Shared Memories Part Four Toby showered then dressed in what he judged to be a nice suit. He had already bought the wine and flowers, and ordered a cab so he could have a drink with his dinner without worrying about driving home. Still angry from earlier, he tried to put work aside while he checked his watch for the tenth time in two minutes. At last, he heard the cab driver’s horn sound outside the house and walked out, juggling wine, flowers, and door key. Rebecca was standing on the doorstep as his cab pulled up to the kerb. He kissed her gently, then followed her up the steps to the front door. Rebecca’s parents, Aaron and Sarah, introduced themselves, then he handed Aaron the wine and Sarah the flowers. They went into the house, and Toby settled on the couch next to Rebecca. ‘Rebecca tells us you work at the White House.’ Toby’s mind was brought back to his earlier discussion with Bartlet. ‘Yeah. I’m the Communications Director, Sir.’ ‘Hey, call me Aaron. You’re not in the White House now.’ Toby nodded, hoping his nerves didn’t show. He hadn’t done this since he first starting dating Andi, and he’d been a lot younger then. And Andi had been a lot closer to his own age. Suddenly Rebecca said: ‘The Chief of Staff doesn’t like me.’ ‘Oh?’ ‘He doesn’t like anyone at first Rebecca.’ Rebecca smiled at Toby. ‘No, Toby, don’t try and make it sound better. He was rude.’ ‘McGarry, right? Darling, the man’s a drunk and a drug addict. Why should you care what he thinks of you? Toby’s opinion is the only important one, right Toby?’ Toby had to stop himself from automatically defending Leo. But it wasn’t difficult. Leo had insulted Rebecca. ‘Er, yeah.’ ‘So, would you like a drink before dinner? I have a nice Whiskey.’ ‘Thanks.’ ‘Dinner’s almost ready. Rebecca, I need a hand in the kitchen.’ Reluctantly, Rebecca let go of Toby’s hand and got up, following her mother out. Aaron Martin handed Toby the tumbler with a generous measure of whiskey in it. ‘Toby, I don’t believe in pussy-footing around. You are not what my wife and I would consider the ideal boyfriend for our daughter. You must know that. However, Rebecca’s happy, she’s got a new job, which I know is somehow down to you, and you’re obviously fond of her. And you are, at least, Jewish. But, be warned, if you break my daughter’s heart I will break your neck. She is our only daughter, and we’re very fond of her.’ Toby swallowed hard. ‘Yes Sir.’ Suddenly Aaron smiled. ‘But enjoy dinner first, okay? Sarah’s worked hard.’ Toby smiled too. ‘Yes Sir.’ ‘I told you Toby, call me Aaron.’ Toby drained his glass almost in a single swallow. ‘Of course.’ ************** Rebecca came back in then, sure she knew what her father and Toby had talked about. ‘I hope you’re hungry. My mother thinks I don’t eat unless I’m at home, and she tries to fill me with enough food to last until the next week.’ ‘Rebecca!’ Toby almost smiled at the reaction of Rebecca’s father to her criticism of her mother. It was exactly the reaction his own father would have had. ************** ‘Thank you. That was a lovely meal.’ ‘Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Are you sure you won’t stay? It is really late.’ ‘No. But thank you for the offer.’ Sarah Martin hugged Toby while Aaron fussed over Rebecca’s scarf and hat. ‘Rebecca, would you like me to drive you home?’ ‘No Daddy, I’ll go with Toby.’ ‘Well, okay. Just be careful.’ ‘Daddy! I’m not a little girl any more.’ Sarah hugged her daughter. ‘Darling, you will always be a little girl as far as your father is concerned.’ ‘I know. But I have Toby now.’ She didn’t miss the look her parents exchanged. She wasn’t sure if Toby saw it. He had. And he couldn’t blame them. If he had a daughter Rebecca’s age, he wasn’t sure he’d be happy if she dated someone his age. They heard the cab driver’s horn, and Aaron opened the front door. ‘Call us when you get home, okay?’ Evidently used to the instruction, Rebecca sighed. ‘Yes Daddy.’ ************** Toby realised that in the dark, he had absolutely no idea where they were. Nor did he know how far it was from Rebecca’s parents to Rebecca’s. But he knew only too well how far it was from Rebecca’s apartment to his. So he sat back in the cab, only aware that Rebecca was leaning on him when she sat up suddenly. ‘They liked you.’ ‘I liked them.’ ‘Did my father give you the ‘hurt my daughter and I’ll hurt you’ speech?’ ‘Yes.’ Rebecca sighed, then settled back against Toby’s shoulder. Without thinking, Toby put his arm around Rebecca, and she moved closer to him, feeling the warmth of his body through his thick overcoat. Toby felt Rebecca’s shivers, and he pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. ‘It’s probably not far now.’ ‘It’s quite a way yet.’ Toby hugged Rebecca to him until the cab pulled up sharply outside her apartment building. Rebecca disentangled herself from Toby and leaned forward to push the fare through the small slot in the divider between them and the driver. Opening the door, she reached back into the cab. ‘My mother gave me the ‘just make sure he doesn’t break your heart’ speech. Want to see if I remember all of it?’ Toby paused only a moment before following Rebecca out. ************* The apartment was warm, and Toby pulled off his overcoat, dropping it onto the couch. Seconds later, the huge white cat Rebecca had warned him about jumped onto it and settled into the still-warm lining. Toby was losing the argument with the angry cat about the wisdom of remaining lying on his coat when Rebecca walked in, a steaming mug in each hand. ‘Snowy, down!’ Reluctantly the cat jumped onto the floor and slunk into the kitchen. Toby took the mug from her and smiled. ‘I was trying to reason with it. Obviously the wrong way to go.’ ‘Yup. Just gotta show it who’s boss.’ ‘Evidently. I’ll remember for next time. Are you warmer now?’ Toby realised Rebecca had changed into a thick jumper and jeans. ‘Much. I feel the cold.’ ‘I noticed. Me too.’ ‘That coat is great. I want one.’ Toby picked it up and watched as some of the mass of white hair fell to the floor. ‘Sorry.’ ‘Not your fault. Unless you’re shedding too?’ Toby laughed, patting himself. ‘I don’t think so.’ ‘Then you’re allowed on the bed.’ Toby hoped he’d misheard. ‘On it?’ ‘Yeah. I have to be sure you won’t break my heart before you’re allowed in it.’ ‘Did your mother say that?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Rebecca, I can’t promise anything.’ Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. There was tension, and Rebecca frowned. ‘Can you at least promise to stay the night?’ ‘I can. Unless I get called in.’ ‘So actually, you can’t.’ Toby thought for a moment. ‘No, I can’t.’ ‘Can you promise that if you do get called in, you’ll make me dinner to make up for it?’ Toby shook his head. ‘I’m a terrible cook. I’ll take you out to eat though.’ ‘Deal.’ ************** Toby knew that it was like riding a bike. Do it once, you never forget how. But this was different. This was the daughter of a man who had threatened him with physical violence. And they had both known he was not joking. So Toby was more nervous than he remembered ever being with Andi. He kissed Rebecca gently, unsure of her reaction. He need not have worried. She was evidently much more nervous than he was. ‘Toby, before we…um, you know, there’s something I have to tell you?’ ‘You’re really a man?’ Seeing Rebecca’s face, Toby realised he’d made a big mistake. ‘I’m sorry.’ ‘It’s okay. You see, my parents told me I should wait until I was sure. And I am. But I’ve never…’ Whatever else she was about to say was cut off as Toby kissed her again. When they parted, Toby said softly: ‘It’s okay.’ As they walked to the bedroom, Rebecca said quietly: ‘I’m scared.’ Toby’s voice was equally soft. ‘I’ll take care of you.’ **************** Rebecca cried out softly, her scream cut off as Toby’s lips covered hers. *************** As he climaxed, Rebecca heard her name. Moments later, she reached her own peak and, sobbing from the new experience and utterly exhausted, she dropped onto Toby’s heaving chest, their sated bodies shuddering. They lay beside each other, boneless, until sleep came. ************** Waking up in someone’s arms was a new experience for Rebecca. Waking up in someone else’s bed was something Toby had to think hard to remember. But the alarm clock woke them both, and they moved slowly, stretching limbs which ached from unfamiliar use. ‘Good morning.’ Toby leaned across and kissed Rebecca. ‘It is, isn’t it?’ Toby smiled. ‘Yes, it is.’ On to Part Five Home Send me feedback on this fic Return to the West Wing Fic Index