Everyone Notices Part 8

See part 1 for details.

Part 8

Margaret has just sat down on the couch, when she hears a knock at the door. She wonders if Leo might have forgotten something and has come back for it. She looks though the peephole and smiles. "Hey, Mal," Margaret lovingly greets Leo's daughter, after she opens the door.

"Hey, Maggie," Mallory walks in and quickly absorbs her in a big hug. "I know I already told ya, but congratulations."

"Thanks."

"Is my father still here?"

"Nope, you just missed him by about thirty minutes," she explains as she closes the door. "He's out shopping for me."

"Daddy, shopping, again? Wow, that must be a record."

"Yeah, he offered to help, so… I took him up on it."

"And you should, especially after all you've done for him over the years."

"I guess, but it just seems a little strange."

"I bet," Mallory smiles. "But let him do it. I know he wants to."

"Yeah," she bobs her head. "But if you're looking for your Dad, he probably won't be back for a couple of hours."

"That's okay, I really came to see you and the baby, anyway," she smiles. "I spent most of yesterday with him anyhow."

"Yes you did and thank you so much for all you did," Margaret gives her another hug.

"You're welcome. It was fun seeing Daddy like that," she adds.

"If you think that was fun, you should see him with Tommy." Margaret tries not to smile too widely. She's been teased about Leo before by Mallory.

"I can't wait. So, where is the little guy I've heard so much about," Mallory looks around the room.

"He's asleep in his crib, but he should be awake within an hour or so," Margaret starts for the bedroom. "Come take a peak at him."

"Are you sure? I don't want to wake him," Mallory says, as she falls into step behind Margaret.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Besides, he's a sound sleeper during the day. It's at night that he seems to be a light sleeper," Margaret frowns a little. "He has his nights, and days mixed up." She explains.

"Oh no. Are you getting any sleep at all?"

"A little," Margaret sighs, looking down in the crib.

"Daddy's going to be staying here for a couple of days, isn't he?"

"He told you that?" Margaret asks with a surprised look on her face. She just assumed before that Mallory thought that Leo was only helping out during the day.

"Yeah," Mallory stops next to Margaret. "Oh Maggie he's so cute," Mallory beams as she peers into the crib. "He looks so much like you."

"Thanks. That's what your father says, too. But, I just don't see it."

"Oh yeah, I can."

"Hmm…"

Mallory looks back at Margaret, "He's going to keep you busy."

"Yeah."

"But, you're so lucky."

"Yeah, I think so too," Margaret smiles and brings her fingertips to touch her lips. She still feels Leo's kiss. She's been on cloud nine since they kissed and hasn't been able to think straight.

They stand there, quietly for a few seconds, watching the Tommy sleep. Margaret reaches down into the crib, rearranges his blanket a little bit, and then smiles at Mallory.

Mallory can't help but notice a glow about Margaret. "Let's go sit down and talk. You should be resting while he's sleeping."

"You sound just like your Dad."

"And he's right, too."

"I know, but it so hard not to want to be near him and watch him all the time."

"Can I get you something to drink?" Mallory asks, as they head for the couch.

"Mal, you don't have to wait on me."

"I know, I just want to help."

"Thanks, but I'm fine," she smiles, as she sits down.

"So, how's it feel to be a mother?" Mallory asks, as she sits down next to Margaret.

"It feels good."

"Are you still sore?"

"Yeah, but not as bad as yesterday. I'm more tired than anything and well… I've been having trouble getting Tommy to nurse."

"I've heard from friends that it can be very trying."

"That's what people keep telling me."

"So, has Daddy been a big help?" Mal asks with a sly grin.

"Yes, he has. He fixed me a wonderful dinner last night."

"Daddy loves to cook."

"I didn't know that he was that good of a cook. I just thought he liked to pick on me about taping that cooking show for him."

"Oh, the porn one," she laughs.

"He told you… what I call it." Margaret's very surprised.

"Oh yeah," Mallory smiles.

