Title: Grow Old With Me

Series: The Story Of Us

Rating:PG

Spoilers: Anything up to Season Three

Grow Old With Me

He watched her from across the Ballroom, dancing with the newly sworn in Vice President. Her hair was pulled back off her face, the tiniest of tendrils falling onto her face, revealing the simple gold earrings she liked. She was laughing and throwing her hair back at some inane comment, and the redness of hair reflected the lights around the room. He had watched as she had slipped into the gown, the jade green bodice figure hugging to below her waist and the full skirt fanning around her as she danced. At fifty she was still the sexiest woman he had ever loved and with each day that passed he truly loved her more. As they span around the room towards him he stepped out and took her arm.

‘Sam, would you mind if I danced with my wife?’ He asked watching as her breathing altered with his touch.

‘Sure, I need to find my wife anyway,’ Sam kissed her sweetly on the cheek and moved into the throng of people.

Leo slipped his arm around her waist pulling her close to his body; with the other he took her left hand, the one that held the plain gold band and emerald engagement ring. They moved as one, only a fraction of space between their bodies, his head against her shoulder.

‘You look wonderful tonight. It takes me back to another time.’

She nodded and blew a kiss against his ear. It had been nine years since they had decided to marry, with all that those nine years brought, but today was special as they watched Sam, someone he regarded as a son, be sworn in as Vice President. Tonight as he watched her with their friends she was as beautiful as she had ever been. Leo moved away from her and leaned up, CJ lowered her head and they met in the middle, lips parting as they shared a tender kiss. Pulling apart they crossed the dance floor to join their friends hand in hand.

The Ballroom was full of people they knew and some who had come out merely to support Sam. The Bartlets had flown in on mass and had offered to throw this party on Sam’s behalf. The Senior Staff had all travelled to be there, not one wanting to miss the occasion, and as normal they were all congregated in one end of the room, closest to the bar. There were plenty of balls around town but they were no longer senior staff with any sort of obligation to attend. Tonight was for them. Josh, who was tomorrow taking over as Sam’s Chief of Staff, was watching over his wife, who had almost disappeared from his life so long ago. Donna looked radiant, whether that was because of the event or the hormone treatment no one wanted to guess, but it seemed right that she was there. Josh nursed a beer in his hand, sipping slowly between schmoozing the guests. Margaret and Gary had flown back two days early from their honeymoon for the occasion and were acting like newlyweds. Toby had one arm around Ainsley and the other around Bonnie. His latest girlfriend had vanished off the scene and Ainsley was once again drunk and giggling at his jokes. Leo grimaced, remembering all too well the past, and indicated to CJ to do something, anything to stop the inevitable. She shrugged, this time he was on his own, and he knew she was right; from Friday they would be in New Hampshire, starting their retirement.

Leo watched them all, this extended family he had acquired, had nurtured and shaped into what they were today. He had no qualms about leaving them now. It was his time to have his own life. Time for retirement, time for his wife, his children and to grow old with his best friend.

He hoped the coming years would be less turbulent. He already knew his ulcer was flaring up again but this time he wasn’t going to let it get so bad. He planned on getting it treated on Monday. And his retirement was all mapped out. For most of the transition period CJ had been in New Hampshire, at the farm, searching for somewhere they could spend the rest of their days. And she had found it. The first time he had seen the house he had been breathless, much like when he first met his wife. It stood alone, twenty minutes from Manchester, fifteen from the Bartlet Farm; a converted Barn with views across the fields and woods, four bedrooms and two acres of grounds. He still wasn’t sure how he would hold up in the winters but he could hardly refuse her anything. And finally she was giving up work, Jenny had spent the majority of her married life a politician’s wife, a hostess, but not his Claudia, stubborn to the end she continued to work. Now that the campaign was over, and despite offers, hell they had both had lucrative offers, she had agreed to stay at home. Leo had cashed in a huge chunk of his stock portfolio and with his frugal spending over the years, and a good offer on the house in the District he had bought the house. Now they would live off pensions and savings, the rest of his money set aside for his children, Margaret and the Seabourn Lyman children.

CJ touched his arm and whispered against his ear, ‘You okay?’

Leo turned to look at her, ‘Just a little tired.’

Her face turned all concerned, ‘Do you want to go home?’

That was the last thing he wanted to do, he wasn’t sure how many times they would be altogether like this, almost everyone he loved in the same room.

‘No, go and dance with…’ he glanced around and his eyes fell on Toby, deep in discussion with Ainsley, ‘…Toby.’

CJ followed his eyes, ‘Oh hell. I won’t be long.’

He watched mesmerized as she practically glided across the room and lightly touched his arm. He couldn’t miss the smile Toby reserved only for her as he took her extended hand and followed her onto the dance floor. Soon they were caught up in the crowd but he could make her out, her head above the other women in the room. Toby was whispering against her ear and she was laughing and squatting him. Had it been any other man holding her so close he would have been jealous, but it was Toby, someone CJ loved as a brother.

