--~*~--
Two Months Later
"CJ come over tonight when you get off", Donna announced walking in the door to her office. "I have to pick up Eva but Josh is going out with a few guys after work for drinks."
"I can't tonight, raincheck?"
"Why what do you have going on?"
"I have a date if you must know."
"With who and why didn't you tell me?"
"This guy I meant at the book store. We met for coffee Monday and he asked me out again."
"Does this mystery guy got a name?"
"Mark nosy. He works over at Capital Beat."
"The news anchor Mark Gottfried? Oh my God CJ, why did you tell me! I want to meet him!"
"Because I knew you would want to meet him. This will be the first official date and I don't want you drooling all over him."
"Ugh, I have to go but call me tomorrow I want details."
"Yeah Yeah, get out if here."
Later that Evening
"So dinner was nice", Mark said as he was walking her back to her car.
"It was wasn't it? The company wasn't bad either", she flirted.
"No she wasn't too shabby."
"Oh", she lightly smacked his hand. Walking off the elevator on the second level they ran into none other than John and what she assumed was his date.
"Claudia?"
"John! Hi", they awkwardly exchanged half hugs as this was the first time seeing him since she left Texas two months ago. Stepping back next to Mark she smiled introducing him to John and his companion prompting John to introduce her.
"This is Helen-"
"Helen Baldwin, DC's very own premier socialite", Mark chimed in immediately dropping CJ's hand to kiss hers, "a pleasure. CJ I didnt know you knew the Senator."
"Yes we are- acquaintances", she said earning her a hurtful glare from John. "Well it was nice bumping into you Senator and Mrs Baldwin-"
"Ms", the thirty something year old blond woman corrected while still smiling at Mark.
"My apologies, Ms Baldwin but we were leaving."
"Unless you two would like to get some drinks", Mark suggested ignoring CJ's looks.
"Actually we-", John started glancing at CJ periodically.
"I wouldn't mind", Helen interrupted smiling at Mark.
"Well it's all settled. Why don't we go to Monte's? It's a block from here."
"Yeah, I'm not going to be able to go", CJ interrupted not wanting to sit across from John all night.
"Why?"
"I'm tired. Long work week that kinda thing."
"Oh well let me walk you to the car", Mark reluctantly said not wanting to come off completely insensitive. He was on a date after all.
"It's okay. I'm just over there."
"You sure?"
"Yeah!", she hugged him goodbye and said good night to everyone else.
"I'll call you!", Mark shouted from the elevator before the doors closed.
"Don't bother asshole", she muttered. "Misss Baldwin la dee da", she mimicked the woman as she started her car to start her short journey home.
Once home she immediately showered then popped some popcorn and settled in front of the television.
Still she couldn't help but sulk at how Mark was a bit of a jerk tonight the way he was salivating over Ms Baldwin but it was really John that her mind seemed to drift back to. He looked fantastic with his perfectly manicured yet messy hair, in a black Armani suit, she sighed and tried to focus on the movie. Her little battery operated friend safely stored in her nightstand drawer would be put to good use later but for now His Girl Friday was on and she loved Rosalind Russell.
An hour in, there was a knock at her door.
'Who would come by this late at night?', CJ wondered as she approached her front door.
"Who is it?"
"John!"
"John?", she opened the door letting him in. "Are you okay? What are you doing here?"
He stepped inside as she locked the door. Why was he here? Feeling like the third wheel, he left Helen with Mark at the bar and was on the way home but when he stopped he was parked in front of CJ's building. Every since running into her tonight his thoughts kept drifting back to CJ. If he was being completely honest with himself she's been on his mind since she left Texas. And now here he is in her apartment standing across from her waiting for him to speak but words couldn't formulate fast enough as so many flooded his mind in that moment. Instead he stood there staring intensively at her. She looked just as confused as she did at their accidental run-in the first time they met and as beautiful as she did standing in his tree house the first time they made love.
For CJ, the passion and gentleness in his eyes that always captivated her still held true and somehow seemed undiminished. Had he been thinking of her too? She had to admit seeing him tonight was surprising but it also ignited something that she missed. So many times over the last few months her thoughts drifted to John and his boys. So many times she picked up the phone to call but hung up afraid that he wouldn't want to speak with her. Then tonight when she introduced him as a mere acquaintance, his pain stricken face confirmed it was over but here he is now in her living room, at eleven on a Friday staring at her.
"John?", she spoke softly as the air thickened between the two and the desire became palpable. "Why did you come here tonight?"
She barely let out the last word when he grabbed her kissing her. CJ fought slightly at first then quickly relented, she wanted him as much as he wanted her. She started removing his clothes as he untied her robe.
"Oh my God!, John!, Yes!, Oh God!, Right there! Fuck! Don't stop!", her shouts and moans of ecstasy could be heard throughout the apartment as John unraveled her then put her back together, over and over. It was quick, it was hard, it was raw.
