Dev chuckled. "No, let's leave the kiddie games to the kiddies, shall we?" She opened the door and ushered Lauren out. "I have something entirely different planned for us."
They walked down the hall and were greeted by smiling faces every few paces. "Wow. I don't believe this." Lauren smiled back, a little confused. "I didn't even know that agents had teeth! Does every member of the Secret Service know that we're on a date tonight?"
Dev looked embarrassed. "Umm, I may have mentioned it once."
"Once?"
"Maybe twice."
"Uh huh," Lauren drawled skeptically. "Twice?"
"Or a few hundred times."
"Lord."
Dev ducked a swat as they continued through a series of hallways, stopping outside the private theater. Dev looked down at Lauren and smiled. "You know that new movie that's coming out next week? The one by that director you're so wild about?"
"Yeah." Lauren sighed. She knew she probably wouldn't get a chance to see it while it was still in theaters.
Dev pulled the doors open and the lights automatically came up. "Well, since I happen to have a house with a theater, I thought you might enjoy a sneak preview. But if it totally stinks, you're not allowed to leak it to the press. The director would come kill me herself," Dev joked.
Lauren's jaw dropped. "You got a copy of the movie before it was released?" She instantly held up a hand. "Wait. You're the leader of the free world. Sometimes I forget." She gazed at Dev in pure adoration. "This is so sweet." Lauren gently pulled the taller women into a hug, still mindful of her shoulder. "Thank you."
Dev returned the embrace, not giving a damn about her shoulder. In her opinion, this was the best therapy she could get. "Well, it's the least I could do since I can't really take you out on a proper date." Very slowly she released Lauren and led her to the front of the room. "And what's a movie without dinner?" A blanket had been spread on the carpet, and various chafing-dishes had been set out on a low table.
Lauren hummed appreciatively; her belly grumbled when the spicy scent of hot tamales, Spanish rice and black beans invaded her senses. "I guess I'm just a little hungry," she admitted sheepishly.
Dev refrained from commenting about Lauren's grumbling stomach. "So, shall we eat and chat or would you like to just cut straight to the chase?" She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I mean, would you like to watch the movie first or have dinner or" She stopped, drawing a deep breath. "I'm babbling now. I'll just shut up and let you tell me what you want to do."
Lauren chuckled softly and took Dev's hand. "I do believe, Madam President," she drawled, "that you are even more nervous than I am." She regarded Dev seriously for a moment. "Why is that?"
"Umm... well." Dev moved them to the blanket and began fiddling with the food. She prepared a couple of small plates and poured two glasses of wine. "You see, I've not been a very God, this is awkward. I've only had one real experience with this whole dating thing" She sipped her wine, gesturing for Lauren to join her. "Samantha was the only woman in my life. And since she died, I haven't I mean there hasn't been anyone else" She finally stopped when she realized she sounded totally stupid.
Oh, Devlyn. Lauren's gaze softened, her heart going out to her friend. They needed to have a talk about Samantha soon. But tonight was for them alone. "Don't be embarrassed by that. Maybe we can learn how to do this together." She looked into her wineglass. "I haven't been overly successful in the dating department myself. But... um..." The blonde woman lifted her head and looked into Devlyn's eyes. "I'm pretty sure we'll be able to muddle through if we really put our minds to it."
"I think we could muddle through anything if we put our minds to it." Dev leaned over and placed a delicate kiss on the smaller woman's cheek. She allowed her lips to linger for a moment before pulling away. "I think part of my nervousness comes from the fact that I've never been out with someone who already knows everything about me." She sipped her wine and closed her eyes tight. "Including some things I'm going to get my father for when he least expects it." She looked up again. "But if those didn't send you screaming into the night, then I'm damned lucky, and I'm really glad I met you."
Lauren suspected she'd barely scratched the surface of this complicated, sweet, beautiful woman. But she wasn't going to waste the chance. Her gaze dropped to Dev's lips as the urge to kiss the tall woman welled up within her. She leaned forward, smiling when Dev immediately leaned in to meet her. "I'm glad I met you too," she whispered, and let her lips brush lightly against the President's.
Sunday, July 4th
Dev hung up the phone, looking to the clock on the wall. "Do people not realize it's 3:00 A.M. here?" She looked to David who was slumped in the chair across from her desk.
"With all due respect, Madam President, they don't care."
"Ironic, isn't it? It's Independence Day here in the States, and I'm up in the middle of the night handling a possible missile crisis in China."
"And that's why you get the big bucks and the cool toys."
Dev snorted. "Yeah, right."
"Do we need to call in the Secretary of Defense?"
"No, not yet. But I suggest we haul the Chinese Ambassador's ass over here. His input will be very insightful."
"Lemme guess." David arched a rust-colored eyebrow and slid his tie completely off. "Just because you can?"
