--~*~--
Saturday 8am, Dulles International
"Have a great time CJ", Donna hugged her best friend. "When you come back I want a full accounting of everything."
"Will do. Gave Eva a kiss from her Godmother and everyone else my love", she kissed Donna in the cheek.
"I will. Now go", Donna pushed the small of her back toward the on ramp just as the Delta agent called first class to board the plane first. As CJ boarded Donna took her carry on over to Continental since her plane to Connecticut was leaving in an hour.
As the plane took off CJ grew even more nervous. Even though the subject of sex was off the table she still was worried about meeting his mother and brother knowing that John prized family and work over everything. First impressions needed to be close to perfect.
She took a Tylenol and closed her eyes. The flight was three hours and two minutes if she didn't relax she would have a stroke before they landed.
Arriving in Houston first class was unloaded first so CJ was one of the first people off. As soon as she stepped off the on ramp John was waiting for her with Aiden and Noel. The 11 and 9 year olds charged toward her squeezing her with hugs and kisses on her cheek.
"We missed you CJ!", the boys said.
"I missed you guys too", she shared honestly. Looking up she saw John smiling at the scene in front him. He waved hi to her with a huge smile. CJ said it back while rubbing the boys backs as they couldn't yet seem to let go. John broke it up as more passengers exited the plane and moved them off to the side out if the way.
"Come on guys she's going to be here with us for five days." They let go but both offered to carry her bags. John took that opportunity to hug CJ.
"I missed you too", he whispered as they shared a soft kiss in airport corridor.
"I wasn't expecting the boys-"
"They woke me up this morning. They wanted to come. I hope it's okay?"
"Yes. I didn't realize how much I missed them until just now. You too."
"Good", he said making her smile. They broke apart and holding hands they headed to baggage claim as the boys walked in front of them.
Everyone was hungry so they stopped off and ate breakfast then continued to the ranch.
Once there Ryan and Cody helped bring her bags in and John showed CJ around the massive main house.
"In the kitchen we have Rosette she's been with us for eleven years. Whatever you want she can make it. She only works Monday through Friday Half days on Saturday when she preps Sundays dinner. We have two full time maids. Georgia for the downstairs and Isa for the upstairs. Isa has been with us for fifteen years and Georgia for six. Silas handles the teams for the grounds and stables. Under no circumstances are the grounds staff allowed in the main house. They deal directly with Silas or Peter."
"Who's Peter?"
"Peter is the property manager. He manages the staff in and out if the house. Scheduling, payroll, food, upkeep, whatever is needed Peter handles it."
"So Peter is the man."
"Very much so. I have known Peter all my life, come on let me introduce you", John walked with her out of the back door past what she would categorize as an Olympic size swimming pool down a path maybe a hundred yards from the main house to a ranch style home with its own drive way. "Peter was the butler at the main house when my father was alive. In his will he added that Peter will always have a job and be employed on the ranch. He gave me the house since I had a family. My brother didn't have children yet so he was given a secondary house on the property."
"I didn't feel the same way about having servants that my parents did so I dismissed about 50% of the household staff and I sat down with Peter and came up with this. Since most of my life is in DC and in the military prior to that, I needed someone I could trust to handle the everyday affairs."
"Who did it before him?"
"My mother but she and Suzanne didn't get along well, so I removed it from her hands into his. With Suzanne passing he has been conferring with mother. This by the way is one of those expectations."
"Huh?"
"My wife or betrothed would confer with Peter on the management of the ranch."
"Oh wow. That's a huge responsibility."
"Not really he does all the work and puts it into a nice report for you monthly. All you have to do it's read it and sign off on it."
John knocked on the screen door as the front door was already opened.
An older round gentleman looking to be about sixty or seventy made his way over to the front door.
"Young Master John. What can I do for you today?", he said in a cheery tone opening the door stepping out onto the porch.
"I wanted to introduce you to someone very special to me. Claudia Jean meet Peter Easley. She's going to be visiting with us for five days."
