Abby awoke to the feeling of CJ pressed into her side. She looked down to see one of CJs long-legs thrown over her own body and her hand covering Abby's breast. She could feel CJs breath on her shoulder. This was happiness Abby thought. She'd had never felt it with another adult. Her intimate life with Jed was virtually non-existent now. And before it never held the passion that she felt with CJ, Jed was always gentle and giving but it always seemed to lack something. Last night lacked nothing.
Abby ran her hand over the thigh remembering the previous night. When CJ had emerged from the bedroom freshly showered, she wore a simple pair of black pants and shirt buttoned just far enough to tease Abby with her turquoise bra. They had a comfortable dinner, in which CJ declared anything having to do with work off limits. Instead they told stories of their childhood and Abby talked about her children.
While relaxing on the terrace, Abby had initiated the kissing. And it wasn't long before she found out that the turquoise bra had matching under-ware and both were lace. Before she went any further, CJ confirmed that this was what Abby wanted. When Abby said yes, CJ took control leading them both to the bedroom where she discovered the teddy. The look in CJs eyes put any last minute insecurities to rest. They made love all night and most of the morning.
They hadn't talked much and Abby briefly wondered if CJ was pleased with her performance. The brunette had only been with two women ever, and had only had sex with one. She wasn't the expert that CJ was, and boy was CJ an expert. She wanted to wake CJ up and ask her for a critique then a flash of CJ writhing above her appeared. So, the brunette decided that she needed to be more confident.
Abby made her way out of bed careful not to disturb the sleeping form. She ordered breakfast and made a few phone calls. Her first was to Jed, to see how the campaign was going. Jed was running for governor of their state. Already a three term congressman, he looked at being governor as his next step on his path to President.
"Hey Leo its Abby, is Jed available?"
"Hold on." Leo had been Jed's best friend since they were boys.
"Hey there sweet knees, How's Greece?"
"Greece is good. How's the race?"
"Good. We could really use your help out here. When do you return?"
"Not for a couple days. I have a few things to do with the kids when I get back. But after that we can all join you on the trial."
"Good. Soooo. Greece has been worth the wait."
"Very much so. I didn't expect it to be this much fun."
Jed laughed hard. He had never heard Abby so light and relaxed. "Well, Greece certainly agrees with you. Call me when you get back."
"I will." She hung up the phone and called her grandmother.
"Hello, Abby. Where are you now?"
"Greece. We secured the funding for the shipping expansion. Father was very pleased"
"Good. Did he bring your mother?"
"She left when we headed here. You know the only place she likes to go is Paris." Abby shook her head at her mother's attitude. "Father left yesterday morning."
"I called the office yesterday to ask Claudia Jean a question and they said she was away for an unknown amount of time. Did she have to go back to Ohio for her father?" Abigail asked in a knowing tone.
"Her father's fine, Grams. She's here with me."
"Its about Damn time. How was it?" When she got no response from Abby, she said. "Please don't tell me that girl slept alone last night. What the hell is wrong with you Abby? She's beautiful and attractive. You are not first at bat virgin…"
"Grandmother, she didn't sleep alone. There's only one bed. She slept with me. Though we didn't get much sleep."
"Well, good. How was it?"
"You're worse than Jed?"
"That doesn't answer my question. Good, bad, something you would never do again."
"Oh I am definitely doing it again, as soon as I wake her up actually." She paused a moment. "It was the most amazing… I didn't know it could feel like that. I didn't know I could feel like this. I've never wanted to call someone and tell them I had sex before but now I want to scream it from the rooftops. Is that ridiculous?"
"Yes, Abby, but that's love. The first time your grandfather and I made love. I wanted to tell everyone. I felt so connected to him. I felt like we had shared a piece of each other and I knew that I would never get what I shared back. And I didn't care because what he gave me was worth much more."
"Yeah. That's it." There was a knock at the door. "I have to go. I called to ask you whether you could take over some foundation things while I am campaigning with Jed, but we'll talk about that later. I love you Grams."
"I love you. Give Claudia kiss for me."
Abby opened the door and let the room service man in. She gave him a generous tip because everyone should feel the way she did right now. And when she turned from the door, CJ was standing there perfectly nude. "Come back to bed."
"I got breakfast. Aren't you cold?" Indicating CJs form.
"I wouldn't be if you came back to bed."
"I have breakfast." Why was she stalling? "There are pastries, fruit and juice. I think this is coffee."
