Title: Daylight Savings Time 2
By: chipmunk
Pairing: Leo/Margaret
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None
Beta By: Lee pigletnpooh@comcast.net
Disclaimer:
The characters are from the NBC, WB, A John Wells Prod., TV show, 'The West Wing'.
They own them; therefore, they do not belong to me.
They are the creation and property of Aaron Sorkin. I only borrowed them.
No copyright infringement is intended. No monetary benefit is received or anticipated.
Please keep in mind that, 'Imitation is the highest form of flattery'.
A 'grateful' and 'enormous' thanks, to the actors and actresses,
who portray the characters brilliantly and bring them to life in my head.
Any mistakes found in this fic, are totally my own fault and ignorance.
This is a learning process for me. Additions and Corrections are encouraged.
Feedback: I would love it hear your opinion! PLEASE! It helps to improve my writing!
Archived at:
Summary: Back to Margaret's to prepare dinner.
Note:
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It is 5:30 pm Sunday evening; Margaret's binding the last copy that's needed of the revised Crime Bill for senior staff in the morning. She's been prodding Leo along, since they arrived at 8am, to get the revision finished in just over 9 hours. Still, this day has all the markings of a normal weekday at work, with Leo having either been called out of the office or interrupted several times today, till she's wondering if the senior staff even has, outside normal lives. She isn't going to complain, leaving before dark is considered a short day. Working 'Daylight till Dark' is a regular day and with the 'Daylight Saving Time' dark is even later. The daylight hours are just going to get longer now.
Margaret has a schedule all planned out for the evening, and so far, it still had a chance of surviving. Next on the schedule, is getting out of the office by 6pm. If she could actually get Leo pried out of the office. ~I may have to drag him out by the tie. I'd like to get him out of that tie anyway.~ After that, on the schedule, is to get out of the grocery store by 7pm. She has doubts about that happening; Leo would probably take his time selecting the vegetables in the produce section.
Margaret wondered if they'd have time to swing by Leo's hotel for him to change into casual clothes. ~He has to get out of that suit sometime, doesn't he; surely he has to 'own' casual clothes. ~
Stepping into Leo's office, she sees him reading over one of the copies of the Crime Bill, for like the tenth time since it was locked. "Leo, are we done for the night? Margaret tries to inquire without sounding hopeful or is that, without sounding like it's a hopeless question, as a soft evening light is still coming in through the windows.
"Done? Yeah, we're done," Leo answers, not looking up from his desk. After a pause, he jerks his head up and turns to look at the window behind him. Not turning back around, to face Margaret, a slight grin appears on his face as he teasingly answers, "I guess we're not done!"
Margaret's breathes a sad, quiet sigh, her shoulders just drooping. She run through her head, what business might have been missed in this busy day? She asks him the familiar words, "What do you need, Leo" Margaret waits for him to answer and to tell her, what still needs to be taken care of before the day is finally over. It's supposed to be a day off, after all.
Leo turning back around to face Margaret, trying not to let her see his smile, he answers, "Vegetables!"
Margaret, breaking into a small smile, remarks, "That's mean of you, Leo! That may cost you big time later. Next time we work late on a Thursday, I may not record your 'porn' cooking show while you're busy with the President."
Leo softly growls out, with a dark look on his face, "It's not a 'porn' cooking show, Margaret! How many times do we have to go over that?"
"I know," a smile spreading across her face. "You know, I'd not have anything to do with pornographic material, even for your sake. So you be nicer to me and I'll take into consideration, recording it," she playfully replies back, knowing she just got him, again.
"I plan on being nicer to you, starting this evening. I 'AM' going to cook you dinner, after all." He's smiling now, he's also taking into consideration, that he gets to enjoy cooking in a kitchen, which he's not been able to do since moving into the hotel. Plus, he gets to try out Margaret's new knife set. All's right in the world tonight, in his opinion.
"Shut down the office Margaret, while I go tell the President that we're leaving for the day," he decides to grab the chance to leave the Whitehouse, before anything arises that will demand his attention. He hurries through the connecting door to the Oval office in search of the President.
Margaret quickly gathers up the files on Leo's desk, before he comes back in and changes his mind about leaving while it's still daylight. Going through to her office, she places the files in the front section of a file drawer. She can file them in the morning, while Leo's at senior staff. She shuts down her computer and places the Bill copies in with the files and locks the cabinet. Grabbing her coat and purse, she puts her arms in the coat as she returns back to Leo's office. Retrieving his coat from the coat rack, she has it ready for his return so that they can exit the building, as fast as possible.
"You ready yet" he eagerly asks, as he hurries back from the Oval office. He hardly misses a step as he slides on the coat she is holding and scoops his briefcase off of the desk where Margaret had it ready for him.
~I could remind him that he asked that question once today, but since I wasn't totally dressed at the time I'll pass on letting it slip out,~ Margaret wisely decides to herself.
Margaret following him as close as a shadow, they navigate the outer offices like they're on a mission. They're trying not to be sidetracked by anyone, that might see them leaving before the sun set. They scan their ID's on the way out of the lobby. Moving swiftly over to Leo's private parking space, to enter the car, like they do this every evening. As they pass through the gates and enter the light Sunday evening traffic they finally relax. They've made their great escape.