"Well it's very nice to meet you ma'am", he kissed her hand. "See this is how you do it John. This is how you greet a lady." Peter laughed as CJ blushed.
"John is doing great in that department."
"Well then he's following my tutelage", he smiled as he lightly punched Johns arm. "Did you need anything else?"
"Nope that's it. We are going to be out riding horses today so..."
"Of course I'll radio over and make sure Silas has everything prepared and ready to go."
"Great! You and Rosette come up to the house tonight for a barbecue."
"We'll think about it. We are old, we need our rest", he laughed going back into the house as they strolled back to the house arm and arm.
"He seems nice."
"He is."
"He's married to the cook?"
"Yes, she worked as a sous chef in a hotel kitchen downtown and when it closed down, father hired her."
"That's nice." CJ took a deep breath, "So Horseback riding?"
"Yep. I want to show you my most relaxing place but lets get you unpacked and I want to show you your room first."
"We aren't sharing", she bumped his shoulder flirting with him.
"No, not until there is a definite arrangement between us. I can't show my boys that type of-"
"Oh damnit, I didn't even think. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Come on."
John showed CJ to a beautiful guest bedroom with her own bathroom. Then they rejoined the boys downstairs.
"What are we doing today Dad?", Cody asked sitting next to CJ smiling as he casually put his arm around her shoulders which tickled her.
"You are going to move your butt away from my girlfriend."
"Later", he winked at CJ, got up and ran over to the other couch flopping down. John moved in his place.
"So I'm your girlfriend huh?", she said quietly in his ear.
"Yeah well, I can't say fiance or wife yet so girlfriend it is."
He noticed CJ shift slightly uncomfortably.
"I sorry if I went too far. I'm very fond of you."
"Are you? Or are you fond of the idea of me?", she stood abruptly and left the room without causing a scene heading upstairs. John went after her.
"CJ?", he knocked lightly on the door not to draw attention to them. After a minute, she opened the door with her carry on in hand.
"I would like to check into a hotel by myself."
John stepped into the room and closed the door.
"May I ask why?"
"Do you really like me? Or do you want a wife to screw, a mother for your kids, or someone to manage your estate!"
"I can see you are upset and I want to acknowledge your concerns but I need for you to keep your voice down."
"This is too soon John. I'm not ready for all of this. At this pace we will be married in a month, do nothing but argue and screw and hate each other in between! Damnit Danny! We can't do this anymore!"
"Claudia!", she looked at him.
"What?"
"You called me Danny just now."
"No I didn't!"
"Yes you did. You said Damnit Danny we can't do this anymore."
"Did I?", she dropped her bag on the floor and sat down on the bed and started to cry. "I'm such a fucking mess John."
"We all are."
"No you are perfect. Your boys are perfect. Your life is perfect."
"No its not. Noel used to wet himself every night cause he missed his mother. Ryan has been smoking cigarettes. I'm a mess constantly stressing about my sons and work. I have goals and Senator is just the tip of it all. But how can I pursue it at the cost of my family. I don't want history to repeat itself", he took a deep breath moving closer to her, "Do you know when Noel stopped wetting the bed? When we started hanging with you. Two months and not one accident after years of wetting the bed. Going on that date and meeting you has been the best thing for me, for us."
"He talks about you non stop and he begged me this morning to come pick you up. My plan was never to bring them."
He sat next to her on the bed.
"This wasn't my intention to get this close this fast but I can't help it. But seeing you just now- CJ you aren't ready", he clasped her hand in his and planted a kiss in her hair. "Claudia, are you still in love with him?"
"No", she professed shaking her head now looking in his eyes, "I love Danny but as you can see we can't work. I am not in love with him. I actually think...I am in love you."
"What did you just say?", he uttered perplexed to what she shared. Ecstatic nonetheless but her admission was very unexpected..
"I know its insane and scary as hell. That's why I keep going back and forth. I don't want to trust it."
"Did you just say you love me?"
"Yes", she whispered into his neck now hugging him.
"CJ come with me horseback riding. If you still want to leave, I'll take you to a hotel myself."
"John-", she began to protest.
