A/N: I am deeply ashamed of how long it has been since I last updated this. All I can say is...life. I only hope you are all still with me and forgive me for the delay.

Thank you to Sab for the beta!

Will scanned the courtyard, his eyes eagerly seeking out the raven curls he had missed so much this past week. Sighing in defeat when he failed to locate her, he turned to leave. That was when he heard it. The only sound that managed to make his heartbeat quicken every single time: her laugh. Turning to his right, where it came from, he spotted her sitting under a tree. Unable to stop the smile that formed on his lips, he quickly started to make his way over to her only to slow his pace as he got closer and saw the reason for her laughter. Who the hell is that?

Seemingly feeling his presence, Alicia turned her attention in his direction. The smile that immediately appeared when her eyes fell on him sent a wave of warmth to his core. "Will!" She rose from her position under the tree and quickly closed the gap between them, throwing her arms around his neck, embracing him tightly. Immediately wrapping his arms around her, he inhaled the sweet scent of vanilla that emanated from her and briefly ignored the fact that they weren't alone. Pulling away slightly, she reached up to kiss him. "Mmm…I missed you."

Smiling as he made no attempt to release her from his embrace, he kissed her again. "I missed you, too."

"Did you just get back?" she asked as she looked around for his bags.

"Yup. Dropped my stuff off at my place and came to look for you." He gently squeezed her when her cheeks reddened.

"How's your mom? I was planning to call and check on her when I got home later," She asked, concern evident in her eyes.

"She's good. Great, actually. It was a nasty fall, but nothing is broken, thankfully. You can imagine how happy she was about that." He stopped and looked into her eyes. "She likes you, Leesh. Your phone calls made her day. I think she was disappointed I came by myself. Not that I'm offended or anything." Before she could respond, they were interrupted and Will was brought back to reality. "Can we help you with something?"

Alicia turned to see who the question was addressed to. "Oh! Jason. I'm so sorry…I forgot…"

"It's okay, Alicia. Really." He picked up his backpack. "We can pick this up another time. See you at Garrett's tonight, right?" He asked as he started to walk away.

"Umm…" she looked at Will before turning back to him. "Maybe."

He nodded his understanding. "I hope so," He told her before he left.

"Who was that?" Will asked as he watched him go.

Alicia bent to collect her books, placing them in her bag. "Hmm? Oh, that's Jason. He just joined our Contract Law class. Oh shoot…" She straightened up quickly. "I didn't even introduce you."

Reaching out, he took her bag and draped it over his shoulder. "Well, he certainly didn't seem to care," He mumbled as he grabbed her hand and led them on the short walk to her apartment.

"Are you okay?" she asked, squeezing his hand.

"What? Of course I am," He assured her as he draped his arm across her shoulders to pull her close and kiss her. "I'm with you."

"Good."

"So…what's going on at Garrett's tonight?" he asked her as they walked up the stairs to her apartment.

"Oh…it's Tess' birthday. So, we're all supposed to get together to celebrate."

"Why did you tell…Jason…maybe?" Will forced the name off of his tongue unable to mask the mocking tone he used.

"Well…I didn't expect you to be back today and I figured we might be a little…busy." She raised her eyebrows as she unlocked her door.

"Is that so?" He followed her inside and dropped her bag by the door, pulling her to him. "And what exactly would we be busy doing?"

"Please…I beg you not to answer that, sis."

Quickly, Alicia turned to see Owen poking his head out from her kitchen. "What are you doing here?"

Disappearing from their line of sight, he replied. "Thanks a lot, Mr. Georgetown. One look at you and my darling sister forgot all about our plans today."

"Dammit," She whispered as she unzipped her coat. "I did not forget, Owen. I just… I'm sorry," She told him as she entered her kitchen and hugged him.

"Yeah yeah," He said as he pulled away. "How's your mom, Will?" he asked when he appeared behind her.

"Oh! I should call her," Alicia said as she rushed out.

Watching her go, Will smiled and turned his attention back to Owen. "Much better, thank you. No broken bones."

"Ah, good. We were worried. I had to work extra hard keeping that one occupied for the past week," He told him as he handed him a beer.

