Forever and A Day: a Those Who Wait story

by Haley Cass

  Sutton pressed her hips against Charlotte, grinding into her and she groaned low in her throat at the pressure, knowing Sutton could feel just how wet she was all over again.

  She bit at Sutton’s bottom lip, tugging it between her teeth as she brought her thighs up to wrap around Sutton’s waist.

  “God, I don’t think you saying that will ever get old." She managed to get out, her breath already coming shorter as she rolled her hips up against Sutton.

  She didn’t think most things Sutton made her feel would ever get old and that alone was still a new, incredible feeling. It made something inside of her twist and dip low in her stomach, her heart skip a beat, and it was unfamiliar but good.

  “We should probably make the most of that while you’re here, then."

  Sutton panted into her mouth, her warm breath washing over Charlotte’s jaw as she scratched her fingers lightly down Charlotte’s sides, goosebumps popping up in their wake.

  As Sutton’s teeth nipped at the side of her breast, she groaned. “We definitely should.”

  One of her hands fisted into Sutton’s hair as she continued her descent down her body; god, they had so much to take advantage of.

  ***

  E!News

  Love is in full bloom

  After months of speculation about Charlotte Thompson’s love life and relationship status, her “more than a friend” Sutton Spencer has resurfaced. Spencer, pictured left, was seen leaving Thompson’s apartment early this morning after having dropped off the radar shortly after Thompson’s election last March, during which the two were notably linked.

  Sorry ladies, but it appears Thompson is once again off the market. The reunited couple was spotted looking pretty cozy while out to dinner in midtown last night.

  “They were never ****ing broken up,” an insider says.

  Life is looking good for the Congresswoman these days and we are positively jealous. Are you rooting for them to make it? Let us know in the comments!

  1/13/21

  Part 2

  Sutton had only been back from her internship for a few days but everything had hit the ground running. Almost as if she hadn’t even left.

  Seven months in another country had been . . . incredible. Exciting, exhausting at times, especially with the occasional late nights she’d pulled to stay up to talk to her family, friends, and Charlotte. She’d learned so much, seen some of the oldest and most incredible literature and art in the world, and made new connections.

  But she’d missed home. She’d missed watching her shows and having dinner with Regan, had missed phone and video calls with her family that came through clearly. And she’d really, really missed Charlotte.

  While she didn’t regret going on the internship or the experience in the least, she was happy to be back.

  Even if everything was absolutely insane.

  And not necessarily in the good kind of way, if that was any sort of a thing. She rolled her eyes at herself, unable to stop fidgeting from where she stood in the sitting room outside of the office. Elizabeth Thompson’s office on the top floor of the Thompson Foundation.

  The office that she’d been summoned to. Quite literally summoned.

  Which was, well, it was kind of terrifying. She wasn’t sure if the fact that she was dating Elizabeth Thompson’s granddaughter was supposed to make it less anxiety inducing, but it didn’t.

  God. It was only noon and today already felt like it lasted for a week.

  She’d woken up early, even earlier than Charlotte’s alarm, with anticipation crawling through her because she had an interview. An actual, real interview at Hunter College to work as their new adjunct literature professor. Dr. Martin had recommended it to her, sending her the application during the last month of her internship.

  Despite his belief that she would get the job, especially as she’d worked for him before and he was in line to become the next chair of the department, it was – well, nerve-wracking.

  But it had gone well. Well enough that as she’d left the interview, she’d felt fairly confident.

  She didn’t even have a moment afterwards to really reflect on it, though, because as soon as she’d checked her phone, she’d seen that there had been sixty-one texts and twelve missed calls.

  The dread that shot through her, thinking that someone she cared about had been hurt – or worse – had been overwhelming. And then that faded into an entirely different but still overwhelming feeling when she’d realized exactly what the subject of those messages was.

  Her relationship.

  More aptly: her relationship being made entirely public, with pictures of her splashed all over gossip websites.

  She’d spent the previous night at Charlotte’s for the first time since she’d arrived home a few days ago, and she’d had absolutely no idea that there’d been a member of the paparazzi nearby. How could she have known? Whoever it was snapped a handful of pictures of her, most notably as she’d given Charlotte’s doorman a small smile on her way out and had connected her with having dinner with Charlotte the night before.

  And had also made the connection that she’d been Charlotte’s photo companion during her election, too.

  The articles had stopped her short, the world falling away, as she saw her own face splashed with commentary and speculation. It seemed almost everyone she’d ever met had seen it and wanted to comment on it.

  While she and Charlotte had been together for the very short time before her internship, they’d kept their relationship as private as possible.

  Not only for Sutton’s sake, because she hadn’t felt comfortable with all of that attention on her.

  But because at the time, she’d been a little worried that it would be too much pressure for Charlotte. Having just come out, to then also have the speculation on them.

  Then she’d been away in Rome and this was just – it was so new.

  Of course, she’d been in pictures with Charlotte before. But before the election had happened, she was Charlotte Thompson’s relatively nameless friend. But given how Charlotte’s popularity and buzz had skyrocketed in the last eight months, she guessed this wasn’t exactly a surprise.