"Please humor me. I want to show you my place."
John told his son Ryan to watch everyone before they once again exited the backdoor this time strolling over to the stables. Where Silas already had their horses ready to go.
Once mounted they initially started off on a walk to get CJ used to being on a horse again. Soon they were off. Johns property seemed to go on forever. They slowed approaching a patch of trees after crossing and open field. CJ was invigorated and out of breath. Grateful it was a mild day for August and not scorching as John helped her down from her horse Blanca.
"Good girl, good girl", she said rubbing the horse smiling from ear to ear. "John its beautiful. This is your favorite place."
"Kinda, let's walk from here."
"Thank you for this. I haven't ridden in a long time and Blanca rides great."
"She was Suzannes. I brought it for her for our tenth anniversary."
"You don't talk about her a lot. What was she like?"
"A lot like you at first but she changed. Me being away in the field didn't bode well with her. After I was discharged from the Air Force I worked for the company so we were here and she was much happier. But she didn't want me to go into politics. I ran anyway and won every time. She hated DC. When we found out she was sick, she wanted to come back to Texas but after reaching an important goal like Senator-"
"You couldn't walk away from it. That's why you are afraid of being like your father."
"Yes. Right before she found out she was sick she asked for a divorce. The cancer changed all of that. So you see we aren't perfect CJ."
When they reached the trees CJ saw what she assumed was a tree house but looking at it closer it was much more.
"John what is- what am I looking at?"
"My tree house."
It was a two level structure braced between trees, with windows a door and balcony.
"This is not like any tree house I've ever seen."
They tied up the horses and went in. It was more like a cabin inside but no fire place.
"Is that AC?"
John laughed.
"I had some updates done when I was older. I had a make shift one when I was little but one day my father was out on the property and he saw it. One of the ranch hands told him I came out here almost everyday to play in it. So as a surprise he built this. One of the nicest things he ever did for me and if you knew Avery John Hoynes you would know that's saying a lot. Come upstairs."
They climbed the ladder to the next level and there laid a bed along with several bookcases stacked to the tee with books but John opened the French doors to the most gorgeous view.
"You can see the lake from here and the sunset at night."
"Its beautiful."
"You are beautiful", John said staring at her while she admired the landscape.
They shared a kiss. It was perfect.
"Can we stay here a while? Just us?"
"Yeah. I planned to spend the night here with you."
"I would like that."
"No. We have plenty of time. Let's just relax."
For almost an hour John and CJ sat on the balcony if the tree house laughing and talking and kissing.
"I hate to be a party pooper but unless you have a bathroom in this cabin", she looked at John, "You don't, Oh my gosh you do!"
"Yes, and a shower but it's only a composting toilet."
"I don't care you have a bathroom, French doors, and AC in your treehouse! I'll be back", she left laughing.
Walking back in the room John was gone.
"John?"
"Yeah I just came downstairs to get a can of coke. You want one?"
"Sure!", she shouted as she undressed and slipped under the sheet on the bed.
When John came back up he almost dropped the sodas.
"CJ, Um-", his mouth suddenly dry.
"Get undressed John."
"Are you sure? Do you want this?"
"Yes. I do", she said with certainty.
With haste he handed her the sodas and quickly divested his clothes and joined her on the bed.
"Do you want your soda?", she smiled at him.
"Oh stop playing with me."
CJ moved into his arms and he immediately attacked her mouth allowing his hands to roam over her nude frame.
"Can I taste you?", he asked against her lips. She had never been asked that before. Most guys did that or they didn't. She was happy that he did.
"Yes", she answered as she felt his hand slip between her legs. He immediately found her clit and brought her to an overdue orgasm as he continued to kiss her.
"My God you are wonderful. Lie back for me."
Moving over her, John continued to kiss her as he made his way south. Stopping briefly to pay homage to her small but sensitive breast, making a mental note of that, then continued down her stomach until he found a patch of hair. More than strip less than a bush but he didn't mind he liked a little hair on the playing field. Moving down he nestled his face between her legs opening them further he slipped his tongue in between the folds darting his tongue over her previously located now throbbing nub causing CJ to arch her back and push her pelvis forward.
