Archive of Our Own

~*~

My little love you, miss you, mean it
Girl, I'll see you when I'm dreamin'
I can't wait to feel you hold me again
Till then I'll be countin' down the minutes
I'll be climbin' up these walls
Your kiss, I want it, need it
Love you, miss you, mean it, baby, yeah

~*~

- Washington D.C., 2015 - 

For the past few months it had been a back and forth between Los Angeles and Washington D.C., calculating time zones and counting down days to their next meeting. Standing at the airport, Henry on his shoulders so he could look over the heads of everybody coming and going, Will felt anticipation building in his body with every minute that ticked by. Coraline’s flight had been delayed for two hours due to some technical difficulties, the time passing too slowly for his own liking from the second her message had appeared on his screen. 

“There she is!” Henry screamed, demanding to be let down, and running towards her the moment his feet touched the ground. People stepped aside as his whirlwind ran past them, arms outstretched and screaming Coraline’s name. Will watched her, as she let go of her suitcase, letting it drop to the floor, to kneel down and open her arms for Henry, wrapping him in a hug. Moments like this almost make his heart melt, seeing how his son and the woman he loved forged a stronger bond with every time they met. 

Had someone told him nine months ago, after his divorce was finalized, that he’d find himself this deep in love again, after such a relatively short time, he would’ve laughed. But here he was, probably grinning like an idiot as he walked over to two of his most precious people, helping Coraline back up and kissing her right there and then. He almost felt like in one of the romcoms she loved so much, where people chased their happy endings, still wondering how he ended up with his very own. 

“Welcome back to D.C.,” he said with a smile, taking her suitcase for her. 

“Thank you for picking me up. I missed you.” Putting Henry down she took one of his small hands in hers, as Will took the other. 

“We’ve missed you too.” Henry had asked about her a lot and after every weekend they had spent together, phone calls and text didn’t feel like enough anymore. 

“We’ve missed you soooo much,” Henry chimed in, letting go of their hands for just a moment to illustrate his words with a gesture. A soft smile appeared on Coraline’s lips. 

“So much? Well, I’ve missed you all the 2,294 miles distance between D.C. and LA,” she replied. 

“We missed you to the moon and back!” 

“To the moon and back? Oh dear, that is a lot.” Henry nodded, taking their hands again. 

Finally back home, Henry lost no time dragging Coraline along to show her the stuffed animal he had gotten during their latest visit to the zoo. Coraline laughed as she followed him to his room, where she flopped down on Henry’s bed, surrounded by all his stuffies, half of which she had brought along over her visits. Leaning in the doorframe Will watched as she took the little giraffe from Henry’s hand, starting to nuzzle him with the giraffe’s nose. Laughter escaped Henry, who simultaneously tried to get away and come closer, Coraline putting the giraffe aside just long enough to pull him into a hug, letting herself fall backwards onto the bed. 

“Dad! Come here!” Both held out their arms for him, making space on the small mattress, Coraline’s back pressed against the wall, a teddy bear almost falling into her face. Crossing the small distance, he put the teddy bear aside before lying down next to the two, wrapping one arm around them. One of her legs was over his, finding space for all three of them here almost like playing Tetris, Coraline’s laughter mixing with Henry’s as he wiggled his way between them. One hand on Coraline’s hip, arm stretched out over Henry, Will couldn’t hold back his own laughter, his smile widening into a wide grin. His girl looked tired, eyes almost falling shut as she pressed Henry against herself and a kiss onto his hair. 

“How was your flight?” He asked, fingers drawing circles on the fabric of her shirt. 

“Long, too long, really,” she replied, suppressing a yawn, “exhausting.” 

“Did you eat?” Henry chimed in, looking up from his space between them.

“I had a sandwich at the airport,” a small, almost sheepish smile stole itself onto her lips. 

“But that’s so long ago,” the kid pointed out, Coraline’s stomach growling in agreement, sending them all into another fit of giggles. 

