Title: Leo Cooking –Bad Back Part 2 Daylight series 6/?
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 do not belong to me. They are the creation and property of Aaron Sorkin. I only borrowed them. No monetary benefit is received or anticipated.
A grateful 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. 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!
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Summary Margaret pulls her back out and Leo goes to take care of her and cook. They get an unexpected visitor.
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Margaret and Donna listen as they can hear Leo walk away from the door. "OK, Margaret, start talking. That might be the fastest way to tell me. Leo might come back before I get the whole story and don't leave out any juicy details," Donna demands, without pausing. She grabs a breath and then not giving Margaret a chance to start talking, she continues, "When Josh and I got back from the hill, you and Leo were missing. Charlie said he saw you crying and the President was rubbing your back. He was told you both had been banned from the White House for the weekend. Is the world coming to an end or what?" Donna finally wound to a stop.
"Alright, Donna, since you asked nice and thanks for asking about me. I pulled my back out again, taking a box of files to the basement storage. I went to get Leo to rub on my back, to try to ease it, but it didn't help. The First Couple came in and they could tell what had happened, so the President sent me home and he decided that Leo should come here with me and make sure I didn't hurt my back further. That's why he banned us. I think he wanted an excuse to make Leo take the weekend off. Abby called in to my doctor for my meds and Leo picked them up. That's about it," she stops and looks innocently at Donna.
"Margaret, you know perfectly well what I want details of. Leo was here and wearing a pair of jeans, that fit him like a glove, I might add. I thought Sam looked good in jeans and he's a lot younger than Leo. Who knew how good he looked under his suit? He doesn't even look like he's same person that I see everyday at work," Donna gets off course, thinking out loud.
"Yea, he has that James Dean look going for him," Margaret sighs at the memory.
"I'm getting off the topic here. Leo acts right at home here and he gave a lot of slipped evidence that he just might be. At home, at least part-time. What have you guys got going on here? You two looked awfully cozy here on the couch. This doesn't seem like something new."
"Well, first, let me disappoint you we're not having sex. That said and out of the way; I can tell you that it is wonderful, how Leo's mood changes when we walk in the door. He is fun; he teases me and is kind."
"Whoa, back up. When has Leo, been all these things? You talk like this has been a regular occurrence, like often," Donna is trying to clarify what Margaret is saying, about 'Leo the Terrible' at work.
"Yea, he's terrible at work, but he checks the mood at the door, He does read some reports and files here, but we do not work here," Margaret says, just to let her know that it is totally different here at the apartment. ~I've known for a long time that Leo can be a passionate man. He's passionate about what he is doing at the White House. He is passionate about the President and his daughter, Mallory. He just shows it to the world in a gruff manner. I see right through his gruffness, I always have.~
"OK, so if you to are not hot and heavy around here, what do you do," Donna gives the impression of: like is there anything else that two people alone could want to do.
"Donna, we spend quiet, comfortable time together. Leo calls this our retreat. It started when Leo came by to take me to work and he went to the kitchen to get some coffee. He asked if he could borrow my kitchen sometimes and fix dinner. You know, he is wild about cooking and that soft 'porn' cooking show of his. I told him he could use the kitchen anytime, I wouldn't mind someone cooking for me. On the weekends, when we get out of the office early enough, we swing by the grocery store and then he comes here and cooks.
He just stays for the evening afterwards and we read or watch a movie. Usually, he goes back to the motel late, but sometimes he stays on the couch. He really doesn't have a lot of options for the weekends. He is stuck in that motel room or he goes right back to the office. Some weekends he does make a short visit to Mallory's, but she has a busy life."
"But, what is it with his clothes and shoes here? That is practically a roomie," Donna knows that there is more to tell.
"He was dragging a bag of casual clothes in and out with him, one that he sometimes keeps in the car for when he stays at Mallory's. I offered for him to keep some clothes here, so he would not have to go all the way to him room, if he forgot his bag," Margaret explains like it was a simple choice.
"He was dropping kisses on you; so don't try to deny it. This is a little more than an after work, get together, like we all do at CJ's place," Donna is starting to get impatient and more like a lawyer.
