Part 4
Thursday
Margaret slowly wakes up and for a couple of seconds is not sure, where she is. Her eyes finally focus, and she sees Leo sleeping in the bed next to her. She smiles at the sight of him all curled up, lying on his side with a boyish look on his face. She stretches and discovers that somehow during the night, Leo's robe found its way over her. She blushes when she imagines him waking up, finding her there sleeping, and then covering her up with it.
After a couple of minutes of thinking about last night, Margaret forces herself out of the chair and makes her way to the bathroom off the living area of the suite. She stares at herself in the mirror, wondering if after last night, she's crazy to think that maybe she should tell Leo how she feels about him. She quickly dismisses the notion and heads for the bedroom that she was supposed to sleep in last night. She grabs her robe and heads for the kitchen. She can really use some coffee this morning after spending all night in that chair.
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Leo slowly wakes up, rolls over in bed and an achy throbbing pain resonates through his body when doing this simple task. A harsh, "damnit," slips from his pursed lips. Sleeping on his side, all last night, has proven to be an error in judgment on his part. But, he could not resist lying there and watching his Margaret sleep last night. He takes some deep breathes trying to relax and calm himself. Leo is surprised that Margaret has not bound into his bedroom room after his little outburst. She must have not heard him through the closed French doors of his bedroom.
Leo lies on his back, for a while, enjoying the aroma of Margaret's coffee and listening to the sounds of her moving about in his kitchen. He has really missed her and the coffee she makes. No one can make coffee as well as she can. He buys the same brand that she makes for him at the White House, but it never comes close to tasting as good as hers.
Leo eventually gets out of bed, walks into his private bathroom and stares at himself in the mirror after he is done using the... He thinks about last night, wondering if he should say something to Margaret today about how he feels about her. He shakes his head at his reflection and decides that she was probably just being nice to him last night. He walks back out into his bedroom; grabs his neatly folded robe from his chair and catches a whiff of Margaret's perfume on it. He smiles as he slips it on and heads for the living room.
Leo walks out of his bedroom and finds Margaret sitting at the dinning table, drinking coffee and reading the morning paper. "Morning, Margaret."
"Morning, Leo," she replies, looking up from the paper.
"Did you sleep okay?" Leo asks, keeping a straight face.
"Yes, I did as a matter of fact." She's still not sure if Leo covered her up or not last night.
"I was just wondering, cause Mallory always complains about that mattress in the extra bedroom being too soft," he smiles.
"No, it wasn't too soft," Margaret informs him, inwardly smiling since it appears that he didn't discover her sleeping in his room last night and cover her up with his incredible smelling robe.
"Good," Leo smiles, as he sits down in a chair at the table.
"Would you like some coffee?" Margaret asks, as she gets up with her empty cup in her hand.
"Yeah, that would be nice," he replies, watching her walk into the kitchen.
"Hey, I noticed this past week that the hotel restaurant has added stuffed French toast to their menu. So, do ya want me to order us some breakfast?" Leo knows how much she loves stuffed French toast.
"Oh, do they have strawberry topping, too?" She excitedly asks with a glowing smile, as she sets his coffee down in front of him.
"Yeah, I believe they do," Leo grins back at her; he cannot help but smile at how animated she gets about little things in life.
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Thirty minutes later, Leo and Margaret are sitting at the table, enjoying their breakfast. There is a comfortable silence between them. Both of them have been sneaking looks at one another throughout their breakfast and have somehow managed not to catch the each other at it.
"Would you like some more tomato juice?" Margaret asks, as she stands, grabs her glass and heads to the kitchen.
"Nah, I'm fine," Leo acknowledges, looking up from his crossword puzzle.
Margaret pours herself some more juice, sits back down and sighs. Leo attentively looks at her and smiles. "What?" She asks, feeling like his honeyed eyes are invading her soul.
"Nothing," he softly offers, as he goes back to working his puzzle.
Margaret sits there for a while watching him fill in the boxes. She has always loved watching him work on his crosswords. She does notice that he seems more relaxed this time while he's solving it. "So, I take it that six across is correct today," she smirks.
"Yeah," Leo returns, looking over the top of his glasses at her. "However, ten down is not," he calmly points out.
"And you're not ranting about it?" She says with some surprise in her voice.
"Nah, I gave that up," he smiles.
"Leo, I'm so proud of you," slips from her mouth and she instantly blushes at her comment.
