CJ stood huddled on the porch at Manchester, wrapped in as many layers as she could find. She had been unable to deal with the cheery drunkenness of everyone inside and had hidden outside to take in the snow and stars. Unfortunately, this also meant she was freezing, watching the puffs of her own breath in the half-light as she watched the sparkling snow falling softly.
The quiet closing of the door informed her she had company. "Hey Claudia Jean" Abbey murmured softly in her ear, her equally bundled self coming to rest beside CJ, offering up a mug of cider. CJ took it from her gratefully.
"Hi Abbey" she sighed, knowing this moment would have occurred eventually. She'd been avoiding Abbey for weeks, trying to postpone it.
"I never got my response" Abbey looked up at her impishly. CJ smiled half-heartedly.
"That's because neither of us is going to like it" she replied sadly, looking anywhere but at Abbey's face. She felt Abbey's hand slip into hers.
"I know" Abbey told her softly. CJ met her eyes.
"I'm sorry" she whispered.
"It's alright. I understand." Abbey responded, squeezing her hand gently.
"No. I want to explain." CJ told her adamantly. Abbey nodded her consent. "I serve at the pleasure of the President, Abbey. That means that this" she gestured between them "can't happen." She lifted her hand briefly to Abbey's cheek. "Trust me, if there were any way it could be otherwise…." CJ trailed off. "I love you Abbey."
"I love you too." Abbey murmured, pulling CJ down to kiss her forehead softly. CJ wrapped her arms around the First Lady, holding her close. Abbey pulled her head down again, tentatively. CJ let her, brushing her lips gently against the other woman's and deepening the kiss, trying to forge the moment into her memory. Afterward she leaned her head on Abbey's shoulder, and they watched the snow falling silently together.