"Christmas In Vermont…A Christmas President"
"Olivia Pope had always believed in Santa Claus ever since she was a little girl. As a child she wrote and told Santa every year the same Xmas wish; that one day she would like to meet the President of the United States. Everyone thought she was silly to ask for such a thing, but that is what she wished for.
Now she is an adult, teaching at a local elementary school in Vermont. Her students asked her about her Xmas Wish. Her class, along with some help decide to "handled it" for her. Does she get her Xmas Wish after so many years?
Do her students help make her Xmas Wish come true and help her meet President Fitzgerald Grant III? If her students succeed, they'll be giving her an even greater gift; love at first sight. Read on and see. Leave me Pumpkin Seeds at the end…
(P.S. Cover photo for this story created by Beliskner on Twitter. My #PatriotsSoulmate, and extraordinary photo editor and creator. She gets all the "Pumpkin seeds" for the picture.)
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Chapter 1: Her "Grown Up" Xmas Wish..
Monday After Thanksgiving..
Olivia groaned as the alarm went off the first day back to school after the Thanksgiving holiday break. She was a 6th to 7th grade teacher at Stark Rose Elementary School in Kings-road, Vermont. Kings-road had covered bridges, traditional New England architecture with many old churches. It was a medium sized town where everyone knew everyone else. Because of this she chose to live outside the town but close to the city, in a house that was built in the 1930's by her grandfather.
The house was a two story, raised ranch, with three bedrooms. The outside was painted deep red, with white shingles and shutters on the windows. Inside there was oak crown molding that weaved its way through the entire house, and oak hard wood floors. Her grandfather had completed upgrades to the house when he was in his eighties, and now that she lived there she tackled a new project every year.
She was extremely close to her grandfather. She was the "Jam on his Toast," as he used to tell her, and the feeling was mutual. There was nothing she would not have done for him. He passed away twenty days before Xmas a few years ago, and the holidays were hard for her ever since then. They always did things together and that had not changed when she grew up.
Looking out her living room/kitchen window, Olivia gazed across the yard, and through a path in the trees. There was a light snow covering the ground, making the view even prettier. Her eyes flowed across the landscape, through the trees, to the house, that was on the other side. The house was made of brick, much larger and grander than her own. The property was surrounded with a black metal gate. The entrance to the estate it said "Rose Point."
She inquired on who owned the property but no one seemed to remember. There lived an elderly woman who lived there many years ago. Her family came to visit her often, but no one had been at the estate in such a long time. The woman passed away years ago, but the estate was left to her daughter. She knew the estate was over 100 years old. Every few weeks, she would see lights in there of someone working in the house. She figured that someone came in and cleaned. "Maybe one day I'll discover who really owns this house," Olivia said. "It must be beautiful inside."
She then finished her coffee and began to get ready for school. Her school had been closed the day before Thanksgiving and of course the next two days; giving her five days off from work. She made sure that everything was ready before leaving that day for the following week for her class.
While enjoying her five days off from work she went to her family's house for Thanksgiving dinner. She dreaded going over year after year, because her oldest brother would do nothing but pick on her and tease her. Anytime she attempted to retaliate back, her mother would jump on her and inform her to leave her brother alone.
Then she had an older sister who was at times a "Daddy's girl." Growing up they had a contest at who got the better grades, best hair, and who got the best looking boyfriends. Olivia won at getting better grades, but her sister did try to out-do her in everything else.
Of course her mother would constantly ask her if she was seeing anyone. Her mother attempted to set her up with various illegible blind dates of gentlemen she thought were appropriate for her daughter, but Olivia was not interested. Her mom would tell her that she was not getting any younger would hope that she would settle down and give her some grand-babies soon.
Olivia always rolled her eyes and told her mom, "Momma I love you but I am not interested right now. Can we not talk about this? My love life is not open for discussion. Just because my older brother and sister have a significant other, does not mean that I need or want one right now."
Her mom would roll her eyes, and go talk to her dad. Surprisingly he was on her side in this situation. He always told her that she would find 'the one' some day and to not sell herself short. "You're a bright, beautiful woman Olivia. You're twice as good as everyone else. One day your Prince will show up and knock your socks off."
Olivia would smile and says "Thanks Dad."
At Christmas time, her two older siblings always asked for the hottest gift on the market. But Olivia always asked for the same thing every year; to meet the President of the United States. Her brother and sister thought it was stupid and crazy, but she always admired the person sitting behind that "big" desk making the big decisions and affecting change. That had not changed any since becoming an adult.
