“Ally, Corretta, you two need to go to Detroit for a three weeks for a vacation. Trust me, the two of you could use it.” Said Richard at a routine morning meeting. “Don’t fight me either, I’ve already arranged a plane ride and hotel.”

“Corretta, may I talk to you in my office please?” pleaded Ally.

Once in her office, Ally began to cry. The last thing she wanted was to see *him*.

“Ally, sweetie, you have nothing to worry about. Larry doesn’t live there anymore. I talked to him about three years ago, and he told me that he had moved to New York to be away from Jamie. Don’t worry, you won’t see him.”

Ally gave Corretta a hug. “What would I do without you?” she laughed.

Once they landed in Detroit, they went to the hotel. It was really very beautiful. It had high, domed ceilings, tables and couches, pianos and violin players, plants, and gigantic rooms.

“I should have known Richard would have gone all-out.” Laughed Corretta as the entered their hotel room.

The room wasn’t short on beauty either. It was the penthouse, with three bathrooms, three bedrooms, three kitchens, a patio and a living area. Very cool.

“So what do you say we go and explore!?” Ally suggested.

It was around 3:00 in the afternoon, a bad time to choose to explore. School had let out about twenty minutes ago, and there were children and teenagers everywhere.

“Hey! Watch it!” Ally screamed as a bunch of thirteen-year-olds ran past her. One particular kid caught her eye, but she chose to ignore it.

It was drizzling, and the sky had grown dark.

“So much for our day of exploring.” Corretta said, disappointed. “Do you want to catch a movie instead?”

“Sure, why not.” Ally agreed.

As they entered the movie, they gasped at the number of teenagers the room was filled with.

“Wow, Ally, sure are a lot of kids here.” Screamed Corretta over the roar of young teenage voices.

“So, what movie are we seeing again? I forget, and my ticket stub doesn’t say.” Asked Ally.

“I think it’s the new one with Robert Downey Jr. His career really went uphill after those six months of rehab a few years ago.”

“Yeah, it did. Plus he’s really hot.” Smiled Ally.

As they sat down in their seats, the kid that Ally had spotted before sat in the row next to her. This time she had a better look at him. He looked about 13 or 14, with dark brown hair and eyes, big eyes, a pale complexion tanned by the sun, and face long dimples that were enlarged when he smiled. He reminded her of someone, but she just couldn’t put her finger on who. The movie had almost begun, and Corretta had gone to the bathroom. It really bugged her about this kid. He was having a conversation with some of his friends. She decided to listen in. “This is sooo Elaine.” She thought to herself.

“Hey Paul!” said one of his friends as he joined them.

“Paul, Paul, what teenager do I know by the name of Paul?” Ally asked herself. “Whatever.”

His friend smiled. “So, um this movie should be good right?”

“Yup, should be good.” Sam Paul forced a smile. “ Hey Mali, come over here.”

Ally watched as a girl walked over to him and gave him a hug.

“Hey, are you okay? What’s wrong?” Mali asked.

“Ya know how it’s my birthday next week? I doubt he calls. He almost never does.” Whispered Sam.

“Listen Paul, he will. Maybe he’ll even come into town. He does every year right? Look, I know you and your dad are close, but be happy. At least for today. Come on, I mean you’re surrounded by all your friends, at a great movie. Have a good time okay?” Mali smiled as she kissed him on the cheek.

“Yeah, okay, anything for you sweetie.” He laughed.

After the movie, Ally pulled Corretta off to the side.

“Ally, what’s wrong?” Corretta asked.

“Do you see that boy over there?” Ally asked. “Does he remind you of anyone?”

“Nope, but he’s very handsome.” She replied.

Over on the other side of the theater, Sam Paul was talking to his girlfriend, Mali.

“Hey, do you know that woman? I see you looking over to her a lot.” Asked Mali.

“I don’t really know, I think I do, I mean she looks familiar, but it would be weird to just go up to her. Like, I think I’ve met her before, like when I was 7 or 8, but I don’t really remember. I’m not sure, but I think she dated my dad.” Said Sam.

“Ya know, we really need to work on you talking a lot slower,” she laughed. “But I think, that if you think you know her, you have no choice but to go up to her. Other wise it’s just going to bother you.”