"Oh, all right Donna, he has been getting more relaxed and casual every time he is here. I am still pinching myself and loving it at the same time. He does drop kisses on me when I least expect it, like he is so happy to be here, he can't help himself. I'm afraid to take a deep breath, for fear it might stop. No hugs yet, but he touches my arms and back like he has done it forever! We seem like old souls together. It's hard to explain. I don't want to mess up what is slowly growing between us, I don't want to rush it and he seems the same way. We really are enjoying the downtime we have here," Margaret confesses to her.
"Margaret, I just want to tell you one thing," she looks Margaret in the eye. "I'm so jealous of you two and so happy for you. Leo did seem so comfortable to be here and he didn't seem to mind me being at the door. He was down right nice. Who all knows about this arrangement," Donna is starting to see how this might get sticky.
"Well you do, now, but I personally think the First Couple has figured it out. We really didn't go out of our way to hide it, but we didn't tell anyone either. We're enjoying it just being us," Margaret is sounding more confident.
"Now that I know, I won't mess it up for you," Donna promises.
"I know you wouldn't intentionally. We knew it would not last forever. I know Leo will tell the President really soon, so he doesn't find out from someone else, we do go shopping together. I think we would like it to stay to just the senior staff and their assistants. I would like the press to be kept in the dark, as long as possible. They love to rake Leo over the coals. They will make this sound so bad. Leo says he doesn't care, he has been there before and he is not giving the arrangement up. We don't get out of the office to do this very often, so it is usually spur of the moment, so it's not like we plan when he gets to cook dinner. Guess he gets to cook all weekend now," she smiles, as she looks forward to a whole weekend with Leo.
They can hear Leo at the door, "Hey, Donna, help me with these bags. I brought them all up in one load." Leo has several bags in both hands and is trying to close the door. "Let's take them to the kitchen and find the ice cream, so we can get it into the freezer."
After helping Leo to the kitchen with the bags, she leaves Leo sorting out the food items he purchased. Donna then goes back into the living room, "Margaret, I've to get back to Josh, I can't leave him unattended at the White House for any length of time or his office will be a wreck. Leo looks like he bought enough food for a whole week, not just for the weekend."
"He always buys enough for an army," Margaret grins as she remembers a previous argument.
"I'll call you tomorrow to see how you are doing. Have a nice evening," Donna smirks to Margaret.
"Yea, right, with a bad back," Margaret answers with a sad tone.
"Well, the back rubbing looked fun," is Donna's playful comeback.
"It is wonderful; he has great hands for rubbing," she closes her eyes and remembers the feeling.
"Lucky girl! He even looks good in that worn leather coat of his! Call ya," was Donna last remark as she stepped out the door.
Leo returns from the kitchen, "I see Donna left. Did she get all the juicy gossip from you," he asks, like there was any doubt. "Is there any thing you need, now that I'm back?"
"Yes, I need to go to the little girls' room," she figures she really does need his help to get up.
"You couldn't have missed a second of the gossip to go to the bathroom," he teases her.
"I need help getting up off the couch. I do seem a lot better when I'm still, like sitting or laying. It's the moving that still causes pain." she tries to be hopeful.
"Ok, up you go. Can you make it in there on your own steam?" He is trying to be helpful, but not to invade her privacy.
"Yea, it's just really slow going," she assures him.
"OK, yell if you need me," he leaves her and heads to the kitchen.
Margaret's finished in the bathroom. ~I think I'll rest my back first, before I start on the long hike back to the living room.~ She sits down on the tall stool in front of the mirror and discovers something else she can't do. ~Maybe Leo will help. It's not really too personal, but I've dreamed of it.~ "Leo, can you come here and give me a hand."
"Which hand, Margaret? I was just going to use both of them to start dinner," he jokes with her.
"Very funny there, Leo. Which hand? I need help with something," she looks down, so Leo's can't see her face.