"Oh God, Oh My!", she cried in ragged breath then nothing but moans as she moved her hips up and down riding his tongue.
An hour later they laid in each others arms enjoying being close to one another.
"I know I said it before but you felt wonderful", John kissed her again, "And you taste magnificent as well."
"What time do we have to be back?", she asked blushing.
"We have plenty of time. What's on you mind?"
"Well-," grinning she moved her hand under the sheet, cupped then massaged his groin.
John started laughing, "I've started something haven't I and to think you were so scared of this before."
"It wasn't the sex John. I just felt like you had more riding on this from the very start and I didn't know if I could live up to the feelings and image you created for us. And when I started feeling them too it did frighten me. I felt that it was too soon to feel this deeply for someone. I don't want to make the same mistakes."
"And now?"
"Well you just blew that box right open", they laughed. "I love you John."
"I love you Claudia. I want you in my life dare I say I need you in my life. My children's lives."
"John can I request something?"
"Anything", he said as he kissed her shoulder.
"Can it us be us the rest of the weekend? Can we hold off on meet the family until Monday?"
"Yes. I'll cancel the barbecue and have Ryan watch his brothers-"
"No by us I meant you me and the boys."
"Are you sure?'
"Yes. I'm not signing up for anything but I love you and I want to spend more time with them. Package deal remember?"
"I do. Thank you. You hungry?"
"Mmmhmm"
"I have some fruit, crackers and cheese here."
"That sounds perfect."
John stood and kissed her, "Don't go anywhere."
"I'm not."
John left and CJ fell back on the bed smiling and giddy.
--~*~--
"John bring me a bottle of water and hurry up!", CJ yelled to John who was still in the kitchen getting snacks for the movie.
"Ill go help", Ryan said as he stood to go in the kitchen.
"Noel", CJ called, "come sit next to me", she patted the seat next to her on the couch.
He happily jumped up off the floor and sat next to her as John and Ryan came back in the room.
"Okay guys what did we decide?", John asked as he handed CJ a bottle of water and a gave her a kiss which was unusual since prior to the events that took place that afternoon the only displays of affection between the two in front of the children was hand holding.
"Under Siege!"
"Starring Mister Steven Segal", Cody mimicked in a deep voice like the announcer on the trailer as he did karate chops and kicks in the air.
"Okay order it", John told Ryan, "And you, sit", he said addressing Cody as he sat next to CJ. "Sorry about this", he whispered to CJ.
"In a house full of boys whodathunk?"
"Well we can watch something more adult themed later."
"Or we can engage in more adult themed activities later", she suggested smiling stealing another kiss.
"I like the way you think, Claudia Jean. And thank you for that", he gestured to Noel.
"No problem now shh the movie is starting."
After the movie everyone broke up. Ryan disappeared. Cody and Aiden pulled out the Super NES and started playing Super Street Fighter 2 and John took Noel upstairs to bed since he fell asleep on CJ during the movie.
Since everyone was preoccupied CJ stole away outside to smoke. Walking out she soon realized she wasn't alone. Ryan ducked behind a bush when the door opened.
"You can come out. I saw you", she said sitting on the bench by the pool lighting her cigarette.
"I didn't know you smoke?"
"Yep since grad school. My boyfriend at the time, Ben, used too so I started with him. It's a nasty habit. You should stop before you can't."
Ryan sat next to her in the bench.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, sure!"
"Do you like my Dad?"
"Yes very much. Tell me why you are smoking."
"I don't know it's something to do, I guess."
"I think you can find something else to do that won't shorten your lifespan."
"What about you?"
"What about me."
"Shouldn't you quit?"
"I have before. Then I married my now ex husband who smoked and I started back again. So I'll ask again why are you really smoking?"
John on search for CJ was about to walk out onto the lanai when he over heard them talking.
"This house, this family is- I don't know. Every since my mother got sick-...and Dad took over- he is so strict. Did you see the bulletin board?" CJ nodded.