“I guess that’s my cue to prepare dinner,” Will said as he got up, Coraline and Henry not willing to move an inch. 

“Thank you. I promise we’ll join you in just a second.” 

“Stay there, it’s fine. I’ll get you once it’s ready.” Looking down on them like this, his two favorite people cuddled close, Coraline’s body wrapped around Henry, melted his heart, made him ache for a future in which they didn’t rely on the weekends and matching schedules. 

They sat together around the dining table, Coraline looking ready to fall asleep right then and there. 

“Are you really staying the whole week?” Henry asked, looking over at Coraline who gave him a tired smile. Over the last few weeks he had often voiced his dissatisfaction with the short amount of time they got to spend together. 

“Yes, I am.” As Coraline answered Henry’s eyes instantly lit up. “You’ll have me ‘round a little longer this time.” There was a hint of sad anticipation in her eyes, something Henry was, luckily enough, too young to really see and understand yet. That she too was growing tired of the distance between them, heart always breaking a little when they said their goodbyes. 

With Henry back in the living room playing with the Lego set he got for his birthday, Will found himself in the kitchen doing the dishes, Coraline sitting on the counter. 

“You sure you don’t want me to help?” She asked for the fifth time since he had started, legs dangling. 

“Yes, I’m sure, it’s not much after all… and you look like you’re falling asleep right there.” “Am not,” she answered, playfully kicking at him but only lightly brushing his leg with her toes. 

“You are, and I can’t even blame you for it.” It was around eight back in L.A. and knowing her she’d been up with the sun, getting a day’s work done before heading to the airport to catch her flight. In Los Angeles the sun was already about to set, while here in D.C. it would take another three hours until then. There was a certain craziness about having all of that memorized, about those three hours separating their lives. Putting the pan away he stepped closer, her legs closing around his hips, arms wrapping around his shoulder, capturing him in a full body hug. He picked her up, gently lifting her from the counter, a small squeal escaping her.

“What are you doing?”

“Bringing you to bed,” Will replied as if it was the most obvious thing to do. 

“Let me down, I’m too heavy.”

“You’re not, stop complaining, hon’.” Coraline let out an exasperated sigh, lowering her head onto his shoulder and pressing her nose gently into the crook of his neck, her legs around his hips supporting most of her weight. The scent of her shampoo and perfume filled his nose, a scent that only would linger a few days longer after she was gone again. One more vanishing trace of her existence in this space.

Henry looked up the moment they left the kitchen, curiously trailing behind them into the bedroom, climbing up right next to where Will sat Coraline down.

“Why did Dad carry you? Are you okay?” He asked, tilting his head slightly to the side, a habit he probably picked up from her. 

“I’m fine, don’t worry,” Coraline answered, fingers softly brushing through Henry’s hair.

“I just wanted to carry her.” Remembering how he had carried her around when they were younger, lifting her from windowsills and kitchen counters she sat on more than on actual chairs. The soft smile she gave him mirrored his own, her thoughts probably going down that same path. Henry just nodded along, perfectly well understanding how somebody might like being carried around. 

“Are you going to sleep already?”

“I think I am, I’m really tired.” 

“Can we cuddle?” 

“Sure, just let me get ready.” 

Only a few minutes later they lay in bed, Henry between them, head resting on Coraline’s shoulder, while she played with his hair, eyes half closed. He watched her falling asleep, her breath evening out, her eyes closing, Henry staying at his place for a few more minutes before carefully getting up, pulling the blanket over Coraline. There was a clumsy tenderness in the action only found in kids, that watching him alone made Will smile. Closing the door behind himself and Henry, both returned to the living room, Henry cuddling up to him the moment he sat down on the couch.

“Dad?” Henry looked up at him. “Why can’t Cora just stay here?” He couldn’t count the times his son had asked that question, never quite satisfied with the answers he received. 

“She got her life in Los Angeles. Her job and her friends. She can’t just leave everything behind.”

