Chapter 1
New Beginnings
Cornell Law School.
These were the giant words displayed on the two hanging banners to both the left and right of the archway. Dropping her head back, Alexandra Cabot overlooked the massive brick building, taking in the architecture as she surveyed her new place of employment.
She couldn't help but immediately feel butterflies in her stomach, fluttering around as if they were trying to break free from a net. Taking in a deep breath, she opened the door to the building, beginning the long walk to her new office.
It's not like she hated her previous job.
On the contrary, she loved what she did. She was a prosecutor for the DA's office for 12 years in the city of New York, prosecuting criminals involved in the trafficking of narcotics. She worked almost exclusively with The Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, working a plethora of felony drug cases throughout her tenure.
And while her career was undoubtedly successful here, she desperately needed a change of pace. Her days were becoming more grueling as the recent spikes in trafficking had accelerated crime tremendously. She barely slept, she barely ate, and she spent more time in the courtroom and her office than she did at home.
It all was just becoming too much.
Not wanting to entirely give up on her passion for law, an old colleague had mentioned to her in passing that there was a new opportunity to teach law students at Cornell University.
So, Alexandra Cabot jumped at the opportunity. And now, here she was – standing before her new office.
Alexandra took a moment to look over the door to the office. "Room 218" was painted carefully on the frosted glass in black lettering with gold trim. Just to right of the door on the wall hung a nameplate reading "Miss Alexandra Cabot, Cornell Law Professor." Reaching her hand up, she carefully ran her fingers across the nameplate, feeling the raised letters as a small smile formed across her lips.
Retreating her hand from the nameplate, she fumbled with her keys in her purse before unlocking her door and finally stepping inside.
Shutting the door behind her, she stood still for just a few moments. There were bookcases upon bookcases of law books and textbooks, filled with notable works in all sectors of law. In the middle of the room, there was a large mahogany desk with a computer and desk lamp, with a large leather chair pushed against the desk. There was also a couch and coffee table in the room, as well as some chairs in front of the desk, end tables, and light decorations.
Once she was done scoping out the layout of her office, Alexandra made her way to the desk, sitting her briefcase down on the top of it as she sat herself in her chair.
After some expected rebooting and troubleshooting, she finally gained access to her computer and pulled up her emails, the school website, and her files. She then reached into her briefcase to pull out a USB drive and stuck it into the computer. Once recognized, she proceeded to open up her draft of the class syllabus as well as lesson plans, homework, and so on and so forth to begin prepping for the semester. She was set to be teaching the 5061 Criminal Law course for first-year law students, which she was rather enthusiastic about.
After about 2-3 hours, an email popped up.
Welcome Welcome, Professor Cabot! – Casey N.
Alex smiled to herself as she quickly saved her documents before opening the email.
Hey Alex!
So, how do you feel?! Are you at your desk right now? How is it? How big of an office did you get? Are you ready for classes in a few days? I can't believe you're actually going to be teaching graduate students about law! They have no idea how lucky they are to have you as their prof! (:
Anyways, let's meet up for lunch soon. I need to know everything!
Miss your face.
– Casey Novak
Ah, Casey Novak.
Casey and Alex had met years ago when they themselves were in law school. They got roomed together during their first two years on campus, and have been best friends ever since. Casey had gone on to work as an attorney for a New York City law firm that specialized in domestic abuse cases. Alex had always admired the work she did.
Laughing to herself, Alex typed up her response.
Hey Casey!
Yes, I'm at my desk right now. So far, so good. The office is fairly spacious, and the décor is lovely. You'll have to come by some day to see it! I'm not quite ready yet, but I should be by Sunday evening. I'm feeling a tad nervous, but Trevor assured me everything will be okay. As always, I appreciate your kindness and efforts to quell my ever-growing nerves.
Yes, let's do lunch this week. Let me know when you're free.
Miss your face more.
– Alexandra Cabot
Ah, Trevor Langan.
Alex had met Trevor 4 years prior during a prolific case involving an international drug trafficking ring. At the time, he had just been reassigned to the office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor from previously working homicide, where he was paired with Alex on a case. Their connection was instantaneous. He was tall, charming, and made her laugh considerably. So shortly after the case was done, they decided to pursue a relationship, which meant Trevor again was reassigned, this time to vice. And here they were, 4 years later still going strong.
Alex decided to work several more hours on the syllabus before finally packing it up and heading home. She hummed to herself as she locked up her new office, again touching the nameplate before driving to the brownstone she and Trevor called home.
"Sweetheart, I'm home!" Alex yelled through the house, locking the door before removing her shoes and placing her briefcase and purse by the door. She could smell the aroma of food being cooked in the kitchen.
Peeking his head out from the doorframe of the kitchen, Trevor gave a smile as he welcomed his girlfriend home.
"Hi, honey! How was it?"
"Oh, just fine for now," Alex responded, making her way to the kitchen. Once she entered, she caught eyes with Trevor, who was sporting an apron and chopping up some onions and mushrooms.
Smiling at her again, Trevor spoke his next words. "And it will continue to be fine. You're going to do great!"
Alex, smiling back at her boyfriend, made her way over to him and wrapped her arms around him from behind as she laid her head against his back.
"Mmm, what in the world are you cooking? It smells delightful."
"Your favorite, of course. Seared steak with sautéed onions and mushrooms with a side of garlic bread and Caesar salad." Tossing the onions and mushrooms into the skillet to begin sizzling, Trevor wiped his hands on the side of his apron before turning around and facing Alex, wrapping her in his own embrace as he gave her some soft and tender kisses.
"Oh, I don't deserve you. You're too kind," Alex beamed, reaching up for a few more kisses.
"Yes, you do deserve me. You're a wonderful woman, Alexandra Cabot."
Alex couldn't help but blush, burying her face against Trevor's chest. "And you're a wonderful man, Trevor Langan."
Trevor held her tightly to him for just a few moments before kissing the top of her head and returning to his management of the food cooking on the stove.
"Go on up and get comfy, then come down here and have dinner with me. I want to hear all about your lesson plans before you start on Monday! I'm so proud of you," Trevor called to Alex, both of them smiling as she retreated upstairs to prepare for a loving evening with her supportive boyfriend.
