Chapter Three
"Our breakfast," Will placed the tray with scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and two mugs filled with coffee next to Diane on the bed.
"What a treat," she reached for her mug and tasted its content with a wide grin.
"You must know that even though it was Sarah who made the breakfast, this was my idea," he grabbed his mug with a wink and sat on the bed next to her.
Diane had to suppress a chuckle hearing his statement, she didn't want him to think she didn't appreciate the gesture. In fact she couldn't remember when had been the last time they had shared a breakfast in bed, so she was more than happy about this opportunity.
"And why is there only one plate?" she inquired glancing from the tray to him.
"That is because I didn't only bring you breakfast, I'm going to feed you too," he declared and without waiting for her reply he reached for the fork and dag into the scrambled eggs.
"What?"
Diane tried to withhold her laughter, but it burst out nevertheless. But soon she had to realize he meant it seriously, because he was waiting patiently for her to stop, which she did eventually.
"Are you ready?" he asked with a smile and she had to lean in to kiss him shortly before she replied.
"I'm ready," she nodded and he approached her mouth with the fork to give her the first bite.
The eggs with the bacon tasted much better than usual, since someone else had made them and he was feeding her with so much care. She took a slice of toast and chipped off a piece for herself, then another for Will and placed it in his mouth. There was something sensual about feeding each other this way, but she didn't let her mind get further than the thought just yet.
"Are you sure I deserve all this pampering?" she questioned him when they'd almost finished the plate together.
"Of course I'm sure," he placed a quick kiss on her lips, making her smile.
But the smile faded away when her thoughts wandered from the present to the future all of a sudden. She knew why he was doing all this. They hadn't had such a big change in their life for the last ten years and both of them needed to adjust. But especially him, because she was the one leaving him and no matter what he said, it was hard for him and he still wanted to show his support. It should have been her bringing breakfast to him, feeding him, to reassure him that one thing would never change: she would always be his wife and the mother of his children.
"You know that just because I won't be spending much time in the office from now on, nothing else will change." The seriousness in her tone sounded odd after all the lightness, but she couldn't help it, she had to say it out loud.
"I know." He placed the fork back on the plate, turning his full attention to her. "But I will miss you," he confessed, his eyes not leaving hers.
"I will miss you more," she whispered and pressed her lips to his. "Does dessert go with our breakfast?" she inquired with a playful grin.
"It depends on what kind of dessert you have in mind," he replied and it was hard to miss the desire in his eyes.
She reached for the tray to put it aside on the nightstand, to make it clear she wasn't thinking of food and the second she turned back his lips were already on hers again.
o-o-o
"Will speaks highly of you," Diane smiled at Gillian after Will had left them alone. It hadn't been hard to notice that she and Will were getting along well, which was to her advantage. They needed someone Will could work well with after all. And Diane's own first general impression was also good, but she was looking forward to talking to the applicant alone. "He obviously wants you to join us and we need someone fast," she explained eyeing the blonde lawyer who was sitting across from her in the visitor's chair.
"I can start anytime, today even." She was obviously capable and willing, which was the best combination, but Diane was interested in the motivation behind it and other things her CV didn't reveal.
"May I ask why you left Hunton & Williams?" Diane looked straight into her eyes, showing that a lot depended on the answer to this question.
"For personal reasons …" Gillian sounded hesitant and Diane sent her a sympathetic, but persistent look, which made clear that she wanted to hear the answer nevertheless. "My husband is a partner there too, but we filed for divorce and I didn't feel like working with him anymore." She kept shifting her gaze to the desk, communicating that she wasn't comfortable talking about it, but she must have expected the topic to come up.
"I understand. And I appreciate you telling me," Diane nodded and for a short moment she considered what she'd do in a similar situation, but fortunately Gillian interrupted her chain of thoughts.
"But I think my success rate speaks for itself. It's their loss and your win if you give me a chance," she said confidently and Diane didn't need any more convincing.
"You can start tomorrow. Will will help you with anything you need." She closed the woman's folder on her desk and stood up, indicating that their meeting was over.
"Thank you," Gillian rose from her seat with a wide smile on her face and they shook hands to seal the agreement.
Once left alone Diane knew that was it. She had taken care of everything, it was time to say goodbye to the corner office which had been her second home for the last ten years. She knew that she was ready, still she had a slight fear of closing that glass door and opening a completely different one.
"Elsbeth," she noticed her friend's presence just as she was about to knock.
"I'm glad I could still catch you," she smiled upon entering the room.
"I would have stopped by your office," Diane reassured her. "I need to ask a favor."
"You want me to keep an eye on things while you're away, don't you? Especially on Will," the redhead chuckled.
"You read my mind," Diane replied with a grin, knowing Elsbeth was the best ally she could wish for.
She had proved to be reliable throughout the years they had been working together. Not to mention she had an eye for noticing the details others might have overlooked and Diane needed someone just like that while she was away.
"You can count on me," she promised.
"I just told Gillian Howard that she is hired, please make sure she feels welcome and bring her up to speed on my ongoing cases," Diane requested, as her last order of business and handed her Gillian's folder.
"Of course," Elsbeth nodded, taking the file from her.
"Thank you."
Diane's smile was full of melancholy. Leaving her office, giving away her cases, it was all so final. And her gaze wandered to the other end of the corridor, to the corner office, with her husband at his desk.
"We will miss you around here," Elsbeth smiled, contradicting the sadness in her eyes.
"I'll be just a phone call away," Diane pointed out, hoping those phone calls would actually come.
Next thing she knew Elsbeth's arms were around her, hugging her tightly and Diane appreciated this gesture, which also made her feel slightly better.
"Good luck with the campaign," Elsbeth said after she stepped back.
"Thank you, I'm going to need it," Diane sighed and watched Elsbeth leave before her eyes found back to Will again.
It was time.
She collected her purse and looked around once more before she walked out and over to Will's office.
"Gillian is starting tomorrow," she closed the door behind her and took a few steps.
"She told me before she left. Thank you. She really needs this job," Will stood up and approached her.
"And we really need her," she reminded him and as their eyes locked a few seconds of silence followed. "I …. better get going, Eli is waiting for me," she said without moving an inch.
"I know," Will nodded, but put his arms around her waist, contradicting his words.
"You can show that you can do this without me, this is your chance," she remarked slightly playfully, while her fingers were fidgeting with his tie.
"And you can show what you're made of. And don't forget that I'm very proud of you," he smiled at her and pulled her close for a kiss she gladly returned.
"See you at dinner," she whispered as their lips parted and walked out the door with a smile on her face.