Chapter 23

Will felt a tiny pang of sadness as he read Alicia's text.

Just realized I can't do dinner next Friday. Have to go to State Dinner. I'm so sorry. –A

That tiny pang of sadness was followed by a tiny pang of annoyance. Towards Peter. But he knew that expressing that wouldn't be worth it, so he texted back.

No worries…are you free any other day next week?

As he cleaned up the utensils and dishes he had used for his breakfast, he checked his phone multiple times and discovered each time that Alicia hadn't replied. Finally, after about twenty minutes, Alicia texted back.

I'm not sure – a few new cases just came into Florrick/Agos yesterday. Will sighed as another text popped in.

But I need to talk to you sometime soon. Today if possible.

Okay, do you want to call me right now? Will texted back, anxious to know what had made Alicia sound so urgent.

I'd rather do it in person since it will affect a lot of people. Zach and Grace are going to friends' houses for a few hours this morning – want to come over in an hour?

Without hesitating, Will texted back, See you in an hour .

Shortly after Grace and Zach had driven away, Alicia heard a knock on the door and, to her relief, she found Will (and not Peter) on the other side. "Hey," she said.

"Hey," he replied. Alicia motioned for him to come in, and once she had poured him a cup of coffee and told him to sit down at the kitchen island, he asked, "Are you going to sit down?"

"No, because I'm too fidgety and my brain is going in a million different directions," Alicia said. She took a deep breath, looked straight into Will's eyes, and continued, "I have two things to tell you. Number one, I told Zach and Grace about us. Number two, I'm going to file for divorce from Peter."

Will was so stunned he almost choked on his water. He managed to swallow and take in air for a split second before he said, "What?"

"You heard me," Alicia said, being totally serious. "I've decided that I can't take any more from Peter. Not after everything five years ago."

"Was it only the stuff from five years ago that brought this on? Cause I'm assuming not," Will said, knowing that Alicia would understand what stuff he was talking about.

"You're right, it wasn't," she replied nervously, "When Peter got elected for governor, I thought I was happy again. But ever since then, and especially since you got shot, I…I began to realize that I still had feelings for you and that Peter was still the same secretive jerk that he was five years ago."

Will, surprised that Alicia was openly badmouthing Peter, said, "How did Zach and Grace take it?"

"Which part? You or the divorce?"

"Me, I guess?" Will said, trying not to sound impolite. Luckily, Alicia understood, smiled, and said, "They're on board with it. They said that they want me to be happy. However, they told me that they were suspicious that you and I had gotten back together."

Will chuckled, and said, "You have two very smart children, Alicia."

"I do," Alicia affirmed, "I do. Which reminds me – they want you to come over sometime tomorrow, like, for lunch or dinner and some games or a movie so they can start to see you more often. What do you think?"

Will smiled, and said, "That sounds lovely. I'll show up tomorrow at 6pm with my favorite beer and a couple of my favorite games. Do I need to bring food?"

Alicia smiled back, happy that he had accepted, and told him, "No, I will cook, but make sure there is enough beer for me too."

"Believe me," Will said, standing up and walking around the counter to take Alicia's hands in his. "I will make sure of that." He gave her a passionate kiss but was interrupted after a few seconds by Alicia's ringtone. Alicia frowned when she saw Peter's name on the screen. "Sorry," she said as she hit answer. But she didn't move away from Will one bit as she said, "Morning, Peter," in a slightly annoyed tone.

"Morning to you too, Alicia," Peter replied, looking over his shoulder at Eli who was waving some tablecloth colors at him for the State Dinner. Peter pointed to a navy blue color, at which point Eli exited the room and he spoke again. "I didn't get a response to your text, so I was calling to see when you could come in."

Alicia, suddenly thinking of a brilliant plan, replied, "You know, Peter, I'm really busy this weekend, so can I stop in on Monday around noon?"

"Sure. Do you want me to have some lunch prepared too?"

"Sure," Alicia replied, "See you tomorrow. Bye." And with that, she abruptly hung up, leaving Peter slightly confused on the other end.

"Why did you say Monday? And are you still planning on going to the State Dinner?" Will asked, now curious at what Alicia was plotting. He could see it in her eyes.

"Because the kids are away today, I want to spend some time with you, and I won't be showing up to the meeting on Monday or the State Dinner."

"Why?" Will asked, beginning to think that Alicia was going a little crazy. He was about to ask further questions but Alicia was already dialing someone else on her phone. Whoever it was picked up quickly.

"Hi David, it's Alicia. How soon can you draw up divorce papers?"

"Are we talking you and Peter?" David Lee asked, seeking confirmation. After Alicia told him yes, he said, "I can have them ready for you Monday morning?"

"Great, thank you so much. And David?"

"Yes?"

"Please have them delivered to Peter's office around noon on Monday. And thank you very much."

"Will do, Alicia. Good day," David Lee said, hanging up the phone. He wasn't sure what Alicia was plotting with the specific delivery and all, but he had always had a high level of respect for her, so he didn't pry and went straight to work.