"What do you need, Margaret, you can ask me anything," he tries to gently get the request out of her. ~Why is she looking down? It can't be that private, she is dressed.~
"Leo, I can't brush my hair and it's a wreck," she answers with an exasperated tone. "I tried, but it's no use. I can't get my arms up, to do it."
"No, it's not a wreck, well, not a total wreck. I can help. Where's your hairbrush?" He picks up the hairbrush and starts to brush gently; he doesn't want to pull her hair or her back.
"Leo, you're good at brushing hair. Don't tell me you did this for Mallory," she sounded skeptical. ~I just can't see this tough guy, having the patience, for brushing the hair of a little girl. I never held still for long, when I was little.~
"Yes, I did. On mornings when I didn't have to go in to work at the crack of dawn, Mallory decided I could help her. We'd both be getting ready in our rooms, she would bring me her hairbrush and I brushed her hair. I found ways, to be a daily part of Mallory's life. That's why we're so close now." He finishes and helps her to her feet. "You better go sit in the living room again, while I fix dinner. Better take the cordless phone with you, Abby said she would check on you this evening."
Just as she is sitting back down, there is a knock on the door. "Leo," ~I'm not getting back up, if I can help it.~ "Leo." She calls to the kitchen.
Leo steps into the room and asks, "Yea, did I hear someone knocking at the door?"
"Yes, can you get the door, I just got down," she gives as the reason for asking him.
"Sure, hang on, that's what I'm here for. Now, I'm the doorman," he is letting her know he is willing to help, if she asks. He opens the door part way, "Hi, you mean 'she's' in the car. Fine, come on in." Leo swings the door open all the way and two agents in black enter the apartment.
"Leo, she isn't?" Margaret states, more than asks, the presence of the agents tells her the answer.
"Yes, Margaret, it seems that she is," he confirms her assumption, still holding onto the doorknob.
"Evening, Miss, we need to secure the apartment and we'll be out in a second," the agent assures her.
The other agent returns quickly from the back of the apartment. "All clear," he informs the first agent.
The first agent talks into his wrist mic, "All clear." He then turns his attention back to Margaret, Thank you again," he turns to Leo, "Thank you, Mr. McGarry", and he and the other agent leave, to stand in the hallway.
"Well, that didn't take long in this tiny apartment," Margaret tries to sound casual, like the First Lady of the United States drops in all the time. ~Great, the First Lady is visiting my apartment and I'm not even dressed. Well, I'm dressed, but in my baggy pajamas. Damn, the bad luck. Glad the agents went back out into the hallway, my apartment isn't big enough for too many people at one time.~
"No, it didn't take long, but I'm sure that the agent noticed my suit in your bedroom. I'm just glad they're discreet," he doesn't want her to panic about Abby visiting and focus on him.
It didn't work, "Oh, Leo,…. " Then before she could say anything more, the first lady enters the apartment.
"Hello, Leo," she greets as she passes him and continues in the room, looking at Margaret. "Margaret, don't you dare get up. This is your home, not the White House," she stops Margaret, just as she is trying to rise from the couch.
"Well, from the looks of you, Leo has you all fixed up comfy," she smiles to help Margaret to relax. "I'm just here to see if you need anything and that the meds are working. If they're not, I could call your doctor again. If you are in Pain all night, neither one of you will get much rest, I think you both need it," the First Lady inquires, just wanting to help.
"Dr. Bartlet, thank you for coming. It's really nice of you. You didn't have to go to the trouble of a personal visit. I'm getting a little better. I had a hot shower and Leo rubbed my back again. It will just take some time. I hope to be able to return to work on Monday," Margaret is not sure how to respond to the First Lady's visit.
"It's Abby, Margaret. We are in your home and I would like you to consider me a friend. A friend that's concerned about you hurting. You and I have been through a campaign and now the White House, trying to keep Jed and Leo in line. Anyway, I'm on my way back from a meeting and I decided to swing by and check on you. I told the President that I was going to see if you were OK. Jed wanted to know if Leo was taking good care of you, or if he was reading reports and leaving you to suffer," she knew that she could get a dig into Leo.
"She has had the best of care. I haven't even looked at my briefcase. You just ask, Margaret. In fact, I'm just starting to prepare dinner," Leo defends himself.