On the wall upstairs in Houston and DC was a huge color coded bulletin board with a listing of chores and activities for every child organized in hours time slots for everyday if the week.
"That's the military in him, I think you should talk to him."
"He won't listen."
"So you don't even try?, and your alternative is to smoke yourself to death."
"Why do you like him?"
"Your father?", she exhaled, "Um where do I start? He's handsome", she bumped Ryan's shoulders making him smile, "he's smart, he's very loving,"
"Ew!", Ryan added. CJ ruffled his hair in response.
"And yes he is intense and it frightened me at first but being with your father makes me happy. That's what matters most at the end of the day. Also between us I actually love him and I guess you too."
"You do? Why?"
"Well for one you are important to him and two you boys are great. Noel is a sweetheart, Aiden is a mini genius and wishes to be like Cody but he will learn how awesome he is soon, Cody is the romantic one", Ryan laughed. "Seriously he's going to have all the ladies and you my dear, wear it all in your shoulders. It's the burden if being the oldest. Everyone looking up to you, being the example for all your siblings, being the first called when anything happens, and being responsible for everyone. You saw it all", she looked him in the eyes and he nodded. "Your mother alone while your father was away, all the arguements and fights, the sickness-"
Ryan started silently crying remembering everything these last years.
"They didn't love each other anymore. Mom asked me if I wanted to live with her or dad before the cancer. She hated Washington."
CJ wiped his tears away, "That was an unfair question to put on you", she commented and rubbed his back. "I think that sometimes people fallout of love but still care for each other. How I know because your father stayed with her until the end and he loves you boys very much."
"Is that what happened with your ex-husband?"
"Yes, Danny and I- well we did love each other once very much but- you know what don't worry about that."
"How do you know you want fall out of love with my Dad?"
"Well I don't. I can't predict the future so if it's assurances you are looking for I can't give them to you. What I can tell you is how I feel in this moment."
Ryan stood as John stepped out making CJ turn around.
"Ry give us a minute."
"Sure", he started to leave but doubled back and gave CJ a kiss on her cheek. Before he left he whispered in her ear. "I'm glad you're here CJ."
Once gone John sat in his place.
"So how much of that did you hear?"
"A lot."
"I didn't say anything too much or over the top did I? I don't want to step on your parenting toes", she said giving him a small smile.
"No. You did great. It's more than he's said to me in two years. I'm sorry he heard all of that. We never tried to argue in front of the kids."
"Your kids are more intuitive than you think", CJ grabbed Johns hand. "It's nice out let's go for a walk."
"Yeah, wait let me grab a blanket in case we want to sit." John went back in the house got a blanket and told the boys they were going for a walk.
The sky was clear and beautiful. The waning gibbous moon was bright and casted beautifully on the gorgeous land around them.
"It's beautiful here. I can see why Suzanne loved it so. Look John", she pointed in the sky, "Lyre. and over there is Cat's Eyes on tail of Scorpius. See."
"Here", he laid down the blanket and sat pulling her with him. "How do you know these?", he asked both of them lying flat now staring at the starry night.
"Science Olympiad in school, I was all county twice in high school for Astronomy."
"I wish I'd known you then."
"Well you are nine years older then me so my father would have definitely been-", she teased as John stopped her with a kiss. "That was nice."
"Yeah it was", he said as he kissed her again this time his hands gravitated under her shirt as his fingers were lightly twisting her nipples.
"John", she said already aroused and breathless. "I want you." He smiled, more like he was grinning.
"Yeah?, but the kids are still awake the tree house is too far to get to this late."
"How about behind that tree? It's dark enough."
"Are you sure?"
CJ nodded, "We can put the blanket down and I can climb on top of you and", she whispered the rest into his ear.
You would have thought someone yelled fire the way John jumped up and grabbed the blanket and CJ's hand rushing them over to the trees.
Once there they made quick work of removing each others clothes and CJ slid down on a very ready cock.
Afterwards, and exhausted CJ unceremoniously fell onto the chest of an out of breath John.
