A/N: I have updated this chapter and it should hopefully be in a more normal format! Happy reading to new and old readers of this chapter. :-)
Will left the office an hour after his lunch with Alicia, determined to get all his things packed up into boxes by the end of the week. He wasn't pleased with himself that it had taken him so long to start on his packing, but things were the way they were. He also wasn't pleased with the fact that he had to bail on all the plans he made with Isabel, but if it was going to end with him being with Alicia then he would do it. He and Isabel did say that she could move back if it didn't work out between them. At least she didn't have to actually move anymore. Will decided on his way back home that he would pack up some kitchen things for a couple hours then have a conversation with Isabel.
He arrived home and went straight to his computer, ready to type out the email to his not-really-girlfriend.
'Hey Isabel, sorry I haven't been around for a few days. Been very busy. I was wondering if you were free later tonight to come over and talk. Let me know.
Will'
He sent the email and made his way to the kitchen where he already had some boxes. He got a few newspapers out to wrap his glasses, plates, and bowls in and started to make his way through his cupboards. After a half hour he heard his phone beep with a new message. He placed a bowl into the second box he was packing and reached for his phone on the countertop. It was from Isabel.
'Hey sexy. I can come over in an hour or so. ;)'
He didn't want her to think it was anything but talking, but not a lot of what they had going was about talking anyway. He just had to face her in person; he wouldn't feel right if he didn't. He'd feel like a coward. And with that thought, Will began to pack up all the sharp things in the kitchen, just in case Isabel were to freak out…
Alicia finally finished her meetings with the clients, all of which were happy but didn't need a ton of legal help. She had put aside all her thoughts about her children being with their father for the rest of the day at work she still had, it was all too much to think about at one time. She said goodbye to mostly everyone still in the office and rushed home. She walked into the apartment and called out to see if anyone was home yet. There was no answer, and she glanced at her watch. It was already 5.30 and the kids still weren't home. Alicia sighed heavily and walked into the kitchen, placing her bag on the counter and leaving her jacket on a chair. She reached into a cupboard and pulled out the biggest wine glass she had. She took out a bottle of red and filled her glass halfway. Some self-medication was in order, she thought to herself and took a big sip of the rich liquid.
She was exhausted, from everything. In such a short time her life became unraveled, and once it had started to get back into shape, it got thrown around again and everything was up in the air. So much had happened in her life and she longed for the day that it would become calm again. Except she knew it wouldn't happen in quite some time. With not much else to do other than work, which she was in no mood to start, Alicia sat herself down on her couch with her glass of wine and turned on the television. Hoping she would find something that would distract her thoughts, nothing appeared. She decided to leave it on the news and keep the volume low.
She put up her legs, stretched out on the couch, and started to think through what she would say to Zach and Grace when they got home. She had to tell them that their parents weren't going to stay together. It isn't an easy conversation to have, she knew that first hand. She didn't know how angry or sad it would make them. It did all depend on whether Peter would be saying something to them right now, which just made Alicia mad. He didn't have the right to tell them when he was so reluctant to even discuss it with Alicia first. Then that's what she though herself, she should at least try and get Peter to talk to her properly before the kids were told. They would probably have questions and Alicia knew she wouldn't be able to answer them all on her own. So instead of having a Peter-free night like she intended, she would have to force Peter into a conversation about how to talk to their kids.
She stayed on the couch for another ten minutes, finished her wine and then decided to get up and change into more comfortable clothes. While she thought of it, she collected all the dirty clothes in the house and decided to do a load of washing. As she started the machine, she heard the door open and Grace called out.
"Mom, we're home. Are you here?"
"Yes, just doing laundry." She replied to her daughter and walked out to her children. As she walked towards her kids she saw Peter behind them standing at the elevator. She smiled to her kids and kept watching him. She had to try and get him to talk. Alicia maneuvered around her kids and walked to her husband.
"Peter, did you say anything to the kids?" She whispered, looking behind her to see that the kids were no longer there. He took a deep breath and turned to face Alicia.
"I haven't. No." He said sternly.
"We need to talk about them together first, I think." She said.
"We should, yes."
"Do you have a few minutes now?" Peter crossed his arms, looking at his watch while doing so.
"I have ten minutes and then I need to get back to the office." Alicia nodded.
"Come in then."
"I don't want to. Here is good enough." He wasn't going to budge on that one and Alicia wouldn't push it, so they stayed in the hall.
Will had just taped up the fourth box when he heard a knock at his door. He didn't know he had so much stuff in the kitchen, he thought as he walked to the door, knowing who it would be. He opened it carefully and saw a beaming Isabel who barreled into him with a hug. She clung to him and kissed his neck before he could shut the door. He pushed back a bit and she pulled away looking confused. He closed the door behind her and walked through to his couch.
"Hey Isabel." He said as he walked.
"Hi, what's wrong?" She asked him as she followed.
"We should talk about New York." He mentioned while he sat down on his coffee table. She sat down on the couch in front of him.
