Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Joe Biden awoke to a wailing toddler in the adjacent room. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes and blinked a few times, hopeful that the child would soothe herself back to sleep. He waited for a moment, listening intently to his daughter's cues. He rubbed his face and yawned. As a first time parent, he naively thought that sleep regression improved past the newborn stage but he couldn't have been more wrong. His daughter, Erin, had begun the final stretch of the teething process and had woken up in a fussy mood for the past week and a half.

She flailed and cried until someone tended to her and when they did, it would only pacify her for a moment before she'd throw the toy or blanket on the floor and her bottom lip would begin to quiver. 

As he listened, the crying persisted, and he realized it would only grow louder. Determined, he willed himself to work out the kink in his neck and get up. Just before Joe could rise, his wife tossed off her side of the duvet and hurried into the nursery so much as a "good morning" to him.

He sighed. This was now the reality of their mornings.

In fact, he couldn't recall the last time they'd spent the morning in bed, enjoying each other's company and the mundaneness of married life; but he knew it was before they'd conceived Erin.

Though he loved his daughter more than life itself, the days seemed to blend together in tedious repetition since she'd been born. Each day was filled with feedings, diaper changes, and small wooden books about fictional animal characters with some plight.

Really, Joe didn't mind it most days. But sometimes he missed the excitement and spontaneous person his wife used to be prior to Erin's birth. He couldn’t fault her; she was a devoted mother balancing several plates at once. Silently, he scolded himself for his ungratefulness. 

His wife returned to the bedroom roughly fifteen minutes later, to Joe's surprise, sans baby. "I gave her some medicine and her teething ring. She's settled now."

She sat down on the bed to put her slippers on and Joe wrapped his arms around her, taking a moment to inhale the scent of her almond and vanilla shampoo. He leaned down and placed a few light kisses on her neck and she shrugged her shoulders. "It sounds like you have a magic touch."

"I have to make breakfast before she starts crying again." She told him, plainly. 

"Ellie," he began, taking note of how pathetic his voice sounded. "It's 7AM. Stay in bed with me for a little while longer and I'll make breakfast and I'll get Erin when she wakes up." 

He kissed her shoulder softly before playfully pulling her back in bed.

"There’s no time," she replied sternly and he let her go. 

He sighed once more and sunk down into the duvet. Being turned down for sex so frequently was beginning to bruise his ego. He didn't have unreasonably high expectations, but he missed his wife's body. He missed having a physical connection with someone. After laying in bed with his own thoughts for a moment, he retreated to a cold shower before heading off to work.

He spent the entire drive to the office inside of his own head. 

Perhaps his wife simply wasn't attracted to him anymore? He had to admit that he had changed a little since they'd first met in college. He'd stopped playing football and wasn't as toned as he'd used to be and his hair had begun to thin at the crown. 

The problem definitely wasn’t a lack of attraction on his part. Ellie was a stunning blonde with an amazing smile, a captivating laugh, and a gorgeous figure that he found even more perfect just two years after having a baby. He made it a point every day to remind her how beautiful and desirable she was to him.

He understood that marriage involved more than just sex, but he couldn't ignore that it was essential for him. He believed it was a key part of intimacy, and when he expressed to Ellie that he was feeling neglected, she interpreted it as a harsh critique and stormed out with Erin. He hadn't meant to upset her. He'd tried his best to communicate his needs lovingly and had carefully chosen his words but she wasn't receptive so he'd given up on having the conversation again. He shuddered at the memory of how poorly it had turned out.

Joe slumped at his desk in an isolated corner of the living room, aimlessly flipping through his files. Fatigue had set in, causing the words to blur together. They stopped making sense four paragraphs ago, and he was certain he had read the same sentence at least three times.

He heard a sound and looked up, "Erin?" He asked softly, wondering if the adventurous toddler had managed to crawl out of her crib again.

"I'll give you a second guess," Ellie replied, coming around the stairs so that he could get a full look at her. She stood in front of him in a silk, purple nightgown. "Are you coming to bed? I've been waiting for you."

She walked over to his side of the desk and sat down on his lap. Without saying another word, she leaned in and kissed him. The kiss reminded him of the kind of kiss you'd have when you were a teenager at a drive-in movie and spending your time making out simply because it's what everyone else was doing. 

