Thanks so much for all your responses to this as well as my other stories. Life has just been hectic lately and I have no idea how I even managed to write this under such a small space but I hate being late on updates. Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter!

Will

He had rushed when he got her phone call and left his mother and Aubrey to watch the rest of the movie whilst he drove to Alicia's house. He had been waiting outside her house for at least a couple of minutes when he saw her come out through the front door, slamming it rather loudly and running towards him. As she got closer he could clearly see her red cried out eyes and he immediately opened his arms taking her in. He placed soft kisses on her forehead and rubbed her arms up and down in a soothing manner trying to calm her down but his heart broke as she cried against his chest. He kept trying to tame it but it was hopeless so he just held her all the more tight halting her from the will to fall to the ground until she finally was able to breathe calmly and as she looked up to meet his gaze his face fell from the sight of her eyes. He wiped away the remaining of her tears and rocked her calmly while she rested the side of her head against his chest.

"Can we go somewhere" she finally said and he tilted his head to the side grasping eye contact.

"Are we aloud to?"

She shrugged "My parents wouldn't care anyway, my father left twenty minutes ago and my mom is…. Well you know how she is" he nodded before grasping in her first words.

"Where's your dad gone?"

"To a motel, as soon as he gets his own place I'm going to stay with him. I AM NOT staying here with her"

"Leesh, don't be like that. I know you and your mother have your differences but she loves you"

"Please Will, I can't deal with this right now. My mind is just spinning and I don't know what to do" her voice broke and more tears started to well up in her eyes. He pulled her against his chest and kissed the crown of her head.

"I know, I'm sorry you have to go through all of this but I'm right here" he said tenderly and felt her grip his t-shirt tighter. "I don't know what to do Will, I can't believe this is happening right now"

"Where do you wanna go?" he asked and felt her shrug

"Anywhere but this shit hole" -he had to laugh at her words.

"I know someplace where it's quiet so you can tell me everything. You should go tell your mom that your leaving or at least tell Owen" she nods before pulling away and throwing him a grateful smile and running off inside.

He waits beside the car for several minutes until he hears what sounds like arguing and then his girlfriend walk out with Veronica following closely behind her. "Don't follow me!"

"Listen young lady, I know you're going through a hard time but that does not give you the right to speak to me in that tone"

She scoffs in fake laughter before brushing past Will in which he stands in the middle of their little tirade dumfounded. "I am serious Alicia, if you leave you're grounded for two weeks"

"Since when did you care about where I go? God knows I could probably walk out for a week and you wouldn't know I had left in the first place"

"That it ridiculous. Come back inside now"

"No!" she yells and he stares sympathetically towards his girlfriend before moving his gaze towards his mother in law. "I'll take care of it, she'll be alright and I'll bring her back home as soon possible"

-"I'm not coming back!"

"Leesh will you just shut up?" he says as soft as he can and turns his attention back to a smirking satisfied Veronica. "I'll get her to change her mind, trust me"

"Thank you Will" she smiles warmly before making her way inside in which he jumps in the car and notices Alicia keep her distance as she gazes outside the window looking pissed.

"Oh come on Alicia, we both know you can never be mad at me for long" he smirks as he notices her unwillingness to smile until he catches her mouth form into a slight grin and she reaches over to the side to slap his shoulder making him laugh.

"Where are we going?" she asked halfway through the drive

"My parent's lake house, it's not far from here" he explained and she nodded off before falling quiet as she day dreamed out the window. He grasps her hand and entwines it with her, rubbing small circles along the veins of her hand; a concept that she is all to familiar with and every now and then she squeezes back for comfort.

When they arrive on the private property she jumps out of the truck avoiding the house and heads straight for the side of the lake. He notes the chilly weather and takes in that it's probably going to rain sometime that weekend so he heads for the front porch of his family's lake house grasping the key under the pot plant and grabs a blanket before making his way towards her as she sits above the grass taking in the view of the small shiny lake. He wraps the red blanket around her shoulders before sitting down and wrapping his arm around her waist. "What happened?"

