An Open Heart - Epilogue

One month later –

C.J.'s afternoon was jammed with a variety of meetings, Briefings and appointments. She had three additional planning memos to digest before meeting with Leo and the President. But a call directly from the First Lady took precedence over prepping for upcoming events like the Town Hall Meeting and the trip to Marin County.

Her thoughts of that trip brought a wide smile to C.J.'s face as she called out, "Carol, I'll be in the Mural Room."

Carol nodded and marveled again at the change in her boss. Carol Fitzpatrick approved of C.J. and Danny attributing C.J.'s lightness of heart to a deepening of the couple's bond.

Abbey Bartlet wasn't alone. She smiled at C.J. warmly and announced, "I figured you'd want to say hello."

C.J. smiled back and held out her hand to the woman with Abbey. C.J. knew the director of the National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Foundation well and respected her accomplishments.

"Kate, nice to see you."

"Same here." Kate Bogart looked at the Press Secretary noting she seemed happier than at any time in their acquaintance. "Wanted to touch base with Mrs. Bartlet and her staff about her address to our national meeting."

"I also wanted Kate to meet with Libby Rhodes. She wrote the first story about my speech."

"Ma'am, she should be in the Press Room. We can hook them up."

"Thank you, C.J."

"If you'll excuse me. . ."

Abbey nodded but Kate stopped C.J., "I wanted to thank you for securing that donation."

"What donation?"

"The one from the author of Mrs. Bartlet's biographies." The foundation director dug into her bag for a small notebook. "How embarrassing, I shouldn't forget the name of a donor of this magnitude. Here it is, Daniel. ."

"Concannon?" C.J. swallowed hard, "Danny?"

"Yes, It's an amazingly generous gesture."

Abbey looked stunned too but recovered to take the lead in finding answers. "Kate, this is news to both of us."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't aware it was anonymous."

C.J. recovered her power of speech. "The mere fact of the donation is typical Danny."

"I'd hate it if I spoiled things, however I was certain one of you steered him to me."

"He specifically indicated the Cloe fund?" Abbey was beginning to put things together.

"Yes and explained his advance for writing this book was bigger than he'd anticipated."

"Danny donated his advance money?"

"Half of it, C.J. He said he'd planned on using it all for his son's college fund but the larger amount made this the right thing for both children."

C.J. blinked back tears, "Danny said that?"

"It's an exact quote. It stuck in my head because it moved me."

"I agree." Abbey led Kate toward the door. "My chief of staff will take you to my office and find Libby Rhodes. She's the newest reporter covering the White House for the Washington Post."

"Thank you, Mrs. Bartlet. C.J."

C.J. nodded a farewell and dropped into the nearest chair. She stared up at Abbey, "Did you know?"

"About the donation?"

"Yes."

"No, however Danny delicately interrogated me about where I thought SIDS dollars should go, research or prevention."

"Prevention won, I guess."

"In Danny's mind. He was so dear and concerned C.J. I thought it telling that he trusted me not to ask questions about what you'd shared."

"He found out a month ago on our weekend off."

"Obviously, Cloe bonded you tighter."

"Abbey, it's been amazing. He understood and accepted all of it. It's made me feel unencumbered, maybe that part of my past can be put to rest."

"For once, you can enjoy the present and look forward to a future."

"It appears I can. I like that idea. I like Danny, I really do."

"Delighted to hear it but you should probably share that momentous news with him."

"Oh yeah. Okay."

Danny was cooling his heels in an inner West Wing corridor waiting for Admiral Perry Fitzwallace. He'd agreed to give the Senior White House Correspondent an exclusive interview on the changing face of the military.

He'd laughed when Danny had used the anniversary of Fitzwallace's promotion to Admiral as the basis for the story. Chairman Fitzwallace admitted that Danny's system for marking significant dates and events probably rivaled military intelligence.

Danny accepted the compliment but declined the Admiral's request to take a job in the intelligence branch of the military or to share his system.

In the last month, Danny had entered the pertinent information about Cloe's short life on his perpetual calendar.

Since C.J.'s disclosure, Danny often found himself looking at the baby's picture in C.J.'s bedroom. He'd replaced the broken glass and whispered to the infant in the picture. "I would have loved you too."