When they get out of the immediate capital area, Margaret feels that now's the time to approach the first hurdle with the evening's plans: her plans.
"Leo, don't you think that you should go by your room and change out of your suit before we go to the grocery store? You'd be more comfortable cooking dinner without your tie getting the way of you slicing vegetables. You'd end up in a short tie!" She tries to put a light tone to the question, she really wants him in some casual off hours clothing.
"First, I wouldn't end up with a short tie!" He gives her a quick side-glance, knowing she's trying to persuade him, "I'm very good with slicing and I know the difference between a tie and the vegetables." Again, he gives her a glance and hopes she's receptive to his upcoming suggestion. "I wouldn't have to go to my hotel, if I'd use your bathroom to change in. I have some casual clothes in a satchel, in the trunk. I keep them there for when I go to Mallory's. I just stay over in her guestroom and go to work the next morning from her place. That way I have more time to spend with her, instead of traveling back and forth from the hotel, just to change clothes." He smiles as he tries to watch her process that suggestion; he patiently anticipates her answer, while he keeps an eye on the traffic.
Margaret's quickly runs several images and facts through her head. ~WOW, Problem one, Leo'd be changing in my apartment and second, I may be jumping to the far end of the evening, but I don't have a guestroom. I could be thinking too far ahead to worry about that situation. Note to self, try not to smile too much right now and be casual, like he was this morning in the bathroom doorway.~ Trying to look and sound casual to Leo, while sounding agreeable, she gives him the answer she hopes he's wanting for. "Sure, that sounds like a good idea to me Leo. We can go straight to the grocery store then. I know you're looking forward to getting to the produce section. I think vegetables are a high priority right now, in your mind! Are you sure that's a mentally healthy fixation? Can you say that about vegetables? Doesn't sound like a problem, but still doesn't sound right."
Leo just laughs at Margaret's thought process. He knows she'll work it out to her satisfaction, sooner or later. He just doesn't understand how, but he learned years ago not to ponder the process too much.
Arriving at the grocery Leo questions her, "We really didn't need to shop at a large grocery store, Margaret. We just need some simple vegetables, chicken, rice and broth."
"Leo, on a Sunday evening the smaller stores are closed already. This is all that's open close to my apartment," she points out. Then adding "Let just hurry in and get what we need. It shouldn't take us very long."
Inside, they see a large area to the left that's all produce and Margaret now has doubts as to how long Leo's going to take selecting vegetables.
"Leo, I can just tell from the look on your face that picking out our vegetables, in this size produce section, is like taking a kid into a toy store," she remarks, knowing he's not listening to her at all. He's lost in a veritable garden of produce. Well, this may ruin her nice, neat schedule and she has plans for them later this evening. Well, at least for her, she's just hoping to talk Leo into staying late this evening. A girl can only hope!
"All right Margaret, where should we start, with the celery, carrots, or broccoli? Don't let me forget to get some fresh garlic," Leo starts to recite his list, while he wades into the multicolored displays.
"We don't need much of any one kind Leo. Remember we're not feeding an army, just the two of us!"
"I don't know about you, but I've been eating light today, saving up for our dinner."
"OK, Leo I'll drive the grocery cart and you pick out what you want. I'll just keep the plastic bags for the vegetables coming at you."
He selects several different types of garden produce, loving checking each one for damages or blemishes. He next moves to the mushrooms and onions section, making his selection, after what seems like he's either picked up each package of mushrooms or puzzled over each type of onion.
"You done with the produce now, I hate to drag you away, but we've other items in the store to pick up yet?" Margaret impatiently requests at this point. She continues, "We still need to get the rice, chicken and broth."
"Do you know which aisle we can get a can of Water chestnuts? They'd go great with this recipe and they'll stay crunchy after steaming?" Leo decides to include that option from the recipe.
"Yes, Leo, I do know! Here's the plan," she informs him, in hopes that he'll cooperate with it.
"You have a plan," he teases.
"Of course, I have a plan! You know, I always have a plan," she reminds him, as if he could have any doubt.
"Good, you keep us on course and before you know it, we'll be dinning in style," he gloats!
"Leo, no one should be this happy over vegetables! You're getting a little scary here," she teases him back.
"Don't worry, I'm perfectly harmless once I get to cooking. I'll be in my element," he reassures her.
"OK, here's the plan, I'll get you to the rice aisle, then you pick out which one you want to fix tonight and I'll go get the chicken breasts and broth. This'll only work, if you don't leave the rice aisle." She didn't want to waste a minute of their evening hunting for him all over the store. "I'll be back before you know it. We can grab the chestnuts, on the way to the front of the store, to check out. "
Leo's contemplating his choice between the long grain and wild rice and brown rice. Just as he's picking out a box of the long grain and wild rice, Margaret arrives with the items she went after. "Margaret, that pack of chicken has four chicken breasts in it. I thought you said we're not feeding an army, Remember," he says this with a big smile, knowing she hates having her words used against her.
"Leo, this 'is' the smallest package of skinless breasts, you can purchase. I can figure out something to do with the other two." Her frugal side reassuring him and she saves face at the same time.
"OK, maybe you can freeze two breasts, for another day? Hey", Leo remarks, as he remembers more items from the recipe, "Can we pick up a small bottle of olive oil? I'll also need to know if you have cooking spray? I saw that you already have spices and soy sauce."