Dev picked up the phone. "Pretty much. If I can't sleep, no one can." She reached across her desk and picked up a picture of Lauren and the kids that had been taken when they went on vacation. "Tell you what, just for grins and giggles, get the Secretary of Defense over here too."
David pushed himself out of the chair. "Yes, ma'am. I'll get the latest intel from the situation room too."
* * *
After several hours of tense negotiations, Dev had managed to get a satisfactory resolution to a problem that could have gotten completely out of hand with the simplest of missteps. "God, I need a shower and a nap. We've got the barbecue tonight and" Her eyes went wide. "Oh, shit!"
"What?"
"It's Lauren's birthday. I ordered breakfast and flowers delivered to her room with a note saying I'd be joining her," she glanced at the clock again, "an hour and a half ago. Aw, she's gonna kill me." Devlyn opened the top drawer of her desk and pulled out a brightly wrapped box. "Let's hope she likes this."
She bolted out of her office and headed for the residence, and a houseguest turned very potential girlfriend, who she was sure was going to be supremely annoyed. "I should never have had breakfast delivered so early! She hates getting up early!"
"It's okay, guys." David called off the alarmed Secret Service agents who saw Dev sprint past them. "She's just... she's late, she's late" Awww... go ahead and say it. "For a very important date."
A few minutes later she stood in front of Lauren's door, running her hand through her hair. She took a deep breath and held it as she knocked on the door. "God, please don't let her be mad."
Lauren opened her door, and pale brows lifted at the sight of a very disheveled Dev. She would have said something except for the fact that her mouth was full of an enormous bite of sweet roll. Instead, she grabbed Dev by the front of her shirt and tugged her into her room, kicking the door shut behind her.
"I'm soooo sorry," Dev began quickly. "I meant to be here when they woke you, but I had to deal with something that's kept me busy half the night. If I'd had time I would have called and told them not to do it. Or called you and told you to go back to bed or... umm... just called you, I guess."
Lauren waved a dismissive hand. "S'okay, Devlyn. Relax, I'm not angry." She motioned to the couch. "Can you stay for a minute?" She held out her roll, and Dev ducked her head and took a bite.
"Umm... are there more of these?"
Lauren nodded and motioned her to the couch as she went to retrieve the plate of rolls and a pot of coffee. "So, what happened?" She hunted quickly for a second cup. "If you can talk about it, that is."
"I helped deter World War III this morning
, and I need a break. That's what happened." The dark-haired woman settled on the couch with a groan. She kicked long legs out in front of her. "Looks to me like they brought you a nice breakfast." Suddenly she remembered she had Lauren's birthday present. "Happy birthday!"
Lauren's face paled. "Oh, my God, Devlyn. Did you really stop World War III this morning?"
"Actually, pretty close." She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. "I've been up all night."
Lauren joined Dev on the sofa and patted her knee. "I'm sorry." She looked down at the present that was thrust into her hands. "Wow, it is my birthday again. I swear they come quicker every year." She shook the package, trying to guess what was inside as she folded one leg beneath her. "Can I have a hint?"
Dev didn't answer. Instead, she jumped up and grabbed Lauren's glasses off the nightstand.
Lauren reached out and took them, wordlessly wrapping the wire frames around each ear. She stared down at the gift, trying to remember the last time she'd gotten a birthday gift. Her parents always sent a card. But they stopped giving presents when Lauren turned eighteen and became too old for such foolishness. Judd always gave her a gift on her birthday, but he was the only one. Ever. The writer pushed aside the bittersweet memories and held the box up to her ear, giving it another gentle shake. "Do you want me to open it now?"
"Please." Dev sat back down. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to go lie down before the barbecue tonight, so we won't get a lot of time together until then. I wanted a quiet moment to give it to you. I hope you like it."
"Okay, if you insist." But Lauren was eagerly ripping open the paper and box even as she said the words. Out of the box she pulled three small, brown, leather-bound novels. "‘A Tale of Two Cities'. ‘Oliver Twist'. ‘Great Expectations'! That's one of my..." Lauren paused and studied the books more closely, flipping open the first few pages. "My God, are these first editions?" she whispered reverently. Dev released a very tense breath. "Yeah, they are. Do you like them?" she asked hopefully.
Lauren looked up at her with teary eyes. "I..." She had to stop for a moment. "I love them." She smiled, and her chin quivered a little. "Thank you."
"Hey!" Dev reached out and caught a tear just as it fell from the corner of Lauren's eye. "My gift wasn't supposed to make you cry. No crying allowed!" She grinned. "Wait until you see what I ordered for you for tonight."
Lauren sniffed, only mildly embarrassed. She gave Dev a watery smile. "Will it make me cry too?"
