I arrive back to work and all I want to do is lock myself in my office and scream into a throw pillow. I glance to Emma and know I'd come across as a complete psychopath if I did that, even though she should know that that's what being a lawyer does to you. Screaming into pillows to muffle the sound from coworkers and stashing a bottle of vodka in your desk for days the prosecutor is a total bitch.

I slump into my chair and Emma eagerly fills into her usual spot. Kavanaugh comes striding into my office right as I dump my bag on the floor and asks, "How'd it go with John Gates? What's the verdict on that one?"

"As of now I am taking him on as a client. According to him, he was set up and of course is innocent," I reply back and Kavanaugh raises an eyebrow. He glances to Emma but continues, "Do you think he's innocent?" I bite the inside of cheek and swallow my lump of conflict down into my soul.

"I don't know. A part of his story makes sense, another part...I don't know." I'm being as honest as I can, but I know I can't explain the complexity of this case to the partners here. Kavanaugh nods his head and narrows his eyes at me, "This case could bring a shitload of coverage if it makes it to trial. Are you prepared to handle all of that?"

I don't break eye contact and respond, "If his story is true he'll be let off before it even goes to trial. If I can find who supposedly set him up then all charges will be dropped. This might be wrapped up in a few weeks."

"You'll understand that you won't be able to work with your husband on this. You'll have to have another contact in the police department. We can't afford any conflicts of interest."

I want to laugh and tell him I have no business being this man's lawyer because it's a huge conflict of interest, but instead I smile and nod my head. Kavanaugh glances to me and Emma quickly before gliding out of my office. I slump back into my chair as Emma flicks her gaze over to me, "I thought you weren't taking this case? Isn't that what you told Officer Greysor?" I rub my hands down my face as she scootches up in her chair, "This is the guy that blew up the lab right? Why wouldn't your husband want you on the case?" I look to her and wonder what lie I can tell her that will make her understand why I am going against what I said to Liam

"He thinks this man is guilty. And highly dangerous. He doesn't want me spending time with him but he doesn't understand that this case can skyrocket my career. I need to figure out whether I think this...John Gates is guilty or not."

"Do you only take on innocent clients?" Emma asks me with such naivety that I wonder how she decided to go into law school. I'd hate to be the one that broke her innocent spirit, but with her happy-go-lucky attitude, I know she's going to get eaten alive in the court room.

"Here's the thing Emma, not every client you're going to defend is going to be innocent. Of course you want them to be, but in some cases, how can you really be sure that they are being honest and are truly innocent? You have to trust your gut and do your job. That's why you really have to believe in your client if you decide to take them on. You have to defend them to the world and you want to believe what you are saying on their behalf."

Emma nods and from her furrowed brow I can tell she's really contemplating my words. She studies my face and then asks, "So do you believe John Gates is innocent? Do you believe him?"

I stare back at her but I don't have a response. I haven't come to any kind of conclusion about John Gates yet. I purse my lips together and she notes my lack of response. After a few moments I look to her and respond, "I think I have a lot of work to do before I can answer that question."

********

I sluggishly move to my front door after the hectic day at work and drop the heels I have in my hand to the floor as I fiddle with the house keys. Before I can even get the key in the lock the front door swings open and I find Liam looking stern on the other side. 

"Oh, I didn't think you'd be home this early," I say, surprised to find him home already. I pick my heels up off the floor and move inside. I kick the door shut with my heel while Liam wanders off into the kitchen. I quickly move down the dark hallway and notice Liam has all of the blinds drawn. Someone is in a mood. 

"How was the rest of your day?" I ask Liam cautiously and I watch him swing a beer bottle up to his lips. He shrugs his shoulders and I watch the liquid move down his throat. I'm irritated with how fast he's downing his beer and I wonder what number he's on. 

"Do you want to talk to me instead of drowning your feelings in alcohol?" I ask him with a sharp tone. He stops chugging for a second and then drops his bottle onto the counter so it lands with a loud clank. I'm surprised he's being so dramatic. He glares at me and I snap, "Why are you being an ass to me? I didn't invite your father to blow up a building!"

