This the story of how Alicia Florrick spent her 60th birthday without her family.
Alicia's earliest memory is her mother, Veronica, putting her hand on Alicia's chest and gently but firmly pushing her away. Alicia must've been a toddler, she doesn't remember the context but she always knew her mom rejected her. Had she asked her parents about it, they would've told her that after having Owen, Veronica suffered from migraines and wanted to be alone, so her husband, Frederick 'Freddie' Cavanaugh, took the kids out of the apartment for an hour or two. Usually to the park or the navy pier. Anything that was free.
Alicia Cavanaugh was the most miserable girl at the water park. Her family traveled to Wisconsin Dells for a long weekend of fun with water slides, sun bathing and ice cream; unfortunately, Alicia got her period for the first time.
"Getting your period isn't a big whoop." Veronica told her 13 years old daughter. "It's going to happen to you every month for the next 40 years, so it's better if you get used to the idea. You'll be fine, come one, chin up." Veronica lifted Alicia's face. "You'll figure out if you like to use tampons or pads. Don't let any girl shame you for it."
Alicia frowned. Do girls do that?
"Now, what's more important here its that your body is going to change. Your hormones are going to get wild and you're going to want to have sex."
"What?" Alicia looked around to make sure no one else heard what her mom just said. "Mom, please."
"It's okay sweetie. You'll meet a boy and you're going to want to sleep with him. It's perfectly normal. I lost my virginity at 14 to very handsome boy. Billy Bob, I still remember his chest."
Alicia wondered if she jumped in the pool, could she drown to avoid this conversation.
"Anyways, you always have to make sure you're using protection. Teenage pregnancies are not fun. Also, don't let anyone pressure you to have sex. Only you decided who to have sex with, okay?"
"Yeah, okay."
"Okay, when a penis gets erect-"
At 16 years old Alicia stared at her Portillo's chocolate cake milkshake, she didn't think she could finish it, the milkshake seemed too indulgent, too sweet, they actually put a piece of cake in it! Also, it was very suspicious that her parents brought her and her brother Owen to the restaurant just to get a milkshake. The last time her parents did this was because Grandma died. Something was wrong here.
"Kids, there's something we have to tell you." Veronica said to her children. "Your father and I are getting a divorce."
"What?" Alicia was the first one to react. "What are you talking about? Dad?"
"It's true sweetheart." Freddie Cavanaugh said. "There are going to be some changes but we're still a family and I still love you both."
"What changes?" Alicia asked them.
"Your father is moving out by the end of the month." Veronica answered. "It's gonna be just us three in the house."
"This is so unfair." Alicia stood up. "I don't care but how can you do this to Owen? He's just a kid."
The teenager pointed at her little brother who had remained quiet. The boy started to cry. "Who...who is going to help me with my wood shop class?"
"See?!" Alicia said.
"Buddy, buddy, don't cry." Freddie hold his son's hand from across the table. "We'll finish the birdhouse, don't worry."
"This is...this is...horse crap! I'll wait in the car." Alicia left the table and went outside the restaurant.
"Sweetie, please." Veronica called her.
"I'll go talk to her." Freddie followed Alicia outside the restaurant, the teenager was leaning against the car with her arms crossed.
"Are you okay?"
"I told you I don't care."
"Right, that's why you storm out the restaurant." Freddie leaned against the car too.
"I didn't." the girl was obviously frustrated.
"I know it's a lot to take in, Leesy. But we all have to adapt to our new circumstances."
"Why do you have to move out?" Alicia asked. "You can still live in the house, you don't have to share a room with mom."
"Alicia, you know that's not possible."
"It's not fair dad. You can leave us with mom, she is all over the place. She won't remember to pick us up or paid the bills. Is mom making you divorce her?"
"She's not making me do anything, we both agree on this. I know your mom can be chaotic but she's a good mom, give her some credit." Freddie put her arm around his daughter. "I'll be just one phone call away. You can always visit me at work or my new apartment. You'll always have your family by your side."
Alicia looked at her closet again, then at her suitcase again. "Maybe this one." She grabbed a green sweater from the closet, folded it and put in her suitcase.
"You're never going to finish packing that way." Owen entered her room.
"I don't know what to wear. What do people wear in college?"
"The same clothes as in high school?" Owen jumped on her bed. "Can I have your room?"
"No. You have your own room."
"But the pipes are always making weird noises." He complained. "Besides, what do you care? You're in a rush to leave. You graduate this morning and you're already packing your bag."
"I'm not giving you my room."
"Can I have your Wham poster?" Owen looked at the photo of George Michael and sighed. "He would look great in my room."
"There is my college girl!" Veronica entered the room and took a candid photo. "I'll tell you, I didn't think you'd graduate high school."
"What?"
"Not because you're dumb, but because you're too smart. I thought you'd drop out and find something else to do."
"Well, I didn't drop out." Alicia was used to her mom making weird comments about her.
"See? You're taking the wrong way." Veronica snorted. They heard a car horn outside.
"That's dad!" Alicia hurried up and closed her suitcase. "I gotta go."
Veronica sighed as she saw her girl leave.
"Can I have Alicia's room?" Owen asked.
"Yeah, sure."
"Thanks for everything dad." The teenager told her father. "I know the plane ticket isn't cheap. And once school starts I can get a part time job, so when I come back for Thanksgiving I can pay for my own ticket."
"I don't want you to worry about money, Leesy." Fred reassured her. "Your only focus in being a good student then getting into law school."
"Okay, dad."
"I do wish you've stay one last summer. We could've gone to the pier, to a ball game."
"We can do it next year."
"You'd be an adult then." Freddie told her. "You're going to be all business. I can tell."
There was a big storm over Georgetown. The rain was coming down hard and Alicia had forgotten her umbrella in her apartment.
