Currently super inspired to write about these two. I just like that there is no history or baggage between the two of them. And Johnny was super adorable and awkward in the last episode talking about the kiss. I need more of them. I NEED IT. Like I need air to breathe.
/
Alicia woke up slowly, taking in her surroundings. She was on the couch, wrapped around Johnny. They had somehow intertwined themselves in the night, and she didn't think she could even move without disturbing him. And, she found herself not caring. She felt safe in his arms, like nothing could hurt her. Snuggling closer, she started placing little kisses from his jawbone down to his collarbone. He shifted in his sleep, but didn't wake up. Alicia giggled softly, and trailed more kisses from his collar bone, back to his jaw, to behind his ear. As soon as she kissed behind his ear, he moaned.
"Alicia,"
"Yes?" She whispered in his ear before continuing to press kisses to his nape.
He placed one hand on her cheek, caressing the soft skin with his thumb. Pulling her across his lap so that she was straddling him, he rested his forehead against hers.
"You are so beautiful, Alicia."
She blushed, and kissed his nose.
"And you are very handsome, Johnny."
He smiled, breathing her in. Just as his lips captured hers, her phone went off.
Scrambling off of him, she answered, almost breathless.
"Hello Eli."
"Alicia hi- have you been working out? You sound winded."
Smirking, she looked over at Johnny, who could hear every word. He buried his face in a pillow to keep from laughing out loud when she responded.
"Just some early morning activity. You know, doing stuff."
She could hear Eli's frown.
"I see. Well, there are some things we need to go over, so can I come to your place? I have been trying to reach Elfman, but the bastard isn't answering his phone."
Alicia glanced at Johnny.
"He's actually here- we have been going through some stuff already today."
She could hear the disbelief in his voice when he responded.
"It's 8:30 on a Saturday. You both were up and already to go through stuff this early?"
Alicia smiled at the man sitting next to her.
"Yes. So we will be waiting for you. I will have coffee waiting."
"See you both in an hour."
"See you then."
As she hung up, she turned to face her manager again. She put on a mock serious tone.
"Eli will be here in an hour. What shall we tell him we discussed?"
He laughed, pulling her back into his lap.
"Oh I don't know. Our illicit relationship? Your upcoming divorce? We have lots of options."
He recaptured her lips, pulling her in close. When she finally pulled away, she rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, while his fingers lazily raked through her dark hair.
"Eli will be here soon."
He sighed.
"I know."
"I need to shower. Can you make the coffee?"
He nodded and kissed her once more before they both stood up.
When Alicia emerged from the shower, she put on some jeans, and an old Georgetown T-shirt. She skipped blow drying her hair, and just towel dried it instead.
Stepping into the kitchen, she paused in the doorway, content to watch Johnny mill around, making breakfast. It surprised her at how natural it felt for him to be in the kitchen, for him to be in her kitchen.
"Something smells good."
He turned around quickly, smiling brightly.
"Oh good. You're out. Coffee is ready, and I poured you a cup. 2 sugars, with caramel creamer. And pancakes are almost done. Do you like chocolate chips pancakes? I guess I don't know. But everyone likes chocolate chip pancakes right? If you don't I can make something else-"
Kissing him seemed liked the best way to stop him from rambling.
"Yes. I like chocolate chip pancakes."
Handing her her cup of coffee, he looked down sheepishly.
"Sorry. I ramble when I get nervous."
She leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"Do I make you nervous?"
Whispering back, he tangled his hand in her damp hair.
"Very."
Just then, there was a knock on the door. They both groaned.
"Eli."
Alicia opened the door, ushering Eli to the kitchen.
"We were just having breakfast. Join us."
Eli glanced at Johnny making pancakes.
"Okaaay."
As soon as they all had pancakes, Eli wasted no time.
"Peter broke it off with Ramona last night."
Alicia and Johnny stopped mid bite, and then spoke at the same time.
"So?"
Eli looked at them.
"So? That's good for us! You guys can make a few public appearances, show how much you love each other, and the voters will love it."
