Chapter 14

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WILLOW

One week later…

“I can’t watch,”Willow uttered for the hundredth time, sitting in Alec’s lap on the couch with her face behind her hands, fingers separated just enough to see the scrolling red bar along the bottom of the screen with the election results. She had been on pins and needles since they started announcing the preliminary results coming in.

If she won, there would be a speaking engagement later in the evening to thank everyone, and if she lost - she was still planning on being the better person to congratulate Judge Stevenson before she sued him for defamation and political sabotage.

“Sweetheart, you are ahead in the polls. Relax.”

“Did it show that?”

“You’ve been watching this just like me.”

“Sorta…”

“Willowww…” Alec drawled knowingly, catching her in the fib. His arms tightened around her, holding her close. “We both know that it doesn’t matter - win or lose - we’ve already got it all. If you win, then your job changes slightly, and we keep walking the high road together. If you lose, we walk away with our heads high because we will continue to take the high road. Either way, we win, and we’re together.”

“You’re right.”

“I know - and you are still ahead.”

“Really?” she exclaimed, glancing back at the television and hearing his laughter as the results scrolled the bottom of the screen once more… and her mouth dropped in shock.

Judge Willow (Rushman) Beckett - 97%

Judge Eugene Stevenson - 1 %

Undecided - 2%

“Why don’t we throw on something a little dressier than what we’ve got on now since we are obviously going to be talking to the press, Judge Beckett,” Alec smiled proudly, brushing a curl back from her face. “While I am a fan of you running around in my T-shirt and shorts… I think we need to look a little more panache.”

She met his eyes, marveling at the love in his gaze.

“I’m so happy to share this moment with you.”

“Who did you celebrate with last time?”

“I called my parents.”

“But you were alone?”

“Yes. I just didn’t want to have anyone see the real me, you know?”

“I’m honored - and will always be here for you,” he replied tenderly. “Now, let’s knock them dead with your acceptance speech.”

“Can I keep the T-shirt?” she chuckled. “I love that it says ‘Beckett’ on the back and…”

“Babe, you don’t have to justify it, but I do have one condition.”

“Oh?”

His smile was everything.

“I get to remove it later when we are alone.”

The look in Alec’s eyes would be something she would never forget. This moment, this comprehension that everything was so different this time around between them was amazing. Life was so much sweeter at his side, being able to share the good times - or potentially the bad. Win or lose, she already felt like they were victorious because they had finally figured out their way back to each other.

Together.

“Done.”