Joe half-heartedly returned her kiss. The kiss was lackluster. It seemed more like a chore than something either of them wanted to do. Joe was grateful that she'd finally come around the idea of imitating sex every now and then but, frankly, he was still frustrated. He missed the flirting, the foreplay that led to the kind of sex that made him push her against a wall and have his way with her. He craved the unpredictability of coming home to his wife in one of his button downs, waiting for him on the sofa with a glass of wine in hand, or even just the electric spark that accompanied a kiss filled with pure, raw desire.

This? This wasn't an effort. This was bi-monthly pity sex that her girlfriends proposed to her because it 'kept their husbands happy', a conversation he accidentally stumbled into one afternoon. He communicated to her several times that this wasn't what he needed from her, but it always ended in a fight during which she called him ungrateful, stormed out, and withheld sex for another month as punishment. He was exhausted from walking on eggshells with her. 

Still, he obliged in hopes that this time would be the one that would reignite the spark that had been missing since Erin's birth. 

He prompted her to move them upstairs.

"You look beautiful," he told her as he scanned her nightgown. It was true. Ellie was stunning. She had long legs and mesmerizing brown eyes with long lashes. She knew that she was desirable as well. She made sure to mention frequently to Joe how sought after she was at parties and how many men came up to her to tell her how nice she looked in whatever expensive clothing item she purchased earlier that week. It seemed as though she craved everyone's attention, everyone’s but Joe's. He was practically tripping over himself to get a little reciprocation, but she was as stiff as a board. 

He led her upstairs and laid her down on the bed. To not overwhelm her, he made sure that the pace of their sex was loving and gentle. It lacked passion and fire, but he hoped it’d open the door for them to have an active love life once again.

And just as quickly as it had begun, everything took a turn for the worse.

"That was great honey," she said, snuggling up to him.

"Yeah." He responded plainly and she lifted her head up.

She sighed, glancing at him with furrowed brows. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Nothing. Really, nothing's wrong." He ran a hand through his hair, frustration creeping in. "I just wish sex was like it used to be."

With her arms crossed, she leaned back slightly, studying him intently. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to gather his thoughts.

"Don't you miss it, El?" he said, opening his eyes to meet hers. "Things were different back then. We were so much more carefree, more… spontaneous."

She swung her legs off the bed and stood up, her posture rigid as she turned away. He instinctively reached out and gently grasped her wrist, his grip firm yet gentle. 

"El- Ellie," he pleaded, his voice softening, "how do you expect us to resolve this if we can't even discuss it without it turning into a fight?"

"It's fine, Joe." She pulled her wrist free, her expression a mix of determination and hurt. "I’m going to the guest room."

He let out a heavy sigh and sank back against the pillow, feeling a wave of defeat wash over him. He wasn’t going to chase after her this time, not when the air felt so thick with tension. Instead, he turned onto his side and closed his eyes, willing sleep to come and hoping for a better tomorrow.

"What?" he asked, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone at the knock on his door.

"You're in a stellar mood today, Biden," his colleague commented as he tossed a file down in front of him.

Joe looked up from the papers spread out across his desk.

"Todd, if I have to read another one of these damned briefings, I'm going to abandon this field and reconsider going into the dealership business with my father."

Todd laughed. 

Todd Griffin, a senior law partner at the firm, had become one of his closest friends and confidants. As Joe made his bid for the Senate, he found himself at a crossroads in several friendships. At the end of the day, he knew that he could trust Todd. He was a single man only slightly older than Joe and they made a pact from the beginning to always be in each other's corner. 

"You look like you could use a break, Biden. You wanna grab some lunch with me at The Palm and discuss whatever the hell is making you white knuckle your pencil? That one is coming out of your salary, by the way." He joked, pointing to a broken pencil on Joe's desk.

Reluctantly Joe agreed. If anyone knew about seduction, it was Todd Griffin. He seemed to be going out with a different woman each weekend, and though Joe was a monogamist at heart, he couldn’t help but want to live vicariously through Todd on occasion.

As they waited for their orders, Joe began divulging details to Todd out of earshot of the wait staff. "You know, Ellie and I have been going through a dry spell since Erin was born. This morning, I tried to… you know…"

Todd laughed at his friend's inability to mention the word sex aloud. 

"Biden, if you can't say the word sex then perhaps I can understand why she's avoiding it.”

Joe rolled his eyes, "You're a terrible shrink."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm listening…"

In a hushed voice, Joe continued. "She literally shrugged me off. We've had sex maybe twice every three or four months since Erin was born. I am going insane."

"How's the sex when you do have it?" Todd inquired. Joe sighed again, unable to tell if his friend was asking out of genuine interest or morbid curiosity.

