Part 9

"You okay?" Toby asked as they walked around, looking that the numerous headstones that were laid out.

"This just doesn't feel real," CJ said. "I mean. I woke up this morning expecting my father to run down the stairs and put his arms around me. And then he would tell me how thin I am and tell me I'm not taking care of myself," She smirked.

"Well, I can tell you that," Toby grinned. "You do know he's with you."

"I know, I just wish…I don't know…"

"You wish you could have said goodbye," Toby finished.

"Yeah," She looked over at him and nodded. "Is that wrong?"

"No," Toby shook his head. "CJ, when my father died, I felt the same way. I hated the fact that I wasn't able to make amends with him. That feeling is with me every day."

"Did you know I talked to him the night before he died?" CJ said. "He asked me how the election was going."

"He was never into politics before you started on the campaign. After that, he started taping CNN," Toby laughed.

"I think he was happy I took the job."

"I think he was too," Toby smiled. "He was very proud of you."

"Yeah?" She smiled weakly.

"I know it for sure."

"Thanks Toby," She smiled. "How about this one?" She pointed to one of the headstones.

"Looks good," He walked over and stood by her.

"He asked me when we were getting married," CJ blurted out.

"What?" Toby looked over to her confused.

"My dad," She couldn't help but laugh. "He asked if you had proposed yet."

"He was still on that?" He laughed.

"He thought we were an item."

"He's been thinking that for over twenty years."

"Yeah," She smiled. "He had a coming apart when you married Andi."

"I remember. He wouldn't stop calling me."

"Yeah, then you sent me down to calm him down. You refused to see him for years."

"Because he was mad."

"You were scared of my father?" She smiled.

"He was like, seven feet tall."

"Exaggeration," CJ laughed. "It was more six-foot-eight."

"Excuse me," He smiled as he rolled his eyes.

"Have you decided on one ma'am?" The clerk came over.

"I think we'll take this one," She pointed to the one in front of her. "Yeah?" She looked over at Toby.

"Yeah," He nodded.

"Okay, I'll take the order down," The clerk said and walked away.

"I never want to pick out a headstone again," CJ said while grabbing Toby's hand and followed the clerk.

"We'll deliver the stone tomorrow morning so they can set it up."

"That will be fine," CJ nodded and paid the clerk.

"You did good," Toby said while rubbing her back.

"Thank you," She smiled. "Lets go," She got the receipt and went out to the car.

"Do you notice that smell?" Toby asked.

"Yeah, it's called clean air," CJ said sarcastically.

"It's nice," Toby stood near the car and looked up to the sky. "I haven't done this in ages."

"What?" She walked over next to him.

"Just look at things. I usually just bypass them, like they're nothing."

"You're a very strange man."

"Says you. I'm very sane," He smirked.

"Have I thanked you yet for coming with me?"

"Numerous times," Toby said while still eyeing the sky.

"Did you ever think my father was right?"

"He was right on many things."

"I mean about us," She said. Toby looked over at her.

"What about us?" He questioned.

"I've never been really lucky when it comes to love. I mean, my longest relationship was six months."

"Yeah, my track record is the best," Toby said sarcastically.

"But then there's us. We've been friends for twenty years."

"Yeah."

"Have you ever thought there might be more here then just…you know…friendship?"

"Yes," He said simply. "But I don't think this is the time or place to discuss it…"

"Why?" She said sharply. "My father taught me to live my life the best I can. No matter what. I remember when his father died, he was devastated, but he told us that life goes on, and he would have wanted it that way. My father felt the same way. He hated dealing with emotion. That's why my family's home right now laughing at the good times, but not dwelling on the bad."

"CJ…"

"Why not discuss it?"

"Because we've tried before, but…" He couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Toby?" CJ smiled as he leaned against the car to catch his breath.

"CJ, do you remember when your father locked us up in the barn overnight. We were fighting over something, and he told us we couldn't leave until we made up."

"I wasn't talking about that," She felt her smile widened.

"We made up, but then we kissed. But for the life of us, we couldn't stop laughing. It was too weird," He laughed. "Every time our lips came close, we busted up laughing."

"I remember that," She started laughing.

"But we can't say that we didn't try," He smiled.

"Good point," She smiled. "We should get back to the house."

"Yeah, I get to drive though," He grabbed the keys and ran to the driver's seat.

TBC