“Okay, but wait for me.”

Ally watched as the boy came up to her. He looked her in the eyes, and then lunged forward and gave her a big hug. While he hugged her, he whispered in her ear, “I missed you Ally.”

Back at the offices of Cage and Fish, a lot of things were going on.

“Nelle, Sweetie, what’s wrong?” Mark asked.

“Mark, we’ve been dating for what, almost two years? I mean, where is this relationship going? Honey, I love you so much, but who are we kidding here?’’ Nelle said sadly as she walked away. She was upset that Mark hadn’t proposed yet, and it was getting to her.

Mark knew what he had to do, but before that, he *had* to talk to Ally. Over the years they had grown to be very close, and Ally usually was good help in terms of relationships. She’d experienced both the ups and downs, and always knew what was going on. Especially in terms of him and Nelle.

“Elaine, have you seen Ally?” Mark asked eagerly.

“Nope, Richard sent her and Corretta to Detroit to get her back together with Larry. Guess what though? She doesn’t know!” Elaine gasped.

“Okay, thanks, I guess.” Mark said. “Have you seen Richard?”

“He’s in his office.”

Mark quickly made his way over to Richard’s office. When he walked in, he was amazed at what he found. There was wallpaper up, and it was photos of money, but instead of some dead president in the middle, it was Richard Fish. The carpet was a lime green, and so was everything else.

“Richard, this is disgusting.” Mark said, with disgust.

“To each his own, Mark. What brings you here?”

“So you sent Ally to Detroit?”

“Yea. I just couldn’t bear to watch her do any more of that moping because he’s gone. It’s been five years, I figure, if she’s not over him by now then she won’t ever be. Plus, she’s just not pulling in the money, Mark. So maybe if she’s happy the cash will be rolling.”

“Were you aware that three years ago Larry moved to New York?” Mark asked.

“Hmmm, did not know that. Oh well, I guess she can still enjoy her nice 3-week vacation in Detroit. I mean, I did send her with a friend.”

“Yes Richard, you did send her on a vacation, but what the hell is she going to do in Detroit?” Mark laughed as he walked out of Richard’s office.

“Oh my gosh, Sammy, I missed you too. G-d, its been ages. Oh, I missed you so much!” Ally whispered back. She broke apart from their hug. “Do you want to go get some ice cream or something? Catch up?”

“Sure, but I just have to say goodbye to my girlfriend, okay?” Sam quickly ran over to his girlfriend, hugged and kissed her, and came back to Ally.

“Oh!” Ally yelled. “ Sam, this is Corretta, Corretta, this is Sam.”

“Hi, nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” Corretta said with a dazed look in her eyes. She had absolutely no idea why Ally had 13-year-old friends in Detroit. Ally picked up on it too.

“He is Larry’s son.” Ally added.

“Oh! So *this * is the great Sam Paul I’ve heard so much about.” Corretta laughed, making Sam blush.

“Okay, so where are we off to? Ice cream? I’ll show you where the parlor is.” Sam offered.

“Ally, now I see who you were talking about him looking like, just add the glasses and you have Larry.” Corretta whispered to Ally.

“Ally,” Sam started as they walked into the shop, “You look beautiful, you haven’t aged at all.”

Ally smiled. “Not bad for a woman whose biological clock is all messed up.”

“So, Ally, how are you doing? I know you two broke up. I cried for a while. I looked forward so badly to having you as a mom. You’re so sweet and funny and kind, just like a mom should be. And then the three of us would be the best family ever. But I guess I learned to deal, I had pretty big hopes for a seven year old.” Sam said, sadly.

“Well Sam, I’m sure you know the story, I’m sure you’re dad has told you.” Ally said quietly.

"Yeah, but it sucks that he didn’t even get to propose.” Sam replied just as quietly.

This caught Ally’s interest. Propose? What’s that about? Did she dump Larry before he was about to propose?

“Um What?” Ally asked, startled.

“SAM, could I speak with you a moment?” Corretta asked, half-smiling and half gritting her teeth.

“Sure.” Sam said as he took her over to the corner of the room.