They ceased the conversation for a moment while the waitress put their food on their table, thanking her.

"It's been… different. Don't get me wrong, we both…" Joe hesitated and gestured with his hands.

"Get off." Todd responded for him before taking a drink.

"Yes, that. But it's not like we're ripping each other's clothes off anymore,” he continued as he added pepper to his sandwich, “It's… It's almost like it's a chore. She never comes to me anymore. I feel like a… pervert, begging a woman to have sex with me who isn't interested."

"Perhaps she's feeling like she doesn't want to make a move because she feels like you're not attracted to her anymore. A lot of women lose their confidence after having a baby."

Joe shook his head. "No, I don't think that's it. I tell her as often as I can how attractive she is. Frankly, I just don't think she's attracted to me anymore. I think it's just… fizzled out."

It wasn't the lack of sex that hurt him the most when he truly thought about it. It was the little things, too. She'd stopped sneaking glances at him when he undressed to shower. He couldn't recall the last time she ran her hands across his shoulders as she walked by, or randomly placed a chaste kiss on his lips without reason. The last time he embraced her in a hug, she pulled away first. She never used to pull away first. 

He wondered what brought on all of these changes. Was it something he'd done? Something he'd said? He missed having a partner in life. He didn't want to simply cohabitate.

"Oh." Todd responded. 

"Yeah."

"Have you tried to do any grand gestures? She's with the baby all day. Maybe romancing her and letting her take the night off will put her in the mood, send her to a spa or something. Switching from mom to wife might be hard for her, I don't know."

"I’ll give it another shot.”

Satisfied with Todd's advice, the conversation moved on to politics. They were in the middle of discussing the recent increase in protests when a young woman approached their table.

“Suzanne, nice to see you here,” Todd said.

She smiled, her brown hair cascading in soft waves around her shoulders, accentuated by a fitted bohemian blouse and flared jeans that highlighted her figure. “Always a pleasure to see you too, Todd.”

“This is Suzanne,” he told Joe, who politely waved. “She’s a friend of a friend. Would you like to join us, Suzanne?” he asked, but she shook her head. 

“No, I’m actually leaving, but…” she paused, a playful smile on her lips, "For you and your friend."

She handed him a blue flyer. From across the table, the words were just a blur to Joe. He could tell that the swirling letters and shapes hinted at some event or gathering. 

He returned her gesture with a smile and a nod.

Joe raised an eyebrow, his confusion evident. "What just happened?" he asked, leaning back against the counter, arms crossed as he eyed Todd, who was wearing an amused grin.

Todd leaned in slightly, clearly enjoying the moment. "It's an invitation for a key party, Biden," he declared, barely containing his laughter.

Joe's expression hardened, a mix of curiosity and dread dancing in his features. "Though I'm terrified to ask, what the hell is a key party?"

Todd couldn’t help but smirk wider at Joe’s innocence. He loved moments like this - seeing how easily he could scandalize his poor friend. “It’s a party where you put your car keys in a bowl, and then you have sex with whichever woman - or man, if that's your thing - blindly chooses your key.”

Joe's face twisted in disbelief, his eyes wide. “People do that? I thought that was something reserved for pornography.”

“Nope,” Todd replied with a casual shrug, relishing Joe's horror.

Joe's curiosity sparked despite his reservations. "You've gone to these... before?" he pressed, leaning forward, now more intrigued than repulsed.

Todd tilted his head thoughtfully, scratching the back of his neck as he considered his words carefully. “Yeah, uh, once or twice,” he admitted, his voice dropping slightly. “It’s kind of neat, I guess. You have sex with someone, and you never have to see them again. Everyone's there for the same purpose, so no one's feelings get hurt. It’s legal and free.” He chuckled, the thrill of the taboo seeping into his tone as he watched Joe wrestle with the concept.

Joe nodded slowly. He could understand the appeal of that kind of arrangement, but the thought of having sex with a complete stranger still made him uneasy. He simply couldn’t wrap his head around wanting to connect with someone he had just met, especially in such an intimate way.

Todd glanced at his watch and cursed under his breath. "Shit! We’ve got to get going,” he said, snapping the watch band against his wrist as he hurried to gather his things.

Later that evening, Joe and Ellie found themselves leaning over the bathtub, the warm water swirling around as they gently bathed a giggling Erin. The child’s laughter filled the bathroom, brightening the atmosphere. 

Ellie lightly splashed water in Joe’s direction, a playful grin on her face. "I think her teeth are finally almost finished coming through," she remarked, running a hand through Erin's damp hair while keeping a watchful eye on her.