CJ walked over to the table, picked up the bowl of fruit and the plate of pastries. "Grab the juice and come back to bed. I can show you interesting ways to consume a meal." She walked back into the bedroom and Abby followed with the juice in hand. CJ climbed on the bed, put the pastries beside her and tapped the space between her legs. "Sit here." Abby hesitated momentarily, but eventually handed the juice to CJ so she wouldn't spill it.
Abby wasn't even fully settled when CJ brushed her hair aside and kissed her neck. "You wanna tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothings wrong Claudia. I just didn't expect that you would want to eat in bed and I was hungry?"
"Abby. Don't lie to me. Tell me whats wrong?"
"This is silly." CJ waited. "Did you have a good time last night? I mean were you pleased? I mean did I please you, you know sexually?"
"You want to know if I had an orgasm." Abby nodded.
"Several. I lost count somewhere around two or three. But to answer of your questions you pleased me very very well. Were you pleased?"
"Yes. Of Course. You were amazing. Being with you was amazing."
"Ditto. Now can I eat my breakfast?" CJ moved to the front of Abby pinning her on the bed. "Now, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It's important to be eaten in such a way to provide minimal mess and maximum enjoyment." First they ate; then they made love. They left three days later.
XX
Abby hadn't been expecting the question, so when she was asked she wasn't prepared. Abby had been very busy over the past six months. Her increasing responsibility to the foundation and spending more time campaigning for Jed, she was exhausted. The only bonus was CJ usually joined her on most foundation business, so they were spending a lot of time together.
They were two weeks away from the general election and the polls had Jed ahead by 5 points. The campaign had relaxed into the normal work of campaigns: issues issues issues. Leo was Jed's campaign manager and had made a commitment early not to run a smear campaign. Giving that Jed was a good public speaker and came down on the right side of the issues it was easy to maintain such a campaign. Even Jed's affairs had not popped up. It was too good to be true.
Abby was answering press questions about her husband one day after a Daughter's of the American Revolution meeting
"Mrs. Bartlett do you enjoy campaigning?"
"I do. It gives me a chance to meet people from all over the state. I enjoy getting to know new people and have a genuinely good time listening to the funny stories people share with me and my heart breaks for their tragedies. Mostly it makes me more confident that Jed is the best man for this job."
"Mrs. Bartlett there has been some question about whether you and the Congress can understand the plight of the average person giving that both of you come from such wealthy families."
"I think our similarities are more than our differences. Both the Congressmen and I want whats best for our children. We want them to attend the best schools, be safe walking down the street and grow up to be healthy and happy individuals. More importantly when they grow up to have children I want them to live right down the street so that I can see my grandchildren everyday. One of you remember to file this story and remind my son and daughter of it in 20 years." The press corp laughed. "Seriously, we have to stop only pointing out what divides us, we have to focus on what unites us as a state."
"Mrs. Bartlett there are rumors that you and the Congressmen has have extramarital affairs."
"Is that a question, Chuck."
"No, ma'am. The rumors say that you are having an affair with the manager of the Barrington Foundation. Is it true?
"No comment."
"Come on Mrs. Bartlett you can't expect us to accept that. You and the Congressmen want the people of this state to make you our first couple if we don't know everything about you how can we make an accurate decision?"
"I believe that a question like that is between me and the Congressman." Abby was trying desperately for a way to get out of this. Luckily, Toby stepped in at that moment.
"I'm sorry folks that's it. Mrs. Bartlett has another appointment." He quickly ushered her to the car. "Mrs. Bartlett are you ok?"
"I just need to get home Toby?" Toby Zeigler had worked with Jed for 15 years. He wrote his speeches and helped set the agenda for the campaigns. Today, he had accompanied Abby to talk to her about her role as 1st lady of the state. It was lucky he was there.
The phone in car rang. "Toby Ziegler. Yeah Leo I got her in the car. We're on our way to the estate… Yeah, I'm pretty sure she won't do that… Yeah I'll see you there." Toby hung up the phone.
They arrived at the estate to a drive way of full of reporters. They made it through the gates and Abby walked into the living room and headed towards the back door ignoring both Leo and Jed. "Abby you can't do that." Jed said as her hand connected with the door.
"I have to see her."
"And you will. But you can't do it now. We have to talk about this."
"So, talk."
"You have to go out there and deny it. Tell them you are not a lesbian. And you and the Congressman are a happy couple with an active sex life." Leo said.
"You want me to lie?"
"I want you to tell everyone what they have known to be true for years." Leo said.
"I am not going to dignify the question."
"Abby don't be ridiculous. You know how this game works you can't do that. Not answering the question will make it more of a story."
"You want me to go out there and deny it. Deny her. I won't do it. Damn the consequences. I will not stand before the world and treat her like she's some insignificant spec in my life."
