Disclaimer: I own anyone you don't recognize. Everyone else belongs to Sorkin.
A/U obviously but does not follow WW canon. Sam did not run for Congress, Leo and Josh did not go to the Santos campaign, and Toby never leaked about the space shuttle.
The West Wing was empty, save for a few custodians, some agents, a speech writer, and the Commander-in-Chief. Of course, none of these people realized the others were there. Well, the agents knew who was there but Sam Seaborn had no idea that Jed Bartlet was about to stroll by the Communications bullpen to see his lone light shining through the early morning. It was 6 AM on January 19 and in thirty hours a new staff and President would walk these halls. In thirty hours, someone else would sit in Sam's chair, spend late nights in his office, try to write a speech so eloquent that it would be remembered with the likes of FDR, JFK, and all the other brilliant men that had roamed these hallowed halls. But it wasn't noon on January 20. It was still 6 AM on January 19 and Sam stood behind his desk, not ready to pack up the past eight years of his life.
"I thought Senior Staff wasn't until eight." Jed's voice cracked through the silence but did not startle Sam.
"I still have some packing to do and I figured I should do it now when no one was around."
"I could leave."
"Oh, no Mr. President, I didn't mean..."
"I know. Relax." the older man smiled as he lowered himself into one of Sam's chairs. "It's scary, isn't it? I don't think I'm ready to go back to being an old man sitting on his farm. I kind of like having all of this."
"It doesn't feel like eight years have passed. Well, it depends on what kind of day it's been but most of the time it feels more like eight days."
"You can keep packing. We can multitask."
Sam chuckled softly and began sorting through his desk. Everything had already been taking off the walls, which had been hard in itself, but his desk was the most personal space in the whole office. It contained his life. An assortment of papers and picture frames littered the top while God only knew what lay hidden in the drawers.
"I thought you would be happy to be able to live your life." Jed said, "You know, be with those that you love whenever you wanted and not have to rush off to work."
"I wouldn't have them if I didn't work here."
"No, you wouldn't, would you? And you never have thanked me."
"Thanked you?"
"Well if I hadn't hired Ainsley, you would never have gotten together. Unless of course, you planned on finding her some time and pursuing a romantic interest in her."
"No," Sam laughed, running a hand over his eyes. "I would never have. Honestly, sir, I'm surprised we even got together with her working here."
"Well, it did happen and these two are living proof," Jed leaned forward to grab one of the frames, which contained a picture of two grinning children. He smiled down at the twins, then looked up at Sam. "You four have to come up to the farm. Abbey would just die if she didn't get to see them."
"Abbey or you sir?"
"Both."
"Okay."
"Perhaps you can fly to New Hampshire after your much needed vacation instead of going straight home." Jed suggested.
"It will only have been ten days."
"That's a long time. We're family Sam, you're never going to get rid of us."
"I don't plan on it."
"I've never thanked you or apologized for what we've done here." the President suddenly switched topics and the mood seemed to darken. "You've been a great asset to me over the years but more importantly a great son. I love you just as much as my daughters, maybe even more some days. But I know I've hurt you."
"Mr. President,"
"Let me finish. I should never have lied to you. I know how much trust and faith you placed in me. I'm sorry that I abused it. I know that you looked towards me after you had the problems with your father and I let you down as well."
"You're more of a father to me and over the years, I've thought about why things happened the way they did and I know that if I was in your place, I would do the same."
"Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that." Jed said, standing slowly. "I'm glad we got to talk. We haven't done that in a while. I wanted to have a chance to speak with each of you privately, let you all know how much I appreciate all the things you've done for me through the years."
"We serve at the pleasure of the President. I serve at the pleasure of the President."
"And you've done well. And don't be upset about leaving because you know you'll just be back."
"I'm sure Josh will pull me in to a campaign somehow."
"It's gonna be yours. I was being truthful that night I told you that you would run for president."
"I don't know how Ainsley would feel about that."
"She's got time to think it over." Jed beckoned Sam towards him and once he was close enough, pulled him into a tight hug. "Oh,"
When they pulled away, Jed seemed to materialize a book out of nowhere. It was a battered copy of A Tale of Two Cities.
"You like Dickens, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"I've had it for many years but now it's yours."
"Well, then," Sam tried to hand it back but Jed shook his head.
"I've read it so many times that I close my eyes and the lines appear before me."
"So have I."
"Keep it. I've wanted to give that to you for a long time. I figured now was appropriate."
"Thank you Mr. President."
"So what are you going to do tomorrow after you no longer serve at the pleasure of the President."
Sam thought for a moment, then grinned widely.
"I'm going to Disney World."
"You'll have a good time. It's been a long time since I've been down there. Oh and when you're they're, you have to get the twins those mouse ear hats with their names on them. They're adorable."
Four days later a decent sized box was sitting on the kitchen table of the Bartlet home.
"What's this?"
"It's for you," Abbey replied. "I'm assuming it's from Sam because the post stamp is from Florida."
Jed looked confused but opened the box to find a folded up piece of paper and mouse ears. He unfolded the paper and a photo fell out. For the moment he ignored it so he could read the short letter. Across the top of the page, written in bright green crayon was Poppy, the Seaborn kids name for him. Below that was Sam's familiar handwriting:
Mia has a thing for writing now that her preschool teacher said she was so good at it. Anyway, you said that you hadn't been to Disney in a long time so we figured if you couldn't get down there, we'd bring it up to you. Hope you're enjoying your own vacation.
Love Sam, Ainsley, Drew, and Mia
Jed smiled and picked up the photo to find the grinning family standing in front of Cinderella's castle.
"They look happy." Abbey observed over his shoulder.
"They are." he reached for the mouse ears and began to laugh as he saw the golden writing declare 'President Poppy.'