  She just hadn’t been expecting it. She hadn’t even thought about it, really, because it seemed so far removed from her life.

  She definitely hadn’t been prepared for the comments section on the article she’d read. She only scrolled a little bit, but it was enough. Some had

  been encouraging and they made her feel a little calmer. Some had been complimentary toward her, which was nice, if a little – too much. Some had been far too lewd and had turned her stomach. Some had been, uh, unfavorable, and those had been what made her quickly exit out of it all.

  Sutton had been entirely thrown, especially as she’d walked toward the subway and felt that there were eyes on her. That some of the people talking as she’d passed were talking about her.

  And then she’d gotten a call from a number that was entirely unfamiliar, and of course hadn’t answered it, given this shock of publicity.

  But the voicemail that had been left –

  “Miss Spencer, I’m calling on behalf of Elizabeth Thompson. She would like to have a meeting with you at your earliest possible convenience; I’ve given your name for clearance to the top floor offices at the Thompson Foundation for the rest of the afternoon. If you cannot make it today, please call this number back to reschedule.”

  So, that hadn’t made her feel any less anxious, because why did Elizabeth Thompson want to see her enough to have her called to her office in the middle of what Sutton was sure was a busy day?

  And she knew Charlotte didn’t know about this because Charlotte had been one of her missed calls and texts, apologizing for this media storm and sounding stressed, wanting to talk about it all later.

  Which, hell, also didn’t make her feel like this was any less surreal.

  Not that she had the same worries now that she did before – that Charlotte could be somehow scare
d away from giving them a try. Because, with a little warm feeling in her stomach that she latched onto, the last months had been so affirming for them.

  Like the fact that Charlotte always made time for her. That she was always beaming whenever Sutton told her about her accomplishments. Like the fact that she didn’t ever miss a chance to tell Sutton that she loved her.

  “Miss Spencer? Mrs. Thompson will see you now.” One of the secretaries, the one farthest from the double doors that lead into what she presumed was Elizabeth Thompson’s office, gave her a slight smile, before answering another phone call.

  Sutton wiped her palms on her thighs and channeled both of her parents’ calmness the best she could, as she pushed the door open slowly.

  Elizabeth Thompson sat behind her desk as she had her hands interlinked in front of her, giving Sutton an expectant look the moment she

  walked through the door.

  “Shut that behind you.” She gave a sharp nod and Sutton hurried to do as she said, even as the older woman was already speaking, “I’m glad you could come in so soon after receiving my call; I appreciate expediency.”

  As the door clicked closed quietly, Sutton took a moment there with her hand on the knob to take a deep breath, slowly exhaling and rubbing her hand over her stomach to quell the unease there before she turned. “Of course! I had a few free hours.” She turned to face her, eyebrows drawing together. “I just – I’m not exactly sure what you called me here for.

  Ma’am.”

  She almost cringed at herself for that, but stopped herself in time, as she made her way to the chair opposite the desk.

  But what exactly was she supposed to say to Elizabeth Thompson?

  The thought of it sent nerves jangling through her; she knew, logically, how she was supposed to formally address politicians in any stature, retired or not; given the nature of her father’s profession, she couldn’t even remember when she’d learned the proper manners and terms to use.

  But she’d never had this kind of situation. With the former President giving her a critically contemplative look. Former President, first female President, who also happened to be her girlfriend’s idolized grandmother.

  Who she’d only met her once before and, well, she hadn’t seemed to like her all that much.

  Elizabeth scoffed. “Is that why in the hell you look so afraid?” She didn’t seem like she was waiting for an answer, not that Sutton could have really given one to her that didn’t sound probably really dumb. “Don’t worry, this won’t take much of your time. I have the Chancellor of Germany on line two.”

  Sutton blinked at her. “Um. Okay.” She crossed her legs, linking her hands over her knees to force herself to stop fidgeting. With a deep breath, she tilted her head and confessed. “I’m confused.”

  Elizabeth didn’t make her wait with any pleasantries. “I’m going to assume you’re not entirely oblivious and that you’ve realized your relationship with my granddaughter is now very public.”

  The words were cut and dry, almost harsh in the effective tone they were delivered in, and she felt herself flush. “Of course. I saw it earlier –”

  “I know my granddaughter never foresaw the time coming where she would fall in love.” Elizabeth effectively cut her off, leaning forward in her

  desk chair and holding eye contact with Sutton. “But I’ve always wondered if this time would come and how exactly to prepare for it. I know my Charlotte; if she would fall for someone hard enough to put her career in jeopardy.” She paused, giving Sutton a look that made her muscles tense.

  “There would be no talking her into reason. So I’m prepared to be the voice of reason for her.”

  Sutton’s spine drew up straight, shoulders back, almost defensively.

  Much like the way, she realized a moment after she did it, Charlotte did when she felt threatened or vulnerable and was hiding it.

  “I don’t know what you mean by that." Her voice was steady, though, and she was proud of that. Even as she was wondering – was she about to be taken into some sort of back alley and “taken care of?”

