The West Wing - A Merry Little Christmas
Title: A Merry Little Christmas
Written For:
fuyu_ginga
Fandom: The West Wing
Characters: CJ/Toby
Prompt: #038 Stocking
Word Count: 2089
Rating: M - for one reference...
Summary: The first Christmas CJ and Toby ever spent as a couple.
A/N: Companion flash-back piece to ‘The Jackal’, which would make CJ and Toby seventeen years younger for anyone who hasn’t read it. ((You don’t have to read it for this)) Which, for the purposes of this fic, would make CJ 26 and Toby 29.
--
He ran his hand gently up and down her arm, in response she simply sighed and arched her back. With a smile he tried it again and got the same reaction. “CJ,” He whispered, pressing a kiss against her cheek. “Wake up sleeping beauty.”
“You’re supposed to kiss me on the mouth for that to work.” She muttered, beginning to stretch out. Taking the hint, Toby bent over her and kissed her passionately. She sighed against him, her arms snaking up around his neck.
“Merry Christmas, CJ.” He whispered as he pulled back.
“It’s Christmas?” Her eyes snapped open and she grinned as he simply nodded his reply. “Merry Christmas, Toby.” She told him, pushing herself up into a sitting position.
“Would you like to open presents,” He asked slowly and pressed a kiss against her neck. “Or would you like to make out?” She erupted into a fit of giggles as he continued pressing light kisses along her collarbone.
“Would it make me a horrible girlfriend if I said I wanted to open presents?” She managed to ask through her laughter. With a grunt he sacrificed his own idea of a merry Christmas morning and led her into the living room. He felt her hand tighten around his own as the tree came into view. “Toby, how long have you been awake?” There were more presents under the tree than when she’d gone to bed, and she’d only just noticed that Toby was showered and dressed.
“Two hours,” He admitted. “I wanted you to have the perfect Christmas morning, so I had to make it seem like Santa had been.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” They sat down together on the couch and she rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s all so perfect I don’t even want to open them now.”
“I really think you should reconsider that.” Toby muttered, drawing her attention to her Christmas stocking which was on the floor. Sitting up to get a better look, CJ frowned.
“Toby, where’s my stocking going?” She asked cautiously as the large red sock moved across the floor towards the tree.
“That’s why you should open your presents CJ,” Toby chuckled. “They could get bored and try to escape.”
“As long as it’s not a snake or anything,” CJ muttered, sliding slowly onto the floor. The stocking paused for a moment and began to head towards her, making a small whimpering sound as it did so. Meeting it half way, CJ glanced inside and was unable to hide the delight on her face. “You bought me a puppy?” She coaxed the tiny animal out to her and hugged it.
“I did, I bought you a puppy.” He watched with amusement as the puppy began to lick her face.
“But where am I supposed to keep it?” She stroked the puppy’s head, watching it play with her fingers. “I’m not allowed pets in my apartment, and my parents won’t look after it for me.”
“I was thinking you could keep it here,” Toby offered as he sat down beside her, pulling a velvet box from his pocket. “This isn’t like the scenes in those movies you like because apparently the Empire State Building is closed at Christmas. But I’ve known you since you were fourteen, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?” He opened the box to reveal a silver ring with a simple clean-cut diamond. The puppy began to lick Toby’s wrist and CJ smiled.
“You really want to marry me?” CJ asked, her tone bearing a slight hint of disbelief.
“No, CJ, I just wanted to check,” Toby replied sarcastically, receiving a punch in the arm. “Of course I want to marry you. I want to spend every day and every night with you, I want to argue over trivial things, and in sixty years I want to be filling that Christmas tree with presents for our grandchildren…”
“Well maybe we’ll have a different Christmas tree by then,” CJ considered. “And besides wouldn’t you want our family to celebrate Hanukkah?”
“Christmas is your favourite time of year, CJ. But I’m sure we could find a way to do both without our children having a complex.”
“Children, how many are we going to have?” She inquired, suddenly very curious about the life he’d already created for them.
“CJ, answer the question,” He sighed as she innocently raised an eyebrow. “Claudia Jean, will you marry me?”
