Chapter Nine

CJ was already in the shower when he woke up; her case was open and her clothes strewn across the room. He lay back on the bed listening to the noises coming from the other room, willing his body to be unaffected by her presence. He flicked on the television and watched the news as she finished drying her hair and dressing. When she emerged she looked the total professional.

‘I didn’t wake you last night did I?’

Leo shook his head and pulled his pants on under the covers, ‘It was after midnight when the President let me go.’ He made his way across to the cases and pulled out a suit and shirt.

A minute later she heard the water running and the faint sound of him singing. Yet another thing she would have to get used to when they were married. Smiling to herself CJ let herself out of the room and made her way down the corridor to Toby’s room. After much banging he emerged at the door.

‘Hell CJ, is the building on fire?’

‘Took you long enough. I’m off to the stadium to check the arrangements, I’ll see you guys in an hour,’ she announced walking away.

‘What about staff?’

‘Someone needs to finalise things.’

She was gone from sight before he even shut the door.

CJ wandered around the stadium checking arrangements for the press, testing the microphone and checking the President’s route to the stage. The grounds were filling up fast when the others finally arrived. Leo was chatting to the Governor when he spotted CJ, excusing himself he made his way over. She looked up from instructing Carol and smiled tentatively.

‘What’s up?’

Leo looked at Carol, ‘Carol, do you think you could show the Governor up on stage? I need to talk to CJ alone.’

‘I need to be up there with him,’ CJ offered.

‘Toby, Sam, Josh are all there. It’s a simple rally. Introductions, the President speaks, the band plays and the crowd cheers. They can spare you. Carol?’

Carol looked between them, checking for permission and catching only a storm brewing. Reading the situation correctly she disappeared in the direction of the stage.

Leo extended his arm in the direction of the changing rooms and motioned her to walk. CJ clasped her hands together and walked ahead. Opening the door he pushed her inside and followed, closing the door behind him.

‘I’ve never been in the male dressing rooms before,’ she stated quietly.

‘Stop it.’

CJ rose her eyes from her hands to look at him. His expression was indecipherable and a shiver ran down her spine. Something was about to happen and no one knew where they were, there would be no interruptions and no excuses for leaving.

‘Sorry?’

‘What’s going on CJ?’

‘What do you mean?’

Leo sat down on the bench. ‘We used to be able to talk, laugh together. We were friends. Now you clam up, disappear whenever we are alone. Have I done something to make you feel uncomfortable? Is it the arrangement?’

CJ managed to shake her head.

‘Okay then explain. Because I can’t take much more.’

CJ began to pace, her hands wringing against her stomach. ‘I’m just tired Leo.’

‘We all are. Don’t shut me out.’ Something in the tone of his voice made her turn. ‘I thought we had gone beyond secrets. I have never been less than honest with you.’

‘Leo? This is a marriage of convenience.’

‘Is it?’

She stopped moving and stood before him, eyes wide, hands still, ‘Isn’t it?’

That got his attention, ‘Not anymore. Sorry CJ, I don’t mean to frighten you. It’s just all this time together, late night conversations. I realise what I have been missing for years. It’s more than an arrangement for me.’ He looked away, not wanting to see the shock on her face.

‘I thought it was only me,’ she whispered.

‘Sorry?’

CJ tiptoed forward and sat down beside him, ‘It’s been weeks now. I want to hold you, to kiss you. It’s as if it’s meant to be. Last night I didn’t want to be alone with you, in case I did something I shouldn’t.’

‘Wearing a camisole and knickers wasn’t the wisest decision you’ve ever made.’

‘I thought you were asleep.’

He shrugged, ‘I waited up. Then when you crept in I realised you were avoiding me so I pretended. It took all my self-control not to wrap my arms around you. I’ve imagined being with you for so long.’

The world suddenly became a lot clearer for both of them.

‘So why didn’t you say anything?’

‘Same as you. I didn’t think you would be interested. So what do we do now?’

CJ looked at him, a small glint in her eyes, ‘This.’

Very gently she took his face in her hands, running her thumbs against the weathered skin, waiting for some sign it was okay. Leo moved his hands to her hair and eased himself to face her better. Slowly they moved towards each other, lips parted, eyes closed. A few soft grazes followed as they became acquainted with each other’s lips, then CJ’s hands were in his hair tugging him closer as Leo pummelled her mouth. The kisses were passionate, desperate as tongues found themselves against teeth and fingers found themselves tangled in hair. Breathless they pulled apart and opened their eyes, blinking at the sudden light.