“But you love her.” He did, and in Henry’s mind that was already enough for them to always be together. Maybe in another life he would have left Washington D.C. behind and gone to L.A. with her, but a life in which he could do that was one Henry wasn’t in, and that he didn’t even want to imagine.

“I do, but it’s not that easy…” 

“I wish it was.”

“Me too, buddy. Me too.” 

~*~

It was the middle of the night when his phone rang, waking him and Coraline from their sleep. Next to him Coraline grumbled, turning to the side to give him just enough space to grab his phone. One in the morning, there was only one reason he got a call in the middle of the night on a Saturday. 

“LaMontagne,” he still sounded sleepy, even to himself, mind slowly catching up to the words from the other side of the line. “Send me the adresse, I’m on my way.” 

“Work?” Coraline sat up, the light of the streetlamps lighting up her face. 

“Yes, sorry… go back to sleep.” Will leaned to the side, stealing a soft kiss. “I gotta go. Can you tell Henry I’m sorry?”  

“Sure,” she grabbed his arm as he tried to get up, pulling him back, stealing another kiss, “be careful.” 

“Promised.” Leaving home never was easy, but at night it was even harder, knowing he’d be out for the next few hours, probably disappointing his son again. Sometimes it helped to remember that when he had been a child himself, he hadn’t held it against his father when he had to leave or work late on a case. Then again Henry wasn’t him, and he was not his dad, and Senior was no longer around to ask for some guidance on how to feel less guilty. Taking a deep breath he got up and ready, putting all those thoughts away and locking the door behind them. There was no use in pondering now, there was work to be done, work that deserved all his attention. Coraline’s steps made him stop in his tracks when he was almost out the door, turning towards her; she stood there in his t-shirt, her hair a mess, a small smile on her face. Just as he wanted to ask her why she hadn’t gone back to bed, she wrapped her arms around him. 

“Almost forgot,” she mumbled into his chest before looking up, “I love you.” 

“I love you too,” Will replied, a smile forming on his lips, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Take all the time you need, we’ll be fine. I promise.” After another kiss shared, she let go of him, returning to the bedroom, as Will left for another case. 

~*~

Ten hours later, time filled with crime scene investigation, questioning, research, reconstructing their victims' last hours and contacting and comforting her close relatives, there was nothing Will wanted more than just crash somewhere and sleep. His eyes were burning, his head too full and the caffeine running through his veins probably close to an unhealthy amount. Leaning back he looked over at his partner, Scott, who didn’t look much better. Maybe a few hours of sleep at home would do them good, let them get back to work with a fresh mind. 

“Dad!” Henry’s voice broke through the beehive buzzing of the station, making Will look up from his desk, finding his son running straight towards him, Coraline trailing right after him. The boy flung himself at him, a wide smile on his face, as Will picked him up and sat him down on his legs. 

“Hey, what are you doing here?” 

“We just thought we’d see how you’re doin’,” Coraline said, coming to a halt leaning against his desk. “It’s been a few hours since we last saw each other.”

“We brought you something to eat,” Henry chimed in, “Cora said you probably completely forgot to eat.” Something she was absolutely right about, if one didn’t take the cookies in the station’s kitchen into account. Which Coraline would never do, so he just gave her a smile. 

“Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about you,” she said, looking over her shoulder towards his partner, who immediately sat up a little straighter, looking as if he’d marry her on spot just for that. 

“Thank you, ma’am.” 

“The name’s Coraline,” she introduced herself, taking a small container out of her bag and putting it down on Scott’s desk before handing one to Will as well. 

“I’m well aware,” Scott grinned, “Will’s been talking about you a lot.” 

“Oh, has he?” 

“All the time, ma’am, and I have to say, you’re twice as pretty as he made me believe you are.” Coraline’s laughter filled the room, making more than one officer and detective look their way. It was that full laugh that made everyone around her smile as well. 

“You’re quite the charmer,” she said, still grinning, “thank you.” 

