Title: Christmas 5B/5B Twilight Series 4 /?
By: chipmunk and leosimpishgrin
Pairing: Leo/Margaret - Romance
Rating: R
Archived at: To review prior parts go to Christmas at:
Disclaimer: See Part 1-Posted 12-25-03
Warning: Sexual content
*****
Thanks so much for your patience and interest with this fic!
We really loved writing it! The feedback has been great!
See, we didn't have to change the title to 'Christmas in July' ;-D
*****
Thursday - Christmas day (Evening)
*****
Christmas formal dinner – 6 p.m.
Katie and Ben are flanking Leo and Margaret, as they enter the foyer to the state dinning room. They have generously agreed to keep the kids with them during dinner, since Colin has a date tonight, and he has missed most of his holiday vacation in DC. Colin, is nowhere in sight yet with his mystery date.
Looking at the McGarry-Ryan family arrival from across the room, all in formal attire and Abbey leans close to softly whisper to Jed, "They look good enough to be getting married. Wonder how soon? They already have a ring bearer and a flower girl."
Jed grins, but doesn't take his eyes of the pair as he tilts his head to his astute wife, "Sweetness, I totally agree with you. All they need is the priest and the deed would be done."
Abbey tears her eyes off the couple in the doorway to grin in agreement at Jed's happy face and that he agrees with her, but she points out to him, "I think Margaret will want a ring first, Sugar. You need to bolster Leo up a little and act like the best man that you want to be."
He puts his hands in his pockets and grins, "I'll work on that first thing in the new year. I've already teased him once this year that they acted as if they were already married and they just forgot the ceremony. Now, it looks like he took me seriously and he's in no hurry to finalize the marriage. Maybe you could sound out Margaret, and we can make this our New Year's resolution?"
She grins in her womanly knowing way, "Sounds like a good plan to me. First of the year, we start on getting those two hitched."
After making eye contact with the President and a nod to each other, Leo's attention returns to his family. Once they're fully in the room, Leo and Margaret greet and nod to a few of the guests that have arrived before them. Seeing that the ladies are gathered in the corner and are eagerly waiting to admire Margaret' new necklace, Leo suggests to her, "Do you mind if we split up with the kids momentarily and you can go and speak to a few of the others? I'm sure that Ben wouldn't mind standing in as your escort and Katie can accompany me." She quickly agrees and they part to move to different areas of the room. Each of them with a child escort.
After introducing Katie as his date to few of the guests, Leo asks her, "Miss Ryan, would you help me with a small matter, my Dear? I have a couple small gifts for the First Couple. I'd like to walk over with a beautiful lady on my arm and tonight your beauty is breath taking." Leo flirts with Katie like she is a little lady. She grins at being treated like a grown lady at an evening event and grins, "Yes, Mr. McGarry, I would love to." She can play grownup with the best of them.
They approach closer to where the First Couple are standing to receive their guests, and during a quiet moment, Leo winks to them before speaking, "Good evening, Sir."
"Good evening, Leo." The Presidents waits to see what Leo's wink was for.
Leo gives his crooked grin and continues, "Mr. President, let me introduce to you my date for dinner this evening, Miss Katie Ryan. Katie, Dr. Jed Bartlet, the President of the United States and his lovely wife Dr. Abbey Bartlet, M.D." Katie tries to stifle her giggles, as she plays along at being formal tonight. This is very different from last night's family like gathering. She grabs the side of her dress skirt and bobs a quick curtsy. The President grins at her nice courtesy to them and bends to solemnly shake her hand, he winks at her and she finally let's loose a few small giggles, "Oh, Uncle Jed," she whispers to him with their heads still close together. He grins back at her for slipping out of formal character and finally calling him Uncle Jed. He runs his finger under her chin to tease her in happy appreciation. He loves the pretty blush that she's starting to show.
When the President straightens and Abbey hangs lovingly on his arm with both hands and smiles at Katie and winks to the small girl. Loving how nice Katie's formal dress looks on her.
Leo brings up the reason that he wanted to speak with them before dinner is announced. "Sir, I wanted a moment to give you something today. I think you'll like it." He reaches into his outside jacket pocket and then hands his friend a small rectangle package.
"Thank you, Leo." The President, being a kid at heart tears off the paper to reveal a rare book that makes his eyes light up.
"Oh, Leo this is so special. I really love it and you. You know that without giving me this wonderful book, my friend." He grins at his best friend and hands the book to Abbey to enable him to envelope Leo in a heartfelt bear hug. Abbey grins at the two men who are as close as blood.
Katie giggles as the men break apart, "See how it is Uncle Leo, when you get caught in one of his great big hugs?"
Leo pulls her to his side to squeeze her tight, "It's wonderful isn't it, Pixie." He looks from Katie to his friend with shiny eyes. He watches as Abbey hands the book back to Jed. "Abbey, I have a small something for you as well." At her pleased grin, he slips his hand inside his jacket and pulls out a small square velvet box.
She opens the lid and inside is a broach in the shape of a script A set with tiny diamonds and rubies. It will look lovely on her bright red Christmas dress. She steps to Leo and gives him a sweet hug in appreciation. "Thank you, Leo. It's lovely. You give the most wonderful gifts that any women would be thrilled to receive"
"You're most welcome, Abbey. Just wear it in good health." Leo grins and rocks back on his heels at his tease to her.
"That's my line, Leo. I'm the one that has to keep patching you two overgrown boys back together." She reaches and gently runs her hand down the side of his face, remembering the night he was attacked last summer. She was so glad that it was not worse, but she hopes to never repeat the near nightmare rush to get to his side to help with his treatment.
Jed's now gives into his curiosity, while Abbey pins the brooch onto her dress, and opened the book to the front board and draws in a breath in a happy sigh. He lifts out a photo of the author and remembers back to when he met him at an event in DC, a couple years ago. His eyes get wide with surprise at what he sees under the photo.
"Oh, my! This is amazing! Abbey read this!" He holds the book open for her to see the inscription, as she slips the velvet box into his jacket pocket.
"So few men in our histories really know the struggles that we share as presidents. May we pray for peace in our countries, the world and in our own lives. I am so happy to have met you and found a kindred spirit.
To President Bartlet
From President Mandela
December 2003"
"That is so nice, Jed. Leo, you 'do' know the way to his heart." She smiles at Leo, while she smoothes her hand down the back of Jed's hair in a caress that she unconsciously gives him with his head bowed. They both realize that Leo went to great pains to get this wonderful gift for Jed. Jed closes the book front onto his finger as he looks at the jacket cover again. The title of the book is 'Long Walk to Freedom' by Nelson Mandela.
Leo grins with happiness at the joy his gifts have brought to his friends.
Margaret and Ben join them and after exchanging greetings, the President notices the two kids looking around the room. He knows what or who they are looking for. "Kids, I see Annie and Gus are arriving with their parents. Why don't you two go join them and see whether any of Annie's other guests have arrived?"
"Thanks, Uncle Jed." The kids happily agree and, with a quick look to see if it's agreeable with Margaret and Leo, before they head to the door to join the other kids and compare plans for tonight's activities.
Abbey and Margaret quickly indulge in admiring the new necklaces that they have added to their collections, from the men in their lives this Christmas day. While the two guys discuss the merits of the book.
*****
Heads turn to look at the doorway and a few soft, surprised, happy sighs are heard from the women and the men at their sides turn to see the reason, agreeing, as a newly arrived couple enters the room. They both quickly glance to the President, across the room, when they stop inside the doorway. The President's eyes lock with hers and she lifts her chin slightly to indicate she's still one ahead of him after all these years. His nodding with glowing approval and with Mrs. Landingham's tilt of her head in a private acceptance of her due at getting one over on the President, the couple returns their attention to each other. They are such a contrast to each other, but the happy friendly looks that they share with each other in quiet talk, as they step into the room, shows that differences can enhance, as well as define friendships.
Colin bends with a conspiring grin to catch her words, as he maintains her hand in the crook of his arm, his large hand covering hers. They both look handsome with him in his tux, and her wearing a modest midnight blue gown that has a touch of shimmer to it, but it just reflects the happy shine in her eyes.
His attentiveness and charm are totally directed to her, as she decides how they'll circuit the room. He treats her like a queen, and she tries to ignore the envy of the other assistants, but this evening she's the one that's enjoying his dreamy highland physique beside her.
The President, along with Abbey, Leo and a near teary Margaret, watch happily as the couple chats with others on their way around to them. They can see that Mrs. Landingham is near glowing at having such a caring escort. They seem to be having the time of their lives. The foursome and especially the President is so pleased that she's getting treated so well tonight, she deserves it.