"Need help?" A tall young man approached her. He was holding a big black umbrella.
"I…" Alicia recognized him, he was a teacher's assistant in one of her classes. "It 's okay."
"Are you sure?" He looked up "I don't think it will clear up anytime soon. Where are you going?"
"The library."
"I'm going that way too." He gave her a smile.
"Okay." the young woman agreed.
"You should get closer to me." He said. "I mean, so the umbrella can protect you."
"Right." Alicia got closer to him. "Thanks."
"No problem."
As Alicia walked to the library with the mysterious gentleman she missed her fellow schoolmate Will Gardner waving at her, he had an umbrella too and he was on his way to help her. Shoot! Maybe next time.
"I'm Peter by the way."
"I'm Alicia."
"I know. I graded a couple of your papers in professor Lynn class. You always sit in the first row."
"I like his class."
They walked through the campus, the smell of fresh grass and rain was in the cold air.
"Where are you from?" Peter asked her.
"I'm from Chicago."
"Hey, me too." He smiled. "What high school did you go to?"
"Lincoln Park."
"Wow! You're the real thing." He smiled again at her, and she noticed it. The early awkwardness was fading away.
"What school did you go to?" She continued the conversation.
"Capstone Preparatory school."
"That's a fancy school." Alicia raised her eyebrows "Oh! I didn't mean anything by that".
"It's okay, it is a fancy private school. My dad went to the same school. I barely graduated and they started sending me letters asking when I'm gonna enroll my children. They call us 'legacy kids.'"
"I'm not sending my kids to Lincoln." Alicia blurted out.
"Good to know. So that means you're going back to Chicago? To practice?"
"I…sure. I had a summer internship with Schulz and Associates. They said they'll give me a job when I pass the bar."
"It's a good firm. A nice place to start." Peter told her. "I'll graduate soon and I have several offers ready."
"Not to brag, right?"
"Well, I'm a fancy boy from fancy school."
That got a chuckle from Alicia.
"Well, here we are." They arrived at the library.
"Thank you." Alicia noticed how Peter was looking at her. There was a spark between them, was he gonna try to kiss her?
"Keep the umbrella. In case you need it later" Peter said.
"I can't, it's yours. You're gonna get wet."
"I'll be fine." Peter shrugged. "Besides, it gives me an excuse to see you later."
He winked at her and walked into the rain.
Alicia saw Peter a couple of times at class, then he invited her to a party where they talked some more and had a couple of beers. "I'll see you in Chicago" he told her before leaving Georgetown.
Alicia stared at the judge clerk who was clearly stalling. "Listen, it's a simple motion for continuance. Why the fuss?" Alicia and her coworker were at the circuit judge office.
"I'm just checking, you rookies always make mistakes." The clerk replied. "I'm saving you a second trip to fix your mistakes."
"Good luck buddy. Alicia writes her motions better than the Supreme Court." the coworker said. Alicia felt proud to be recognized in a short time working as a lawyer.
"Alright, alright." The clerk stamped the document. "Here's your copy."
"Thank you." The lawyers stepped out of the office and were on their way back to their car when a familiar voice called her by her name.
"Hey Alicia!" It was Peter Florrick.
"Oh!" Alicia smiled when she saw him. He was wearing an impeccable blue suit, his black hair combed back, he even seemed taller than she remembered. "Hi Peter."
The coworker looked at them staring at each other and made the best choice. "I'll wait in the car"
"When I heard that Schultz hired the valedictorian from Georgetown I thought it must be Alicia."
"Yeah, that was me." Alicia felt the spark again.
"I figured I'll run into you eventually." Peter said.
"Eventually? You could've called the office and asked for me." Alicia said with a flirting tone. Peter cocked his head. He was thinking about his next move.
"Go out with me."
"Are you asking me or telling me?"
"I got tickets for the Bulls game. This Sunday."
Alicia wasn't expecting that. She frowned. "Uh"
"You don't like the Bulls?" Peter noticed her lack of excitement.
"Everybody in Chicago loves the Bulls" Alicia didn't care for the Bulls. Or any sport. She knew a little bit of baseball because of her dad but that was it.
"It'll be fun. I promise." There was that look again. It wasn't puppy eyes, it wasn't lust. What was it?
"Okay. I'll go out with you."
"Great." Peter pulled a pen and small notebook from his pocket. "Give me your address. I'll pick you up at 6."
"Uhm…Or I can meet you at the stadium?" Alicia suggested. "My living situation isn't ideal."
"What do you mean?"
"I was living in an apartment with my roommate but she got pregnant and her fiance moved in, so I had to move out…And momentarily I'm living with my mom. And my brother is in the house too for some reason."
"You don't want me to meet them?"
"No, no, it's not that...well... They can be too much."
"Alicia, I don't scare easily." Peter said confidently, Alicia liked that. She gave him her address and met with her coworker in the parking lot.
"I didn't know you were into nepotism." the other lawyer smirked at Alicia.
"What?"
"Peter Florrick, his dad is a judge." She told Alicia. "You didn't know?"
"Yeah, he mentioned before."
It was Sunday and Alicia was getting ready for her date with Peter, she wasn't sure about her outfit. She left her room and knocked at her brother's door.
"Owen, are you busy?"
"Nah, come in." Owen was laying on his bed reading a book. "What's up sis?"
"I'm going to the Bulls game."
Owen laughed "Why?"
"I have a date."
"Oooooh. Tell me more." Owen perked up.
"I met him in Georgetown." Alicia sat down on the bed.
"Is he the guy you told me about?"
"No, he's in Baltimore helping out his dad's business." She shook his head. "Anyway, this guy is a lawyer too, he's older. His name is Peter."
"Okay."
"But I can figure out why a Bulls' game for our first date?"
