Part 6

When they got to the house, they noticed all the cars parked outside.

"Looks like everyone is here," CJ said.

"Yeah, they came this morning. They can't wait to see you," Anna mentioned as she parked the car and they all got out. CJ grabbed Toby's hand and looked at him.

"You can stay here." She offered.

"CJ, I'll be five miles away. If you need anything, I'll be here in a heartbeat," Toby smiled and kissed her cheek. "It will be fine."

"Yeah," She nodded and smiled as Toby led her into the house. He always felt intimidated around her family. The only person Toby was taller than was Anna.

"Claudia," Everyone yelled as they walked in. Everyone took his or her turn to hug her and shake Toby's hand.

"Toby Ziegler, it's great to see you again," CJ's younger brother Brian came up and hugged him. "I'm glad you came."

"Thanks, I'm sorry about your father, Brian."

"Thanks," Brain nodded.

"Toby," CJ's other older brother came over to him. "It's great to see you."

"It's great to see you too, Alex. I just wish it was under different circumstances."

"Yeah," Alex nodded. "Dad would have liked to see you again."

"I'm sorry Alex," Toby said.

"Thanks," He nodded and allowed CJ and Toby to go around the room. There were at least twenty people there. Toby recognized some of them. They were CJ's aunts and uncles, and all the nieces and nephews.

"Did you guys leave Claudia and Toby some food?" Anna asked.

"We made them each a plate and put it in the fridge," Alex said.

"Come on you two," Anna grabbed CJ and Toby's hands and led them into the kitchen. In there, it was quiet. "This is why I love to cook. It's quiet."

"How are you holding up mom?" CJ asked.

"I miss him," Anna looked down. "I loved him very much. But I understand that he was sick. The thing keeping me going is knowing that he's in a place where he's not hurting anymore"

"I agree," CJ smiled.

"You know. He was very proud of you, Claudia. He became addicted to CNN because of you," She smiled while warming up their food. "He used to scream every time you came on, 'That's my girl.'" Anna smiled and handed them each a plate full of food. "He even screamed when he saw Toby."

"Me?" Toby asked.

"He respected you so much Toby. He asked you to take care of Claudia, and you did. He never forgot that," Anna smiled and patted Toby on the back. "Now eat up. You can use my car to get to and from the hotel. That is, if you haven't changed your mind."

"It's fine. Thanks though," Toby smiled.

"Eat up. I'll be in the family room," Anna said as she walked out.

"Your mom is one amazing woman," Toby said as he began eating the food.

"Slow down, you don't have to inhale it," CJ laughed for the first time since hearing the news. It startled her. "Should I have done that?"

"Laughed?"

"Yeah."

"CJ," Toby grabbed her hand. "I knew your father. He wouldn't want everyone acting differently now that he's gone. He told me that."

"Really?"

"Yep. We've had our discussions," He smiled. "Now, eat."

"It's good," She smiled as she began eating.

"Very." He smiled back. They sat there in silence and ate their meals.

"So, how's life in DC?" Brain asked as everyone gathered in the family room to talk.

"Busy," Toby said simply. "Very busy."

"How do you guys have time for a social life?" Alex asked.

"That's easy. We don't," CJ smiled. "We work twenty hour days sometimes. The last thing we want to do is go out on a date. All we want to do is sleep."

"I can hardly stand working eight hour days," Michael laughed. "But I bet the time goes by fast."

"Sometimes too fast, other times, not fast enough," Toby smiled.

"Okay, it's after midnight," Anna walked in. "Everyone go to sleep. We have many things to do tomorrow."

"Yeah," Everyone moaned and went off to bed.

"I'll walk you out," CJ mentioned as she followed Toby out of the house.

"Are you going to get some sleep tonight?" He asked as they got out to the car.

"I'm going to try at least," She smiled. "You?"

"Yeah, I have to make a few calls, but I'll be going to sleep soon."

"Do you have any idea how much this means to me that you came?" She grabbed his hand. "I couldn't do this without you."

"I have some idea. Who was there when my father died?"

"That was different," CJ looked down. He reached up and lifted her chin.

"You helped me that day. Allow me to do the same for you," He whispered.

"I will," She whispered back. Toby gave her a quick kiss and smiled.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight," She said as he got in the car. She watched him drive away before turning back. She saw her mom standing outside watching her with a huge grin on her face. "Don't start mom," CJ mumbled as they both walked in.

TBC