Okay you get a cute sweet romantic episode addition this time after all AP cuteness... in the episode...
I don't the good wife or this would be included in the show instead of the elevator thing...Also don't own the song.
The story is dedicated to Randi... and truthfully most of what happens in it is her ideas... so thank you for that and thank you to the rest of my AP family for their support and help... Also the resturant in the story is one of the Obama's favorites and thank you to kiki for finding that information to me.
Edge of The Ocean
Ohhh, we can begin again.
Shed our skin, let the sun shine in.
At the edge of the ocean
We can start over again.
She played with the hem of her skirt sitting there in the car beside him. She was nervous, she had been surprised to realize he really was asking her out to dinner, on a date. A date, so far their thing they had kept going for months now didn't consist of dating. Sure, a few times they had had dinner together, but it had really only been a quick bite to eat and didn't qualify as a date, where she dressed up for it or had him pick her up, and it was usually in connection to her dropping by the trailer for their meetings, not like this preplanned dinner invitation where he had ordered a table and she was dressed up nicely. The kids had even asked where she was going, she had felt a little bad lying to them and saying dinner with someone from work. But she was still not ready to tell them about her and Peter, but maybe if tonight went well she would reconsider that. But even if she had wanted to tell them she couldn't tonight since she had Owen stay with them through the night, and she didn't want to get into her and Peter's relationship with Owen.
She glanced over at Peter, he seemed tense too, they really were moving into new territory with this dating thing. But maybe it was good, sure she was nervous, scared actually, but yet she felt happy and excited. She had been tense when he asked her and not completely sure if she should accept, and a little unsure at the same time if he really was asking her on a date. But the moment he tried to say he wasn't she had felt disappointed and kind of sad, and when he agreed it was indeed a date he wanted she felt happy, more than happy actually, excited. She had been feeling awkward first after the kiss with Will and then the elevator ride down, with their tension. She couldn't say there was nothing there, because there was, however it wasn't more than attraction on her part. She didn't see anything else between them and she knew he did. She felt sad because of how complicated it was, but she really didn't see anything beside hotel-rooms and work with Will trying to fit him into her real life was impossible. Her real life including everyone knowing including her kids, and she couldn't see it, she didn't feel it was enough for just him to want it. She had never really wanted him to take her on a date, at least not since law-school. Sure she had agreed to dinner that time some years ago, but it was different it was dinner she made sure not to call it a date, after all she was still married and she really didn't think of it as a date. This with Peter she was the one to ask if he really meant it, and now here she was, high heels, silk dress low cut but not slutty. She studied his profile speculating on what she could do to break the silence.
"Did you call Eli?" She settled on, that would get them talking, and it was the same subject he had escaped to earlier the same day.
"No... not yet... I... don't know... I will do it... I just... It is hard..." He finally settled on, as she looked out of the window she saw where they were as he drove into the parking building. Her eyebrows rose in surprise, Spiaggia he had taken her here to the upscale place on such a short notice. This she hadn't expected. Not at all actually.
He got out of the car and she waited patiently for him to come to her side and help her out. She took his hand as she stepped out, lacing their fingers, while walking through the parking lot and to the elevator riding it up to the restaurant. He carefully guided her inside the exclusive place. She smiled as he said his name and that he had ordered a table for them. The host guided them deeper into the place and over to the windows. How had he been able to make this happen within hours? She had no idea, especially getting them a window table that wasn't one in the front, but rather deeper in where they wouldn't be disturbed as easily. If she has still been in doubts this was a date or not, she couldn't be now. He had done everything to make it special, big and intimate at the same time. She smiled at him as he pulled out the chair for her, not even giving the host the chance to do that. She kept their eyes locked as he took the seat in front of her, while the host asked if everything was as they pleased, and Peter nodded, making her step away and leaving the to the waiter having joined them. He passed them their menus, before he asked if they wanted something to drink. Peter took the wine card and looked over at Alicia.
"Would you like red or white?" She gave him a gentle smile, no words needed as answer, and he knew that too as he nodded and opened the card looking over it for some time while she started to study her menu deciding on what she would like as a starter settling on the scallops quickly, it had been a long time since she had seafood of any kind. She started to look through the main courses, not sure if she wanted pasta or not. She heard how Peter had settled on ordering them a Chardonnay from 2008 Querciabella, she thought the name was. Her eyes rested on the pasta with lobster, she liked the depiction, and she really was in the mood for seafood. She knew Peter would want a steak for the main course and considered if she should order meat instead, since Peter's choice would mean they would be having red wine as well.