*****
At the stroke of six, dinner is announced and the guests are ushered into the long dinning room to take their seats. Annie at 13 has invited the older girls of Deanna age 15 and Hogan 16 to join her tonight. The three girls quickly bond, as only teenage girls can. They part to find their place cards for the dinner. Their host and hostess enter last and after the President seats his wife at one end of the table, he cheerfully makes his way to the head of the table. He remains standing to give the blessing.
The President informs them that his blessing is all about 'the love of the holiday season.' Some guests roll their eyes or smile to one another and the more gracious merely sigh quietly, because they all know how the President can be when he has a captive audience.
The President smiles benevolently at his guests, "There is a difference between loving someone, like friends and family members and being in love with someone special. You love your friends and hope they are happy and healthy. You love your family and hold them dear in your heart. Sharing a bond with them the world cannot break. Praying for God's blessings on them for a full and happy life."
He scans the faces around the table and knows that he is so blessed with the family and the friends he has found in the world of the White House.
" 'In love' is even more. It's when you're more concerned with your special someone's happiness and health, before you consider your own. You live for them and if God blesses you, they're doing the same for you. They 'are' life to you. You live for each other, and it's as natural as breathing, without thought. The world is outside the aura of your love for each other. A wonderful journey you travel together, sheltered in each other's love. It's a beautiful way to live." He pauses and leans his head slightly to the side, looking at his Abbey at the other end of the table full of their friends and family. He ends by spreading his arms wide. "May God bless you with 'all' the love of the season."
As the President sits to light applause, Leo and Margaret look meaningful at each other with it being their first Christmas together and they are definitely 'in love.'
*****
At the end of the meal, around 7 p.m., the little kids and teenagers ask to leave the table. Timing it just after the dessert, but before the coffee and conversation segment of the dinner starts.
The three little kids have the movie scheduled of 'Stuart Little' in the theater. They make a gallant effort to push the heavy formal chairs in from behind, before the boys dash for the door, and Katie has to hurry to keep up. Six small patent leather shoes flash behind them, as they forget they're being proper tonight. Gus's nanny is going to help them get out of their formal clothes and into some play sweats, before escorting them to the theater.
With more grace, the teenage girls wait to be helped with their chairs, as they rise from the table. They don't really appreciate the after dinner adult talk much more than the little kids and there's no way they're watching a kiddie movie with the younger ones. They just want to get to the fun stuff at the slumber party. The girls want to change into some fashionable clothes, turn on some music, paint their nails and talk about boys, till it's their turn to go to the theater and watch the 'Harry Potter' movie. Annie, Deanna and Hogan leave the dinning room in a cluster, trying not to giggle till they get into the hall. Once outside the dinning room door and finally able to give up the impression and manners of fine young women, with high spirits, they kick off their shoes and rush in their hose clad feet thought the White House. Ready to get to their room for some wonderful teenage entertainment of their own making.
*****
Around 7:30 pm the coffee and conversation ends blissfully and early. Giving time for the dinner guests to recover from the wonderful repast they just shared. It's a nice time for the ladies to freshen up and the men to blow a cloud out on the portico. Some guests choose to stretch and stroll, before the dance starts. The additional guests will be soon arriving for the after dinner entertainment.
Between the dinner and the dance Leo hints to Margaret, "You know, it might be more private in my office, when we just happen to end up there to check for holiday greetings and messages."
Margaret, trying not to be overheard at scolding him, "Leo, the President will throttle you, if he catches you trying to work on Christmas. Not to mention me, if I happen leave him any part of you to get at after I pound you myself."
Leo whispers to her with their heads together, "Why do you think I mentioned the private part, my dear?. It's been hours since I gotten a chance to steal a kiss and tell you how much I love you."
She grins with understanding. A semi-dark office can come in handy right about now, "Lead the way, Sweetie." They hold hands down in front of her, as Margaret walks close against the back of his shoulder and leave the room giving the impression that they're just strolling about.
Once in the office and the door slips shut behind them, Leo turns and gives Margaret a small Fred Astaire swing to pull her into his arms. They lock lips and continue to sway slowly in each other's arms, as if they are enjoying their own private dance early. They touch and caress in the semi-darkness, getting bolder as time and the dance progress, secure in the private world the shadows surround them with. They murmur the love whispers and promises that are so near the surface this Christmas night. The formal wear just adds to the magic of the moment by feel and sound, as satin and starch are stoked by their caresses.
The soft distant chime of the grandfather clock in the Oval Office finally breaks the romantic holiday magic. Leo and Margaret sigh at losing the moment and having to once again tuck away their emotions, to join another of the day's events. They know they have to go to the dance, but sneaking away with a trip to the office for some quick needed necking, will be a memory that they'll remember long after this night ends.
*****
Being that it is Christmas Day, the dance tonight is kept small, since most politicians went to their home states to celebrate the holidays, but those still in town are invited to join the First Family. Due to the holiday, it's a shorter dance than usual, more like an after dinner entertainment. Even so, the room is filled with whirling colorful gowns and elegant black tuxes.
With the dance just being held from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., time is short for some attendees. Ginger tells the other ladies around her near the end of the first set of dances, "I love her dearly, but Mrs. Landingham had better share." Ginger's eyes follow her and Colin for their second dance that evening with envy, but she's really happy that Mrs. Landingham is having a nice time. She's so special and deserves the special attention that Colin is giving her.
Donna, after she had to step out of the room to re-tie Josh's bow tie, stops at the ladies just in time to hear Ginger's comment and replies. "Don't worry Ginger, you'll get your chance with him. I'm nicely surprised she's still here. She never stays long at a dance." ~Especially since during the last dance I put a bug in Toby's ear to do Ginger a good deed and introduce her to Colin. Since Ginger obviously is not willing to break White House etiquette and approach a man and ask him to dance~.
*****
Mrs. Landingham decides to leave during the first break. Colin escorts her to first retrieve her coat and contrary to her wishes. He then graciously insists on waiting with her for the car that is to deliver her home. To her warm cup of tea and a cookie to end her nice Christmas evening. Afterwards he slips into the room and takes up a good location to view the room, right behind Leo. He softly speaks to let Leo know that he's behind him and teases, "Just to let you know, Leo, now that Delores is gone, I may need you to save me from the women here. I'm just standing back here where it's safe. My charm is drawing them in."
Leo looks at the floor a moment and chuckles softly at Colin's mock vainness. He looks up and scans the room still smiling, "Don't worry, Colin. I'm sure I can save you from all the lovely ladies flocking to your side. My armor may be a little battered, but my knighthood is still gallant," Leo jests to Colin in reassurance.
Leo grins back over his shoulder, and Colin is wearing a smirk, "You better be sure, Leo."
Walking over to the two men during a change the music, and the ladies are to the side comparing dresses. Toby comments with his dry wit to the men, "Damn, Leo, you're casting a big shadow tonight." Colin is still standing directly behind Leo. "I know you're not trying to intimidate any of us, but we may need to try that tactic with some of the republicans in the room."
Both Leo and Colin are grinning at Toby's remark, and Leo assures him, "Colin's not behind me for intimidation purposes, but that might not be a bad idea."
Now that Colin is aware of how the DC family banters with each other, he works at looking serious and admits to Toby, "Actually, I'm hiding behind Leo. I'm using him as a shield from all the women that want me." Colin is doing his Hollywood star impression again, but still can't keep his eyes from twinkling with fun. Margaret started teasing him back when he was in high school. When her girlfriends said that he was good looking enough for the movies. It got to be a family joke, just to keep him humble, when he got a big head.
The men break down laughing at Colin joining in on the teasing banter. The women look over at the men and enjoy the sound of the deep male laughter floating across the room.
Leo teases a warning, "Toby, you better be nice to Colin. You already took a verbal beating from one of his family members this week."
"I'll be nice, Leo." Toby knows just how to reward Colin for his wisecrack. "Colin, come with me and let me introduce you to a nice lady that I'm sure would love to be asked to dance by you. We can't have you being a wallflower at the White House, now can we?" He starts to move toward the ladies. "You don't strike me as the shy type. Big brawny guy like yourself." Toby makes the last line almost sound like a challenge.
Colin laughs his deep full laugh again, as they approach Ginger. She may melt at the sound, before they get to her. Toby looks knowingly at Ginger, as they near her and a few of the other ladies. ~Breath, Ginger, breath.~
*****
Leo smiles at Colin and Toby, as they approach the ladies. He then notices Josh walking in his direction around the edge of the dance floor and moves to meet him. They stop side by side and scan the crowd with genuine smiling faces, not their political schmoozing smiles. Leo switches his radar-lock like gaze on Margaret to the young man beside him. "Josh, I want to give you another gift, for you and Donna."