“Now, Ally doesn’t know about it, and your father told me that it would be best if she never new. Tell me something, does your father still love her?”

“Yeah, he does.”

“Then lets have some fun.” Corretta smiled.

“So, Corretta, what kind of fun are we talking about?” Sam asked eagerly.

“How would you like to get them back together!” Corretta offered, and this was one offer Sam could not refuse.

They went back to sit down, and Sam told them all about Mali and all of the stuff they did together. Ally couldn’t help but realize that Sam had turned into a romantic, just like his father. “Hopefully,” she thought, “he won’t have the same track record.”

“Oh, no. It’s getting late, my mom’s gonna freak, especially if she finds out I was with you Ally. Sorry but I really have to go. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow or something? How bout I meet you here at like 4:00 tomorrow?”

“Sounds good Sammy. See you then.” Ally said as she gave him a hug goodbye.

Ally and Corretta enjoyed their walk back to the hotel.

“He really adores you,” Corretta mentioned, “ You’re just like a mom or something to him.”

Ally couldn’t help but smile. It had been 5 years, but Sam Paul still was the same. The same as Larry. He even looked the same. The dirtyblonde hair had turned very dark, almost black. His eyes were exactly the same as Mr. Larry’s, and sometimes, the eyelids got really big, so they cover most of the eyes. He even had the same cheekbones. What was the most impressive, though, was the way he spoke to her. Exactly like Larry. Really fast, pausing, and then mixing up the last word of the first sentence with the next. Unbelievable.

“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Sammy! What’s up?” Larry Paul asked from the other end.

“Not much, I was just thinking of you.” Sam replied. “I miss you dad, I want you to come to visit.”

“Sam, but your mother, can’t you come here?” Larry volunteered.

“No way Dad. My friends are throwing me a huge birthday party in two days, and I have to be there.”

“Well…”

“Just fly in tonight, and you can leave by like Tuesday. I want you here for my birthday dad. I’ll be thirteen, do you have any idea how big that is?” Sam asked eagerly.

“Yeah, buddy, I do. I’ll be there. Ya know, your mom is going to kill me but, do you know that pizza parlor next door to your house? If you can meet me there tonight at 2:30, we can meet there I guess. Okay? I’ll be their, promise.”

“Thanks dad, I love you.”

“Love you too Sammy. See ya then.”

Sam hung up the phone. It was 11:45, and he had a long while to go.

Back in Boston, at the bar, everyone was dancing; except for Mark and Nelle. Mark could not take it anymore. He walked up to the stage, stole the mike from Vonda, and said something that surprised many people.

“Nelle, would you come here please?” Mark sweetly asked. He began again once Nelle was seated on a stool next to him. “Nelle, in my entire life, I have never met any one quite like you. You are the most amazing woman, and you have made my life absolutely perfect. Will you marry me?”

Nelle felt tears run down her cheeks as she said yes. Mark carefully slid the ring onto her finger, and everybody clapped and cheered.

“DAD!!” Sam shouted, but not too loud.

Larry ran over and gave his son a big hug. “Funny,” Larry thought to himself, “He’s almost as tall as me.”

“So Dad, do you want to go for a walk or something?” Sam asked.

“Yeah, I do.”

For 2 hours, Larry and Sam walked around the city, discussing Law, work, and plans for the summer.

“Sammy, we should be heading back. Your mother might get worried if she wakes up and finds you missing.” Larry said, in a more serious tone.

“But dad, where ya gonna sleep?”

“I can just stay at the hotel down the street.” Larry smiled.

Sam was about to interject, when he realized that Larry staying at the same hotel as Ally might turn out well.

“Okay Dad, but can I stay there with you? Mom won’t know. I left a note saying that I was going out with friends. Mom doesn’t usually wake up till around 10, so by that time it will be okay.” Sam begged.

“Fine, you can stay with me.” Larry laughed.

Sam had been putting it off, but he really couldn’t help but ask.

“Do you still love Ally?”

Larry took a long pause after that one. He hadn’t mentioned Ally to anyone in a very long time. “Yeah, I do. More than anything. Almost as much as you.” Larry half-smiled.