"Well I see boxes over there, is it about me packing? Because I have started and I don't want you to be worried about how much I have." She giggled a little. Will became nervous. He didn't want to let her down, but he had to. If he was going to pursue something with Alicia in the future when they had already discussed being together then he couldn't be with someone now.
"No, it's not about your packing. Or rather it is, but not exactly." He said softly. She looked confused again, obviously wanting some more information. "I don't think… It's a good idea for you to come to New York with me." He waited for the reaction. He looked at her. Her face was in disbelief for a few seconds, then she closed her eyes and her mouth dropped open, definitely not wanting to hear what she just did.
"You what?" She crossed her legs and arms and looked at Will. He didn't know what to tell her. He could say that he just didn't want to see her anymore and that would be that, but he felt liked he owed her more. He did ask her to move with him after all.
"It just isn't a good time for me. I'll be busy over there and I'll hardly see you. You shouldn't uproot your life here just to be with me when you'll hardly see me." She stood up and paced around for a bit.
"You're telling me that I have been packing up my place and changing everything for school and my address for weeks, for no reason at all?" She started to sound hostile and Will was glad he didn't have any knives out. He stood up with her.
"I'm sorry for all that. If there is anything I can help with that, let me know." He said, trying to make it better.
"Oh you think that'll help? Why did you even ask me if it was just to break it off with me and leave me here?"
"I asked you when I wanted you to come, and now I've given it more thought and it would be best if you stayed here." She paused for a while, Will seeing that she was thinking about something.
"Is this about Alicia?" She put emphasis on her name and Will didn't like to hear it. He hadn't mentioned her and even though it was about her, he didn't like how Isabel jumped to that conclusion.
"No, why would it be? I just need to be alone right now." Damn, he thought. That is one thing you never say when breaking it off with a girl.
"Oh, I see. Okay well you have a great time in New York alone then. That creepy jack-o-lantern guy was right. And say hi to Alicia for me!" She said sarcastically. Will then watched her as she stormed out of his apartment and slammed the front door behind her. He wouldn't go after her, that would defeat the purpose of having her over for their talk. Granted, it didn't go as well as he would have liked but he had broken up with Isabel which was the primary goal. Will felt a little guilty at getting her hopes up about moving, and that she now had to un-do all that she had done to get ready for moving, but he wanted more than anything to have a successful relationship with Alicia and he couldn't be with someone else for six months before it even began. He just wouldn't do that to her, even after everything that had happened.
Will took a few minutes to brush off what had just happened and then started to pack up some more of his things.
"I think I should be the one to tell the kids about us." Alicia told Peter as they stood in at the elevator doors.
"Sure, fine. Just don't tell them that it was just me wanting to end it." He said.
"I'd never do that, Peter. I would never bad mouth you to our children." Alicia felt appalled by him thinking that she would do that.
"Then what should you say to them?"
"Just that you and I are going to get a divorce, I guess." He nodded slowly. "We are definitely getting divorced then?" Alicia quietly asked him. She knew the answer and she had to ask, but she still couldn't bear to hear it.
"Yes. This is a definite. I'm talking to Eli about it tomorrow."
"You'll have to make a statement, right?"
"Yes. I'm not sure when yet. We'll need to sort out more details."
"When will we do that Peter? Are you going to make an appointment for me?" She said with disparagement. He looked at her like he was going to explode. She felt that it really did hurt him to even stand there with her and talk like this.
"I'll have to. We have to sit down for a long time and discuss it all. Now back to the kids. I think they'll want to know how their living arrangement will change, at some point."
"I don't see how it has to. They'll stay here for the majority of the time, and when you're in town, they can stay with you."
"Okay, that works with me." They both nodded and stood there, trying to think of anything else they could discuss.
"I think I've got it. If there is anything I can't answer I'll just let them know they can talk to you, shall I?" Alicia asked Peter, hoping he will continue to be cooperative.
"Yes. I'll be here for them." He paused and looked at her. "I apologize for raising my voice with you." She looked at him right back apologetically herself.
"You don't have to do that, Peter. It isn't necessary."
"I didn't mean to, I was just—"
"Frustrated and angry, I know. It's okay."
"No. It isn't. I don't like to yell at you. It's just a bad time now."
"I understand. You really don't have to explain it." They smiled slightly at each other. Peter took a step back and pushed the button for the elevator once again. Alicia waited with him until it arrived. Peter walked in and hit the ground floor button. Alicia moved to stand in front it and looked at her husband.
"I'm incredibly sorry, more than you know, Peter. I didn't want it to be this way." He took in her words and nodded. "I do love you." She told him, and the doors shut, separating them. Alicia stood there for a minute, fighting the urge to cry. She had to hold it together a while longer so she could speak with Zach and Grace. She walked back into the apartment and closed the door.
