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Promises Made and Kept By: Pat Steiner[SSbpMN@aol.com] and Lisa [LAB7417@aol.com] Disclaimer: The West Wing and its wonderful characters belong to NBC et al. No copyright infringement is intended. Summary: Another in our ongoing series which started with the Bagel tale. Previous parts may be found at Http://www.phantomroses.com/SarahRabb/. Rated R for adult content and references. Anything graphic will be posted to the Adult list only. Note from the authors: If you enjoy our writing a note to that effect would be cherished. If you don't, please simply hold your peace. No 'out of character' or 'get real' letters please. This is our universe and we share it willingly but we don't need to know if it's not pleasing to you.
From Part 1---- Tucker's large hands closed over her small ones and he lifted the ring from the box, very gently putting it on the third finger of her left hand. "Chloe Kathleen Murphy, two years from today, on your eighteenth birthday, will you be my bride?" "Promises Made and Kept" Part 2--- Chloe watched the moment as if in a trance. Then finally, eyes sparkling, she barely managed to get out, "yes Tucker. I'll marry you." She dabbled at her cheeks to try and minimize the amount by which her tears were running her make-up. She looked down at the ring, "It's...it's beautiful. It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I'm hardly believing this is happening." "You better because it's very much real" he smiled. "I love you and waiting to ask you isn't going to change that." He picked up his napkin and dabbed at her eyes, then used it on his own for a second. "The matching band for this and mine are safely in the jeweler's safe by the way, to be brought out in two years. Our wedding cake will be your birthday cake as well." Chloe smiled, "And every year I'll share my wedding anniversary with my birthday? That means I either get two presents or better presents." she laughed lightly, "my goodness...engaged, we're engaged. That makes me feel grown-up. The adults! Oh geez what are mom and Dad going to think and Sam and Mallory and...wow." "We are officially engaged" Tucker confirmed with a big smile just as the waiter brought their food. "Well congratulations" he smiled. "Let me bring you a split of champagne on the house." "No thank-you, we don't drink," Chloe replied, "but a bottle of this wonderful sparkling champagne stuff would be wonderful..." she offered with a smile. "Yes ma'am" the waiter assured them. "And I'm guessing you're going to dance later. Be sure and tell the orchestra you're celebrating so they may play something just for you." Tucker nodded and closed his hand around hers, feeling her tremble slightly. "I want to remember every second of this night" he said softly, "so we can share with our children. Our wedding night also, though I don't think it's going to be something we share with them." Chloe blushed softly, "no I don't either. I can't believe it...sixteen and engaged." She smiled and her eyes sparkled even if she was trembling with the greatness of it. ----------------------------- "Caroline you're a little quiet there" Leo smiled, seeing her sitting at the window seat in the dining room as the twins were content with a Rugrats video for the moment. "Tucker will take good care of her." He closed his arms around her from behind, pressing their own baby growing within her. "And it's not like we're going to have empty nest syndrome any time soon." "Thank goodness," Caroline sniffled, "but it will never be the same without her here. My little girl is growing up so fast." "I don't think she's going far" Leo smiled. "Looks to me like she and Tucker are pretty much a sure thing. I don't see that ending. He's a fine young man, a Seaborn like his brother. And they're going to give us wonderful grandchildren, probably sooner than we expect." He laughed quickly at her horrified look. "I don't mean in the next few months--when they're married in a few years." "I have to watch you," Caroline countered, "nowadays you seem to know more about my oldest daughter than I do. I'm glad she talks to you, at least she's talking to one of us and you might actually give better advice." She laughed and kissed Leo. "Do you know why she talks to me?" Leo asked her, his tone serious. "It's because she loves you so much, and wants to be perfect in your eyes. Me she doesn't mind admitting to that she has flaws and problems so she brings them to me. Right now I see nothing but happiness for her and Tucker. She obviously makes him very happy as well. Really Caroline, you did an amazing job raising her. I'm sure no credit belongs to Stephen." "He wasn't hardly there," Caroline agreed, "she's wonderful. I'm always very proud of her and I'm glad that she can talk to you. I know she loves you very much Leo and she seeks your approval and support just as much as she does mine. She was telling me a couple of days ago how she couldn't wait until she could be as much your daughter as possible and put Stephen behind her all together." "I've already had the papers drawn up for her adoption" Leo assured her, "just waiting for our marriage so that the matter can be approached from my position as her stepfather." He grinned broadly, "the twins of course are already McGarry's--that's just a matter of paper work to get the name changed." Caroline smiled, "Oh Leo, you've made me so very happy. I never realized how wonderful marriage could be with the right man." "I would have taken you away from that bastard a long time ago had I known" Leo sighed, "but that's all past now and I love you. And these next years I'm going to watch our children grow and our grandchildren being born. We already have a grandchild named Seaborn on the way in fact. Sam is so thrilled; and Mal is...well I hope she's getting used to the idea." "She'll come around," Caroline said with a soft smile, "I didn't think I wanted Chloe when I was first pregnant, but the first time I felt that hard spot on my stomach and knew that I wasn't going to be alone again I was thrilled. The thought of having someone to teach and watch grow and learn every day was thrilling. I began to love being pregnant. I'm sure Mallory will get adjusted as well." "I hope so" Leo nodded. "I know she was surprised, and then had that spell of not feeling well. One thing's for sure, Sam is deeply in love with her, and she'll have the support and help she needs from him." Caroline smiled, "that's the greatest