Author’s Notes: This is the final (?) part in the series, follows ‘A Flamingo Sang In Berkeley Square’ and ‘Blank Sheet Of Paper.’

Geometry: The study of Shape of size

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Of course, we could go the whole hog,” CJ said, her phone on speakerphone as she folded laundry with both hands and changed channels with her toes.

“The whole hog? We used to pay you to speak for a living.”

“I meant it doesn’t have to be California or New York. We could, I don’t know, move to New Hampshire for instance.”

Silence floated down the line as Toby half considered the idea, half debated whether his girlfriend was facing melt down.

“Toby?” She stopped folding momentarily and sipped her lemonade.

“You’re crazy. I love you, but you’re crazy.” He rubbed his hand over his face, wondering where she got her ideas from. “Abbey would certainly like the idea.” Huck wouldn’t mind spending his holidays so close to the ski slopes, Molly would visit them wherever they set up home, not because she adored him but because she would get to hang out with CJ. Erin, he thought would find it isolating but she would be safer than in a school in New York. “And I guess someone would employ me, they’re pretty desperate for teachers.” The more he thought about it the more he warmed to the idea.

“And the President would enjoy having you around.” The more she thought about it, the more she realised it wasn’t such a bad idea. For what they would pay for an apartment in Manhattan they could buy a four-bedroom family home in Manchester, Toby wouldn’t need to feel she was supporting them both, Boston was only an hour or so if she wanted to go shopping and it was safe for her daughter.

Toby almost choked on his scotch at the notion. “Yeah?”

CJ returned to the laundry. “He has no one to argue with. Abbey doesn’t debate politics with him, and she hates chess. He misses. . .,” she trailed off, not wanting to dredge up memories and leave them both feeling down and unable to comfort one another. They all missed Leo - even after so long she still thought about him every day, and Toby had never really gotten over not being at the funeral.

“I often wonder what he would have made of us,” Toby sighed, leaning back on his couch, the television muted in the background.

“Probably think I’ve lost my mind.” She grinned mischievously. “Of course he may have been a little jealous.”

“Well you lost your mind long before you and I got together. And I really don’t think Leo was interested in me that way,” he deadpanned causing a despairing sigh from her. Toby adjusted his position so that he was more comfortable. “Abbey could help with the wedding.” He grinned as her voice rose an octave.

CJ could not believe he was even suggesting it. Abbey‘s idea of a wedding was to take over the National Cathedral. “We agreed small, right, and simple?”

“Ok, maybe not,” Toby agreed. He had his heart set on eloping.

“You realize I haven’t told them yet. I’ve been waiting for the right moment.” With the Bartlets it was never easy to find the right moment, hell with any of the family for that matter. At some point they would have to tell their friends too, and endure more than a little ribbing.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me. You haven’t told Danny yet.”

“No.” CJ had seen Danny at least every other weekend since her impromptu trip to New York but she hadn’t found the courage to tell him, and Erin was leaving the subject alone. She knew the time was coming, especially if they wanted to be in their new house by the Labour Day.

“What happened to the impulsive CJ who flew across the country on the spur of the moment, on the strength of a letter?” he teased, leaning forward in his seat to catch the sporting results.

“She impulsively went into hiding.”

“What if we tell him together?” Toby suggested, wanting to get it over with.

“What’s the catch?” Wary.

“You come with me to tell Andi.” CJ wasn’t the only one who was chicken.

CJ groaned. “She hates me.”

“Probably not as much as she hates me.” He paused, listening to the gentle cadence of her breathing before changing the subject. “So, what have you decided?”

“I finish work on the thirtieth of June. Erin and I will fly up and we can spend two weeks with you house hunting.”

“And then we take the kids on vacation.”

“I still can’t believe you want to go scuba diving.” Laundry folded, CJ moved on to picking up discarded clothes from the bedroom carpet.

“It wasn’t just the diving that appealed. It’s gonna be in the nineties, I was kinda hoping you’d squeeze into a bikini for me.” His body responded instantly to the image flashing before his brain.

“Really? A swimsuit maybe, but flashing my lumpy bits, no.”

“I like your lumpy bits. I like the swell of your breast, especially when you walk around naked.” The tone of his voice suddenly changed to one she recognised from the bedroom.

“Toby!” she said in warning.

“I love your legs and the slope of your ass.”

“Toby!” They really needed to move in together soon, she concluded, or she was going to have to resort to long cold showers after every phone call.

“I like it when. . .”

“Ok, that’s enough.”

“Blushing?” he asked, softly.

“Horny?”

He growled something low and obviously frustrated down the line.

“Take lots of cold showers and if you’re good I’ll let you have me on the beach.”

“I hate sand,” he grumbled.

“I guess we’re having two rooms instead of a bungalow then,” CJ laughed, finishing her lemonade. “Can’t have the kids scarred for life.” After years of complexity their relationship was finally making sense, and distance now seemed the only obstacle to finally being happy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CJ was crawling around the loft space, debating whether she should just hire a skip and dump everything, when her cell rang. Delicately, a knee on each floor board, she reached for it. “CJ Cregg.”

“Hey, CJ.”

The voice was unmistakeable, warm and commanding, and safe, and CJ was not surprised to hear from her. If anything she wondered what had taken her so long. “Abbey, how are you? How’s the President? How’s New Hampshire?”

“I’m well. Just got back from a little hike.“ Hike was playing it down a little, she’d actually spent a week trekking through the Rockies and she had the blisters to prove it.

“Jed, go with you?” CJ asked, picking up Erin’s soft toys - her first bunny from Donna, the well loved bear from Danny - and changing her mind about the garbage.

“Nah, Zoey and Liz. Jed, and you really must start calling him that, stayed home and started writing his memoirs. He’s doing ok, at least he says he is. The new medication is making him a little testy.”

“In a good way?” Although if her experience with Jed and medication was anything to go by, he was never good with medication.

“Depends what mood I’m in. Whether I‘m in the mood for arguing or a little tenderness.” She laughed heartily. “The weather is pretty good up here, almost as warm as where you are. How’s my little girl?”

“Erin’s great,” CJ replied, a small forming on her lips as it always did when she spoke of her daughter. “Sprouting up now. We think she’s gonna be as tall as me. She’s spending a few days with her dad.”

“So have you made plans for the Fourth of July yet?” Abbey asked, finally approaching her reason for calling. So far everyone had agreed to come, some more enthusiastically than others, which only left her with CJ and Toby, who of course would balk at the idea, at least at first.

CJ hesitated a moment too long, debating what to tell Abbey, how to tell Abbey, if she even wanted to tell Abbey.

“Oh, you have.” Disappointment was an understatement. It wouldn’t be the same without CJ and Jed would be devastated that his fourth daughter couldn’t be there.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just .. .” She took a deep breath. “Toby and I, well . . .”

“Really, the two of you are finally getting it on.” The holiday was looking up. By the time she had collected all her winnings she would be able to buy a new outfit. So many of the formal staffers were pessimistic and sceptical but she knew they would find their way to each other eventually.

“Abbey!” Her friend had always been blunt and honest. Something in her voice told CJ she knew or at least suspected something.

“Well? Details!”

CJ sighed and tried to get comfortable. “Can’t I give you the run down when we get there? Everything, I promise. I‘m in the attic, sorting through my life, right now.”

“Oh?” Abbey was intrigued. It had taken CJ three months to sort through her apartment when she left DC, now it sounded like she was more than tidying.

“I’ll tell you all about that, then, too.”

“Can’t wait. So will he come?”

“Of course.” CJ would make him. She’d probably have to make some sacrifices, bribe him a little but she would get what she wanted in the end. “Can we bring the twins?”

“Oh, Molly and Huck, Jed will love it. He can torture them about college. And we’d love to see you all. I guess you and Toby will be sharing a room.“

CJ could imagine Abbey’s eyebrows waggling. “Abbey!”

“Ok. There’s plenty of time for the details later. Email me your flights and we’ll pick you up or send a car or something.”

“I’ll speak to Toby later and Erin will confirm everything in the next few days.” CJ lowered her foot onto the ladder. “I’ll see you then, Abbey.”

Abbey lowered the phone to its cradle, grinning from ear to ear, practically bouncing as she went to look for Jed and tell him the news.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“It never changes,” CJ sighed wistfully, staring out of the car window at the white farmhouse.

“Is that a bad thing?” Toby asked, his own thoughts drifting to previous visits to the farm.

She shook her head, her mouth breaking out into a smile. “She never changes either.” CJ opened the car door and crossed the driveway, her legs striding as she neared her old friend.

Abbey’s arms were open, engulfing her in a hug. “You don’t know how happy we are to have you here.”

“You look great.” CJ held tightly to her friend. Abbey certainly didn’t look her age but then she was active and still very much in love, making her vibrant and happy.

“Thank you.” She released CJ and stepped back to study her. “Something agrees with you.” Her eyes drifted over her, finally coming to a standstill on her hands. “My, my, that’s new.”

CJ’s eyes danced as she raised her hand to give Abbey a better look, the diamond glistening in the sunlight.

“Very elegant, Toby,” Abbey called over CJ’s shoulder.

“She chose it.” He shrugged at Abbey’s raised eyebrow. “It’s a long story.” One, he correctly predicted he would be reciting several times over the weekend.

