Because I started writing this story before the events in Commencement, there was no way to work Zoey's kidnapping in. So let's assume it never actually happened. Humor me. :)

Sleeping in had its advantages, CJ thought, stepping onto the bungalow's porch. Simon was coming out of the water, his lean, muscular body glistening in the sun. They were four days into their Hawaiian honeymoon, and CJ knew she had never been happier in her life. Kauai was as close to heaven as CJ could have asked for, and she and Simon were making the most of it. This morning, after a night out, with both her body and mind relaxed, she slept in. Simon, who seemed unable to start the day without a 5 mile jog or a long swim, slipped out quietly, leaving a red rose and a note on his pillow: "Out for a swim, consider this a good morning kiss. I'll give a real one when I'm back."

He grinned as he saw her waiting on the porch. Swiftly closing the distance between them, he pulled her to him, and his lips crushed hers. She responded just as enthusiastically, marveling at the fact that even a year later, she found him as exciting and thrilling as she did the first time they touched.

"You know, that's a silk robe."

"It shouldn't get salty and wet?"

"Not so much, no."

"Well, take it off."

"I would, but I'm not wearing anything underneath."

He scooped her up in his arms and carried her inside the bungalow. Closing the porch door and drawing the blinds he turned to her, smiling. "OK, now take…wow, you already did."

Sleeping in definitely had its advantages.

"Congressman Spanky!"

"You know, I should have used this as a campaign tagline. I probably would have had an easier time winning." Sam smiled as he hugged a tan, relaxed-looking CJ. She laughed and hugged him back. "Well, Toby pulled a miracle for you anyhow. How's the new job?"

They chatted happily for a few minutes. CJ called Sam that morning asking him to stop by her office if he had a free minute. She had come back from her honeymoon two days earlier and there were non-work related issues she needed to tackle.

"Listen, how's your California office running?"

"It's good. I've got some great people. I miss Will, but, you know, he says he likes goats in his office and olives in his pockets so…"

CJ grinned mischievously. "Oh, should I continue to haze him, then?"

"Absolutely. I'm figuring at some point he'll break down and come running back to my office."

"Sorry, pal, he's good at his job. We think we'll keep him. But could you use a good intern next fall?"
Sam looked at her thoughtfully. "In California?"

"Yup."

"What's the catch?"

"She's due to deliver a baby in December."

"That's not a catch…"

"Her pregnancy should be kept pretty darn quiet."

"Why?"

"She's Julie Saunders."

"Julie from last summer?"

"Yes."

"You're not worried that her dad will come after me?"

"Not as much as I'm worried that he'll come after her, and the baby. Listen, Sam, there's a good chance this pregnancy will barely show on her. No one knows, right now, that she's pregnant. If she has an internship in California next fall, she will be away from prying eyes during the last trimester. She wants to place the baby with an adoptive family and Donna and I, with help from my doctor, are working on it. My doctor knows some pretty discrete obstetricians in your district, and we feel pretty confident Julie can escape an explosive scandal. We hope," she added softly.

"And if we don't escape the scandal?"
CJ looked up and smiled. "You said 'we.'"

"I did?"

"You did."

Sam sighed. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice."

Summer came too fast. Between the wedding, the honeymoon, Hoynes' resignation and securing the internship for Julie, CJ felt she barely blinked and it was already late June. Simon's mom was coming to stay with them for two weeks in July. Emma Donovan protested that this was too soon for a mother-in-law to interfere, but CJ just laughed. She adored Simon's mother. Emma mothered CJ from the moment they met, filling in the aching void her own mother's death left in CJ. Emma Donovan's best friend, Doris Longman, had died recently, and Simon's brother was having marital problems. CJ and Simon both worried about Emma's suddenly-subdued demeanor, and insisted that she come to DC for some R&R.

The visit got off to a disastrous start. While Emma was unpacking and chatting with her daughter-in-law, Simon and CJ's puppy Hope got hold of Emma's silk blouse and reduced it to its elemental particles before either woman realized what was happening. CJ's horrified shriek brought Simon running into the guest room. He found his mother laughing, CJ yelling, and the dog cowering in the corner, amid shreds of…

"What does the dog have?" He asked, stepping closer. Hope went belly up, keeping a piece of white fabric in her mouth nonetheless.

"The most expensive dog toy ever," Emma laughed while CJ groaned. Simon bent down and examined the pieces. He frowned.

"Is this the blouse Drew and Jen gave you for Christmas?"

"It was," confirmed his mother, and when Simon pursed his lips she said, "Come on, Simon, she's just a baby and we should have paid closer attention, or kept her out. Don't scold her."

The corners of his mouth quivered, and CJ couldn't tell if he was on the verge of laughter or tears when he said, "Spoken like a true grandma."

CJ made a choking sound and Emma turned around, looking at her with concern.

"Honey, it's really no big deal. I can get another blouse, you know."

CJ sat on the edge of the bed and shook her head. She looked at Simon pleadingly and he smiled slightly and nodded. Emma sat beside CJ and wrapped her arms around the younger woman.

"Is there something you two want to tell me?" She asked.