FF: Another Shot At Happiness, 8
I decided to post this before I left for a birthday party. My twin cousins are eleven today. It doesn't seem right! I remember when they were babies. Enjoy the latest chapter. I hope to finish this soon, so keep checking back! Feedback is love. XOXO-Natasha
Another Shot at Happiness
Part 8- Infidelity and Hypocrisy
Rating: CHILD
Author: Natasha
Notes: It‘s laundry day again, since I only ever clean when no one else is home. Laundry day means writing, so here‘s the latest chapter. Sorry it took so long…other stories wanted to be written first. There’s one, maybe too more chapters of this and then no more chapter stories for a while. They’re exhausting, and not at all fitting for someone with a very short attention span and a really bad memory.
Summary: “I don’t think you have to worry about that anymore.”
Abbey walks slowly into CJ’s hospital room, hoping for the best and yet preparing herself for the worst. Toby had said she was okay, but being okay after having been shot is far from really being okay. Her heart breaks a little when she sees her CJ laying there, an IV in one hand and a cast on the other. Toby hadn’t mentioned the cast, or the bruises on her face from hitting the floor. Abbey hadn’t realized she had hit the floor that hard, but everything happened so fast she’s not surprised she didn’t.
Abbey sits down quietly in the chair Toby had just left, trying not to wake CJ. She must have dozed off after Toby left, and the former first lady knows that CJ needs her rest. The older woman settles into the chair, turning it to face her lover and taking the opportunity to watch the younger woman sleep, something she’s planning on doing for the rest of their lives. Practice makes perfect. Abbey watches as CJ’s face reacts to whatever she’s dreaming about, and is glad that the dreams are happy ones. Gently, Abbey takes CJ’s hand in her own and plants a light kiss on it, then lays her head on CJ’s bed, deciding to rest her exhausted eyes while she can.
“No!!! Abbey!!!!!!” The former first lady sits up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She couldn’t have been out more than a few minutes, but apparently CJ’s sweet dreams have turned into nightmares. “CJ….CJ!” Abbey gently shakes the younger woman from her slumber, careful not to jar her too much lest her stitches come undone. Slowly, the former press secretary opens her eyes. “Abbey, you’re okay?!” Abbey leans over to give CJ a quick kiss on the lips. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”
Tears stream down CJ’s face. “I had an awful dream. I dreamt that you called me to tell me that you were in New York, and that you didn’t want to see me. I dreamt that you only called to tell me to stay away, because you didn’t love me!” The older woman sits on the side of the bed, caressing the side of CJ’s face. “You never have to worry about that happening. I love you, Claudia Jean, and don’t let yourself doubt that. Ever. You jumped in front of a gun for me- how could I not love you?” CJ takes Abbey’s hand in her own, mindful of the IV, and brings it to her lips, wanting to feel connected to the woman in front of her. “I was afraid that I had dreamed all of it and that you calling me to tell me to stay away was the truth.”
“But it wasn’t. I love you more than I ever thought possible. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life sleeping beside you, laughing with you, loving you. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. There are going to be people who don’t agree with us as a couple, and some of them are going to be very vocal about it. But, you’re worth all of that and more.” CJ wipes the tears from her eyes before speaking, sounding much stronger. “Toby knows.” Abbey nods. “Yeah. He kind of, well, guessed. I didn’t deny it, but we really haven’t had a chance to really talk.”
“I started to tell him, but he cut me off. He told me that all he ever wanted was for me to be happy. Which I am.” Abbey smiles. “I’m glad. It’s not really Toby’s reaction I’m worried about, though. I’m still officially married.” CJ flinches a little; she hadn’t really thought about that. “So, how are you going to tell Jed?” Before Abbey can answer, a voice responds from just inside the door. “I don’t think you have to worry about that anymore.”
Abbey turns around to see her husband leaning on his cane, an angry look on his face. “I don’t believe this. You made me feel so bad for the thing with Annabeth, and lookey what we have here. Infidelity and hypocrisy. Claudia Jean, I came in to see if you were okay, but I can see now that I needn’t have worried.” Without giving the two women a chance to explain, the former president storms from the room as fast as his crippled legs will carry him. “Jed, wait!” Abbey gives CJ’s hand a quick squeeze before rushing after her soon-to-be ex-husband, afraid that he will tell their friends before she has the chance to explain.