“Wonderful. I’ll make us some coffee and you can tell us all about it.” Abbey turned to greet the younger members of the party. “Erin, Molly, come give me a hug.” She waited until they released her before turning to the young man hovering in the background. “And if you’re not to old.”

Huck kissed Abbey’s cheek and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “Good afternoon, Ma’am.”

She lightly slapped his arm. “Abbey.” At his nod, she smiled. “Jed is looking forward to talking to you at dinner.“

Huck looked positively horrified, the mere thought of having a conversation with the formal President sending him into hives.

Abbey chuckled, “Don’t worry, I won’t let him torture you too much. For now, why don’t you three go hide in the den. We‘ll torture your parents for now and save you for later.”

Molly, Huck and Erin followed the grown ups into the house, disappearing down the hallway the way Abbey indicated.

“Jed, they’re here,” Abbey called, leading CJ and Toby through the house and into the formal living room. “And they have news.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What does it say about us that Abbey put us at the opposite end of the house to her and the President?“ Toby mused, wandering around the bedroom in his boxers and T-shirt.

“That she thinks that we’re having lots of sex?“

“Or they’re having lot of sex.“ He cringed at the prospect.

“I’m sure Molly will let us know in the morning.”

Toby turned sharply and stared at his girlfriend. “Berkeley?”

CJ nodded, her lips quirking upwards. “We got rave reviews.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He advanced on her.

“Toby!”

“I thought it was time for our command performance,” he grinned, tangling his hand in her hair and tugging her towards him.

“What about dinner?” she asked, as his lips brushed hers and the last thing on her mind was food.

~~~~~~~~~

“Nice of you to join us,” Jed commented dryly, glancing up from the photo album, his eyes revealing little.

CJ knew immediately what sort of night lay ahead. She didn’t even try and explain why they were late.

“Drink, CJ?” Abbey asked, holding up a large wine glass.

“Oh, yeah.”

“Funny enough, that sounds so familiar,” Molly teased from the couch beside Jed.

They all watched as CJ gulped down the wine, her cheeks flushed, her eyes refusing to fix on anyone.

“Er, yuck. Now I have this image,” Huck grumbled, shaking his head in distain.

Toby propped himself up against the door, his eyes darting between CJ and his feet. Silently, he took the glass of whisky from Abbey, mumbling a thank you. There was something about being back in the house that made him nervous. It was like meeting his future in-laws for the first time. And he had yet to be alone with Jed, something he was not looking forward to, there would be a lecture, an inquisition and a warning, of that much he was sure.

CJ sidled closer to him, her hand lightly brushed his arm. ”You ok?” The kids were enjoying watching Toby squirm just a little too much, she thought.

His eyes twinkled in response and she knew he was really alright.

Abbey smiled as she moved around the room, making sure everyone had a drink. She was practically bouncing, something she hadn’t done in a long time, at the news. Toby was so much more perfect for CJ than Danny. She’s even toyed with the idea of a little matching making in the past but decided against it after Toby announced he was having twins and going to marry Andi again.

Jed, having napped for best part of the afternoon, was jovial and somewhat testy. “Are we going to eat?”

Abbey rolled her eyes. “We have guests.”

“Yeah, guests that need feeding.”

“Would you all like to make your way into the dining room.” As she waited for them all to be seated, Abbey disappeared into the kitchen and returned with the bread basket.

Jed lay his napkin over his lap and helped himself to a bread roll. Splitting the bread, he glanced up at Erin. “How’s school, Erin Abigail?”

Erin gulped her juice, her mother’s respect and admiration for the man making her nervous. She smiled. “It’s ok. Too much homework. And they insist on making me do sports. I’m also learning Spanish.”

“No plans to disappear off to Spain for three months?” Jed asked, the protective father in him coming to the fore.

She shook her head, her forehead creasing in confusion.

“Good. Be a good girl and stay close to your mom until you’re at least thirty.” Jed turned to the other young people. “And you two, what are you planning to study?”

“Law, Sir,” Huck replied, swallowing a chunk of bread.

“God, another lawyer in the family. Just what we need. Where?”

“Harvard, Sir.“

“You should ask Josh about his days there,” Jed suggested thoughtfully. “Actually, on second thoughts, maybe not. And Molly?”

“Mass Communications.”

“Ah.” He never really understood hat exactly mass communications was all about. Nor did he really care. It did however bring him a first rate Press Secretary.

“And I’m taking a politics course.”

His smile widened. “Any economics?”

Molly grinned and shot her father a look. “I thought I could learn all I need to know in that discipline from you.” She almost fluttered her eyelids and debated adding a Sir but it sounded a little contrived.

Toby inwardly groaned.

“She definitely takes after Andi, Toby. Too much tact and diplomacy.” He took a sip of water. “Now tell me more about the courtship.”

CJ knew then that her prediction about the evening was right. It was going to be one of those evenings. Jed would torture Toby mercilessly. Abbey would talk incessantly about wedding planning and the children would see finally what it was like being part of the Bartlet family. She settled back in her chair and prepared to play mediator.

~~~~~~~

“So what do you guys want to do today?” Abbey asked, carrying the china plate to the table and placing it before Huck. The boy looked practically starved, probably not eating properly, too busy enjoying himself, well not while he was staying with her she had decided. She was going to make sure he ate. She tossed another round of toast on top of his breakfast and was rewarded with a grin.

“The others are arriving at noon, right?” CJ checked, torn between excitement that they would all be together again and nervousness at how they would react to her news.

Jed mumbled something in response from behind his newspaper.

“In that case, we’re gonna take a drive. Show the kids Manchester, maybe Concord.”

“The old haunts?” Jed asked, his face still obscured. Campaign stops, debate prep, working weekends, they’d spent many of them in New Hampshire and it hadn’t escaped his notice that the two of them had often disappeared on long drives when one or other of them were stressed. He never dwelled for too long on what they were getting up to instead relieved when they came back more like their old selves.

“Maybe,” CJ replied. “And a few new ones.”

“Ok, spill,” Abbey instructed finally taking her seat at the head of the table. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”

Toby looked at CJ before ducking his head and staring at his breakfast.

Jed lowered his paper and fixed Molly with his glare. “Young lady?”

“Dad and CJ are gonna shack up together in New Hampshire,” she replied, grinning as her father growled something low.

There was a moment of silence then Jed cleared his throat. “Well, Claudia Jean, it will be wonderful to have you and Erin living so close by, and we can help out when you’re working, and you can come to dinner, and Abbey will have someone to go shopping with. And of course I can assist Erin with her education.” He turned his attention to Toby. “Don’t you think it would pertinent at your age to marry her, least she get away?”

“Jethro, leave him be.”

“I would actually like to see one of our kids get married before I leave this earth.”

“We’re working on it,” CJ said, gently covering Toby’s hand with her own. “We just want to make sure the kids are settled first.”

“Any idea where you’re gonna live?” Abbey asked, ignoring her husband and getting to the nitty gritty.

“Toby thought we could drive around and look at schools and residential areas today then visit realtors tomorrow.”

“But not too far from here?”

Huck shook his head. “Nah, he’ll need somewhere to hide out when CJ throws him out. What?” he asked at his father’s glare. “She may have the patience of a saint but you’re enough to try anyone.”

Jed hid behind his paper, a wry grin capturing his lips. “And of course Abbey can help with the remodelling.”