"Yes, I have cooking spray. A nice canola one, that's low in cholesterol. Why do you need Olive oil, if you're going to steam the vegetable and chicken," she remembers to question him.
"It's to brown the onions and mushrooms in first, it just takes a teaspoon. We can get a small bottle," he answers, trying to pacify her and to still get his way with using a little oil.
"OK, but I prefer regular Olive Oil. The virgin and extra virgin, just taste 'green' to me," she compromises, but limiting his selection.
"Green, Margaret, how does 'green' taste," he really is enjoying teasing her.
"You know what I mean. Just get the regular," she's trying not to be embarrassed, in the middle of the grocery store.
"OK, but we're going to work on your taste palette," he plans for her, giving the impression that this may be a regular occurrence in their lives.
"Not tonight, I'm hungry and would like a nice tasting, home cooked dinner," she agrees with warning.
"All right, all right. Regular Olive Oil, it is for tonight," he concedes to her choice.
"Fine, we're just about done, let's grab the chestnuts and you can be quick about which oil we need. The kitchen awaits you and this grocery store's making me really hungry. You better be a good cook," she's trying to get them back on schedule and warning him he better live up to his boasting.
He just keeps smiling and still boasting replies, "You'll be amazed at all the talents I have."
He heads out, in search of the Olive oil and Margaret's left speechless, she stares at his back as he moves up the aisle. ~That could be a loaded statement. Note to self, I want to add that phrase to my memories of tonight.~
Outside her door and looking at all the bags they're carrying into her apartment, Margaret makes the observation, "It still looks like we have enough groceries here to last a week."
"Well, I'm toting my clothes satchel along with my half of the grocery bags. Wonder what your neighbors think of me entering your apartment, with groceries and a bag of clothes," he's teasing her again.
"Leo, thanks for putting that 'worry' in my head. You're 'so' cheerful tonight," she adds sarcastically. "I don't think you care 'what' my neighbors think or anyone else for that matter, as long as you get to cook."
"You got that right, no one's going to ruin my having a chance to enjoy myself in a kitchen. It's been to long since I've had such a treat," he states.
"Well, let's just get in the door and set the bags in the kitchen long enough for us to change clothes, then the kitchen is all yours," she plans again as she unlocks her door.
"Good, I get the bathroom first," he declares.
"Fine, I'll change in my bedroom," she lets him know that she'll not be waiting outside the bathroom door.
Leo must have broken some kind of record changing, she could hear him already rattling around in the kitchen and humming to himself.
~Leo humming? Just sounds strange, this gruff Whitehouse, no nonsense, political powerhouse, happy and humming. The staff and their assistants would be checking to see if he's the real WHCOS or has been replaced by an imposter. I don't really care what anyone thinks of his changed behavior. I've seen Leo in just about every human emotion over the years and I much prefer this happy mood. His life has been a hard one and the Whitehouse is no picnic. He needs to find some small way to regroup away from the Whitehouse and I'm very willing for it to be here with me,~ she ponders; now that she really has Leo in her kitchen.
"Leo, I'm going to put on some music," she informs him. It's part of her dreams to have soft music and Leo in her apartment, at the same time. Plus, Leo better keep his day job, if he couldn't hum any better that he could sing. From what Mallory remarked at the last Christmas gathering at the Whitehouse, Margaret didn't what to hear him sing. Going through her collection of cd's, she's at a dilemma. She doesn't want to put on anything that's blatantly romantic, but still wants a soft comfortable sound. The other problem is that she really doesn't know what Leo's preference is in music, but could guess that he's not into country. ~Yes, This will work perfectly! Kenny's G's 'Breathless' album. Listening to soft sax and Leo here. I think I'm dreaming and I do NOT want to wake up, ~ Margaret's thinking in wonder. Now being realistic, ~Better go check on Leo and see if my kitchen's going to survive. ~
Entering the kitchen, she's amazed that he's managed to cover almost every inch of the counter space with the vegetables. It looks like he just wants to line them up and admire them, before each has a turn at the chopping board. Yet, on one small area of counter, is the other ingredients needed for the evening meal. "Hey Leo, can I help? I promise I'll not get near your sanctuary of the chopping board, but there must be something I can do? I could probably manage the rice without messing it up. You'll be right here in the room, to keep an eye on me doing it! " She tries to sound convincing and competent, not wanting him to claim the kitchen as his domain tonight and ban her to the rest of the apartment. She then notes to herself. ~I really want to keep an eye on Leo, he's fascinating to watch, this is a whole new side of him, that I've not seen before. I wouldn't want to miss a moment of this evening with Leo. ~
"I think I'd relent and let you fix the rice, but wait a little bit, I don't want the rice to get done, before the stir-fry. Timing is the key to a great meal. You might get out a sauce pan to boil it in, I don't know where everything's located yet," he compromised.
"Leo, by the way you're rattling around in here, I thought you'd already been through every cabinet and drawer. It 'is' a tiny kitchen. That's why there's not a kitchen table in here. How long could it take to find everything" she's teasing him again.
"I've been through most of them. I figure that I'd get to the rest of them before the meal preparation is done," was his logical answer.
"By the way Leo, what did you do with the chicken breasts" she questions, looking around on all the counter spaces, "you didn't leave them setting out did you?"