She sighs deeply and he admires as her eyelashes flutter and shine through the reflections of the sun alongside the shiny waters of the lake. "I got home and they were all in the living room with Owen, I could tell that he was crying. Long story short they told me they were getting a divorce. My mind started to spin and they were talking to me but I couldn't understand anything they were saying, my head started to zone out but then he stood up and walked towards his bags. Owen ran upstairs and my mother followed him, that's when I tried talking to my father but he wouldn't listen. He ignored me the whole time Will" her eyes glistened with tears and he felt his temperature go below zero.

"I was practically begging him to stay or at letting him take Owen and I with him but he just refused and left. He just left." She finishes and digs her head into the tip of her knees wrapping her arms tighter around them. "Why is it that when something good happens another shoe has to drop triggering something awful, someone always has to hurt me"

"Leesh" he pats her shoulder and squeezes her form tighter. "I'm sorry you're going through a tough time, I really am and you know I'm always going to be here. You don't have to go through this alone"

"I know" she whispers and shifts to rest her head against his shoulder softly stroking his chest. "I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here. I'd probably be lying in some ditch somewhere" –her accusation sends him laughing.

"Nah, you'd probably be in some other guy's arms" he jokes and can easily imagine her rolling her eyes. She lifts her head to kiss his jaw and then shifts her head above his heart listening to the rhythm of its slow pounding.

"How's Owen handling all of this?" He asked and feels her sigh.

"He's alright, I talked to him after dad left, it was kind of like he was expecting it except I was the complete opposite. I hadn't even seen it coming." She threw in and he feels his defences, her defences breaking down all around them so he squeezes her tighter. The house of cards that Alicia has built herself in and the stability of her everyday life has suddenly collided into an enormous mess and will likely be this way for the remaining of her parents' marriage.

"Your parents love you Alicia.." –is all he's able to say because even through his façade, he really has no idea what to say, this concept is beyond foreign to him, he's never been through something like this and wishes to never experience the moment of arriving home to your parents telling you they're divorcing. For as long as he's known he's lived in a loving, wonderful home and family. They have their faults like all families but he's always wanted to inherit his parents love into his own persona, he's just never met the right girl, until now.

"I know they do" –she adds "But I'm hurting, Owens hurting and they can't even see that. It's like they were expecting the both of us to presume after all the arguments and awkward moments that they were actually going to divorce" –her voice breaks but she shakes the tears away and he admires how strong she is. "What I don't understand is why they can't just work it out? Why they can't take couples counselling or why the both of them are unable to have a decent conversation with their own children explaining the real reasons of their separation."

"Maybe" –he says softly and pauses. "Maybe we can find all that out sometime tomorrow when you've slept and eaten something. Maybe we can get your mother to talk things out, thoroughly with you and Owen" he throws in the 'we' because he's now, finally grasped onto the fact that when she's hurt he's hurt which means they're in this together. She tilts her head up to kiss his jaw and then gently lays down taking him with her as they lay against the green grass with her head rested on his shoulder.

"This morning when I told you about Georgetown I thought that would be the highlight of my emotional day, turns out, unfortunately I was wrong" she chuckles lightly and he smiles hesitantly before entwining his hand with hers and bringing it up towards the sky.

"So what did your mom say?" he asked and feels her sigh whilst playing with their fingers.

"My father was the one who dropped the ball, then my mother jumped in. She explained that they had both been thinking about it for weeks and that it was what she wanted, you know how she is, when she wants something she'll go for it without giving one thought towards anyone else. She chooses her own happiness before anyone else's"

"You know, if I have to be honest here babe, I think you're being a bit harsh on her, she is your mother and regardless of what you think, she loves you and she's beyond proud of you. I've seen it, the way she helps you with homework or when you told me that she was always there when you had bad dreams as a kid. In retrospect she's probably stuffed half your childhood up but despite you're probably the one that she's most proud of, -no offence to Owen"

"You're supposed to be on my side"

"I am on your side, I'm just trying to have perspective" he replies softly and feels her sigh exhaustedly.

