Chapter Eleven

Upon entering her husband's home office, the first object Diane noticed was the glass within his reach, containing their favorite drink in it. One of the things she missed the most about them working together was sharing a drink in the office occasionally. Doing it at home just wasn't the same, for they were parents first here.

"Are you coming to bed?" she approached him when she saw his eyes were glued to his laptop screen. He hadn't looked up when she'd entered and she wasn't even sure he'd noticed her.

"I'm almost done," he replied without glancing at her. She wanted to get closer, maybe place her hands on his shoulders to give him a massage, simply because he seemed exhausted. But she didn't want him to think she meant to take a peek at his screen.

"Is the Reed trial kicking your ass?" she said jokingly, but when he shifted his gaze on her his reaction was nothing like she'd expected.

"Why? What did you hear?" He sounded way too serious, panicked even so she regretted making a joke straight away. He was obviously very tensed.

"I was just joking. Sorry," she apologized and observed how his expression softened.

"No, I'm sorry. I'll just finish it in the morning." He closed the laptop and emptied his glass.

"Are you sure? I didn't mean to disturb you," she eyed him hesitantly as he stood up, ready to leave his work behind.

"You didn't, I'm tired anyway." He stopped in front of her with a faint smile on his face.

"I was just hoping we could discuss something tonight, about Emma." She realized it wasn't the best moment, but she'd been putting it off for days and she came to him with a solution now anyhow. It might make the whole thing easier for him.

"You should have started with that. What is it?" His face completely changed as he transformed from an overworked lawyer into a tireless father in a matter of seconds. He was always there for his family, which was one of the reasons why their marriage had been working so well all these years.

"She wants to spend the weekend with her friends at a lake house, including Eric," she revealed and Will didn't seem to like what he was hearing, so she quickly added before he was able to interfere, "I had my doubts at first too, but then I talked to the parents and they reassured me the kids won't be completely alone."

"So you think we should let her go?" he interpreted her words and the calmness with which she had spoken.

"I think she needs something else to focus on beside Eric," she replied, ready to share the plan that had been forming in her mind since her talk with Emma Friday evening.

"It sounds like you have something in mind." His smile suggested he already liked where she was heading, even without the details. He simply approved of the fact that she'd thought ahead.

"I know I said I want to keep the kids away from the campaign, but a little volunteer work couldn't hurt. I talked to Eli and he is on board with the idea if you are. Emma could work with me a few hours a day."

It wasn't the easiest decision to make, to cross that line she'd promised not to, but Emma was better off working under her wings than anywhere else. At least they could spend a little more time together, which probably pleased Diane a lot more than it would appeal to Emma.

"I really like the idea." She gained Will's full support at once like she'd hoped, now she only had to convince Emma somehow.

"I'm so glad. I really hope she will like it too." She wasn't sure if her daughter wouldn't see through her right away. Then again she probably wouldn't risk her weekend plans by saying no.

"Of course she will. Working on a campaign must be considered cool among her friends. She won't even notice that she's being manipulated."

Diane wasn't convinced of the last part, but she appreciated his enthusiasm.

"I just don't want her to take this dating thing too seriously, it's way too early," she emphasized the goal behind the idea. And Emma could easily end up enjoying the job in the end.

"I couldn't agree more," he reassured her with a supportive nod.

"How about this weekend? Should we let her go?" She sought his opinion now that she'd laid down all her cards.

"You know if it was up to me I'd lock her in a cage," he joked, making her chuckle.

"I know, but she's a good girl." She wanted to trust that Emma wouldn't rush into anything with her boyfriend, even if it wasn't always that easy. But she liked to think they'd raised her to be smart.

"She is," he agreed. "I think we should let her go."

"Okay," she smiled at him, enjoying that they ended on the same page so easily. "I expected a little more resistance from you," she admitted playfully.

"You know I trust your judgment," he smiled at her, "and I'm tired," he added with a grin.

"She will be really happy." Emma had been waiting on their verdict impatiently for the last three days, keeping up the good behavior. Diane didn't expect it to last longer than the end of the week.

"That couldn't hurt." It was written on his face that he was having the exact same thoughts.

"Now let's get you to bed." She reached for his hand to pull him towards the door and he obeyed her easily.

"Wait, what's up with the Mandy interview?" He stopped before they reached the door.

"You don't have to worry about that. Eli's handling it." She turned back to face him.

"Are you sure?" He eyed her confused.

"Of course, now come." She pulled his arm gently.

"You really want me in that bed, don't you?" he asked, teasingly and her reply was a restrained laughter.

o-o-o

Diane never wished the kids' surprise dinner back as much as she did when she arrived home the next evening to loud arguments between the siblings.

"You don't even care about mom's campaign."

"Of course I do."

"It should have been me."

"It's not my fault that you're younger."

"It's not fair."

"I didn't ask for it."

"You don't even want this job."

"I didn't say that."

"I know you don't want it. You just want to be with your boyfriend."

"Leave Eric out of this! Just because you don't have a girlfriend, you don't have to be jealous."

"I'm not jealous, but you know I wanted to work on mom's campaign. Why did you do this?"

"I didn't do anything."

Diane decided that it was the right time to interfere, before the fight got even uglier. She'd heard enough already anyhow.

"What's going on here?" She revealed her presence from the doorway. They had been too focused on each other to notice her before.

"Nothing," Nat shrugged, keeping his eyes on the ground to avoid Diane's gaze.

"I guess you heard," Em glanced at her.

"I'll be in my room," Nat wanted to leave, but Diane prevented it by blocking the door.

"Wait a minute. You shouldn't be angry with Emma, it wasn't her idea to work with me," she tried to catch his gaze.

"That's what I've been trying to tell him," Em responded, but Diane gave her a look to shut her up.

"I didn't know you wanted to work there, why didn't you tell me?" She eyed his son, who finally lifted his head.

"Because you said you don't want us involved, but I guess you've changed your mind." He looked disappointed and he was probably right. Even it hadn't been the easiest decision she was going against her own convictions.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to favor Emma over you, you know that."

She had been too busy focusing on how to solve the Emma-situation that she had completely forgotten to factor Nat in. It's probably too late to change her mind now, she couldn't really explain backing off.

"Does this mean I can work there too?" Seeing his hopeful smile Diane began to appreciate that he was so willing and eager to help her with the campaign. He had probably been right that Emma felt differently.

"Is it really what you want?"

"Yes, I can help with the computers or whatever you need help with." Even if he was only fifteen, he seemed so grown-up at this moment and she was proud of him for being the way he was.

"I'm sure Eli will find something for both of you," she concluded. She wasn't sure how Eli would react to bringing two of her kids to work, not only one, but in the end it was her decision.

"Is that a yes?" Nat almost took her statement as a permission.

"I need to talk to your father first," she reminded him, although she was certain Will wouldn't prevent this from happening. "But such behavior is not acceptable there, I hope you both know that," she referred to their fight and shifted her gaze from Nat to Emma, who nodded.

"Thank you. You are officially the coolest mom."

As Diane accepted the hug from her very grateful son, she couldn't help questioning herself. Was this really what she wanted? But the opportunity made Nat really happy, so she must have done something right.