Rating: NC-17
Series: Snapshots of the Past
Story: The Anniversary Waltz
Chapter 3
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Previously: Abbey helped Liz overcome her fear of Ouija boards; Jed and Abbey expressed frustration over conflicting schedules
Summary: It's a special night for the Bartlets as Jed takes on a new title!
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Election Night
The arm was lowered cautiously onto the turntable. The needle gently caressed the vinyl as the record spun around.
Jed swayed slowly back and forth with a few steps to turn him towards his wife. His hand extended in front of him, encouraging Abbey to join him. She rose to her feet and tentatively took hold of his fingers. Her reluctance was soon overshadowed by amazement and a little confusion.
He was actually dancing.
She expected the same clumsy awkwardness that he displayed during their first meeting, the night they first danced, the night he stomped on her swollen toe. Or at the very least, she expected the same apprehension she saw in all their subsequent attempts.
But that awkward demeanor had been replaced by exquisite form, stature, and ability, at least for the first few minutes. Then the old Jed -- the Jed she knew and loved -- was back.
She raised her hand to her lips to cover her laughter when he stumbled. "I was about to ask where you learned to dance like that."
He didn't dare mention that for the past two Thursday nights, he dropped Elizabeth off at ballet class and then retreated down the hall for his private lessons in ballroom dance. That was to be a surprise only revealed next summer. It was easy enough to hide since he was certainly no expert.
Not yet anyway.
"We don't ask those questions," he answered softly.
"I do. I always have. So tell me."
"Tell you what?"
"You hate to dance. I have to force you to do it. So why the change?"
His fingers gripping her waist, he twirled them around, abandoning any specific technique and just swaying to the music that played in the background. Her chin was resting on his shoulder, her fingers sprawled over his back. Her other hand was still grasping his as they turned over and over again from one end of the room to the other.
"I just love being close to you."
"I notice you've improved since our last time - in Venice."
He closed his eyes and smiled, trying to recreate the loving image in his mind. Their remarkable weekend getaway to Venice had been one of the highlights of their years in London. After Elizabeth was born, they struggled to find time together, and so on a lovely spring afternoon, they left little Lizzie with their trusted landlord and together, they took a trip to rediscover each other, to remember what it was like to be lovers in addition to being parents.
Jed would never forget holding onto Abbey and dancing to Vieni Su, the romantic Italian aria the violinist was played for them on the balcony of a romantic restaurant, the soft wind sweeping under Abbey's hair, her auburn tresses catching the subtle spark of light from the gondolas on the waterway below.
"You had to practically hold me up," he remembered, his eyes still closed.
"Yes, I did, and you hated it."
"I did not. I loved having you in my arms."
Remembering the smile plastered across his face as he allowed her to lead, she conceded. "But the dancing. You hated the dancing. After that, I assumed I would never be able to talk you into dancing again." She paused briefly, waiting for a reply. She didn't get one. "So who taught you?"
He pulled his body away while his hands still grasped her waist. "I'm deeply wounded that you don't think I could have taught myself."
She yanked him back close and snuggled tightly up to him, her arms now coiled around his waist. "I think you can do anything in the world, Representative Bartlet."
"Mmm, that has a nice ring to it." His cheek rubbed against hers, making her giggle softly.
"It certainly does."
This night would be filled with memories, memories of Ellie and Lizzie playing A Barrel of Monkeys on the floor, Lizzie pausing every so often when she heard her father's name mentioned during the news coverage, memories of Mary sitting beside Abbey and holding her hand, as if there was any real suspense in the announcement, memories of James sitting next to Jed deeply entranced in the television with a look of pride Jed had last seen reflected in his father's eyes during his wedding.
And now, the most treasured moment of the evening that would soon become a special memory he'd savor forever - he and Abbey dancing around the living room, alone, to Vieni Su.
There was no campaign staff. Hell, there hadn't even been an actual campaign. He had started early, canvassing the district, getting to know the voters one by one. But there hadn't been any real competition. His entrance into the world of politics wasn't the triumphant victory he secretly wished it would have been. He ran unopposed in a district where his name was widely known, his ideas widely approved.
Part of him longed for the thrill of competition, the satisfaction of a true win. The other part, still haunted by his father's menacing threats of embarrassment at the result of defeat, was content that there was no rival.
He got what he wanted, what the New Hampshire democrats all wanted. He was now a New Hampshire state legislator and once the legislative session began, he'd be ready to take on Elliot Roush and the other politicians who crammed their personal agendas down the throats of their constituents.
"My parents are so proud of you, you know?"