"Good Lord woman, you are going to kill me", he kissed her head and added, "but I will die happy." CJ let out a breathy laugh.
It was in that moment John thought to ask her to marry him but because of her past and not wanting to send her running he held his tongue.
"What are you thinking John?"
"That I like you a lot."
"Guys always like me a lot after that."
"No", John lifted her chin her mouth now inches away from his. "I love you CJ. You are a loving, sexy, remarkable woman and I will be estatic and proud the day I can put a ring on your finger. But until that day why don't we get outta the woods and head back to the house."
They entered the house with John arm around her shoulders smiling.
"Think I'm going to go to bed", she told him.
"I'll walk you up."
"Good night boys."
"Night CJ!", they chorused before turning back to their TV.
"I'll be back down in a minute to straighten up."
"Kay!", they responded.
"An escort to my door, I feel like royalty", she smirked standing in her doorway entrance.
"Good, um CJ, I know that we just-", he cleared his throat, "I know we were together just now but do you think I can come by tonight?", he asked hoping she understood his meaning.
"I'll leave the door unlocked."
"Good let me get these guys to bed-"
"Leave them, we are going to have to practice making love with them in the next room anyway. I'm going to jump in the shower, don't be too long."
He kissed her, "I won't."
--~*~--
The sun rose at 6:45 that morning and being a early bird John was already awake. The children were still sleep as he made his way back to CJs room.
She stirred felling John climb into bed with her. Turning over she smiled.
"Good Morning."
"Good Morning", he kissed her then moved to her neck. "How do you look so beautiful early in the morning?"
"I think it has something to do with the way I went to sleep."
"I can see that, the second round got a bit rambunctious there."
CJ fell against his chest laughing.
"So what's the plans for Sunday?"
"Well if you let me I want to make love to you again then brunch."
"I say yes to both of those", she flirted pulling John closer.
It was Sunday tradition to have brunch when the Hoynes were in town at the Ritz Carlton Downtown Houston since Rosette was off in Sundays. This Sunday was no different. When John's father was alive suits ties and dresses had to be worn but John was a little more relaxed in this department. Collared shirts and slacks were acceptable but no jeans or sneakers.
As CJ made her way to the shower John woke his sons to get ready. Forty five minutes later they were in the truck on the way downtown.
Entering everyone greeted the Senator. This was the first-time CJ witnesses John in full blown politician mode. A glow she'd only seen recently after their love making radiated around him. John's work was as necessary to his life as breathing, his family, food, or sex.
"Good Morning Senator Hoynes I have your table ready for you", the matire'd greeted.
"Thank you Richard."
They were shown to the table and a server came right over.
There were stares and interruptions throughout the meal and CJ was introduced to a few people but all in all it was a pleasant meal. The mimosas was a great added touch and the food was delicious.
Once back home the boys jumped in the pool and CJ snuggled up with a book in the sun room by the pool glancing at them periodically.
"Relaxing?", John asked as he sat on a lounge chair.
"Yes very much so. This morning, brunch and now this, I'm not going to want to go back home. I love this room."
"My mother had it added on when my father was ill. He couldn't make it outside often toward the end but he loved the outdoors, so this was a compromise", he said kicking his feet up laying on the lounge next to her.
"John?"
"Hmmm?"
"You said being Senator was just the start. What did you mean?"
"I want to go all the way CJ."
"You mean...like President?"
"Yes."
"Wow, Um, Wow. I don't know what to say to that. That's- Wow."
"Would you object to wanting to be with someone who had those aspirations?"
"I-, I never thought about it actually."
"What made you remember that?"
"Seeing you today. It's in your blood like anything else of import in your life. That's why you couldn't walk away from it when Suzanne got sick. You need it."
"Yes I do CJ but I also need my sons and now you."
"But the question that I now have to answer is can I live with knowing that sometimes work will come before me, a lot of times if you reach your goal. I'm not so sure I want to live like that. I mean you couldn't walk away for your sick wife who bore you four wonderful sons. What would make me different?", CJ stood. "I think I'm going to lie down for a while. I was up late last night and up early this morning."