"Alicia, oh my God. It 's the finals! They're up 3-2, if they win tonight they're champions." Owen said. "Even I know that."
"But still weird for a first date, no?"
"It depends. Where are you sitting?"
"I dunno." Alicia shrugged.
"Okay. If he got tickets for the bleachers, whatever, it means he just wanted to go to the game and date you. Two birds, one stone." Owen grabbed Alicia by the shoulders "But if he got tickets near court side…He wants to impress you. He wants you to know he has connections and money. Baby, I can take you anywhere!"
Alicia laughed. "What have you been reading? Jackie Collins' novels?"
"Well, I'm bored."
"Why aren't you going out Owen?"
"I'm working hard on my thesis. That's all." Owen leaned back on his bed pillows. "I was too distracted in the city. Staying home helps me concentrate."
"Right." Alicia wasn't sure why Owen moved back, but she had a bad feeling about it.
"Anyway, is that what you're wearing to the game?"
Alicia looked down at her blouse. "I guess. I wasn't so sure."
"You're wearing blue, you can't wear blue to a Bulls' game." Owen got up and took Alicia's hand. "Come on, I know what you can wear."
They went to their mom's room. Owen opened the closet. "This!"
"Mom's red jacket?" Alicia took the jacket.
"Yeah, and a white top. You'd be perfect."
They heard the front door being opened. "That's mom."
"Owen, wait." Alicia pulled him closer. "Don't tell mom about my date."
"Alright. Now go change"
"Hey kid, how are you?" Veronica gave Owen a kiss."How's your day?"
"It was good mom, how was work?"
"Awful, people are awful."
Their home was a small house, the living room and the kitchen were together only separated by the kitchen island and on the other side were the stairs leading to the second story.
"I'm gonna start cooking dinner mom. What do you want?" Owen told Veronica.
"I want a diet coke." She sat down on the couch. She saw Alicia coming down."Don't you look pretty today. Where are you going?"
"I'm going to the Bulls' game with some friends. Can I borrow your jacket?"
"Sure, go ahead sweetheart."
Owen gave Veronica the diet coke, she put it on her forehead.
"Why are you working at a Jewel, mom?" Alicia asked.
"It's honest work." Veronica replied. "I didn't go to college like you two. I don't mind being a cashier, except on Sundays. Why does everyone want to do groceries on Sundays?"
"I think…Never mind." Alicia didn't want to argue. She thought her mom was capable of getting a better paid job or her own business but she thought Veronica didn't want to put in the effort. The doorbell rang. "Oh, that's for me. See you later." Alicia rushed to the door.
"Have fun, sweetie!" Veronica said.
"I'll watch the game and see if I can spot you." Owen told her as she walked by him.
Alicia opened the door, there was Peter wearing a red sweatshirt.
"Hey, we're matching."
"Of course. It's a Bulls' game." She smiled. "Let's go."
They arrived at the Chicago Stadium, the place was packed with Bulls fans, the atmosphere was electric. The usher asked Peter for his tickets and then pointed at their seats, they were court side. Alicia, who didn't care for basketball, cared that night as she saw Michael Jordan steal the ball twice and scored to give the Bulls the lead in the fourth quarter. With the final buzzer the stadium erupted in cheers. Peter and Alicia left the stadium after the award ceremony, they could see fireworks going off in the city, cars honking and people hugging each other. When they arrived at the car, Peter gave her that look again, Alicia felt the spark again; they finally kissed. Peter held her close to him, Alicia ran her hands through Peter's hair. Then he whispered "Come to my apartment tonight."
"I…can't" Alicia said while Peter continued to kiss her neck.
"Why not?"
"Because…" Alicia couldn't think of a response. She wanted him so much. "Let's go to your place."
Meanwhile in the house, Owen and Veronica were in front of the TV. They didn't watch the game like they said they would.
"I think I can hear fireworks. I guess the Bulls won" Owen commented, he looked over at Veronica who was asleep on the couch. Owen turned off the TV, then put a blanket over Veronica. "Goodnight mom."
Alicia got home at 6 am, she tried to be quiet when she entered the house. She saw the time, she needed to be at work in 3 hours, so she started the coffee machine.
"Good morning, sweetie."
"Jesus Christ, mom!" Alicia put her hand on her chest. "You scared me."
"Sorry." Veronica yawned. "Did the Bulls win?"
"Yeah, they won mom."
"Did you have fun?"
"I did." Alicia tried to hide her smile.
"Good. I'm gonna take a shower." Veronica gave Alicia a kiss on the cheek and went upstairs. Alicia poured herself a cup of coffee.
"You didn't come home last night." Owen said as soon as he saw her. "You slut!"
"Owen!"
"I'm joking, sis. I'm just surprised you actually live a little. You're so uptight." Owen gave her a little nudge. "Are you seeing him again?"
"I'm seeing him tonight."
"Oooh, that means the sex was good."
Alicia blushed. "That's none of your business! Let's change the subject please."
"To what?"
"Why was mom sleeping on the couch?"
"She was tired." Owen just shrugged.
"Listen Owen, it's not your job to take care of mom." Alicia said very seriously. "Is that why you moved back in? Because of her? She's an adult, she can take care of herself."
"Oh my God." Owen got annoyed. "I moved back because I needed to focus on school, when I was in the apartment I was too distracted, too many parties. That's all. Also, what's wrong with taking care of mom?"
"You can take care of her when she's old, not now."
"I see. You're already planning to leave me with her in 30 years."
Alicia shook her head. "I gotta go to work and I guess you have school today."
"My class starts until 11"
"Alright, then you make breakfast."
Alicia read the "SOLD" sign hanging on the fence of her mom's house. It wasn't her childhood home but it had been home for the last 10 years.
"Are you okay, babe?" Peter stepped out of the car. "Need some time?"