"Poor thing, maybe she'll finally get some rest," Joe replied, chuckling as he wiped a droplet off his cheek.

As Ellie continued to rinse Erin off, Joe seized the opportunity to bring up a plan that had been brewing in his mind. "Speaking of rest, I was thinking… you deserve a day off. Tomorrow, why don't you go out and enjoy some shopping with your friends?" He tried to keep his tone casual, though he was eager to see her reaction.

Ellie’s eyes lit up, and she smiled brightly. "That sounds nice!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm palpable.

"Alright then," Joe said, nodding decisively as he reached for a towel to dry off Erin’s tiny hands. "Erin and I have some errands to do anyway."

The next morning, Joe placed Erin in the shopping cart, carefully buckling her in as she babbled and reached for the colorful items on the shelf. As he maneuvered through the grocery store, he scanned the aisles, making a mental list of all the items he wanted to gather for dinner. He was determined to make a delicious chicken dish with sun-dried tomatoes and a medley of fresh vegetables, a recipe his mother had passed down to him.

As Joe pushed the cart past the produce section, he reached out to select a few ripe tomatoes, red and plump, and grabbed a handful of crunchy bell peppers, drawn to their bright colors. A mix of excitement and nervousness always accompanied his culinary endeavors and he was sure his mother would get an absolute kick out of him checking the peppers for ‘spots’, as she called them. He was certain he'd need to ring her a few times during his cooking mission to make sure he didn't mess anything up. 

Just then, he glanced down at Erin, who was excitedly pointing at a colorful box of cereal with cartoon characters dancing across the front. Joe couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, sweet pea, let’s get your shopping list sorted out first," he said, giving her a wink.

He carefully placed the tomatoes and peppers in the cart, feeling a wave of gratitude for his mother’s endless patience with all his kitchen blunders. With each fresh ingredient he added to the cart, his confidence grew, even if a hint of nerves still lingered in the back of his mind. This could be a fun adventure - or it could result in him taking all three of them out to dinner.

To ease any potential stress from his cooking plans, he decided to order Ellie’s favorite dessert from a shop nearby. He could picture the look of delight on her face when she tasted it.

Continuing down the aisle, Joe paused in front of the wine section. A glimmer of curiosity sparked within him as he scanned the bottles. He picked up a few, reading the labels with interest, and finally settled on a tempranillo rosé. It seemed like the perfect complement to the chicken dish he was planning, and he imagined how it would pull together their dinner. Satisfied, he added it to the cart, feeling a sense of accomplishment building as he went but he soon realized that he was running out of time.

Erin's eyes welled up with tears as she began to fuss, and Joe quickly swooped in to comfort her. Gently, he ran his thumb across her cheek, wiping away her tears. "I know, sweetie, we're almost done," he cooed softly. "Daddy's going to get you something for those teeth, just hang tight, okay?" He spoke softly, trying to reassure her as he held her close.

As they continued shopping, Joe steered the cart towards the pharmacy section, scanning the shelves for the medication he needed. Once he found it, he skillfully maneuvered the cart to head towards the checkout. In a moment of instinct, Joe grabbed a box of condoms off the shelf and tossed them into the basket, hoping they wouldn't be noticed.

He couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment as he did so. Perhaps he was being overzealous, but he was hopeful. After all, life had a way of surprising us.

As he loaded his items onto the conveyor belt, the cashier raised an eyebrow and gave him a knowing look. Joe's face turned bright red as he felt his embarrassment grow. He could have simply perished then and there. If he had the wherewithal, he would have quickly sent his college-aged brother to the store to pick up those more personal items for him, but then he’d have to deal with his needling and this somehow seemed less embarrassing. He could only begin to imagine the interview that the cashier would give to a newspaper as his campaign gained more attention.

After gently placing Erin down for the night and ensuring that she was securely asleep, Joe felt a mix of relief and excitement wash over him. He tiptoed to the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves and diving into the flurry of dinner preparation. 

To his surprise, he had only needed to call his mother once to ask her to decode her handwriting.

“Sauté, Joey,” she’d chuckled. “It says sauté.”

Once the meal was plated to his satisfaction, he turned his attention to the dining table, arranging a simple yet cheerful floral display with fresh blooms he had picked up earlier.

With the table set, he lit a few Roman candles for a touch of warmth and ambiance, their flickering flames casting a soft glow throughout the space. He turned on some soft music, letting the soothing melodies wash over him as he waited anxiously for Ellie’s arrival.