"Thanks, Margaret" he replies, with an impish grin as he lowers his eyes back to his puzzle.
Margaret is grateful that Leo looks away from her and does not comment about her crimson facial color. She picks up her coffee, takes a sip and quickly steals another glance at him. Her mouth grows into a sweet smile when she sees the edges of his lips turned up into a boyish grin. 'God, he's got some of the best and sexiest smiles I've ever seen,' she thinks to herself. She dares not stare at him too long, so she goes back to pretending to read the paper, stealing glances whenever she feels its safe.
Leo continues to work on his crossword puzzle, but he's having a hard time concentrating on it. Normally, it takes him only thirty minutes or so to complete one, but today, it's been over an hour and he's still not finished. He has been too busy trying not to get caught staring at the beautiful red head across the breakfast table from him. Eventually, he looks up from his puzzle; "I thought we'd have an early meal this afternoon. How's that sound to you?"
"Sure, that sounds fine with me. Did you make a reservation at the hotel restaurant?"
"No… I thought we could just have it delivered here," he suggests. He'd thought about making a reservation, but decided that the two of them eating alone in his room was what he wanted to do, and after the nice time they've had at breakfast, he's convinced that he's made the right decision.
"Okay, are you sure? Don't you get tired of staying in your room all the time?" Margaret is a little concerned about Leo not wanting to leave his room. Mallory told her that she was having trouble getting her father to get out of his hotel room. Doctor appointments and walks are about the only times that Mallory has been able to get him out.
"Nah, up until a few weeks ago, I was rarely ever here," Leo quickly points out with a slight frown. "Besides, the past six years I've taken a lot of flack from a couple of red heads about wanting me to spend more time at my hotel room, instead of the White House. Now that I'm getting some quality time here, those same two people are on me to get out more often," he lightly smirks with a playful grin spreading across his face.
"Sorry," Margaret lowers her eyes, and finds an interesting spot of the table to stare at.
"Margaret, I just thought it would be more relaxing if we ate here," he explains. "If you're uncomfortable with that, we can eat downstairs."
"No, here's fine," she looks up at him.
"Good," Leo says, as he gets up from the table. "I'm going to go change out of these pajamas." He motions at his attire.
"Do you want to take your walk before or after we eat our Thanksgiving meal?" Margaret slightly winces, waiting for Leo's comeback. Mallory has warned her that he doesn't always want to go on his required daily walks.
"I think Mallory and I are going to have a nice little chat when she gets back," Leo grumbles.
"Leo, she's just looking out for you," Margaret reminds him.
"I think she's forgotten that I'm the parent."
"No, I think she just wants to keep you around for several more years. We all do," she softly adds, as her face shows deep concern.
"Okay," Leo breathes out, feeling bad about giving Margaret a hard time. "How about we walk before dinner."
"That sounds good to me."
"Okay… I umm… need to go do my… breathing thing and then change. Make yourself at home," he motions around the room with his hand, and then walks towards his bedroom.
"Leo, do you need any help?"
Leo stops and halfway turns, "No, but thanks." He walks into his bedroom, closes the door and mutters; "I'd be willing to do my breathing exercises a lot more often if only Margaret were my breath spirometer."
Margaret watches Leo as he walks into his bedroom and closes the door behind him. She gets up, cleans up the table, puts all the dishes on the server cart and then pushes it back out into the hallway. She wanders into her bedroom, checks the time and changes into a pair of jeans and a Bartlet for America sweatshirt. She walks out into the living room, grabs the remote control off the coffee table and curls up on one end of the couch.
A little later, Leo, dressed in Dockers and a cotton button down shirt, walks out into the living room and smiles when he sees Margaret curled up on the sofa watching TV. "Watching a parade, Margaret?'" Leo slightly smirks.
"It's not just a parade. It's the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."
"Oh, forgive me," he grins, as he walks over and sits down on the opposite end of the couch.
"Leo, don't tell me you've never watched the Macy's Day Parade before?"
"No, I've seen some of it before, when a was a kid."
"It's not just for kids, Leo," she quickly points out.
"That's not what I meant." He grumbles.
"Well, I love this parade. I've watched it for years and one of these days I'm going to see it in person." She explains to him.
"Why haven't you?"
"Well…" she sighs. "For the past sixteen years, the person that I've worked only takes Thanksgiving Day off. So, I've not had the time to travel to New York to see it."