"I know to keep the chicken breasts cool till we need them in the wok. In fact, it makes them easier to slice if they're cold. By doing them last on the cutting board, it'll lessen the change of Salmonella. I can then sterilize the cutting board afterward. You do have a chlorine spray cleaner for the kitchen, right?"
"Of course I do, you know how I'm about healthy eating" she reminds him.
"Yes, I found the anti-bacterial hand soap on the sink and I used it before starting with the food," he added as confirmation. "You might set the dining table, while you're waiting your turn at cooking," he suggests.
"Sure, that shouldn't take me to long, to set it for two." She quickly agrees. ~Banned already, but I'll make a hasty retreat before he realizes how my remark sounds, about setting the table for two. Sounds nice and cozy to me. But I don't want him realize how it sounds. He might change is mind about a repeat of tonight and I could get real used to him cooking dinner here, on a regular basis. I can only hope that he feels this is a successful evening and he wants to do this often. I hope, I hope, I hope!~ After she spreads a floral tablecloth on the small, round table. Which is all she had room for in her small apartment. She's the only one that uses the table and infrequently at that, most nights she's usually only home long enough to shower and sleep. The small size is plenty for her. Then adding really nice plates, with a small floral design and a gold rim, silverware and heavy crystal water glasses. She's glad that she decided to invest in a small set of good dinnerware.
Returning to the kitchen she remarks to Leo, "Well that didn't take long. One good thing about a small apartment, it doesn't take long to do anything in it".
"I don't think of it as a small apartment. I think it's charming and comfortable. I like your selection of music, by the way," Leo comments back to her.
To cover her flush face and not knowing what to say, to his wonderful remark about her home. ~Another note to self, must remember how he just described my home. This is better than any dream.~ She decides a quick change of topic is in order, "How'd you like a cold soda? I've Cola, Lemon-Lime or carbonated flavored water. Sorry, but they are all diet. You must be working up a real thirst working at that board? I should at least keep your needs covered, while you prepare dinner."
"Yah, you're good at keeping my needs covered. I'd be lost in the office. I wouldn't want you to stop now, just because it's off-hours. I'm used to you knowing just what I need, before I even know I need it. It's a habit of yours that I appreciate, even if I don't tell you very often. Now, to answer your kind question. Yes, I'd like something to drink, its going to get warm in here, soon as I finish chopping and heat up the wok."
She's almost giddy at his kind words. ~Try not to smile to large girl, no sense letting him see how a few words from him and you are just a puddle on the floor. It'd give him too much satisfaction and he might use that against you at work. You know how at the Whitehouse, the male senior staff want to believe that they're the power forces and like to get the upper hand. The women senior assistants can't give them an inch, because once in a while we've had to bring them back down to earth. ~
"What's the flavored water" his interest piqued. He continues to chop up vegetables.
"It's actually almost nothing," she vaguely answers, "it has no sugar, caffeine, food coloring and is low sodium. It actually still tastes great. I have the flavors of White Grape, Mixed Berry and Strawberry. Would you like to try one of those?"
"Sounds too healthy to taste good. There must be a catch," voicing skepticism in his reply.
"No catch, I like drinking it in the evening. Some sodas have so much caffeine in them, that I can't go to sleep for hours afterwards." Deciding to pin him down to a choice, "So live dangerously tonight, which flavor would you like to try."
"I think I'll be cautious and try the White Grape; it can be our imitation wine tonight. It'll go well with the stir-fry," He's teasing again.
"Are you being chicken, I'd have thought a powerful man like yourself, would at least be brave enough to try the Strawberry" she challenges with a smile.
"Touché Margaret, but I'm only powerful when I'm working, other than that time, I'm just a regular person. I'll only just be adventurous enough to try the Grape."
"I'd not have real wine in my home anyway, it'd have to be imitation," she dropped in the statement. "Working at the Whitehouse is intoxicating enough for me." Then thinking, not daring to add out loud, ~after what I saw alcohol did to him and I lived through it with him, I swore off any alcoholic beverages. Maybe someday I'll tell him that, but not tonight. I don't want anything to spoil tonight.~
Leo's now changing the subject, "I really do love these knives; they're everything I hoped they'd be. They're the right weight, firm blades, nice size handles and they're really holding their edge. I'd buy my own set if I'd somewhere to use them."
"Well consider my kitchen, your kitchen and help yourself to my kitchen tools anytime," she hopefully offers.
"Anytime Margaret," he grins at her and wags his eyebrows up and down a couple of times. "I could get addicted to working in a kitchen again."
"Well that would be a good addiction, so the offer stands. I could even learn to get used to someone cooking in the middle of the night, long as I get to share in the results. You already have a door key for emergencies" sounding reassuring, she answers with a smile. New note to self, ~I could get real 'addicted' to having Leo here, definitely anytime and as often as he wants. Wonder if there's a Leo-anonymous group. I may have to start my own group, just for me. I'm getting hooked really bad. Remind self to stock more staple foods and seasonings in the pantry for any last minute cooking adventures. ~
"You may not know what you're getting into, by offering me kitchen privileges. You could end up with my cookbooks in the pantry and my spare clothes in the bathroom closet." He playfully warns with an evil grin.