Stepping back to admire his work, he muttered, "Not too shabby."

When Ellie finally walked through the door, Joe stood next to the kitchen table, a bottle of her favorite rosé uncorked beside him. He watched her scan the room, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. His stomach churned with nerves as he anticipated her reaction, holding his breath for her acknowledgment.

"What is all of this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Her tone suggested that she wasn't particularly impressed, and Joe felt his heart sink a little. She turned up her nose slightly, yet he refused to let it dampen his spirits. Perhaps she was just overwhelmed after a long day.

“Dinner, just for you,” he replied, forcing a smile. “Um, come sit down.”

She set her purse on the counter, a slight sigh escaping her lips before she stepped forward. Joe pulled out her chair, presenting it with a flourish. "This is… nice," she said, her voice lacking enthusiasm.

'Nice' felt a bit underwhelming, but he clung to the thought that he might have caught her off guard. Maybe she was simply speechless. Pouring her a glass of rosé, he hoped that the wine would help ease some of the tension lingering in the air.

As they began to eat, the conversation flowed, with Joe asking her about her day. She animatedly recounted the dresses she had purchased and the delightful shops she had visited. He didn't dare ask how much she had spent, but seeing the joy on her face brought a smile to his own. 

"I can't wait to show you!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. A twinge of disappointment flickered within him as he realized that while she spoke about her shopping spree, she was the most vivacious he had seen her all night.

He cleared his throat, a hint of nervous energy thrumming through him. "So, uh, I was thinking that after dinner, maybe we could go upstairs and you could try on your dresses for me?"

"Of course!" Ellie exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "I think there's a particular purple one you'll love. It'll look so great for your swearing-in ceremony." Her enthusiasm was palpable, and it warmed his heart a little.

Despite her occasional frustrating traits, Joe couldn’t help but find her unwavering belief in him endearing. They had come a long way from their early days together. Ellie had initially turned her nose up at the small-town lifestyle in Wilmington, having grown up in an affluent area of New York. But slowly, over time, she had grown comfortable in her new surroundings and formed friendships that made her feel at home, even if he couldn't provide the same monetary comforts her parents had.

They cleaned up dinner together, chatting lightly about the day’s events, and Ellie quickly dashed upstairs to change. Joe made himself comfortable on their bed, the soft duvet beneath him inviting as he anxiously waited for her to emerge from the master bathroom.

After a few moments, the door swung open, and Ellie stepped out, spinning gracefully as she held her arms out. "What do you think?" she asked, a cheeky grin on her face.

Joe's heart skipped. "Wow. I think that you look incredibly sexy," he said, his voice warm with admiration. He stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer so that she stood between his legs. "The only thing that would make this better is if I could take it off of you."

A flicker of surprise crossed Ellie's face before she blinked and gently removed his hands from her waist. "You did this all for sex?"

“Honey, no! I mean, I won’t lie. I was hoping it would naturally lead to something,” he replied, his heart racing with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. “But I wasn’t banking on it, and I certainly am not going to force it. I figured that either way, we’d get to enjoy a relaxing evening together.”

Her expression hardened, and she retreated to the bathroom, each step heavy with disappointment. "I'm going to take a bath."

“You know, I really don’t know what you want from me anymore,” he admitted, his voice heavy with frustration. “I tried. I really tried.” 

She paused at the doorway, glancing back at him. “Just make sure all the dishes are cleaned up,” she said, her tone flat as she closed the door behind her with a soft click.

Joe’s anger boiled over, and he slammed their bedroom door behind him as he exhaled sharply. In response, Erin’s small wail echoed from the nursery, the sound piercing through his anger.

"Fantastic, now you’ve woken Erin," Ellie snapped, swinging the bathroom door open in a hurry. She threw her hands up in exasperation, her voice dripping with irritation.

"I'll go tend to her. Take your bath," he waved her off dismissively, but when she stormed toward the nursery, he felt a wave of defeat wash over him. And guilt - he didn’t want to be the kind of man who slammed the door so hard that it startled his baby daughter.

So he went downstairs.

In the solitude of the kitchen, he found himself lost in the rhythm of washing dishes, the clattering plates matching the chaos in his mind. His thoughts drifted to the key party that the attractive brunette had mentioned, the hotel address in Philadelphia lingering tantalizingly in his memory. A pang of guilt shot through him as he caught sight of his wedding ring glinting in the warm light of the lamp on the counter. Yet, the swell of anger and hurt inside him roared like an unstoppable tide, drowning out his conscience. He couldn’t fight it anymore; he was utterly exhausted.