“Yes, Toby, there is no other answer,” He slid the ring on her finger as she leaned forward and captured his lips with hers, kissing him passionately. The puppy yapped happily at them, pawing CJ’s knee to try and get her attention. “Hey puppy doesn’t like us making out when we should be playing with her. Open the blue one.” She pointed towards the presents under the tree, and they snuck another kiss before CJ decided it was time to play with her new friend.
“Are you going to name her?” Toby asked in an amused tone as he slid towards the tree and grabbed his present.
“Why can’t I just call her Puppy?” CJ asked playfully, holding her new puppy like a baby and stroking its stomach.
“Everything should have a name,” He argued, carefully pulling the wrapping paper off his present so it wouldn’t rip. “Oh…” He was speechless for once in his life, and CJ knew she’d picked wisely.
“You’ve only been talking about this new writer for the past three months,” She quipped, leaning back against the lounge. “They brought out an Anthology of her work for Christmas and, I thought, if I didn’t get it for you I ran the risk of you running off and having an affair with her.”
“A Solitary Collision, by Tabatha Fortis.” He smiled, turning the leather-bound book in his hands. For a moment she was content to watch him, fascinated by the feeling he was showing through his eyes.
“Toby, I swear to God, if you kiss it I’m going to give back the ring.” She joked as she stood up. “Should we open more or wait till my family gets here?”
“We can wait, but that gives us five hours alone…”
“We’re not alone,” She interrupted, realising where he was headed with their conversation. “We have puppy, and she would like to go for a walk.”
“You’re serious?”
“Toby, Toby, Toby…” She shook her head and smiled. “You really shouldn’t have bought me a dog if you didn’t want me to walk it. I’m going to have a shower, and then we’ll go for a walk.” She gave the puppy another little pat on the head, before standing and heading for the bathroom.
The puppy glanced at Toby.
“What?” Toby asked slowly, and the puppy simply tilted its head to one side. “Here’s the deal, we make CJ breakfast and then we go for a walk. You can have one pancake.” The puppy followed him eagerly into the kitchen, thoroughly enjoying her new family.
--
“So tell me about these children we’re having. How many, what sex, and names if you’ve thought of them.” CJ grinned, squeezing his hand as they walked through the snow. She was glad Toby had bought all the appropriate things for her puppy, the idea of using the tinsel as a leash just wasn’t appealing.
“Three, two girls and a boy,” Toby replied honestly, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Alexandra, Katharine, and Nicholas.”
“Our mother’s middles names and…” She paused, trying to think about the third name. “How did you come up with Nicholas?”
“I like the name Nicholas, don’t you?”
“Yeah, it’s a nice name,” She hesitated for a moment. “But what about Isaac, it’s your grandfather’s name and I thought that would be nice.”
“It’s also my father’s middle name,” Toby argued. “I don’t want him to play any part in our family.”
“What does it matter,” CJ cried out in frustration, glad no one else was walking down the street. “I’m not even pregnant, and we’re about to argue over names. At least I don’t think I am, and my mother will definitely kill me if we don’t get married first.”
“Well now you have a ring.”
“Ah yes,” She flashed a cheeky smile. “Marriage - when you can have sex without worrying about the consequences.”
They walked in silence together, both feeling slightly awkward with the way their conversation had headed. CJ had been thinking about having baby since the moment he mentioned grandchildren. Her mind had started working out the finer details. The colour of their hair and eyes, the musical instrument they’d play, and even what courses they’d take at university. In the shower she’d been running her hand over her stomach, trying to imagine life inside her. She walked slightly closer to Toby. They were going to get married, and have a family.
“I love you Claudia.”
“And I love you Tobus,” She replied with sly smile, and for once he didn’t argue about the ridiculous name. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Are you getting too cold?”
“Yeah, maybe we should head home,” CJ pulled lightly on the puppy’s leash as they turned around and began to walk back up the street. “I think I’ll name her Holly, it’s nice and festive.” They stopped for a moment as the puppy began to sniff a telegraph pole, but it didn’t take long before they were walking again.
“That’s a good name,” He let go of her hand and slipped his arm around her waist. “You know what, I think when your family go home, we should have sex in every room.”
“Now that would be a Merry Christmas,” CJ elbowed him in the stomach. “And when we get to the laundry we’ll start a spin cycle, apparently it’s very therapeutic.”