They were there for a family dinner party. Saying goodbye to the house.
"I'm okay. I just don't understand mom, she has always been impulsive but why sell the house now? She got it in the divorce, it's her house she can do whatever she wants with it but now she's gonna pay rent somewhere else?"
"Does she need the money?"
"I don't think so. It doesn't matter" Alicia sighed. "Are you ready to meet my dad?"
Alicia led Peter to the backyard where the rest of the family was already gathering. Veronica and her boyfriend with the snacks, Owen on the grill and Alicia's dad making the drinks.
"Daddy!" Alicia gave him a big hug.
"Hey Leesy!"
"Dad, I would like you to meet Peter Florrick." Alicia put her hand on Peter's shoulder. He extended his hand to greet Fred.
"Nice to meet you sir."
"Nice to meet you Pete." They shook hands.
"I prefer Peter, sir. If you don't mind."
"Alright, I prefer Freddie, none of that 'sir' stuff." The older man said with a smile. "Come on, what are you having?
"We brought beer" Peter showed him the six pack of beer.
"We're gonna be friends, Peter."
The family sat down to eat. "A toast." Veronica raised her glass. "For this wonderful house. It was nice living here. Seeing my kids become adults here."
"A lot of good memories here Ronnie." Freddie added.
"A lot of good memories, indeed" The divorced couple shared a look between them.
"Anyway, have you found an apartment, Alicia?" Veronica asked her daughter sitting across the table.
"I've seen a couple of places." Alicia replied. "I'm looking for something relatively close to the office."
"But you don't have a place yet?" Freddie asked with concern.
"She'll stay with me, Freddie." Peter replied.
"Just for a while." Alicia quickly said. "It's easier that way. You know, with mom's short notice."
"Ah, you're gonna live in sin." Owen joked and Alicia gave him a mean look.
"Ronnie and I lived together before getting married." Freddie leaned back on his chair. "it's perfectly normal."
"No one mentioned marriage, dad." The young lawyer looked at Peter. He wasn't nervous or blushing.
"I'm just helping her." Peter put her arm around Alicia. "And I don't mind having her close."
"What a gentleman." Veronica's boyfriend said.
"Well, nobody asked but I'm going to California Polytechnic to get my master's degree. So..." Owen told the party.
"Hey congratulations!" Alicia gave him a hug. "Proud of you."
"Thank you"
After the party was over, Freddie stayed to help Ronnie clean up. They sat down at the edge of the patio.
"Another?" Veronica offered him another beer.
"No, I'm good. Besides, my doctor told me I can't drink too much."
"Okay"
Freddie rubbed the back of his head. "Veronica, I really appreciate what you're doing for me."
"Don't mention it."
"I mean it. Work is drying out right now, and the doctor told me I have to pay for all these tests. I'll pay you back, I promise."
"Hey Fred. Don't mention it. This was our house, I don't mind selling it and giving you some of the money. And I wanted to downsize anyway."
"I worry about the kids"
"The kids will be fine." Veronica took a sip from her beer. "Just don't tell them right away about your heart."
"What's the deal with Alicia and that guy?" Freddie asked. "They're moving in together."
"I don't think they're gonna last. I don't see Alicia falling for a Mr. Big Shot like him. She needs the opposite, a guy like you."
"Wow, thanks"
Veronica nudged him. "You know what I mean. You're a humble blue collar kind of man."
"And Owen?"
"What about him?
"Come on Ronnie, you're his mom. If he has told anyone it is you." He said very seriously. "He's a homosexual, right?"
"Damn it." Veronica stood out and walked around the backyard.
"He is, right?" Freddie got up and followed her. "What happened? Why did he move in with you?"
"Owen doesn't want you to know."
"Veronica, please."
"His roommate beat him up." Veronica held the tears "He showed up in the middle of the night with a black eye and a bloody nose. He was crying and saying: 'Mom, I love him and he hit me.'"
"And you didn't tell me?"
"He didn't want you to know!" She said once more. "And he's fine, he's heartbroken but he's doing fine now. He's going to California, the west coast is friendly to gay men"
"Nowhere is friendly to gays, they still beat them on the street. And AIDS hasn't gone away. I don't want my boy to…" Fred grabbed his chest. "Oh"
"Hey, hey, are you okay?" Veronica put her arms around her ex husband: "Sit down."
After a minute or two Fred felt normal again. "I should've had just ginger ale tonight"
Veronica grabbed his face and gently kissed him. "We're all gonna be alright, Freddie."
Meanwhile at Peter and Alicia's apartment the couple was getting ready for bed.
"I think the party went well, right?" Peter sat down on the bed and started to remove his shoes.
"Yeah, It was fun." Alicia answered from the bathroom, she was brushing her teeth. "I think dad likes you."
"He's a good man." Peter replied. "Hey...I had a chance to talk to your brother while he was flipping the burgers. I was wondering...is your brother...you know."
"What?"
"You know." Peter raised his eyebrows. "I asked him if he had any girlfriends and he chuckled. Is Owen gay?"
"Peter, I don't speculate about my brother's personal life." Alicia replied with an angry tone.
"No, of course not. I was just wondering. It's alright if he is."
"I don't want to discuss this." Alicia told him as she brushed her teeth more intensity. She suspected Owen was gay but he hadn't say anything to her. She wasn't going to out him.
"I think my sister is...you know...a lesbian." Peter said. Alicia popped her head out of the bathroom.
"Your what?"
"My sister Ann."
Alicia was confused. "I'm sorry, I thought you were an only child."
"I'm not. I have an estranged sister. I haven't talk to her in years. She hates my parents, so one day she just left and never come back. My parents act like she never existed, we never talk about her, my mom removed her photos."