"That's OK with me Leo, I know you need to unwind away from the Whitehouse," trying to sound casual, like it's no big deal. ~Leo 'Playful', better sit down on a stool quick, I'm going to hit the floor soon. A playful and teasing Leo's almost more than my system can handle. Heart fluttering. Please, Please, Please no heart attack yet. Is my face red? I don't want him to see me looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Just look normal. Smile. Breath.~
"Good, maybe we could keep some meats in the freezer, that way we'd save a lot of time and wouldn't have to stop at the store. I might even get a chance to cook on nights that we work late. We'd both still have to eat and I could unwind. Unless you think, you'd get tired of tripping over me, after working together all day." He's thinking out loud and working at the wok.
"Just to let you know, if I want anytime away from you, I can always do something else in another room," she logically reassures him.
"OK, I'll remember that. Better open the broth and get it boiling for the rice. I've the onions and mushrooms just about brown. Then, I'll need part of the broth for the rest of the vegetables," he moves on with the cooking.
Getting the broth and moving in close beside Leo, to add it to the saucepan waiting on the stove, she tries not to shake as she pours. "It says to boil two cups of liquid for the rice, so for the vegetables, here's the other box of broth."
"Box of Broth, " he questions what she said.
"Yea, a box. You can get it that way now and then the broth doesn't pick up the tin taste of the can. I think it's a smart idea," she explains. Quite proud that she too, can find a better product. After the way he selected the vegetables.
"Definitely sounds better, you did well, Margaret," he praises her choice. "I might even let you pick out some of the vegetables next time." He grins, "then maybe not, I like doing that".
"You're doing wonders there, for my self confidence Leo," she tries to sound like her feelings are hurt.
He knows she's faking it and he bumps her should and smiles at her, being busy at the wok. "You've no idea how much I'm enjoying myself right now!"
"Me too Leo, me too," she sighs back to him, not looking at him. Afraid if he looks into her eyes, he'll really see how much.
"Barring the fact that I'm enjoying myself, we better get this stir-fry wrapped up. I'm starving here from just smelling these wonderful vegetables in the wok. Is the rice about done?" He's now hurrying the meal along.
"Two more minutes then I can dish it out, is her quick reply. You can't hurry rice, Leo" she admonishes him. He just keeps switching gears here.
The food is finally done, before Leo starves. Margaret gets the two plates from the table and it's quickly served up. They both walk their plates and drinks to the small table in the dining area. Both of them moving smoothly in this teamwork process, looking like they are dancing, a well remembered, set of steps. Like they do this all the time. Must be all the years of working together, in just the small space of an office.
"Oh Leo, this is so good and fresh cooked is really the best!" she praises his cooking, as she savors the first bite.
"It did turn out well and this bubbling white grape water is just the right touch," he's reminding her that she helped with the dinner, in her own way. "This is a nice table you set, even makes this simple dinner special," he continues to praises her.
"So Margaret, what do you do most evenings?". "I just usually read reports and watch the news myself?" He nods his head to the side in a small quick jerk, as he's trying to start some conversation over dinner and wanting to learn a little more about the private side of Margaret.
"You mean when I get home on the same day, as when I left home in the morning," she challenges back to him. ~Now how much info does he want. I'll just give him a brief outline.~ After a brief pause she continues. "On early nights, I either stop and pick up something to fix for dinner, like we did tonight, or maybe just pick up a salad at the deli. On the late nights, I usually have gabbed something in the Whitehouse mess for dinner. Then I just rummage around in the kitchen and munch on something quick. I usually just try to get as much sleep as possible. Most of the staff's the same way, I guess.
"That's it, you just eat and sleep," he sounds skeptical, looking at her face to see if she's serious.
"Well, on really long all nighters, when I get home, I'm lucky to make it to the bed. I just nap and return to work"
"You must do something else," he asks a little taken aback.
"Leo, I go when you go," she reminds him. We both need this time to unwind. I really am enjoying this, as much as you." reassuring him.
"There must be something you do to unwind? You sound as bad as I am in the hotel. You've a whole apartment of stuff here to entertain you". He surmises as he looks around.
~I guess he really does want to know more details of my life. OK, I'll go for it! Hope neither one of us get embarrassed.~ Well, Yes, I do have things I do to relax. When I'm in early enough, I like to have a long soak in the tub with scented bubbles and candles burning on the sink counter. I like soothing music on the stereo. Afterward I try to catch an old movie on TV or just play a favorite movie from my collection. I may even work on a small cross-stitch project while the movie is on. Makes nice Christmas gifts. I'm not very good a just sitting still. Saying this in almost one long sentence, then switching to the conversation back to him. So, you must do something else besides read reports? How about weekends? What do you do then, besides watching your precious recorded cooking show? See I didn't call it porn," she teased him.
"Well, I must confess he adds with a smile, I do like to go on the Internet and look for recipes. There are like, thousands of recipes on there, at hundreds of sites. Like you, I also have a hidden hobby; it is Family Genealogy. I can keep track of it on the computer and search for info on the web. Rootsweb.com is the best place to research. Then he asks her, to change the subject off himself. Bye the way, isn't Cross-Stitch hard to do? One of my sisters does it and the other sister says, there's no way she could keep it straight. All that counting lines, small charts and different colors. She showed me a chart once and I could not tell which way was up." He looks at her with a blank look. She gives him a tiny smile of understanding. He then smiles a the next thought, "Of course I do work my New York Times, cross-word puzzle every morning, that's relaxing to me, except when 'they" get the answers wrong."