As she got older, she still believed in Santa Claus, but her parents made her she did not ask to "meet the President" anymore. So without her parents knowing, she made two lists. The one she gave to them, with the gifts she really did not care too much about. Her other Xmas list she kept hidden in her room in a special spot. She thought her dad knew about her secret hiding spot, but if he did he never let on. Her grandfather knew of their "secret list" and told her one day just maybe it would come true; she just had to keep believing.
Now as an adult, she still wished for the same thing every year to meet the President of the United States one day. Of course she knew it was impossible, but maybe one day that special Christmas wish would come true. Unknown to her, her old college professor Cyrus Beene was now the current President Fitzgerald Grant's Chief of Staff.
Cyrus got upset with her in law school when she didn't decide to pursue a law career. He knew she would have been a force to be recon with, and not to be taken lightly. The things she could have accomplished if she had stuck with it. She thought about it, but she once she met Cyrus and saw his love for teaching, she got the bug.
When Cyrus asked her about law school she told him, "Cy I am going to get my degree in Education and be a teacher."
"You're going to do what! You're my non-political best student, Liv. God the things I could teach you about working in D.C. in politics. Hell you're a pistol, and you'd be great." Cy told her.
"I know Cy, but I am sorry. I want to be a teacher, and I want your help. But I'll keep law as a second major. Pretty please," she asked him in her sweetest voice.
Cy rolled his eyes and agreed to help her. Now a teacher, she wouldn't change it for anything. She still loved politics and everything about it. But teaching, shaping her student's minds daily is what she lives for now. Maybe one day, one of them would even become the President.
Before leaving for school that morning, she wrote her wish down on a piece of Xmas note paper, placed it in an envelope and placed it under her tree. She grabbed her winter coat, scarf and hat and put them on standing in front of the tree. Olivia smiled and went and looked at all the ornaments. Many of them were given to her by her grandparents.
Each year her grandmother and grandfather gave her a special Christmas ornament for her tree. And once they found out about her special Christmas wish she always asked for, they got her an ornament from the White House. She always wondered how they were able to get her one. Turns out the White House has a special ornament made every year. She treasured those ornaments, because it reminded her of her wish to maybe one day meet the President. She stood and looked at her tree a few more seconds and rushed out the door.
/
Olivia walked into school that morning with a small smile on her face. She went into the office and saw her friends already there checking their mailboxes. She said hello to Abby, Huck, Quinn, and Harrison. Abby was her best friend, and a home-economics teacher. It was Abby's job to teach not only the girls, but the boys how to cook, sow, and other "girl" things. The school district mandated that all boys must take two home-ex classes before graduation. The girls in turn had to take either a "shop" or "wood-working" class.
She teased her constantly about her lack of a love life. "Come on Liv," she'd say "it's the holidays, don't you want a holiday sugar Daddy."
"No Abby I don't need a Holiday Sugar Daddy. I am fine truly." Olivia always told her. "I don't need a man in my life right now."
Since Abby and Olivia had been friends since childhood, she knew of her "Presidential" Christmas wish. Abby used to give her a hard time about it, but now she gets "that wish" is part of who Olivia is. She's a dreamer, and has that special something, that hopefully one man would come along and find her. She had always thought Olivia would have been great becoming a lawyer, and eventually running a campaign. But she saw her friend blossom as a teacher, and how much her students adored her year after year.
Quinn was the art teacher. She went to art schools in Europe before deciding on becoming a teacher. She gave her students a great class, and she was amazed at how she brought out the best of each child, in her own way. Quinn even tried to get Olivia to paint something once, and to Olivia's pleasant surprise, it didn't turn out half bad.
Harrison taught music. He wasn't your normal music teacher though who only taught classical music. In his class, he brought in the rhythm, the blues, jazz, hip-hop, R and B and even some country. He was even known to show off a few dance moves to his students, right before the end of class. He would let them have "jam" sessions at the end of class, if everyone worked hard.
He was a fast talker, and many of his students had to remind him to slow down. Harrison was also extremely popular with the single moms and teachers. He was good looking man, who looked great in a purple shirt and tie. Every time he wore one to school, she would hear all the single ladies, commenting on how sexy he looked.
Of course knowing this information was to her advantage because she would pick on Harrison for it, all the time. He never understood why everyone looked at him more when he wore the purple. "Harrison it puts you in touch with your feminine side. Come on you do it for the girls. You like how they fawn over you." Harrison of course would tell her no, but she knew him better.