He'd noticed C.J. seemed relaxed and laughed often. She'd oohed and aahed over pictures of his son from infancy to current all boy status. She asked if she could meet P.J. during his summer visit in July.

That would follow the June Presidential trip to California where Danny would visit Claudia Olivia's resting place with C.J.

Somewhere in all this, Danny intended to find the perfect time to tell C.J. he loved her. He'd waited to see if she pulled back from him after telling him about her past. But C.J. had left herself totally open to him.

He heard the voice that quickened his heartbeat day and night call out, "Danny."

"C.J., I'm cleared to be here, honest. See, here's my supplemental pass."

She just kept coming closer with a look in her eyes he couldn't decipher. Danny nearly backed up a step when she reached out to grab his tie, "What the hell. . ."

His words died when her lips met his. The shock of her action melted into his usual desire for C.J. She let their tongues tangle briefly before she cut off the kiss but transferred her grip from his tie to his shoulders. "Thank you."

"No, thank you." Danny's hands automatically slid to her waist to pull her closer until he recalled their location. "C.J., why the hell here?"

"Because I want the world to know about the most amazing man I've ever met."

"Me?"

"Uh-huh." She leaned in to kiss him vaguely aware of people stopping and staring. "It's the most generous thing."

"You know about the donation."

"National SIDS director is meeting with the First Lady and I was invited to say hello."

"I didn't want a big deal."

"It is a big deal, that money was for P.J.'s college fund."

"Plenty left for that and if he doesn't also get enough in scholarships, he'll deliver pizzas. It'll keep him well fed and develop character."

"Danny, you didn't have to do it."

"That's exactly why I did it. She didn't have much of a father C.J., I just wanted to add to the lovely legacy you built for Cloe."

"With you, I don't feel as set adrift in all this."

The look in his eyes confirmed for C.J. that everything she desired in a relationship was hers. It crystallized her feelings for him. "I love you Danny."

Her words stunned him. Their eyes locked and C.J.'s flickered with a slight doubt. "It's okay if you don't. . ."

Now, his kiss offered silent confirmation of his love for her. When their lips parted, he leaned his forehead on hers. "I've been trying to find the right time and right words for weeks. Apparently, I'll stay with the tried and true, I love you C.J."

She let out a whoop of delight and launched herself into his arms.

When they heard the applause the couple looked around to see a small crowd including Josh who yelled, "All right."

Carol added, "About time."

C.J. blushed saying, "Don't you people have a bill to pass or a country to overthrow?"

The answer was a chorus of nos.

Danny's reddened face creased with a grin as C.J. eased out of his arms. "C.J., you can't take it back. I have witnesses."

"Don't worry. I just need to visit the Oval Office to explain things."

The thought of that made him anxious. "It'll be okay?"

"It better be. I promise we'll make it okay."

"Guess these PDAs will be few and far between."

"Probably, so. . ." She yanked him close again by reeling him in with his tie, "Let's make it good."

During the kiss he heard another catcall from Josh. Danny opened his eyes to wave Josh off and caught sight of the Vice President approaching and asking aloud what was going on.

John Hoynes froze when he saw C.J. and Danny locked in an embrace. Danny whispered into C.J.'s ear about picking this up later and she nodded happily. She walked out without a backward glance missing the sight of Hoynes.

The crowd started to filter out, some silently and some with handshakes, hugs or high fives for Danny. He answered them automatically never taking his eyes from the Vice President's face.

Hoynes stared back and saw knowledge and disgust in Danny's eyes. Before the Vice President looked away he caught something else in Danny's gaze. He was declaring that C.J. was his and he'd do whatever was necessary to keep her safe.

The tall Texan strode away trying to not appear as if his tail was between his legs.

Danny nodded noting Hoynes had the message. When Danny loved someone, it was with a ferocity that belied his easy manner. C.J. and Cloe were now in his heart and therefore his to love and cherish. Always.

He'd make sure C.J. never doubted that fact. And facts were his business.

Danny turned when he heard the booming voice of Admiral Fitzwallace. "Danny, I understand you've been finding some very interesting diversions while I was saving the world."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I want to hear all about it."

"I think I'm supposed to ask you the questions unless that's an order."

"No son, you'll be taking plenty of orders from C.J. She's a fine woman. I approve and expect you to sign on for a long tour of duty."

"Aye, aye sir."

###

6