They walked into the hotel. Larry checked in, got his room key, and was ready to get on the elevator, when Sam stopped him.

“Dad, I’ve been wondering for the *longest * time. The last time I saw Ally, when I was like seven, you told her to keep playing that song you wrote for her. I know it’s early in the morning, but I would really like to hear it. Ally meant a lot to me too ya know.”

“Okay, I did write her one song, but you owe me big if I play it.” Larry joked.

“Whatever it takes Dad!” Sam laughed.

Sam knew that the piano was loud, and he also noticed a vent next to it that led to the penthouse suite, where Ally and Corretta were staying. Larry sat down to the piano.

Ally lay awake in bed, thinking about the day. She was so grateful to have run into Sam, he was such a great kid. She laughed to herself at the thought of the fact that she still saw him as that little 7-year old boy sitting in her chair, asking to sue his daddy.

Ever since she was a child, Ally McBeal loved to wander around hotels. There is always so much to explore, it really is fascinating. And, since she couldn’t sleep, she decided to take a stroll around the facility. On her way out, she heard something that made her heart both stop, and accelerate at the same time. Those chords, that voice. “Nah, it couldn’t be. He lives in New York.” She said to herself. But then she heard more.

Chances are you'll find me
Somewhere on your road tonight
Seems I always end up driving by
Ever since I've known you
It just seems you're on my way
All the rules of logic don't apply

“Oh my gosh!!! It’s him, he’s here! I just know it.” She whispered to herself. She was walking very slowly, because she was afraid that if she walked any faster her heart might explode with anticipation.

I long to see you in the night
Be with you 'til morning light
I remember clearly how you looked
The night we met
I recall your laughter and your smile
I remember how you made me
Feel so at ease
I remember all your grace and your style

She was now on the third floor, and she was edging closer to the balcony. She was too nervous to look at him, so she hid behind the wall.

And now you're all I long to see
You've come to mean so much to me
Chances are I'll see you
Somewhere in my dreams tonight
You'll be smiling like the night we met
Chances are I'll hold you and I'll offer
All I have
You're the only one I can't forget
Baby you're the best, I've ever met

“I cannot believe I just did that.” Larry whispered to Sam, who was looking at him with amazement. So where all of the clerks who were standing behind the counter.

“Do you sing professionally?” one asked.

“No,” Larry laughed. “I only sing for one person, that was the first time I’ve ever sang without her hearing.” Larry’s voice drooped.

“Well, if you don’t mind, would you sing again?” the clerk asked.

Larry looked at Sam. “Sure. I sang with Sting once, I’ll sing that one.”

Suddenly, Ally felt a presence behind her. She turned around and was about to scream, when she realized it was just Corretta.

“What the hell are you doing up?” she joked.

“Shhhhhhhh, Larry is downstairs. He just played our song, the song he wrote for me.”

“Is he still singing?” Corretta asked. She was very interested, because she had never heard him sing.

“Yeah, I have to get down there. Come with me.” Ally whispered.

They loaded on to the elevator just as the first few chords of “Every Breath You Take” began to play.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Ally started to cry. She saw him, and he looked exactly the same, better even. She could feel his hurt coming through his music. He couldn’t see her, because Sam was blocking. Sam saw her, though, out of the corner of his eye, and winked at her. She heard Larry’s voice:

Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take
I'll be watching you
Every single day
And every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay
I'll be watching you

“I can see her, should I get up and walk over?? She looks so beautiful, not a day aged. Yeah that’s what I’ll do before I start bawling here in front of my son.” Larry told himself.

Oh, can't you see
You belong to me?
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take
Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake,
every claim you stake
I'll be watching you
Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night, I can only see your face
I look around, but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold, and I long for your embrace
I keep crying baby, baby please.
Oh, can't you see
You belong to me?
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

Larry was staring directly at Ally now, their eyes locked in a hypnotic trance. He walked over to her.

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake
I'll be watching you
Every move you make, every step you take
I'll be watching you
I'll be watching you.

He now had her in his arms. After five years, he had forgotten how good it felt. “Well,” he said to himself, “This is perfect.”