“Maybe we should cancel lunch and just spend the whole day together.” Toby muttered, lowering his hand to pinch her backside.
She squealed, slapping him in the stomach and getting out of reach before he could get her back. Convinced she was far enough away from him, CJ slowed down and kept an eye on Holly in case she’d been moving too quickly for the puppy. Something hit her in the back of the neck and snow began to slide down her back.
“Toby!” She screamed, bending down to make a snowball but as she turned around he wasn’t there. Confused she looked around, trying to work out where he’d gone. “Toby, where’d you go?” She walked slowly back down the street, a frown creasing her brow. Spinning around as she walked, the dog leash began to wind it’s way around her legs.
“Hey,” Toby jumped out and pushed her down into a pile of snow. “Miss me?”
“Not when you’re playing tricks on me,” CJ pouted, yet thoroughly enjoying being pinned down in the snow. Her hands rested against his chest, ensuring she had space to breathe. “And while I’m not one to pass up a bit of frolicking in the snow, I think we should really head home.” She reached up and kissed him, a smile breaking through.
“Well I quite like the position we’re in.” He protested, kissing her deeper to try and stop her from complaining.
“Toby, I’m getting wet.” She groaned as she pushed him back.
“That’s the idea.” He quipped innocently, receiving a hard slap against his chest.
“No, Toby, I mean the snow is soaking into my clothes,” She broke into a fit of giggles, kicking her legs to try and knock him off her. “You’re so perverted sometimes. I swear you’ve still got the mind of a horny teenager.”
“We could always test that theory…” Intending to lean in to kiss her again, Toby was stopped by a small head coming between them. Holly barked with excitement and licked CJ’s face. “I’m beginning to regret buying this dog.” He grumbled as Holly turned and licked his cheek.
“Well that’s the spirit of Christmas…” CJ began sarcastically but was silenced by Toby’s lips claiming hers yet again. She melted against him, as sparks erupted throughout her body. If they weren’t on the side of the road she would have let it continue, but as it happened they were.
He finally let his defences down and she pushed him off her. As they helped each she smiled contently. Their fingers laced together, and as she leaned in to kiss his cheek she whispered. “…and a Merry little Christmas to you too.”
Written For:
fuyu_ginga
Fandom: The West Wing
Characters: CJ/Toby
Prompt: #038 Stocking
Word Count: 2089
Rating: M - for one reference...
Summary: The first Christmas CJ and Toby ever spent as a couple.
A/N: Companion flash-back piece to ‘The Jackal’, which would make CJ and Toby seventeen years younger for anyone who hasn’t read it. ((You don’t have to read it for this)) Which, for the purposes of this fic, would make CJ 26 and Toby 29.
--
He ran his hand gently up and down her arm, in response she simply sighed and arched her back. With a smile he tried it again and got the same reaction. “CJ,” He whispered, pressing a kiss against her cheek. “Wake up sleeping beauty.”
“You’re supposed to kiss me on the mouth for that to work.” She muttered, beginning to stretch out. Taking the hint, Toby bent over her and kissed her passionately. She sighed against him, her arms snaking up around his neck.
“Merry Christmas, CJ.” He whispered as he pulled back.
“It’s Christmas?” Her eyes snapped open and she grinned as he simply nodded his reply. “Merry Christmas, Toby.” She told him, pushing herself up into a sitting position.
“Would you like to open presents,” He asked slowly and pressed a kiss against her neck. “Or would you like to make out?” She erupted into a fit of giggles as he continued pressing light kisses along her collarbone.
“Would it make me a horrible girlfriend if I said I wanted to open presents?” She managed to ask through her laughter. With a grunt he sacrificed his own idea of a merry Christmas morning and led her into the living room. He felt her hand tighten around his own as the tree came into view. “Toby, how long have you been awake?” There were more presents under the tree than when she’d gone to bed, and she’d only just noticed that Toby was showered and dressed.
“Two hours,” He admitted. “I wanted you to have the perfect Christmas morning, so I had to make it seem like Santa had been.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” They sat down together on the couch and she rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s all so perfect I don’t even want to open them now.”
“I really think you should reconsider that.” Toby muttered, drawing her attention to her Christmas stocking which was on the floor. Sitting up to get a better look, CJ frowned.