Joe couldn't help but daydream about a life where encounters were purely physical - free from emotional entanglements or burdens. Just the exhilarating rush of intimacy, without the complexities of commitment weighing him down.

Chapter Text

Across town, Jill Westbrook adjusted the fabric of her dress, smoothing out the creases as she took a moment to shake off her nerves. With a firm press of the doorbell, she was greeted by a maid who met her with a sweet, polite smile. The grandeur of her in-laws' home always left her feeling somewhat intimidated; it was a sprawling estate with ornate crown moldings, high ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers, and polished marble floors echoing beneath her wedged heels.

Growing up in a modest household, she wasn't accustomed to such displays of wealth. As she walked through the foyer, her eyes roamed over the elegant art pieces lining the walls and the tasteful floral arrangements that adorned every surface.

She continued to follow the maid until they finally reached the dining room. There, her husband and his parents were already seated at the beautifully set table, waiting for her arrival amidst the soft glow of candlelight reflecting off fine china. The table was adorned with a silk tablecloth, polished silverware, and a centerpiece of seasonal flowers, all meticulously arranged. It was strikingly flawless, almost to the point of being unsettling.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook," Jill greeted, her voice bright despite the swirling anxiety in her stomach. She slid into the chair next to her husband, Ben, who offered her a kiss on the cheek.

"Sorry I'm late," she continued, adjusting her posture, "my class ran over." She squeezed Ben's hand, mentally bracing herself for her mother-in-law's inevitable critique.

"It's quite alright, dear," Benjamin Sr., her father-in-law, said with a gentle nod, his calm demeanor always managed to make her feel a little lighter. Her father-in-law was often a strict man, particular and with high expectations. Yet, for some reason, he appeared to have a genuine soft spot for her.

Ben reached out, rubbing her back in a comforting gesture. "She's almost at the end of this semester. One more to go," he chimed in.

"That's fantastic!" Elizabeth, her husband's mother, exclaimed, her words surprising Jill. Elizabeth could often be colder than a winter day, so receiving such an enthusiastic response made warmth bloom in Jill's chest. "You must be so relieved!"

Jill nodded, a ripple of accomplishment washing over her. "I really am. A light at the end of the tunnel, finally."

Suddenly, the conversation shifted. "Any big plans for your break?" Benjamin Sr. inquired, curiosity in his eyes as he took a sip of his drink.

Jill exchanged a glance with Ben. "Actually, Ben and I were thinking about going to Cape May," she announced, excitement creeping into her voice. "That is, if Ben can work it out with his schedule."

Benjamin Sr.'s expression grew serious as he shook his head, his brow furrowing slightly. "Not any time soon, I'm afraid," he explained, his tone firm but kind. "We have far too much to do on Caldwell Manor. I need Ben to stay focused." His words hung in the air, a weight on Jill's shoulders as she felt hope slip away.

The Caldwell Manor consumed nearly all of her husband's time as he collaborated with his father at the architecture firm. The mansion was enormous, and the affluent Caldwell family relentlessly expanded it with new rooms at every meeting. A new column here, a window there; the stairs need to shift to the left—no, the right. Their requests seemed relentless. Ben assured her that this project would be the stepping stone for him to establish his own firm.

Jill's excited expression faltered, and disappointment tugged at her. "Oh," she whispered softly, glancing at Ben for support. She was desperate for him to finally stand up to his parents and say no, for her sake. All she wanted was for them to escape to the beach, if only for a little while, and let the waves wash away the stress of the past year.

Ben shrugged apathetically. "We'll figure something out," he assured her, bumping his shoulder against hers.

"Sure." She forced a smile. "We can go another time when things slow down."

"Of course," Elizabeth added with a wave of her hand, as if brushing aside Jill's disappointment. "There's always planning for future trips," she added, her tone losing some of its earlier warmth.

"Hopefully that won't happen," Ben responded dismissively, a smirk curling at the corners of his mouth. Jill shot him a puzzled look.. He quickly added, "I mean that we'll continue to grow and take on new clients," but the insincerity was hard to miss.

"Oh..." she replied, picking up her fork and taking a bite of her broccoli, chewing slowly as she tried to ignore the prickling sensation of his dismissive attitude. "Yeah, of course."

The evening unfolded languidly as the small group migrated to the formal living room, the air filled with the rich aroma of dessert and freshly brewed tea. Jill sighed as she settled into one of the plush armchairs. She'd nearly made it through this delightful evening.