Toby growled something inaudible as Abbey and CJ shared a smile.

~~~~~~~

“Toby, stop,” CJ yelled, shifting in her seat to look back at the house they had just passed. “Reverse.” They hadn’t been driving around for very long but had already narrowed the schools down to one. Now they were scouting the area for available properties.

He shifted the car into reserve and inched back.

“Wow!” Molly called from the backseat. “That’s some house.”

Toby looked out of the window, his eyes taking in the colonial style home, the immaculate lawns and the ‘Vote Democrat‘ placard in the garden. “You like it?” he asked, his voice somewhat unsure.

CJ nodded, her eyes fixated on the large white building. “It’s a family home.” She didn’t want to admit it but she hadn’t really had a family home. Before she joined Bartlet for America she’d lived in various apartments and prime location real estate, in DC she’d lived in a brownstone, nice but hardly homely and with Danny it had been a one story bungalow.

“You wanna take a look around?”

“Yeah, like that’s . . .” CJ began, knowing that it was too good to be true.

Toby walked purposefully around the car and up to the front door.

“Ok, I want a diamond bracelet for Christmas,” Molly teased from the back seat. “You obviously have a way with him.”

“Can I have a horse?” Erin chirped in.

A minute later, Toby opened the car door and grinned. “They’re happy for us to view. We can even take the kids if they behave.”

“How much?” CJ asked, as they trooped on masse up the path.

“450.” He leaned in and whispered, “Negotiable. And it’s only thirty minutes from Abbey. She‘ll love it.”

A petite red head was waiting for them in the doorway when they reached it, her smile wide, “Hey, my name’s Ginny. Welcome to our home.” She glanced at the three teenagers. “Kids?”

“Toby still likes to think of them that way,” CJ said, shaking her hand. “I’m CJ.”

“Yes, I recognised you. Well the youngsters might like to check out the back yard. There’s an in-ground pool, deck and we’re leaving the basket ball hoop.”

Huck shepherded his girls out of the door, not wanting to get roped in to talking patterns and paints or listening to Toby argue with CJ about square footage.

“On this floor we have the Living room, dining room, a kitchen, rec room and a sunroom and half bath. Upstairs there’s the master Bedroom, three other rooms, a den/study and a full bath. The basement is finished but not used for anything.” Ginny opened the door to reveal the living room.

CJ’s eyes were drawn to the hardwood floors and the brick fireplace. The walls were painted in neutral colours, drawing her eye to the French doors and the garden beyond. She glanced at Toby who was studying the walls, looking for any signs of damage, and knew that he was thinking the same thing.

Ginny opened another door to the sun room, giving them a moment to enjoy the hot house. Backtracking, she lead them through to the kitchen.

Toby knew it was the one the second they stepped into the kitchen. Handcrafted units lined three walls, tiled walls reflected light around the room and stainless steel appliances shone. The refrigerator itself took up a corner of the room and he pondered whether CJ would let him keep his beer in it.

CJ’s fingers brushed the solid wood worktop as she circled the island in the centre of the room. Perfect, he concluded for them to enjoy family breakfasts. It was homely, functional and built for a family, even one who had left it so late to get it right.

“The basement’s through that door.”

Toby descended the stairs and flicked on the light switch. It was the size of the downstairs, painted white and empty save for a few packing cases. It would he decided make the perfect study come den. He could write, bounce balls, watch sports and search for pie unheard by the rest of the house. He would even have access to the garden should he feel the need to shoot hoops when he had writers block.

“Very cool,” Huck announced, appearing behind him. “Can I have a room down here?”

“No.”

Ginny continued to show CJ around the downstairs until Toby rejoined them and they headed upstairs. Her husband lead the children to the west wing of the house. They would each have their own room and they could be heard allocating rooms as they were shown the shared bathroom and guest room.

The master bedroom was perfect, CJ and Toby thought independently. Small, but perfect for them, although Toby decided the flowery décor would need to go sooner rather than later. He walked into the en-suite bathroom and decided they would be putting an offer in, if only so he could get CJ in the whirl jet tub. He tried to suppress the blush as she ran her fingers up his arm and shot his idea out of the window, replacing it with an image of her in the shower.

“We have an electric door opener on the garage, a security system, smoke detectors and sprinklers, air conditioning, home warranty, waste disposal and we’re throwing in the kitchen appliances. The mud room is great after long walks,” the husband announced, meeting them on the landing.

Toby looked unconvinced about the prospect of long walks.

Making their way downstairs, CJ and Toby lapsed into silence, both contemplating how fortunate they had been. The couple wanted a quick sale, planning to move into something smaller and head off travelling. They also wanted to move quickly. Driving by had been a stroke of good luck.

CJ stood on the pavement, staring back at the house, her head cocked on one side as she debated how much or little work it would need.

“You want me to go back in there and put in an offer,” Toby stated, watching CJ’s eyes dance with delight. “Then we have to sell our places, decorate and try and get Erin into Manchester Central High School.”

She didn’t say anything, not really understanding that he meant an offer right then.

“I like it,” Erin said, glancing down the street, and catching a glimpse of boys shooting hoop.

“It actually feels like a home.”

“Dad,” Huck said quietly. “It doesn’t matter what we think. It’s whether you and CJ like it.”

Toby inwardly groaned, knowing that the decision was made and he’d be forgoing more than a few luxuries in the near future to afford it, and headed back up the paved drive and knocked on the door. He reappeared a few minutes later. “We need to phone the attorney tomorrow but it’s ours.”

CJ launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek.

“Oh geez, guess we know what they’re gonna be doing this afternoon,” Huck groaned. “And I was just getting over the engagement.”

“We’re gonna wait in the car,” Molly grinned, shepherding Erin inside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CJ walked through the Bartlet house and out into the garden. Her face lit up as she caught sight of them all.

It had been rare in recent years for them all to be together, it so often boiled down to funerals and Birthdays. The previous year they had buried Debbie Fidderer and celebrated CJ’s sixtieth birthday, this year they had planned to celebrate Toby’s sixty fifth, she reminded herself, but here they were together for July Fourth.

From a distance it was obvious that some things never changed. Josh and Sam were stretched out in their chairs, beer bottles stacking up around them. Sam’s wife chased their children up and down the garden as Donna watched on cautiously. The Bartlet family sat around the picnic tables, laughing and teasing each other. The only people who looked out of place were Will and Kate, dragged to New Hampshire despite the divorce, Abbey’s last ditch attempt at fixing things, and seated at opposite ends of the group.

“CJ?“ Donna squealed, turning, her hand to her eyes to block out the strong midday sun.

“Last time I looked, yeah.”

“I didn’t know you were coming.” She shot Josh a look that threatened death or worse.

“Hey, I didn’t know either,” he protested.

She crossed the patio and wrapped her arms around her friend. “Toby?” she stepped back and stared at the man, fidgeting behind CJ. “You brought Toby?”

“Standing here.”

“Josh, you owe me money,” Molly announced side stepping her father and heading towards her favourite Uncle.

“Did I make a bet, Donna?” Josh asked, his forehead scrunching in confusion, his eyes fixed on Toby.

Donna glanced between CJ and Toby. “Oh My God, you two, you’re you know.”

Huck groaned, “Please don’t stack me up with those images again.” He crossed the lawn and picked up a bottle of beer. Abbey removed it from his hand and offered him a glass of cider.

“When? How?”

Abbey shook her head. “Why don’t you both grab a drink and sit down and CJ can tell you all the details.”

Kate rose to her feet and padded across to CJ, hugging her. “Not necessarily ALL the details. I can‘t afford therapy right now.”

“How you doing?” CJ asked in a whisper.

“We’re talking and dividing up CDs.”

CJ hugged her harder, not willing to let her go. “You staying the night?”

Kate nodded into her shoulder.

“Then we’ll talk later when they’re all drunk and passed out and the kids are asleep.” Every other family occasion ended that way so she didn’t see why today would be any different.

~~~~~~

By the time they finished eating lunch, there were a few merry people sprawled out on the grass.

The women were gathered around the picnic table, gossiping like they had been apart forever instead of talking every week while the younger members of the family played chase or served pitchers of cider.

Jed settled himself at the make shift bar with Toby, supervising Vic as he cleaned the barbeque.

“Are you going to take care of her?” Jed asked, his eyes locking with Toby’s.

“I’m gonna try, although it may be more likely she’ll care of me.”

“How did Andi and Danny take it. . . Ah, you haven’t told them.” He shook his head as realization dawned.

“No speech, Sir?” Sam asked, watching the interaction between Toby and the former President and getting concerned about Toby’s deepening frown. He was surprised Jed hadn’t already commandeered the floor, the former President never one to stay quiet.

“Toby?” Jed asked, finally smiling and offering him the floor. “Or CJ?” He wasn’t sure who was the boss in that relationship and he wasn’t about to take any chances.

“CJ and I are getting married,” he mumbled, shuffling backwards and forwards and staring at the ground. He glanced at CJ and inwardly groaned at how unenthused he sounded.

“CJ?” Donna squeaked, wrapping her arms around her oldest friend.

She nodded. “He asked me a few weeks ago.” She lifted her hand and flashed the engagement ring earning a deep sigh from Donna.

“You’re together?” Josh asked, his jaw gaping.

“Duh,” Molly deadpanned, wondering where he’d been for the last hour or so. “No, they just decided to get engaged.”

“Well with those two, who knows?” He grinned widely revealing his dimples.

“And they’re doing the whole escrow thing,” Huck added, enjoying watching his father turned a deep hue.

Donna leaned over and slapped Josh hard on the back of the head.

“What the . . .?”

“It took him like two months and now they’re getting married and buying a house.”

“Actually more like thirty years,” CJ commented, laughing.

“Yeah, but Josh got me pregnant three times and still can’t commit,” Donna whined, wondering why they had never gotten around to the whole marriage thing and blaming Josh.

It was familiar and easy and so like them all, to take information and celebrate it rather than condemn or be offended that they weren’t told earlier. It was the reason CJ loved these people with all her heart.

Toby moved across the lawn and took CJ’s hand. “See, I did it wrong.”

She looked at him blankly.

“I should have gotten you pregnant.”

“That ship has sailed, my friend.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t stop you trying,” Molly chuckled, overhearing. “Hey, I’m surprised you’re even down here.”

“Molly!”

“Geez, Dad. It’s a good thing. A little scaring for life but a good thing. You two are so meant to be.”

“You’re like Fractal Geometry.”

Toby looked at his son blankly.

“He’s right,” Jed began. A fractal is a shape that appears similar at all scales of magnification. And you two are so alike, although our CJ has been blessed with the looks. But you come from broken homes, you have the biggest hearts and you throw yourselves so completely into everything you do. I can only imagine you love as deeply. And "infinitely complex," which God only knows you are. I have the bruises to prove it. The term fractal is from the Latin fractus, meaning "broken" or "fractured." And you’ve both been broken and you’ve put the other back together. We could all learn a little from you.”

Abbey leaned over and kissed Jed on the head. “I love you, Jethro.”

“I love you too, Sweet Knees.” Jed leaned into her kiss. “So when are you gonna marry her, Josh?”

He was sixty years old and Jed still managed to make him feel like a kid again. “We’re fine how we are.”

Donna pulled a face.

“Aren’t we, Donna?” he asked, slightly panicked.