Moments later they were lying face to face kissing slowly. With their immediate need out the way, everything about John now was soft and sensual yet strong and commanding. The tenderness which with he touched her was comforting and enticing sending her body into orbit.
This time he took his time kissing, caressing, sucking as he worked his way down her body, taking her to brink without letting her fall over. And when he finally did he came too holding her along the way.
"Wow", CJ said literally breathless. "You love me- Still?", she asked as her eyes welled from the overwhelming display of affection he just shared.
"I never stopped. I tried to ignore it to respect your wishes but seeing you tonight", he paused. This is what happened before, he pushed and pushed and CJ took off. If he had any hopes of something more he needed to slow down now. He had to protect his self as well. "Sorry I'll just go." He sat up to leave but CJ grabbed his arm pulling him back.
"Stay", she said pleadingly.
"Really? I'll have to leave early."
"I know. I still want you too.
"Okay", he laid back down cradling her in his arms. "I love you."
"I love you too."
They remained that way until an hour before John had to leave when they woke to make love again.
CJ walked him to the door.
"Can I see you tonight?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks", he said kissing her one last time.
CJ locked the door behind him and smiled biting her bottom lip. She wasn't sure what was going on but she was happy.
--~*~--
A month later
"John!, give me the remote we are not watching Walker Texas Ranger again."
"How can you not like Chuck Norris in Texas kicking ass?"
"I like it but we compromised last week, this week we are watching Dr Quinn Medicine Woman."
"CJ!, Ugh!", he fell back on the couch. "Sully!, Michaela!, Sully! Michaela!, Woman Doctor!", he mocked her show, "Come on babe it's Chuck Norris!"
"John! We compromised! Now, remote quickly I want to see the beginning it's almost eight and its a new episode!"
"Here", he sighed pulling the remote from under the couch cushion he was sitting on, "woman if I didn't love you so much-", she kissed him while changing the channel.
"But you do so no need to finish that sentence." He kissed her again this time pulling her down in top of him. "Okay stop distracting me. I want to watch my show."
"Or I can take you in the room and fuck you senseless", he whispered his voice heavy with desire.
"Mmm, that does sound nice", she pondered smirking, "but nayyaah!, I wanna watch my show."
John snatched the remote from her, hopped over the side of the couch, and ran across the room.
"John!", CJ shouted as she chased him.
Every since that night a month ago John had been spending most nights and every weekend at CJ's. With his mother visiting he had a more flexibility in his schedule. Most of that time consisted of being with CJ. They still hadn't said anything official nor had she spent any time with the kids, right now they were just enjoying being in love and spending time with each other.
"I just want to say how truly upset I am with you", she pouted.
"May I ask why?", he asked smiling at how adorable she looked.
"You purposely distracted me from watching my show to have your way with me."
"Well I didn't see you complaining a few minutes ago. In fact I think you rather enjoyed it."
She rolled over in his arms and kissed him. "I did enjoy it", she shared sincerely looking in his eyes. "I love you."
"I love you", John said as he moved over her between her parted legs. "I don't want to leave tonight", he spoke softly against her lips entering her.
She gasped, "So don't, I want you to stay."
--~*~--
After a series of goodbye kisses John left CJ's apartment at three in the morning. He arrived at his home a mere twenty minutes later due to the lateness of the hour. Walking in the lights were out so he assumed everyone was sleep. After putting his shoes and sweater away he headed toward the stairs but was stopped at the site of his mother standing in the doorway to the kitchen with a cup of a tea in hand.
"You're a little to old to be sneaking in", she greeted him with a smile. "When do I get to meet her?"
"It's not like that mother."
"Well it's something. I haven't seen you smile this much in along time. You also took down the bulletin board upstairs so the reason I'm going with is love and all its inhibitions. Do I at least get a name?"
"Claudia Jean."
"Southern?"
"Midwest."
"Same thing just more snow."
"Good night mother", he started up the steps.
"John,"
"Yes?"
"Bring her for Sunday dinner tomorrow. I want to meet her."
"It's too soon. We are going slow."
"But you're having sex."
"Mama!"
"You think I don't know?", she smiled. "Bring her."
John came back down and sat at the breakfast table.
"We saw each other for about three months. She's the one who came down to the ranch."
His mother sat across from him.
"I thought you said she didn't want this life we have and the life you want."
"She didn't, she doesn't.. I don't know anymore. We don't really talk about that. We just enjoy each other's company. She's happy when it's just us."
"But you are so much more than that Johnny. Your Boys, your work, your family", she held his hand, "you are setting yourself up for heartache."
"I went two months without her and when I saw her again, I knew. It wasn't me projecting anything on her. This last month has made me so happy- so I'll give her all the time she needs. Thats why I'm not bringing CJ over. The boys will get attached and excited again. I'll wait."