He knew. It was obvious he knew. But Abbey's words still warmed his heart. "I know."
"So am I." She wasn't sure if it was her love for him or the knowledge that he grew up devoid of praise that caused her to never miss an opportunity to gush over his success. It was probably a little bit of both.
He took her hand back in his and pushed her slightly back, twirling her under the bridge of their arms. She swung out of his hold, but gripped his forearm, leading him to the bedroom right behind her.
Her arms converged around his neck, pulling him forward towards her mouth. Their lips connected, she began unbuttoning his shirt, pressing her hands into his chest in an upward motion to help glide it off his shoulders. It fell to the floor behind him as his own fingers tinkered with the hem of her sweater. Her hands joined his and they lifted it over her head, tossing it aside while he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.
He laid her down, gently trailing her neck with warm kisses as he climbed in next to her. He unzipped her skirt. She raised her hips to slide it down her legs. His lips continued their downward path towards her chest as he unclasped the front of her bra, allowing the cups to fall to the side. He kissed the valley in the center before concentrating on each individual breast.
Her back arched in response. She kept herself together long enough to unzip his pants and ease them down past his hips. He threw them off quickly as his kisses became more intense, her moans more sensual. He sat up then, settling in between her thighs. He curled under the top of her pantyhose, taking advantage of her every squirm as she helped him roll the satiny softness down her thighs. He did it slowly, methodically, driving her crazy with the graze of his fingertips softly scratching her skin.
Once they were discarded, he relaxed on top of her, his legs now grinding against her uncovered body. She lifted her head to catch another kiss before his lips began another journey away from hers. His right hand rested on her forehead to brush her bangs out of the way and he stopped momentarily, staring deep into her eyes, captivated by their piercing beauty.
He loved all of her, but it was those expressive eyes that drew him in ten years earlier and still managed to charm him to this day. With a simple look, he could see all her emotions. Sometimes, it was happiness that caused them to grow and sparkle with such intensity that he could feel the joy seep out of her. Other times, they were small and vulnerable, a fraction of their normal size, rooted deep in sadness or disappointment. And occasionally, they were shadowed with a steely stare, warning him of her anger.
But tonight, it was love that was visible in her eyes. A love so deep that the natural green hue twinkled with a hazel contour behind a light coating of rapturous tears.
"You are so gorgeous. I don't tell you that enough."
"I love you so much," she whispered with bated breath as he continued to envelop her with kisses.
Her arms tightened around his back as he adjusted himself to enter her slowly, increasing his pace almost immediately. They moved together, their bodies reacting to the friction between them. He twisted his hips with each thrust, grazing her center. Her heels dug into his flesh to pull him in closer.
He positioned himself for the deepest penetration, bringing both of them to the brink of ecstasy. Her eyes popped open as he withdrew almost completely. Before she could speak, he pushed himself in again in one swift movement, rubbing against her and causing her to tremble with pleasure. He held her firmly, his mouth sucking lightly on the side of her neck until the she stopped shaking.
Her fingers stroked his hair, separating the strands with ease. Her hips still rose to meet his gentle thrusts, encouraging him to let go. She framed his face with her hands and brought him down for a long, passionate kiss, holding him close as he began to lose control.
He collapsed on top of her, tired and breathless with his face buried in her neck while she rubbed soothing circles on his back. He grabbed her and rolled them both over until she rested comfortably on top. Her head relaxed on his chest and for several minutes the only sound between them was his heartbeat echoing in her ear.
"It had been a while, hadn't it?"
"Yes, it had. Six and a half weeks to be exact." It was no surprise that he had been keeping track. It was the only thing that kept him from rushing through it now. He wanted to relish every second of their time together.
Her fingers lightly trailed his chest. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. I won't pretend I don't miss you, but I do understand."
"Are you going to be as understanding when I have to jump in the shower in a few minutes?" she asked contritely.
He lifted his head slightly to look down at her. "No. I thought you were off tonight."
"I said I was off most of the night. I have to go in at midnight."
Exhaling deeply, he allowed himself to fall back onto the pillow. "With as big a commitment as you people make, it's a wonder there are any doctors out there at all."
"Most people just don't know until it's too late to change careers."
"That must be it," he agreed with a laugh.
Her hands pressing down on him, she lifted her head just high enough to look at him. There it was again, those expressive eyes shining with love. He pulled himself up so their lips could meet for another kiss.
He was being sweet and reasonable, two qualities she usually adored about her husband. Tonight, they were two qualities that made her feel even guiltier for leaving.
TBC