In retrospective, this should've been a red flag for Alicia. The Florricks were the kind of family who could just pretend a member of their family never existed. Instead Alicia was moved by Peter's vulnerability. She sat next to him and held him. "I'm sorry."
2 little red lines in the pregnancy test, Alicia read the instructions again. How did this happen? Was that one time we came back from the party, sort of drunk?
"Babe?" Peter was waiting, sitting down on their bed. Alicia came out of the bathroom, she was pale.
"I'm pregnant." Her voice barely came out.
"Oh." Peter smiled from ear to ear. "Let's get married" He wasn't asking.
"I…" Alicia stared at her boyfriend. "I need to call my dad."
The lawyer went to the living room and used the landline to call her dad.
"Hello?"
"Daddy, daddy. Thank god."
"What's wrong sweetie?" Freddie heard the anguish in her daughter's voice.
"I don't know what to do. I'm pregnant." she said. "And I guess Peter wants to marry me. But being pregnant isn't a good reason to get married."
"What about love, Alicia? Do you love him?" Alicia turned around to see Peter leaning against the bedroom door frame. He was still smiling, he was calm. "I do".
"Then there's your answer, Alicia. Congratulations by the way."
"Thanks dad. I gotta go, don't tell mom yet! Bye!"
"Alicia, would you marry me?" Now Peter was asking.
"Yes!"
It was wedding day for Peter and Alicia, less than an hour for the ceremony. Alicia looked at herself on the mirror wearing her very white wedding dress.
"Uff." She took a deep breath and exhale.
"You look beautiful sis." Owen told her with a big smile.
"Really?" Alicia put her hands on her abdomen. "Can you tell I'm pregnant?"
"Come on." Owen rolled his eyes. "You're not the first and you won't be the last woman who gets married this way. Nobody cares. Besides, be grateful that your boobs are gonna look amazing on the wedding photos."
Alicia laughed. "You always looks on the bright side."
"Yeah, sure." Owen suddenly got choked up, he turned away from Alicia. "Goddammit."
"Are you okay?" Alicia never liked seeing her little brother crying. "What's wrong?"
"It's your day, I shouldn't cry on your day." Owen wiped away his tears.
"You're not ruining anything, tell me what's wrong?"
"No one is gonna love me like Peter loves you."
"Don't say that."
"Alicia, I'm gay." Owen confessed. "I'm never going to find anyone who loves me, anyone who wants to spend his life with me."
"I promise you will find that person, like I found Peter."
"You can't promise that." Owen said. "But I appreciate the sentiment. Now, let's get you marry."
Not quite 9 months later after the wedding the couple welcome their first child, Alicia saw how Peter hold their baby boy for the first time, he was so happy he was crying.
"Look at him Alicia. He's prefect." He kissed the baby's head. Alicia thought that moment was the happiest moment of her life, it was a perfect scene, just the three of them in a bubble of love.
Alicia looked at her paperwork, she was behind on her assignment, it was due for tomorrow but her son's crying was giving her a headache.
"How did Zach get an ear infection?" Peter was wrestling with the sick 8 months old baby, trying to give him the medicine.
"If I knew that Peter, I would've avoided it." Alicia continued to write on her typewriter.
"What if…?"
"Peter, I just want to finish this tonight, okay?" Alicia interrupted Peter's thought.
"Alright. Let's go buddy" Peter kissed Zach "Let's get you to bed."
After a while, Peter emerged from the bedroom and stood behind his wife.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm working." Alicia didn't face him.
"I think you need a break."
"From work?" Alicia turned around. "Or what?"
"Do you want a break from me and the baby?" Peter crossed his arms and waited for an answer.
The phone rang interrupting them, she took a deep breath and answered the line. "Hello? Owen? Owen, slow down…what are you saying…dad…No! No!"
Alicia looked at the time on her alarm clock, her father's funeral was in half an hour, she wasn't ready, she was laying on her bed in her bathrobe. Outside the bedroom Peter and his parents were waiting for her.
"Is everything okay?" Jackie asked her son. "We're gonna be late."
"Please take Zach and go wait in the car."
"Sure." The Judge carried the baby. "We'll be downstairs."
Peter waited until his parents were out of the apartment and he ventured inside the bedroom.
"Alicia?" He cracked the door. "Are you okay?"
There was no answer, Peter walked in and saw Alicia curled up in bed. He sat down at the edge of the bed and touched Alicia's leg. "Alicia, if you don't want to go to the funeral it's okay…I'll just let Owen know."
"It's not fair." Alicia sat up. "He was doing fine, he was out of the hospital, his heart was better. The doctors said his heart was doing better."
"I know." Peter hugged her and she started crying on his shoulder. They stayed like that for a moment. Then Alicia faced her husband and kissed him hard and long.
"Wait, do you want to do it now?"
"Come on Peter, I'm tired of feeling sad." She ran her hand through his hair. "Come on, just fuck me."
15 minutes later, Peter came out of the building and got into the car where his parents were patiently waiting.
"What took you so long?" Jackie asked. "Is Alicia coming?"
"Yeah, yeah." The lawyer fixed his hair. "She'll be ready in 5 minutes."
It was a big empty house. Alicia walked through the hall, she saw the dinner area, the kitchen, she didn't dare to go upstairs.
"What do you think?" Peter had his arms wide open. "It's a beautiful house, right?"
"It is."
"Four bedrooms, 2 and half bathrooms, two car garage…have you seen the yard?"
"I haven't."
"It goes all the way to the trees. We can have parties there." Peter was really excited.
"Maybe it's too big. We're gonna need more furniture."
"Yeah, we can buy it. I got a raise at work." Peter reassured her.
"And your dad is giving you this house?"
"Well, he's selling it to me below market price. He got this place as an investment and he wants to help us get out of the apartment."
"You didn't tell him I'm pregnant, did you?"
"No, Alicia, I didn't"
"It's too soon to tell people."