"You could have this year, if you weren't stuck here with me," Leo softly implies with a frown. He feels bad that she's given up her time off for him.
"Leo, I am not stuck with you and besides, you have to have a hotel reservation almost six months in advance for this weekend, and even if I could get one, I couldn't afford it. The chances of getting the government discount rate for that holiday weekend is slim to none." She logically explains.
"Well, maybe you and some of your friends could all go and split the cost," Leo offers. But inside his head, he thinks that he would love to take her there someday and do it right, with all the trimmings.
"Leo, what few friends I have, all work in the White House and we all can't get off the same weekend."
"That… won't always be the case," Leo softly says with regret showing in his voice, because he knows all too well that the time they have left in the White House is limited.
"You're right," she returns with a small frown. She wonders if this might be a good time to mention that she going to continue to work for CJ, even after Leo returns. She knows that it's the best thing for the administration, but it's killing her inside to be leaving him, even for a short time, they have left in the White House.
Leo notices the sudden down turn in Margaret's demeanor, "Margaret, what's wrong?"
"Leo, I've made a decision and it was really hard for me… but… I really think it's what I should do."
"Okay," Leo says, trying to stay calm. Something tells him he's not going to like what she's about to tell him.
"I've decided… that the best thing to do… oh Leo, this is in no way a reflection on you… but… I'm going to continue to work for CJ for the time we have left in the White House."
"Okay," is all that Leo can manage to say.
"It's… well you know how crazy that office can be and CJ really needs my help right now and…"
"Margaret, it's okay, really it is," he lies. 'I need you, too,' he thinks to himself.
"Leo, I'm sorry," she says, as tears start to flow down her face. She jumps up and flees to her bedroom. She's not sure if she's upset because she's not going to be working for Leo anymore, or the fact the Leo didn't even try to talk her out of it and make her stay with him.
"Great," Leo mutters, after Margaret shuts the bedroom door. He has never been very good at dealing with these sorts of things. He doesn't know if he should go after her or leave her alone. He knows what he wants to do. He wants to run after her, take her in his arms and let her know that he can't stand the thought of her not working for him. He never figured that he'd ever tell her he loves her, but at least he thought she'd always be working with him. Leo decides he can't stand it any longer, so he gets up and walks over to her closed door.
"Margaret, can I come in?" He asks, after knocking on the door.
"Leo… I'm fine," she calls between sobs.
"No you're not, please Margaret." His voice on the edge of begging.
Margaret slowly gets up from the bed, walks over to the door and opens it, "Leo, I'm sorry."
"Will you stop saying that, please."
"Okay," she bobs her head.
"Do ya wanta come out here and talk about it?" Leo motions towards the living room.
Margaret bobs her head again, walks over to the couch and sits down. Leo follows her and sits down next to her, "Margaret, I just want to tell ya that I'm going to miss you being my assistant and that… as much as I don't want to you go. I appreciate why you're doing it. I understand about making sacrifices for the good of the administration."
"Leo, I really have loved… working for you all these years and I never imagined not staying with you…" She lowers her eyes and stares at her hands folded on her lap, uncharacteristically still.
"I know Baby," slips from his mouth, "I …umm… mean Margaret."
Margaret looks over at Leo and smiles when she notices that his ears are tinged with red. "Leo, it's okay," she says as she lays a hand on his leg.
"Margaret, I'm supposed to be comforting you right now. I just wanted you to know I understand and that well… that you're the best assistant I've ever had, and I'm going to miss you."
"Thanks and it is just until the end of the administration, after that I'm yours again, if you'd like or if haven't replaced me… that is."
"Margaret, I'd like and you… can never be replaced," he softly tells her.
"Thanks, Leo. I feel the same way," she smiles. "You know I'm still going to be around because someone has to take care of you. Remind you when to eat and when it's time to go home. Speaking of which. How many hours do you plan on working in your new position?" She asks with a pointed look.
"Margaret," Leo growls.
"Well?" She asks, not backing down.
"I don't know for sure, but I'm only going to work half days to begin with."
"Normal people half days, or Leo McGarry half days," she smirks.
"Ya know, maybe I'm not going to miss you as much as I first thought," he mocks with a grin.
"Yes, you will and… so will I," she whispers as she regrettably withdraws her hand from his leg.
Leo instantly misses her hand, but knows that it was too good to last, "So ya wanta watch the rest of the parade with me?" He asks, as he moves a little closer to her, resting his shoulder against hers.
