Part 10
"Claudia, you two just made it for lunch," Anna smiled after CJ and Toby entered the house. "I hope you like egg sandwiches'," She looked over at Toby.
"I love them," Toby smiled.
"How did it go?" Anna asked CJ.
"It went fine," She nodded.
"Thank you for doing this," Anna smiled and kissed CJ on the cheek.
"No problem."
"I'm just glad you didn't have to do it alone," Anna smiled and patted Toby on the back.
"Me too," CJ smiled.
"Here you go," Anna quickly grabbed two plates and handed one to Toby and the other to CJ. "Eat up."
"Thanks mom."
"Thank you," Toby smiled.
"So, how long do you two intend to stay here?" Anna asked while making herself a plate and sitting next to them.
"However long it takes," CJ smiled.
"Claudia, I do understand that you have a job. I don't want you to risk it because of this."
"I talked with the President and the Chief of Staff, they both said CJ could stay as long as she needed," Toby nodded.
"Thank you Toby," Anna smiled. "You seem to be taking care of my Claudia very well."
"I try," He smirked. "I do want her to stay as long as she wants. I think it would do her good to be away for a while."
"You two do know I'm in the room?" CJ smiled.
"You have a good man here Claudia," Anna smiled.
"He's a good friend. One of the best," She winked over in Toby's direction.
"So, as long as Claudia stays here, you get some time off too," Anna said to Toby.
"Actually, I was going to head home the day after the funeral."
"What?" CJ and Anna both said together.
"I thought it would be best," Toby said quietly, avoiding the glares pointed in his direction.
"Best for whom?" Anna said.
"This is a time for family…"
"Tobias Ziegler, you are family," Anna patted Toby on the back. "I let you stay at a hotel. But I will not let you leave just yet."
"She's right," CJ nodded.
"But…"
"I don't want to hear it," Anna smiled. "I'm more stubborn than you. Trust me. I'll win."
"Yes ma'am," Toby smirked and began to eat his sandwich.
"Well, tell me why you two haven't gotten together yet?" Anna asked out of the blue.
"What?" CJ and Toby both looked at her in shock. Toby managed to spill most of his lunch in his lap.
"Don't look at me like that. You've known each other for twenty damn years. Are you telling me that you haven't even thought about it."'
"About what?" Toby asked.
"Relationship. Family. Love. Sex."
"Mother!" CJ snapped. She could feel her face heating up.
"Twenty years with no sex. How did that happen?"
"I adapted," Toby smirked.
"Toby!" CJ kicked him from under the table. "Mom, why are…"
"Oh, don't act all shy with the subject. I know you have sex."
"This conversation is not happening," CJ covered her face up with her hands, while Toby smiled widely.
"But my question is, why not Toby?"
"CJ usually goes for the tall and burly men," Toby laughed.
"I do not," CJ defended. "I'm a sucker for romance."
"Toby's not romantic?" Anna wondered.
"Why are we having this discussion?" CJ asked while putting her head down on the table.
"What can I say, I'm not a very romantic guy," Toby smirked.
"You're having too much fun with this," CJ glared.
"I know," He smiled.
"I think Toby is a very romantic guy. Who else would drop everything and come with you to your fathers funeral?" Anna asked.
"He's protective," CJ smiled.
"He reminds me of your father," Anna smiled. "He's got that proudness in his eyes," Anna said while lifting Toby's head up. "I think he would make some woman very happy. And I don't see why that someone couldn't be you, but that could be just me," Anna smiled.
"It is only you mom," CJ shook her head in embarrassment. She looked over at Toby who was grinning. "Stop that."
"Stop what?" Toby asked innocently.
"Grinning like an idiot," She kicked him again.
"Sorry."
TBC