"Gee, I hope not. You'll just have to wait and see." Dev suddenly felt an unexpected, stabbing pain at the base of her skull. "I just can't win. I've got a headache like you wouldn't believe. I'm going to go grab a couple of aspirin, call for a massage, and try to get some sleep." Suddenly she sat up straight. "It's Sunday, isn't it?"
"It sure is, Madam President." Lauren's expression sobered. "You work too hard sometimes, Devlyn. And you get headaches way too often. You need more sleep."
Dev grunted her agreement. "When I took the job, I knew what it meant." She sighed. "I guess sleep is out of the question. The kids will be up soon. Maybe I have time for a massage."
Lauren carefully set down her books on the coffee table. "Umm. Devlyn, you know, I could give you a massage." She slid around behind the couch and began digging her hands into Dev's tense shoulder muscles, kneading them firmly. "Or, I could call someone for you?" she offered innocently, nearly laughing at Dev's deep moan of pleasure.
"Yeeeeesssss." Dev's head dropped forward, giving Lauren more room to work her tired, aching muscles. "I'll give you an hour to stop that. Okay, two hours. But that's my final offer."
Lauren chuckled and continued, feeling Dev relax even more. Abused muscles began to loosen, and before long the President's head fell to the side, and she began snoring softly. Lauren enjoyed touching Dev for a few more moments before she began to slowly cease her massage. She gently helped the exhausted woman to lie down, easing her onto the cushions and allowing her to stretch out. Lauren retrieved a blanket and tucked Dev in. She leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, absently wiping the faint lipstick smudge away with her thumb. "Sleep well, darlin'. Grem and I will be with the munchkins."
The biographer had just stepped out of her room when Emma met her in the hall. "If you're looking for Devlyn, she's in there taking a nap on the sofa. She was-"
"Up all night. I know." Emma shook her head and smiled. "I'm glad she's getting a little rest. Here," she thrust a heavy package into Lauren's hands, "this came in Dev's personal mail this morning, but it's addressed to you. Looks like an early birthday gift to me."
Lauren examined the brown paper wrapping. The return address just said ‘home', but there was a Columbus, Ohio postmark. "Must be from Dev's folks."
Emma nodded. "I'm sure that's Janet's handwriting. But the only way to know for sure is to open it and see."
Lauren chuckled and tore into the paper. "Exactly." It was a book, and when she finally pulled away the last of the brown wrapper both she and Emma turned as red as lobsters. "Oh, my God," Lauren whispered, feeling the heat in her cheeks.
Emma began laughing so hard that she had to step away from Lauren's door for fear she'd wake up Dev. "Oh, yes," she laughed. "That is most definitely from Janet Marlowe. Only she would do that, God bless her liberal soul. Dev certainly took after her traditional father, but you'll see a little of Janet peek out in her every now and then." Emma poked the white cover, tilting her head and seeing the darker pages at the end of the text. "At least she got you the paper and not the electronic version. I just don't think the illustrations would be the same on screen. Do you?"
"How would I know?" Lauren squeaked.
Emma rolled her eyes. "That's why she sent you the book, Lauren."
"Oh, yeah." Lauren shook her head and cracked open the cover. There was an inscription.
Lauren:
"You and Devil make a beautiful couple. I know you both insist that you're not sleeping together. But I still thought this would come in handy. SOMEDAY. Since you already appear to know what a nipple is, I'm quite certain you can skip all the way to chapter two.
Happy birthday,
Janet
Lauren closed the book. What kind of mother sends the woman her daughter is seeing a copy of ‘The Joy of Lesbian Sex'?! A smirk overtook her face. A pretty damned good one.
* * *
Dev rolled up the sleeves on her denim shirt so they stopped just below the elbow. Tucking her shirt into her jeans, she looked around the room for her sneakers. She happened to be on her hands and knees looking under the bed when Lauren entered the room.
"Devlyn, the kids and I, well, that's an interesting view." She chuckled, crossing her arms, taking the time to appreciate the denim-clad backside. In her hand was her camera, and Lauren smirked as she clicked off a few photographs. Dev reached under the bed for her sneaker, grabbing it and banging her head on the way out. ‘Ouch! Damn!" She sat on the floor rubbing the back of her head. "Hey! America does not need a close-up of my butt!"
"America might not" Lauren wriggled her eyebrows, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "But these are going in my personal collection."
"Pervert."
Lauren only laughed.
"Okay, what is it you and the kids want?" Dev winked at the trio as they marched into the room together.
"We're wondering if we have time for a movie with you before the barbecue?"
"Don't see why not." She continued to rub her head. "That hurt," she whimpered, hoping to get a little sympathetic TLC from the writer.
Lauren had to give Dev an ‘A' for effort. She was being treated to puppy dog eyes and Dev's most pitiful, pouty lower lip. The shorter woman laughed and gently stroked the back of Dev's head. "Poor, wittle baby," she teased.
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