"Yes, Leo, I'd love to," she gently responds as she pulls her long legs up under her and relaxes against Leo's side, careful not to lean too hard against him.
Leo and Margaret continue to sit like this throughout the rest of the parade. Talking only when one of them sees a particular float or balloon that they like. Leo's thoughts keep returning to how he would like to spend next Thanksgiving with Margaret on the streets of New York watching the parade.
Margaret's thoughts are along the same line as Leo's and she wonders if he too might have feelings for her. She was surprised he offered his side to her and never moved from that position after they started watching the parade again.
After the parade is over, they continue to sit on the couch together for a few more minutes, neither of them wanting to move. Eventually, Leo reaches for the remote, when an annoying newscaster starts talking, and turns off the TV, "Now what?"
"Well, I guess we could go for a walk and get that out of the way for today," Margaret suggests.
"Or… we could just stay here…"
"Leo," Margaret interrupts. "Come on, it'll be fun," she informs him as she stands and offers him a hand. She knows he's probably stiff from sitting there for the past hour or so.
"Yeah, if you say so," he smirks, taking her hand.
"I do," she smiles.
"Whatever," he says, rolling his eyes. "Let me get my jacket," he tells her as he heads off to his room.
"Where's your coat?" Margaret asks him when he comes back into the room, as she is putting on hers.
"Margaret, I know you were looking forward to our little walk, but it's raining outside," he smiles.
"It is?" She asks, walking over to the balcony window to verify that it is raining.
"Margaret, don't ya believe me?" He feigns a hurt look.
"It's raining out. When did that start?" She wonders aloud.
"I told ya it was, and I don't know when it started cause somebody had me watching some parade on TV," he teases.
"It's not just a parade. I thought that we'd covered that already," she smirks.
"Sorry, my mistake," he bows a little towards her.
"What do you normally do when it's raining?" She asks, walking over to him.
"Nothing," he tries to convince her with an innocent look.
"Leo McGarry, do I need to call Mallory," she teases.
"No," he laughs. He knew he wasn't going to get out of walking, but it sure is fun to tease her.
"So?"
"When it's raining, we walk inside the hotel," he mocks.
"Well then, lets get going," she says, as she takes off her coat and lays it over the chair. "How long do we normally walk?"
"Outside it's been taking us about a total of thirty minutes to walk down to the park, make a lap around it and then back to the hotel."
"What about when you walk inside?"
"Normally we walk all the floors, but I never really timed it."
"Okay, well the sooner we get going…"
"The sooner we get back," he finishes for her.
"Right," she smiles.
"Yeah," he agrees, walking to the door, opening it for her and then following her out into the hallway.
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After they get back from their walk, Leo spends a long time in the shower thinking about Margaret and enjoying the effects of the warm spray on him. He is aching more than usual today, but between the pacing, and staying up later last night, and then spending the entire night on his side, he is not too surprised that he's this sore. He slowly turns and lets the water run on his back for a while. He's still upset that Margaret is not going to be working for him and he stands there worrying about it, when it suddenly hits him. One of the main reasons that has kept him from acting of his feelings before is that she worked for him. He suddenly feels a lot better, forgetting about the soreness he's had all morning. He gets a huge smile on his face as he turns back around, turns off the water and steps out of the shower.
Leo quickly dries himself and gets everything out of the medicine cabinet that he needs to perform his wound care. He looks at the steam-covered mirror and shakes his head. He knows that he won't be able to reach across the breadth of the vanity and wipe off the mirror. Clad only in his boxers, he gathers the necessary items and heads for the dresser in his bedroom.
Leo walks over to his bed, sits down and inspects his incisions on the inside of his thighs. They are almost completely healed and don't require treatment anymore, but he still needs to keep an eye on them for a while. After he's satisfied that they are still in good shape; he slips on his trousers and walks over to his dresser. He opens up the bottle of saline solution and immediately spills it, "Damnit to Hell," Leo loudly grumbles and then hurries into the bathroom to get a towel to clean up the mess he's made.
Margaret has been hovering by Leo's bedroom door for the past few minutes. She's worried because he has been in there for a long time. Mallory warned her that even though he won't admit it, he still needs help with certain daily tasks. She hears him cuss, "Leo, are you all right?" She asks, as she reaches for the doorknob.
After a couple of seconds, "Leo," she calls again. When he doesn't answer this time, she bounds into the room.