He frowns and replies, "Don't think I don't know that you want to defend him Ellie. Why is the part I'm having an issue with."

I cross my arms and press my popped hip against the counter, "I don't want to defend him!"

"What does he have on you Ellie? You're a shit liar when you try to lie to me, so I know for a fact you don't believe his bullshit. So it has to be blackmail right? Are you seriously worried about him digging into your past clients? He has no access to any of that if he's behind bars." This would have been the perfect opportunity to bring up the pregnancy but I don't want to tell him while he's drunk and angry. If he's not so happy about the news, it will only provoke his drunken downward spiral.

I shake my head, "I'm just curious alright! I think it's best if we keep tabs on him. I don't know what he's capable of and I think it's better to be in the know instead of worrying about what he might do or say about us."

Liam looks to me and shakes his head in frustration, "I think you are giving him more credit than he deserves. I don't think he can't do a damn thing."

"Let me find out first. If that's true, I'll drop him as a client. If he really is incapable of ruining our careers then I'll be done with him. I promise." I look to Liam and beg him to believe me. He grabs his beer off the counter and I watch as he finishes the rest of it. He avoids my gaze and stalks out of the kitchen with out saying anything else. I flinch as I hear our bedroom door slam shut and I curse loudly in response. We haven't had parent drama in years and it's certainly reverting Liam back to his college days. I hear my phone jingling in my bag and as I snatch it up I see it's Harper, "Hey Harp, what's up?" I answer while trying to push my husband's temper away.

"Oh did I catch you at a bad time? Are you busy?" She asks and I glance up the stairs, but decide to keep the drama to myself for now.

"Nope. I'm home." I hear her yell something to someone on the other end and then her attention is back on me.

"Okay good. So I wanted to go over the plan for when I'm in L.A next week. I know you said you'd help me get those documents for the new store all drafted up, so I was just making sure you got my email today about what exactly I needed."

I swing the fridge door open and rifle through the drawers as I answer her, "Oh, I have a new intern Emma, she was in charge of checking my emails today so to be honest, I have no idea if I got yours. Your new boutique's scheduled opening is for November right? So I still have a couple of months to get all the paperwork drawn up. You'll be fine."

I hear her bark orders at someone else as I drop all the fixings for my sandwich onto the counter. I struggle opening the pickle jar and stuff it back into the fridge knowing I won't be asking Liam for any help tonight. Harper finally gives me her attention back, "Sorry, my current store manager is kind of an idiot. I need to fire her but I don't have time to hire a new one right now. Do you know how hard it is to run a chain of boutiques in four different states Ellie? Why did I think expanding out of Highland Park was a good idea?"

I giggle, "Oh hush, you're raking it in right now. Don't even complain."

I hear her giggle too, "Okay you're right. Also did you see the fabulous new fall-line of Jimmy Choos in the Neiman's catalog? Um... luh-ove! We need to do major damage when I am in L.A. I've been working here in Atlanta for the past month and I am over it! I need a change of scenery! Also tell Liam I am crashing in your guest room. I want as much time with you as possible." I laugh at her fast change of subjects and I know I am just as excited to see her. It's been months since I last visited her for her Scottsdale store's grand opening.

"Of course you can stay here. I'll double check my email and make sure I have everything you need by the time you get here next week. Don't worry."

I hear her exhale loudly and she says, "Okay great! Have I ever told you how amazing it is to have a lawyer as a best friend?" She starts lashing out on someone else and then quickly says, "Oh my god! This idiot got all the fall orders wrong! Gotta go! Love you!" The line goes dead and when I drop my phone onto the counter my heart tightens like a fist in my chest. Harper is going to be here next week and the first time I don't have a margarita with her she's going to assume I'm pregnant. The second time I deny a drink she's going to know I'm pregnant. And I can't have her knowing before Liam. I slide my hands down my face and know I now have a deadline. I need to tell Liam I'm pregnant and I have less than a week to figure out how.