"You're seeing CJ again?", Ryan asked coming downstairs.
"Ry, it's too early go back to bed son."
"Can we see her? Does she not want see us?"
"Ryan", his grandmother addressed him. "Go back to bed sweetheart."
"That's why mother", John continued after his eldest ran back up the steps slamming his room door, "she's wonderful but I don't want to scare her away for good. Good night", he stood kissing her on the cheek before he left to talk to his son.
--~*~--
Sunday Afternoon, The Lyman Household
"Eva! look at you in your bouncer!", CJ kissed her God-daughters cheek then her mothers.
"You're freezing, let's go in the living room by the fireplace. Come on Eva, come with Mommy", she happily bounced before following her mother.
"God, she's gotten so big, what is she ten months now?"
"Next week"
"Hi Eva, remember me? I'm your Aunt CJ, I feel like I just saw her", she waved to the adorable little girl with Josh's hair and thankfully Donnas good looks.
"Well its been almost a month."
"Has it?"
"Yep what's been going on? I mean I see you at work but lately you're gone by the time I get off. How are things with Mark?"
"Mark is no longer in the picture."
"What? Damn I didn't even get to meet him! But okay if Mark is gone who's responsible for that smile all over your face?"
CJ just looked at her smiling.
"Oh no! Not Danny again!"
"No! Absolutely not, besides he's engaged to Katie."
"I know they came over for dinner last week."
"Wow Donna. Et tu brute? So what are you and Katie besties now?"
"Really? With the Latin? Don't be like that. He's one of Josh's best friends and I like Danny too."
"Yeah whatever, I just know that I better get an invitation to Thanksgiving before them."
"Always. If you tried you might like her."
CJ laughed loudly.
"Anyway- well?"
"Well what?"
"The mystery man who put that smile on your face and taking up all your free time."
"It's John", CJ said grinning.
"John as in the Senator who would be President, who lives in Texas, who you ran from John?"
"MmmHmm, except I'm not running anymore."
"First,"
"Ow!", CJ cried out as Donna punched her arm.
"Second how could you not tell me!"
"I wanted to make sure it wasn't a one off but this last month."
"So you're okay with the boy who would be-"
"I'm not sure. We are taking it slow as far as titles. He hasn't mentioned it once. We have a nice time together", she smiled.
"You love him!"
"Yes very much."
"Well good. Now I hate to be a party pooper-"
"But?"
"But before it goes any further I think you two should talk. The last thing I want is to see you hurt. By anyone. I am happy for you though."
"Thanks."
--~*~--
Thursday Evening
John knocked on CJs door holding a dozen of wild flowers. The week so far had been torturous and he hadn't seen CJ. They talked but she seemed distant. Tonight however John was going to put it all on the line and pray she didn't take off again.
"One Sec", CJ screamed from her bedroom. She had just arrived herself and only managed to kick off her heels. "Who is it?"
"John!"
"Hey", she opened the door smiling as he leaned in for a kiss. "What brings you by?"
"You", he answered handing her the flowers.
"Thank you. They are beautiful. Come in. I'm sorry the house is a mess", she said walking into the kitchen to fetch a vase for the flowers.
John stepped behind her wrapping his arms around her waist nuzzling his face into her neck.
"Mmm, I missed you."
"So I can feel", she naturally flirted as she moved out if his embrace to place the vase now filled with water on the breakfast table.
"What's wrong?", he asked following her out of the kitchen.
"Nothing", she shrugged.
"Then why are you standing over there? Claudia?-"
"Where's this going? We have been hanging out for a month now and its been great but, I just want too know what's the finish line with this", she gestured between them.
"Where do you want it to go?"
"Stop being circumvent and answer the question John!", she shouted immediately regretting it. "I'm sorry. I don't want to get my heart broken. I love you and I love being with you...Is this just comfort sex?"
"No. My feelings for you has never changed. I only dialed them back for you. I love you. I love being with you, I love making love with you", he walked closer closing the divide, "I love you and I'm not going anywhere. I want to be with you Claudia Jean."
"I want that too", she said quietly.
"You do?"
She nodded about to cry.
"Then why are you crying honey", he questioned hugging her.
"Cause I don't trust myself. I don't want to ever walk away again."
"Well that's where I come in. Whenever you feel like that talk to me or call me. I'll be there until all those fears has left your mind."
"Even when you're President?"
"Even if I become President but hopefully you will have convinced yourself by then."
John bent down and swooped CJ up in his arms. She let out a shout followed by a fit of giggles kissing him. The strength of his arms making her swoon.
"And where are we going?", she asked playfully.
"To bed Ms Cregg, I'm going to fuck my girlfriend."
"Oh? Is she in there too?", she tittered.
"Oh now your going to get!"
--~*~--