Josh snaps his face to Leo and grins, "So, you changed your mind about giving me 'Beauty' for the holidays?"
"No, way, Sport. I just thought you two might like this." He hands an envelope to Josh.
Josh's eyes widen with surprise when he looks inside, "Leo, this is for a trip to St. Thomas. This is great. Thanks, really. I'm sure Donna will love it, and I know I will." Josh is grinning with happy anticipation.
When Josh looks back up from the brochure that is enclosed, Leo nods his head to the side and informs him, "Don't go running to the airport just yet. Sorry, but there are a couple of small conditions. First, you'll have to wait to leave until 'we' get back from our trip, so pick yourself another long weekend. Second, this is this same trip that I'm taking Margaret on, so you can't tell Donna the destination until after we leave."
"Well that definitely adds to the fun." Josh is wearing a huge grin, so pleased about the last condition. "I can drive her nuts that I know and I won't tell her. Donna can't do anything about it, since it's a condition of the gift. She can happily plan along with Margaret this week, just knowing that it's somewhere warm."
"Yeah, I can imagine it's going to be a long week." Leo grins at Josh in agreement that it adds to the fun of tormenting the ladies, by withholding the destination from them. But, they really won't care, as long as it includes a warm beach.
"So, Leo, when you're on vacation, I'll cover for you and you cover for me." Josh mentions a given.
"We always do, Josh, we always do. Let's go over and give the girls the good news. They never have enough time to plan and it'll make them happy to both be getting out of DC for a long weekend in January." He places his hand up between Josh's shoulder blades to start them across the room and drops it when Josh sidesteps to indicate that Leo should precede him through the mingling people at the edge of the dance floor. This is the way they always appear on the political stage, Leo leading and Josh covering his back, but tonight it's nothing but a family thing.
*****
The little kids are done with the showing of their movie and after changing into their PJ's; the teenagers come to them with a plan, before they go to watch their movie. The older girls want to get a look at the dance in progress and come up with a plan that might work, if the younger trio will agree. After a quick explanation and agreement, each older girl takes the hand of a younger kid and the boys think to grab their teddy bears, before the group leaves the room to head for the elevator.
Down at the outer hall to the ballroom the agent stops the group of under age kids, because alcohol is being served in the room. Annie smiles sweetly to the agent and explains, "We're here to escort the little kids in to say good night to the adults." The girls know that Annie's grand dad will think it's cute that the little kids are here in their pj's and looking precious with their bears, which will save them all from getting into trouble for showing up at the dance. The agent sees the smile and reads it correctly, but still talks into his wrist mic for the President's personal agent to advise on whether the President wants the children to enter. He watches the group shifting impatiently, but trying not to look worried in front of him. Shortly he hears the reply in his ear and gives them the answer with a slight smile at their prank working. He opens the door for them to join the music and sparkle of the Christmas dance.
The group of children has trouble finding their families in movements of the dancers and the adults mingling around the edges. Gus has a solution of his own. He pulls on Hogan's hand, and the others follow, as he makes for the higher platform of the musicians stage. The bandleader grins at the bold boy he recognizes, as he steps up to overlook the crowd with his teddy bear hugged in front of him. The leader decides to give Gus some help after he quickly looks over the group of kids, two more in pajamas and the three taller girls in jeans. After the current song ends he asks the room in general, "I have a few younger guests here, who I imagine are looking for family members. Does anyone recognize these little elves and their bigger helpers?" The eyes of the room turn and grin at the pajama clad little ones on the platform and smile at the sight. The President is the most pleased one in the room, even if he did know that they were coming in and calls out, "Gus, why are you roaming the halls in your PJ's?"
Gus looks to find the voice across the room, "We came to say good night Grand Dad and get a hug."
"Well, that's the best reason I know of to be out of your room. Run over here and collect your hug. You other kids do the same and get your hugs, but don't forget to collect one from me." The President thinks this is a nice way to have an intermission. He sees the big girls trying to blend in the background and just observe all that they see, with a sparkle in their eyes. "You older girls keep way from any Champaign glasses you might find unattended, on your way to your family for your hugs." When he sees the girls roll their eyes at being included with little kids looking for bedtime hugs, and he points out to them, "You're never to old to get hugs from family and I'm watching for how many extra ones you collect tonight from any of the bachelors. No dating until you're out of college." He glances a grin at Charlie. Getting a dig at him, by reminding him that he'll soon be in his shoes and worrying about a young lady out in the world dating. Standing next to Zoey, Charlie flips his eyes between his approaching sister Deanna and his boss, grinning at the hint. He notes that his sister is getting an extra hug from Sam and quick one from Mallory as well.
Margaret and Leo are watching their two little elves get a
good night hug from their dad and Ginger, then move on to collect from Donna
and Josh, on the way to finding them. The kid's faces light up when they spot
the last two members of their family.
Some of the more staunch republicans and a few stern democrats in
attendance get a glimpse of a softer side of Leo McGarry that they would never
believe in a million years. The
President's rough and tough COS catches a running child in his arms, as natural
as breathing. Giving a hug and
smooches to the giggling child, before he trades kids with Margaret and repeats
it with the other child that hugs him just as earnestly in return. Tonight they see what only those people
close to him see, and even then it's usually outside of the White House arena.
The disbelieving politicians are left wondering if there's not more to Leo
McGarry, obviously a man with many unrevealed facets. They just caught a glimpse of a softer Leo. They now feel more familiar with him,
and the rest of the senior staff, as they watch these powerful people in the
room respond to the warm family moment.
The kids met at again at the doorway to the room. After an exchange of a few whispers, while Hogan arrives last from getting hugs from her aunt CJ and even a hug from the gruff but squeezable Toby, they give one last daring move and call out loudly, "Merry Christmas everyone." They turn and dash out of the room to the sound of retuned greetings and laughter at their holiday fun, as the music starts to play again.
*****
Back upstairs in Gus's room, shortly after returning from saying good night to the adults at the party, the two boys have their heads together and are planning and plotting.
Christmas day is ending and the 'I'm being good for Santa' is over or so it seems.
With the agents concentrating on the teenagers for possibly pulling a major stunt tonight, Gus wants to ditch his agent. His big sister Annie tries it all the time.
Gus lets Ben in on his idea, "Remember we heard Grandpa Jed talking about the hidden tunnel at dinner and he can't find it. Lets look for it. I found something the last time I was here at Thanksgiving, but Nanny was in the room. We can sneak away to go find it. I brought a big flashlight with me on this visit." Boys love to explore.
They decide to wait just a little while longer, till after Nanny goes to bed. She's a little strange anyway and will not be checking back in on them tonight, knowing that the other adults will check in later. They plan to try the panel that Gus found, when they should be in bed like any other normal night.
They change back into their sweat clothes, while they wait. Katie is reluctant to participate with the boy's plan, but no way is she letting them go without her. She remembers at the last second to take her mic and earpiece, just in case, like a good agent would.
The hidden panel closes behind them, after Katie follows them into a small hallway. Katie notes that the hallway runs in both directions, and she turns back around to push on the panel to find that it locked behind them. Not knowing where the catch is on this side to reopen it, she informs the boys ahead of her, "We just got locked in this place, so now we have to go on, but we stay together." She states firmly to the boys, as she catches up to them at the end of the dusty and musty smelling hall. The boys had stopped at the top of a set of narrow stairs. They have no choice now, but to descend the stairs, much to the adventurous pleasure of the boys. It leads to a small room with a doorway into a hallway and another set of stairs leading down presumably to the basement level of the White House. They decide to take the stairs down. They can hear music coming from the ballroom, but the boys don't want to get caught this quickly. This set of stairs has a turn in it, which cuts off the view of the top room. They find two halls at the bottom, one running right and left and one straight ahead. Luckily the flashlight is good size and Gus flips it around for them to view the halls. They can see a few panel-doors along the walls, but the panels must fit tight, as there's no light seeping in. When Gus has the light in one direction, Ben can see a crack of light down the end of the other one. "Lets try this one, there must be a loose panel down there." They walk single file keeping a handgrip on the shirt in front, with Gus first pointing the light and Katie bringing up the rear. They can see other panels along the walls, but don't stop to try any of them. After pushing the panel open at the end, they find themselves in a room with a copier and shelves. Katie goes to the main outer door, and it's locked, probably for security. She decides to put on her earpiece and mic to listen to the agents checking in, like she's a real agent. They're able to go back out the way they came in, since Ben now has the job of keeping the door open behind them.