"I'll pass that report to Jed and that you are taking your punishment in stride. Now, go back to the kitchen and let us women talk."
"Ok, I know when to vacate a room. Now, I'm just the cook," he wants to sound like he is being abused. He is grinning as he says this to Abby, who knows him so well.
"Yes, Leo, I know perfectly well, you are happy as a lark in the kitchen, the same as Jed would be. Now go," she watches as he turns and returns to his kitchen.
Abby watches Leo, but remarks to Margaret, "I haven't seen Leo this relaxed in a long time. I don't even remember the last time I've seen him casual enough to be wearing jeans and a t-shirt." She turns and looks back at Margaret, "What magic have you been using on Leo? For a while this winter, I was really starting to worry about his stress level and how did you get him into jeans? Good Lord, Jed wears his jeans every chance every he can get." They can hear Leo rattling in the kitchen. Margaret is content to listen to Abby and to the sounds of Leo in the kitchen. She is also willing to let Abby do the talking; saves Margaret from giving any answers. ~I might as well give her a clue to Leo's visits and keep her from guessing. She will get it out of us sooner or later and I would rather tell her here.~
"Well, Abby, to tell the truth, he was carrying them back and forth in a bag in the car for at Mallory's, but now he keeps some spare casual clothes here," she tries to sound like it is normal for Leo to have clothes there.
Abby looks pointedly at Margaret, "So, how about some details and I know what to tell Jed and what we keep between us." She sounds like Donna, but wants to reassure Margaret.
Leo checks back in on them, "Would you ladies like something to drink?"
"No thanks, Leo, you can go back to the kitchen now," Abby tells him, as his timing is crummy.
"You sure," he asks with a sarcastic grin, knowing he is butting into their little talk.
"Out, Leo," the women both say at the same time.
"It's always, 'out, Leo,' " he grumbles and heads back to the kitchen, as Abby and Margaret are laughing at his remark.
"I take it you have had to throw him out of a few rooms already," Abby asks as she looks at Leo sulking back to the kitchen again.
"Just the usual, the bathroom and the bedroom," Margaret tries not to blush as she confesses that info to Abby.
"Sounds interesting, but we'll save that for another time. Men can be a little dense when it comes to those two rooms," Abby states.
"Well, to fill you in on Leo's visits, and, yes, this is not the first time. It started when he wanted to use my kitchen to cook in, he hasn't been able to since he moved to the motel. On weekend evenings that we have the time, he comes over to cooks and then we watch a movie or he reads and we listen to music. It gives him somewhere to relax and not just be stuck in the motel room. If he didn't come here, he would just work at his room or sneak back to his office."
"I'll just go ahead and ask. Are you two getting closer? He sure looks at home here," Abby honestly asks, as a friend of Leo and now of Margaret.
"Well, that depends on your meaning of close. No, we have not had sex," Margaret is honest right back, but is not looking Abby in the eye. "Leo is very comfortable around me here, he teases me and has been know to drop a kiss on my head or face in passing. Nothing passionate. He has even started casually calling me baby in conversations. I don't even think he realizes he is doing it. It is so nice to see him being free with his manner here. He has to watch everything he says and does, everywhere else. I noticed he was still cautious at your farm in Manchester. Must have been because the other staff was around," Margaret has a dreamy sound to her voice.
"What has Leo said about his visits? Is he concerned about this getting out?" Abby is concerned because she can see from Margaret face and the softness of her voice that this is something special and important to them.
"Well, we talked about it. He's concerned about the press bothering me, but he says he really doesn't care about the staff knowing, he's not willing to give up the peacefulness he finds here. He figures that the senior staff and their assistants will find out soon, but he agrees that we may need to limit who knows, to hold off the press. Donna found out today, when she was checking on me. She said she would keep it quite, but I'll let her know it's OK to tell Josh. She'll burst if she can't tell him."
"Next question, friend to friend, do you think this might get serious, are you hoping it might?"