Then of course there was her friend Huck, who taught science and computers. He came up with the coolest science lessons and could do things with computers that most people could only dream about. Her students feared Huck and loved his teaching style at the same time. The school had a dress code, but he normally came in with a collared shirt, a flannel over top, and normally jeans. The school officials said something to him once.
He told them, "My clothing does not affect my ability to teach my classes. My style is a part of who I am as a teacher. Take it or leave it, but will try to comply on occasion." The administration, understood where he was coming from and they had a compromise. He wasn't allowed to where flannel and jeans every day, but when he did, no one said a word.
Then of course, there was one other teacher that Olivia had grown to admire and share a common love of politics and law. They had become the best of friends, and she loved that she had him by her side when her family became too much. Mr. Thomas Stanton, taught the upper grades economics, law, and government. He had been at the school for the last few years, and him and Olivia hit it off immediately.
He went to law school, and almost went into the Secret Service. Tom was approached because he had the military background due to the fact he was a Marine Sniper. He pulled the best grades, and had the right attitude to be an agent. He was smart, knew the law, his way around the firing range, and was protective of his friends and family. He noticed everything around him, all the time. His students could not get anything past him, even if they tried. He started to head in that direction, but fell in love with teaching.
For a while people thought that they were a couple, which would have been great since they technically taught at separate schools but Olivia cared for him but they stayed in the friend zone. He was her "best" guy friend, besides Harrison. Of course anytime he was around her parents her mother would insist that they start dating. Tom would smile and be polite, and Olivia would roll her eyes.
He would tease her saying, "Maybe one day I'll take you out Olivia, on a real date."
"Now Tom that would ruin our friendship," she always told him. "Plus if that happened, who would I have to bounce my social studies and history lessons off of. You know you're better than me going on the internet. You always tell me if this lesson would work or not. Plus you help me weed out all the creeps that try to hit on me when we go out."
"I see how it is. You're just using me for my brain, and my body. I could have joined the Secret Service you know. They did try and recruit me, Liv. I started the training if you remember" he told her more than once.
"Yes Thomas I remember. I know you could have. But if you did, then you'd be guarding some old fart. Plus I am much prettier."
"That you are," he told her. Tom did care for her a great deal, and always hoped they could be more, but he did not want to lose her friendship. They had gone out for cups of coffee and even some sci-fi flicks. But they never took it beyond friendship. He told himself one day, but until then, he was content about them being what they are. Plus on his part it was nice to have her around to tell him what chics to stay away from. After she finished talking to her friends she walked down to her class room and began to get ready for her students.
/
Olivia's students began arriving a little before 8:00 am. She could hear them outside her door in their lockers, getting everything they needed for her class, and homeroom. One by one they filled in and greeted her. Most looked like they went to bed late, and ate too much turkey over the holiday weekend. Some were bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to go.
By the time the 8:10 bell rang, everyone was in her classroom. Her students knew their morning routine well, and began working on their morning assignment. This was also their time to come up with any problems they had with any homework, notes from home, or any other issues. She instilled in her students that could trust her about anything, and they came to her quite often. Once 8:30 hit, it was they were firing on all cylinders, off the ground running.
But this morning she went easy on them and did not push too hard. She of course was tired too, and let them ease back into their routine gradually. Also she sat on her desk and they chatted about their breaks, and if the class did anything exciting. Most spent it with their families and some even braved the crowds to going Christmas Shopping on Black Friday.
After her morning lessons the class was working well together. They finished their reading, got their spelling words for the week, and new assignments. When they started History she then informed them that before the Christmas break, they would be having a test on the US Presidents, what party they ran for, and the years they were in office. All the kids groaned, but it was a requirement in the school's social studies curriculum.
"Oh come on Miss Pope do we have to," her student Darby asked.
"Sorry Darby, but you all do. But it will be a practice test before the break. You'll be paired up with a buddy to help you study. Make sure you have note cards, to make flash cards."
"But how will this help us later on," another student named Columbus asked.
"It's good to know your history, Columbus. It makes us who we are, how we got here. But it makes us realize where we came from." Olivia told her class.
"Did you have a teacher who loved History and Politics, like you," her student Katie asked.
"Yes I did. He lived, breathed, and ate politics and history. I think was going to run a campaign for an up and coming politician in California. I haven't heard from him a long time. I wonder what happened with him now," Olivia said beginning to wonder about Cyrus Beene.
"Was he your favorite teacher in college?" Kerry asked this time.
"Yes he was. He was my mentor. Cyrus Beene was his name. He was well respected, but feared by everyone, even the other teachers. But he always told me that I was his favorite student." Olivia said smiling.
"How come you didn't join politics," Kerry asked her again.