Back out in the hallway, they notice down one way that it ends in a small set of stairs with a heavy metal door at the bottom that seems to lead away from the building. They can't get it to open, even with all three of them straining on the handle. The hinges and latch seem to be old and rusty. They soon give up trying and decide to explore more of the hallways for other panels that might open, since they're able to find the latch on some of them. This might take a little while, and it's really fascinating the kids.
After a time, they decide that they've been gone from their room just about as long they safely can, without being discovered. They soon find out an important fact. They come to the realization that they're now lost. After exploring the narrow inner halls of the White House, they don't recognize any of the rooms they've been in recently. They just look at each other for ideas of what to do now. There are no tears from any of them. They feel comfortably safe in the secret passages of the White House. They're just lost. They sit down to try to figure out what to do, with the flashlight on the floor pointing toward the ceiling in the middle of them.
*****
It's right after 11 p.m. when Jed and Abbey go to kiss Gus, and the Ryan kids good night. They know that the teens are in the theater and they believe that the younger kids are in bed. Upon entering the room, the adults find the beds empty and the little ones missing. The First Couple is in a near panic at first, but then Abbey tries to reason with and calm down her husband, "The kids have to be in the White House; someone would have seen them if they had tried to leave."
Jed agrees, and they decide to check a few logical places to see if they can locate the kids, before they really panic and call in Ron. It takes only a few minutes to check the rest of the Residence. Jed suggests, "Lets go to the theater and check for the kids. Maybe they snuck into the back seats to see the older girl's movie?"
Abbey asks, as they try to look calm while they move swiftly to the main floor again, "Are we going to just look in or go ahead and ask the girls if they've seen the kids? We don't want to panic Annie and ruin their evening by having them worry about the kids, while we locate them."
Jed is holding Abbey's hand, not only to look natural, but also to keep them moving together and keeping her from tripping on the hem of her dress, although she's making good time in her formal heels. Jed suggests, "OK, we'll just act like we're peeking in on them first and just ask if the kids have joined them. That shouldn't alarm the girls."
Abbey glances sideways to see his face, as they continue to walk, "OK, sounds like a plan to me. You're the one that does the strategy in the family."
*****
After Annie's grandparents leave from peeking in on them, the girls decide that since the movie has already been interrupted, it's a great time to raid the kitchen. They've all seen the movie before and agree that they're hungry. It's time to sneak out of the movie, now that the adults have already checked on them.
A skeleton crew of kitchen help is still there finishing the clean up, but the girls just want to get into the snacks left over from the dance. They may think that they're practically grown up, but the snacks are more grown up than their taste buds. They try the caviar and all agree, 'yuck'. It's too rich tasting for them. Next, they move to try the vegetables, 'yuck' again, as the only ones left over are the asparagus and fancily arranged artichokes. With the next food, they dare each other, to try it all at once and nearly gag on the escargot, 'really yuck'. Finally, they find the stash that they're looking for from the party. 'Yeah', the pastries are better, but still really rich, even if they are small. The mostly want to hunt for junk food and they find it: chips, pop, pickles, chocolate ice cream and they even find a jar of gummy bears. They're in heaven, pigging out in true slumber party tradition. The girls know that they have to get back to the movie, before someone comes looking for them. They load up what they want to continue to snack on watching the end of the movie. They grin at each other, as they slip back into their seats, not knowing the little kids are still missing.
******
The White House is a big place, and the President is about to find out how big, as the agents search high and low for the kids and the minutes tick by.
Ron tries to calm the first couple, "Mr. President, there hasn't been a breach in the White House security and there's no sign of a struggle." He glances around the room for clues again, "Ma'am, is that their sleep wear?" He points to the scrunched up clothes on the beds.
"Yes, it seems to be." Abbey notes, she also again checks the room with her eyes, "Katie and Ben's overnight bag is empty. It seems that they changed out of their pj's, back into the sweat clothes that are tomorrows play clothes."
"How far can three little kids go?" The President asks incredibly.
Abbey points out the obvious, "It looks like two little boys and one girl are having a real White House adventure. Now don't you think we should call the families and let them know?" She can see her husband's mind at work considering the ramifications. When no immediate answer is forthcoming, she lists the locations of the family, "Liz and the girls went out for some late night girl talk. Doug is with Charlie, and they went down to shoot some pool in the rec. room."
Jed says, "There is no way we're ruining the other parent's Christmas evening, if it's not absolutely necessary. Ron assures us positively that the kids have to be in the White House." The President is highly upset, but not frantic anymore. Still, the fact that they're missing is enough. He can take care of the whole country, but him losing three small kids is almost mind-boggling, with all of the people that are around them 24 hours a day in the White House. "We don't want Leo and Margaret to be interrupted. This is their first Christmas together, and tonight they have the apartment to themselves." Jed is pacing and talking at the same time, "Leo even told me that Colin is M.I.A. tonight and probably getting lucky about now." Jed is not really being too tactful in his plainspoken assumption right now.
"With who," is Abbey's quick question, kicking into match making mode in a futile attempt to get his and her mind off the missing kids?
Jed has to admit to his lack of information, "Leo wasn't telling it yet, we'll have to wait to grill the others in the morning."
He paces the room, and Abbey is folding the kid's pajamas, even though they'll be putting them back on to sleep. It's just a mom thing to keep her busy while the agents continue their search for them. Jed is starting to circle Ron with his pacing, and she gives him a look telling him to let him alone to do his job. He blows out his breath in frustration and growls out, "Where in the 'hell' can three little kids have gone to that a White House full of agents can't find them?"
*****
Katie is listening to the activity of the security agents with her earpiece and then she hears that they've been reported missing. "Guys we been discovered gone! The agents are looking for Little Man, Pixie and Big Ben. That's us!"
"I have a code name? I'm 'Big Ben'? "Ben is really impressed with his name. His new interest is England, after Josh told him about his being a Fulbright scholar.
Katie adjusts the adult size earpiece on her ear, "Of course you have a code name. They had to give us one with our living with Leo and in the White House all day." She looks questionably at Gus, "You're 'Little Man'?"
"Sure, that's what my grand dad calls me. His calls me his 'little man'," Gus grins in the glow of the flashlight in the dark.
Ben sadly states, "You know. They're going to want to know how we got in here. Since everyone has been looking for it, like forever. Then it won't be our secret anymore. Everyone will know and want to come in here."
"Yeah, this is our private place," Gus agrees with his new partner in adventure.
Katie looks serious, on her side of the lighted circle, "You're right, Guys, but we have to decide what to do about it and really quick. You know I need to call Agent Butterfield to let him know we're OK, and somehow we have to get out of here. Uncle Jed may decide to take this place down brick by brick to get us out of here."
On the other side of the beam of light, Ben agrees, but wants a decision made, "OK, but we need to keep this to ourselves. What do you say, Gus, can you keep this secret, even from your grand dad?"
Gus is pondering while looking at the dust mites that they've stirred up and is floating in the light beam. "Yeah, I might be little, but I can keep this secret. I did good with the gifts, but this is bigger. This is ours and they're not taking it from us."
Katie makes the final decision, "All right, if we agree to keep this secret between us, then we need to spit swear."
At Gus's look of bewilderment, Ben explains, "That's where we spit in our hands and shake on it. Then we can't break our promise."
Katie adds, as she unfolds her legs and gets up on her knees. "Right, we keep this a secret for life."
Gus cheerfully agrees and gets up on his knees and tries to sound like a pirate, "Last one left alive can tell, but not before."
Ben gets to his knees and spits into the palm of his grubby hand, "Shake on it, Gus"
Gus is grinning almost too wide to spit, but he does and shakes Ben's hand. Katie spits and shakes hands with the boys. "There, it's done. No way will they ever get it out of us now." She grins at the two happy boys. At the chatter in her ear, her grin fades, "Well, here goes guys. Lets hope this wrist mic works."
Katie pushes the button and calls for her friend Ron. When he immediately replies, she answers his first concerns, "We're OK, but we're kinda lost." At his immediate question she answers, "We're in… the inside hallways. You know the one that the President was looking for? We found the tunnel, but really it's just some really small hallways, and now we're lost." Ron asks for any clues she can give him and she lets him know that they went twice down stairs, "Down in the basement now, I think."
As Ron tries to get as much information from her, he realizes that there's more than one entrance and he is afraid that the kids are in a maze situation. "Katie, can you kids find the stairs again and come back up to the main floor? Maybe you can find a door to a room you recognize and can tell me some more clues to where we can find you."
She tries to be a good agent, 'Yes, Sir. We'll come up now." She waves for Gus to bring the light while she's talking, as they are all on their feet by this time. They're ready to go back to their beds now. It's been a long day.