"I know." Peter put his hands on Alicia's waist. "I know we didn't plan a second baby."
"Or a first"
"Or a first. But we can be happy here, picture our kids growing up here." Peter told her. They heard a loud honk from outside. "That must be the movers. I'll go tell them where to put the stuff."
While Peter went to the front of the house, Alicia wandered to the backyard. She imagined Zach running around there, she couldn't quite imagine the second baby. When she thought about the new baby, she also thought about how her dad would never meet him or her. She started crying and she felt silly for doing so.
"Ma'am?" A stranger's voice called her. Alicia wiped her tears, turned around and saw a mover carrying a big box. "Where do you want this?"
Alicia looked at the box that said 'Office stuff' "I think there's a studio on the left."
"Okay, ma'am."
The young wife went looking for Peter, he said he was gonna deal with the movers. She found him outside talking to a tall, blonde woman on their driveway.
"Oh hey Alicia." Peter exclaimed. "This is Ramona."
"Hi! I'm your neighbor from across the street" The woman pointed at her house. "Number 35, right there."
"Nice to meet you."
"I brought you cookies." Ramona handed Alicia a Tupperware with chips cookies. "As a welcome gift."
"Thank you. Did you make them?"
"God no. I just opened a box of chips ahoy." She smiled. "I wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood and warn you about the Home Owners Association."
"Oh." Peter and Alicia shared a look of confusion.
"They're a bunch of 50 years old who are very particular about the color of doors and the height of your grass."
"I see." Alicia nodded "Thanks."
"Well, see you around, neighbors." They both saw Ramona crossed the street and getting into her home.
"She seems nice." Peter said very innocently.
"You're unbelievable, Peter."
"What did I do?"
"You were checking her out."
"What?"
"What?" Alicia crossed her arms. "You were checking her out."
"I was not." Peter claimed. "Wait a second. Are you jealous?"
"Come on Peter"
"Babe." He reached out and held Alicia. "I ooonly have eyes, for youuuu"
"You're a terrible singer." She laughed.
"But I mean it." Peter said. "The moon may be high. But I can't see a thing in the sky. Cuz' I only have eyes for youuu."
A few days later, Jackie was visiting her daughter in law on a Saturday afternoon.
"I know an interior designer who could do wonders in this house." Jackie ran her hand on the kitchen cabinets. "He can change all of this for something nicer, more elegant."
"Uh?...I like them that way." Alicia replied.
"You're gonna need a maid and a gardener."
"I'm not sure about the maid."
"Its a big house to clean by yourself, isn't it?"
Alicia didn't like the idea of getting a maid, but Jackie was right, it was too much work for her and Peter.
"What happened to the china we got you for your wedding?" Jackie asked.
"It's in there." Alicia pointed at box. "We still don't have a place to put it."
"You're gonna need to display it properly." Jackie opened the box and picked one of the china fine plates. "Such a beautiful set. You're gonna need more silverware too...Oh, what is this?"
Jackie took out a Tupperware. "I don't think this is in the right place."
"That's not mine, it's neighbor's." Alicia had an idea. "You know what Jackie? Why don't you take another look around the house and make a list of the things that need to be done?"
"And what are you gonna do?"
"I'm gonna return this!" Alicia grabbed the Tupperware and ran out the house. She needed a break from her mother in law, just getting some air felt good. She walked to the house across the street but hesitated to knock on the door. What was she gonna say?
"Gutten" A robust woman opened the door. "Sind Sie hier, um die Dame des Hauses zu sehen?"
"I'm sorry, I don't speak...german?" Alicia was confused, she stepped back to look at the street number. "I think I have the wrong house?"
"Renate, wer ist an der tür ?" Ramona came up behind the robust woman. "Hi!"
"Hi. I got your Tupperware." Alicia showed her the plastic item.
"Thank you." Ramona took it. "Do you want to come in?"
"Sure."
Alicia observed the house as Ramona lead her to the living room. It was fully decorated, lamps, art, curtains, carpets, family photos, love seats, bookshelves. Was that Alicia's future?
"Please sit down."
"Thank you. Oh, who is this cutie?" Alicia saw the baby sitting in the middle of the living room playing with big colorful cubes.
"My daughter Lauren." Ramona picked the baby up. "My second baby. My son is upstairs taking a nap?"
"You have 2 kids?"
"Yeah, 2 kids in 3 years. Crazy, right?"
"Well, I wouldn't say its crazier than you having a German housekeeper."
"My husband is Anton is from Germany. So he flied in his old nanny for our kids."
"Wow."
"On the bright side, my mother in law is also in Germany."
"I'm actually taking a break from my own mother in law. She's at my house just, I don't know, critiquing everything."
"Bummer." Ramona said. "So, have you met the Home Owners Association."
"Yes, but we let them know we are litigious lawyers."
"You're lawyers? Us too!" Ramona said with excitement. "But I'm more of a corporate lawyer. International law, international contracts. I'm rarely in court."
"I'm sure speaking German comes handy."
"Among others languages. Anyway, we all should get together some time."
"I'd like that."
Alicia came back to her home find Jackie meticulously taking out their wedding china.
"I know a store where we can find a lovely cabinet made with real wood. We should go today."
"Today?"
"If not today, when, Alicia?"
"I'm just not sure I should buy another furniture just for the china."
"But it's your wedding china."
"Right." Alicia sort of shrugged off Jackie's comment.
"Okay, Alicia. You don't seem to understand, you married up."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me." Jackie said. "You got your Hawaiian honeymoon, this expensive free house, the country club membership, a fancy school for your kids. It's part of the deal of being wife of a powerful man so you can't say the china doesn't matter because it does."
Alicia didn't like to admit Jackie had a point, but she did get a beautiful cabinet for the china. Decades later, the same china will be flying out towards Eli Gold. But right now, it mattered.