gift any pregnant woman could ask for, love and support." Caroline suddenly began to cry and she buried herself against Leo, thinking of the baby that had been taken from her. "I've got you sweetheart" Leo said softly, rubbing her back soothingly as he always did. "But we have only happy times to look forward to. I'm going to be the oldest dad in the delivery room, but I'm sure going to be there." -------------------------- "Oh my god" Josh gasped suddenly, looking up from his dinner to three tables across the floor. "Hey now let's not all turn around here, but that's Senator McBride behind you CJ, which would be OK, but that is in no way Mrs. McBride--unless she lost twenty years and fifty pounds and died her hair blonde." "Oh dear..." CJ said softly, "let's hope it's a business dinner." "It sure as hell doesn't look like it," Toby said as he watched the pair kiss. "Well what now?" Donna asked. "We simply make a note that we witnessed it if it comes up" Josh sighed, steeling a look out of the corner of his eye at the cozy pair. He reached for Donna's hand suddenly thinking of all the temptation in D.C. "You know women outnumber men in this city by 10 to 1, available men that is and we've all been offered it before." He stopped and laughed. "Even Toby." CJ raised an eyebrow and looked at her husband. "Yes well only Sam got hooked," she sighed and commented softly. She then found her food to be of the upmost fascination. "Yes he did" Josh smiled softly, "and I can proudly say that I've never been tempted". Toby immediately began to choke on a shrimp. "OK tempted but never given in" Josh laughed and then turned serious, looking to Donna. "I've never wanted anyone in my time in D.C. but you love." Donna smiled, "flattery will get you everywhere Mr. Lyman. I hope the next thing on your agenda though is to flag down a waiter and get us some food. I'm very hungry and I'm sure CJ can sympathize...well when she finishes her third glass of water over there." CJ was at the moment draining the bottom of her third glass since they'd entered the restaurant. "Yes, food would be nice, I'll have whatever you're having Toby." "I thought I'd start off with the escargot in the half shell, followed by sweetbreads in the béchamel sauce" Toby teased and even Josh turned green. "Oh Toby!" CJ and Donna both exclaimed and both took off for the ladies room, hands over their mouths. "Way to go Toby" Josh laughed and shook his head, realizing there was no need to scold his friend, who was already berating himself. "I guess I'd better have a good apology ready" he sighed. "Actually since we got married, saying sorry is something I'm becoming expert at." "False alarm," CJ replied with a smile as she came back, "I only thought about being ill. Donna on the other hand...wasn't so lucky." Donna returned a few minutes later. "Sorry about that gentlemen, now are we ready for dinner?" Donna asked. Josh gave her his usual look of concern, rubbing the back of her neck as she sat down. "What does my baby--babies--feel like allowing your tummy to eat?" "Mmm...soup?" Donna hesitated, "maybe some pasta with marinara sauce would be good please sweetie." "I'd like some steak or maybe some veal," CJ suggested to Toby, "what was on your mind, maybe I like your idea better." "I was looking at the veal marinara" Toby said thoughtfully, with the caesar salad and then some of that bruschetta bread with the little pieces of tomato and mozzarella cheese bits." "I'm going with the lobster ravioli" Josh decided, "the shrimp cocktail got my mouth all set for more seafood." "I could eat them both," CJ said licking her lips barely at the possibilities. "I'll have what you're having," Donna said looking to Josh. "Ditto," CJ said, looking to Toby. They ordered and the waiter was pleased that they were so efficient and didn't complicate things too much. "OK CJ, give me some pointers on this opera" Josh sighed. "Like is there anyone nude--you know something to keep me awake other than Donna pinching me and climbing over me to go to the bathroom." "The opera is La Boheme. It's a beautiful love story set in Paris. The music will take your breath away with the emotion in it. There are some good pranks and jokes amongst the men if you watch closely." CJ ran through all she knew about one of her favorite operas. "Senator McBride and his lady friend are going out to dance" Toby whispered. "Wonder if he and Mrs. McBride are divorcing? He's certainly not casual about hiding his affection for this woman, who could be his daughter I might add." "And they say women gossip" Donna giggled. A few minutes later a disturbance at the door got their attention. "That would be Mrs. McBride" Josh smiled slightly. "I only know because she latched on to me at a fund raiser last year and I'd remember that face anywhere." "How dare you make a spectacle of yourself in front of all these people," she yelled drawing as much attention as possible. "How could you lie to me and then come out in public with this gold-digging whore! After all that I've done for you! Let me tell you people are going to know about this you alcoholic, wife-beating, low-life. As for you missy where did you come from and how much is he paying you an hour because that's my money. I work harder for it than you do!" She slapped the woman and then punched her husband. CJ and Donna were both frozen, horrified and mesmerized. "We've got $40 opera tickets and this entertainment is free" Josh declared with a small laugh, at the same time taking Donna's hand in reassurance. "Toby should we intervene, though at the moment I can't think of a thing that man has done for the Bartlet administration." Mrs. McBride turned on her elegant heels and stormed out. When it was finally safe, and Mr. McBride and the young woman had been helped off the dancefloor the waiter brought the two couples their food. "I feel sorry for Mrs. McBride myself." Donna remarked, "I mean I could be wrong but it seemed like she actually kind of cared for him. I think she still loves him and that would really hurt." "I think I've been warned" Josh smiled, "but of course there's no way in hell I'd ever look at another woman when I have you to hold every night. I think you're right though--she did look upset." "In any case the opera is going to look tame after this" Toby smiled, digging into his food at once. "Come then, to the opera," Donna instructed as soon as they had finished their meal. TO BE CONTINUED
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