"Well, nobody needs to rub a leg of lamb that long," Margaret smirks.

"Margaret, you're so bad."

"Another thing, your father recently said about me." She smiles.

"So what do you having Daddy shopping for?"

"He's going to pick up some diapers, bottles, wipes and a couple of pacifiers and a… breast pump."

"And you trust him with that?"

"I wrote down exactly what he needs to buy, so he'll be fine. You know he bought all of this baby stuff," Margaret motions around the living room.

"Well, I know the saleslady there helped him a lot."

"True, but I know he'll be fine."

"Okay."

"He's also going to buy some… baby formula. I've decided to try that with Tommy. My milk just doesn't seem to be enough for him," she quickly adds, feeling slightly dejected.

"Maggie, it will be fine."

"That's what your father keeps telling me. My breasts seem to be our main topic of conversation, these past two days."

"Oh," Mal giggles. "I bet he just loves talking about… your breasts," Mallory gives her an evil grin.

"Mallory." Margaret tries to act upset, but her smile gives her away.

"So, is there anything you care to tell me?"

"What do you mean?" Margaret tries to look innocent.

"You seem to really perk up, whenever I mention Daddy."

"Mal."

"Maggie," Mallory mimics back to her. "What's going on between the two of you?"

"I don't know what you're referring to."

"Okay, be that way," she says flippantly.

"Mal," she smiles. "You sounded just like your Dad."

"Yeah, I guess I have picked up some of his sayings over the years."

"Me too," Margaret sits there for a couple of seconds debating whether to say anything to her. She wants to tell somebody and Mallory is Leo's daughter and her good friend.

Mallory sits there, carefully studying Margaret, "Maggie, I know you care for him and I suspect it goes deeper than that, at least I hope so," she adds with an approving smile, hoping to make it easier for Margaret.

Margaret bobs her head, "Mal… I… love him."

"I knew it," she beams.

"You don't mind?"

"No Maggie. I've suspected for a while that that was the case and… I think Daddy feels the same way."

"I think so too, he hasn't said it yet, but I knew it the second after we…" Maggie's face turns a nice shade of crimson.

"After we what, Maggie?"

"We… kissed," she whispers.

"Finally, maybe now I can stop worrying about him so much." Mallory leans over and gives Margaret a hug.

"Yeah, like that's ever going to happen."

"You're probably right, but now I know he won't be alone, and I'm happy you won't be either." She smiles.

"Oh Mal, thank you. It means so much to me that you're happy about this. You should see him with Tommy, he's…"

"Like his father," Mallory finishes for her. "Maggie, it's okay. I already talked with Daddy about not feeling guilty… about enjoying Tommy."

"Mal, you know him so well. That man…" she shakes her head. "He feels guilty about everything."

"Yeah, I know. You're going to have your hands full."

"Yeah, but he's worth it."

"Maggie, I'm so happy for you two… I mean three," she smiles.

"Thanks, Mal." Margaret's head turns towards the small sound coming from the bedroom, "I think someone's about to make their presence known." Margaret stands and walks into the bedroom.

"Great," Mallory is right behind her. "I can't wait to meet my new little baby brother."

"Mallory," Margaret stops and turns to face her. "Your father is not Tommy's…"

Mal interrupts, "I know, but he will be," she grins.

"Mal."

"Maggie, I know my father. He's thought about this for a long time. I know he's in love with you and probably has been longer than he'll admit. But, he's not one to just play around."

Mallory leaves a stunned Margaret standing in the doorway and walks over to the crib, and picks up Tommy. "Hey there, Tommy, welcome to the family," she coos, as she gives him a kiss.

'Thomas Alan McGarry,' echoes in Margaret's head. That's not the first time that thought has crossed her mind, but it is the first time that she's smiled when it's happened.

----------

When Leo gets back, Margaret offers Tommy a bottle of formula and he promptly sucks it down. Leo is sitting on the couch, next to them, watching Margaret burp Tommy who releases a loud one and they both can't help but laugh.