"Have you decided what you are ordering?" Peter asked her, making her look up.
"Would you like me to go get the wine while you are deciding? And come back and take the rest of your orders?" The waiter asked them.
"Yes please..." Peter told him and he left them alone.
"Umm I would like the scallops first. But I was actually considering ordering the spaghetti with lobster but I am assume you want steak or something, that would demand red wine." She answered him, smiling gently.
"Yeah I think so... but order the lobster... I will just get a half bottle of red, I do have to drive home, and it wouldn't look well if I got pulled over and tested positive for drunk driving... though I am sure Maddie would have a field day." he joked with her, making her laugh.
"I hope you know I would never let you drive if I thought you had too much." She answered him gently.
"Yeah I do." He winked at her teasingly just as the waiter came back with the white wine. Holding it out for Peter to see before opening it, and purring some in his glass for a quick taste Peter tasted it and told the waiter it was good. Alicia noticed how Peter quickly looked over his menu. He was never taking long to order, and he never had. She nodded at the waiter offering her some of the white wine. After having filled up both of their glasses he asked if they were ready to order.
"Yes, please. I would like the Cappesant a dorat a con funghi e Pagaliolaia for starter and the tagliolini neri con astice as my main course." She told him with a smile, handing back her menu.
"And you Sir?" He turned to Peter.
"I would like the caviar thing... and the steak." He answered.
"The wagyu or the other?" The waiter asked, making Peter take a quick look in his menu once more.
"The other... please. And can I have a the ½ bottle of Barolo, the one form 2005. And some water please." He ordered.
"Still or sparkling?" She exchanged another glance with Peter, before he answered.
"Sparkling please." He told her as he handed his own menu back, and waiter leaving them to their own once more.
"So shall we?" He motioned for their glasses picking up his own and holding it up, waiting for her. She picked up her own and held it out.
"So what are we toasting to?" She asked looking him in the eyes.
"To you making partner?" he offered. She hadn't thought that would be his response and she knew, they were not really out because of that, but he was giving her one more out. It was sweet and she was grateful for it. But she had come here knowing it wasn't just about something like that.
She smiled at him and nodded.
"To second chances. To changes in our lives." She offered, it was the best she could give him, the biggest she could say at the moment, but it was what he needed as his eyes and face light up, like a child at Christmas.
The glasses met, the soft sound of crystal clinging, and she took a sip of the white wine. Pleased with Peter's choice of wine, she smiled even more.
"Did you like it?" He asked her, and she nodded.
"It is amazing. A Chardonnay?" She asked. And he nodded.
"Yes, a Tuscan one. A Batàr!" He admitted, looking a bit unsure, and she knew immediately why, she smiled and reached over the table placing her hand on his arm, in comfort.
"It is a good wine. A good choice." She whispered, telling him she didn't mind. And she didn't it really was a sweet gesture to chose not only the label of wine they'd had to dinner the night of their first date. He had taken her to some Italian place after the game, when he had realized his choice of date hadn't been the best, so he had made it up though he had never needed to, she had liked the date because she was with him. However it was a Tuscan wine. Tuscany where they had their honeymoon. He looked into her eyes deeply, seeking answers. She smiled and nodded, confirming she meant it. That she really was alright with it.
"We always talked about how we would like to come back to Tuscany someday... but we never did... we went to Rome, Venice but never to Florence or any other place in Tuscany. I still should have taken you back there." He admitted, moving her hand off his arm and taking it between his palms instead. Holding it while looking deeply into her eyes. She felt like he was almost trying to look into her very soul.
"Maybe but I loved all of our trips, Europe or elsewhere. Even those trips up to the lakes, camping with the kids and you know how I feel about sleeping on the ground in a tent." She teased him gently, but half to keep herself from blushing as well.
"I still wish I had taken you back there, and wish I will someday get a chance to do so..." He added. She knew she was blushing now and her eyelids fluttered down not able to stand the intensity in his eyes.
"Alicia..." He whispered, and she knew he would have said more if they hadn't been interrupted by the waiter bring over their starters. She pulled her hand out from Peter's so their plats could be placed on the table. She took a sip of her water, she hadn't even noticed the waiter had brought over.
They were left alone, with their dinner and a weird silence hanging there, but she brought it around by asking him what subjects he thought would be covered in debate with Maddie. And that kept their conversation going.
"How are the scallops?" He asked her as she took a sip of her wine a few minutes later.
