John Hoynes' Inauguration
Only two hours remained in President Josiah Bartlet's term in office and he was actually looking forward to having some time off to dedicate to his wife. Abbey has suffered through the last 8 years so he felt the least he could do was give her 8 weeks of his undivided attention. He looked over at the staffers who had become his extended family and smiled. CJ was picking imaginary lint off of Toby's suit jacket while Donna was straightening Josh's tie. Sam was talking to Bonnie while Mara rested her head on his shoulder. He thought that she looked tired and distracted and wondered what was bothering her. When Bonnie got up, Jed took her place.
"It's a very good inaugural speech Sam. Everyone who hears it will know you wrote it. It's almost as good as the ones you wrote for me."
"Thanks Sir, I couldn't let this speech be better than yours."
Jed smiled warmly at Sam. "Mara, you don't look too good."
"I'm just tired Jed. I didn't sleep very well last night."
"Where did Jenna disappear too?"
"I have no idea. Sam?"
"She was hungry and went to see if she could round up something in the mess."
"So everything is being moved back to the farm house?"
"Yes. Our truck is scheduled to leave at noon and John's truck is scheduled to arrive at 12:01."
"Taking anything good home?" Mara asked.
"Just the Lincoln bed." Jed teased.
"So you're headlining at Chuckles Comedy club next week?" Mara replied dryly.
"Has she been in this mood all day Sam?"
"Yeah."
"My condolences. Snap out of it Mara, you have your husband to yourself now."
"You're taking Abbey away from me."
"Mara, you are going to your beach house in two days for three weeks, then you are coming to Manchester. You make it sound like I'm kidnapping my wife."
"It's just her separation anxiety kicking in. She'll be fine with it after a day on the beach."
"Since I don't seem to be needed here for this conversation, I'm going to find Jenna."
"Sam, what's up?"
"She's just in a mood. I try to ignore her when she's like this."
"You've got more patience than I do Sam."
Sam smiled, "She's more than worth all the crap I have to take. The sex alone is worth it."
The words had no sooner left Sam's mouth when he felt a swift smack upside the head."
"I heard that Samuel and consider yourself lucky that your wife didn't." CJ replied with a grin.
Josh started laughing which prompted Donna to slap him too. Toby chuckled very quietly to himself less he suffer the same fate. Mara returned with Jenna a few minutes later. Abbey arrived and brought Mara up to the solarium.
"So how are you feeling Sweetie?"
"I'm moody today, I've been a beast to Sam and I was pretty rude to your husband. I'm also really tired."
"It's your hormones and did you sleep last night?"
"Not really."
"That's why you are tired and you are always cranky when you are tired. You should go home and have a nap before the balls. What are you wearing?"
"A nap is a good idea. Sam and Josh want me to wear the tanzanite organza dress. They like the cleavage factor. Josh was stupid enough to say he liked it cause my breasts looked good in it. Donna didn't exactly take it well."
Abbey chuckled, "That boy will never learn. As Lord John Marbury would say, you're breasts look magnificent."
"Did you have to mention that pompous ass. I'm so glad he's' no longer the British Ambassador. I hated him and his boorish attitude."
"Mara, the number of Ambassadors you actually like, I can count on one hand. Are you still flying straight from Anguilla to Manchester?"
"Yes, you have to promise to visit me for a week every month."
"That won't be hard. Did Dr. Phelps mention anything to you about slowing down?"
"No why?"
"Well often when a woman has difficulty carrying to term, total bed rest is recommended around month five or six. Dr. Phelps knows that ordering that for you would only increase your stress level. However, cutting down on your work load would be beneficial. If you could handle doing two half days of work a week it would probably help you, sweetie."
"Really? My next appointment is tomorrow then I guess the next is when I get back from vacation."
"Don't be surprised if she mentions it and be prepared to go down to all half days around month seven."
"Wouldn't trying to get everything done in a limited amount of time stress me out further?"
"No, you'll be able to do it. I know you don't want to hear this Mara, but I have a good feeling about this pregnancy."
Mara was too tired to roll her eyes so she just looked at Abbey and yawned. Abbey leaned over and gave her a hug before suggesting a cup of coffee. Mara drank it quickly so she didn't have to smell the aroma that her husband loved so much. Fifty minutes before the inauguration the chief usher knocked on the door to let Abbey know that Suzanne Hoynes has finally arrived.