"Kids, come out here for a moment." She called out to her kids as she walked into the living room. They both came out and knew that they were going to have a talk. They all took their usual seats when it was something concerning Alicia and Peter. Zach and Grace on the couch and Alicia sitting in front of them on the cushioned coffee table. The kids looked at their mother with sorrowful looks.
"I think you know what's coming." Alicia started. "Your dad and I… We're going to get a divorce." No one said anything. Alicia still held back her tears, trying to stay strong for her kids. Grace wasn't doing well. Alicia clearly saw the tears welling in her eyes. Zach looked understanding.
"I… Um, I…" Zach started to say, not knowing where to go.
"Well what's going to happen between you and dad?" Grace asked her mother, her voice breaking from being so upset.
"Your dad is going to talk to Eli tomorrow about it and then he and I will sit down together and work it all out."
"Eli? Does it really matter that much when he's the governor?" Zach asked.
"It does. Unfortunately, it does matter. He'll have to make a statement eventually." Alicia told her kids.
"Is there really no way you can make it work?" Grace asked.
"Grace, remember what we talked about the other night?" She nodded. "I love your dad, but neither of us can be in this marriage anymore." Grace started to cry. Alicia moved over to her daughter and held her.
"So will you be with Will now?" Zach asked cautiously.
"No, Zach. I won't. This is all so new, there is a lot to sort out." He just nodded his head and looked down at his feet. "I don't feel as though I'm explaining all of this to you very well." Alicia said to them.
"You're going okay, mom. You're doing your best I suppose." Zach said. Alicia felt Grace nod her head and start to lift herself up.
"I love you." Grace said to her mother while wiping tears from her cheeks. Alicia held Grace's face in her hands.
"I love you too, so much. So, so much." Alicia kissed the top of her head and held her once more. "I love you too, Zach." She smiled at her son who got up and moved to sit next to his mom. He wrapped his arms around her and reached far enough to embrace Grace too. Alicia kissed his cheek and they all sat there for a long time. Alicia knew it wouldn't be easy getting through the next few months, but she was cheerful to know that at the end of it all, Will would be there with open arms.
When they family started to break apart, Alicia ordered them a pizza and gave Zach twenty dollars when it arrived. Alicia went to her bathroom and decided to take a very hot shower to relax a small amount. She locked the door behind her and turned on the shower taps. She stripped down and stepped under the water. Immediately she could feel like everything was washing away. Though it felt nice, she didn't want to feel like her marriage was washing away, but it was. She had put so much time and love and energy into it and to end it like this, Alicia was being destroyed. She started to break down in the shower and she let herself go. She dropped to the floor and cried about her entire life. It was rare when she let out everything she had but she took down all her barriers and let herself cry and scream about it.
After Will finished packing up all the utensils and tableware from the kitchen, he decided to call it a night. He ordered himself Thai food, knowing he couldn't use the kitchen anymore, which is was fine about. He wasn't one to use it much in the first place.
He walked his way into his bedroom and sat down on his bed, taking off his shoes. He had just started to take his socks off when his phone rang. He reached into his jeans pocket to answer it. He saw it was Alicia.
"Alicia?" He answered quickly.
"Will?" He could tell she was crying. She was sniffling, he could hear her heavy breathing and she sounded stuffy.
"Alicia, what's wrong?" He asked her seriously.
"I—it's—it's too hard, Will." His heart stopped. Was she saying once again that she couldn't be with him, that Peter was going to be her choice once again? He didn't want to hear it.
"What are you saying Alicia?" He lowered his tone.
"I'm hurting the kids. I—I love them so much. And you so much. And I know you won't hear it, but Peter too and I've ruined everything." She started to heave and catch on her own breath.
"Calm down, Alicia. Breathe, long and deep breaths, okay? You haven't ruined everything." Will understood then. It wasn't a call to say that she couldn't be with him. It was just like they had said, if she called him in tears he'd be there for her.
"I didn't think I'd ever put Grace and Zach through this." She told him.
"I know Alicia, but things happen. You love them and they love you, and even though their parents won't be together anymore, you will both be there for them. They'll be okay." He tried to comfort her, but he didn't know if what he was saying was the right thing.
"Okay. Yes, we're both here." Will heard her start to gain control of her crying.
"I know you can get through this and you'll stay strong."
"Uh huh. Yeah." They both paused. Will waiting to see if she had any more to say.
"Alicia?" He spoke.
"Yes, Will?"
"I love you. I'm always here."
"I love you too. I'm glad you're here. I don't want to have to wait six months, but it's for the best."
"I know. You can always call me. Even if it's in the middle of the night, but you do have to sort through this as a family." Will knew he couldn't be around. Peter would protest and the kids would just be confused and angry. "Six months isn't long. It'll be over before we know it." He reassured her the best he could.
"I know. Will?"
"Yes?"
"Can you just, stay on the phone with me for a while?" She asked softly. Will threw his legs up onto the bed and leaned against the bedhead.
"I'm here for as long as you need me. I'm not going anywhere."