‘She’s not going to run away, y’know?’ he heard from behind him. Turning he found Josh grinning at him goofily.

‘Ya don’t say?’

Josh continued to stare at him a moment longer, ‘Did you ever think you’d still be together when you started this?’

Leo raised an eyebrow, ‘CJ and I?’

‘Yeah, I mean after the arrangement,’ he whispered.

‘She told you?’ He had always accepted that apart from Margaret and Toby no one else knew.

Josh lowered his gaze and Leo could see the sadness he kept hidden below the surface, ‘In Illinois, the night of the primary.’

He didn’t think he would ever go back to that state ever again, whether he hailed from there or not. Touching Josh’s arm he smiled, ‘I never thought she would ever fall in love with someone like me.’ he followed Josh’s gaze to the bar and Donna. ‘We’re both lucky men, Josh.’

Josh’s face broke into a Josh smile, ‘Yeah. I wanted you to be the first to know.’

Leo waited as Josh bounced up and down, his smile increasing by the second.

‘Donna’s having a baby.’ He lowered his eyes briefly before focusing on Leo. ‘We, I, can never thank you enough for the money and for being there.’

Leo grinned and pulled him into a hug, ‘Congratulations son. And the money is a gift.’

Josh pulled back and stared at him, ‘I can’t…’

‘What we you two looking so chummy about?’ Jed asked coming up to join them.

Josh shook his head lightly.

‘I was just telling Josh how proud I am of him,’ Leo offered. ‘I really am.’

‘That means a lot,’ Josh said, his eyes revealing how much he meant that. ‘I need to find Donna before some guy steals her away. Mr President, Leo.’

They watched him go, both proud at what he had become.

Toby released CJ and held onto her hand as he led her to a quiet table, if there was such a thing in the chaos of the night. She flattened her skirt as he sat sullenly by.

‘Do you miss it?’ she asked finally.

‘Uh?’ he muttered.

‘Do you miss being in the centre of it, Sam’s campaign? Washington?’

He shook his head, ‘Believe it or not, no.’

‘What have you got planned?’ she had to raise her voice to be heard.

He stared at her for a second, ‘I’m writing the conclusive book on the Bartlets, then I’m starting on Sam, it will be a best seller by the time he becomes President.’

‘New York?’

‘Where else? And you’re going to New Hampshire?’ He stated rubbing his forehead.

CJ laughed, ‘Where else?’

‘I’ll see you then, for research.’

‘Good,’ she replied patting his arm. ‘You’re not going to take Ainsley upstairs are you?’

Toby scanned the room and lit a cigar, ‘Possibly. We were married once. Or maybe Bonnie?’

He smirked at CJ’s glare, ‘I haven’t lost my attraction.’

CJ snorted, ‘Be careful, don’t get hurt.’

He was looking at her with a wistful look in his eye. ‘CJ, did you ever imagine when I brought you onto the campaign that it would be us getting married?’

If she thought it was an off-kilter of a question she didn’t say so. ‘Sometimes, but it would never have worked. Pokey, you will always be my best friend but I love him.’

‘That I know.’ Leaning in he pasted a chaste kiss on her cheek. ‘Take good care of each other. Now go or he will come searching,’ he muttered gruffly.

‘I love you too, Toby,’ she whispered disappearing into the throng of people.

CJ never made it as far as Leo as she got accosted by various people wanting to talk to her, dance with her or offer her a job. It was over an hour later when she reached the table where the Vice President and his wife sat.

‘Hey, anyone seen Leo?’

Ginger smiled, ‘He’s with Margaret outside. Though for a man who moans about the cold as much as he does, you’d think he’d stay indoors.’

CJ slumped into the nearest chair; ‘It’s not the moaning I mind so much as the cold feet when he gets in bed.’

Sam scrunched his nose, ‘Have you ever considered the possibility we know too many intimate details about each other?’

CJ thought about it for a second, ‘Nah, it’s kinda cosy.’

‘Just because she’s seen you naked, once,’ Ginger giggled.

‘More than once,’ Sam squeaked.

‘Oh really?’

‘CJ,’ he pleaded.

CJ shook her head, ‘I’m not going there Spanky. So what do the kids think of the new house?’

Ginger smiled, ‘George is looking forward to the Cubby House we’ve been offered and Edward and Sarah are more interested in their pre-school. Are you really not keeping a home in the District?’

CJ looked all wistful for a second and closed her eyes, they had talked for hours about moving, changing the children’s’ lives and leaving their friends but when it came down to it it was what Leo had always wanted. The last few years they had both been so busy that at times they had lost sight of the important things and of each other. In New Hampshire Leo would grow old with his best friend, they would both be there for Abbey when the time came and the kids would have the undivided attention of their parents. If she stayed in DC there would have been a job she couldn’t turn down or another campaign for Leo. ‘I finally got Leo to take it easy, you don’t think I’m giving him the opportunity to sneak out of it do you? Besides there’ll be family Christmas’ and parties.’