They arrive at the room at the top of the stairs, with the hall leading off into the dark. Katie is reporting in as they go, "Sir, we're going to try to see if we can get any of the panels open. The hall is kinda small so we have to walk single file, but we'll try to hurry and find a room we know." They move down the hall pushing at the panels they find some open to closets and others to small office rooms, but finally they find a panel that opens to a large room. "Sir, we know this room. It is the room with all the walls painted in pictures." She over hears him tell the President, "Sir, they're in the Mural Room." Almost simultaneously she hears him informing the agents on the main floor where they are and to get to them immediately. Katie can tell that during his instructions and from his puffing breath sounds that he's moving quickly to get to them.
Katie knows that they'll be face-to-face really soon and looks down at the dark carpet, "Guys, move away from the panel, so they don't know which one we came out of." The boys move over with her into the middle of the room to wait for the arrival of the agents.
Within the next minute, the door opens to admit several agents, and Ron is just moments behind them. He must have run flat out the full way. No one gets lost in his White House, but the kids managed it. Ron pauses to count the kids and absorb that they're fine, just filthy, "Ok kids, the adventure is over. I know two very worried grandparents who are waiting for you upstairs."
Katie looks down at her clothes now that they are in the light. She uses her toe to slip off her shoes and picks them up to carry them. Aunt Margaret would be appalled if they left dirty footprints on the carpet. She gives the boys her best-pointed look. Gus and Ben hang on to each other to keep from falling, to do the same to get their shoes off. They know better than to sit down on the fancy carpet to take them off. Ron glances over their heads, while the shoe removal is quickly taking place. His curiosity is as normal as any other person's, but he can't quickly see where the kids entered the room. Ushering the kids ahead of him, he nods to the agents in the room to exit and seal the room for later investigation. He knows that it will be the President's first order of business in the morning.
*****
During the time while the kids are searching for a room to come out in, up in Gus's bedroom, his grandparents are watching Ron's face and catching every word he says. The minutes seem so long when you're worrying. They're just hoping for someone to report the kids found. Not long after being reported missing and the agents started looking and reporting in, Katie calls in to reveal where they are and that they're not hurt.
Jed calms down some when he knows positively that they're still in the White House. If the search had been any longer, they would have had to call the parents and try to do some late night explaining. Tomorrow the kids can confess at the leisure of their parents. It is one of the perks of being the grandparents.
Between Katie's reports in, Ron tries to stem the flow of questions from the President. "Sir, Katie informs me that what happened is that she tried to stop the boys from going. Luckily, when she was unable to, she went with them to be their agent."
Ron now has to rescue Katie and the boys over the earpiece. He tries to reassure Katie, "Pixie, you're my agent in there. I trust you to follow orders like a good agent. You report back in when you get to the main floor."
After Katie lets Ron know that they're now trying to find a way out on the main floor, he passes the information on to the President at his elbow again, "Mr. President, they have moved up to the main floor and are searching for a panel, as they call it, to get into a room they recognize to help us find them. It seems, Sir, that they keep coming out into rooms they haven't been in before."
The President is worried and impatient to have the kids in front of him and safe, but his face also shows a fascination with the details that the kids are giving to where they are, and their movements in the much sought after tunnel. It still takes another twenty minutes to find them and its now just after 11:30 p.m. It's the longest half hour the First Couple has had in a long while, since their girls we're little and pulling shenanigans.
Jed is unhappy that they lost the kids, but he can't blame them for going. Leo and he, as boys, would have done it in a heartbeat. Thirty minutes missing seems like forever to the couple, even with Ron communication with them on the earpiece and mic.
*****
What a sight the small kids make lined up in the outer hall afterwards. The three small faces are smudged and grimy, their sweat clothes are now really black dirty, and they have cobwebs stuck to their hair and clothes. The only clean part on them is the whites of their socks. The small kids are carrying their blackened shoes, hugged in front of them, so they don't track dirt. Ron Butterfield is standing sternly right behind them, after marching them back upstairs.
It's an understatement that it must have been filthy in the tunnels/hallways, but the grandparents hug them anyway. Now that they are safe, Jed is somewhat disappointed that they found it and he couldn't. He missed the adventure.
Ron moves in front of the kids and informs the First Couple, "I need to handle the questions, Sir. We have procedures that might be more beneficial in retrieving a more accurate report or repeat performances." The President gets Ron's drift and steps back to stand beside Abbey, giving Ron control of getting the kids to explain hopefully in detail.
Before the First Lady gets into either doctor or mom mode, Ron takes a photo of the dirty kids, with a camera that another agent has just brought to him. He acts like it's for the report, but he knows that later everyone will want copies. Then he excuses the agent, after handing the camera back to him. It's time for some questions and answers.
Ron will thank Katie for helping, "You were a good agent tonight, Katie. I'm glad you found out that you have good instincts." He looks seriously at the kids, and the smile that Katie was tempted to wear at his praise, quickly vanishes with his prolonged look. He's actually thinking to himself, while he knows his long look is to curtail any more 'ditching the agent' ideas. He can't believe that three kids this young managed to get past the Secret Service agents in the hall. That will be investigated more tomorrow. That note also brings to mind that tomorrow there will most certainly be another type of search. ~I wonder if the kids will keep the secret of how they got into the secret halls. They didn't seem to be real informative when they were found in the center of the room. I have to ask them, or I'll be chasing the President around tomorrow looking for it.~
While the President is almost dancing impatiently, but letting him handle the debriefing, Ron starts, "All right, I guess the first question that we would like you kids to answer is how did you get into the inner halls?" Ron waits for one of them to start an explanation, looking each one in the eye.
They do not make a sound in answer. It's nearly killing Katie to not answer her hero Ron and Gus is surprising his grandparents, as he could hardly keep it a secret the gifts he made. Ben has a determined look on his serious face as he meets Ron's. The kids are reviewing how Ben pointed out in the tunnel that it has been a secret for decades, till it was finally forgotten how to get in and they found it.
The President finally cracks first and nudges the kids to answer, "What the matter? Cat got your tongue? I can assure you that we're not going to be mad at you. We'd just like you to tell us how you got in and why the agents didn't see you leave."
Katie looks at the boys on each side of her a second and relents a little, not wanting them to think they're just being disobedient, "Sir, we make a pact in the tunnel not to ever tell. It's our secret place now."
Gus adds, looking at his grandparents, "We did a spit swear. That's serious and we can't break our word. You said I should always keep my word, Grand Dad." Gus is so proud of his first spit swear.
The adults finally realize that the kids are serious and exchange looks with each other, deciding to wait out the kids. To see if later they change their minds.
Jed is the one to agree, "You're right, Gus. I did tell you to always keep your word. You kids can keep your secret, since it's a spit swear." He thinks that it's a more important lesson for the kids to keep their word to each other. "If you guys ever come to a mutual agreement to reveal how you got in, you come find me first. OK?" He grins at the kids and warns them, "Just to let you know, I'm still going to be looking, same as always, maybe someday I'll find a way in."
The kids grin at him with understanding. Relieved that they'll not be forced into revealing the secret.
Jed's fair mindedness wins out as he considers what actually transpired with the small kids. ~They didn't really do anything terribly wrong. They just managed to slip the agent, which is bad, but not terrible. They did stay inside the safety of the White House, and it's a good lesson for them to learn to keep their word. What they did was not illegal to go roaming the inside of the White House. They just got lost. The scare that Ron is putting into them should teach them a lesson on what happens when they go out on their own.~
*****
After Ron leaves to make his sketchy report, the First Couple agrees about not wanting any others to know that they lost the kids. Looking at the ragtag trio, the next point that they agree on is that they were the adults that the parents left responsible for them, so they get to clean them up.
Ushering the kids into Gus's room, Abbey just has to let it be mentioned one more time. "The place is crawling with agents and staff, and we still lose three small kids. I expected maybe trouble from the teenagers tonight, not the little ones." Abbey grabs Katie's PJ's off the bed to take her to the master bathroom to get Katie bathed.
Jed shakes his head, as he herds the boys toward Gus's bathroom. "It's a wonder to me, but keep in mind, Sweetness, the night's not over yet. We better get Huck, Tom and Becky scrubbed clean and tucked into bed. I think they've had enough adventure for one Christmas Day."
*****
In the master bath in the Residence, Abbey and Katie are chatting away about the finer points of bubble bath scents. Abbey has to stop washing Katie's hair to laugh, when Katie reveals the comment that Mallory made about getting a crowbar to get her and her Aunt Margaret out of the tub this afternoon. With a happy smile on her face and her hand covered in suds on Katie head, Abbey sadly admits both to Katie and herself that she misses giving little girls a shampoo.
