Chapter 12

Part of Alicia was surprised. And yet, another part of her was thankful. She and Will were finally on the same page.

Except they had one roadblock. A pretty major one at that.

Peter.

Alicia tried to shut Peter out of her mind as she turned the key in the lock of the front door to her apartment. She smiled to herself as she walked in, and then got startled by Grace saying "Hi mom!" from the living room.

Alicia paused for a second, then put her keys down on the table next to the door and walked into the kitchen. "Hi…Grace," Alicia said slowly. "You said you were staying with dad tonight."

"Well," Zach said, making himself visible by sitting up on the couch, "The State Dinner stuff was interesting, and then he got a phone call. That he stayed on for, like, more than fifteen minutes. He didn't look like he was hanging up anytime soon, so we came back here."

"Politics isn't always as interesting as it sounds," Alicia said, smiling. In the time that it took her to pour herself a glass of water and turn back towards the kitchen island, Zach and Grace had already stood up and walked into the kitchen.

"Mom? What's going on?" Zach asked, curious. He crossed his arms a few seconds after his little sister.

"What?" Alicia took another sip of water. "Nothing's going on. What are you talking about?"

"Are you sure?" Grace asked, smiling. "Because the last time you walked in with that look on your face was when Will woke up from his coma."

"Is it something to do with Will?" Zach continued.

"I'm not going to tell you," Alicia said, even though part of her wanted to tell Zach and Grace that she wanted to be with Will. But she didn't want to put them in an awkward place with Peter, since she wasn't planning on telling him anytime soon. "I don't want to place you in an awkward situation."

"It is something to do with Will! Come on, mom!" Grace whined. "Now you're just making us want to hear it even more! What is it? Please?" she continued, pulling a puppy face.

"Come on, mom. Please?" Zach repeated.

Alicia didn't reply, taking a sip of water instead while she contemplated her options. Number one. Make up a lie. Number two. Refuse to say anything and try to change the subject. Number three. Just tell them.

Alicia decided to try number two. "You know what? I'm really tired right now, and I think I'm going to go take a shower."

"You're trying to change the subject!" Grace accused.

"I'm allowed privacy, just as you are," Alicia replied, placing her water glass next to the fridge. "Mom, come on, please?" Grace said again.

Alicia whirled around. "If you ask me one more time, I'm taking away computer privileges." She continued talking as Grace and Zach opened their mouths to protest. "No buts, please," she finished. And with that, she walked out of the kitchen and into her bathroom to take a hot shower.

Back in the living room, Zach and Grace sat down next to each other on the couch. They were both watching the TV screen as Zach flipped through channels. But they couldn't find anything interesting – neither of them really wanted to watch Hannibal.

Zach switched off the TV and sighed. "Zach?" Grace asked, turning her head.

"Yeah?" he replied.

"What do you think mom's not telling us?"

"I have no clue," Zach replied, trying to think. "It's got to be something to do with Will, right?"

"Oh, totally," Grace replied enthusiastically. "But what about dad?"

"I really don't know. I mean, I don't think they'll get together again soon, not that dad's governor now. And she's the First Lady."

"True," Grace replied. "But I still think she's in love with Will."

"You sure?" Zach asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Grace said assertively. "It's almost like Will being shot has changed something for her…and did you see her face when we asked about Will? She totally tried to change the subject!"

"I know!" Zach said, completely in agreement. "But if they got back together, I wouldn't be surprised, you know?"

"Me neither," Grace replied. "Let's just try not to laugh like we predicted right if it does happen."