“Toby, where’s my stocking going?” She asked cautiously as the large red sock moved across the floor towards the tree.
“That’s why you should open your presents CJ,” Toby chuckled. “They could get bored and try to escape.”
“As long as it’s not a snake or anything,” CJ muttered, sliding slowly onto the floor. The stocking paused for a moment and began to head towards her, making a small whimpering sound as it did so. Meeting it half way, CJ glanced inside and was unable to hide the delight on her face. “You bought me a puppy?” She coaxed the tiny animal out to her and hugged it.
“I did, I bought you a puppy.” He watched with amusement as the puppy began to lick her face.
“But where am I supposed to keep it?” She stroked the puppy’s head, watching it play with her fingers. “I’m not allowed pets in my apartment, and my parents won’t look after it for me.”
“I was thinking you could keep it here,” Toby offered as he sat down beside her, pulling a velvet box from his pocket. “This isn’t like the scenes in those movies you like because apparently the Empire State Building is closed at Christmas. But I’ve known you since you were fourteen, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?” He opened the box to reveal a silver ring with a simple clean-cut diamond. The puppy began to lick Toby’s wrist and CJ smiled.
“You really want to marry me?” CJ asked, her tone bearing a slight hint of disbelief.
“No, CJ, I just wanted to check,” Toby replied sarcastically, receiving a punch in the arm. “Of course I want to marry you. I want to spend every day and every night with you, I want to argue over trivial things, and in sixty years I want to be filling that Christmas tree with presents for our grandchildren…”
“Well maybe we’ll have a different Christmas tree by then,” CJ considered. “And besides wouldn’t you want our family to celebrate Hanukkah?”
“Christmas is your favourite time of year, CJ. But I’m sure we could find a way to do both without our children having a complex.”
“Children, how many are we going to have?” She inquired, suddenly very curious about the life he’d already created for them.
“CJ, answer the question,” He sighed as she innocently raised an eyebrow. “Claudia Jean, will you marry me?”
“Yes, Toby, there is no other answer,” He slid the ring on her finger as she leaned forward and captured his lips with hers, kissing him passionately. The puppy yapped happily at them, pawing CJ’s knee to try and get her attention. “Hey puppy doesn’t like us making out when we should be playing with her. Open the blue one.” She pointed towards the presents under the tree, and they snuck another kiss before CJ decided it was time to play with her new friend.
“Are you going to name her?” Toby asked in an amused tone as he slid towards the tree and grabbed his present.
“Why can’t I just call her Puppy?” CJ asked playfully, holding her new puppy like a baby and stroking its stomach.
“Everything should have a name,” He argued, carefully pulling the wrapping paper off his present so it wouldn’t rip. “Oh…” He was speechless for once in his life, and CJ knew she’d picked wisely.
“You’ve only been talking about this new writer for the past three months,” She quipped, leaning back against the lounge. “They brought out an Anthology of her work for Christmas and, I thought, if I didn’t get it for you I ran the risk of you running off and having an affair with her.”
“A Solitary Collision, by Tabatha Fortis.” He smiled, turning the leather-bound book in his hands. For a moment she was content to watch him, fascinated by the feeling he was showing through his eyes.
“Toby, I swear to God, if you kiss it I’m going to give back the ring.” She joked as she stood up. “Should we open more or wait till my family gets here?”
“We can wait, but that gives us five hours alone…”
“We’re not alone,” She interrupted, realising where he was headed with their conversation. “We have puppy, and she would like to go for a walk.”
“You’re serious?”
“Toby, Toby, Toby…” She shook her head and smiled. “You really shouldn’t have bought me a dog if you didn’t want me to walk it. I’m going to have a shower, and then we’ll go for a walk.” She gave the puppy another little pat on the head, before standing and heading for the bathroom.
The puppy glanced at Toby.
“What?” Toby asked slowly, and the puppy simply tilted its head to one side. “Here’s the deal, we make CJ breakfast and then we go for a walk. You can have one pancake.” The puppy followed him eagerly into the kitchen, thoroughly enjoying her new family.
--
“So tell me about these children we’re having. How many, what sex, and names if you’ve thought of them.” CJ grinned, squeezing his hand as they walked through the snow. She was glad Toby had bought all the appropriate things for her puppy, the idea of using the tinsel as a leash just wasn’t appealing.
