave after…oooOOOhhh !!" this time Richard couldn't get hold of his desk and stretched himself out on the floor. "Bigônes."
"So, who will be the bestman ?"
"Some friend from law school : William Rivers."
At the apartment, Renee and Ally were talking about the wedding last arrangements while having a cup of tea.
"William Rivers. Uh-uh…"
"What 'uh-uh' ?"
"I thought you'd give me more information."
"Renee, you've been back for a week, dating someone isn't a priority."
"I never said th-"
"I read it in your eyes."
"Okay, you won. I acknowledge that I might be interested."
"Then I'll have to keep you in leash for the few upcoming days : William arrives tomorrow."
"Is he that gorgeous ?" Renee asked, trying to focus on her tea and look innocent.
"Larry showed me some pictures and to be true, he's……in good shape."
"Then I'll try to behave."
"And what about Jackson ?"
A look of apprehension crossed Renee's face. "I'll be fine, Ally. You know what ? Maybe we will get along ? Miracles sometimes happen."
"I'm sorry to impose you that but I invited Coretta and they're quite inseparable."
"I told you I'll be fine. Don't forget that Will will be there…"
"We'll see about that. Seriously : be careful."
"I'm a big girl."
Ally stood up and went in the kitchen to make more tea. Her eyes landed on the pictures set on the fridge. One of them had been taken at the park during the first weekend when Sam went to Boston. It showed the three of them dressed in baseball attires.
"Hey, did I tell you that Sam was attending the wedding ? It's on a weekend when Larry was supposed to take him. It also means that he'll stay with us on Saturday night. I won't let him sleep at an hotel with Larry whereas he's got a bedroom here."
"So it will be the three of us ?"
"Not really : my mother insisted on sleeping over. Elaine, Nelle, Coretta and Jenny will stop by on Sunday morning, before the ceremony."
Renee was taken aback : "Jenny ? I thought you hated her."
"Well, since Glenn left she became more…friendly. She doesn't see me as a competitor and I even start to like her. I recently discovered that we have much in common. We agreed not to talk about Glenn."
"That's good. And Larry ? He's sleeping at an hotel ?"
"He and all the men will do what they want. I just had one requirement : twelve o'clock at the church."
"You've taken care of everything as I see."
"Yeah, I even found an hotel for Larry's mother."
"I've never seen her. How's your mother in law ?"
"She looks distant but once you know her, you find out that she's sweet and loving."
"His father doesn't come ?"
"The only thing got from Larry is that he'd stopped seeing him since his parents got divorced. He's not very talkative on that subject."
"You can easily deduce where does that fear of failure come from."
Ally sat back on the couch and took a sip of her tea. "Yeah, that's what I thought myself."
"Hey, you seem to handle the pressure, that's a good thing. And I'm not gonna lie, I first expected you to freak out and do something stupid."
"I'm serene but wait until the wedding, there's still a week…"
Renee studied her face and couldn't say if her fried was joking. "Disappearing on the day of her wedding, that would be just like her." she thought.
January 4th 2002, four days before the wedding.
"No ! I won't let you go alone. I'm coming with you, end of discussion." Hands on her hips, Ally was forbidding Larry to leave. On his side, he was standing by the doorstep, visibly exasperated.
"Ally, would you stop being absurd ! I have to pick up Sam at the airport in less than twenty minutes and I'm already late."
Tears welled up in her eyes and she fell on the couch. "I can't , Larry…I can't !"
Puzzled, Larry step back into the apartment and closed the door. "Okay. What's the matter, Ally ? Something is bothering you and it has nothing to do with my ability to drive."
"You're going to run away, like Emma did." she cried.
"What ?" Larry couldn't hide his amusement. "You think I'm going to leave you now because I'm afraid ?"
"Well, considering our foregoing, anything can happen."
Larry became serious : "No, that one can't happen. I'm not going to throw it all away. It doesn't make sense."
"Even so…I can't stop."
"I don't know what to say, Ally. Except that I don't feel insecure, you shouldn't either. Isn't that the way it should be ?" She nodded, knowing he was right. Lifting her chin, he looked her in the eyes. "Am I free to go?"
"Yep."
"You're sure you're feeling better ?"
Shaking her head, she motioned for him to leave. "Hurry up, Sam's going to wait for you."
"Okay." He kissed her on the cheek and mouthed 'I love you' before walking out.