Benjamin Sr. gestured to the maid, his voice commanding as he asked for his newspaper.

"Benjamin, must you read the newspaper now?" Elizabeth chided sharply as she shot him a disapproving glance. She felt it was uncouth to delve into current events in front of their guests, especially during dessert.

Unfazed, Benjamin Sr. gently shook the newspaper until it unfolded with a crisp rustle. He held it out in front of him, a slight grin playing at his lips. "Yes, Elizabeth. I must. It's an election year, and it's my civic duty to decide who to vote for now if you'll excuse me..." 

Elizabeth shook her head.

"Did you see who is running against Boggs?" Elizabeth asked her son.

"Biden? Yeah," he replied, casually settling next to Jill, who was trying to focus on her dessert rather than the brewing political debate.

Elizabeth pursed her lips, frustration evident on her face. "I can't imagine what a 29-year-old could know about politics. Boggs is much more experienced. He's a Bronze Star recipient and—"

"He's a dinosaur," Ben interjected, rolling his eyes. "Ma, he's 63. If you want to discuss age, perhaps he's a little too old to be making decisions on behalf of the entire state."

"I resent that, son." Benjamin Sr. interjected, his tone gravelly as he leaned back, lifting his chin slightly as if to assert his authority. "What do you think, Jill?"

Caught off guard, Jill froze, her mind racing as they entered the treacherous territory of political debate - something that had never truly piqued her interest. She had only skimmed the surface of politics through books she had reluctantly read for class.

"Um," she stumbled, the weight of their scrutiny pressing down on her. "I suppose that having a fresh, new perspective could be helpful." She attempted to navigate the conversation carefully, and Elizabeth shot her a withering look. "But of course, age and experience are beneficial as well," she added hastily, trying to find a balance.

Benjamin Sr. leaned closer to Jill, a twinkle in his eye. "Smart girl, play both sides," he whispered conspiratorially.

In an instinctive gesture, she placed her hand on top of his, offering him a grateful smile.

"Before I forget, there's a charity event coming up on Friday evening. Ben, I think it'd be good for you to make an appearance there," Benjamin Sr. announced, adjusting his glasses with a sense of authority.

"That's our anniversary," Jill interjected, "We have reservations at Hamilton's."

Elizabeth looked at her resolutely, a woman who rarely took no for an answer. "You'll have to cancel them, then," she told them firmly, as if the decision was already made.

Jill's heart sank. "We can't do that. They're reservations; we'll never get them back," she explained with rising panic.

"Of course you will. Your surname can get you into any place in Delaware," Elizabeth challenged, a sly smirk on her lips, as if testing Jill's resolve.

Jill turned to Ben, searching his face for some sign of support.

Ben shrugged, "Ma is right. We can go to Hamilton's another time." 

She felt as if he'd punched her directly in the gut.

Jill felt a surge of frustration bubbling inside her, the urge to stomp her feet and flee the room overwhelming. But she held back, knowing that showing such a childish reaction wouldn't end well, especially with Elizabeth watching closely.

Once home, however, she found it increasingly difficult to contain her emotions. A part of her was ready to scream at him, to unleash the frustration that had been building inside her, but another part was so weary and resigned that it felt indifferent to the conflict.

"You could have said something to your parents, Ben," she grumbled as she began to remove her delicate gold earrings. She placed them carefully into her handcrafted cherry wood jewelry box - a cherished gift from her parents for her engagement. The familiar wood felt smooth against her fingertips, a small comfort in the whirlwind of emotions. God, she'd give anything to close her eyes and be instantly transported back to the warm familiarity of her mother's kitchen in Willow Grove.

"It's our anniversary, and I want to spend it with you. We've hardly had any time together since you started this project," she continued, her tone softening as she faced him.

"But why? She had a point, Jill." Ben wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, his touch a brief solace amidst the rising tension. "Honey, you know that if I want to establish my own firm, I'm going to need to network and make my own connections."

Jill leaned back into him, feeling the conflict of love and disappointment swirl within her. She longed for understanding, for a united front, but on this particular night, it felt like their anniversary dreams were slipping away.

"Besides," he traced his finger gently along her shoulders, "the sooner I reach the top, the more time we'll have together. I'll be the one in my father's position, calling the shots."

"I understand that, and I support you, but what happens to us?" she questioned.

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, gazing at them both in the mahogany mirror attached to their dresser. "There will always be time for us," he promised.