“Thank you, I was about to starve.” 

“Guess we came just in time then.” Opening the container the familiar scent of homemade Jambalaya filled his nose, the food still warm, probably prepared only minutes before they had left the house. 

“I know it’s not the best breakfast but knowing you’re both awake for hours now, pancakes didn’t feel quite right,” Coraline said with a shrug and now Scott really seemed ready to drop down on one knee and use the next best thing he could find as a ring. 

“I helped,” Henry exclaimed. 

“He cut the bellpepper and showed me where you hide your spices.” Coraline sat down on a free chair by his desk, taking off her jacket, revealing a tight black tank top underneath, showing off the tattoos covering both her arms. It took Will just a few seconds to see the distinct change in them, the flowers on her arms blooming in all different colors. 

“What happened to your flowers?”

“Your son, and now eat.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” he complied, taking a first bite, while Henry explained how Coraline had brought pens with which he could draw on her skin to color her tattoos. 

“He even gave me a new one,” she said, holding out her arm to let Will get a better look at a crooked flower with different sized petals right next to a delicate magnolia bud. “I think that might be my new favorite.” He listened to her and Henry talk, telling him all about the few hours of their day, their breakfast together, watching cartoons, Henry already looking forward to coloring more of her tattoos. For a moment it made him forget the strain of the last hours, the things they had seen and heard. 

“Hey, should we take you back home so you can catch some sleep?” Coraline asked, probably having seen the exhaustion in his eyes. 

“Doesn’t sound too bad.” 

“See you again here in a few hours, then?” Scott said. “Think I’ll head home and try to sleep as well. Can’t even think straight anymore.” 

~*~

Waking up some hours later in his own bed, sunlight falling through the blinds, Will felt disoriented at first, the last hours only slowly coming back to him. Usually he would sleep on the couch to avoid the confusion, but that would’ve meant to confine Coraline and Henry to Henry’s room or the bedroom, something he didn’t want to do. A short look at the clock told him he’d slept for five hours straight, sleep he had desperately needed. The flat seemed suspiciously quiet, Coraline maybe out with Henry to run errands or go to the park, they had also thought about going to see a movie but the last he could remember was them wanting to do that together with him and Jennifer. 

Stepping into the living room he found them both sitting in front of the TV, some show running, both not really paying attention while Henry concentrated on coloring her tattoos, almost all of them filled out by now. He leaned in the doorway, just watching them for a moment. It was something he could get used to, watching them grow closer with every day they spend together. 

“Oh, you’re awake.” Coralien’s voice drew him out of his thoughts. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did, but I better head out again.” 

“Any idea when you’ll be back?” He would’ve loved telling her he’d be back for dinner, or at least before Henry had to go to bed, but he couldn’t. So all he did was shake his head, part of him wanting to avoid looking into her eyes. This was what had killed his marriage with JJ, both of them having to put their jobs first, missing appointments or each other. Now everything in him feared the same thing could happen to them, losing a partner again, losing her a second time, nothing he thought to be ready for. 

Henry put his pens aside, getting off the couch the same moment Coraline got up, both pulling him into a hug. 

“Okay, just promise to be safe.” 

“I’ll try.” That was the only promise he could make and she knew it. 

“I’ll call you before Henry goes to bed shouldn’t you be home.” Coraline let go of him, so he could lean down and pull Henry close, his small arms wrapping themselves around his neck. 

“I love you, Dad.” 

“I love you too, I’ll be back soon.” He kissed Henry’s head, then Coraline’s lips. “I’ll see you later.” 

“Go, save some lives,” she said with a soft smile. “We’ll be here when you come back.” 

