A/N: This is set around the end of 'The Decision Tree' so while Alicia is working at Florrick/Agos. Also, for those of you unfamiliar with The Beatles, John Lennon's first wife was called Cynthia. Just a little update ahead of the #GoodWifeFarewell.
…
Chicago, December 2013.
O come, O come, Emmanuel (Bad Religion)
Leaving court, Will pulled out his cell phone and called Angela. "Before you ask, I ended it with Isabel. It wasn't right, she was," he paused, sighing, "she was a reaction," he said.
"Uh-huh," she replied, "glad you finally got with the programme, Gardner."
He chuckled, "So, no questions, we can talk later, but please come to our holiday party tonight."
"You want me to come to your holiday party?"
"Yeah," he countered, "of course I do! Plus, I know you have the night off, so can party with me," he snickered
"And I guess the fact Alicia Florrick won't be there has nothing to do with it," she laughed.
"Okay, you got me," he chuckled, holding his free hand up in mock surrender, waving his briefcase in the air, "but, come on Ange, it'll be fun, you, me, David Lee," he teased.
Angela giggled and surrendered to his pleas, "Okay, okay, I'll come," she said finally.
"Good, I've missed you around the office," he said honestly.
"Especially now you haven't got Alicia to ogle," she mocked him.
"Oi! That was low, even for you," he countered.
"Sorry, guess the ogling will have to stay in the courtroom," she chuckled.
He let out a short breath, "I, I, I don't know what to say to that," he replied.
"Because it's true."
"Yeah, because it's true," he said sadly. "But, I'm over her, Ange, can't go there. She has made it clear and there's no going back."
"Hmmm," she mused, "you're not over her honey, however much you keep telling yourself. But for the moment, I'm just happy you're in a better place. See you tonight."
Will had arrived at his car and opened the door as he replied, "Damn you Freud! See you about eight. Love you."
…..
Later that evening, Will sat at his desk, a barely-touched glass of champagne beside him. He had just spoken to Alicia on the telephone about Ashbaugh's will. He still struggled to talk to her civilly recalling how she ripped his heart in two when she and Cary simultaneously ripped his firm in two. He sighed and fiddled with his Mont Blanc pen, flipping it between his fingers.
Across town, Alicia put the phone down and turned back to her own office party. She couldn't help but think of Will. He was the man in her head, not her husband, who stood not twenty feet from her. She felt disloyal to Peter, even though she had no reason to.
…
Angela reapplied her lipstick as the elevator doors opened onto the L/G offices. She smiled as she put her signature Chanel rouge in her purse, thinking of what her Granny used to say: Only a tart can put on lipstick without a mirror. She stepped out into reception; it had been a long time since she had been here. Since she last visited Will at work, he had reacquainted himself with and fallen out with Alicia Florrick, Diane had met and married Kurt and Bond had come and gone. Will had been uneasy having Angela meet him at work once Alicia joined the firm, but since she decamped to a warehouse to form Florrick/Agos, it was safe and he asked her to come to the L/G holiday party.
Amongst the throng, she spotted Kurt and nodded a greeting to him. Diane walked over to her, "You came!" she said kissing her on the cheek and giving her a loose hug, trying not to spill her drink. "I did!" Angela smiled back at her, "Where's my boy?"
"In his office," Diane indicated, tilting her head.
"Thanks," Angela replied as she turned to walk down the hall towards the partners' offices.
Watching her go, David Lee sidled up to Diane, "So, does that mean Yoko Ono has left the building?"
"Yes," Diane confirmed, "Paul McCartney is back where he belongs," she smiled at David.
"Good," he smiled, resting one hand in the pocket of his pants, "great partnership, let it be…" he added as he walked back towards the party, picking up a glass of wine en route.
Angela smiled as she noticed Will through the glass. She opened the door to his office and slid through the small gap she made. Closing the door quietly behind her, she leant against it and looked across the room at him. He looked up and beamed, "Hey."
"Hi," she said softly, quickly walking towards him. He pushed his chair away from the desk and turned it to face her as she came behind it. Will took hold of Angela's right hand in his left and pulled her gently towards him. She kissed him as she felt his hand on her back. Standing up, he pushed her ever-so tenderly against the desk, so that she was leaning back a little. "Aren't you afraid people will see and tell Alicia?" she asked as she felt him move against her, a shiver of excitement running through her body.
"No," he shook his head, "the firms are at war, I don't think anyone would consider telling her that I was getting it on in my office. I think Diane is just pleased Isabel won't be coming back." She giggled and ran her left hand under his jacket to rest in the small of his back, feeling the warm cotton of his shirt beneath her palm.
He traced his free hand along her jawline and cupped her face, raising it to kiss her passionately. "Seems like forever," he said as they parted. "Mm-huh," she replied in a breathy tone. "I missed this."
"Me too." Will said. "I'm sorry for being a jerk," he added as he pulled her into an embrace.
"That's OK," she replied, "I don't think you're done being a jerk, but you're my jerk," chuckling as she picked up his champagne and took a drink. Will took the glass from her hand and downed the remainder. "Shall we join the party?" He asked.
She nodded and let him guide her out of his office.
….
As the evening wore on the music changed, the soft jazz ended and livelier tunes began to reverberate around the L/G office space as people started to leave. It was almost as if the DJ was gearing them up for the cold journey home.
Will heard the opening bars to the next track and moved to pull Angela away from chatting to David Lee, "Can I take her? he asked, grabbing her hands. "Apparently you have, many times," David sniggered.
He put his arms around her as the song, 'Valerie' played in the background. As they danced, he said, "I remember when your Dad bought a Zutons album!"
"Oh, God, yes! I think his students thought he was quite cool, then when he told them why they all thought, 'Awww' and felt sorry for the professor" she replied, leaning her head against Will's shoulder.
Diane walked up to David Lee, "We're heading out," she gesticulated at Kurt, who was stood near the elevator. He wasn't a fan of office parties and was looking forward to getting home and taking his beautiful wife to bed. "Okay," David said. "I think Lennon and McCartney are fine, but who wants to tell Cynthia?" he scoffed as Diane turned to leave.
A/N: So this was just a short update for Good Wife Sunday. More to come and some interesting thoughts from Alicia regarding the files Kalinda gave her. Some flashbacks and more current, canon-based chapters. Best wishes and enjoy the finale!