"Amazing would you like to try?" She asked, and he nodded.
"Sure..." She found one and placed it along with a bit of the mushrooms and basil on her fork, before holding her hand under it as she reached over so could take it from her.
"Delicious..." he agreed and she smiled.
"Very..."
"Would you like to try the caviar?" he asked her gently and she nodded.
He fed it to her like she had with him, except that he took the chance to run his fingers over her cheek in a sweet caress. He had only just pull his hand back when she was blinded by the blitz from a camera. Shaking her out of the little world of their own she had felt they were in.
She opened her eyes and could see Peter felt the same.
"So Mr. Florrick any scoop on your debate with Maddie the day after tomorrow? How are your chances of winning?"
Someone right beside her suddenly asked. She looked over and was met by a woman, clearly a reporter.
"I'm sorry, my wife and I are having dinner right now but if you'd like to call my campaign office tomorrow I'd be happy to comment then." Peter answered, politely brushing the woman off.
"I see... isn't this the first time you and your wife had been seen in such an intimate setting in public, in a very long time? Does this mean the separation is no longer a factor?" The woman asked him. Peter glanced over at Alicia meeting her eyes before answering.
"I'm sorry, I won't discuss my private life with anyone else than my wife but again you can reach me at my campaign office tomorrow if you have any other questions." Peter, answered before Alicia even got the chance to think it through.
Alicia, finally able to think straight again reached over the table once more, placing a hand on his, lacing their fingers and giving it a gentle squeeze. She knew why he was doing it, trying to avoid putting extra pressure on her with the press finding out, and she found it sweet. But she knew they would write something anyway no matter what now they had seen them.
"It's okay Peter..." She told him gently before turning to the reporter.
"If we confirm and give you something, will you write it in a positive way, and leave us alone after?" She asked.
"Alicia..." Peter protested, but the reporter had nodded already.
"A picture included?" She asked, and Alicia nodded.
"Sure..." She answered, knowing this would help Peter a little, and might very well need it a lot after the debate if he kept up not calling Eli and listening to Jordan.
"Okay that is a deal then!" the reporter accepted.
"Yes we are on a date. I had scallops for starter and Peter had caviar. For main course he will be having a rip eye steak while I will be having spaghetti with lobster. Our separation is private, but we decided to try and work on our marriage and that includes dating to see if we still got the spark." She looked at Peter while saying the last winking at him with a sweet smile adorning her lips. She gave up to the reporter that scripted it down.
"Is this the first time or?" She asked Alicia. Alicia felt Peter's hand squeeze hers and, she gave it a light squeeze back and nodded at the reporter.
"Thank you. Mrs. Florrick, enjoy the rest of your date then." She winked at Alicia, before she took the picture of them with their hands still laced, and finally leaving them with a smile.
"You didn't need to do that Alicia. We could have stopped it." Peter told her softly.
"I know, but this was easier. And it is okay really Peter. I appreciate you are trying to protect me, but I knew we would risk getting caught when we went out like this. I was prepared it could happen. Still, thank you." She explained softly.
"What about the kids?" he brought up.
"I guess I will explain we went out and it is a part in seeing if we can make it work. It is the truth after all." She smiled at him and gave his hand a little squeeze again, before pulling it back so she could finish her starter. Peter still looked a little shock, but he smiled at her. Clearly happy with her answers.
The rest of the dinner passed without any interruptions and they had a great dialogue going. His campaign, her work, her troubles with her new role in the firm, how she found it hard cutting the hours of the others, and hated doing so. Peter was a great listener unlike most others she talked to these days, he didn't judge or anything like that he actually had advices and tried to help her with what to do. They also talked about the kids, and what to do with their spring break coming up.
"Would you like to look at the menu for some dessert or coffee?" The waiter was suddenly back beside them.
"Yes please..." Peter nodded and he left to get the menus for them once more.
"I really can't eat anything else... Peter... I am full." She told him gently.
"I hear they have an excellent dark chocolate brioche..." he told her with a smile. "And I know how much you love that..."
Alicia hated it but he was right, but there was no way she could allow herself to eat dessert now as well.
"If I eat that now... there is no way I am ever getting out of this dress without destroying it." She argued.
She took in how Peter opened his mouth to answer but quickly shut it again. She took in how he quickly looked away almost embarrassed for a second, she couldn't figure out why, but when he looked back at her with heat in his eyes, she knew exactly what he had been about to say. The thought making her blush and look down.
She felt his hand take one of hers again stroking it lightly.