~*~

The weekend passed in a blur of work, sleep and stolen moments with Henry and Coraline, days in which he saw more of Scott than anyone else. Sunday he made it home just in time to tuck Henry in and fall asleep right next to Coraline just to get up before her after some hours of sleep, an incoming call alerting him of the apprehension of their prime suspect on a highway leading out of D.C. He had left a post-it note on the table for her, wishing her good luck for the meeting she had that day. The meeting she had wanted to tell him all about but he had been too busy or too tired to even think of, and Coraline hadn’t even tried to seek out conversation, only badgering him to eat and go to sleep, telling him over and over again not to worry about her and Henry. 

Sunday Cora and Henry had met up with Jennifer in the park and she had been there when Will had left the station around ten in the evening, his ex-wife and girlfriend sitting on the couch with a glass of wine. They had poured him one as well and had listened to the case, the evidence they had and where they felt stuck, both offering their insights. It was still strange seeing the two women together, both completely calm and at ease around each other. There was no bad blood between them, neither between Coraline and Jennifer, nor him and her, something he was eternally grateful for. 

Coming home Monday evening, a house search and an hours long interrogation that finally resulted in a confession from the ex-boyfriend later, he was once again ready to just fall asleep, his sleeping schedule most likely absolutely fucked up for the rest of the week. Entering the hallway Henry ran towards him, embracing his son already making him feel lighter again. Coraline watched them, once again wearing one of his shirts, tied up around her ribs, and grey sweatpants. He almost regretted not having seen her in her work attire, dressing pants and blazers usually seeming to be foreign clothing to her. Yet, there always was a certain appeal in seeing her wear his clothes, the way his shirt almost fell off her shoulder, revealing the fine black lines of her tattoos. 

“You got him?” She asked as if she could read everything that happened that day on his face.

“Yes, we got him.” She walked over and kissed him, and her kiss tasted like sweet tea and chocolate. She tasted like home. 

“How was your meeting?” He asked, trying to, at least for now, shake off every memory of that case. 

“It was good, I’ll tell you all about it later.” 

Later arrived once Henry was settled for the night and fast asleep, and they were sitting on the couch, the radio station playing some 80’s rock classics. 

“So, that meeting,” he began pulling her closer, hands running through her hair, playing with the strands, “what was it about?” There was a little hesitation in her answer, a short pause, that almost made him worry. 

“A job offer here in D.C.” She pressed her lips together, sucking the bottom lip between her teeth, as she waited for his reply. 

“A job offer?” To say he was surprised was an understatement. “Why didn’t you tell me ‘bout that before?” 

“I didn’t want to get any hopes up… A friend of mine works at the prosecution’s office here, but he’s moving away next month to be closer to his wife’s family and was nice enough to recommend me to take his place. I just first wanted to be sure they’d consider me and they do, so I’m telling you now.” Never before had she sounded that unsure of herself, questioning her decision. 

“I know I should’ve told you earlier, but every time I thought about it, it felt like jinxing it.” 

“Cora, hon’, it’s fine. Don’t worry ‘bout it.” The prospect of her working in, and consequently moving to, D.C. would’ve been exciting for Henry and even more devastating if it didn’t happen. And keeping a secret from him would’ve been hard for both of them. 

“They have meetings with some other candidates, seems like a whole lotta people want to work and live in D.C.” 

“I really have no clue why.” If it wasn’t for Jennifer and Henry he’d never have left New Orleans, then again there were enough people not as deeply rooted in their home soil as he had been. 

“Yes, I mean have you looked at the real estate prices around here? Or how much rent they want for a small apartment? Looking at what I pay for my place in L.A., I ain’t really in a position to complain about that, but at least there I got a beach and the ocean.” 

“Why would you even look for a place?” That at least was the one part of the conversation he didn’t quite get. “You’re obviously staying with us.” 

“Obviously?” She asked, grinning. 

“Yes, obviously,” he answered, leaning down for a kiss, only for Coraline to try and evade him by leaning back, making both of them lose their balance. One hand next to Coraline’s head, the other on the back of the couch, Will tried to hold himself up to not crush her completely with his weight, while she held her mouth shut trying to contain the laughter bubbling up in her. Cupping his face with both hands Cora pulled him down, smashing their lips together in a kiss. Which also was a good way of avoiding waking up Henry with their laughter. 