"Abby you have too." This time the statement came from CJ. She entered the house through the kitchen just in case someone could get a picture of her coming into the main house. "Abby you can't let this ruin you. Just tell them you aren't a lesbian and make it go away."
"And you're telling me that it won't hurt you." Abby was barely controlling her anger. How could CJ think this was a good idea? CJ hung her head. "Maybe it won't hurt you but it hurts me. And I will not deny you to save myself."
"Do we know how this got out?" Toby thought it was necessary to redirect for a few minutes.
"Maybe it was a member of the staff."
"Our staff wouldn't do that." Jed and Abby said at the same time.
"OK. CJ maybe you told someone that leaked the story for money. Family member, friend."
"My sister knows but I know she didn't tell anyone because I haven't told my mother yet. And I haven't told any of my friends. I couldn't risk it."
"Who else?" Toby asked. "Have you pissed anyone else off recently."
"That Bitch."
"Abby, whats wrong?" Jed asked approaching her. CJ made it to her side first.
"She waited until it would hurt the most. Then, she decides to publically create a scandal. I'll destroy her. How could she do this to me? I'm her daughter."
"You think your mother did this?" CJ was in utter disbelief.
"I know she did it." She shook her head.
"How did you mother know about you and CJ?" Leo said.
"There have been some incidents of physical closeness in the house. Nothing that couldn't be explained away as friends being friends. But Elizabeth uses Abby's preference as a tool against her. It's possible she doesn't know for certain but that wouldn't stop her." Jed said to Leo.
Abby was completely overwhelmed. "Can we talk about this in the morning? I need to go to bed." And with that she headed upstairs without say another word.
CJ left the room heading back to the barn. Just as she reached the door Toby caught up with her. "CJ she just needs some time. She's worked really hard at pretending that her mother's feelings about her don't matter. It's a hard realization to know that your mother hates and despises you."
It never occurred to her that the man could have such an insight. She leaned in and kissed him on his cheek. When she got inside she picked up the phone and called her mother.
"Hey, mom. Did you see the news?"
"Are you having an affair with your boss?
"Its not exactly an affair."
"Are you having sex with a married woman Claudia Jean."
"Yes."
"Then you are having an affair."
"Mom, please."
"Claudia Jean. I taught you to respect the sacrament of marriage. What are you doing?"
"I love her, Mom. Its more complicated than you think."
"Is she married CJ?" There was silence from CJ. "Then its not complicated. I raised you better than this." CJ cried hard into the phone. "I can't talk to you." Her mother hung up the phone. CJ called back immediately. She needed to explain. She needed to make her understand. The phone rang and rang. CJ left a pleading message on voicemail when her mother didn't pick up. She called again and again. Finally, her father answered the phone.
"Daddy, is she there?"
"Yeah, CJ she's here. Are you ok?"
"Yeah. No. I need to explain it to her. I need her to understand."
"She's not ready to hear you CJ."
"I'm so sorry Daddy. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt."
"I know, precious. You're mother will come around. You two will survive this. I love you. Nothings going to change that. How's Abby?"
"I don't know. She's living with the reality that her mother hates her. And now I know what that feels like."
"Her mother did this? No, I don't believe it. Oh My God."
"Yeah I know."
"You're mother doesn't hate you CJ she loves you. She just needs some time to wrap her head around this. When she does, she'll call. I love you. Call me in the morning."
CJ hung up the phone and crawled in bed. She cried herself to sleep. When she woke up, Abby was in bed beside.
CJ buried her head in Abby's shoulder and wrapped herself around the brunette. "My mother's not speaking to me."
"I'm sorry, Claudia. The media attention is sometimes hard for people to bare. She'll come around."
"That's what Daddy said, but this it's not about the media. This is about you being married." CJ felt the tears that she thought she had run out of last night come back. "She won't answer my calls. Not even to tell me she's disappointed. She's never been disappointed."
"I'm sorry Claudia. Maybe if I call and talk to her."
"You can't. Please just hold me." Abby did. It was a while before either of them spoke again. "You have to deny it Abby. You have to say that you are not a lesbian and that we are not having an affair."
"I'm not lying Claudia. I told Jed when we married that I would never lie to win a campaign. And we never have. I don't care. I'll lose everything before I do that."
"But it will make it all go away."
"I don't care."
Before CJ could say anything else there was a knock at the door. CJ got up to answer it. It was Toby. "Is Mrs. Bartlett here?" He looked up the stairs to see Abby coming down. "Good. The Congressman's about to make a statement. Where is your TV?" CJ pointed to the corner and Toby turned it on.