"Only two days left and I'll be Mrs. Paul. Wow, I can't wait !!"
"You are……perfect !" Jeannie McBeal was out of word to describe her daughter. The hairdresser had already fixed her hair and she had put on her dress.
"Thanks mom." she turned to Renee. "Really, how am I ?"
"To be honest, you look stunning. Larry is going to be crazy and I'm sure he'll need to control-"
"Hum, hum." Jeannie cleared her throat and Renee immediately stopped.
"Sorry, Mrs. McBeal. I didn't mean to be inappropriate." Embarrassed, she hoped she didn't make the wrong impression. Jeanie didn't even look at her and asked her daughter :
"I looks like you're ready. I'm heading for the church to join your father. We will be waiting for you. Twelve o'clock !! And don't worry, you're doing good."
"As soon as she left the room, Ally breathed out heavily.
"A little peace…at last !"
"I recognize that your mother is quite…how can I say it ? Exhausting."
"She almost got me on my nerves : 'sweetie, smile for the photograph ! Sweetie, stand straight ! Sweetie…' I'm not twelve for God's sake !"
"Yeah, she keeps blocking that out." Ally suddenly froze. "Ally ?" When she recovered her voice, she was talking very fast. "Ally, where were you ?"
"What ? Oh, Renee, you have to go check on Sam. See if he needs anything. He can dress up by himself but he's probably betting bored playing video games. I should have asked my mother to bring him to the church, God I'm so stupid !"
"Hey, calm down." She put a comforting hand on her arm. "Take deep breathes…and relax. I'm going to see how he's doing."
"Thanks."
When Renee exited Sam's bedroom, she found Ally her hand on the handle of the door, ready to get out. She had just put on a coat on her wedding dress and intended to leave the apartment.
"Ally ? Where do you think you're going like that ?"
Caught red-handed, Ally stuttered : "W-well…I-I needed… -Find something, Ally…the more silent you stay, the more suspicious it gets-…candies !!"
"Candies ?" her arms crossed, Renee was intrigued . "
"Lame, Ally. You couldn't find something better ?" She managed to find a reason. "I'm a little…stressed and eating candies would help me relax."
Doubtful, Renee proposed herself : "I'll go and buy them for you. You stay here, I'll be back within a few minutes. Don't forget that Elaine and the others arrive soon."
"What time is it ?"
"Ten thirty."
Ally faked going back in her bedroom and waved Renee goodbye. "Okay." When the heard the door closing, she rushed into Sam's room.
"Hey, big boy ! You're ready ?"
"You look beautiful, Ally. Yes, I'm ready. Is it time to go ?"
"Not yet, but I have to ask you something. " she knelt down by his side. " Would you mind if I let you alone for a few minutes ? I have to go somewhere before the ceremony. Elaine is on her way.
"Sure, I can handle that."
"You're terrific !" she kissed him on the forehead. "I won't be long."
Renee was in the shop paying for the candies when her cell rang.
"Renee Radick."
"Hi, Renee. It's Nelle, is Ally with you ?"
"No, why ?" she felt something was happening. Something wrong.
"Well, she's…gone."
"WHAT ?" her scream got her all the looks settled on her. She repeated calmer :"What ? How is that even possible ? And Sam ?"
"She told him she had something to do. She had already left when we arrived."
"Okay, I'm coming." Leaving the candies on the bank, she ran out of the shop.
"It's past eleven, Renee. We should call Larry." Nelle advised.
"NO! There's no way I'm gonna let her ruin that day. It's her day. What could have possibly passed through her mind ?"
"Did she say something special this morning ?"
"She was doing well. Her mother pressured her but it was nothing important."
"Maybe it was enough to make her freak out and call it off." Jenny suggested. "None of us is married. We can't reasonably understand her behavior."
Renee was getting frustrated. Nelle, Jenny and Coretta weren't helping. They all thought Ally had run away from commitment. "Don't you understand that this is all she's been waiting for ? A man who loves her and a ring on her finger. She had no reason to leave. And I told you she was doing fine. No, there's must be something else."
"But what ?" Coretta asked. "None of us have a clue."
"Believe me, if I knew what triggered her reaction I would have found her by now !" Worn out, Renee sat on the couch and took her head in her hands.
"What do we do ? We can't stay here and do…nothing !" Nelle threw her hands in the air in exasperation : she hated being helpless.
