Chapter 9
As they share a ride to work that morning, Will surprises Mac by his apparent calmness over Nina's articles about him cheating with Sloane. He remains dismissive of his relationship with Nina and shows none of the anger and hurt towards her that Mac's expecting, given her own experience of breaking up with him. She's confused…he's taking this too well….maybe he's pushing his pain down to avoid hurting me. Her heart goes out to him. She squeezes his hand
"I don't miss her at all" he announces firmly, sounding sincere. "I know she walked out on me, but I finished with Nina too, Mac. It was mutual. You were there when she rang to apologise." Will explains patiently when she mentions Nina "She never checked with me, she didn't trust me - she assumed the worst ('unlike you' he thinks fondly). She should have got confirmation from a second source; she only had to ask." (Thank God she didn't. He'd counted on it he grins inwardly.)
Then, leaning sideways, he whispers into Mac's ear, "I only want you… I'll only ever want you" as he gives her knee a possessive squeeze.
A peaceful, light feeling washes over him …..at last he's where he wants to be, with Mackenzie beside him, his ring on her finger, his future with her assured. There's a wide smile on his face and a huge burden lifted from his shoulders. He's finally told Mackenzie the truth about the voicemail and it feels really good… spectacular even.
Mac however, believing their engagement is a rebound response to his disappointment in Nina's commitment to him, snuggles into Will's side, tangling her fingers with his, hoping they are not too noticeable to the public at large. She'll live in the moment, she decides. She'll do whatever helps Will get through his loss. She'll store up memories and prepare for the worst-or at least not expect the best. His control must break eventually she decides, recalling the way he responded to her wrongdoing and hoping she isn't hanging on for five years before he addresses his attachment to Nina. Contemplating the jewel on her left hand she tries not to wonder how she'll feel when she can no longer wear it.
Mac waves to Will as the cab draws away from the kerb outside the Fox building. Turning to face the glass entry doors she slides the ring off her finger and deposits it into the zipped compartment in her purse. She and Will have agreed that they will announce their engagement later on. Nina has only just departed his life, it's too soon…the tabloids would have a field day. Their engagement must remain their secret for the moment.
Will continues his cab journey to ACN alone. He's surprised how powerfully he misses Mac's presence the instant she steps from the cab. He fights the urge to tell the driver to go round the block and return to her place of work. It's ridiculous, he knows, but he just can't help how he feels. He tugs his phone from his pocket and texts her.
"You've caused a gap. One minute and counting. Wx"
He was such a fool to have waited all this time. She should be with him at ACN, by his side, in his line of sight and in his ear.
She was… says a small voice in his head. She was there waiting for you for two and a half years. And she'd be beside you now too if you'd moved sooner…..
His Blackberry pings…new message…."Love you too Mx"
That day he showers Mac with texts ….always discrete, signed with an initial and intended to amuse, reassure or just keep in contact. He receives a reply to each one within a couple of minutes.
In between his messages, his thoughts are filled with Mackenzie. He's ecstatic when he thinks about her as his wife. How has he got so lucky? He has no idea how he is going to keep from telling everyone that Mac loves him; that they are getting married. He's just bursting to share this momentous news with his friends and colleagues.
At midday he phones her.
"Two hundred and forty minutes without you so far today Mac…..I need you …What're you doing right now?"
"Oh Billy!" Mac breathes a giggle "you'll see me after our shows. We'll still be engaged tonight… unless you've changed you mind of course." She teases lightly
"Never Mac …..you own me, no backs. No way are you backing out of US." Will states firmly "So what are you doing?"
"Hiding in an edit bay; checking tonight's graphics; triple checking the facts about a piece on Europe and the Euro," Mac whispers: "And missing you."
"Good…love you…someone's coming -bye" Will says in a rush, beckoning a hovering Don into his office, grinning.
Will has actually been grinning at every story, comment and phone call all morning- between the texting of course. He's appeared happy and distracted and agreeable ALL THE TIME. So atypical! By noon his NewsNight staff share concerns that he has finally cracked.
At five, Jim decides to contact Mac to tip her off that Will has got a problem and to check that she knows Will and Nina officially broke up.