Jill sighed, uncertainty gnawing at her. Would there really be time? She was tired of waiting for something that felt increasingly elusive.

With a quiet resolve, she slipped off her dress and crawled into bed, the cool sheets against her skin a stark contrast to the warmth of his body. She reached out to him, craving the intimacy they once shared. Her hand slowly made its way down to his crotch, feeling the tension that had built up between them.

"I've missed you," she whispered, and he leaned down to kiss the top of her head, an acknowledgment of her words.

Though she knew that tomorrow would bring the same distance that plagued them, she allowed herself to bask in the attention he was showering upon her. When they finally finished, Jill lay back against the pillows, a deep sigh escaping her lips.

As she stared at his sleeping form, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was merely cohabitating with a friend, someone who occasionally offered sex as a substitute for the connection that had faded away.

The next day, Jill hurried to class, the anxiety rising inside her as the announcement echoed through the hall: the dean's list had just been posted. Heart racing, she made her way to the bulletin board, threading through the throngs of students eager to see their names.

Once there, she pressed her fingertips against the cool surface of the board, moving them steadily down the names, scanning for hers. T, U, V, W... Webber... Westbrook, J. A broad smile broke across her face - she'd made it.

The last semester had been particularly challenging for her, filled with sleepless nights and an overwhelming workload. Juggling her classes, studying for exams, and fulfilling her responsibilities as a gracious hostess to the Westbrook firm's clients seemed nearly impossible at times. Each project and assignment felt like a mountain to climb, and she was so close to reaching the top.

Thrilled by the news, her mind immediately turned to Ben. She couldn't wait to tell him.

With a skip in her step, she walked over to the payphone, her fingers fumbling slightly as she dropped a dime into the slot. The phone rang as she anxiously paced, biting her lip while waiting for the receptionist to answer.

"Westbrook & Associates, how can I help you?" 

"Hi, Jane," Jill began, trying to contain her excitement. "Is Ben there?"

"Oh hi Jill, uh, I can check if he's still in his office, but he has a meeting coming up, so there's a chance he might be unavailable. Please hold for a moment."

Jill drummed her fingers against the side of the phone, heart pounding in anticipation. After a brief pause, the line clicked, and Ben's familiar voice came through.

"Hello?"

"Hey, handsome," she greeted. "Do you have some time to meet me for lunch? I have some exciting news to share!"

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and Jill's heart sank slightly. "No, I don't. This meeting is going to run late."

"Okay, how about dinner then?" she suggested, hoping for a better outcome.

"Sorry, pumpkin. I need to go over the plans for the Green Haven Project," he replied as he studied the blueprints on his desk.

Frustrated, Jill let out a heavy breath. "Fine," she muttered before hanging up, the receiver clattering back into its cradle. She knew he'd be angry with her, but she'd deal with his reprimands for her unladylike behavior later.

Deciding to refocus her thoughts, she returned to the bulletin board to check the schedule for next semester's classes. As she scanned the board, her gaze landed on a piece of blue paper wedged behind it. Curious, she carefully pulled it free, wondering if it had been left there by mistake.

To her surprise, the flyer boldly announced an event at a hotel in Philadelphia, not too far from her parents' house. A key party? Her eyebrows shot up in shock, momentarily taken aback that such an event actually existed. Intrigued, she remembered the dirty magazine she'd once found under her husband's side of the mattress, where she'd first read about such parties. The thought had seemed both scandalous and exciting.

Jill tucked the paper back into place, her heart racing as she headed to her physics class. As she sat down, she absentmindedly shook her pen between her fingers, her mind drifting away from the lecture. She found herself daydreaming about what a key party might entail - the thrill of anonymity, the liberation from everyday life, and the allure of meeting new people.

Despite being married and committed to Ben, the thought of stepping outside the bounds of her predictable life sent shivers of excitement through her. With each passing minute, class continued on, but she realized she hadn't comprehended a single word from her professor's lecture. Instead, Jill was lost in fantasies of wild nights filled with spontaneity, where inhibitions could be shed as easily as clothing.

"Jill, class is over," her professor called from the door, breaking her reverie. "Do you need to speak to me about something?

"Oh, yeah, I mean, no. Sorry. I zoned out for a second," she apologized, gathering up her things and shaking her head as if to clear the thoughts that had tangled her mind. "I'll be... going..."

The professor chuckled, finding her fluster amusing.

As she walked out, she glanced at the flyer once more.

The Velvet Mirage Hotel

426 N. Briarwood Street

Philadelphia, PA 19102