“Idiot,” Molly said, placing the pitcher on the table and riffling what remained of Josh’s hair.

“What’d I do now?”

“Looks like we’re gonna have to work on him, Erin,” Molly called to her future sister. “Operation Josh.”

“Will and I have been running it for years,” Sam deadpanned.

“Oh, well that explains everything.” Molly shook her head.

Abbey reached over and helped herself to popcorn. “I forgot to ask did you find somewhere?”

“We found a house and put an offer in,” CJ said, glancing up from staring at Toby’s strong hands. “A beautiful five bed about thirty minutes from here.”

Abbey looked positively delighted, the idea of having her friend close by and a girl to grandmother.

“Wanna go one on one, Molly?” Josh asked, trying desperately to take the attention off Donna and him and ignoring the thumping headache that was kicking in.

“You serious? You really want total humiliation in front of everyone?”

“It’s not as if he hasn’t been there before,” CJ interjected.

“By a girl?”

“Oh, it’s quite common. Um, let‘s see. Sam got beaten on TV by Ainsley. Then got knocked around by an intern, or was it a school girl. “She smirked as Sam pulled a face. “Josh regularly got humiliated by Donna, Amy, Mandy, I think that’s everyone, ah, and Abbey. Toby got screwed by Ann, and Margaret frequently put him in his place.”

“Yeah, the brightest and the best,” Jed commented dryly.

“CJ, just managed to humiliate herself. Ow.” Josh rubbed the back of his head. “What was that for?”

“Don’t diss the wicked stepmother,” Molly said, fixing him with something that resembled Donna’s ‘no sex for a week’ look.

“Does she know what a klutz you were?”

“When you’re that brilliant, and beautiful you should have at least one flaw,” Erin added, rising to her feet. “Anyways, Josh, seeing as you’re so confident, how about two on one?”

As Jed watched Josh struggle to his feet and trot off after the girls, he wondered if his favourite son would ever learn when he was beat. Of course as he glanced around his lawn he knew that when it came to his women they were all beat.

~~~~~~

As the sun went down, Abbey shooed them all indoors for a early supper before the children went to bed.

Josh, Sam, Will, Toby and the three Bartlet son-in-laws settled themselves in the den watching sports as the women moved to help Abbey make supper.

“CJ, take a walk with me,” Jed said, resting his hands on the back of her chair.

Banned from the kitchen as she was, and not really interested in sports, she rose to her feet and offered him her arm. Together they walked out onto the veranda, pausing at the top of the steps.

“Let’s sit.” He waited until they were both comfortable on the swing. “Toby seems positively exultant.”

CJ smiled back at him. “I think he is.”

“And you?” he asked, softly, his hand covering hers. “Have you finally found the happiness you deserve?”

“Yes. I never told you how hard it was not being able to see him after the leak, how lonely I felt, how angry I was but how worried too. Then Leo died and . . .,” she trailed off. “I’d lost him too.”

His hand squeezed hers, imparting his understanding.

“I went to see Toby after Danny and I started to look like we were going to make a commitment. He kicked my ass and I realized it was time for me to move on. I also realized however hard Toby was to be around that I couldn’t be without him. It took a while but we gained our friendship back.”

“You were in love with him when you and Danny . . .?”

“If I was I didn’t know.” She paused to think about it. “I guess I was probably in denial. And Toby and I weren’t exactly at the same point in our lives. I wish we‘d realized sooner but you can‘t live in regret.”

“I know you don’t need it,” Jed said softly, “And Toby certainly would be offended, but you have my blessing.”

“That means a lot, to me, and to Toby.” She looked up at him. “I don’t think you realize how much he respects you. How much he hates letting you down.”

Jed gave her his disarming smile. “In that case I shouldn’t have to worry. He’s going to be the perfect husband.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The few days spent in New Hampshire were about as perfect as CJ could have hoped. She had spent time with Kate and Donna and Abbey, chatting about old times, the prospect of the wedding and catching up on their news. At night she and Toby had retired to the room they shared and acted like teenagers living in her parents house. Unfortunately the days flew by and they boarded the plane to Washington, both a little apprehensive about the task that lay ahead.

As they walked up the path to Andi’s door, CJ realized that Molly suggestion of a shopping trip had been as much to avoid being in the house when they told her mother, as to keep Erin amused.

Toby gave CJ’s hand a small squeeze before he rang the doorstep and distanced himself from his fiancee.

Andi’s smile faltered as she noted CJ’s presence, quickly restoring it as she invited them in.

“How are you doing?” Andi asked, showing them into her sitting room. “I was sorry to hear about you and Danny.”

CJ gave her a small smile. “It was a long time a go now.”

“Molly mentioned you were coming to town, catching up with everyone. She’s gone shopping with Erin?”

“Yeah, they said something about chocolate and shoes, “ CJ replied, noting the family photos positioned carefully around the room, wishing she was part of them but knowing they were there to give the illusion of something that no longer existed. Of course soon she would have new family photos of her own, ones reflecting love and others reserved for Toby‘s eyes only. “Tomorrow she’s showing her the sights.” And avoiding her mother, CJ mused.

“I think Molly misses being at camp. She’s been a counsellor for the last three years,” Andi said dismissively. She, herself, had been a little taken aback when her daughter had announced she was spending most of the Summer with her Dad. Of course the additional announcement of a trip to New Hampshire, had raised even more questions.

Toby ran his fingers over his face, waiting for the usual argument to start again. “She can go next year if she wants. I wanted to spend the Summer with my kids before they go off to college. You’ve been on at me for years to spend more time with them.”

“You left it a little late.”

He exhaled deeply. After his banishment from the White House Toby had spent many a happy hour with his kids. After the pardon, he had moved to New York to take up the only job he was offered and had had to endure the misery of being practically an absentee father. A Summer wouldn’t make it up to them, and he wasn’t trying to do that. More than anything, Toby wanted his kids to feel part of his relationship.

“Financially, they’re not losing anything by it. I’m paying towards their tuition, some of their living expenses. I’m taking them on vacation and enjoying getting to know them as adults.”

“No, you’re being the dutiful father,” Andi acknowledged, sarcastically.

CJ stared at her hands in her lap. Toby had always told her it was difficult being around his ex-wife but she had thought he was over exaggerating. He wasn’t.

“Can we not do this now?”

Andi held up her hand, satisfied she had riled him. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Water?”

“No, thank you.” CJ counted to ten as she waited for Toby to take the next step.

“So what brings you to DC, CJ?” Andi asked, watching Toby as he paced her living room, his eyes firmly fixed on his shoes.

“Andi,” Toby began, coming to a halt in the centre of a well worn Persian rug and glancing at CJ. “I wanted CJ be here for this.“

“Oh?“

Toby turned to face his ex-wife. “CJ and I are getting married.”

Silence enveloped the room like a fog, the ticking clock the only sound as Andi took on board the news, years of tiny incidents and angry conversations flashing through her mind.

“We’ve been together since April,” he clarified for no logical reason.

“Berkeley?”

Toby nodded, anticipating, and not being disappointed, the eruption.

“You took CJ to visit schools with our daughter?”

“No. CJ just met us at Berkeley and gave us the tour.” He wasn’t about to drop Molly in it by telling Andi it was their daughter’s idea or that she was instrumental in bringing he and CJ together.

“Did you sleep with her?”

Toby’s face turned a deep shade of red as his anger increased, the vein on his neck pulsating violently.

“That is none of your business,” CJ stated calmly and quietly. “Toby asked me to show Molly around my Alma Mater, and I was only too happy to oblige.”

“I’m sure you were.”

CJ shook her head in warning. “Andi!”

“So you got together in April, just like that and now you’re getting married?” she asked incredulously. “Or is it more like ten years of sneaking around and lying to me, and you don’t want to upset the kids.”

“The kids love CJ,” Toby growled. “And if CJ and I had gotten together sooner, we would have had no reason to sneak around.”

“Yeah?” Andi snapped back.

“I think it’s time I went,” CJ announced, rising to her feet, and fixing her mouth in something resembling a smile.

“I’ll come with you.” Toby took a step towards her.

She shook her head. “No, you two have things you need to talk about.”

“How will you get back?” he asked softly, ducking his head to look into her eyes.

“Walk. Public transport. I’ll be fine.” She turned towards the other woman in the room. “It was good to see you again. Take care.” Her hand brushed Toby’s arm momentarily as she headed for the door, not even waiting for an acknowledgement.

“Would you like a drink?” Andi asked when the door closed, and making her way across to the bar, lifting up an unopened bottle of scotch.

“Sure,” he replied, his eyes drawn to the pictures of Huck and Molly around the room as he dropped into an arm chair.

Andi crossed the room and handed him a glass, her fingers purposely brushing his.

Toby gave her a small smile and leaned back in his seat.

Crossing her legs and hitching up her skirt, Andi settled herself in the chair opposite him. “How much do you know about chaos theory?”

“Fractal geometry.”

“It‘s a little more than that, Toby. It’s all about there being order and beauty in what looks like total chaos. If we look closely at the randomness around us, patterns start to emerge.” She fixed him with a sad smile and brushed her hair from her shoulders. “That’s what we have. Our relationship has always been chaotic. We met, we disliked each other then we fell in love and it was beautiful. Then you walked away for her.”

“I didn’t walk away for her. I took a job on a campaign and she was Press Secretary.”

“And we tried for a baby and you were devoted, but when we couldn’t conceive it was sad and despairing and you radiated to her. Then there were the twins and for a brief moment in time it looked like we might be able to salvage something but then when I wouldn’t marry you, you ran back towards her.”

“Andi?“

“I don’t understand this.”

“What don’t you understand?”

“CJ?”

He closed his eyes briefly, ruminating on how to explain it. “For years you accused me of being in love with her. Cheating on you with her. There was never anything going on. I loved you, I wanted to be married to you, I asked you time after time and you made it clear you didn’t want to be with me. I finally admitted defeat and then she came back into my life and I fell in love with her. I didn’t expect anything to happen but it did and we’re happy.” Happiness had always been so hard for him to find and to admit but CJ had changed that at a time in his life when he thought he was past all that.

“You’re supposed to be moving back towards me.”

Toby lowered his head, the drink in his hand suddenly the last thing he wanted. “It’s too late for that. I’m not in love with you anymore. She makes me . . . not sad.”

Andi crossed the room and topped up his glass with scotch.

Toby looked up, a little taken a back as she leaned in and cupped his chin, her lips brushing his. “Andi,” he whispered sadly, the simple use of her name imparting more than his words ever could.

“Toby.” She gazed down at him, wistfully. She really hadn’t expected to feel so melancholy at the prospect of closure. A part of her would always love Toby. He was good at so many things and there was so much of him in their children. But he was finally saying goodbye and there would be no more desperate pleas for her to marry him.

“I really did love you, and I’ll always feel something for you because you gave me two wonderful kids but CJ has given me something I thought I’d never find again.”

“Which is?”

“Love. She makes me want to be a better person.”

Andi stepped back, the sudden realization that he was finally ending them hitting her like a sledge hammer. “You should go.”

“You don‘t want me, Andi.”

It was true, she had admit, but the idea that he didn’t want her hurt her harder than she had anticipated, although she wasn‘t sure if it was vanity or the acknowledgement that CJ had finally won.

Toby rose to his feet and made his way to the door. Once outside he flipped open his cell phone and dialled a familiar number. “Hey. I think you should come home.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Toby slipped his cell back into his pocket and rubbed his hand across his eyes.

“And?“ CJ asked, glancing around the marina, one hand held to her eyes to shield her face from the sun.

“I don’t think I’ll be on her Christmas card list anymore.“

“Are you on anyone’s?“ she asked with a smile. “Give her time. Closure’s a great thing if you’re the one getting it, not if you’re on the receiving end.“

“So this could be fun too?” he asked with the first inkling of a smile. “Because if he ends up hating me as much as she does maybe we should think about hooking them up.”

“Not sure I like that idea,“ CJ shuddered. Reaching over, she squeezed his hand in reassurance. “Just think - this time you’re the one who can run for the door when things get rough.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you,” he whispered, his eyes betraying how much he meant that. “But when we get back to your place I’m opening the scotch.”

“You open. I’ll drink.”

Erin spotted him before they did, her little legs tearing across the asphalt as she launched herself at him.

“Hey, Pumpkin.” He scooped her against his chest, kissing her hair. Danny looked up and his expression changed when he spotted Toby, not so much in anger but in confusion.

They made their way towards the restaurant, CJ automatically dropping his hand. Once they reached him, Toby extended his hand, waiting for Danny to take it.

“You’re a long way from New York.”

“I fancied some fresh air and a little tan time.”

Erin inwardly groaned, it was going to only get worse. Her father still loved, or at least believed he loved CJ, the idea of her with another man was going to bring out the worst in him.

“Hey, CJ,” Danny said, leaning in to kiss her cheek as he always did, or at least when they were playing nice for the sake of their daughter.

“Hey. You made it.”

And so it begins, Erin mused - the subtle but unmistakeable baiting. “Mom, can we eat?” She asked, hoping to draw their attention. At least if they were eating, she concluded, they couldn’t be sniping at each other.

“Anything you fancy?”

“Ice Cream and chocolate?”

“Chicken and vegetables,” CJ countered, thankful her daughter had none of the usual teenage hang ups about her weight but concerned that she should at least try to get her to eat a balanced diet.

Erin pulled a face.

“Hamburger?” Danny suggested, doing the one thing that irritated CJ the most - hijacking the parenting and turning it into good parent, bad parent.

“I’ll have salad with it, Mom, don’t worry.” She grinned and opened the door to the restaurant, waving them through.