*****
Jed watches the boys in the bubble bath, hoping that the soap will get the majority of the filth off, but most of it was on their clothes. The boys are enjoying the bath together with Gus's toy boats. Jed's brother was older and never wanted to share a bath to play, and Jed was too grown up for that sort of thing when he met Leo as a boy. He decides since he's supervising that the boys should play right, "Yeah, Guys, you can't fight a navy battle like that. It doesn't work that way. I should know. I have a bigger navy than this." The boys giggle at Jed getting on his knees at the side of the tub to show them how to divide up their boats. When Jed thinks he hears Abbey returning, he quickly covers his reason for being beside the tub and starts to wash the hair on the nearest boy.
*****
Jed is helping the boys get back into their pajamas. Katie is dressed already and is perched in the middle of her bed. Abbey is happily in mom mode and she looks at Katie and Ben's grimy clothes in her hands. She's mulling over the problem that in the morning they'll need some clean clothing to wear. ~They brought clothes for tomorrow, but wore them into the tunnel. With it being Christmas Day the staff is off till tomorrow, so the clothes will have to be returned dirty in a bag. They arrived in their formal clothes, which are totally out of the question. Ben can wear some of Gus's clothes with a belt to go the apartment. Katie can probably wiggle into a pair of Gus's pants, since he's stouter than either of the other kids, and she can wear a shirt of mine, with a belt around her waist to keep it up above her knees~.
There's a knock on the door as Jed is finished with Gus and starts to help Ben get finished with his buttons. Ron enters the room, when Abbey answers the door. "Sir." He turns his head to now address the First Lady, "Ma'am, there's a request for you to check the older girls. It seems that you might need this." He holds out her medical bag.
Abbey rolls her eyes and gives Jed a glare like his mentioning that the night was not over, jinxed the girls getting into trouble. "Oh, Lord, what next tonight." She spins on her heels and hurries out the door to handle the next crisis with a house full of kids tonight.
After Abbey leaves, Ron moves closer to the beds, "Sir, If I may? I have something for Katie for a job well-done tonight in their adventure."
The President gives a nod of agreement to the agent, while he starts Ben's buttons over again, since they didn't come out even. It's been a long time since he worked with small buttonholes with his large hands.
Ron turns to the freshly cleaned face that is watching him with anticipation. "Katie, I had this for you as a farewell gift for tomorrow, but it seems you need something for now, to keep you in your room at night."
Katie grins as he hands her a book. She knows he's not really scolding her. It's just his way of covering his kindness to her and still trying to be professional. It's her first Nancy Drew book and she loves to read. When Ron informs her that this is one in a large series. Katie decides that this might just satisfy her thirst for adventure, till she gets a little older.
*****
The older girl's movie lasted till almost midnight, but before it even ended, they start feeling sick from all the junk they helped themselves to in the kitchen raid.
Afterwards, back in their room, the teenagers are finally forced to admit that they're truly sick. Not realizing that the First Couple is taking care of the little kids' baths, the big girls decide it's time to call for Annie's grandma to help fix them.
Abbey finds some sick tummies from too much junk food and she tries not to lecture the girls on good eating habits, since they're smart girls and no doubt learned the lesson the hard way as she has to treats them with Pepto and orders some Sprite for them to sip to settle their stomachs. They are teenagers and they'll eat anything. She shakes her head at the three girls, now curled up in their beds with their stuffed animals tucked into sore middles. ~No doubt they'll brag about this illness for years to come. And about the wonderful raid on the kitchen during their slumber party at the White House. ~
While Abbey walks back to Jed and the little kids, she admits. ~I 'know' why Jed and me don't have a house full of kids. They take a lot of energy to keep up with.~
*****
Abbey had left Jed to get the little ones settled into bed, but soon a pillow fight starts, and Jed is quickly losing.
Abbey comes back to find Jed and the room are covered with feathers and the little kids are trying to fake being asleep. She can tell, from the obviously messy bedclothes, of the fast dive under the covers that occurred at her entrance.
Jed looks around the room, as if he's just now noticing the mess and grins boyishly at her, "Can we do this again next year? Can Leo stay over, too? I need someone to get my back in the battle."
Abbey is about to pull out her hair. The girls are sick on sweets and junk.
The little kids get lost and need a midnight bath. And Jed ends the evening with a pillow fight ~Who is the adult here?~
Jed is still disappointed in not knowing about the secret entrance into the tunnel. Maybe next year the kids will take him along. Sounds like fun to him.
Abbey rolls her eyes, at the thought of Jed and Leo being added to the crazy mix tonight. ~They really would need a keeper.~
She gives her husband a stern no-nonsense look, "You, young man, get into your jammies and into bed," she turns the President by the shoulders and points him toward the door. The kids giggle from the beds.
"Night kids," Abbey is setting them all straight. "There are agents outside the door for the rest of the night. Sweet dreams."
Little do the adults know that an agent outside the door wouldn't help, since one of the ways in is from Gus's bedroom, with the staircases to the downstairs main floor and to the basement? That's how they got away in the first place and that really perplexes the adults. They would be surprised to know it goes to most of the rooms in the White House.
Grand Dad/Uncle Jed doesn't know that, and the kids just smile at the knowledge.
Outside the bedroom, they stop in the hall and Jed still picking feathers off the front of him to place in the nearest trash can. Abbey sighs as she resigns her self to help pluck the ones from his back and hair. ~No sense everyone seeing him looking like a big chicken. No one would believe this night, if the saw it in print, this is just too crazy to be believed.~
Abbey needs to check in again on the girls. "Come on, Jed. You can go with me to see the girls again."
Jed looks a little worried at her command, "Abbey, are they pukey? I'm not sure if I'd be any help to them or you, if they're pukey." He gives her a sideways glance, as they finish with the feathers and move off down the hall.
She gives him a look that tells him she knows he's serious, but not ready to let him off the hook yet for his care with the little kids, "I don't think they will be now, Jethro. It would serve you right if they were, but I'd just have you puking right along with them, so we can both hope they're now over the nauseated part. You can hold their hand and give them some sympathy talk, just as well as I can. It seems that the grand kids take after you, with getting into scrapes when left to their own devices. It was your idea for the grand kids to have sleepovers.
"Turned out pretty well for them. They've all had grand adventures that they will remember for the rest of their lives." Jed sighs as he follows Abbey. The kids get to have all the fun.
*****
After Delores has left the dance, Colin and Ginger are soon dancing closer and closer with each song. Near the end of the evening, Colin goes in search of Leo. He needs a word with him, "At the end of the dance tonight, I'm being abducted by a fiery haired siren with a smile. We do like the redheads." Leo's nods sideways in agreement, as his eyes find Margaret across the room. "Leo, I have your address if I need a cab later. Since it is not really late, Ginger has invited me to her place for a movie. Now, if my luck holds, I might spend the night on her couch. I know that's how you started with Margaret. With the kids at the White House tonight, I plan on seeing you and them in the morning. Ginger can bring me back. What's left of me!" The guys exchange huge grins, and Leo shoves Colin off toward Ginger at his teasing boast.
Colin is really intrigued by Ginger, and she is from New Jersey, which is near him in Maryland, but he really knows that she'll not be getting home to visit, any more than Margaret gets time off.
Josh has some casual clothes in his office that he's going to lend him to take with him to Ginger's, so there's no need to waste time going to the apartment. They're going to spend the last hour of Christmas cuddled up, like the others all want to do, to end the holiday.
~If I'm going to jump into the dating game again, I might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.~
*****
Once inside her apartment and the door closed, Ginger moves in front of Colin dropping her tote bag on the floor and he does the same with his satchel of borrowed clothes. She loosely wraps her arms up around his neck, and he places his hands on her hips and grins at her smiling face. Ginger explains, "I want my first kiss now, if you don't mind?" She gives Colin a firm, but not really passionate kiss, it going to be a long night and she's not in hurry to rush. She plans on savoring the wonderful hunk of man in her arms tonight. "Colin, go ahead and use the spare room to change in, there are hangers in the closet to hang your tux on. Margaret will tear into both of us tomorrow, if you leave her to return it in a wadded up mess."
*****
After parting to separate rooms to change out of their formal attire and into soft clothes, they met in the living room and Ginger pulls him to lay with her on the couch.
They like that a couch is a good place to get to know someone, with a movie on the TV, stretched out together.
Honestly, since they're both mature adults, they go with their feelings and enjoy some wonderful making-out. A while later, they come up for air. It's a much-needed break in the acceleration of the heavy necking that they're really getting into.
Colin's a little breathless, as he teases in the dim lighting of the TV. "This is getting close to what I call friendly sex, but not making love."
Ginger asks, "You mean giggling sex?"