Getting back up deemed to be a bit more complicated, their limbs somehow tangled up and their position more than just a little uncomfortable. Yet, Will didn’t find it in himself to complain and Coraline continued biting her lip to keep herself quiet. 

“I mean it,” he said once they had untangled and found themselves in a more comfortable position again, “You are more than welcome to stay here. Henry would be happy.” 

“Only Henry?” 

“Not only Henry,” now he couldn’t fight back his own grin. “Jen would be delighted too.” 

“Idiot,” she said, gently hitting his chest, only for him to catch her hand, pressing a kiss onto her knuckles. 

“I know, but you wanted me anyway.” Her smile grew softer, fingers intertwining with his. 

“I never wanted anyone else” Hearing her say those words, the vulnerability in her voice, 

tugged on his heart. She meant every word and he knew it, knew deep down, that if they had not let time and distance get between them the first time, and he hadn’t done everything to get over her, there would’ve never been another one for him as well. That, in the end, it was always supposed to be her. Her calm, her chaos and everything that came with her. 

~*~

They didn’t get to discussing and plans for future living arrangements any further that evening, the calling of their bed too strong in the end. The next evening, Coraline had an invitation for dinner from her old friend, whose name Will had forgotten to ask, to discuss the meeting and catch up for old times’ sake. 

“More of the catching up, really,” she had told Will before heading out, wearing tight jeans, red top and her leather jacket, “so it will probably be late. Kiss Henry good night from me should I not be back in time.” He had promised to do so, wished her a nice evening and kissed her goodbye, grinning as she wiped her lipstick from the corner of his mouth. 

For the next few hours Will had been alone in the flat, Jennifer having picked up Henry from Kindergarten to attend her mother’s birthday. Her mother had arrived in D.C. a few days ago, living in Jennifer’s guest room. 

To say that Sandy Jareau currently wasn’t his biggest fan and had cursed his bloodline for the next ten generations - an exception was being made for Henry of course - almost bordered on an understatement. Jennifer didn’t even try to deny it, rather doing her best at damage control, knowing the rift between them was not mendable. She’d always blame him for their divorce and she had made it abundantly clear what she thought about him starting to date so shortly after a divorce. At that moment it had taken all of his strength not to tell Sandy exactly what he thought of her, being grateful for Jennifer shutting her down. 

Apparently things had escalated even without his attendance as JJ rang his doorbell about three hours after the celebration had started. 

“Mom’s not feeling well,” Henry exclaimed as they stepped into the hallway, “and it was sooo boring.” Will bit back his chuckle, letting them both in. Henry looked bored out of his mind, nothing he usually was after spending time with his grandmother, Sandy loving to spoil him senseless. Then again, as far as Will knew she had invited some old friends, Henry being the only child within the group. Henry kicked off his shoes, hung up his jacket and was off to his room in a heartbeat. 

“So, you’re unwell?” He asked looking at Jennifer, who looked exhausted, jaw clenched and posture strained. 

“Something like that.” She walked past him and into the living room. “You don’t, per chance, have a bottle of wine open?” 

“I don’t, but it can be arranged.” She gave him a thankful smile, letting herself fall onto the couch. Will opened a bottle, her favorite he still bought out of habit, and filled two glasses. 

“You want to talk about it?” he asked, handing one glass over to her. 

“Later,” she answered, “not now, not when…” Her gaze fell onto Henry’s bedroom door. 

“Okay, I get it.” 

They sat in silence, something that had felt nearly unbearable in the past but he now found comfort in. Another hour and two more glasses of wine later, they tucked in Henry together, Will honoring his promise and kissing him good night from Coraline. They both stayed with Henry for a while, watching him fall asleep together. 

Back in the living room, JJ filled her glass anew, putting it down on the table with a deep sigh, as they sat down again. She looked over towards Henry’s room, as if to make sure they properly closed the door. 