Leo is just walking back out of the bathroom. "Margaret?" Leo says, surprised to see her.
"Sorry, I umm... I heard ...and you didn't answer…" Margaret stammers out, trying not to stare at his scar. However, her curiosity wins out and she finds herself staring at it. Her face turns bright red, "I'm sorry…" and she quickly turns to leave.
"Margaret," Leo growls, as he takes a couple of steps towards her. "Its okay. You don't have to leave. I was just getting ready to do my wound care, and I spilled the saline solution."
Margaret glances over at the dresser, sees the spill, walks over to Leo, and takes the towel so that she can clean up the mess.
"Margaret, I was going to do that."
"I know, but I'm here to help, so…" She says, looking away from his bare chest.
"Margaret… it's okay," he tells her, noticing her look away from his chest. "I don't mind if you see my scar. I'm used to people looking at it."
"Yeah, but aren't they all doctors and nurses?"
"Yeah, but still. It's okay to be curious," he adds. "Is there anything you want to ask about it?" He is standing right next to her now. He wants her to be comfortable with his scar and surgery.
"What do you need the saline for?" She asks, afraid to look at him.
"I use it on my incision. I have to check them daily." He picks up some gauze, puts some saline on it, and shows her how he applies it.
"Is it healing okay?" She timidly asks.
"Yeah, it's just taking longer than most," he lightly sighs. "The doctor said it's because I was opened up for so long."
"Do you need any help?" She asks, intently watching him.
"No, I'm fine. I've been doing this for a while for by myself. Its one of the first things, the nurse taught me to do," he softly explains.
"What do you look for?" Margaret asks, as she watches him inspect his wound.
"Signs of infection."
"Are there any?" Her voice is full of concern.
"No," he gives her a quick smile, "it's fine."
"It looks like it still hurts a bit," she comments as she leans in closer. "Does it?"
Leo shrugs his shoulders, "Sometimes."
"Does it hurts right now?"
"No not really, it's a little more tender today, than normal. But, before you get all excited, it's just because I was more active than normal, last night."
"When does it normally hurt?"
"Fast movement or if extend my arms too far."
"Leo, you'll tell me the truth if it does start bothering you too much, right?" Mallory had given her some pain pills, in case her father needed them.
"Yeah, I will," he softly breathes out.
Leo finishes up, and Margaret takes the items back into the bathroom. When she comes back out, Leo is struggling with getting his t-shirt over his head. "Leo, do you need help?"
"Yeah," comes a muffled grumble from underneath the shirt.
She takes the shirt and helps him put it on, "Why didn't you wait for me?"
"Margaret, I'm not in kindergarten," he informs her.
"Really, then stop acting like it," she chides, as she walks over to his bed, picks up his hand tailored shirt and helps him slip it on him. Without even thinking, she starts to button it up for him.
Leo just stands there and enjoys the light touch of her fingers against his chest, "Thanks, Margaret," he whispers.
"You're welcome. Do you need my services for anything else right now," she asks, with a smile.
Leo has to bite his tongue. All kinds of thoughts rush through his head when she offers her services to him. "No, I can handle the rest," he tells her.
"Okay, then I guess I'll go finish getting ready." She starts to walk out of his bedroom.
"Margaret," he calls after her.
"Yes, Leo," she stops and turns to face him.
Leo walks over to her, quickly leans in, and places a delicate kiss on her cheek, "Thanks," he whispers in her ear.
"You're…welcome," Margaret replies, with a tender smile. "I'd better… umm… get ready…"
"Yeah, you said that already," he informs her.
"Yeah," she says, not moving.
"I need to get my shoes and tie on, still," he says, not sure if he should kiss her again or let her make the next move.
"Do you need any help with them?"
"Not, really."
"Okay, then I'll leave you alone," she says, then quickly gives him a kiss in return on the cheek.
"What was that for?" He asks, with a grin.
"Umm... Abbey said I should give you a kiss from her," she blushes.
"I've always thought Abbey had great ideas," he continues to smile.
"Me, too," she tells him, then turns and walks out of his bedroom.
Leo watches her leave, then goes over to the chair, sits down and puts on his shoes. He can't stop smiling. He still feels the kiss she gave him. 'Yeah, maybe she does like me,' he thinks to himself as he grabs his tie and puts it around his neck.