‘I love you,’ CJ whispered, only aware she had said it after the words had left her mouth.

Leo slid his hands through her hair to catch her chin, ‘I love you too.’

The words unleashed months of built up feelings and his lips found hers, frightened it was all a dream.

‘Leo, we need to be with the others,’ she said, putting distance between them a minute later.

He sighed, ‘Yeah, I know. How about dinner tonight?’

The smile she gave him sent shivers through his body, ‘As long as it’s room service.’

For a second his mind went blank as he realised what she was suggesting; the moment he had been only dreaming of was about to come true and if the truth be known it scared him to death.

‘You sure?’

Running her hand down his jacket and across his thigh she allowed it to rest on the zip of his trousers, ‘Yeah I’m sure.’ With that she rose and headed out of the room.

Leo took a moment to calm his nerves and followed. When they reached the others it was as if nothing had happened, and the order of business took over.

It was nine when they were able to escape the others and disappear to their room. Leo closed the door behind him and turned to speak to her but she was gone.

‘CJ?’

She mumbled from the bathroom.

‘I thought today would never end.’ He toed out of his shoes and tossed his jacket and tie on the bed. ‘Do you want me to order?’

‘Not really.’

Leo looked up and found himself staring at her. The office wear discarded she stood before him in her camisole and panties, ‘I’m not hungry.’

‘Okay,’ he gulped.

CJ crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his neck, grinding her body against him. CJ’s thumb stroked along his ear and across his cheek, pressing gently against his lips. Leo opened his mouth and sucked it in. It brought forth a whimper from CJ. Leo moved his hands to encircle her waist, and slid them against the silk. CJ removed her thumb and replaced it with her lips and tongue. She continued to press against him, her nipples hardening against the silk, his erection straining against her thigh. Leo lightly lifted the camisole and ran his fingers up her back. CJ arched back towards him, which was all the encouragement he needed. Slowly he backed them towards the bed and they collapsed onto it. His hands slid out from the material as the top rose up in a heap around her breasts. Pulling himself up onto his elbows Leo looked down at her. The sudden loss of contact made her open her eyes.

‘Leo?’

‘It’s been a while and I don’t come prepared,’ he stated without a hint of embarrassment. ‘I just wanted you to know.’

CJ clasped his head in her hands and brought his mouth down to hers, kissing him lightly on the lips.

‘I have something if you’d rather, but I’m covered and…’ she blushed at how candid it had become all of a sudden.

Leo stroked her cheek, ‘If you aren’t sure about this we can wait, don’t ever think you need to do something just to please me. I love you, more than that you are my friend and I wouldn’t let anyone else hurt you so why should I?’

CJ gazed up into his eyes and for the first time ever realised how safe she really was. Shaking her head she moved her fingers to his shirt, unbuttoning the first few she pulled it over his head.

‘I could certainly get used to your style of seduction.’ She grinned as her fingers played with the fastening of his pants. Lifting his hips he allowed her to pull off his pants and boxers in one move, kicking them down the bed.

Naked and more than a little aroused Leo sudden felt unsure. He was close already and they hadn’t even got as far as the foreplay.

CJ looked him up and down. ‘We have a slight inequality here.’

He looked down and wrapped an arm around her waist, putting his weight on oneside he rolled her over until she was on top. CJ slipped her fingers into the waistband of the French knickers and slid them down her legs. Sitting up to straddle him she lifted the top over her head to reveal the small white breasts with their deep red nubs.

‘Oh CJ,’ was all he could manage before he pulled her down, crushing her breasts against his chest. His lips were on hers, his tongue flicking inside her mouth as he pressed himself against her. Leo gasped as he felt her fingers run down their bodies to his shaft. Grasping him firmly she slid him inside her and began to rock gently. Leo’s eyes closed as she set the tempo, her muscles tightening around him.

Suddenly she pushed herself up to sit and started to increase the pace, whimpering in time to the motions. Leo groaned as she came down harder on to him, her hands entwining themselves with his. Her eyes closed as she felt the spasms overtake her and without warning she clenched him tightly and cried his name. A few more rockings and he groaned as his release washed over him. CJ eased her body to rest against him as they waited for their breathing to calm.

When CJ awoke the next morning Leo had eased himself from under her and lay on his side watching her sleep. One hand was in her hair, the other resting against her ribs.