~~~~~

Lunch hadn’t been quite the disaster Erin had predicted, although there was evidence of a little tension. Over hamburgers they had chatted amicably, reminiscing about the White House and laughing about Josh‘s latest antics. Of course her mother had yet to explain why they were there, which was probably why her father was still teasing Toby and not taunting him.

“So are you staying long, Toby?” Danny asked, sipping his beer.

“Just a few days.”

“And you’re leaving Saturday on vacation?” he asked CJ.

“Yeah.” She nodded unnecessarily.

He glanced at his daughter and back at his ex. “I’ll probably be out of town when you get back.” He watched a strange look exchanged. “Ok, what’s going on? I know you didn‘t just bring me down here for lunch.”

“I’m making some changes in my life,” CJ began, wondering when it was exactly she lost her ability to communicate.

Something began to shimmer into focus in Danny’s brain then disappeared from reach.

“The major one is moving. I‘ve already sold the house and I‘m almost packed.” She paused.

“Something tells me we’re not talking prime real estate in the same time zone,” he offered wryly.

CJ glanced at Toby and back at Danny. “Toby and I are . . . We’ve. . . I . . .”

“Toby asked mom to marry him.” Erin shrugged. “If I waited for you I’d be graduating college before you got round to it.”

“I did wonder when I saw Toby in tow.” He took a lengthy sip of his beer and settled back in his chair. “I could be tactful but hey, so were the two of you doing the do while we were married?”

“No,” she replied emphatically. CJ counted to ten as she often did when the memory of Danny’s betrayal reared it’s head. “The weekend I spent at Berkeley I was with Toby and Molly. They invited me down to show them the college and somewhere over the weekend we realized we loved each other.”

“Convenient.”

“Dad.”

He held up his hand in surrender. “So where are the two of you planning to shack up?”

“We’ve found a house in New Hampshire,” Toby offered calmly. “The kids can all have a room each.”

“It’s a real family home,” CJ interrupted, a little taken aback by how well he was taking it.

Erin shot her a look in warning.

“How does this affect Erin and I?” Danny asked quietly, realizing that his worse nightmare since losing CJ was coming true. “I guess she’s coming with you.” After the separation he had kept his parental rights having done nothing to warrant a judge pulling them. Instead he had agreed to share custody, CJ being the principal parent due to his constant travelling.

CJ nodded. “We’ve found a really good school and if I can’t get there in time, Abbey will pick her up. I’m not gonna shut you out of her life, Danny, but there will be some changes.”

“I can come for Spring Break and Christmas and part of the Summer.” Erin moved closer to her father. “Which means we get whole weeks instead of a day here and a weekend there. And you can come out East.”

“And you’re ok with this?” he asked, preparing to fight them if she wasn’t.

Erin nodded. “I’ll miss you, and my friends but I’ll get to see more of mom, and Toby’s great and then there’s Molly and Huck, and I get to be bridesmaid and I get to spend time with Uncle Jed.”

“You won’t be able to surf there.”

“I have mom’s coordination,” she deadpanned. “It never was going to be an option. But we could try skiing if you came to visit.”

“Abbey has said you can stay with them rather than a hotel,” CJ offered, her hand slipping beneath the table and entwining with Toby’s.

Danny fell silent. “Toby, why don’t you take Erin outside for a bit.”

“You can buy me ice cream,” she said, rising to her feet. If her parents were going to start fighting, she definitely didn’t want to be witness.

“Can I just say, I have never met a child who is as much a carbon copy of her parents as she is.” Toby commented dryly, following her out of the restaurant.

“Danny?”

“CJ,” he took a sharp intake of breath. “I don’t know where to start. I screwed up at the Correspondents dinner. I honestly don’t know what came over me, other than I was drunk and lonely, and I will be forever sorry for hurting you. I still love you,” he said softly. “I probably always will, but I know I blew it. Seeing you two together I know that you’re really happy, and you deserve that. And he will take good care of you and Erin.”

“He adores her, and strangely she seems to be able to handle him,” CJ mused. “But he would never try and replace you.”

“I know that. I’m her father. I’ll never relinquish parental rights but I have always deferred to you when it comes to what’s right for our baby. Whether I’ve agreed or not.“

“We’ll both relinquish those rights sooner than you think.”

He fell silent for a moment. “So it’s the real thing?”

“Danny, are you sure you want to do this?” CJ asked, not wanting to make things worse than they already were for him.

He nodded. “I’m not happy about the whole thing but I want to know you’re happy.”

“I am, Danny, really. I’m not sure why it’s taken this long, or that I won’t end up killing him and tossing the body where no one will find it, but I know I love him. I know he loves me. It’s that cut and dried and I never have to question it. And if I don’t follow my heart this time, we’re gonna run out of time to find out if he is the one.“

Danny reached over and squeezed her hand. She might not admit it or even see it yet but Toby was her soul mate, and Danny would always be a man she loved, not Mr Right, not the man she was in love with. As painful as it was to see, he had no choice but to acknowledge it and move on. “We should go find them.”