Alicia rolled her eyes, and Johnny responded.
"Don't you think the voters are getting sick of Alicia taking Peter back every time he cheats? It makes her look weak in their eyes. No one wants a weak SA."
Eli rolled his eyes.
"It doesn't make her look weak. It looks good and appeals to the older voters."
"Nothing about her taking back that cheating dog of a husband looks good, Eli!"
Johnny felt himself getting worked up, and only calmed down slightly when Alicia put a soothing hand on his arm.
Eli looked taken aback at the younger man's outburst.
"Show some respect to the governor, Elfman."
Johnny stared hard at Eli.
"He's not very respectable, though."
It was then that Alicia interrupted.
"Stop. This is my life. Eli, I will do some appearances with Peter until SA elections are over. But, you have spent 5 years with us as a couple. You should know better than anyone that we just don't work. We have tried over and over, and failed over and over. After elections, whether I win or lose, I am walking away from him. For good."
Eli looked flabbergasted, and Johnny discreetly clasped Alicia's hand under the table.
Eli continued flailing for a few seconds, before jumping up.
"This is YOUR doing, isn't Elfman? You are twisting her feelings. Alicia, he is manipulating you. Don't fall for it. You NEED Peter."
Both Johnny and Alicia stood, hands still joined.
"Eli, I am sorry. I know that you have invested so much into Peter. I know that you have invested into our marriage, but I just can't do this anymore. It's been killing me to stay with him, and I have been so miserable. I just-"
"But you guys have gone through so much! You have made it work before!"
Alicia shook her head.
"No Eli. We haven't. We can't. We will never make it work. I gave up the dream of ever being happy again, after Will got sho- after Will died. I never could picture myself with anyone else, and now I'm starting too. Eli-"
"Alicia, this could be detrimental to both of your careers! Don't you care?"
Alicia looked at him with soft eyes.
"Don't I deserve to be happy?"
Eli looked at the woman who had become a friend over the last five years. Thought about everything she has had to put up with from Peter, the press, and even himself. His shoulders sagged. She was right. Her life had been turned upside down more than anybody's ever should. And she deserved to be happy. As he looked between Johnny and Alicia, and then down at their intertwined fingers, he knew he wouldn't be able to come between Alicia and a man anymore. He had meddled enough in her life. Raising his hands in defeat, he spoke.
"Ok. I understand. You are both adults, and you know the risks involved. I will not stop you, but I do recommend putting whatever you have on the back burner. Get through election night. Keep up appearances with Peter, like you have been doing. I don't want this making headlines. And you will not tell Peter until absolutely necessary. Ok?"
Johnny let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when Alicia crossed the room. She hugged Eli. Pulling away from, with a sincere look in her eyes, she apologized.
"I'm sorry Eli. I know this isn't ending how you wanted it too. I know this is messing with all the work you have put into Peter's career. And I am really, really sorry. I know you wanted us to be Bill and Hillary, but that just isn't how our story is going to end."
Eli stared into her eyes.
"It's ok. I think, deep down, I knew that eventually you would get sick of the crap and walk away. But, I still didn't want it. It is your life, and you do get to chose how you live it, whether I like it or not. So, I understand. You don't have to be Bill and Hillary. But please, if you could act like it for just a little while longer..."
"Thank you, Eli. And I am sorry. This wasn't part of your plan."
He shrugged it off.
"Peter's a politician. We will figure out a plan that doesn't include you."
Alicia nodded before sitting back down. The two men followed her example, and the trio finished their breakfast in relative silence. After the food was gone, and the dishes were done, Eli spoke.
"Well, this morning hasn't gone how I thought it would. But I do need to get to your headquarters and do a few things this morning. Johnny, will you join me?"
"Um, yeah."
"Do you want me to come too?"
Eli shook his head.
"No. Maybe come by a little later for some more debate practice?"
Alicia nodded.
"Ok. See you two later."
With that, the two campaign managers left, leaving Alicia alone in her apartment.