Smiling at his reminder of his ongoing battle with the makers of cross word puzzles, she tries to explain her hobby. "Cross-Stitch is just a matter of organizing where you're at and where you're going. It's very systematical," she explains.
"Sounds like what you've been doing all these years for me, so it must come second nature to you," he makes it sound logical.
Leo, I have a question and I hope I ask this right, so bare with me on this. You like doing family research and I thought you weren't interested in anything to do with your Father, so I don't understand your interest in Genealogy. It just puzzles me. Tilting her head to the side and wondering if he'll explain.
It's one of the things that I've done to help me understand my alcoholism. I've found that going beyond the faults of my father, searching out my ancestors and relatives, I've found a whole network of researchers that are looking for the same types of clues that I am. Some even in my own lines, when I get far enough back that is. It lets me know that I come from a variety of different people, some bad, but mostly good and some really interesting. It helps me to feel better about myself, so it's my personal therapy.
"Well I'm glad that your are rebuilding you own self worth, I know you are a 'good man', I've told you that often enough and I'm thrilled your research helps you achieve that.
"Yep, Sometimes you tell that to me very loudly, especially on a bad day, when you think I'm beating myself up. It helps me, even if I growl at you for doing it." Leo's now changing the topic again. "Well if we're done eating here, what did you plan to do after we load the dishwasher. I probably should head back to the hotel, but it seems early in the evening due to the time change."
"Well it's 8:30 but is does still seem like 7:30. I planned that if I was home in time this evening, I wanted at 9PM, to catch a John Wayne movie on the TV. I've always been a sucker for John Wayne. He's my childhood hero," she reveals another part of her evening plans.
"I liked John Wayne movies as a child, but after Nam, I really can't get into any of his wars ones. I really liked PT109 back then, since it was about President Kennedy's time in the service. What one's on tonight," he asked sounding interested.
~Someone is smiling on me tonight,~ with a big smile, she informs Leo of her good fortune. The movie is 'Hatari', the one about him catching big game animals in Africa. I just love Red Buttons in it as Patches. It's actually a very funny movie. I like his movies where they added humor, at the most unexpected times. Like the funny parts in McClintock and even the Quite Man has some. They made him seem like a real person you'd know everyday."
"Do you think we'd get the kitchen cleaned up, in time to catch the beginning, that's if you don't mind me inviting myself, to watch with you," he hints at an invite.
"I'm agreeable, under a few conditions," she wants to sound like she's ready to negotiate. She folds her arms in front of her.
Grinning and game, Leo take up the challenge in her statement, "OK, what are your terms or is that conditions." He has his hands on his hips.
'I like to watch old movies with hot chocolate and maybe later microwave popcorn" she give as a condition.
"Any other conditions I need to be aware of," he knows by that look on her face, she has something else to add and is not telling him. He leans closer to her, from his waist.
"Well, I do love to watch them in dim lighting, like in the theater," She adds looking at the floor.
"And what else," he knows she's not done listing conditions, so he just grins and waits her out for the next one.
"Well, one last one," she pauses, not knowing how he's going to take this one, "OK, I just say it, I like to get comfortable in my soft pajamas." She tries not to look embarrassed, as she looks him in the eye and not looking away.
"I can agree with those conditions. I don't mind you getting back into your pajamas; they were nice looking this morning." He grins big at her. "I have a condition of my own. Since the movie will last two hours, I want to get comfortable as well. I could change out of these blue jeans and put on a pair of sweatpants. I have some sweats in my clothes satchel." Rocking on his heels, and he has his hands shoved into his front jeans pockets, looking innocent.
~Margaret's heart almost stops at the thought of Leo in sweatpants and looking right at home watching a movie with her.~ She accepts his terms and answers him with, "Deal, lets get the kitchen clean quick and change. Bye the way Leo, I hope you make a mean mug of hot chocolate.'
"Well, I'll see what magic I can do, with what you have in the kitchen, during a commercial," Leo's boasting again.
They carry everything back into the kitchen. Leo, I'll get some containers to put the leftovers in, if you clean the Wok. It needs to be hand washed because the dishwasher's to harsh for it, it'll make the wok loose its seasoning. I can load the few other items in the Dishwasher while you do that.
"Don't put in the glasses, I want to take mine into the living room with us," cautions Leo.
Standing beside him at the dishwasher, Margaret looks out the window and comments, "Leo, it just got dark out and it is 8:30."
"Margaret, it got dark about half an hour ago at 8pm. It just seems like 7:30 to us, with the new Daylight Savings Time. Here, this is clean now." He hands her the wok. "I'll wipe the counters and stove real quick." When he is done, he looks at her filling some plastic containers. "Are you done with the leftovers," he's now the one prodding them along.
"Yeah, I'm done, I'll just go to my room to change. Meet you in the living room." she answers as she heads toward her room at the back of the apartment.
"Yeah, I'm finished also, I'll go change now too." He lets her know, as he goes to the bathroom in search of his clothes satchel.