“So, you now want to tell me what happened?” 

“My mom’s awful.” He wouldn’t go as far as calling Sandy awful, petty yes, but awful, that sounded harsh, especially coming from her own daughter. “The way she keeps talking about you and Coraline, as if you were public enemy number one, bringing up our divorce and you taking Henry from me -  her words not mine - even when Henry’s right there. I told her to stop, that we’re good and I won’t let anyone talk like that. We did what we knew was best for Henry, but she keeps going on insisting a child should always be with their mom and … honestly, I don’t want to tell you everything she said, I’ll just get mad at her again and then I’ll kill that whole bottle and crash out on your couch.” Will could vividly imagine all the things Sandy had said about their divorce and him, after all the times she had blown up his phone after their separation to give him her piece of mind, he actually could quote some of her favorites. 

Taking Jennifer’s hand, he tried to offer a comforting smile. He didn’t quite care much about what her mother said about him, but doing it in front of Henry, badmouthing both him and Coraline, was crossing a line. 

“You know you can stay here for the night, if you want to.” Sandy was probably still staying in Jennifer’s room and if there was one thing she didn’t need right now, it was having to return to another fight waiting for her. 

“Are you sure?” 

“Wouldn’t offer it if I weren’t.” 

“Cora won’t mind?” 

“She won’t… of course not.” Still Jennifer hesitated. That was until her phone buzzed, the screen showing an incoming text from Sandy, she chose to ignore. 

“I’d love to stay.” 

Coraline came back home half an hour later, finding them both still in the living room, Jennifer’s legs sprawled over his. He caught her leaning in the doorway, watching them with a soft smile and a hint of worry in her eyes. 

“Welcome home,” he greeted her, smiling as she walked over, leaned down and kissed him. “How was dinner?”

“It was really nice,” she said sitting down on the armrest, eyes falling on Jennifer, “you look like your evening was horrible, though.” 

“Thanks for the compliment. The wine’s making it better, but it was in fact horrible, don’t make me recount it.” 

“Didn’t even think ‘bout that, Jen.”  

“I’m crashing here for the night, if that’s alright with you.” 

“Sure, don’t worry ‘bout it.” 

“Thank you… tell me something nice instead. What was that about dinner?” Coraline laughed, trying to keep her laughter as low as possible. 

“Just having dinner with an old friend, I hope to take over his position here at the prosecutor's office. I had an interview yesterday and he wanted to hear all about it. Was really nothing special.” It sounded a bit like downplaying, as if it was not a big deal at all. 

“So, you’re moving in?” Coraline blinked in surprise, before fondly rolling her eyes, lips widening into a grin. 

“How is that the first thing that comes to your mind?” Jennifer shrugged, grinning as well. 

“It's obvious isn’t it?” An answer that just got a deep sigh out of Coraline. 

“Obvious to anyone but me, as it seems.”

“We haven’t discussed the details yet,” Will chimed in, “it all depends on her getting the position, after all.” JJ looked at Coraline first, then at Will.

“Damn, I wish I had your luck.” She leaned back on the couch, emptying her glass. “You really found your missing piece in each other, didn’t you?” It was most likely the alcohol speaking, a tint of envy coloring her words, and yet there was no denying in it. But what was there to say? Something he could say that wouldn’t make her feel like a stand in? Like a placeholder? 

“Don’t give me that look, Will,” Jennifer’s voice drew him out of his thoughts, “I’m happy for you… you and I, in the end, we were just not right for each other.” She slurred her words a little, and the honesty in her voice caught him off guard for a moment. 

“You’re drunk, Jen,” he said, a small smile forming on his lips. 

“Kids and drunks say the truth, Will.” 

“For kids and drunks it’s time for bed,” he replied, shaking his head about her. 

“Especially drunks who have to work tomorrow,” Coraline added, taking the empty glass out of Jennifer’s hand and putting it on the table. 