"Do you think they even tried? To make the marriage work" she asked curiously and he shrugs

"Probably, I mean, doesn't all couples at least try and make an effort?"

"Owens gay" she goes completely off topic and her words throw him off the railway track.

"What?"

"My brother. He's gay, he's known ever since last year. He told me and I think my mom knows but my dad doesn't. What do you think he'll do?" she asked

"Your father?" –she nods "I don't know, what do you think he'll do?" he says softly and feels her prop herself on her elbow to make eye contact.

"I have no idea but do you think it's weird? That he's gay" he furrows his brows somewhat offended and shocked immediately shaking his head.

"No, do you?"

"Not really" she shrugs and he smiles through his eyes before pushing a piece of hair behind her ear. "I've always kind of known it, I mean he used to talk about boys a lot so that gave me somewhat of a hint" she explains

"I think in today's generation society is going to have their own opinions about it regardless, maybe even your father but judging from Owen's type of character he doesn't care what society thinks?" he giggles and Alicia smiles at his words.

"Thank you" she said softly sending a plate of confusion spread across his face. She snuggles once again in the warmth of his chest.

"For what?"

"For not…. Judging, for not acting like the rest of them"

"Alicia, I like Owen, even if he can sometimes tend to be annoying, it's obvious he idolises you and you're probably his favourite person on earth"

"I love you" she grins before placing a soft kiss on his lips and resting her head back in the curve of his shoulder. A crafty smile spreads across his face as he replays her words over and over again.

They lay there for what seems like hours talking, whispering, comforting, laughing. She tells him about the day she came home at the age of eight years old where she found her mother throwing a surprise party just for her. She said it wasn't her birthday but Veronica had replied with "Every day is your birthday sweetheart". It was every child's greatest dream to arrive home to a big chocolate cake every Friday afternoon but Veronica had stopped doing it when Alicia was fourteen when the teenager had complained that it produced too much calories. Alicia had to tip her off with that one, her mother may have had her faults including forcing Alicia to drink a glass of wine on her sixteenth birthday but overall she did her best to try and raise two very stubborn kids and a moody teenage girl. A concept that Will had noticed as he carefully listens to her words and tries to picture the scene of a five year old brunette girl and her mother forcing her into doing ballet.

It wasn't until the sun was setting down that they both found themselves in a position where their lips were connected and their teen bodies were craving to be together. They had been kissing for a good thirty minutes until one thing led to another and he gently pulled away. "I think we're getting a little out of hand" he giggled and watched her blow air between her mouth before pulling his face forcing a deep kiss.

"Alicia.." he sighed before pulling away and sitting up taking in the magnificent view of the suns reflections setting on the waters. He felt her sit up beside him and caught her out of the corner of his eye stare at him quizzically.

"I didn't come here for that"

"I didn't think you were" she replied and grabbed his hand grasping his attention.

"I thought you wanted to do this?" she asked somewhat unhappy making him chuckle.

"I did, but that's until you said you weren't ready"

"Will. I said I wasn't ready weeks ago"

"Exactly, so what's changed?" he asked and watched her sigh before moving closer grabbing his full attention.

"Nothing's changed, I still feel the same about you since a month ago when I told you I loved you or two weeks ago when we were on the verge of hooking up in your car" –she smirked "But I just want this, now, I'm ready" she simply replied alerting his mind into what could only be described as a rush. He stared at her summarising his entire feelings and curiosity causing her to giggle before leaning over for a chaste kiss. "Please Will" he feels her press soft kisses along his neck and sighs as he feels her soft lips along his shoulder, her eyes turning hazel through the sun's deep rays. He closes his eyes for a brief moment before opening them and taking in the sweet smile displayed across her features, who was he kidding? He'd never be able to resist that smile.