"I hate to bring this to you Mac, but Will seems to be struggling" Jim advises as gently as he can. "He and Nina split up in the past day or two and I think he's hiding his feelings behind a perpetual smile. He's creeping the female staffers out."
"What do you want from me Jim?" Mac grins to herself but tries not to let it reach her voice.
"He needs something Mac….I can't put him on air if he's going to grin at stories of death and destruction" Jim explains his fears "He'll be a laughingstock…..I can't let that happen…I won't"
"Leave it with me Jim. Trust me, the show will be fine. Don't worry." she speaks reassuringly to him
Mac can hardly contain her amusement. Her call to Will is priceless
"Stop grinning Will, you're scaring the children" she instructs when he answers on the second ring.
"What are you saying? What's wrong Mac?" Will asks anxiously
"Your inexplicable happiness has been noted Will, and the gang think you are having a breakdown." Mac informs him but then continues in a more apprehensive vein
"They're blaming Nina's rejection. Neal believes his phone tapping story caused the split and he's planning on personally begging Nina to take you back."
"No, no" Will almost shouts "I do not want any contact with Nina… none at all. I'm happy Mac…with you…so happy I literally can't contain myself. I need for people to know about us."
"Charlie's on his way down Will, I've told him you have something to tell him" she smiles "He'll have to do for now- and stop smirking, it's not befitting an anchor of your stature" and she cuts off the connection relieved that he is still pleased with the plan to become her husband though a little concerned at his over reaction at the thought of a reconciliation with Nina.
Will is euphoric that Mac's back in his personal life again though he can't share his status with anyone but Charlie yet. His insomnia has evaporated now he sleeps with Mac. He loves that she's his fiancé. After two weeks of being engaged in secret, Will presses her to move in with him.
Mac wonders whether his urgency to co-habit is a reaction to his brief home-share with Nina as she insists she has not got the time to move just yet. She blames her new job and putting in even longer hours than she did at ACN. Her FOX show is at 9pm so her day finishes later than his. But given all that, she arrives after work and spends every night in his bed. She never suggests they stay at her place after that first night. She's keeping that as clear of McAvoy memories as possible, thinking her eventual retreat will be less traumatic.
Gradually, as the weeks pass, with Will's devotion to her wellbeing and his careful avoidance of doing anything that could hurt her, Mac's guard slips. She begins to enjoy his company without constantly reminding herself that he'll soon wake up to his true feelings and remember he was only using her to hit back at Nina. Like Will, she's sleeping better, waking refreshed…..and happy. It's a sensation that inches up on her as they share meals out, theatre visits and just silly breakfast banter. Her apartment slowly empties into Will's as clothes, toiletries, books and files encroach his space.
Strangely, there are no tabloid reports of Will's new partnership. It occurs to Mac that this might be down to Nina; her guilt at falsely accusing Will of cheating and her remorse at losing him. The thought that Nina is probably protecting Will in hopes he'll return to her drifts through Mac's mind briefly but she's so busy and too happy to pursue it.
When it comes time for discussions of contract renewal at Fox, Mac bows to the bombardment she gets from Will, Charlie and Jim who all beg her to come back to ACN. She returns to NewsNight with massive feelings of relief- which are mirrored by Jim's who has aged 10 years in the thirteen weeks since her departure - or so he says.
On her first morning back Will is completely un-quashable…..totally high on life!
"Rise and shine sweetheart" Will says as he carries a tray with two coffees and a plate of pancakes heaped with whipped cream and blue berries into the bedroom and deposits it on Mac's nightstand.
"Ugh" Mac moans as her sleeping brain resists being dragged awake. "Please - five more minutes Will" her head sinking further into the pillow as she heaves the sheet over her head.
"but there's pancakes Mac…you didn't eat last night….felt queasy, remember?"
"Mmmm" Mac acquiesces "I'm talking to you in my sleep now. My alarm's set for ten minutes time."
Will climbs under the covers and pulls her into a tight hug, scattering kisses down her neck and across her collar bone between whispers of "wake up, eat" "It's a great morning", "carpe diem" "you can't be late" "Newsnight needs you" and finally tickling her sides.
Laughing, Mac surfaces and kisses him back "You silly man, of course we shan't be late…..It's not quite 6 am. Where are these pancakes?"