Colin chuckles softly, "If we have to wonder what to call it, we are a couple of sad cases. Talk about the lack of social life."
Ginger adds, "You mean 'my' lack of sex life with working at the White House."
Colin agrees, "Yeah I hear you and 'myself', with two small kids to get to school age first. There's no time to get to know someone, let alone a sex life."
Ginger mentions "It's been a long dry spell for both of us. If it's mutual and with no commitment, we can fix that."
Colin grins, "You mean now?"
Ginger gives him a playfully sly smile, "why not?"
Colin gets up and scoops her playfully into his arms, to carry her off to her bedroom.
Ginger is clinging to his neck in mock fear and swinging her legs, laughing at the fun.
He's a big guy, she's is a lightweight, but he can tell from her soft body in his arms that she's a curvy armful and he plans on exploring them with gentle touches, to savory the warm satin of her skin with his manly fingertips.
She snuggles close, tightening her arms around him when they near the doorway to her room and he curls her tight against his broad chest. She can feel the bulging of his arm muscles against her ribs, a gets a little light headed at the wonder of his strength and she anticipates discovering those muscles one at a time.
Both of them are fun, loving people, Colin teases at her mock protest, "Just to warn you, Darling. I'm going to have my way with you."
Ginger boldly explains, to set him straight, "It's the other way around, Darling. I'm the one that's going to have my way with you."
Colin growls deeply, "Oh good, we'll enjoy that even more, mutual gratification and it might take longer?"
Ginger grins saucily, "Or more than once, if you've got the stamina, big boy?"
"Lets just find out, little woman, if you can handle a sturdy man and not some 'boy'." He drops her gently to the bed and lowers himself to join her, his lips meeting hers and she moans at his hand cups under her breast, as if testing the weight. Leaning to one side to keep from smothering her, he gives a soft growl of approval, as she pulls his shirt up to get her hands on his body.
Colin reaches over to click off the nightstand lamp, leaving only the glow of a hall night light.
Ginger slides her hand up his warm side to caress her way to his chest searching for his sensitive nipple. He gasps, as she first gives it a rub and then a tweak, just testing and to making him aware that she's planning on being a more than willing partner tonight.
*****
They cuddle after the sex, knowing that it was just fun sex. Ginger suggests, "Why not stay here tonight? The kids are at the White House, and I'm sure that Leo and Margaret won't miss you tonight. There is no demand for 'morning fun'." She gives him a grin in the dim light. "It's optional. We can just be more like friends, snuggling as we wake." She can tell that he doesn't need a lot of convincing.
"That sounds wonderful." He kisses the top of her head in thanks. She has offered him honest friendship and more. How did he get so lucky? This has turned out to be a great holiday after all and her gift of friendship may be the best gift he receives this year.
She now sweetens the offer, "I'll even make us breakfast."
"Yes, I'll stay, if I get to help you? The only thing they let me fix in the kitchen is coffee." He chuckles at her light laughter.
"Well, I'm more than willing to let you pull your own weight." She laughs as she pats him on the chest to indicate his broad girth. There sure is a lot of him. Ginger then quietly reflects the events of this magical night with her new friend. It seems strange, it's as though they have been friends for years. She's secure that this is not a run of the mill fling for Colin, not just another notch in his belt like some men.
Ginger points out, "Good, with obviously 'no time' for any deep relationships in the near future, we might as well be friends and enjoy time with each other when we can."
He silently agrees, as he hugs her closer and nuzzles his face into her hair. They both can tell that they just 'click'.
Stroking her hair in the near darkness and lost in thought he suggests, "You could visit me in Baltimore from time to time, to see my city, when you wants to get away from DC? We can go out on the town." He bends his head trying to see her face for her response.
Ginger gently caresses his wonderful matting of sandy red curls on his chest, "Thanks for the invite, but we know how time is for me here. Maybe it would be more practical for you to pop into town every once in a while, and we can have dinner and maybe later in the night a 'roll in the hay'." They laugh together at her bold suggestion. This is what they agree on, comfortable that it's not 'love' between them, they're both just lonely for some companionship and for someone, as a special friend.
He teases and points out, "When I'm in town I can spend time with you after work hours, but Margaret will demand equal time with me to visit with her big brother. It should work out, especially since the kids like staying at Leo and Margaret's."
He grins and asks, "Deal?"
She grins and agrees, "Deal!"
******
With the kids at the White House sleepover, Leo and Margaret indulge in a holiday fantasy of cuddling under the tree. They want soft holiday music, with the tree lights on and a few pillows to cushion the floor. Even with the plush soft carpet it can still get hard, but a roll around is still enjoyable. Leo again plans on unwrapping his Christmas gift, the one from Victoria's Secret, when they get to the bedroom later. He may not be able to wait till then, especially when he sees her enter the living room. She snaps off the only lamp, leaving only the small nightlight shining softly near the foyer that the agents requested, and she moves over to where he's prepared the area in front of the tree for them. He tries to remember to breathe, because she's already wearing the new satin gown that he got from her this morning, as a gift. Or maybe the gift giving is just beginning.
She gracefully lowers herself onto the pillows and beckons to him with her hand to break his trance. "You care to join me, Leo?" She loves the sight of him in just his black satin pants. Even in winter, Leo prefers to go in bare feet and bare-chested and she's not complaining, not one little bit.
"Wherever you are, I am, Baby," he rumbles softly and grinning he follows her to the floor to gather her in his arms. They share a passionate kiss from the heart, unable to resist the need to express their love for even a moment longer. Snuggling to get comfortable, lying together in the soft glow of the tree lights, they sigh in contentment.
She rests her head on his shoulder, and he holds her close, her hand resting on his chest to feel his chest rise as he breathes.
He tightens his arm to pull her closer and kisses her temple, "God, Margaret, I could stay like this forever. It's been a wonderful day. I'm so happy to have you in my life and that you've to let me into yours. I love you, Baby." He turns his head and kisses her head firmly, gently rubbing her arm that she has draped over him in comfort.
Margaret moves to lay her head on his chest, to listen to his heartbeat. "Leo, I love you and I didn't just let you into my life, you've been there for years, growing slowly in my heart. I'm so happy we put our love out in the light to grow into the wonderful life we now have together." She wiggles to ensure that she's as close as she can fit against him and then tightens her arms to hold herself there, fitting perfectly together.
Listening to the soft sounds of the instrumental carols, Leo reflects, "Margaret, what did we do so right, to fix all the wrongs on our lives, for God to let us end up here? Whatever it was, it was well worth it and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat, if it meant that I get to share my life with you."
"I don't know, Sweetie, but it feels so right for us to be together that I'm afraid to ask. It might vanish like a dream," Margaret whispers into the night.
He returns her squeeze, having the same wish of retaining this moment forever. "If it's a dream, Baby, I don't ever want us to wake up."
She turns her face to his, beckoning with her lips for him to seal the dream and he meets her lips in a near desperate need to make the dream last. He tucks her safely back down in his arms. He knows that to the world he seems a strong man, but at times he feels so weak, it's only their love that can banish that feeling. It just keeps getting stronger, and they bask in the strengthening glow of it.
Margaret sighs with contentment, securely knowing that with their love that they can meet the challenging world each day. Leo caresses her shoulder and slides his hand down her gown, enjoying the smooth feel of it with his fingertips. He likes the simple things.
They watch the soft colors of the tree and savor the quiet time together, just happy that the world is quiet and at peace for one more night. After a time of gentle touches and soft murmurs of love and endearments, they notice the change in the CD player and decide to retire for the night. They both are relaxed and now they want to enjoy the solitude in a more personal way. Wanting to touch each other more gratifyingly in the soft haven of their bed. After helping her to rise, Leo soon follows her to the bedroom, after he quickly puts the pillows back and turns off the tree, leaving the music to play softly in the background for them.
*****
In the bedroom he finds out why she was longer changing into sleep wear tonight, when he sees the bed has new satin sheets. Cool and invitingly seductive. He grins at her coy move, and he loves it. Standing beside the bed, he watches, as she moves around the room and lights the few large scented candles that she has set out. She glances at him between each one, and he loves how the light from the flame flickers on her face, as the wicks take hold of the fire. As she approaches him, he whisks the bed cover aside with one hand and backs onto the bed, gliding over as he takes her hand to help her into the bed after him. They remain sitting sideways facing each other, as he gently slides the new gown off her body with his tender kisses following his hands.
She moves closer and wraps her arms around him, loving the teasing feeling that his chest hair does to her nipples. She enjoys being an equal partner in the lovemaking. It shows her comfort with him. She continues to press him down to the sheets, and then slides his satin pants from his body, as he willingly helps with his hips. She's delighted to find no boxers on underneath, and she indulges herself with stroking her hand appreciatively down the length of his body and savors the sight of his reaction to her touches in the candlelight.