John stood as well. "Do you want me to walk with you?"
"No, I'll be fine."
--~*~--
Later after a nap CJ made her way down stairs John had the grill going and the boys were scattered throughout out the house. John was seated near the grill as she stepped out on to the lanai.
"Hey, you look rested", he said placing his book down on the table near him.
"I am. I can't tell you the last time I took a nap. I wish I'd set an alarm though, I'm going to be up all night at this rate."
"I don't see anything wrong with that", John attempted to flirt with her wanting to gauge her response after their earlier conversation.
"It can be a good thing."
"CJ about earlier-"
"If its okay I don't really want to talk about it right now. I think we should slow it down. We aren't at that point yet."
"I understand. I just don't want to continue this just to have you pull the rug out when are at that point. I told you before this is it for me. So what are you thinking?"
"I truthfully can't answer that right now. I do know that I don't want to walk away right now. That's all I have take it or leave it."
"I guess I take it for now", he chuckled making her smile as well.
"What do we have going out here?"
"Chicken, Corn on the cob, and burgers. Rosette made potato salad, and baked beans. There's the making for a tossed salad in there too."
"I can do that. You know to help."
"Sure, thanks."
As they ate, John noticed that CJ seemed distant. She was engaging with everyone but something was missing. After dinner the boys put the food away and cleaned up. CJ stole away for a walk and smoke break. She winded back at Peters house of all places.
"Hi", he waved.
"Oh hi, I'm sorry I was just out for a stroll enjoying the evening air. I can go back."
"No, come over sit."
"I don't want to intrude-"
"I wouldn't have offered if it were an intrusion. Sit."
CJ sat on the bench in the back porch with him.
"Does this bother you?", she asked holding up her cigarette. He held up his pipe as a response. They both smiled.
"So what's on your mind."
"Nothing-", she started.
"Don't lie to an old man. Over this vast land something drew you here so spill", he smiled encouragingly toward her.
"John wants to become President."
"Yeah he's been talking about it for a while. Don't want him too?"
"No, it's not that. We aren't at the point where that would impact us. We have only been seeing each for thirteen weeks."
"But he loves you and you love him."
"How?"
"The look in his eyes. The fact that he hasn't spoken of or dated anyone since his wife died let alone bring them home or around his sons. I see the look in your eyes too. But you are frightened of those feelings whereas John where's them on his sleeve. Always has."
"I don't want to play second fiddle to his career. I mean he couldn't walk away for Suzanne, how can I expect him to for me?"
"John and Suzanne's marriage has nothing to do with your relationship with John. Don't cross one into the other. He's telling you everything up front. I can't make the decision for you. No one can."
"I will say this one last thing then I'm going to retire, Rosie is already in the bed. Take the time and make your decision but don't wait too long you don't want to get so attached you can't walk away. Life's too short to live it unhappily."
Peter stood and said goodbye then went into his house. CJ walked back to Johns house.
Entering the boys are watching the movie from the previous night again. Upon asking as to Johns whereabouts they advised her he was in his office.
He looked very studious with his glasses on reading the papers as she stood attentively watching him. Feeling her presence he looked up and smiled. With a head nod in his direction he dropped the papers and turned to her.
"Where did you get to?", he inquired as she sat in his lap with her arm around his shoulders and his arm around her waist holding her securely in place.
"I went for a walk to think."
"Do you feel better?", he asked stealing a kiss. "You weren't yourself at dinner."
"Yes and no. John, I want to go home tomorrow", John was immediately saddened to the news. "I need to step away and think."
"We shouldn't have made love like I initially said."
"No that's not it. That was great. I don't regret it and I don't want you too either. I don't know if I want or need the things you do. That life- always under the glare of the public eye, the secret service, the constant entertaining, its not appealing to me. I'm sorry."
"I don't want to but I understand. I really like you."
"I really like you too. You can always count me as a friend and for my vote."
They kissed again then said good night before she stood to leave out the office.
--~*~--