“Danny?”

“I’ll come over tomorrow, take Erin out then we can sort out how this is gonna work.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I screwed up. I accept that this is how it’s gonna be.” He would for eternity kick himself for screwing up and keep her photo in his bedside drawer but it was pointless holding out for something that was never gonna happen. Instead he’d throw himself into work and enjoy the perks that came his way.

~~~~~~

“Well that went well,” Toby offered, reaching out and taking CJ’s hand as they walked back to her car.

“Yeah, he didn’t make a pass at me.”

“Andi made a pass at you?” Erin asked, her eyes wide as saucers.

Toby inwardly groaned. “No, sweetie. Your mom was just worried that your dad was still carrying a torch.”

“Nah, you don’t need to worry. Mom’s way too old for him now.“

Toby stifled a chuckle as CJ’s eyes grew wide.

“I mean he’s . . . well . . . And you’re. . . “ Uncle Jed had always told her one lie lead to another and before you knew it you were in a whole heap of trouble, or at least words to that effect, now she could see why.

“Quit while you’re ahead, Kiddo,” Toby suggested. “The last thing we need is your mother getting upset.”

CJ glared at Toby.

“Woah, talk about putting your foot in it. Want me to beat it when we get home, give you some time to make it up to her.”

“Planning to be gone a while?” Toby mumbled, avoiding CJ’s glare.

“Jeez, didn’t know you were the energizer bunny,” Erin quipped.

It was CJ’s turn to stifle a chuckle. “I’ll drop you off at Laura’s while we pack.”

By the look on Toby’s face, Erin knew that it wasn’t quite how he envisioned spending the afternoon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As soon as she set foot on the tarmac, CJ felt the tension drain from her body. In the space of ten days they had bought a house, told their family and their exs about them, and started packing. Now they had a week to relax and enjoy their kids. She slid her sun glasses onto her nose, slung her bag over her shoulder and linked arms with Toby.

It had been his suggestion that the five of them take a vacation together. It had both surprised her and endeared her to him that he would already consider them as a family, and one that he would want to spend a whole week sharing a bungalow with.

“I think I might have brought too many clothes,” CJ sighed, enjoying the heat and light breeze.

“You’re not the one who had to transfer half her clothes into my suitcase,” Huck teased, nudging his sister. He had packed light, fully intending on doing little more than hanging out at the beach and chatting up every girl he met.

“Hey, you never know who I might meet.”

“Does this mean you won’t be wearing much this week?” Toby asked, his breath tickling CJ’s neck.

“If you’re good, or maybe very bad.”

Huck groaned and began to walk faster, more disturbed by his father’s flirting than thankful for his happiness now. He would never begrudge CJ and Toby their relationship, he would just rather they controlled themselves in public.

Twenty minutes later they had cleared customs and collected the luggage.

As they rode across the island in the shuttle bus, Huck stretched out across the back seat and drifted off to sleep.

The two girls sat at the windows, snapping endless pictures of the view and making plans for the afternoon.

Even Toby seemed calmer and more relaxed, his arm lying across the back of CJ’s seat, his head resting on her shoulder. He almost cracked a smile as they were shown to their accommodation. Silently, he thanked Molly for booking the trip and refusing to let him have any part in it. She had spent a little more than he had originally intended, but he had yet to meet a teenage girl that stuck to budget, and the result was paradise.

The bungalow sat slightly back from the beach, surrounded by lush greenery with an uninterrupted view of the surf. Two bedrooms faced the sea, the third towards the pool and the fridge had plenty of space for the bottle of scotch Toby had bought on the plane. It was all he needed.

Once the porter had unloaded their luggage and departed, CJ opened the doors and stepped out on to the patio of the bungalow. “Toby,” she called.

“Yeah?”

“The view is stunning, you have to see this.”

He ambled over to the door and gazed out. “The view from here is pretty good too.” His eyes roamed her body unchecked.

She turned to look at him, shaking her head.

Silently, he beckoned her with his finger.

She shook her head, her lips pursing in challenge.

He tried again, getting the same response. With a growl, he padded onto the patio and pulled her into his arms, his eyes telling her everything he couldn’t find the words to say.

“We’re going out onto the beach. You guys coming?” Molly asked, appearing from her door “Oh, guess you’ll be catching us up.”

CJ stepped back. “Give us a minute and we’ll get changed.” She laid a hand flat on Toby’s chest. “Hold that thought.”

He heard the sound of the case opening, and the sound of her riffling through her clothing. Shortly after she appeared in the doorway wearing a swimsuit and a sarong. His eyes appraised the development appreciatively.

“Are you getting changed?”

Toby slipped out of the jacket and threw it on the bed.

“Shoes?”

He glanced down at the brown brogues, contemplating sand in his toes or ruined shoes. He chose the former.

“I still can’t believe you suggested a beach holiday when you hate the outdoors,” CJ said, as they headed down to the shore.

Huck dropped his towel on the sand and headed to the sea. “Coming in?”

Molly and Erin ran after him, launching themselves at him and splashing through the water.

Huck’s head appeared above the water, his arms fighting his sisters off. “Mom?”

CJ shrugged out of the sarong and moved towards them, glancing back hesitantly. “You‘re not coming in?”

He shook his head. “Go.”

Giving him one of her special smiles, she headed towards their children.

Toby dropped onto the sun lounger and watched as his family frolicked in the water. He hated the outdoors, he hated sand, he burnt easily but he had suggested they head to the Caymans. A little later in life than planned he intended to go diving, enjoy some quality time with his son and enjoy his girls.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CJ stepped out onto the decking and closed the bedroom door behind her. “I hope you’re not too hungry.”

Toby glanced up from the hammock and shook his head. “Molly in the bathroom?”

“Erin. To be fair, she’s been waiting for Huck to get out.“ CJ padded over to the hammock and leaned in to kiss him. “The private bathroom was an inspiration.”

“Huh huh.” He appraised her carefully and smiled. Her hair had lightened as she had aged, not so much grey as the colour from the bottle that she favoured but some things hadn’t changed and his eyes drifted towards the long legs. “You look lovely.”

“I’d take it as a compliment if you’d actually noticed the dress rather than the legs.”

“I’m a leg man.” He reached out and helped himself to her drink, pulling a face. “What are you drinking?”

“It’s called a Mudslide.”

“What? They didn’t have a grasshopper?”

She poked her tongue out at him. “Room for two?”

“You’ll tip it.” He watched her frown and found himself haphazardly climbing out and settling himself in a chair. “Come here.”

CJ positioned herself on his knee and leaned against him as they sat staring into the distance as the sun went down.

“You two should get married while we’re here,” Molly suggested, appearing in her bedroom doorway, waving her toothbrush. “Barefoot on the beach.”

“You’re as crazy as CJ.”

“Hey,” CJ warned, her hand a little too close to his head for his liking.

“Can you really see me getting married on a beach? With sand and stuff.”

“No,” Molly admitted, “but it’s fun watching you turn that weird shade of red.”

“Think of how great it would be,” CJ added. “No dressing up. No embarrassing speeches.”

“I have no intention of saying my vows outside, or anywhere outside of the United States. When I get around to it, and it will be in my own time, it will be in city hall.” He glanced at CJ nervously. “With just the family there.”

CJ lightly stroked his head, her fingers gently kneading the scalp where earlier he’d been forced to apply lashings of aloe vera gel.

“Unless you want a garden wedding,” Toby said, his voice hesitant.

“Wow, guess I can see who’s going to be wearing the pants in this family.” Molly grinned and ducked back inside her room, satisfied that her work was done and the status quo had been restored. It was certainly more entertaining when CJ had the upper hand..

~~~~~~~

Toby awoke to bright sunlight shining through the bedroom window and music blaring from somewhere close by. Groaning, he climbed out of bed and padded to close the curtains. He was half way back to bed when he realized the music was coming from the inside the bungalow and went to investigate.

“Morning Toby,“ Erin said, walking out of the bathroom in her pyjamas and smiling at him.

He mumbled something in reply.

“You should turn that frown into a smile.”

He gave her a look that he hoped rivalled CJ’s death stare but she had already disappeared back into the bedroom.

“What the hell is that?” Toby demanded, spotting Huck sipping juice at the table.

“Music.”

“Does it have to be so loud?”

“For full effect, yeah.”

Toby decided to try another tack. “Well, good luck explaining that to CJ.” A small grin formed beneath his beard as he watched Huck consider his options then cross to the stereo and turn the volume dial.

Toby turned to walk back to his room and stopped. “By the way, you’re up early.”

“Going to bed, actually.”

Toby nodded, not in the least bit surprised, and went about the motions of making two cups of coffee.

CJ was still curled up asleep, the covers tossed aside indicating she was on her way to waking up.

Quietly, he placed the cups on the bedside table and slid back into bed, carefully spooning himself behind her. She mumbled appreciatively as he began to kiss his way up her throat.

“Morning.”

“Sleep well, Beautiful?” he asked, nibbling her ear and earning himself a smile from her.

“Always when you’re there.” She sat up slowly. “Coffee?”

Toby handed her a mug and rearranged her pillows for her.

“Mom, Dad, we’re off to the pool,” two voices called in unison.