Alicia

She didn't know how they had gotten to this place of utter bliss filled with nerves and stolen whispers. She had practically begged him before making her way inside the house resulting in Will, finally following her previous footsteps. A few hours ago she was completely heartbroken by her parent's latest announcement and now she had practically forgotten all about it; it was amazing to see what a little conversation with Will Gardnner could do towards her senses. She had to admit she was nervous, they had been dating over two months and within those two months she came to fall in love with him even with some of his flaws. Some people would say it was stupid to be dating someone for only two months and were now sharing a bed but she knew it was different with Will; she had known him for at least two months earlier in which he wasn't just some guy she picked off the backburner.

They reached the living room floor where he carefully laid out cushions and blankets which she found adorable. It was when she delved her tongue into his mouth that all cautiousness ran out and were replaced with eagerness. They slowly undid each other's clothes giggling as he tickled her before falling under the blankets and finding each other's lips once again. She ran her hands through his hair countless times and it was then she recognised this as basically their first actual time, even if that weren't partly true; it was their first time making love to somebody that they actually both deeply loved and cared about.

She admired the fact that he was taking everything slow and letting them both take control while making sure that he had protection and that she felt safe. He kissed her neck numerous times whilst entwining her hands and pinning them above her head and it was when he carefully slid inside her that she expressed a deep moan in his mouth. Each time she opened her eyes he was either gazing down at her or his head was nestled in the curve of her neck and she felt a sudden urge to just squeeze him and not let him go; she wanted this moment to last forever.

"That was…." She paused grasping towards the ceiling

-"Amazing" Will finished and she chuckled before propping up and leaning against his chest with a sheet wrapped around her body.

"Let's stay here" she gestured but knew it was hopeless as he bursted into laughter.

"I'm serious Will, I want to make the most out of this and plus, I'm too comfortable to move" she smirked and he gently shook his head.

"Nice try love, but I promised your mom I'd bring you home and it's getting quite late" he replied and she sighed before resting her head on his shoulder.

"I knew it was hopeless anyway" she murmured much too his amusement

"Will come back again, one day"

"Promise?" she asked and felt him nod

"I promise, sometime in the future anyway" he explained

"And what is that future going to look like Gardner?" she smirked and propped herself up so that she was leaning on his side. She faced him expectantly making him laugh.

"We're going to have our own firm, Gardner, Cavanaugh and associates" –that sent her grinning. "We're going to live someplace out of the city and in the weekends were going to come here without work and go fishing, swimming, cooking…" he trailed off and she giggled at his words.

"What about me? Do I get a say in what's going to happen?" she smirked and he nodded gesturing for her to continue.

"You're going to graduate top of the class" –she started off "You're going to be one of the best attorneys in Chicago and you're going to do probono cases, help the public, -all that stuff. And you're going to work at one of the best law firms in Chicago"

"And you?" he grins

"I'll probably be walking in flats with chubby feet pregnant with your child" her statement sends him exploding in laughter and she joins him leaning her head on his chest in a fit of giggles.

"You're so funny" he jokes much to her amusement. "Okay" he replies once containing himself. "I'll be the best lawyer in this town"

"Promise?" she grins

"Promise"

They do finally gather themselves and dress to some extent looking normal, hair slightly ruffled. He locks the place up and on the way home she sits next to him with her head rested on his shoulder with the both of them unable to contain their wide smiles. "That's my father's car" she said as they pulled up towards her house and felt him tense.

"That car is my mother's" he pointed towards the other one outside the house and she felt worry hollow through her features. She grasped his hand as they walked towards the front door and as she opened the door she was met with her parents and Will's mother sitting in the kitchen worry circulating their heads. She watched Veronica poke her head around the corner and anger fill in her mother's features.

"Where have you been?"

Is everyone okay with mratings? if not, let me know so I am warned! :P

P.s, this is in a different century guys, so Facebook is deducted. -In reply to that special lovely guest reviewer;)