‘In New Hampshire there’ll be romantic evenings in front of the fire, and quiet afternoons in bed,’ Leo announced walking up behind his wife and kissing her crown.

‘Too much info,’ Sam whined.

‘Just because you’re on a sex ban,’ Ginger giggled. ‘Okay, I didn’t mean to say that, it must be the wine.’

‘Have another girl,’ CJ encouraged.

‘Sam wants us to have more kids, another three to be precise. I’m not sure I’m ready for that.’

Leo mock frowned at Sam, ‘You sure it’s not just the practice he wants?’

Sam buried his head in his hands, ‘I don’t want to be part of this conversation, it’s like talking sex with your parents.’

CJ grinned, ‘Like father, like son then. Leo cringes normally.’

‘You’re the second person to say I’m like him,’ Sam commented. ‘It’s quite the compliment.’

Leo blushed and extended his hand, ‘Good luck Mr Vice President.’

Sam shook his hand, ‘You can stop that, I’m Sam, Leo.’

CJ smiled and stood up, ‘you need to make your speech soon, so we’ll leave you. Toby says remember the punctuation.’

Leo held her around the waist as they greeted various people, until eventually he opened one of the doors to the patio and pulled her outside. CJ shivered in the cold January wind and wrapped her arms under his jacket.

‘I’m sorry I should have thought,’ he said removing his jacket and slipping it on her.

‘Now you’re cold.’

‘I’ll be fine, as long as we get this over with soon,’ he assured her.

‘You’re worried about Margaret,’ she acknowledged.

Leo looked up into her eyes, ever surprised by how intuitive she was. ‘Yeah, but that isn’t why I brought you out here.’

‘He’s drinking again?’

Leo sighed, ‘Yeah, the wedding night he passed out in the shower and the honeymoon when they weren’t in bed he was drunk.’

‘She told you that?’ CJ asked, a little surprised by his comment.

‘I read between the lines. I’ve just put them both in a cab now. Tomorrow she’s going to get him admitted somewhere. He screws up again he’s out. She loved someone before who was an alcoholic, she doesn’t want to see Gary self destruct.’

‘A part of her will always love you,’ CJ whispered. ‘She’s a smart woman.’

‘She wouldn’t take the cheque, in case they separate. I’ll put it in trust or something.’

CJ leaned down and kiss him, ‘One of these days McGarry you will have to let them take care of themselves.’

‘One day, yeah. Anyway, the reason I brought you out here…’

‘You got me a gift?’ she squealed.

‘Hang on woman.’ Stroking her hair from her face he whispered, ‘Close your eyes.’

CJ gave him the look but he held her stare and she complied. Slowly he lowered himself to the ground on one knee and pulled the tiny box from his pocket.

‘CJ,’ he whispered, and she opened her eyes to look down. As her eyes widened he began, ‘I’ve wanted to do this right for nine years and tonight is the perfect time. Since I first met you I’ve known I wanted to know you better, to be the first thing you see every morning, the one you hold at night. I never in my wildest dreams thought someone as beautiful, funny and sexy as you would fall for a guy like me but you did and I’ve been the happiest guy on the planet ever since. As corny as it sounds you are my sun, moon and stars and you take my breath away. You are a wonderful mother to my children, and they are beautiful because they are part of you. How do I know you are the one I want, the one I will love forever, because my darling Claudia nothing in my life would be right without you. I will try not to make you cry, to make you mad, or to make you think you are anything less than adored. And if I’d had an inch of the understanding of love I have now I would have done this nine years ago. Will you Claudia Jean, my beautiful wife, do me the honour of spending the rest of your life with me?’

Leo fumbled with the box as tears spilled down her cheeks.

‘My make up’s running,’ was all she managed between sobs.

‘Yeah.’

Taking the tissue from his tux pocket she dabbed her eyes, ‘You want me to grow old with you?’

He shook his head and changed knees, ‘You will never be old to me.’

CJ smiled and crouched down, ‘You talk a lot of bollocks Leo but that has to be the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to me.’

‘I didn’t do it right last time,’ he whispered.

‘You did it just fine then,’ she said, her lips meeting his. Leo waited, expecting a gentle kiss, instead she pushed against his lips, her fingers stroking his cheek as she prolonged the moment. Finally pulling back, she whispered, ‘The answer’s yes by the way.’

Leo smiled and flipped open the box. Taking out the ring he slipped it up her ring finger, the elegant emerald eternity ring sitting perfectly against her wedding and engagement rings.

‘I love you.’

‘I know,’ she replied. ‘I love you. And you’re shivering, we should go inside.’ She stood taking his hand pulling him with her. Removing his jacket she slipped back on his arms and firmly held his arm.

‘Let’s go and listen to Sam’s speech…’

They slipped quietly into the ballroom and leaned into each other as the Vice President took the stage, quietly reflecting on the life they were leaving behind and what would be.

CJ and Leo lived out their lives in New Hampshire, watching as their children grew and made families of their own, and watched as their friends slipped away.

The End