They saw Jed emerge from a building, Leo by his side. "The Congressman will be taking questions." Leo said as Jed called on the first reporter.
"Yeah, Alice."
"Congressman Bartlett, is your wife a lesbian."
"We prepared a statement last night that we were going to ask Abby to read. Which I am sure she would have read telling the truth about her relationship with the Foundation's manager Claudia Jean Cregg, and then we thought better of it. The scrutiny that Abby has faced for the last 24hrs is absolutely unbearable. So, let me say thank you. Thank you to the person that started the story and thank you to those of you that carried the story. Because you gave me an insight to what many Americans face every day. The prospect of losing everything for simply being who you are. I would love for Abby to come out here and deny everything. Tell you that she is not a lesbian, but not everyone gets deniability. Some people don't get to say the magic words and make the hate and bigotry disappear. They lose jobs, get kicked out there homes, beating and tortured. For what. For loving another human being. No one should have to experience that. This may be what you use to define who you want to be governor of this state. But you should know that if I am elected governor no one will be able to use the sexual identity of another to determine whether they are fit to hold a job. It is time for us to stop focusing on what makes us different and focus on what brings us together. Anymore questions."
"Congressman, there have been questions of nepotisms in many state jobs what will you do to address those issues?" The questions moved away from Abby and CJ. Onto other things. Abby let out a sigh of relief.
"I can't believe he did that. He didn't tell me he was going to do that."
"Yeah. He didn't want you to lie either Mrs. Bartlett."
"I'm going to fix him his favorite meal tonight." She looked at CJ who stood there silent. "Toby can you give us a minute." He left leaving Abby and CJ standing in the room by themselves. "Claudia are you ok."
"He thanked them. Why?"
"Because that's Jed. He likes to learn lessons the hard way. He has a tendency to thank those people that teach them."
"But what your mother did wasn't some act of patriotism. It was mean and spiteful."
"Yes, it was. But I will deal with her."
"Maybe I should leave. Maybe I should resign."
"I will not accept it. And if you leave I am coming after you."
"Why does she hate you?"
"Because I was born a Barrington." That no longer seemed like enough even to Abby. "I guess that's why my sister-in-law hates me. When my mother and father were first dating everyone said they made a lovely couple, and of course it was already expected that they would marry. On my father's first trip for the company he met a woman, Marissa Stevens. They fell in love and despite everything married. Mother was humiliated. My father had married a woman he'd known for a matter a weeks. Marissa died giving birth to their first child. It was a girl. The baby died to. There were complications. My father mourned, and my mother comforted him. About a year later they were married. So, she was the second Mrs. James Barrington, and her mother never let her forget it. And a year after that I was born. My father adored me still does actually. Then she gave him a son, my brother Jamie. And they never shared a bed again. Once when I was about 7 or 8 I heard them arguing. There was a lot of back and forth and she threatened to leave. He told her that if she took me out of the house he would take everything. Even his name. She could leave if she wanted and take Jamie with her, but I was his. And he would not loose me the way he had lost Marissa. From that point on Jamie received all of my mother's attention and I received none. It seemed that if he loved me she couldn't.
"Unfortunately, that translated into my relationship with Jamie. We used to do everything together, but some how my mother convinced him that I was a challenge to his birth right. I guess I didn't help. Everything he failed at I succeeded.
"So, when Jamie found out I was interested in women he told my mother. Who promptly told my father. I guess she thought he would stop loving me. And I did too. Because when she told me that he and my grandmother would hate me forever, I married Jed. It wasn't until after I had Zoey that my father told me that he knew and loved me with everything he was."
"Do you regret getting married?"
"Yes and No. I love Jed. He is my best friend. I can tell him anything and he knows me better than anyone else. We are honest with each other and because of that we raise our children with a peace that did not exist in my house growing up. I wish that I wasn't married when I met you. I never felt the way about anyone that I do about you, and that makes me regret being married. But Jed is a wonderful father who has giving me two wonderful children."
"I wouldn't ask you to leave."
"I'm not sure I could even if you did. I would understand if you needed to. But I have to give my children everything. And that means my name and their birthright. They deserve both their parents." She paused. "Claudia I want you to always be honest with me about what you need. I'm not sure I will be able to give it to you, but I need to know so that I can try."
"I will. I need the same."
"OK. I need to go get Zoey from practice. I want make sure there are no reporters around. And I think people need to see me doing what I normally do. Go to work. Call your mother and keep calling her until she picks up. She loves you Claudia, disappointed or not."
Abby left. And CJ prepared for work.
To be continued