"I guess he finally got enough to eat," Margaret happily comments.

"Sounds like it," Leo laughs, as he plays with Tommy's fingers. Leo notices some spit-up on the corner of Tommy's mouth, and he takes the corner of the burping cloth on Margaret's shoulder and wipes his face. "There, that's better."

"I'm going to change his diaper and then if you don't mind watching him, I'm going to take a shower."

"Here," holding his arms out, "give him to me. I'll change his diaper."

"You sure?"

"Margaret," Leo rolls his eyes at her.

"Okay," she hands him Tommy, gives Leo a kiss and then stands.

"Hmm… thanks," Leo softly moans.

"For the diaper or the kiss?" Margaret smiles down at Leo.

"I'm not sure. Can I have another kiss, before I answer?"

Margaret sits back down, puts her arms around him, careful of Tommy, and then proceeds to give Leo a fiery kiss.

"Definitely the kiss," he whispers, after she pulls from his lips.

"I thought so," she smiles as she gets up, pushing off his knee with her hand. "I won't be long," she calls back to him, as she walks into the bedroom.

Leo watches Margaret walk away and then looks down at Tommy, "Your Mama is something else," he stops, looks up, making sure Margaret hasn't come back out of the bedroom. "I love her so much, and someday I want us… to become a family."

Tommy makes a little sound.

"Oh, so that's okay with you," Leo smiles. "Okay, little man, let's get you changed."

Leo takes Tommy into the bedroom, lays him down on the bed, and then retrieves everything he needs. He changes his diaper and puts him into a clean infant grown.

"There, I bet that feels much better." Leo picks him up, walks out into the living room, and sits down in the rocker. Tommy falls asleep within a couple of minutes, but Leo can't resist sitting there and holding him. He's still in the rocker, when Margaret walks back out.

"Has he been asleep long?" She asks, as she walks into the room rubbing her wet hair with a towel.

"Yeah, right after his diaper change."

"He has a bed to sleep in, you know. In fact, it's a really nice crib. Thanks again," she moves over to them, drops a kiss on the top of Leo's head. "I'll put him in his crib, and then we can talk?" She suggests.

"Okay," he places a delicate kiss on Tommy's head and then hands him over to her.

When Margaret gets back, she discovers that Leo has moved to the couch, she walks over and sits down next to him.

"Margaret," he turns to her. "I just wanted to tell ya that… well I've…" Leo stutters.

Margaret runs her fingers up his chest and then to his face, "You didn't shave," she smiles.

"Well… I" Leo doesn't get a chance to finish.

Margaret leans closer and captures his lips in a kiss, as she runs her fingers to the back of his head, pulling him closer. She invites him to deepen the kiss and Leo moans into her mouth as their tongues start to duel. Leo brings his hands up to the sides of her face and plays with her hair. The need for air, finally makes them part.

"I thought we were gonna talk," Leo whispers.

"We will," Margaret whispers back, as she moves in for another kiss. This kiss is just as fervent and long as the last one.

"Margaret, I… love you," Leo murmurs after they pull from each other's lips.

"I love you too, Leo"

"Good."

"No, great," Margaret growls.

"Yeah," Leo breathes into her ear.

Leo pulls her to closer to him and starts to kiss her again. His hands start to wander down her back, finally resting on her backside.

"Leo."

"Yeah, Sweetie," Leo moans, as he starts to drop kisses down her jaw line.

"As much as I'm enjoying this…" she suddenly giggles as he hits a sensitive spot on her neck.

"Oh sorry, too fast?" He stops kissing her and withdraws his hands.

"No… not at all."

"Okay?"

"It's just that… well… I'm starving."

Leo starts to laugh, "Okay, I can take a hint."

"Sorry, but I haven't eaten since breakfast, and it's now," she looks over at the clock on the wall, "Almost five-thirty. Did you eat lunch while you when gone?"

"No."

"Leo, you need to take better care of yourself."