"You are perfect the way you are. And you still would be even if you enjoyed a little chocolate... You would still look perfect in my eyes no matter what." He told her gently, making her look up. She nodded slowly, feeling warm all over because of the way he looked at her in that moment, with heat, longing, desire and love.
They were pulled from their moment by the waiter coughing lightly bringing them out of their bubble.
He handed them their dessert menus.
"Anything else you would like?" he asked Peter, but Alicia caught how he looked over at her. Was he checking her out?"She was in no doubt that he had checked her out when she heard how cold Peter's voice sounded when he told him no. And he looked over at her once more asking if she would like coffee or tea or anything.
"No thanks... not right now..." She answered, and looked back at Peter, reaching over and touching him again. Making sure to show the waiter her ring in the process.
"Calm down. He was hardly more than a child." She told Peter gently, but he still growled a little, before nodding.
"So what would you like for dessert?" he asked her instead.
"I already told you I am not having any. Or I won't fit into my dresses." She told him gently with a light smile.
"What about splitting one then you won't really say no to some dark chocolate brioche would you?" he asked her gently.
She considered it for a moment, the description really did sound delicious and very tempting.
"Plus Alicia I always make you cakes or dessert for celebrations and the likes but you haven't gotten one this time or did the kids make you one?" She almost rolled her eyes at that comment.
"No they didn't thank god. I fear it would still be just as bad as in the past... yours were at least baked and edible. Remember the cookies Grace had made in school?" Alicia shuddered just from the memory.
"Yeah you were sick for days after, and we had to tell Grace it was a stomach flu you had passed onto her and Zach. Because we couldn't tell her she had managed to give you all salmonella poisoning in a minor form." He laughed. "They haven't gotten better at cooking?" He asked.
"Do you ever let them in the kitchen? Because I don't... at least not for anything other than helping making salad or something like that. " She answered.
"Well Zach preheated a frozen dinner dish for us last weekend." he admitted.
"and?" She asked.
"It was burnt outside and still frozen in the middle... yeah you are right..." He admitted, while she started to laugh because of what he had just said.
"Exactly why I am happy they didn't make me one. Yours at least never made me ill or something like that..." She smiled at him. "You actually were really great at cooking breakfast..." She admitted, smiling softly because of the memory of some of the times he had brought her breakfast in bed.
"Yeah I was pretty good at that wasn't I?" He smiled back cockily.
"Don't let it go to your head. But yes you were." She answered.
"Maybe I should cook you that again sometime then." He whispered back, and their eyes locked again.
"Maybe you should." She said with a smile, they were no longer really talking about food but about where they were going, and for once that was alright with her.
They had split the dessert as he had come up with, of course he had known her weakness for chocolate so it had ended with her eating most of it. After that they had coffee. They didn't talk more about where they were going, the words they had said earlier had been enough for now, and she was grateful he understood and respected that. Now they were in the car him driving her home. They were almost there by now. She had spent the most of the ride wishing he would reach over and take her hand like he would in the past. The thought of him actually doing that made her both scared and excited. And yet she wanted it. She had folded her own hands, too scared she would reach over and take his if she didn't and she couldn't do that. She couldn't be the one to do that now. Yes she had reached for him more than once during dinner but this was different.
"Is everything alright?" He suddenly asked pulling her from her musing.
"yes fine..." She mumbled.
"You are sure?" He asked her a bit worried.
"Yeah... I am... Just tired..." she excused her behavior on, and then she felt it, making her let out a deep sigh. Peter had reached over the console and covering her hands. He didn't need to do more as she right away took it in one of hers giving it a light squeeze. They continued to hold hands for the rest of the ride though neither spoke anything else. Then they arrived and he parked the car she started to turn to him, only to see him opening his seat-belt and get out of the car.
She waited for him to walk over and open hers and accepted the hand he held out for her to help her.
She got out of the car and waited for him to close the door and turned to him.
"Thank you for tonight Peter..." She told him gently, considering if she should invite him up. She wouldn't mind that. Sex with Peter was always amazing, and she wouldn't mind it now after all their flirting and teasing earlier in the restaurant had turned her on.
"I'll walk you up. It is a date after all..." He smiled at her, a little unsure and she nodded, glad he had taken it out of her hands asking if he wanted to. He placed a hand on the small of her back guiding her as she leaned against his side a little more.
"I had fun tonight..." she admitted, while they rode the elevator.
"So did I... Thank you for having dinner with me..." He answered softly.