Glancing behind him to assure Alicia wasn't returning yet, he drank from the bottle and eyed Owen. "So, this Jason guy… What do you know about him?"

"Who?" Owen asked.

"This…new guy…in one of our classes? He was with Alicia when I found her today."

Owen grew quiet and looked to be searching his memory. "I have no idea who you're talking about. Why?" He looked at Will. "Oh please do not tell me you think something is going on between my sister and this dude."

"What? No."

"Will, your mom wants to talk to you. Bye, Ellen. I'll talk to you soon." She handed the phone over to him as he eyed Owen.

"Hey mom." When Alicia turned her back to them, he mouthed "Shut up." to him. "Yup. Home safe." Releasing a chuckle, he shifted his gaze to Alicia. "I'm happy to see her too," He said as he left the room.

"Did you tell him yet?" Owen asked her.

"Shhh! No…not yet."

"What's wrong with you? Why are you waiting until the last minute?"

"I'm not, Owen. I didn't expect him to be home today. I wasn't…ready," Alicia answered.

"That's not fair to him. You have to prepare him."

"I know, I know. Just…shut up." She waved him off as Will came back in.

"So, I will leave you two to your plans," He told them. "Sorry, Owen."

"But…" Alicia started to protest.

"Hey…you had plans already. It's okay," He said before kissing her softly. "How about I meet you at Garrett's?"

"Really?" She kissed him again when he nodded. "Will you come home with me after?"

"I don't know," He joked. "Depends on how you behave."

"Ewww…come on, guys. I'm right here," Owen complained before biting into his sandwich.

Alicia shook her head and rolled her eyes before reaching up to kiss Will. "I'll see you later," She told him as he turned to leave, kissing her hand before he did.

"Don't worry. I'll be sure to leave so you can make my sister scream as loud as you want tonight," Owen called after him, his mouth full.

"Owen!" Alicia gasped as she punched him in his arm.

/

"So, what do you think?"

Alicia turned her attention from the entrance back to Jason. "I'm sorry. What?"

"Are you okay? You seem…preoccupied," He asked.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not girly. You need another drink," Tess interrupted.

"I'll go get you one." Jason moved toward the bar.

"Looks like you have an admirer."

Glancing toward the entrance again, she looked at Tess, confused. "What?"

"Jason?"

Before she could answer, she felt strong arms encircle her from behind and soft lips on her neck. She knew his touch so well that she didn't even need to turn to see who it was.

"There you are," She purred. "I was afraid you had changed your mind." She shifted her body on the stool to greet him with a kiss.

"Oh you two lovebirds are sickeningly adorable," Tess joked. "Welcome back, Gardner."

"Happy Birthday Tess," He told her as he moved in to hug her.

"Hey, I couldn't remember what you were drinking so I got you a Long Island Iced Tea," Jason said as he placed the drink in front of Alicia, who wrinkled her nose at the brown liquid.

"I'll take that. She can't drink this," Tess told him as she picked up the drink, eyeing Alicia.

"Jason…" Alicia spoke up. "This is Will, my boyfriend. I rudely forgot to introduce you earlier."

"Oh," He replied, reaching out his hand to shake Will's. "Nice to meet you." Will simply nodded in response, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Can I steal your girlfriend for a minute?" Tess asked Will. "I don't want to go to the bathroom by myself."

"Of course. She doesn't need my permission," Will replied, smiling at Alicia.

Hopping down from the stool she sat on, Alicia reached up to place a chaste kiss on his cheek. "I'll be right back."

Will watched her go before turning his attention to Jason. "Odd choice in drink you got there for my girlfriend."

"I… What?" Jason asked, confused.

"That's a pretty strong drink. Were you planning to get her drunk?" Will challenged.

Jason shook his head. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't know what she was drinking and the bartender suggested that one. I'll go back and get something else."

"That won't be necessary. I know what my girlfriend drinks," He told him as he left to order their drinks.

"Hey…where is he going?" Alicia asked as she approached them.

"To get you a drink," Jason told her, his eyes questioning her as he finally found the courage to voice his thoughts. "I didn't realize… I mean…" Jason stuttered.

"See? I told ya," Tess whispered behind her.

Glancing back at her friend quickly, Alicia turned back to Jason. "I've mentioned Will many times."