They are driven to work in an ACN car in companionable silence with Will holding tight to Mac's hand the entire way. Mac is planning her first few tasks in her head, hoping she made the right move to come back but knowing she could never refuse Will when he wants something so much. She loves that she has made him so happy by her return.
When they arrive, he leads her through ACN's lobby at a smart pace, still latched fast to her hand.
"I missed my last EP entirely too much" Will says as they step into the deserted elevator "I'll not be letting her off the hook again, ever. Her contract's iron clad. She can't resign unless I agree."
"Forever is a really long time, Will" Mac says with false solemnity "Except… if... you're extremely old" and she prods him as she bursts out giggling.
"Hey, I mind that" Will says trying to look hurt while his lips turn up into a grin. He pulls her to him and catches her round the waist with his left hand, holding her left hand firmly against his chest and planting a kiss on her lips. "I'll remember you said that tonight, and I'll exact my revenge…old, my eye! I'll show you old"
"That a promise?" Mac chortles "Bring it on"
The elevator door slides open and, hand in hand, they cross the corridor towards NewsNight's studios. Turning the corner they see the place is in total darkness…unusual for the newsroom at any time of day.
"Can't be a power cut, we've just used the lift" Mac mumbles to Will, her nervousness emerging as Englishness as it always does when she knows there's a show to produce and a tight deadline. "I hope nothing's wrong that'll effect the show"
Will holds the glass door open for her to pass through, releasing her so she can walk ahead.
Then the lights blaze on as her staff shout "Surprise" and "Welcome home" and Mackenzie is bathed in warm wishes from her family of staff who have gotten in extra early, hung banners of welcome and are ready to hug her in greeting before following her to Earth's end to make a news show that informs the public.
Thirty seconds! Will stands back and notes the time. Smiling stupidly, he watches as Mac is engulfed by her loyal gang of news journalists and waits for the inevitable. It's Maggie who spots it first, at least she's the first he hears to comment
"Oooh! Mac….. it's lovely, you're engaged?" A shocked silence is followed by a hesitant nod from Mac. Her eyes search out Will's and his smile grows even bigger. And then all hell breaks loose as everyone talks at once. Fresh congratulations and a second round of hugs!
"You planned that, you schemer" Mac whispers as she pokes Will in his side when the excitement has died down and she's with Will in his office.
"Thirty seconds" he replies "It took them thirty seconds to notice you were wearing a ring on a significant digit."
"I meant to take it off, you oaf" she replies grinning while nudging him in his arm with her elbow. "You'd planned this all morning hadn't you? You had my hand in an ….an arm-lock so I would forget to remove the ring. You wanted to announce our engagement and thought you'd blame it on me. Well, I'm on to you buster. I know your game. I am not going to take all the responsibility for this cat being out of the bag"
Will turned his most powerful smile onto her and gave in gracefully. "Oh how you know me" he muttered "These are people I respect and care about. They're our people Mac. I want them to know about the most important thing in my life. It's been so hard to keep quiet about us for 9 weeks-I've been counting the days. I was just saving you from the same dilemma. Now they know, you need to tell your family, I must tell mine and then we can…" Will pauses for an instant and lowers his voice but holds her gaze "… set a date?"
Mac's shoulders drop just slightly as she sighs audibly. She's looking into the blue eyes she loves most in the world and they're begging her to agree. She knows he's desperate to please her and he won't pester her about it but he'll read lack of trust into prevarication and beat himself up for all the hurt and pain he's inflicted in the past few years. Again! She can't do it…she's stupid but she can't hurt him…and she wants him so much.
"I've always wanted June…but that's almost over, so October…end of October…in four months…. sixteen weeks. That ok?" Mac replies
And the almighty grin pasted on Will's face gives her his answer. "Anytime is fine, just…anytime sweetheart. God this is fantastic. This…" Will runs out of words and hugs her to him, finding her lips with his own as he runs his hands up and down her spine.
Mac can feel his heart pounding in his chest or maybe it's her own heart pumping at least twice its normal volume. She's done it! She'll be committed to Will for life in just a few weeks. It feels right, perfect and in some way comfortable, relaxing. Life might actually be working out …well?