“See ya,” Toby called, propping himself up on his side. “So you’re off to be pampered and prodded?” His fingers traced lazy circles over her stomach. “I can’t change your mind?”

“No.” She removed his fingers and climbed out of bed. “But, if you feel so inclined, you can join me in the shower.”

He didn’t need asking twice.

~~~~~~~

He had only planned to take a little walk while CJ finished getting dressed and his son attempted to rest in preparation for another evening of drunken debauchary. Someone had told him that only in the Cayman Islands did the scents of rare orchids, hibiscus and exotic lilies combine with unspoilt beaches and clear warm waters to soothe the senses. He had thought it was rubbish until he’d arrived there. It was working or at least had started to.

Toby stopped walking and stared, his eyes darkening behind his glasses. He couldn’t believe it, well he could but he wasn‘t going to let it happen. Molly and Erin were stretched out on sun loungers, dark sunglasses on, magazines in front of them. But it wasn’t them that had drawn his attention, but the group of lads on the other side of the pool staring openly at them. He went into full protective mode.

“We’re off to the spa,” CJ announcing coming up behind him.

“Yeah.”

“Toby?” She followed his gaze. “They’re boys”

“I know.”

“And I don’t think you’re daughter is particularly bothered by it.”

“It bothers me.”

“Most things bother you,” she sighed. “And you can drop the double standards. You had no problem with Huck gaping at that girl all night.”

“That was different.”

She rose an eyebrow.

“It was some other poor smuck’s daughter. And in case you haven’t noticed, your eleven year old daughter is drawing a little attention of her own.”

CJ’s own eyes narrowed. She cleared her throat. “Girls, we’re gonna be late.”

The two young women waved and gathered their belongings.

Toby couldn’t be certain as someone crossed his path at the exact moment, but he thought Molly waved at the boys and waggled her hips. His de-stressing vacation had now become clouded with concerns for his girl, concerns he now acknowledged would double with his marriage to CJ. A small price to pay for happiness, he decided.

~~~~~~~

The five of them had shared a nice dinner together, a little earlier than the previous day thanks to CJ carousing. Although Toby wasn’t sure that his girls shouldn’t have taken a little longer getting dressed and maybe worn something that left more to the imagination. CJ wearing a sexy sun dress was perfectly fine with him though.

Much to CJ’s distaste, Toby had ordered steak and fries. She had gone on to lecture him about his unadventurous spirit and his need for less red meat in his diet. He had rolled his eyes dramatically, nodded in all the right places and ignored her suggestions.

His children were slightly more adventurous. Molly’s tiger-striped Wahoo had CJ reaching for the fork to try it. Toby had no such desire, not entirely sure what a Wahoo was, although they tried to convince him it was fish. Huck picked Conch and grinned at CJ as he shook salt all over his fries and added a hot sauce.

Erin was fascinated by her mother’s lobster and insisted on trying to break the claws much to Toby’s amusement, although he wasn’t entirely sure if it was funny or the fact that between them CJ and he had finished off three bottles of wine.

By the time the girls had polished off desert and Toby had enjoyed a brandy, the younger generation had decided that they had endured enough family bonding. Not that he minded having CJ all to himself for a while. Erin had returned to her room, promising to go straight there and lock the door behind her, to write postcards, while Huck and Molly set off for the club. Toby didn’t anticipate seeing them much before dawn.

“So, shall we take a walk?” Toby asked, signing the bill.

“I’d like that.” She loved the islands. There was something about them that had taken their relationship to the next step. They were no longer in a new relationship, no longer so obsessed with making love at every opportunity, Toby instead was turning into an old romantic.

Toby extended his hand, waiting for her to take it.

As they walked through the gardens surrounded the resort, his thumb gently massaged her knuckles. “So I was thinking.”

“Yes?” she asked, glancing at him, wondering what was so serious.

“That I haven’t told you today how much I love you.” He paused in the middle of the path and moved to kiss her.

When they finally broke apart she was breathless. “I love you too, Toby Ziegler.”

“Does this mean you’re marry me?”

“Asked and answered,” she replied, her fingers lightly stroking his bearded cheek, the softness still surprising her.

“I’m a little drunk, remind me of the answer again,” he whispered, his eyes gazing deep into hers, wondering what it was that she saw, wondering what made her love him.

“Yes, I…” the rest of her words were lost as he pulled her against him and kissed her forcefully on the mouth.

“I think we’d better walk,” he sighed, releasing her and entwining his fingers with hers. “Before I do something that’ll get us both arrested.”

CJ smiled to herself as he tugged her along, his skin noticeably flushed, his body obviously reacting to her proximity. She may have been right about their relationship moving on the next level, fortunately she was wrong about his not being obsessed with sex at every opportunity. The only downside was that he would have to wait to act on his impulses.

He glanced at her and growled.

Of course, she had to acknowledge that waiting made him frustrated and a sexually frustrated Toby made making love much more passionate for her. She calculated it was going to be all of twenty four hours before he sent the kids off and she would get her reward.

~~~~~~~

“Aren’t you coming back to bed?“ Toby asked, sipping his coffee and reading the local paper. “You’re dressed.“

“I’m going shopping, remember? You can still come.“

The idea of shopping anytime, let alone with his fiancée, his daughter and step daughter, filled him with dread. “Nah, I’m going to spend sometime with Huck.“

“Is he even up yet?”

“No. But I found a CD in the gift shop that should do the job.”

CJ gave him a smile and leaned in to kiss his forehead. “We’ll do something later, just the two of us. Have fun.“

Something in her voice made Toby wonder if the fun would come later when they were alone.

~~~~~~

The bus rumbled along the island roads, taking in every pot hole if the bruises on CJ’s backside were anything to go by. The trip reminded her somewhat of the back roads in New Hampshire, where circumventing pot holes was an art form and sign posts were few and far between. Abbey had been her guide and after a full day she had often returned to the farm several hundred dollars lighter.

They had finally arrived in the capital late morning and disembarked. The driver had told them he would pick them up late afternoon, and sped off generating clouds of dust in his path.

Satisfied that their purses were secure and they had a plan in mine, they headed down a back street. It wasn’t long before they found the first shop and as with so many local outlets that day, they left with a few carrier bags.

The morning stretched into the afternoon with a brief pause for lunch until finally they climbed back onto the bus, ladened down with packages. They had been in virtually every shop in the town, some of them twice, coming out with gifts for everyone. Toby’s credit card had taken a beating as Molly bought clothes for herself, essential items she told CJ for living in California, and a wood carving for her mother.

CJ found an underwater photo for Toby, brightly coloured and perfect she thought for his new office. She added a Caymanite necklace for Donna, fresh Coffee for Josh, and a Tortuga Rum Cake for Kate.

Erin had insisted on buying a gift for her father and with a lack of inspiration CJ settled on a selection of rum for Danny. Naturally the girls also wanted something for Abbey and they selected a caymanian style birdhouse

CJ‘s only concerns as they had headed back to the bus was how they were going to get it all back on the plane and whether Toby would notice if his suitcase was over weight.

Toby’s face when they arrived back said it all.

~~~~~~~

“It says here that scuba diving will appeal to anyone with a spark of adventure, a love of nature, or even simply the desire to be away from it all, weightless and free,” CJ read from the pamphlet. “That doesn’t sound anything like you.”

He growled.

“The beauty of Scuba diving is that anyone can do it. That remains to be seen. Diving can be the perfect way to relax, while diving with the family can be a rewarding and fun activity.

“Huck, we’re gonna be late,” Toby shouted across the beach.

“Her name’s Heidi,” CJ said from behind the paper.

“Well he has taste but we need to get going. What are planning to do?”

CJ lowered her paper. “I was kinda content where I am.”

“You’re gonna end up looking like a lobster at this rate.”

“I happen to tan nicely thank you. And besides I was gonna do the topless thing.”

His eyes lit up mischievously.

“You’re going to be late.”

“I don’t mind.“

“Go!“

Toby leaned in and kissed her, before turning back to his son. “Huck, leave the booty call for later.”

“He’s going to get you for that,” CJ said, dropping her booklet and beginning to rub suntan lotion into her skin.

“Damn, now I want to make a booty call.” He shook his head and padded off towards the pool.

Two days into their diving course and Toby was enjoying himself. So far they hadn’t gone beyond the pool but he knew each and every part of the mask. The fins weren’t a great fashion statement, according to his son that was, but they enabled him to swim without over exerting himself and he was all for that.

They geared up and jumped in the deep end, disappearing to the bottom and rising to the surface again.

The other upside to the experience was that he was spending time with Huck. He had spent so much of his childhood apart from him and trying to disappear into obscurity that he had missed his son growing into a man. The last few days had given Toby an insight into the sort of man his son was going to be and he was quietly proud of him.

“Dad,” Huck prompted. “Your turn.”

Checking his gear, Toby prepared to remove his mask and reconnect it. If he could pass the last few tests he would spend the following day jumping off a boat, and he had waited nearly twenty years for that.

~~~~~~

Seven days wasn’t nearly long enough for a vacation, Toby decided as he stared out at his children playing frisby on the beach. Which for a man who had barely taken more than a weekend off his whole time in the White House was quite a revelation.

Even the fact he beamed like a beacon due to a little too much sun exposure could not dampen his enthusiasm for time off with his family.