‘Good morning,’ he whispered as her eyelids flitted open. ‘This is a definite improvement on the pyjamas,’ he said as his fingers played on her stomach.

CJ laughed, ‘Everyone on staff is going to know what we did if you walk around with that look on your face.’

‘I would imagine by the noises you were making Toby and Donna already do.’

CJ blushed and buried her head in his chest.

‘CJ,’ he whispered raising her chin up towards him, ‘this is okay with you?’

Looking into his eyes she smiled, ‘Definitely. Though I don’t think there is going to be anymore pre wedding abstinence.’

He grinned and leaned in to kiss her forehead, shifting his body until he was over her.

Chapter Ten

The big day arrived, the sun shining and no major crises to spoil the day.

Leo spent the morning as he always did, working in his office under the watchful gaze of his assistant.

CJ on the other hand had spent the night in the Residence, getting merry with the First Lady. When morning came both were up bright and early organising the various locations.

The couple had decided to marry in the Rose Garden, under a specially constructed gazebo, shrouded in flowers. Behind them were the rows of chairs, each decorated with ivy and lilies. The aisle was made up of a red carpet, now being scattered with rose petals.

The Secret Service were making the final security checks to ensure no one (including the press) could get anywhere near. To one side the quintet were setting up.

All in all the garden held an aura of calm. Elsewhere the same could not be said. The Blue room was in chaos, tables went unlaid, florists were working flat out to style the many displays and the cake had yet to be constructed. In the midst of it all sat CJ drinking coffee, not really sure what the hell she was supposed to do. Abbey had long since disappeared in search of Advil.

‘I thought I might find you here,’ his voice said from behind.

‘Is it too late to elope?’

Toby dropped to her side, ‘Nervous?’

CJ nodded and started to cry.

‘Oh hell CJ. You know I’m not good at this. You want to back out? I’ll get the car, we can be in Mexico by morning.’

‘No,’ she replied turning to look at him, ‘I want to do this. I love him.’

His face dropped, ‘Oh. When did this happen?’

‘Maybe I always have, but I realised it at the rally in Kansas.’

‘Does he know?’ He asked stroking her arm.

She nodded and pushed her hair out of her eyes, ‘This is for real Toby, it’s not about the election anymore. I really want to marry him.’

Toby took her in his arms and whispered into her hair, ‘Then I’m here for you.’

Abbey entered the room and swept her eyes around the room, everybody was running around in a daze except the two people sat at a table. She approached them and waited for one of them to notice her. Toby looked up and immediately let go.

‘Good morning Toby. You made her cry.’

‘Abbey, they’re happy tears.’

CJ took the Advil and stood up, ‘Right then, time for a bath.’ She turned to Toby and smiled, ‘Thank you.’

Toby shuffled on the spot and looked away, ‘CJ I have something for you.’

‘Oh.’

‘Should I go?’

‘No it’s okay Abbey. If my memory serves me, it’s something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. New dress, blue garter no doubt, an old husband,’ he grinned as she hit him. ‘Borrowed. This was my grandmother’s.’

CJ took the tissue paper and unwrapped it; the bracelet fell into her hand.

‘It’s beautiful,’ she gasped, ‘It’s handmade.’

Toby grinned, ‘My grandfather had it made for their fortieth anniversary.’

CJ leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek, ‘I’ll take care of it.’

Toby turned and shuffled out of the room leaving Abbey and CJ staring at the intricate emerald bracelet.

By lunchtime the Blue Room was perfectly calm and organised. The bridal party were all bathed and the hairdresser was putting the final touches to CJ’s hair. They were all still in bathrobes and Abbey had produced a bottle of champagne, which settled CJ in seconds.

‘Your father called from your apartment, they will be here in thirty minutes. Jed has Leo and the spin boys in the oval office, all you have to do is slip into the dress,’ Abbey confirmed.

‘Have you spoken to Leo?’ CJ enquired.

‘No, Jed says he’s pretty nervous. He wanted to come and see you but can’t leave Leo.’

‘CJ, let’s get you into the dress,’ Donna said holding out the dress holder.

CJ followed her out and into one of the guestrooms.

Donna shrugged out of her own robe and stepped into her own dress. The pale blue satin fell onto her body. The halter neck bodice revealed the log sensual neck, her own hair worn up in a pleat, decorated with tiny blue irises, the skirt falling onto her strappy sandals. Next she lifted CJ’s gown from the bag and shook the creases.

