"Steaks and sex, large quantities of both."

C.J. stepped out of the bathroom looking nearly complete. "Danny, my jacket?"

"Still on the couch with the other things. I retrieved my phone to avoid a mix-up. Here's your lunch."

She took the brown bag. "It's heavy."

"Sandwich, cookies and water. Sorry, no milk."

"This is sweet." Her gaze swept over his and she pouted, "You're dressed."

"Not really. I just pulled on the jeans to walk you out and kiss you brainless at the door."

"Well, okay. Wait, just the jeans, nothing else?"

"Yes, suffer. By the way, C.J. . . "

"Not sure I like how that sentence is going to end."

"In the interests of full disclosure, I stayed at the house last night in the guest room. Had dinner and breakfast there but we were always well chaperoned."

She took a deep breath and vowed, "Okay, I'll deal with it and I trust you."

"Yeah, one of the chaperones was a guy named Matt who is Trish's lifeline and love."

That stopped C.J. in her tracks. "You saw another man with your ex-wife and your son, was it okay?"

He blessed her for understanding. "Have to admit it was a little weird and uncomfortable at the start. He seems like a good guy and is kind to my son."

"He'll never replace you, Danny. No man could. You're P.J.'s father."

"Logically, I get it. Emotionally, it's an adjustment. It's one I'm willing to make because there's no alternative."

"P.J. understands you'll be staying here?"

"He finally, reluctantly accepted it. It was a defining moment for us."

"For all of us." She kissed Danny's cheek, "I'm glad it worked out."

"Extracted a promise from him that he'll visit here when he can."

"Before school?"

"Too late for that. We don't like to take him out of school for our convenience."

C.J. nearly winced at his unconscious use of "we" and "our" but stayed focused. Trish was no threat to her. In fact, Danny's ex probably was one of the reasons Danny could be away from his son and still function. C.J. reaped that benefit too. She settled for saying, "I can't wait to meet him."

"I want that very much."

"Great we're on the same page." She glanced and her watch and gasped. "Kiss me goodbye, it's past pumpkin time."

"My pleasure. But before you go Cinderella, I also have something else for you."

"What? Gimme."

"Of course." It was his turn to peek at his watch while the other hand held a large bag. "Open it when you're back at work."

"No, I'm this late and I can't wait."

"Can't wait to see you on Christmas morning."

"I'm fine as long as no gets in my way and I have a huge pile of presents."

"Duly noted."

C.J. dug into the bag. The first tissue wrapped item was a refrigerator magnet bearing the famous Heinz 57 logo. "Perfect for holding my shopping list. Thanks."

She gave him a quick kiss.

He commented, "Obviously from Pittsburgh."

"Let's see what's next." He watched her delighted expression as she grabbed into the bag again. She pulled out a lanyard from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. "My keys are safe."

Danny smiled when she kissed him again. "I should have bought more stuff on our stops. The next item will be familiar to a south western Ohio girl."

She burst out laughing when she pulled out a can of Skyline Chili. "Perfect and another kiss for the master shopper."

"Grabbed a couple extra cans and that was out first campfire supper. Saved me time and trouble."

"Come're." C.J. reached in to kiss him as he lounged against the wall. "It's a staple of that region as you know from the post card you sent with the Cincinnati Chili recipe on it."

"Careful, the last one is fragile."

"It's also heavy, an intriguing combination." Tissue paper fell away to reveal a large hunk of purple rock. The base of it was rough and appeared to be in its natural state. The top end was polished to a glossy shine showcasing hues that ranged from lilac to a deeper violet. "Danny, it's beautiful."

"From West Virginia. We stopped at a new age shop because P.J. wanted to look at things for his Mom's birthday. It's amethyst."

"I love it."

"It's supposed to induce harmony and help with healing. It can give off calming vibrations if you believe in that sort of thing."

"I believe in you and I believe in us. If this can add to that, I'm sold."

She put the items back and sighed, "Sweetheart, I really do have to leave."

"Well, it's just for a few hours and I'll be back from visiting Josh by the time you're here."

"You'll be home."

He pulled her into him. "I was home the minute I looked into your beautiful eyes."

C.J. pulled out of the parking spot and into the traffic. She immediately reached into her lunch bag for the water bottle. It was sweating in the heat already. When it emerged from the bag a piece of paper stuck to it.

She was curious to see what it said meaning that instead of being annoyed at encountering a red light, she welcomed the required stop.

She unfolded the note and used her other hand to reach for half of her peanut butter and jelly sandwich. C.J. nearly choked on the first bite when she began to read the note from Danny.

"No one should have a brown bag lunch without a note." Next to that he's drawn an eighth note.

"Sorry, C.J. I'm still trapped in the humor zone of a seven year old. Enjoy your lunch, play nice but not too nice with the reporters and come straight home afterwards for a treat or two.

"As to your 'READ ME FIRST' e-mail, let me put your mind at ease. (You should know, I read it wearing just a towel.)" She groaned and put the note in her lap as the light turned green.

Next stoplight she devoured the note as quickly as she'd devoured the sandwich. "Sunday - left MY laptop with Trish while we were on the road. I used the new one I bought for her for her birthday just to try it out and because it didn't haven't anything secure on it.

"Monday - yes the sunscreen came in handy. Our weather didn't cloud over until the drive back. Good thing you picked a waterproof dispenser after the canoe capsizing described in a post card.

"Tuesday - We ate like guys, without fuss and mostly without utensils. The camp store was a part of the day's activities and a place to mail postcards. Most of my 'rustic stuff' is stored at Trish's. I just pick it up or ship it, which was my option this time.

"Wednesday - Looking forward to seeing Josh on his own turf. Hope being reminded that even more people outside the Beltway care cheers him up. Not to mention the care package which will at least make things easier for Donna.

"Thursday - Lethargic Press corps? Keep them in that state and I'll dig up all the scoops. Tell Carol I've got a small trinket for her too and something for Gail's bowl.

"Friday - I added this day. The idea of starting the day with my son and ending it with you joins together all these bits and pieces that make up my life. Love, Danny."

C.J. tucked it into her purse and grabbed a cookie from the bag. She sighed, "Damn, these are sinfully good."

She neared the White House gate and realized she's be scrambling the rest of the day because of her long decadent tryst. But it didn't matter, nothing could faze her. The afterglow of being reunited with Danny and finding not just pleasure but peace would sustain her.

Her phone rang and she grabbed it after a glance at the caller ID. "I'm almost back at work."

"I missed you."

"Danny, it's been less than an hour."

"Stop sounding smug."

"Whatever." She smiled, "Oh hell, I can't help it."

"I've created a monster. You forgot your gift bag."

"Don't think I want to share those things with my work space."

"No?"

"I want those bits of us at home."

""We going to eat the chili?"

"Yeah, however I'll save the label."

"Why?"

"It's a girl in love thing."

Danny pondered that for a moment and shrugged, "It's good to hear you sound like this."

"What's this?"

"Happy, energized, serene."

"Must be the amethyst." C.J. pictured the frown on his face and waited a moment. "Or it could be that knowing P.J. feels better makes us better and that brings you peace."

"Good call."

"Yeah, so what are you wearing Concannon.?"

###