"Because I fell in love with teaching, and just think if I didn't. I wouldn't be here with you now. No regrets, don't worry. Plus just think after this test, if you ever meet a sitting President face to face, you can quiz him or her on it. Now wouldn't that be fun." Olivia told them grinning ear to ear.
Another student, Abbie, raised her hand. "Miss Pope, have you ever meet a sitting President?"
"No Abbie I haven't. But I always hoped too since I was a little girl." She told her class, and got a little bit embarrassed.
"You wanted to meet the President?" someone else asked her. "That was what you asked "Santa" to bring you." Her class giggled somewhat.
She eyed them and said, "I did. It was actually on my Christmas list every year." She then watched all their faces. "I know it's a strange thing to ask for, but I always wanted to meet the man or woman who sat behind the Resolute desk. The Person who makes the laws that makes our country the greatest place on earth. The Individual, who is responsible for keeping this great nation safe at all costs. You see with all that power, comes with great responsibility."
Her class was speechless. "Wow," one student said not realizing how important this was to their teacher. Olivia turned around and walked to her desk, getting the materials her class needed to study for their US President's test. While her back was turned all the kids looked at each other and within seconds they got an idea.
When Olivia turned around, she saw them all smiling at her. "What?"
"Oh nothing Miss Pope," someone answered nonchalantly. "We just may have fun with this U.S. President test after all."
She looked around her class and smiled, and gave out the materials. They spent the rest of the day prepping for the test. She paired them up with a study buddy by placing their names in a hat. Once the students got their study partner they got to work. But they also got to work, on other things as well.
By the time the last bell rang, and she dismissed her students Olivia was exhausted. She reminded them of their homework and to work out study times with their study buddies for their President test. The kids nodded and agreement and went out to their lockers. On the way to the buses, the entire class congregated for a quick meeting.
"So what did you think of Miss Pope's Christmas wish?" Kerry asked.
"I think it's cool," another girl in the class said. "I think it's beyond great that she didn't always ask for toys, clothes, or something else."
Then Katie said, "Wouldn't it be great if we all tried to make it come true for her. Oh my Gosh, just think if we actually got President Grant to come here and make her life-long Christmas wish come true."
Columbus then pointed out, "And how do you think we're supposed to do that Abbie? He's the most powerful, busiest man on the planet. Why would he want to come to place like this?"
"I don't know," Kerry jumped in, "but let's meet tomorrow morning before school. We'll talk to our parents and let them know our class is meeting early tomorrow to talk about a special Christmas gift for Miss Pope. We can have our parents help out later on, once we come up with a plan."
"What kind of a plan," Tony, another boy in the class asked finally. "In order for this to work, we have a lot to work out."
Kerry turned to everyone and said, "Look Miss Pope calls us her 'gladiators in training' for a reason. We're supposed to be learning how to handle things, for when we get older and get out on our own. So let's handle this and see what we can do to make this wish come true for her."
The kids nodded in agreement. Tony then added, "Now no one says anything to anyone about this. You all understand if this were to get out before we even got started it would be difficult to pull off without Miss Pope knowing. I don't know about you all, but I don't want to copy my history book during my free period."
"Whatever you say, 'Mr. President,' the kids teased him.
"Yah whatever," Tony said looking at Abbie and nodding. "Let's do this tomorrow and see what we can do to make this happen."
Her class just then got on their buses and began to come up with a plan to make their favorite teacher's Christmas Wish come true. Olivia looked outside and noticed her class talking. "Wow, must be setting up studying times already," she voiced.
By the time she got home, grabbed and ate dinner she was tired out. Olivia normally would grade papers but decided to relax by the Christmas tree instead. She bent down, and picked up her special Christmas Wish. She smiled and told herself "Maybe one day."
Then she said out loud, "Oh come on Liv, you're never going to meet the leader of the Free World. That's just insane. Plus why would President Fitzgerald Thomas Grant want to meet me anyway. I am just a small town girl, living in Vermont."
Little did she know that her "Gladiators in Training" had other ideas. ;-)
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Okay my Pumpkins…how are you all feeling this new Xmas story? I am not going to give too much away but you all letting you know what you think I should continue would be great. I get that I have other stories to continue but we all need some "OLITZ" Xmas cheer. I know "The Olitz Express" is a hard act to follow but I am going to "gladiate" and "handle this."
Please leave me "Pumpkin Seeds" cuz you know they make smile and want to update faster. Be on the lookout for "Fitz Is Her McDreamy." It's coming up next.
Thanks and let me know if you want more of #ChristmasInVermont…;-)
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