"I'm going to give Suzanne the tour, you want to join us? You know more about the third floor than I do." Abbey stated with a grin.
"Sure, I like Suzanne."
"I'm happy to hear that Mara. Good morning Abbey."
"Suzzanne, there is still enough time to escape the city before John is sworn in."
"Don't think that thought hasn't run through my mind numerous times since November. Mara you look tired."
"I am tired. I promise not to yawn during John's speech."
"I bet you know it by heart. You can serve as prompter if the TelePrompter goes down. Sam really is an incredibly talented writer."
"Thanks you, he's my favourite author. Abbey, why don't we start on the third floor and work our way back down here."
With twenty minutes to go Mara, Abbey and Suzanne arrived at the Oval office. Mara gave John a kiss on the cheek, wished him well and made her escape. Jenna announced that she wanted to ride with Josh and Donna. She waved at Sam and Mara and was out the door. Mara really didn't feel like going to the inauguration but she needed a good excuse that would stop Sam from convincing her they had to go. She knew what would work but she was not giving him the satisfaction. She stood up too quickly and actually felt a little faint so she sat back down again.
"Mara?"
"Just got up too fast, give me a minute."
"Why don't I get you a glass of water."
"Save it, I think the coffee Abbey made me drink isn't agreeing with me. Let me go toss my cookies and I'll feel better."
"You know it doesn't' taste any better coming up than going down." Mara remarked as she returned to Sam's office.
"Thanks for the gross visual dear."
Mara glanced at her watch. "I guess there is no sense in leaving now. By the time we get there it will be over."
Sam turned the TV on while Mara popped a few cinnamon Altoids into her mouth. Donna had moved Toby's couch into her new office and Sam joined her on it to watch Hoynes being sworn in. When the station cut to a commercial Mara got up and locked the door. Sam looked at her when he heard the click of the lock. His wife smiled saucily at him and pulled off her warm red chenille sweater exposing her bare breasts.
"No bra?"
"No the girls were a little tender this morning."
"Well I guess I'll have to be really gentle then." Sam replied softly as his hands began to caress her body.
Forty minutes later Mara was pulling her sweater over her head and pulling up the zipper of her leather pants. She looked over at Sam who was still reclined on the couch enjoying the after glow. A wicked grin spread across his face and Mara bit her lip to prevent herself from saying something first.
"I finally won, I told you I would have you in my office and I succeeded."
Mara rolled her eyes and tossed his clothes at him. "I hate to break it to you Spanky but you didn't win. When I locked the door, this was no longer your office. It's Donna's. So sorry Charlie, but you didn't succeed. You can tell Donna you had me in her office if you must."
Mara could see Sam's mind digest the information and laughed when it finally dawned on him that he'd been had.
"You evil wench, you had this all planned out didn't you!"
"No, but after I threw up I felt better and sitting on the couch reminded me there was one. I figured I know how to kill some time. I was about to initiate but then I knew you'd have that grin on your face so I waited until it was no longer your office. Darling I love you, but haven't' all these years of marriage taught you that there is no winning against me?"
Sam didn't answer her and got dressed quickly. He peaked out from behind the blinds and was happy that no one seemed to be milling about. His cell phone rang and Mara grabbed it.
"Hello."
"Aunty Mar, where are you? "
"Hi Jenna, I had a cup of coffee and it didn't agree with me. By the time I felt better it was too late to make it on time. We watched it, I didn't see you."
"That's good or the two empty seats would have been very obvious. How many balls do I get to go to?"
"A few. Sam and I are heading home for a nap. I suggest you join us or you'll be falling asleep before midnight. I plan on leaving the house at seven so you have to be dressed and ready by then."
"K, Josh is going to take Donna and I for pizza, then I'll be home. See ya."
"See ya sweetie."
"Jenna is going for lunch then will meet us at home. For crying out loud, get over yourself Sam!"
"You know I'd really be in a snit if I didn't get sex."
"Sam, you got sex, that's all you really care about in the end. Now say good bye to Donna's office and let's go home."
"You so aren't getting sex tonight Mara."
"Yeah, like I believe that. One look at me in my dress and you'll want to skip the balls to have sex.. I'm going to the bathroom. Meet me at the door."