Another Shot at Happiness
Part 8- Infidelity and Hypocrisy
Rating: CHILD
Author: Natasha
Notes: It‘s laundry day again, since I only ever clean when no one else is home. Laundry day means writing, so here‘s the latest chapter. Sorry it took so long…other stories wanted to be written first. There’s one, maybe too more chapters of this and then no more chapter stories for a while. They’re exhausting, and not at all fitting for someone with a very short attention span and a really bad memory.
Summary: “I don’t think you have to worry about that anymore.”
Abbey walks slowly into CJ’s hospital room, hoping for the best and yet preparing herself for the worst. Toby had said she was okay, but being okay after having been shot is far from really being okay. Her heart breaks a little when she sees her CJ laying there, an IV in one hand and a cast on the other. Toby hadn’t mentioned the cast, or the bruises on her face from hitting the floor. Abbey hadn’t realized she had hit the floor that hard, but everything happened so fast she’s not surprised she didn’t.
Abbey sits down quietly in the chair Toby had just left, trying not to wake CJ. She must have dozed off after Toby left, and the former first lady knows that CJ needs her rest. The older woman settles into the chair, turning it to face her lover and taking the opportunity to watch the younger woman sleep, something she’s planning on doing for the rest of their lives. Practice makes perfect. Abbey watches as CJ’s face reacts to whatever she’s dreaming about, and is glad that the dreams are happy ones. Gently, Abbey takes CJ’s hand in her own and plants a light kiss on it, then lays her head on CJ’s bed, deciding to rest her exhausted eyes while she can.
“No!!! Abbey!!!!!!” The former first lady sits up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She couldn’t have been out more than a few minutes, but apparently CJ’s sweet dreams have turned into nightmares. “CJ….CJ!” Abbey gently shakes the younger woman from her slumber, careful not to jar her too much lest her stitches come undone. Slowly, the former press secretary opens her eyes. “Abbey, you’re okay?!” Abbey leans over to give CJ a quick kiss on the lips. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”
Tears stream down CJ’s face. “I had an awful dream. I dreamt that you called me to tell me that you were in New York, and that you didn’t want to see me. I dreamt that you only called to tell me to stay away, because you didn’t love me!” The older woman sits on the side of the bed, caressing the side of CJ’s face. “You never have to worry about that happening. I love you, Claudia Jean, and don’t let yourself doubt that. Ever. You jumped in front of a gun for me- how could I not love you?” CJ takes Abbey’s hand in her own, mindful of the IV, and brings it to her lips, wanting to feel connected to the woman in front of her. “I was afraid that I had dreamed all of it and that you calling me to tell me to stay away was the truth.”
“But it wasn’t. I love you more than I ever thought possible. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life sleeping beside you, laughing with you, loving you. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. There are going to be people who don’t agree with us as a couple, and some of them are going to be very vocal about it. But, you’re worth all of that and more.” CJ wipes the tears from her eyes before speaking, sounding much stronger. “Toby knows.” Abbey nods. “Yeah. He kind of, well, guessed. I didn’t deny it, but we really haven’t had a chance to really talk.”
“I started to tell him, but he cut me off. He told me that all he ever wanted was for me to be happy. Which I am.” Abbey smiles. “I’m glad. It’s not really Toby’s reaction I’m worried about, though. I’m still officially married.” CJ flinches a little; she hadn’t really thought about that. “So, how are you going to tell Jed?” Before Abbey can answer, a voice responds from just inside the door. “I don’t think you have to worry about that anymore.”
Abbey turns around to see her husband leaning on his cane, an angry look on his face. “I don’t believe this. You made me feel so bad for the thing with Annabeth, and lookey what we have here. Infidelity and hypocrisy. Claudia Jean, I came in to see if you were okay, but I can see now that I needn’t have worried.” Without giving the two women a chance to explain, the former president storms from the room as fast as his crippled legs will carry him. “Jed, wait!” Abbey gives CJ’s hand a quick squeeze before rushing after her soon-to-be ex-husband, afraid that he will tell their friends before she has the chance to explain.