“Three, two girls and a boy,” Toby replied honestly, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Alexandra, Katharine, and Nicholas.”
“Our mother’s middles names and…” She paused, trying to think about the third name. “How did you come up with Nicholas?”
“I like the name Nicholas, don’t you?”
“Yeah, it’s a nice name,” She hesitated for a moment. “But what about Isaac, it’s your grandfather’s name and I thought that would be nice.”
“It’s also my father’s middle name,” Toby argued. “I don’t want him to play any part in our family.”
“What does it matter,” CJ cried out in frustration, glad no one else was walking down the street. “I’m not even pregnant, and we’re about to argue over names. At least I don’t think I am, and my mother will definitely kill me if we don’t get married first.”
“Well now you have a ring.”
“Ah yes,” She flashed a cheeky smile. “Marriage - when you can have sex without worrying about the consequences.”
They walked in silence together, both feeling slightly awkward with the way their conversation had headed. CJ had been thinking about having baby since the moment he mentioned grandchildren. Her mind had started working out the finer details. The colour of their hair and eyes, the musical instrument they’d play, and even what courses they’d take at university. In the shower she’d been running her hand over her stomach, trying to imagine life inside her. She walked slightly closer to Toby. They were going to get married, and have a family.
“I love you Claudia.”
“And I love you Tobus,” She replied with sly smile, and for once he didn’t argue about the ridiculous name. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Are you getting too cold?”
“Yeah, maybe we should head home,” CJ pulled lightly on the puppy’s leash as they turned around and began to walk back up the street. “I think I’ll name her Holly, it’s nice and festive.” They stopped for a moment as the puppy began to sniff a telegraph pole, but it didn’t take long before they were walking again.
“That’s a good name,” He let go of her hand and slipped his arm around her waist. “You know what, I think when your family go home, we should have sex in every room.”
“Now that would be a Merry Christmas,” CJ elbowed him in the stomach. “And when we get to the laundry we’ll start a spin cycle, apparently it’s very therapeutic.”
“Maybe we should cancel lunch and just spend the whole day together.” Toby muttered, lowering his hand to pinch her backside.
She squealed, slapping him in the stomach and getting out of reach before he could get her back. Convinced she was far enough away from him, CJ slowed down and kept an eye on Holly in case she’d been moving too quickly for the puppy. Something hit her in the back of the neck and snow began to slide down her back.
“Toby!” She screamed, bending down to make a snowball but as she turned around he wasn’t there. Confused she looked around, trying to work out where he’d gone. “Toby, where’d you go?” She walked slowly back down the street, a frown creasing her brow. Spinning around as she walked, the dog leash began to wind it’s way around her legs.
“Hey,” Toby jumped out and pushed her down into a pile of snow. “Miss me?”
“Not when you’re playing tricks on me,” CJ pouted, yet thoroughly enjoying being pinned down in the snow. Her hands rested against his chest, ensuring she had space to breathe. “And while I’m not one to pass up a bit of frolicking in the snow, I think we should really head home.” She reached up and kissed him, a smile breaking through.
“Well I quite like the position we’re in.” He protested, kissing her deeper to try and stop her from complaining.
“Toby, I’m getting wet.” She groaned as she pushed him back.
“That’s the idea.” He quipped innocently, receiving a hard slap against his chest.
“No, Toby, I mean the snow is soaking into my clothes,” She broke into a fit of giggles, kicking her legs to try and knock him off her. “You’re so perverted sometimes. I swear you’ve still got the mind of a horny teenager.”
“We could always test that theory…” Intending to lean in to kiss her again, Toby was stopped by a small head coming between them. Holly barked with excitement and licked CJ’s face. “I’m beginning to regret buying this dog.” He grumbled as Holly turned and licked his cheek.
“Well that’s the spirit of Christmas…” CJ began sarcastically but was silenced by Toby’s lips claiming hers yet again. She melted against him, as sparks erupted throughout her body. If they weren’t on the side of the road she would have let it continue, but as it happened they were.
He finally let his defences down and she pushed him off her. As they helped each she smiled contently. Their fingers laced together, and as she leaned in to kiss his cheek she whispered. “…and a Merry little Christmas to you too.”