Margaret's standing in her room, looking at the closed door and is lost in thought, ~Right girl, now's not the time for me to chicken out, I'll just get changed into my pajamas. He saw them on me this morning. He even commented that he likes them; I think they just became my favorite pair. Now for my big dilemma, bra or no bra. It's my apartment, so I choose no bra. He'd probably think I was being shy; if he ever found out I was wearing a bra with pajamas. Then I d' just die of embarrassment. I'd not be wearing one if I were home alone. ~ After logically coming to that decision, she quickly changes, as she hears Leo coming out of the bathroom. That is one benefit of a small apartment, she can keep track of where Leo is. Before going to the living room, Margaret stops in the Bathroom long enough to run a brush through her hair and a quick brush to her teeth.
Entering the Living room she notices Leo viewing her music collection. That's not all she's noticing, as his back is to her. ~Leo obviously does not believe in baggy sweatpants, as his fit him wonderfully. Those navy blue sweats really show off his nice small hips and they must be covering some nicely developed legs. Must be the bike riding he used to do, before the president wreck his bike. His suit sure hide his assets well and I'm not about to share this info, with the other girls at work.~ Picking up the remote to the stereo she clicks off the music, letting Leo know she's there. "It's about time for the movie. I'll scan for the channel." She mentions trying to cover any uneasiness she might be feeling, Leo's comfortable as if he does this all the time. ~If anyone from work drops in now, I 'will' just die. They'll never believe that we don't do this all the time. ~
"I took the liberty to refill our glasses and brought them in to the coffee table," he easily remarks as he get settled on the couch, using one of the large throw pillows to fit in the corner.
Margaret takes a seat in the other corner of the couch using her throw pillow to get comfortable also. Tucking her feet up beside her on the couch, making sure to keep to her side of the couch. Leo smiles and does the same with his feet. Margaret is keenly aware of their white socks, side by side, in the middle of the couch. Leo reaches up over his head to the lamp switch and asks, "You ready for me to turn the light off, so we're alone in the dark," he has a wide grin on his face as he turns the switch. He just loves, trying to make her blush.
At the 9:30 commercial break, instead of Leo scanning the channels for news, he amazes Margaret and announces he is ready to make that mean mug of hot chocolate now. He's in the kitchen rattling around in the frig. ~Does he ever search for anything quietly? It must be a guy thing. I could get used to that.~ Margaret tells herself, while she listens to him muttering in the frig.
"Margaret you're in trouble, you're holding out on me," Leo accuses her!
Margaret eyes get wide as she looks toward the kitchen. ~That could be a loaded sentence.~ "What did I do or not do, now? She tries to figure out what she could've held out on him. He enters back into the Living room with an unreadable look on his face.
"Look what I found in the frig." He holds out a bottle to her, like he's challenging her to deny it.
"That's my Hershey's syrup Leo! She sounds relieved and a bit peeved at him for making her worry. "I use it on ice cream," she defends her chocolate. "Leo, don't mess with a woman and her chocolate."
"Yeah, OK, Ok," he has that teasing sound in his voice, with both hands in the air at shoulder level, like he doesn't want her to attack. Looking at the bottle in his hand, "it'll make wonderful hot chocolate, after I add a few secret ingredients," he claims with at grin, as he turns, to make his get away.
"Promises, Promises Leo," she raises her voice, so he can hear her, as he's already back in the kitchen.
"You want the popcorn now," he asks as he remembers her condition?
"Not for me, I'm still stuffed from dinner. I can have popcorn anytime, but go ahead and make it, if you want some." she lets him off the hook.
"I'll pass also. I'm not used to eating this well. I get tired of the mess food or the restaurant at the hotel." he agrees with her.
As they settle back in, with their mugs of hot chocolate, they get back into the movie, laughing at the antics of Patches and his crazy rocket scheme. Soon the warmth of the chocolate and the long day, start to creep up on Margaret. She starts to sink deeper into the couch. Leo notices her eyes blinking and asks with concern, "Margaret you're falling asleep. Do you want me to go now?"
No, it is just the warmth of the chocolate. I still want to see the end of the movie. Please stay and watch the end. It's only a little after 10pm. This Daylight Savings Time is going to be rough on me for a few days. Seems like 11 not 9 to my body. We could catch the News after the movie," she suggests. ~My evenings plan has been perfect; I don't want Leo to leave now and cut it short.~ These thoughts are just the trick to get her back awake.
"OK, Margaret, I'll stay, since you asked so nice. It's so comfortable and relaxing here. Thanks for this quite retreat. I didn't realize how much I needed it, wanting her approval, he points out. This evening, did you notice, that I didn't once read a report or surf the channels for news. So yes, I'm in withdrawal and would like to catch the news at 11pm. Now, I have a condition. He waits for her to look at him, hoping she agrees. I think we'd be more comfortable if we both stretch out on the couch, for the remainder of the movie. My legs are getting tired of being cramped to one end of the couch, yours must be also and it's a nice wide couch."
Well, since you don't think that it'll be crowded. As long as you do not start on me, about being frivolous with money, on such a large couch in my small apartment. I like to live on my couch," she defends her purchase.
"Margaret," he laughs and grabs her hand, pulling her to his end of the couch. "I don't think that the Penny Pinchers Society will ask for your membership card back," he couldn't resist teasing her anyway. He loved that indignant look on her face, as he was saying it.