“Fine, fine,” her words were accompanied by a slight giggle, movements slow as she drew back her legs and got up. “Can one of you lend me something to wear?” 

“I’ll grab something,” Coraline said, getting up, vanishing into the bedroom, his eyes following her for a moment. 

“You know,” Jennifer said , “I thought it would hurt more… the way you look at her as if she’s the only person in the room. I wanted to hate her, you know, I really wanted to, but I can’t, I just can’t…”

“Jen, I-” 

“No, Will, it’s fine. I meant what I said, and I’m glad it doesn’t hurt as much as it probably should. Don’t know what that says about me, or us.” He got up without thinking much about it, pulling her into a tight hug. She wrapped her arms around him, head resting against her shoulder. 

“I loved you…” Her voice was nothing but a whisper. 

“I loved you too.”

“Just wasn’t enough, right? It wasn’t enough from the beginning.. Just like you said, I was out of it with one foot from the start and I just couldn’t get it back inside.” This was not a conversation they should have right now. Not with her tipsy and with his girlfriend in the other room. Still, he didn’t let go, just held her close. When she stepped out of his embrace she smiled, looking over his shoulder at Coraline who slowly stepped closer, handing over one of her shirts and sweatpants to her. 

“Thank you… good night, and sleep well.” 

“Good night, Jen.” He watched her leave for the guest room, waiting until the door locked behind her. 

“You okay?” Cora’s hand on his shoulder was enough to ground him, anchor him in the moment. 

“Yes,” he answered, though he wasn’t quite sure he meant it, and she knew it. There was a storm brewing inside him, a whirlwind of emotions, he didn’t know how to calm again. He had faced Jennifer’s initial anger, her feeling of betrayal, her tears, her silence, and then her careful approach to mend their relationship, but never had she shown her sadness. It was something he no longer knew how to take. 

“Liar,” Coraline replied, voice soft as she stepped even closer, until all he could see was her. He leaned in, learning his forehead against hers, breathing in her scent, letting her calm his nerves. At least for now. 

~*~

For the remainder of the night Will had lain awake, Coraline’s back pressed against him, her head lying on his upper arm. Jennifer’s words ran through his head in circles. Her confessions, the slight crack in her voice. In the wake of their divorce he had been caught up in his own thoughts, his own problems, finding more reasons to blame her than himself even though he had known the both of them had fault in them not working out in the long run. 

It was long past two in the morning when sleep finally found him. A restless sleep, dreams chasing each other, bleeding into each other, mixing with reality, leaving him exhausted in the morning. The scent of coffee filled the flat, Coraline’s spot right next to him was empty, the bed already cold. 

Leaving the bedroom, entering the living room, Jennifer and Coraline sat together, both already dressed for the day holding a cup of coffee in their hands each. They were laughing about something, a somewhat pained look ghosting over Jennifer’s face. She looked at least a little hungover.

“What’s so funny?” Both turned towards him, a bright smile on Coraline’s lips. 

“Jen just asked me how easy it would be to get a restraining order against her mom.” 

“She’s been blowing up my phone. The audacity of that woman…” She shook her head, letting out a deep sigh. “Would you mind if I bring Henry to kindergarten today?” 

“No, not at all.” Henry would love the additional time with his mother. Even though they had agreed it would be better for him to live with the parent who was always in D.C., the spatial separation only furthered their time spent apart. “And a restraining order? Really?” 

“I at least toyed with the thought. Was nice until I realized that I love her and can’t cut her out forever. But being put on the backburner might help her realize we’re not the problem, but her.” Coraline gave him a doubtful look over her shoulder, but refrained from saying anything. Leaving them to take a shower, he heard their conversation take off again, voices turning into a murmur once he closed the door behind him. Maybe he’d been overthinking, maybe they were on a good way to set things right. 

~*~

She said, "I don't know about you
But I love you, miss you, meant it
I still see you when I'm dreamin'
I just wanna feel you hold me again”

~*~