CJ stepped into the silk, pulling it up over her sheer stockings and the simple ivory ensemble. Donna zipped the gown up at the side and stood back to admire it. CJ wore her red hair down, curling around her face, a band of ivory roses held it out of her eyes. The dress itself was made to fit her curves, spaghetti straps held up the bodice which ended at the base of her spine in a vee to reveal the soft skin. A silk scarf began at the vee and hung over her shoulders as she walked. The skirt itself was covered in a layer of lace which shimmered as she walked.

‘You look beautiful,’ Donna said.

‘Really? It’s not too young?’ CJ worried that at forty she was trying to hard to be the young bride she wasn’t.

The door opened and her father stepped into the room, carrying the hand held bouquet, all sixteen inches of lilies, roses and tulips for his daughter.

‘Claudia, it’s perfect.’

CJ kissed her father and took the flowers. Donna disappeared from the room giving them a few minutes of privacy.

‘Your mother would be so proud. Leo is one lucky man, he’d better not hurt you.’

‘Daddy, he knows, the President, Abbey, Toby have all given him the speech.’

‘As have I a few moments ago.’

CJ smiled, she could only imagine how Leo must be feeling. ‘Shall we go?’

Cregg senior took his daughter’s arm and led her towards the ceremony. The two bridesmaids were waiting and fell into step for them. The lift took them to the first floor and from there they walked down corridors into the West Wing. The building was empty, all non-invited staff were gathered outside the Oval Office to see CJ emerge. Taking a deep breath to steady herself CJ nodded at Donna and it began.

The quintet began to play as Donna crossed the lawn and started to walk down the aisle towards Leo, five steps behind Zoey followed. At least two men in the audience held their breath.

As CJ headed towards him Leo turned and saw her. He gasped at his wife to be and turned back to his friend. As he tried to compose himself he forgot all about the reasons they got together and could only remember how much he loved and worshipped her. He knew this was meant to happen, and deep down they would share something Jenny and he never did.

The two women stopped at the gazebo and moved to the left. Leo stepped forward to take CJ’s hand and together they faced the Justice of the Peace.

As the ceremony began they focused only on the words, love, respect, cherish, honour, fidelity.

Josh stepped forward to make his reading but Leo had only eyes for CJ. The vows were traditional and simple, made of promises for the future. That done Jed passed over the rings. As he slipped the ring onto the finger Leo smiled at her for the first time and stumbled over his words. With a final blessing they were declared husband and wife.

In a split second they forgot the audience or plans for the future as CJ lowered her face to his. Leo moved his hand to her hair and held her towards him. There was no awkwardness as their lips met, gently at first, then more needy and deeper. Eyes closed they continued to explore each other’s mouths as from elsewhere music began to play. The spell was broken and they pulled away,

CJ’s chest flushed from the fluttering in her stomach, Leo’s hand tangled somewhere in her hair, their breathing laboured. The Justice motioned to the table and the register; Leo signed first, CJ next with the attendants last. The cameras clicked in the distance as they completed the formalities. That done they turned to their guests, CJ took her bouquet from Donna and descended the steps. As they headed down the flowered path confetti blew in the wind, clinging to the dress.

Once away from everyone Leo led her into the Oval office and closed the door. ‘I wanted a moment alone with you.’

CJ smiled at their joined hands, ‘to do what?’

He grinned, ‘To tell you I love you, to tell you how beautiful you are, and to do this.’

His hands were around her waist pulling her against him before she could respond. The kiss when it came was long, desperate and full of promise. CJ moved her hands to his shoulders, her fingers trailing against the weathered skin. Parting her lips she stuck out her tongue and forced his apart, his hands moved over her back, and they lost control. Neither heard the door open until the coughing began. They pulled away breathless.

‘Abbey?’

‘Everyone else was too chicken, they thought you might be doing things.’

CJ looked at her and blushed, but for the interruption they may well have been doing things. ‘Photos?’

‘You have five minutes, become less rumpled or I will be back in.’

She left in a swirl of red. Leo stepped away from CJ and began smoothing his hair down.

******

Holding her in his arms again Leo could remember the day so vividly. It had been the start of their relationship and he had kept his promise to care for her. Everyday he thanked Toby for his stupid idea and this woman for loving him.

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 dancefloor to join their friends hand in hand.

The End

Back to The Chief Of Staff's Office