"I was busy. Besides I wasn't hungry."

"Are you hungry now?"

"Yeah, do you want me to cook something?"

"Or we could have something delivered," she suggests.

"I don't mind cooking for ya."

"If you want. Hey… that reminds me, you never did show me what was in all those bags you brought back earlier."

"I didn't? I thought you were in the kitchen, when you were bossing me around about where everything goes." He laughs.

"I was referring to the bags you tried to hide the hallway closet."

"Oh, those bags," he laughs. "Well, most of it's for Tommy."

"You're going to spoil him."

"Probably," Leo stands and holds out his hand. "Come on, I'll fix you some dinner."

"You're so domesticated," she smirks, as he pulls her up from the couch.

"Shuddup," he grins as he pulls her to him and proceeds to kiss her.

----------

Leo stands in the doorway for several minutes, watching Margaret sleep. They had talked a lot last night after dinner, and he still can't believe how lucky he is. He sighs, 'cause he knows he needs to leave soon, if he's going to have time to run by his hotel to get ready for work. He walks over to the crib and lightly touches Tommy, "Bye, little man. You be good for your Mama today, okay," he lovingly whispers.

"He will be," Margaret replies.

"Hey, I thought you were asleep," Leo walks over to the bed and sits down on the edge.

"Nah, I'm awake," she yawns.

"I need to get going," he whispers, as he bends over to brush a kiss to her lips.

"I know," she tries to keep the regret found her voice. She looks over at the clock on her nightstand. "It's still early, can't you stay and lay here for a bit with me." She starts to move over in bed, making room for him.

"I'd love nothing better than to do that, but CJ moved Senior Staff up an hour," he frowns. "I called and got my messages from the hotel last night after you went to bed," he informs her after she makes a puzzled face.

"Oh."

"I'll call ya later to see how you two are doing," he promises and then bends over to kiss her goodbye.

"Okay, bye," she says, after he pulls from her lips.

"Bye," Leo stands and walks away from the bed.

"Leo."

He stops and turns around, "Yeah."

"Are… you coming back tonight?" Margaret asks in a hopeful voice.

"Do ya want me to?"

"Yes, very much so."

"Yeah, I'll be back," he grins.

"Why don't you bring some of your things back from your hotel, so you can just leave from here in the mornings before you go to the White House," she offers as she nervously bites her upper lip, waiting for his reply.

Leo walks over to the bed, sits down and takes her by the hand, "Are you sure?"

Margaret bobs her head.

"You just want me for my cooking skills, don't ya?" He teases, as he brushes some hard from her face.

"And… other things," she says, as she sits up in bed, wraps her arms around him and kisses him. Before they know it, they're lying side by side in her bed, passionately kissing each other.

"Mmmm, I really need to go," Leo groans, as he pulls away from her lips. His body is telling him to stay, but his mind knows it's too soon for anything more, and he should get going before he embarrasses himself anymore.

"Yeah, I know you do, I just wish you didn't have to go," she breathlessly replies. She snuggles closer to him, loving the feel his growing desire pressed up against her.

"I love you so much," he whispers, as he puts some space between their bodies. Last night, he had been able to mostly shield her from his yearnings.

"I love you, too and… Leo," she dips her head a little, embarrassed about she wants to tell him. "I don't mind umm… feeling you… pressed up next to me."

"I…" Leo ears are tinged with red.

"Leo, it's okay. I want you too. It's just not as… noticeable," she smiles, trying to make him feel more comfortable.

"Okay," Leo relaxes a little. "I'm sorry, but I do need to go."

"I know."

He sits up, takes a deep breath, and then gets out of bed. He stops in the doorway, "Bye."

"Bye Leo," she tries hard to keep her eyes upward, but they have a mind of their own and soon move south. She smiles at the distension in his pants.

"I saw that," he laughs. "You're an evil, wicked woman."

"Sorry, but you know you love it."

"Yeah, I do."

TBC in Part 9

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