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Right before four in the afternoon, their meal arrives. Leo and Margaret sit down and enjoy their feast. They spend the whole time talking about each other's families. Leo shares some stories about his sisters and his mother. Margaret talks about her two older brothers and how they pretty much raised her after her parents died, when she was twelve. Leo feels bad that he never realized that both of her parents died when she was so young. He knows how it is to lose one parent, but two must have been devastating.
After dinner, they move into the living room and continue to talk while sitting on opposite ends of the couch. Leo is having a hard time keeping his eyes open. Eventually he gives up, and slides down in the corner of the couch and quickly falls asleep.
Margaret gets up gets an afghan and a pillow from her bedroom. She walks over to him and smiles at how young looking he seems, curled up on the couch asleep. She picks up his feet and moves them to rest on the couch. She places the pillow under his head and then covers him with the afghan. She goes into her bedroom, grabs a book out of her bag and comes back out to the living room. She sits down at the other end of the couch, and places Leo's feet in her lap. She needs to be near him and touching him right now. She hopes he doesn't mind.
Margaret reads her book for a while, but nods off after a few minutes of reading. Leo stirs a while later and smiles when he discovers he's covered up, and his feet are resting on Margaret's lap. He relaxes and sinks a little lower in the couch and falls asleep again.
Margaret wakes up later and doesn't want to disturb Leo by getting up so, she leans over, grabs the remote off the coffee table and turns on the TV. She doesn't find anything on that she wants to watch, so she mutes the volume and leaves it on a station that has a movie coming on soon that she wants to see. She picks up her book and starts reading again.
After a couple of hours of being asleep. Leo wakes up. "I didn't know you could read lips?"
Margaret smiles, "I didn't want to disturb you."
"What ya watching?"
"I'm not really watching this movie. I'm waiting for the one that comes on after this one."
"Okay, what movie are you waiting for?"
"It's a Wonderful Life," she says with a big smile. "It's my favorite Christmas movie. I just love James Stewart."
"Oh, I like that movie, too."
"You've watched a movie before?" She smirks.
"Yes, Margaret. I did have a life at one time, years ago," he informs her.
"I just bet you did. What… were you like twelve the last time you watched a movie?"
"Margaret," Leo growls.
"What did I say?" She laughs.
"If we're going to watch a long movie, I need to get up and well… go to the…"
"Okay," Margaret helps move his feet off her legs and stands.
Leo sits up slowly and slightly grimaces. Margaret steps quickly to his side, "Do you need some help?"
"Yeah," he replies taking her offered hand. He probably could have gotten up on his own, but he couldn't resist holding her hand again. After he stands, he holds her hand a couple of seconds longer than necessary. "Thanks," he tells her as he rubs his thumb over the back of her hand.
"My pleasure," she informs him, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
"Margaret, I think I'm going to get into something more comfortable since we're going to sit out here watch a movie. Do you mind if I get into my pajamas?"
"No, Leo. I don't mind. I think I will too. If that's all right with you?"
"Yes, by all means get comfortable," he gives her a grin, lets go of her hand and starts for his bedroom. "How much time before the movie starts?" He calls back to her.
Margaret looks at her watch, "In about fifteen minutes."
"Good, that's plenty of time to get changed and make some popcorn," he informs her.
"Popcorn?" She asks, as she heads to her bedroom.
"Yes, Margaret. You can't very well watch a movie without popcorn," he enlightens her.
"Okay, sounds good to me. I'll make it as soon as I get changed," she offers.
"Margaret, I know how to make popcorn," he informs her.
"I didn't say you didn't. I just…"
"You gave up your holiday for me, so I think it's the least I can do."
"I didn't give up my holiday," she says as she walks over to him. "Leo, this has been one of the nicest Thanksgivings I've ever had. Thank you," she reaches out and runs her hand ever so slightly down his arm.
"Me too," he agrees, as he traps her hand against his arm and squeezes it. They stand there for a couple of seconds, staring at each other, both very unsure what to say or do next.
"Umm… we're going to miss the start of the movie if we don't hurry," Margaret softly says.
"Yeah," Leo whispers. "Meet ya back out here in a few," he says, as he lets go of her hand and turns to go to his bedroom.
Minutes later, Margaret is out in the kitchen, looking through the cupboards for the popcorn. She finds it and tosses it in the microwave. Next, she starts hunting for a bowl or something to put the popcorn in for them.
"I see you found the popcorn," Leo says, standing at the breakfast bar that separates the kitchen from the living area of his hotel suite.
