Chapter Text
“Luke,” Mark greeted as he strolled through the courtroom on his way to the judge’s chambers.
Luke, who had his feet up on his desk, book in lap, using the room after hours for a quiet place to study, responded, “Mark.” He’d long ago given up on trying to convince Mark that he wasn’t allowed in Lola’s chambers. After the third time Mark finessed his way past him he’d let it go. Lola was always happy to see him and there was no harm done.
Mark stopped at the door and looked back at Luke. Without looking at him, Luke held up an okay symbol with his hand. It was their signal that it was safe for him to enter. He didn’t need Sherri and Brenner finding him, as his habit was making sure to sneak when he thinks they’ve gone for the day.
He walked through the door and back to find Lola’s chambers empty. He found it odd as she was always here around this time. He looks around the chambers to see that Lola has added a few more trinkets, made the place more hers.
As he walks up to her desk he spots the photos: it’s a tri-picture frame with three pictures of the two of them. Looking from left to right, the first was taken the day she graduated law school. He remembered he and Lola being completely wired and in complete disbelief that they actually graduated. He had the same picture somewhere in his apartment. The second was a picture, someone had snuck of them, he couldn’t remember who, while they were celebrating Lola’s first case win as DDA. He remembered sitting in the courtroom to observe almost the entire case, watching her be the badass she always was and his wallet not being too happy with him the next day. The third picture was the day of her swearing in as a judge. He’d never seen her happier and he’d never been more proud of her. He knew how hard she worked for it and how much she wanted it.
Putting the frame back in it’s place, he turned towards the couch to see the picture of Uhuru on the side table and their signature bottle of whiskey underneath. He chuckled as he as he sat and grabbed the bottle. Instantly, he was transported back to his and Lola’s apartment back in law school. The alcohol fueled study breaks and Star Trek marathons.
He missed those days. Though he still saw her almost daily, he missed a lot of things about the way they used to be back then. The way they couldn’t be anymore since she’d gotten into a committed relationship and gotten married. He made promises to himself to not think like this. But here he was, in her chambers, strolling down memory lane, indulging in his wayward thoughts.
Don’t get him wrong, he was thankful for the relationship they still had. That solid consistency. The way he could count on her her being there, no matter what. That’s why he never risked it. He wanted to, god, did he want to. The opportunity presented itself and they had a couple of stress relieving nights together under their belts, but he never took that leap. He just could never bring himself to ruin them. They never really talked about it, but he knew Lola felt the same way.
That’s why he was happy when she met Robyn. He was good man, great one, really, and good for her. He would never get in the way of that no matter how his subconscious feels. All he’d ever want for her was her happiness. As for himself, he was okay. He stopped looking for what he knew he wouldn’t be able to find, the best was already taken. He’s content with second best being all he’ll ever know as far as his love life was concerned.
“They really need to amp up security because you are always back here.” The sound of Lola’s voice startled him from his thoughts.
His lips curled in a little half smile before saying, “you know you love it.”
Her saw her smirk in response as she walked over to where he sat and sat beside. She took the bottle from him, “do I even want to ask what you’re doing in here?”
“Looking for a drink,” he tried to take the bottle from her but he pulled it back out of his reach.
“You know you’re buying the next one right?”
“Fair enough.” He removed his shoes and put his feet on her coffee table.
He saw her smile as she got the glasses out for them. He was good them right where they were. As long as this woman was in his life, he was okay.