Part 4

Toby got home late. Because Andi was out in California that week, he had the kids. The babysitter was less then pleased when Toby got home around midnight. He offered to drive her home, but she took her money and split.

"I'm managing to piss everyone off today." He mumbled to himself while he flopped down on his sofa. He usually watched the news, but he knew his face would be plastered on the screen, so he opted to just stare at the wall.

At two in the morning, he found himself still staring at the wall. He wanted to sleep. To forget what had happened just theday before. He didn't understand why CJ was so pissed at him. He explained everything to her about his relationship with Helen. Yes, he did kiss Helen. That was a big mistake on his part. But it was just a goodbye kiss. Toby groaned inwardly and shut his eyes.

"Daddy?" A small voice spoke from behind the sofa. Toby's eyes shot open and he spun the chair around.

"Huck? What are you doing up, pal?" Toby picked his son up and placed him on his knee. "I didn't wake you, did I?"

"No. Molly kicked me in her sleep. We fell asleep in her bed last night." Huck explained while rubbing his tired eyes. "Uncle Josh was here today. He says you're in trouble."

"What have I told you about listening to Josh?"

"Not to."

"That's my boy." Toby smiled and leaned back into the chair. Huck crawled up and rested his head against Toby's chest.

"Aunt CJ mad at you?" Huck asked, playing with Toby's tie.

"How did you..."

"Uncle Josh." Huck shrugged. "Why don't Aunt CJ come to see me and Molly?"

"I told you about her new job. It takes a lot of her time. She's really busy." Toby tried to explain. He knew Huck was too young to understand.

"Mommy's busy too." Huck sat up and looked into Toby's eyes. "You were busy too."

"I made a promise to you and your sister that I would work on seeing you more. I think I've gotten better."

"You have. We see you more now. I like that." Huck smiled.

"I like that too." Toby smiled back and hugged his son. "You want to sleep in my bed tonight?"

"Okay." Huck yawned. "Just don't kick me."

"I'll do my best." Toby laughed as he picked Huck up and started carrying him toward the bedroom. Before he started down the hall, he heard knocking coming from the door. "Who the hell is that?" Toby moaned.

"You said that bad word again." Huck mentioned.

"I said heck." Toby covered himself. He walked over to the door, then peered through the window. "Great." He mumbled while opening the door.

"Toby." Matt nodded. "I think we need to talk."

"Come on in." Toby stepped out of the way and allowed Matt Santos to walk inside. After shutting the door, Toby switched on the lights. Huck was now wide awake.

"Who's he?" Huck pointed over toward Matt, while hiding his face in his father's shoulder.

"If everything goes right, he'll be the next President of the United States." Toby answered. "Matt Santos, this is my son Huck Ziegler."

"Nice to meet you." Matt smiled at the young boy. "Isn't it a little late to be up?"

"Yes. But my sister likes to kick." Huck shrugged while Toby put him down. "Daddy, can I have some water?"

"Sure." Toby nodded and motioned for Matt to follow him into the kitchen. Huck stayed behind to play with some toys.

"Cute kid." Matt mentioned while they walked into the kitchen. "Sorry to barge in this late."

"I wasn't sleeping anyway." Toby mentioned while getting a glass from the dishwasher. "You want something to drink?"

"Sure. Water is fine." Matt nodded.

"Where's your secret service detail tonight?"

"Outside. I would have been here earlier, but I was fighting with them to let me come inside alone." Matt took the offered drink from Toby. "I want to talk about Helen."

"Are you going to beat me up, because if you are, let me put my son to sleep first." Toby moaned. "It's been a hell of a day, and I'm not in the mood to argue."

"I'm not here to pick a fight with you. I just wanted to talk." Matt explained softly. "Albeit, I was pissed for most of the day."

"Daddy?" Molly walked in with a tired look on her face. She looked up at Matt. "Oh, sorry."

"It's okay honey." Toby walked over and picked her up. "Did we wake you?"

"No, Huck came in and kicked me."

"Huckleberry." Toby walked into the livingroom. "Did you wake your sister?"

"I didn't think it was fair she got to sleep." Huck shrugged. "Sorry Molly."

"I'm so sorry I woke everyone." Matt chimed in. He noticed the weird look he was getting from Molly. "Hi, I'm Matt." He offered his hand.

"I'm Molly Ziegler." Molly shook his offered hand. "I see you on TV. My mom thinks you're a hottie."

"Lets get you some water." Toby quickly carried his daughter into the kitchen, while Matt stayed behind and laughed.

Matt walked over to where Huck was playing. "Wow. That's a big train set."

"It's bigger even. But it doesn't fit in the house. Daddy takes me out on weekends and we put it together in the backyard." Huck explained. "You want to play?" He offered the remote control.

"Sure." Matt grinned like a little kid and sat on the floor next to Huck. "I never had a train set when I was a kid."

"Why?"

"Long story." Matt smiled reassuringly at the younger boy as he started the train with the remote.

Kitchen

"It's too early for this." Molly moaned and rested her head on her father's shoulder. Toby was busy trying to get the glasses of water ready with one hand, since he was using the other to hold Molly. "Why do we have someone here this early?"

"I'm a popular guy."

"Well, at least it's not a woman."

"Why do you say that?" Toby asked, confused.

"Mommy told us you can't have a woman here when we're here." Molly answered. "I don't understand why."

"I do." Toby mumbled.

Huck was jumping on Matt's back, trying to get the remote control back when Toby entered with Molly. Toby couldn't help but smile when he heard Huck laughing.

"Don't make me come over there and separate you two." Toby joked as he put Molly down on the couch and gave her a glass of water. "Huck, come over and get your water."

"Matt won't share." Huck laughed.

"That's because he's a Congressmen." Toby whispered over to Molly, and winked.

"I heard that." Matt walked up, carrying Huck upside down. "I think he's yours."

Matt gently tosses Huck on the couch. Huck hurried up and took the glass of water from Toby.

"Listen, I'm sorry this happened. I just wanted you to know that I don't blame you. Or my wife."

"Tell your wife that." Toby stood and shook hands with Matt. "I think she needs to hear it."

"I will." Matt smiled and looked down. Huck and Molly were fighting over something he couldn't quite make out. "You have two beautiful kids, Toby."

"Thank you." Toby smiled proudly.

"Oh, and tell CJ you love her already." Matt laughed at Toby's shocked expression. "I gotta go."

"Daddy loves Aunt CJ?" Molly whispered only loud enough for Huck to hear.

"My office isn't going to comment on this," Matt waved his hands around. "It was in the past."

"Uh, what exactly did you mean?"

"I mean we're not going to issue a statement..."

"I mean about CJ."

Matt only smiled. "It was nice meeting you." He called out while opening the door.

"Bye." Huck and Molly waved.

"Matt?" Toby stood at the doorway. "How..."

"Here's a news flash for ya. CJ loves you too." Matt waved goodbye and walked back to his car.

Toby stood in the doorway for a few minutes, a state of shock showing in his face.

"You think we should say something?" Huck whispered over to his sister.

"I think we should give him some time to digest this information."

"What does digest mean?"

"I don't know. Mommy said it last week."

TBC