When their second child was born, Alicia let Peter named the girl. He chose "Grace" after his grandmother. One day in spring, they visited Grandma Grace at the nursery home where the elder woman was spending her last days.
"Grandma, it's me Peter." The young man smile to his grandmother. "How are you today? I brought my wife and kids."
The old woman smiled and nodded to them, she was siting down on a rocking chair in her room.
"Is she okay?" Alicia asked him
"The nurse said she was having a lucid day."
"Right." Alicia sat down next to her with the newborn baby in her arms, Zach sleeping on his stroller. The old woman noticed the baby and leaned forward.
"Can I hold it?"
"Sure, grandma." Peter took the baby and put her in his grandmother's arms.
"We named her Grace after you." Alicia said in an attempt to connect with the elder woman.
"Oh Jackie, why would you do that?"
"I'm- I'm not Jackie."
"Don't be silly, Jackie; you know my real name isn't Grace." The old woman smiled to the baby. "Heck, our real name isn't Florrick, neither. Right, Patrick?"
"What is she talking about?" Alicia asked her husband.
"I guess she's not having a lucid day after all."
Alicia decided to take some extra time off work, just for a while, two little kids were plenty of work for her. She admitted she needed a maid to come help her twice a week, but she kept cooking for her family. She settle into her routine with her little kids, but just like her father, every now and then, she would take Zach and Grace for a trip to the city. The petting zoo, the park, the Navy pier, or the botanic garden. Where she ran into an old friend.
"Alicia?"
"Oh my God, Will?! You are in Chicago?! This is crazy."
"It is!" The man had a big smile.
They awkwardly tried to give each other a hug, but Alicia was holding little Grace's hand and Alicia's big bag got in the way, Zach was there too, looking at Will.
"So...are you babysitting for someone?" Will joked as he looked at the kids.
"Oh, these are my kids." Alicia said. "I got married, you know."
He absolutely knew. He saw the wedding announcement in the newspaper and thought about jumping off the Sears tower. But you don't tell a married woman with 2 kids she's the reason you moved to a city.
"Yeah, well, good for you. I'm happy for you."
"This is Zach and this is Gracie."
"Hey buddy." Will said the boy. "High five."
"High five!" Zach laughed.
"Hello." Will looked over a Grace, but the little girl hide behind her mom.
"She's shy." Alicia said. "Why are you in the botanic garden? Doesn't seem a thing you'd like."
"My girlfriend is a photographer." Will looked around. "There she is taking pictures of the pretty flowers."
"Ah. Of course, you have a girlfriend."
"Do I detect a tone, Alicia?" He teased her.
"Mommy…" Grace said very softly as she pulled her mom's hand.
"What is it, sweetie?"
"I don't feel good." Then Grace threw up splashing Will's shoes.
"Oh my God." Alicia said.
"Uh." Will looked at his very expensive leather shoes cover with toddler's puke.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
"I have paper towels in my bag. Here." She handled them to Will.
"Thank you?"
"I should get going, because my kid is sick."
"Yeah, I get it." Will stood there watching Alicia and her kids walk away. His girlfriend approached him.
"Ewww, that kid threw up on your shoes." She said. "You're right, Will. Having kids is such a drag."
"Uh? Yeah, kids are such a hassle."
As the kids grew older Alicia adjust to their lives, picking them from school, helping them with home work, taking them to their swimming lessons, teach them to do chores around the house. Alicia enjoyed very much seeing Zach and Grace develop a personality, she liked talking to them and seeing what they were thinking about, their sense of humor. She also enjoyed very much Peter as partner. He liked to plan trips for them, he liked to taking her dancing for a 'just us' night. He some times would ask her insight with his cases, she appreciated that.
Then one night, Peter came home acting odd. He stayed quiet during dinner, he didn't pay attention to Zach's story about his science project. He was in his own thoughts.
Alone in their room Alicia dare to asked "Is everything okay?". She was afraid he had bad news, something had gone at work.
"I had an interesting meeting today." He looked at her and smiled. "The head of the democratic party told me I should run for State's Attorney."
"What?"
"Yeah. A few years back I talked to him during the democratic convention and he remembered me. Back then I told him I was interested in maybe running for office." Peter continued. "He said they like my work, they like me, they would support me if I run."
"Oh wow." Alicia was surprised. "I don't know what to say."
"I told him and I would talk it over with you. It's a big decision to get into politics. But Alicia..." Peter knelt in front of her and held her hands. "I can feel it in my bones, I can do this, I can give the people of Chicago justice. I can help clean up the streets."
"I believe you, Peter. But what does it mean to us? Are you going to quit your job? Are you...are going to be on TV? Do I have to be on TV?"
"Hey, we're pretty good looking couple." Peter sat next to her on the edge of the bed.
"I'm serious."
"I know, I know." Peter smiled again. "It is a sacrifice to put part of our lives out in the public but we got nothing hide."
"Privacy is not about hiding something." Alicia clarified.
"Okay, I won't do anything if you don't want me to. But I think this is a good path for our family."
Boy, it really, really, really wasn't.
Alicia was contemplating leaving the coffee shop; she felt she was being watched. Now that her marriage with Peter was over, the idea of being a public figure was terrifying. Were people judging her? She had felt like this way before, the first time Peter got arrested and how people whispered behind her back, but then she was a 'victim', a saint for staying with her husband. Now, the public looked at her differently, she was complicit, right? No way she didn't know what her husband was up to.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet me." Simone Canning arrived to her table and sat down. "I know we didn't talk very much before."
"It's okay. I'm happy to get out of the house." Alicia sipped from her cup. Did the waiter spit in her coffee? No, of course not. "You said you need a consultation?"
"Not really." Simone shrugged. "That was an excuse."