"You are welcome. I am glad we did it..." She smiled gently.
"Me too... you are okay with it even though we got caught by that reporter?" he asked her carefully.
"Yes... Yes I am Peter... I meant what I said in the restaurant, and I was the one to give her something after all." She told him calmly. The sound of the elevator indicating they had arrived on her floor. And they walked out and over to her door. She looked for her keys in her purse finally digging them up, and turned to him, hesitating again. She wanted to invite in back in, she needed him badly, that she suddenly knew. Their eyes locked and she saw her own emotions refluxed in his gaze.
"Goodnight Alicia." He whispered softly.
"Goodnight..." She whispered as she leaned in closer, while he started to lean down. Their lips finally meeting and that was all it took. His hands fasted around her pulling her tightly against him, while she wrapped her own arms around his neck kissing him back with everything in her. Their tongues met in a heated dance, and he pressed her against the door to her apartment. She moaned into the kiss, and raised one of her legs so she could wrap it around him. God was they going to do it out here where anyone could catch them? The thought crossed her mind and was forgotten within seconds again. While she grounded herself against him needing more. However that seemed to clear his mind up because the next second he had pulled back from her, leaving them both panting for air.
"Let's go inside..." she whispered her breathing still labored. He looked at her in a weird way for a second, and she wasn't sure what he was thinking.
"I can't Alicia... If I go inside with you... this will once more only be about sex... and I can't do that, not this time. It wasn't what tonight was about, plus you have Owen in there..." He explained softly, and she suddenly felt sad. Would he really leave now? He couldn't mean that, could he?
"Peter..." She started to say but he cut her off by placing a finger on her lips.
"Please Alicia, don't beg me, I will give in and I can't do that tonight. Please..." He whispered gently begging her to understand. She didn't do anything for a couple of seconds but then she nodded.
"Will you call me then you get home?" She asked in a caring whisper.
"Yes... I will... I promise that. Do you think..." He broke of clearly nervous to continue what he was about to ask, but she already knew what was on his mind this time.
"Yes... I would like that... very much so actually. Maybe after the debate?" She offered, taking in how he started to smile, his eyes growing bright.
"After the debate... that is a date..." he confirmed smiling at her, and she nodded, returning his smile.
"Yes it is... but remember I am a good girl..." She told him teasingly suddenly it was too tempting. He rose an eyebrow at her, clearly not catching her joke.
"No sex until third date." She told him with a smile, making Peter's eyes grow large in confusion.
"What do you mean?" he asked her looking for an explanation.
"That you will have to take me to dinner a couple of more times before I offer to invite you in again." She said with a smile. He looked at her tenderly, placing his hand on her cheek stroking it gently.
"Will you say yes?" He whispered.
"You will have to ask to find out. Mr. Governor." She teased him, and he nodded, understanding what she was telling him.
"In that case... Good night Alicia..." He whispered before leaning in again giving her a brief tender and sweet kiss on the lips.
"Good night Peter..." She whispered as he pulled back. And moved away from her, starting to walk back to the elevator.
"Don't forget to call me then you get home. And I expect on in the morning as well." She told him, her eyes shining.
"Of course. Talk later..." he responded. She stayed where she was watching him get into the elevator, and gave him a soft wave goodbye as he went down. She turned around and opened her door walking inside.
"Did you have fun?" Owen asked as soon as she entered. She almost rolled her eyes. Okay it was probably good Peter hadn't joined her inside though the thought of the shocked look on Owen's face might have been worth it. Though she guessed she would see some shock tomorrow when he learned she had been on a date with Peter, and not out with friends from work.
"Yes, Owen I had fun." Was all she bothered with now. "I will head to bed..." She told him with a smile, leaving him on the couch and walking into her bedroom. As she undressed, she smiled.
She did have fun tonight. And she liked the thought of dating again. Of having Peter court her again. It made her feel warm all over. She checked her watch. She would just have time for a shower and getting ready for bed before he would call. The thought of him calling her made her feel the butterflies in her stomach once more. And she hurried to undress and shower, hoping the time would run fast. The warm water over her, she realized this was really her second chance with Peter, and she liked and wanted that more than ever. This, him and her, that was what she really wanted and had always wanted. Her attraction to Will would probably always be there, but with Peter she had a whole life, a future and a past and a family to fight for. And that was who she was, what made her happy. She knew they could start over, but she also knew she would need to tell him some things to make that possible, and he would probably need to do that as well. But if they got over that she knew they could make it. They could start over again, and their date tonight was the beginning.