Ally, Larry, Sam, and Corretta all took the first flight back to Boston; so they could join in the festivities of Mark and Nelle’s engagement and marriage.

Larry moved back in with Ally, and eight months later, they were engaged. One year after that, they were married.

“I love weddings.” Said Richard. “So many hot young women.” Larry was about to say something in return, but decided that it wasn’t worth it.

“Larry, you nervous?” asked Mark while helping Larry with his jacket.

“The service starts in precisely 10 minutes and 54 seconds.” Cheered John. He was so happy that his Ally was marrying such a wonderful man.

“Yes. Extremely. You’d think that after one I would be okay and everything, but no. Does my hair look okay?” Larry gasped.

“Larry, for the last time. Yes, your glasses, if you choose to wear them, look fine. No, those pants don’t make your butt look big, and yes your hair looks fine.” Jackson yelled.

“Sorry guys, you don’t have to get so emotional.” Larry retorted.

Ally, Renee, Jane, Nelle, Cassandra, Ling, Corretta, and Elaine were all primping themselves in the Bride’s room when Sam walked in. He walked in, and gave Ally a quick peck on the cheek.

“How are you holding up?” he asked, in the maturest way. “Dad’s a total wreck, he’s so nervous.” He laughed.

“Oh, I’m just the same.” Ally giggled.

“Well, I gotta go. Less than ten minutes till the wedding, and Dad will freak if the best man isn’t there.” Sam smiled.

“Bye Sammy.”

As soon as Sam left, Ally spotted Elaine. “You, my friend, are gross. He’s only fourteen.” Elaine was sweating like she was on fire.

“Okay, here we go!” They walked into the Chapel.

The wedding ceremony was amazing. Everything turned out perfect.

The minute Ally walked in, she knew that she must have been marrying the most handsome man in the world. Funny too. His black hair was spiked up in the front, and kind of tasseled around. He kept taking his glasses on and off, like he couldn’t decide whether or not to wear them. In the end, however, the black glasses stayed on.

To Larry, Ally was the most beautiful woman in the world. The dress made her tan skin tone stand out, and configured her body nicely. And her eyes, her eyes let in all this warmth that he never felt through any other woman.

Sam had done an excellent job as Best Man, while Renee took over Maid of Honor. The ceremony was led by the minister/scientist that both Ally and Larry had met on different occasions.

Everyone could agree, though, that the highlight of the day was the party afterwards. Knowing their friends, they expected a lot from that late afternoon.

The party was a lot of fun. From the countless toasts to the cake stuffing, the entire evening was an absolute joy. Much to Ally’s surprise; it would get better.

Ally was sitting with John. They weren’t even talking. John looked up at her with eyes that just told her how proud he was of her and how much he loved her. Ally’s eyes returned the same gaze. The song that described Ally and Larry’s relationship as a whole, however, interrupted that gaze.

“Okay. You know what time it is everybody!” boomed Vonda’s voice from the microphone. “Larry, go find your wife.”

Ally watched as Larry walked up to her; and asked, “May I have this dance?”

“Most certinally.” She replied.

As they moved onto the dance floor, Vonda began to sing.

For once in my life
I have someone who needs me
Someone I've needed so long
For once unafraid
I can go where life leads me
And somehow I know I'll be strong

“I can’t believe we were apart for 5 years. It feels like we’ve been together forever.” Larry whispered into her ear.

“I know, but the truth is Mr. Larry, that we’ve always been together. We just didn’t know it.”

For once I can touch
What my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Someone warm like you
Could make my dreams come true

“Wow, how many times have we danced to this song?” Larry asked curiously.

For once in my life
I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before, oh
For once I've got someone
I know won't desert me
'Cause I'm not alone anymore

For once I can say
This is mine, you can't take it
As long as I've got love I know I can make it
For once in my life
I've got someone who needs me

“Larry?”

“Yes Mrs. Paul.”

“Shut up.”

For once I can say
This is mine, you can't take it
As long as I've got love I know I can make it
For once in my life
I've got someone who needs me

“Done.”

After the wedding, Sam moved to Boston to live perminently. Ally and Larry had a baby girl, in which Sam named Mallory.

Life, for Ally, was perfect... All thanks to Richard Fish.