Both are so relaxed, after the long day, as they melt into each other's arms.
Desire has been building through out the day between them. Then along with the cuddling under the tree, it has been a long day of loving and teasing foreplay for her and for him.
Leo rolls to lean over her, as he presses her to the pillow and caresses his hand down her body, and she shivers in delight at his touch. He pushes her panties off so that they are both completely nude. With her help to slip out of them, he knows she also wants to feel their bodies lying touching along the full length of them. He brings his hand up to brush her nipple, before cupping her chin and kissing her passionately. She moans in response, craving more of his touches and arches her body closer to his. He moves his leg between hers and rubs on her inner thighs, relishing the silky smooth feel of her slender legs. He cups the arch of his foot and glides in over her ankle and down along the inside of her foot caress the tender sensitive area of her arch with the ball of his foot. He wants to love her entire body tonight.
"Oh Leo, you keep finding ways to make me feel more treasured." She snuggles her head into the crook of his neck to kiss the pulsing vein she finds there. Touching her tongue to it to feel his life move under it. He growls in appreciation of her loving his body, as she gives a gentle suck on it, and she runs her nails through his chest hair to arouse him more.
Leo is ready to move them to the next level of lovemaking, he raises her leg higher to hook over his thigh and slips his hand between them to caress her warm moist womanhood, soon discovering her pleasure point as he explores with his fingers, her gasps and purrs of enjoyment guiding him.
She wiggles down against his hand, moving her body enough so that she can find his nipple with her lips and her hand fondles the other one, giving him more loving sensations, all at the same time.
He grumbles his satisfaction deep in his chest at her attentions and increases his hand motions. He slips his underneath arm enough so that he's able to find the lube that is under the pillow. He doesn't want to cause her any discomfort with his attentions. Pulling his arm down to meet his hand between them and at the same time not distracting her from the wonderful loving she's doing to his body. He flips the lid to apply it his fingers and is soon stroking her more earnestly, as he returns the lube to its hiding place, finally slipping his bottom hand under her waist to hold her close.
Margaret is very aware of his stealth maneuvering and never hesitates in her bringing him pleasure, while she is still able to coherently do so. She knows Leo has wonderful hands and knows just how to use them on her body.
Leo now places his thumb over her pleasure point and moves his fingers lower to circle her center. He knows she likes him to use two to circle with. He leans his head down to kiss her temple and to watch her lips work their magic on his sensitive nipples. He gasps as she sucks harder and tugs out with her mouth. God she knows his weaknesses. His manhood is so firm now, as she continues to tweak and roll his other nipple between her fingers. He instinctively starts to rub himself against her smooth leg in rhythm to his circling and soon slips a finger inside, and he smiles at the sound of her moan against his wet nipple flesh. When she starts to move her hips slightly in time to his finger, he inserts the second one in. Her hip movements increase to now match the mutual rocking motion that they are both doing. Their breathing is increasing and as she starts to pant, he twirls his fingers to stroke more of her inner surface, never ceasing his attention to her pleasure point. He moves his bottom hand from her waist and slides it between them, up the satin sheets to find her breast to fondle with his fingers.
Margaret breaths out, "I love you, Leo," and she starts to tremble in his hands. He nudges her face with his to find her lips and savors the hungry way she takes his mouth, as she crests to her peak. Their bodies are glistening with a slight sheen in the candlelight with their passion. She holds on tight to him, wrapping her arms around his body, as she breaks over the edge and pulses against his fingers, and then floats back down still cradled in his arms. When her trembling starts to diminish, he slows his hands to let her savor the last effects of her intense pleasure and moves his arm to pull her close. Loving the feel of her racing heart against his.
Lying on their sides, she recovers from her amazing gift from Leo. He really knows how to keep his promises.
Leo asks, "Baby, let me slide against you. I just want to touch myself to you. There's plenty of lube still there." He groans out seductively with his rumbling voice, "You're so wet and hot."
She answers with delight at his words, "Yeah, Leo, I want you to. It seems that it is getting easier for me to peak and I've been building toward it all day. But, Leo, I want it to be as real as possible tonight. I want you over me. I want to feel your body pressed to mine, Leo."
He kisses her with tender passion pressing his firmness against her. "You are precious to me, Baby." Leo rolls over her and moves his hips higher than hers to get a better angle, to just slide past her center. He braces himself on his elbows with his hands cupping under her shoulders.
She reaches between them to help guide him. He moans at the caress she gives him, as she moves him into her groove and widens her legs a little more for him.
Leo starts to slide gently against her and places tiny love kisses to her face.
Margaret strokes her hands down his back, caressing his hips as they move with an age-old rhythm. She moans with each stoke as he rubs against her pleasure point.
Leo is panting small breathes in her ear, as the passion between them mounts.
Margaret whispers, "Leo, feels so wonderful. I think I'm building to a peak again." She feels so cherished and treasured beneath him.
He breaths to her, "I adore you, Baby. Fly up with me." He slides more firmly against her. They are riding the sky together, now as one.
Margaret is squirming under him, enjoying the sensations and the responses that Leo can create in her body.
Leo is sliding his manhood against her and Margaret instinctively tilts her hips up slightly in appreciation to his stokes. She is so relaxed and wet after her first peak that he suddenly enters her center halfway, before he can stop himself. He is so caught up in loving her. He freezes, as she gasps in surprise, and he starts to quickly withdraw, knowing she may still be too small to accept him, but she tightens her hold on his hips to prevent him. She giggles softly, "Ooops!"
Leo is shaking and moans at his body's intense desire for her and raises his head enough to look into her passion dazed eyes, "I didn't mean to, Baby. Are you all right? Let me pull out."
She smiles with encouragement, "It's fine, Sweetie. I'm fine," she breathes and then reaches her lips to just softly touch his. "Please don't stop. There's no pain, really," she assures him quickly. "Leo, I think its time."
Leo kisses her tenderly and softly smiles, but still asks, "You sure, Baby?"
Margaret kisses his lips again and answers against them, "I'm sure, Leo. We are meant to be together. Let's take the last step."
"I'll be gentle, Baby. Let me know it's uncomfortable. OK?" He kisses her deeply, and then resting his face beside hers he shifts his body down slightly, as she encourages him by pressing more firmly on his hips. Leo is using all his control that his mind still retains to be easy with her. He slowly moves his hips to enter her further. His mind is struggling between his concerns for her and the joy he's experiencing at fully loving her. He relaxes a little when her body seems to be able to accept him more fully.
She rocks her hips slightly with his, as he eases deeper within her each time. He pants in her ear, "Baby, I've dreamed of this so often. It's wonderful, but I may not be able to last very long. I may need to pull soon…, without protection.., you know we were warned…, your pill might not be enough."
"This is wonderful for me, Leo. This is for you and me," she gasps back in pleasure, while not letting him cease and keeping the easy rhythm going with her hips and hands. "Don't pull out. It's OK. I don't want anything between us. I meant it when I said God would decide. Just love me, Leo." She tries to get even closer to him by wrapping her legs around his thighs and her arms around his body to hold him tight.
He holds the sides of her hips to steady them and picks up the pace at her urging, when she also tilts her hips up to accept more of him. "Oh God, Baby. I do love you." He gives himself to her, as he has always dreamed of and he soars to the winter night sky to burst into stars over her. His mind is still able to joyously sense that she's quivering under him, as she joins him in the twinkling heavens.
As their breathing slows and their heart rates return to normal in their bodies. He leans his weight to the side and drops tiny kisses to her face in appreciation of his gift from her. "You are so wonderful, Margaret. I love you."
"I love you, Leo. Merry Christmas," she grins sweetly with bliss to his loving face. This is their first time truly together, and the world will know at the love shining from their faces.
They touch and caress each other in the afterglow if their lovemaking. Reveling in wonder at the unexpected gift they shared this Christmas.
After a time of tender touching and resting, Margaret whispers suggestively, as she wiggles against him, "You wanna try again, Sweetie?"
Leo snuggles closer to her, loving the smell of their passion between them. "Oh yes, Baby. We have the night, and I want to love you slowly and tenderly all night long. This is our night to cherish our love."
"Our first intimately romantic night together, Leo," she kisses him passionately, as she twines her arms around him, molding herself to him.
He holds her firmly to his body and threads a leg between hers drawing her even closer. One night will never be enough.
……… and to all a good night!!!!
Till next Christmas!
*****
Thanks for indulging us in this diversion.
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chipmunk aka: Betty Lou Riley riley2@bright.net
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Posted 4-o4-04