She lies beside him trying not to lean back too much on him. Adjusting her throw pillow, she settles against Leo. She's very aware of where their bodies touch. Just running her mind down the length of them, causes her face to get warm. ~I never hoped for this in my plans. I can die happy now. Lying with Leo is better than any dream.~ She can feel his chest expand against her back as he breathes, how her hips cup into his and their feet are even spooned together. Leo has placed his had at the dip in the side of her waist, it fit so nicely. He then barely moves his fingers in small circles, just as if he's enjoying the feel of her soft pajama material. Her mind is whirling, ~I can't stay leaning against him much longer, my insides are quivering at what he's doing, he's going to know my heart is pounding. I'll just roll a little on to my stomach, as if I'm getting more comfortable. There's enough room. I'm sooo glad I got a wide couch. OH, My...~ Leo's now gently rubbing up and down on her back, while he watches the movie. ~What movie? Are we still watching a movie? What do I care.~ Confessing to him, with her face still toward the TV she sighs, "Leo you just found my greatest weakness, I love to have my back rubbed."
He just softly chuckles and whispers back in her ear, "I'll keep that in mind, next time you get mad at me in the office. Although, I think we might get some strange stares from the staff, when I start rubbing your back."
"You wouldn't dare," she almost challenges.
He just chuckles to himself again says, " You never know Margaret"
Still rubbing, a couple of minutes later he makes some small talk, "Margaret, I really like you in this color of sky blue, but then, I like you just as well in forest green." He rubs some more then adds, "Relax, I don't bite either." He states in a low gravely voice, very near her ear and she can feel his breath. His voice has her just melting into bliss.
Trying to focus of the last half of the movie, they both relax and snuggle into the couch.
Margaret slowly wakes to an infomercial on the TV, the sound has been turned down, but she can still hear it. The clock on the VCR reads 2am and she knows she changed it ahead, to the correct time, when she put the music on before dinner. Leo's asleep behind her, with his arm around her waist and they are lying spooned together again. Knowing she has to wake and tell him what time it is and yet she hesitates because it's so comfortable with him sleeping behind her. Sitting up on the edge of the couch, she wakes him by saying, "Leo, Leo it's 2am, the movie has been over for hours and we fell asleep," she informs him, still mostly asleep herself.
He rubs his face and half sitting up, propped on one arm, he looks at her, "Sorry, I changed the channel to the news at 11pm. I planned to wake you afterwards and then leave to go back to the hotel, but I must've fallen asleep during the sports report. I'll just go now." His face is just inches from hers and she notices the stubbles of his beard.
"No, we only have a few more hours to sleep, before we have to get up for work. Just sleep on the couch and I'll go to bed. I've the alarm set, so I'll wake you when it goes off." She grabs the throw off the back of the couch and covers Leo up as he lies back down in agreement.
When the alarm go off three hours later, she stumbles from the bed remembering she has to wake Leo. Sitting on the coffee table she has a new dilemma of how or more to the point where to touch him to wake him. He's lying on his side, in her half asleep state, she goes for the safe route and gently shakes his shoulder saying in the middle of a yawn, "Leo it is 5am and we need to be at the office early this morning."
"Margaret I'm awake already, he answers in a normal voice, I'm not used to more that 6 hours of sleep at the most. I was just lying here quietly, listening to the birds wake up. I don't hear that at the hotel."
She looks at him with one eye open, like he's crazy to be awake. With both eyes half open she orders, "Good, You can have the first shower." She gets up and heads back to her room.
Later, Leo emerges from the bathroom, looking dapper and wide-awake, ready for the day. The only hints that he's just finished showering and shaving is his damp hair and the wonderful sent of fresh cologne. Leo, not hearing Margaret moving around in the apartment, looks at her closed bedroom door and decides to taps on it, to tell her the bathroom is free. "Margaret, it's your turn to shower," hearing no answer from the other side of the door, he tries again, "Margaret are you awake still?" Not getting an answer, he decides he better check on her. Opening the door a crack he sees her stretched, face down, sideways across the middle of the bed. Sound asleep again. He moves to the bed, sitting on the end and starts to rub her back. "Margaret you have to wake up, the shower's yours now," he prompts her.
Rolling over to her back she opens her eyes, "OK Leo, I'm getting up now!" Looking sideways at him. "I've a question. What are you doing in my bedroom?" she asks, wiping the hair from her face, as she gets more fully awake. Sitting up, looking at him she waits for his answer.
"I'm just completing my tour of the apartment." He grins. "I like the floral décor of your bedroom, but I probably need to see it in the daylight, to get the full effect of your interior design skills." he answers with the same teasing sound to his voice that he had last night.
"Leo, that statement might not sound quite right, if you repeat it at work, so I think we should leave your opinion here, right?" She teases right back and gets up off the bed. Looking at Leo, still sitting on her bed she daydreams again, ~Seeing Leo sitting on my bed is going to fuel my dreams for a long time. ~ "Leo, just like yesterday morning, this is the point where you go make the coffee."
Leo gets up with a smile on his face and he casually starts for the bedroom door. "Throwing me out of your Bedroom. Maybe I shouldn't mention that at work either," is his parting remark.
~If you only knew Leo, I'd never willingly throw you out of any part of my life, or I'd have done it years ago. Wonder what he'll cook next week?~
The end
p.s. till next Sunday or maybe Saturday
Betty Lou Riley
6th April 2003
Recipe found at