Renee raised her head and shot her a "don't do that " look. "The first one calling Larry will have to face me." she warned. " Ally will be back in time for the ceremony. Larry doesn't need any additional stress."
"I'm bringing Sam to the church. Larry will be happy to see him. Renee ?" Coretta proposed.
"Thanks. Go there. As for me, I'm staying here in case she returns." Elaine was quiet. She still hadn't say a word and seemed lost in thoughts. "Elaine, you stay here or follow Coretta and the others to the church ?"
"What ?" she suddenly became aware of Renee's presence.
"Are you staying or do you leave for the church ?"
She hesitantly replied : "She's not coming back."
"What do you mean ?"
"I should have understand…" she felt guilty for not seeing what was going on.
"Elaine, tell me ! Do you know anything ?"
"It's…Billy. She saw Billy."
"You mean she hallucinated ?"
"It happened a few days ago, at work. She was talking to herself, that what I first thought. Her office was empty when I came in. But I recall the conversation, I'm sure that she was talking to Billy."
Coretta and Jenny were dumbfounded : "Who's Billy ?"
"Never mind." Renee had the key of Ally's disappearance. " Elaine, Billy's been buried in Boston ? "
"I think so. Westerly cemetery."
"I'm going there."
Elaine grabbed her arm : "Renee, I'm not even sure she's there."
"She has to." She took her car keys and left.
Billy Allan Thomas
1969-2000
Beloved son and friend
She had been standing there for a while, staring at his grave. The coldness of January in Boston gave her chills and she blamed herself for not being more covered. Feeling a squeeze on her shoulder, she slowly turned round.
"Hi, Billy."
"Hi. How are you doing, Ally ?"
"Well, I could be better."
"It's still that wedding thing we were talking about ?"
She nodded and made an attempt at smiling. " I cant hide anything from you."
"You're the one hiding from yourself, Ally. What's really bothering you ?"
"I-I don't know." She sighed.
Billy laughed widely : "What an improvement ?"
"That's not funny."
Regaining composure, he said : "Seriously, you know what's wrong. And if you don't admit it now, you're going to lose everything : Larry, Sam…and yourself."
Ally considered his words for a minute and finally replied. "What if I screw up everything ? What if I'm not a good mother for Sam ? You once told me I couldn't ever be fulfilled with what I have. What if I…"
"…Let go ?"
She looked down. "Yeah."
"Is that what you're so afraid of ? Being happy ? That's all you've been waiting for. You've got the man of your dream and the chance to built a family with him."
"I want it." she claimed.
"So go !! What are you doing still here ? He's waiting for you, Ally. You deserve to be happy. I'll always be there for you to sort things out but I mustn't hold you back."
Overwhelmed, Ally hugged him and put a kiss on his cheek : "I love you, Billy. Take care."
And without looking back, she ran to the cab that was waiting for her in the alley.
"Ally ?…Ally ?" Renee was now in the cemetery but Ally was still nowhere to be found. She looked at her watch : 11.45. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she dialed Larry's number.
"Hello."
"Larry ?"
"No, actually it's Will. Larry's busy at the moment. You've got something to tell him ? I can take the message."
"Well, it's about Ally."
"Oh, yeah : we already know. She came here by herself."
"She's at the church ?" Renee was astounded.
"The only one we're waiting for is you, Renee. Where are you ?"
The only answer he got was the dial tone. Renee was on her way and twenty minutes later, she was standing by the altar. She knew she'd be late but Elaine managed to slow things down.
Then, the wedding march began playing and Ally appeared, holding her father's arm. She was literally glowing. Larry was beaming and when he locked eyes with her, he instantly melted in her gaze. Renee was already crying and even Nelle was on the edge of doing so. Ally tried to focus on her steps. With no music on, she would have run to him. When her father had done his part of the job, Ally was standing by Larry's side in front of the priest. Seeing that her hands were trembling a little, Larry took one of them I his to help her calm down. Ally smiled at him as their fingers intertwined.
An hour later, the priest introduced for the first time Lawrence and Allyson Paul.
After the traditional first kiss of their wedded life, Larry led her down the aisle to the top of the steps of the church. A limousine was parked at the bottom. Without warning, he lift Ally up and walked down the steps with her in his arms, with everybody clapping and whistling. They got into the car that would take them to the Martini bar where a reception would be held.
End of Chapter Two