"It's Ok to ask, you are probably the one person I can talk to. You've known Leo for years and you know what I've been through with him. I think right now we are very close friends and I feel we both do not want to rush it, but I feel we are more than friends. If that makes sense. I think it's beginning to lean toward affection. We do like to cuddle on the couch, as we watch movies. We both enjoy just being quiet and close to each other. I like having the close friendship first and if it turns to more, then it will be even better."
"Margaret, I am so happy for you! I'm going to explain it to Jed, just like you told me, so he will not tease Leo and mess this up for the both of you. This may be the best thing that'll come out of our time at the White House. You two are so tuned to each other that it is like one person in two people."
"I think you and the President are that way. You two support and love each other so much that it shows every time you are in the same room," Margaret sounds envious.
"What about work, does it get in the way here," Abby is trying to see how it wouldn't intrude, she lives with it everyday.
"Work stops at the door. He does read reports and files here, but we don't discuss them. He doesn't even make calls here, even though he has his cell phone." Margaret wants to convince Abby.
"So, how is he doing, caring for you, then? You usually are the one taking care of him," Abby states.
"Well, he really is enjoying his punishment. I may be the one being punished. He is so happy to help," Margaret rolls her eyes, to let Abby know she is teasing.
"Oh, like what?" Abby asks, wanting some juicy details.
"Well, he thought it was just terrible he had to get my shoes and socks off and he really found it hard to help unfasten my bra, that was his idea," Margaret was willing to share, she knew Abby would not spread this info, like one of the assistants might.
"Do tell more," Abby prompted.
"Also, it was real punishment after my shower, when he had to dry my legs and then hand me some unmentionables from my drawers, after my shower. He was really suffering, when he had me draped across his lap and was rubbing my back," Margaret was really enjoying having someone she could tell this to, in a tongue-in-cheek manner.
"I'll just have to mention to Jed that Leo is suffering. I promise not to give any details. This is just 'us' girls. I also, really enjoy talking to someone that, has to have a life while living and working in the middle of the White House."
"I probably should confess the rest and the one thing that the press you like to know," she figured Abby might as well know the whole of it.
"Oh, there's more. You said you weren't having sex," Abby candidly remarks.
"I just wanted to let you know, that he has spent the night here on the couch. One time, we were so exhausted after almost two days straight at the office that he slept in the bed with me. He fell asleep talking to me, when he got here in the middle of the night. He fell asleep and I was too tired to get him to move. We were even too tired for fooling around. That's really tired. It was nice to be held in the night. Then again, that was the one time; I was really worried about how hard Leo was working. Well, I worried how hard we both were working. I think that's when Leo decided he didn't care who found out, he wasn't going to give up his time here," Margaret finishes her confession to Abby.
"Thanks for telling me, Margaret. I know this wasn't easy for you, but I enjoyed that we're getting to know one another and to be friends. Lord knows I need all the 'real' friends I can get in the White House. Well, I better go, the agents will be dragging me out anytime now! You take care of yourself this weekend and enjoy having Leo here all weekend. Shame your back is hurting, if you know my meaning," Abby sadly states.
"Tell me about it, with luck like mine," Margaret sounds exasperated.
Abby stands up and yells in to Leo, "Try not to poison Margaret this weekend, with your cooking."
"Thanks, Abby, for the vote of confidence. Nice to know who my friends are," is Leo's sarcastic reply.
"I leaving now, I'll tell Jed you are really taking this punishment to heart," she cheerfully teases him, just like old times.
"See you Monday, I'll bring Margaret with me dead or alive," he had to get in the last word.
The agents whisked Abby quickly out of the apartment and the room seems so much emptier without her presence, she seems to fill a room. ~I'm glad that I was able to tell Abby about Leo's visits here. She'll tell the full story to the President, without Leo doing fifty questions in the Oval Office. It's nice to have another female to talk to about dealing with men who work in the White House. I just can't get used to thinking of and calling her by her first name, instead of Dr. Bartlet. I'll call her Dr. Bartlet at the White House, unless she expressly tells me to call her Abby.~ Margaret decides in her head on the protocol she will follow. ~Leo was really enjoying teasing Abby, while she was here. Maybe he does tease the women he cares about. I really hope so, with the way he teases me!~
"Margaret, you hungry now? I've got dinner almost ready. Do you need me to get you up off the couch," Leo asks and sounds willing to help.