"Oh."
"I'm separated from Louis now."
"Ok."
"Most people think I'm a bitch because Louis is sick and marriage is through sickness and health. How can I leave him? Right?" Simone said. "But I was no longer a wife, I was an attachment, someone to tell the nurse how Louis likes his tea, how to arrange his pillows. I had to leave. And now? It turns out they were his friends not mine, his partners not mine, his money not mine. So I'm on a deserted island, desperate to find a way out. Chicago feels so small, it's suffocating."
Alicia listened carefully.
"And as I'm trying to figure out how to build back my life again, I read an article about the former Governor Florrick finalizing his divorce. The paper did a summary of Peter's life, they even mentioned his new job and you Alicia, you got a: Former Mrs. Florrick is currently unemployed."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I want out, I want to start over. I know you are smart, resourceful and a great lawyer and you already built back your life once before."
"I'm not sure it worked out for me."
"No. But we can try again, let's be partners and leave this island." Simone said. "What do you say?"
Simone's words resonated with Alicia. She was alienated from everyone. Her kids were gone, she didn't have any friends left, she broke up with Jason.
"I don't think there is any law firm in Chicago that wants to hire me." Alicia replied. "I have nothing holding me here."
"Then come with me."
"Where?"
Start spreading the news,
I′m leaving today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
"Hi, my name is Daniel."
"Hello Daniel, my name is Alicia Florrick. I'm going to train you for the deposition."
Alicia welcomed the handsome man to the conference room.
"Okay." Daniel sat down. "I used to be lawyer, so I sort of remember how this goes."
"I see." Alicia knew plenty of former lawyers, each with their own story.
"You're never gonna give it up, are you?" The former lawyer asked her. "Being a lawyer, I mean."
"Well I did give it up for a while, for my kids." Alicia noticed how easy she was chatting with him. "Now they're all grown up."
"I had a heart attack in my office." Daniel said. "I was 42 and I almost died. Too much stress the doctor said."
"What kind of lawyer were you?"
"Mob lawyer." Daniel saw Alicia gasped. "I'm kidding. I was Wall Street lawyer. Now I teach ethics."
"Oh." Alicia shook her head
"Sorry." He smiled again. "After I almost died, everything changed for me. I didn't want my job and my wife and I realized we didn't love each other anymore. We were just too focus on raising the kids to noticed it."
"Hmm. I'm divorced too."
"What happened? If you don't mind me asking."
"He cheated on me, then a lot of things happened but we finally got divorce."
"Oh, wait a minute." Now Daniel was the one surprised. "I just realized why your name sounded so familiar, you're that Florrick from Illinois."
"Yeah, that me."
"I'm sorry, you most get that all the time."
"More in Chicago than here."
"Is that why you're in New York?" Daniel asked. "Start anew."
"Something like that." She nodded
"I wish I could ask you for a drink tonight." He smiled to her.
"Why don't you?" Alicia smiled back.
"You're gonna think its ridiculous but I got a kitten waiting for me at home."
"A kitten?"
"My daughter got me a cat. She didn't want me to be lonely. I'm not lonely, by the way, but she still got me a rescue kitten." Daniel showed her on the phone. "Here's the little rascal."
"It's cute."
"His name is Ruffles because he's orange. My daughter named him too."
"I never had a pet."
"Well, you're missing out."
A few days later, Daniel asked Alicia out and she said yes.
Alicia insisted she didn't want anything special for her 60th birthday, she told Daniel she was happy with just a nice dinner in a good restaurant, maybe one piece of cake, nothing big. Alicia made sure to tell her partner Simone the same thing, she didn't want anyone at work to make a fuss about it. Maybe a birthday card, that's all.
That day, Zach was the one who called her first, very early in the morning because of the time difference with France.
"Happy birthday, mom!" Zach said over the video call. "Any big plans for tonight?"
"Nope." Alicia shook her head. "Just me and Daniel."
"Well, regardless, I hope you have a fantastic day."
"Thank you."
"I hope you can visit me soon." Zach said.
"Me too, Zach."
"Love you mom."
"Love you too."
Then there was Owen and Veronica from Florida. They called around lunch time.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear sister, happy birthday to you!" Owen sing to her over the phone. "Mom wants to say something...wait a sec..."
"Sweetie..." Veronica's voice was soft. "I love you and you'll always be my little girl, I don't care if you're 100!"
"Thank you mom. I love you too."
"What is Daniel getting you? I hope he gets you diamonds."
"Mom, I don't care for diamonds."
"You don't? Well, I have to send your present back." Owen joked. "I'll just call Tiffany's to cancel the order."
Alicia laughed. "Just make a donation on my name."
"You got it, sis. We'll donate to the margarita's fund." Owen told her. "You and Daniel should come down for a long weekend. Get some sunshine."
"Thank you. I'll check with Daniel."
It was about 7 pm and Grace hadn't call her mother to wish her a happy birthday. Because of the time difference and her job, Alicia knew Grace was probably still at work. She tried to not think about it while she was getting ready for the her dinner with Daniel. Finally the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Mom, hi. Happy birthday."
"Thank you."
"Hmm...any plans for tonight?"
"I'm going out with Daniel."
"I don't want to keep you any longer. Have a nice evening, mom."
"Bye."
Alicia looked at the smart phone, the call had ended. She could call Grace back, she could ask. What is it? What is the moment that lives in your head? When did I push you? No, Alicia already knew what was it.
"Are you ready, birthday girl?" Daniel walked in the room interrupting her thoughts. He looked very handsome in his gray suit.
"I'm ready."
If I can make it there, I'd make it anywhere
come on, come through New York, New York!
Next up: I don't know a bunch of things. I'm just an AI writing fanfics and you guys are just bots. Just like the movie Matrix predicted it.