"I don't care what she says, this office is mine until I leave it." Sam muttered. He checked to make sure everything was in order and that he hadn't left anything behind. He flicked the TV off and left a quick welcome note on the desk for Donna.
When Mara swept down the stairs a few minutes after seven, Sam almost had to pick his jaw up off the floor. The dress clung to her curves and while the dress normally displayed her cleavage her breasts seemed to be even more prominent. Sam hadn't said anything earlier but he was sure she'd gone up a cup size or two already.
Mara grinned wickedly , "Now aren't you sorry you used the withholding card so frivolously?"
"Oh I so take it back baby."
"That's nice but I'm not in the mood. In fact I don't think I'll be in the mood for several days. Jenna!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
Mara smiled at Jenna who was wearing an ice blue A-line gown with a pair of matching kitten heel shoes. Mara took one look at all her jewels Jenna was wearing and took them all off her.
"You said I could wear your jewelry."
"I didn't tell you to put it all on. Tease Sam while I put a look together for you."
Mara came down five minutes later with her silver and aquamarine flower bracelet, a platinum necklace with three aquamarine bezel set stones and the matching earrings.
"Jenna you always want to go for understated elegance. You look very pretty."
"Thank you, You look amazing too."
"You both look great, now move it we are already fifteen minutes late."
"Sam, I'm never late. Everyone else is just early."
"Move it!"
The threesome walked into the California Ball being held at the Sheraton at the same time as John and Suzanna Hoynes. Mara and Sam hung back but Jenna didn't notice and continued walking telling Suzanna that she really liked her navy blue gown. When the President was announced he quickly turned and asked Jenna to dance. She wasn't prepared for all the flash bulbs and lights pointed at her but John joked with her and she enjoyed her first dance. Sam cut in, giving John the chance to dance with his wife.
Five hours later Mara and Sam were ready to call it a night while Jenna had just caught her second wind. They left her with Josh and Donna and headed home. Mara had fallen asleep the second her head hit the pillow while Sam stayed awake waiting for Jenna to come in. A little after two Sam heard the alarm activated and slipped out of bed. He turned on the hall light so he wouldn't startle her and sat on the edge of her bed.
"So how were the balls Cinderella?"
"Absolutely fabulous, I danced until I couldn't dance anymore. Josh taught me how to do the hustle and Toby taught me how to tango. Don't tell Josh , but I preferred the tango. Mar asleep?"
"Yes, she was out the second her head hit the pillow. Let me unzip you then off to bed. Our guests are showing up at ten for brunch."
Sam brought the zipper of her dress down, gave her a kiss on the forehead and walked out, closing the door behind him. He just managed to get back in bed when Mara turned and cuddled up to him. Neither of them wanted to move when the alarm went off at nine. It dawned on Sam that for the first time in 15 years he didn't have to go to work on a Monday morning. He savored the feeling for a few minutes before going for a shower. When he came back out Mara was still asleep and back in dreamland. He shook his head letting the water droplets wake her up.
"What ever happened to waking me up with tender kisses?" She grumbled as she stretched.
"Mara, our guests are arriving in twenty five minutes. Are we not feeding them?"
"Most of the food is prepared already, I planned on sleeping in this morning." She crawled out of bed, threw on a pair of jeans and a stripped shirt. She padded downstairs barefoot and found Jenna in the kitchen drinking a mug of coffee.
"Morning, so did you have a ball at the balls?"
"They were great. It's too bad they only happen every four years. I put two loaves of banana bread in the oven. They'll be done at ten. Do you need anything else done?"
"My list is next to the fridge. You can pop the quiches into the broiler rack to warm them up. I'm going to fill the pitchers with juice and then you can make another pot of coffee once I leave."
"I love the smell of coffee in the morning. Has it always made you queasy?"
"Always, now let's get to work."
Brunch ended up being a six hour event and everyone agreed that time went by too quickly. Mara didn't want to let Toby out the door so he agreed to drive them to the airport the next morning. After Mara had kissed Toby one last time and dashed up the stairs to the plane Sam pulled out a dollar bill and handed it to his former boss.
"If this is my tip Sam, I'm disgusted."
"No, it's your retainer."
"My retainer for what?"
"Seaborn for President."
"Geez Sam, it only took you three years to vocalize that."
"Are you accepting or not?"
"Of course, who else can you count on to not blow sunshine up your ass. Have fun with your wife."
"Oh, I will."