"No, Leo, I'm sitting up on the edge of the seat, I think I can make it," she reassures him. "I'll take my time."
"Ok, then you need to start your 'slow mosey' into the table. By the time you get there, it'll be ready. Let me know if you change your mind on the help."
Not too much later, Margaret arrives at the table and slowly sits down. "I'm here, Leo, safe and sound. What did you make for our dinner tonight?"
"I thought that tonight you might like something light. Sometimes meds can make a person have a nervous stomach, with your back out, I didn't think you should risk being any more sick. If you eat ice cream later, you 'will' be pushing your luck," Leo advises.
"That's a thought Leo. Thank you for being considerate about my total care. So, Dr. McGarry, what did you prepare for your patient tonight," Margaret is smiling at him and he is smiling back at her, about teasing him.
"Oh, so now, I'm a doctor. How many talents do you think I possess," Leo asks as he wiggles his eyebrows at her, indicating he, has plenty more that are unexplored. After a pause, he serves her a plate, which has pasta in a cream and herb sauce, top with strips of grilled chicken. "See, this is better that chicken soup," he continues to tease her.
"Leo, this looks wonderful! I'm really getting so spoiled when you're here to cook," she compliments his efforts.
Leo joins her at the table, "Thank you, I love to cook and having someone to share it with makes it more enjoyable. Now, do I get brave and ask what you and Abby talked about, when I was rudely banned to the kitchen. I didn't hear much laughter, so it couldn't have been too detailed. You didn't tell all of the items we didn't want spread at work," he tries to sound worried, but he is grinning at her.
"Only some, I did tell her how you got started coming over and that you had spent a few nights on the couch," she reveals a little.
"And," Leo urge/s her to tell the rest.
"I told her that we really enjoy the quiet evenings together away from work and that we're trying to keep it low key, but not really hiding it. We also talked about possibly keeping it to senior staff and their assistants." Margaret now looks down, like she is really interested in her plate. "She asked if we were serious. I told her we were very good friends, that we do like to cuddle when we watch movies. Abby smiled at that," Margaret sounds like she's making a confession, afraid she's said too much.
"Good, that is the truth; I don't want to jeopardize anything that we have here. This is the best way we have found to relax. You don't seem to mind me here. You haven't thrown me out at anytime," he is trying to get her to look up at him and smile again.
"Leo, I told you I wouldn't throw you out and I meant it," she reinforces her commitment to have him spend time here.
"Now, you know how I like to 'really' make you blush. I can assume that Donna and Abby both asked if we were having sex," Leo asks casually, which just drives Margaret crazy that he can be so casual about the most embarrassing things.
"Yes, I will blush and you are not being a gentleman about it, but Donna did ask and I told her no. I did volunteer the information to Abby, before she got to ask, so she'd be able to reassure the President. Then on Monday, the President won't call you to the red carpet. Just to save you the displeasure of being grilled by him," Margaret is still looking at her plate with great interest.
"The carpet in the Oval Office is blue, Margaret, with a big eagle in the middle," he remarks to make her even crazier. It works!!!
Quietly in an exasperated whisper, Margaret informs him, "Leo, I know what the rug looks like," she is looking him in the eye, with her famous pointed look. He just smiles and loves that she is so easy pulled, out of her embarrassment.
"Margaret, he will grill me anyway to glean any more tidbits from his best friend. He wouldn't miss this opportunity for anything," Leo is definite about what will happen on Monday. He seriously continues, "Margaret, if and when we decided to get serious, it's just between the two of us and the hell with the rest of the world. I'm taking our time together, one day at a time. I hope you are also. I don't want you to worry either, even though I know you will. I have lost too much happiness putting my political career first and worrying what people will think. I enjoy being with you." Leo adds to himself, ~I don't want to push her into anything she is not ready for, but I want to reassure her and not let anyone scare her off, by her thinking we are doing something wrong or hurtful to the White House. Getting serious would not be so bad, to my way of thinking, someday.~
"Ok, now to happier topics. What movies have you picked out to watch tonight," Leo asks, as she usually gets to choose.