"Yeah, but you only have one bowl large enough for the popcorn," she informs him.
"We'll just have to share."
"Okay," she says, as the timer goes off on the microwave. She takes out the bag, dumps its contents into the bowl and then follows Leo over to the couch.
Leo sits down in the corner of the couch, and Margaret sits down next to him. She hands him the bowl, "Here, so you won't have to reach." Leo places it on his lap and they both start to enjoy the popcorn and the movie that has just started.
Leo loves having her so close to him. He wishes that he could find the courage to say something to her about the way he feels. He's really enjoyed the time and the closeness that they have shared, today. He's starting to believe that maybe Margaret really does feel the same way about him that he feels about her.
Margaret can't keep her mind on the movie. She's enjoying the feel of Leo's body next to hers. She really meant it earlier when she told him that this had been a great Thanksgiving. She only wishes she could tell him how she feels about him. He's treated her so different today, and now she's starting to think that maybe, just maybe, he feels the same way about her.
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"Margaret, wake up. The movie's over," Leo whispers into her ear. She fell asleep against him about an hour ago.
"Hmm…" she sighs as she starts to wake up. "Did I fall asleep? What time is it?"
"It's after ten, time for bed sleepyhead," he softly laughs.
Margaret starts to wake up a little bit more, "Leo, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been leaning against you all this time. Why didn't you make me move off of you?" She says as she quickly moves, once she realizes that she's been halfway lying against him.
"I didn't mind," he softly admits. "Besides, you were keeping me warm," he grins.
"Well, still."
"Margaret it's okay."
"Here," she offers him a hand, after she stands up.
Leo keeps a hold of her hand as they head for his bedroom, just as he did last night. He really doesn't want to let go of her, but he has to so that he can get ready for bed. "Margaret, I need to brush my teeth… and stuff. I'll be out in a few," he tells her, as he lets go of her hand and walks towards his bathroom.
"Need any help," she calls after him.
Leo stops and turns to face her, "No, not since I was two," Leo smirks, causing Margaret's face to turn red.
"Leo McGarry, that's not what I meant and you know it," she quips, to his back as he closes the bathroom door. Margaret walks out of his bedroom and heads for the bathroom off the living room to get ready for bed, too.
Margaret is finished and back in Leo's bedroom, before he's done. Once he walks out into his bedroom, they go through the same routine as they did last night, she helps him with his robe, turns back the covers, covers him up and then sits down in the char next to his bed.
"Margaret, if you're going to sleep in here again tonight," Leo flashes her a huge grin. "At least be more comfortable and get in bed with me."
"Leo?" Margaret's eyes widen.
"Margaret, I can say with all honesty to ya that I'm not any type of a threat right now," 'although I wish I were' he adds inside his head. "Plus you can sleep on top of the covers if you want. There's an afghan on the top shelf in the closet."
Margaret's face is a very nice shade of crimson, "So you did get out of bed last night and cover me up."
"Yeah," Leo nods.
"Leo, why didn't you wake me up? Did you need something? I could have gotten it for you," Margaret rattles off.
"I do not think even you could have done what I needed to do last night," Leo tries to avoid the subject.
"Leo, I'm here to help. You have to let me," she pleads. "Haven't you learned your lesson that you can't do everything by yourself?" She lightly scolds.
"Okay, Margaret," he growls. "If I have to get up to go to the bathroom again tonight, I'll just wake you up and let you go for me," he smirks, as he gives her a devilish grin.
"Oh," she quickly blushes.
"Hey Margaret, that's a real nice shade of red there and I don't mean your hair," he laughs.
"You're not funny," she says, trying to stop blushing and from smiling, but she is unable to do either.
"Come on, Margaret," he says, as he pats the spot on the bed next to him. "This will be a lot more forgiving on your back. Come on, this bed is huge."
Margaret thinks about it for a couple of seconds and then concedes. She walks over to the closet, grabs the afghan and settles on top of the covers. Leo rolls over on his side, "Now, isn't this better than sleeping in that chair?"
"Yes, it is," she smiles.
"Okay, night Margaret," he says as he reaches over and pats her shoulder.
"Night, Leo," she replies, as she places her hand on his and squeezes it.
Leo leaves his hand on her shoulder, and Margaret doesn't pull away her hand either. They fall asleep this way, touching and thinking of what the future might hold for them if only they would tell the other how they feel.
TBC in part 5
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