"So you two are serious?" He asked her.

"They're practically married," Tess answered for her as Will returned with their drinks, placing them on the table in front of Alicia.

Noticing the proximity in which Jason was standing to Alicia, he eyed him, hoping that it was enough for him to get the hint and move away of his own accord.

In an effort to ease the tension, Tess jumped at the chance to interject herself. "Hey, Jason. I could use another drink."

"Well, you are the birthday girl," He said as he led her to the bar.

"I will not be the least bit surprised if she takes him home tonight," Alicia commented as she watched them walk away.

He shrugged and drank from his beer as he watched her take her shot of tequila. "He was trying to get in your pants."

She looked at him, incredulously and shook her head as she sucked the wedge of lemon he handed her. "No he wasn't," she replied quietly, looking away. After a few moments passed, she turned back, a smirk evident on her lips. "Are you jealous?"

He didn't answer immediately, opting to finish his beer first instead. "Let's just say I'll be thinking twice about leaving you for long periods of time from now on." Slowly shifting his gaze toward her, he was met with her beaming smile as she reached forward and pulled him to her by his shirt, kissing him with enough passion to prove he didn't have any reason to worry. "Umm…"

"Ready to go?" she asked, laughing when he nodded emphatically.

/

"Good thing Owen left, seeing as we didn't even make it to your bedroom," He joked as he struggled to catch his breath. "You weren't kidding when you said you missed me, huh?"

Placing a trail of light kisses along his chest and neck, she slowly climbed off of him and snuggled into the small space between his side and the back of her sofa. "I could say the same for you," She said softly as she quickly kissed his lips before laying her head on his chest.

Lifting her head when she felt him move, she watched as he turned onto his side to face her, pulling the blanket that was draped over the back of her sofa over them. He smiled before kissing the tip of her nose. "I love you," He told her as his hand caressed her back.

"I love you too," She whispered while running her hand through his hair. Did you tell him yet? Owen's voice echoed through her head. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head and rested it on her hand, looking down at him. "Will?"

"Hmm?"

"I…I have to tell you something. But you have to promise not to freak out."

Quickly, he lifted his head. "What… Alicia…" She saw his eyes frantically searching hers…for what she wasn't sure. He reached up and turned on the lamp that stood on her end table. "Are you…?"

"Am I what?" Confused, she watched as his eyes roamed her body, lingering on her stomach. "Will! No! I'm not… What is wrong with you?"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You're just…scarily serious right now. I didn't know what to think," He apologized.

Shaking her head, she sat up, holding the blanket against her. "Then, hopefully this won't be as bad." He eyed her suspiciously. "My…parents. They want to meet you."

Releasing the breath he didn't realize he was holding, he chuckled and moved to sit next to her. "Is that all? You had me worried."

"They're coming to visit," She continued.

"Okay. Wh-"

"They'll be here tomorrow." She glanced at her watch and tilted her head. "Today."

"What?!"

She winced and placed her hand on his chest. "I told you not to freak out."

"Alicia… You… I'm… Your parents? Here? Tomorrow?"

She pursed her lips together in an effort to contain the giggle that threatened to escape. "Will, you'll be fine. They'll love you. Just like I do."

"Your father… He's going to try and kill me, isn't he?"

"Daddy? No." Tilting her head in thought. "Then again, you are the first guy I've been this serious about and he's not stupid so he'll know we're having sex."

"Alicia!" His eyes widened and unable to hold back any longer, she burst into laughter.

"I'm just kidding," She assured him, placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"I'm glad you find this so amusing." He glared at her and playfully nipped at her lip when she attempted to kiss him again. "What about your mom?"

She sat back and sighed. "I should apologize for her in advance. Actually," she put up her finger. "Not for her but for what's sure to come out of her mouth." She looked at him apologetically. "You're going to need a few drinks to deal with her."

He closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. "You're lucky I love you," He said as he picked his arm up, inviting her to snuggle into his side.

"You may be singing a different tune tomorrow," She joked.

"I highly doubt that," He replied before kissing her head.

"What would you have done if I were pregnant?"

"Look, I'm meeting your parents tomorrow. Can we please deal with one thing at a time?"