  Elizabeth sighed impatiently, flexing her hands out for a moment in front of her. “I mean, that there are certain matters that need to be considered, whenever someone wants to become seriously involved with a member of my family.” Her mouth drew into a firm line. “The Thompson name is an old one, a well-respected one. It’s powerful. We have money, political status, and a highly publicized social standing that can easily gain someone . . . notoriety.”

  She was giving her a considering look, one Sutton knew was not very flattering, and she narrowed her eyes as she cocked her head.

  “I do consider myself lucky, with you,” she continued. “Respect for your name in this country is nearly unparalleled. Your family has money and political stature.” She nodded solidly, before pursing her lips and looking over Sutton in a once-over that made it feel as though Elizabeth had laser vision. “Luckily, that leads me to believe I don’t have to worry that you would be using Charlotte on that front.”

  Indignation, hot and fast, slid through her. “I’m not.”

  Elizabeth continued as though she hadn’t said anything. “You’re a pretty woman, not unintelligent.”

  “. . . thank you?” Was that a compliment? It felt far more like a slight and it left a bad taste in the back of her mouth.

  “When it comes to Charlotte, it boils down to this – my granddaughter has staked everything to come out and be with you." Her voice was low and commanding in an admirable way. That was, if Sutton wasn’t well on her way to insult. “I implore you to consider this, young lady: Charlotte has a big future ahead of her. She needs a partner, a strong partner, not someone

  who will hold her back. You’ve got to decide sooner rather than later if you’re willing to be that partner. Or, if this is some fleeting fancy of young love for you, then recognize it for what it is, and act accordingly.”

  She tapped her fingers on her desk as if to signal that was the final word, before leaning back in her chair and regarded Sutton with a challenging look.

  For a few resounding moments they sat in silence and Sutton realized her mouth had literally fallen open in offense. Because Sutton could count on one hand how many times she’d felt this affronted and definitely never, ever, like this.

  She’d never had her intentions questioned and her typically slow to boil temper burning hot through her veins.

  “This is not a fleeting fancy of young love." She shot back, her voice low and angry, just a little out of breath. “I love Charlotte and I would never use her for anything.” The energy blazing through her made her just restless enough to stand, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I know exactly what Charlotte is risking by being with me, but she didn’t come out just for me.

  She came out because she’s strong and she doesn’t need anyone to fight her battles for her.”

  After the words left her, Elizabeth slowly clasped her hands together in front of her as she tilted her head up to give Sutton another thoughtful look.

  “Hmm.”

  Only then did Sutton really realize where exactly she was and who she’d just spoken to like that.

  She could feel her cheeks burn, the shock of it making her eyes widen as her hands fell to her sides. “I . . .” An apology was on the tip of her tongue but damn it, she didn’t want to say it. Not after coming here just to be insulted. “I shouldn’t have said . . . what I said . . . the way I said it,” she finished, her stomach sinking. She just had to get out of there. “But I think you aren’t giving Charlotte enough credit for her own choices and you certainly aren’t giving me any.”

  Elizabeth continued to measure her up in silence – ugh, this was a disaster. It was going to be a disaster and she just knew that the mortification was going to set in at some point and she didn’t want to be here when it did.

  “I should, um, go. You have Chancellor Merkel on the phone.”

  “So I do, Miss Spencer." Was all she got bac
k in response, before Elizabeth reached for her phone as Sutton went to the door.

  She thought for a moment that there was a hint of a smile on her face but she didn’t stop and look. She quickly shut the door behind her and walked far too quickly out of the office.

  First, her first serious job interview. Then her name and face and details of her relationship are being gossiped about all over the internet.

  Then Elizabeth Thompson herself summoning her to her office to imply that she is using Charlotte for – anything.

  And then she yelled at her. At the President! Well, formerly, but still.

  She might be sick to her stomach.

  She barely even realized where exactly her feet had taken her in her power-walking, her hands buried in her coat pockets, until she looked up to realize . . . she’d unthinkingly walked several blocks. Several blocks, to Charlotte’s uptown office.

  Her assistant’s desk was empty, giving Sutton a clear view right into the large glass window. She hadn’t seen Charlotte in her office, yet – had only seen pictures of it all – and for just that moment, everything froze.

  Charlotte stood facing out her window talking determinedly on her desk phone, leaving Sutton staring at her profile, and this maelstrom inside of her somewhat calmed.

  She wore a pair of her fitted, tailored slacks, with a button-up top that had long sleeves folded up over her elbows. Sutton knew the cut of her jaw, just the way she tilted her head, that spoke of how resolute she was about whatever she was on the phone about. The way she smirked with her hand tapping smartly on her desk that the conversation was almost over.

  It was awe-inspiring. Because Charlotte stood there in her office, that she’d won by making history already. By coming out and risking so much.

  And, yes it was for herself.

  But it was also for her. For them. The implication was never lost on her, not in the last eight months since it’d happened, and it made her heart skip a beat.

  That was her girlfriend. Her girlfriend, who was going to take over the world one day. In an amazing not-villainous way. But in the way that she was brilliant and well intentioned and was just so – lovely.