In the space of a week they had really come together as a family. Molly and Erin acted like they had lived together all their lives, although he was still waiting for the inevitable sisterly arguments and door slamming, and even Huck treated Erin like the kid sister he never had, teasing her mercilessly.

All in all the things looked like they might work out alright, and he only had to wait thirty years for the thing he had craved the most.

“Are you going to help pack?” CJ called from inside the room.

“What’s the point? I pack, you unpack and repack. Thought I might save myself the hassle.” He stepped out of her line of fire.

“And you’re gonna do what instead?” she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm if he detected right.

He pondered his options and the hammock didn’t seem like something he could get away with. “I think I might join the kids.”

CJ appeared beside him. “You’re really getting into this whole outdoors thing.”

Toby slipped an arm around her bare waist, his fingers toying with the tie of her sarong. “I’m more into you.”

She blushed noticeably and kissed his cheek lightly. “Well, ok.”

They stood for a minute in silence, staring out of the youngsters in the late afternoon sun, arms around each other. It had been a perfect vacation for CJ, totally unexpectedly she had to admit. Toby on a beach holiday with three teenagers seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. As it turned out the kids were far better company than she had expected. Toby had enjoyed his diving course so much that even sun burn hadn’t upset him all that much, and he was so enthralled with his dive around a Russian Frigate that he had tentatively suggested they spend their next vacation in the Red Sea. Even she had felt the stress drain out of her. Tomorrow morning they would fly home and there would be greater challenges ahead but they had one more night to enjoy the calm and tranquillity.

“You should go before they totally whoop Huck’s ass,” CJ said lightly.

“Ya think?”

“For sure.” She gave him a mischievous smile as he released her and kicked off his shoes. “You know the kids have plans for after dinner.”

Huck had fallen in love with his holiday fling, or at least lust if CJ was any judge. Every night after dinner he had disappeared to be with her. Molly, much to Toby’s disgust had hooked up with the other young people on vacation and came home in the early hours exhausted from too much dancing, romance held no interest for her. Tonight though she had offered to take Erin on a boat trip leaving Toby and CJ alone.

Toby’s grin as he walked away had her stomach doing somersaults and her mind flying to what she would wear for him.

CJ headed back into the bungalow and carried on packing. Carefully, she packed her camera in her case, along with the three memory cards they had managed to fill whilst there. She smiled as she thought back to Andi’s living room a few weeks ago and her endless family photos. Now she had her own and a family she truly adored.

Tomorrow she would return to California to finally pack up and say her goodbyes while Toby headed to New York, she hoped to do the same. In less than a week they would move into the Bartlet Farm, in two weeks into their own home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun had been shining when the removals van pulled into the road and stopped outside the house. CJ had taken it as an omen of things to come.

Two hours later Toby’s belongings were scattered about the house, the least attractive of which had been tucked away in the basement.

The van containing the contents of her house had arrived at lunchtime and three hours later they were still unpacking.

Toby carried another brown box into the kitchen and lowered it onto the counter. “You realise that we’re gonna have to stay at the farm tonight?“

“Yeah, well, that wasn’t entirely unexpected. It’s gonna take a few days to get everything sorted.“ At his horrified expression, she shook her head. “Tomorrow we’ll tackle the bedrooms and the kitchen then we can sleep here tomorrow.“

He looked relieved. “You realise that now we’re gonna have to tighten our belts.”

“Well, this is New Hampshire, the motto is live free or cheap,” she grinned, stacking boxes on the center island.

“CJ?” he asked, his face revealing nothing.

“Oh, that’s not the motto!” Her smile widened. “It’ll get easier, once we’re both back at work. And there won’t be so many airline tickets to buy, and the phone bills will be cheaper.”

Erin entered the room, flicking through the phone book.

“Of course with a teenager in the house they won’t be all much cheaper.”

“Mom, there isn’t a Starbucks in Manchester,” she whined, wondering how she was going to make it through a day at school without her morning fix.

“Concord isn’t that far.”

Erin looked unconvinced.

Toby gave them an unexpected grin, looking around the room and finding what he was looking for. Opening a box, he began to pull small bags out. “I thought this might help.”

CJ couldn’t believe it. He’d actually gone to the trouble of bringing Starbucks coffee and by the looks of the box, a lot of it. She gave him the smile she reserved only for him.

“I didn’t want you getting cranky.” He pulled out a bottle of scotch. “I didn’t want to get cranky either.”

She wanted to argue that she never got cranky but the last few days dealing with attorneys and realtors had pretty much pushed her to the limit.

“Can we get a dog?” Erin asked randomly, opening boxes in search of a coffee pot.

Toby looked at CJ in horror.

“We talked about this,” CJ said softly, wondering what had made him so horrified - the idea of a grubby pooch running around their shiny hardwood floors or the fact Erin had looked at him when she had asked.

“We did?” He’d obviously been doing his listening, understanding and totally ignoring her at the time.

“Yeah, the whole joint parenting thing. We make decisions together or individually. If it’s something I don’t want to get involved in, you deal with it.” She gave him a sweet smile and returned to putting plates away. “I’ll let you figure out which category this falls under.

Erin turned back to Toby and mirrored her mother’s smile. “So can I get a dog?”

He glanced at the bottle of scotch in his hand and wondered if he shouldn’t have factored in step-parenting when he bought only one bottle. “We’ll talk about it later.”

She continued to stare at him, not even blinking.

“Maybe,” he offered, slightly in awe of her ability to stare him out.

She nodded, seemly satisfied. “If you want me I’ll be in my room, feeding my fish and figuring out where the phone’s gonna go.”

Toby mumbled something inaudible and stalked back out to the removals van, wondering if he was going to be the one to tell her she wasn‘t getting a phone. As he watched the removers lift a rosewood cabinet onto the ground, he concluded that he was probably going to end up being the bad parent to CJ‘s good parent. In which case he decided bribery was going to feature quite heavily in his new role as step-father. For some reason he didn‘t think Erin would object too strongly.

~~~~~~~

A week after they got the keys, the house was finally unpacked and everything was pretty much in it’s place bar a few boxes stacked in the basement. Erin had started school and was already making friends and Toby was back at work, although he wasn’t making so many friends.

“So I’ve been thinking,” CJ announced, lifting earrings to her ears and waiting for him to nod or shake his head.

He shook his head, which she missed as he pulled his sweater over his head. “What?”

“We should think about the wedding.” She shook her earrings at him and he shook his head. “When?”

“Hanukkah.” The blue ones she concluded he liked by the fact he smiled as he nodded.

He held his hands up in question, not really sure why she would chose that particular holiday to get married.

“We’re a multi faith family. We should embrace it.” CJ leaned down and slipped on her simple black pumps.

“Ok.”

“Well I really wanted a Christmas wedding but you hate Christmas.” She smoothed down her outfit and checked that the bedroom was tidy.

“No, I hate the fact it’s my birthday,” he admitted. “And we should be downstairs.” In fact the guests were due any minute and he wanted to check on dinner, especially as CJ had insisted on cooking.

CJ followed him out of the bedroom and down the stairs. “When then?”

“Maybe Thanksgiving. Everyone’s going to be here anyhow.” Everyone that mattered had agreed to schlep up to the farm and says thanks together. They could say their vows in the grounds of the house and then have a traditional dinner.

“Toby?” she asked, as they reached the bottom step.

“Yeah?”

“I want a baby.”

“Sure,” he replied, not actually listening to her, his thoughts still on the wedding and the dinner ahead. He paused suddenly. “Huh, what did you just say?”

“I want a baby.” Her expression didn’t change.

“Ok,“ he blinked, his hands running across his bald head in confusion. “This is something we need to talk about.” He nervously fingered his tie. “And probably not ten minutes before the dinner from hell.” He didn’t really mean hell but dinner with the Bartlets did very little to help lower his blood pressure. “And we’re a little old for this and I’m not sure I want to be changing diapers … ”

“Toby, I was just concerned that I wasn’t doing enough to prepare you for dinner,” she finally grinned. “I thought this might calm your nerves. Help stop you worrying so much.”

“CJ,” he warned, advancing towards her.

She opened the door as Toby grabbed her around the middle. “Hey.”

“Are we too early?” Jed asked, smiling. “Or maybe ten minutes later and we would have been too late.”

“Come in,” CJ said, extracting herself from Toby and attempting to straighten her clothes.

“Are we interrupting foreplay or after play?” Abbey asked, stepping over the threshold.

“None of your business.”

“It was so much better when Jed was in office. You gave it up so much more easily.”

“She gives it up pretty easily now,” Toby offered, making sure to put himself out of CJ’s reach. “Welcome to our home.”

CJ couldn’t help but smile. It had been a long time since either of them had been part of a couple, and certainly since they had welcomed anyone to their home. From now on it would be their home, and it already felt like home, and there would be an endless parade of visitors and rooms full of love and somewhere in the middle of it there would be her and Toby.

It had been thirty years in the making but one plus one really did make two, and she didn’t need a course in geometry to tell her that, just one look at Toby showing people round their home.

Closing the door, CJ followed them into her sitting room. She inwardly groaned when she heard Jed ask Toby if they’d set a date yet. It was inevitable and Toby would prickle at the question and Jed would tease him. At some point she would have to intervene but she really didn’t mind all that much. If she had to spend the rest of her life playing peacemaker between the two of them then that was enough for her.

The End