"I thought we might check out AMC or TCM on the TV and see if they have a good classic on," she's glad to change the topic.
"As long as it is not Jerry Lewis or 'Mr. Hobbs Goes to Washington'," he rolls his eyes at the thought.
"Well, I'm not in the mood for any Clint Eastwood westerns either," she can make conditions as well as he can.
"What's wrong with a good western? That's all American," he chides her.
"I'm heading back to my place on the couch and check the channel," she wants to get a chance at the remote before he gets done clearing the table.
"It's my couch for the next two nights and you getting a head start is really no fair. Now, I get to be busboy, while you surf for a movie. This 'is' punishment," he acts like she is really cheating, by leaving him to clear up.
"I'll just pretend that I am hurrying to the living room, but you might just beat me there. I'll give you a fair chance. I think, I'll just make a detour to the bathroom and save myself a trip later," she knows that once she is down, she doesn't want to get up anytime soon. She remembers to ask, "Leo, could you bring our drinks in with you and I'll need my next dose of meds soon."
"Sure, no problem, I'm here to serve. By order of the President," he reminds her.
Leo does beat her to the couch and is stretched out the whole length. She also notes that he is already in his sweat pants, light gray ones this time, with a White House logo on one side of the front. "I see you are right at home. You did your quick change and have the whole couch to yourself. By the way, who did you swipe those pants from, the secret service?"
"I did get them from the secret service. They wear them in the workout room and no, it wasn't from Ron Butterfield, his were too long. I had a heck of a time getting a size medium, short," he admits to the theft.
"Did you try the women's sizes, Leo," she likes teasing him back. "You can move over and let me on the couch, too," she is bossing him now. "I don't care if it is your couch this weekend, I've got rights to it, also."
"Just for the women's pants remark, I should make you sit in the chair, but you'd report me to Jed. They just come in adult sizes, not men's or women's," he states for the record.
"Leo, have you noticed that here at the apartment, you call him Jed and not the President," she makes a point.
"We're not at the White House or work and not at a function for the White House agenda. So here, I call him Jed, my friend. They are our friends, now. I know you need a little time to adjust to them, but it'll be easier as you get to know them personally," he plans for the future.
"That's going to be really hard for me. I think Abby will be easier to adjust to, but I just see the President as the President. He kinda scares me. I know he doesn't mean to, but he is the President," she tries to get him to see her dilemma.
"Don't worry Margaret. Just give it time. We have lots of time," he gives her a kiss on the head, as he tucks her in against him along side his body and covers them with the couch throw. ~I really like just lying here behind her, with her resting back against me. It feels so right.~
Margaret reflects on the day's events and marvels at all the changes that have occurred in her and Leo's lives. ~I'm just glad that we have everything out in the open with the people who matter to us and the best part is, that at the end of this crazy day I still end up in Leo's arms.~
"Oh, no, guess what's on AMC," he sounds like a condemned man.
"Jerry Lewis movie," she asks with concern.
"No, almost as bad. Doris Day and Rock Hudson, the one where she redecorates his apartment and thinks he's a playboy," Leo describes the movie.
"That's 'Pillow Talk', it's a sweet movie," she's so pleased.
"I guess that means we're watching it," he replies knowing her answer, as he hides his head against her shoulder.
"Please," she has wishful pleading in her voice.
He pulls his head back up, "Sure, since you're feeling bad, I'll be a gentleman and give in," he kisses her soundly on the temple. "I've been the cook, the doorman, a doctor and a busboy. I'll try a gentleman now." ~I'm not forgetting that I helped to undress and dry her. It's going to be such a terrible punishment all weekend.~ He gives a happy sigh.
~There he goes again with the kisses. I could stay here all night and cuddle. It's going to be a wonderful weekend.~
The end
p.s. till the next cooking adventure
Betty Lou Riley
3rd May 2003