Thousands of miles away and three days earlier, Sam entered the lobby of the Grand Floridian with two whimpering children and his ever patient wife.
"But I wanna go now!" Mia was trying to tug Sam back towards the doors but the fact that he was had a good three feet and hundred plus pounds on her prevented much from happening.
"I don't want to go!" Drew was saying, staring up at Ainsley with big blue eyes. "Mommy, I wanna but I'm tired. I don't like flying. It made me sleepy and it was a long day!"
"I know baby, relax." she ran a hand through his dark hair and he buried his face in her leg, letting out a huge yawn.
"Mia's gonna make us go!"
"Mia's tired too."
"No I'm not! Daddy, let's go!"
"Amelia, if you don't stop, the only place you'll be going is home." Sam said quietly as he willed the check-in line to go faster. Mia let out a 'humph' and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Why don't we go sit over there," Ainsley suggested. "Come on Mia,"
She led their children away across the lobby to sit on one of the many couches and Sam gave her a grateful look. A perky brunette stood behind the check-in desk and flashed him a brilliant smile.
"Good evening and welcome to the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa."
"Hi."
"What was the name your reservation was under?"
"Seaborn,"
The girl nodded and typed on her keyboard.
"Hey, you're that guy that works for the President, right?"
"I used to." Sam responded after a moment of silence.
"I voted for you guys."
"Thanks."
"Here's your room key. You'll be staying in room 1060. I hope you enjoy your stay here at the Grand Floridian."
"I'm sure we will. Thanks for your help." Sam turned away and walked over to where Ainsley was sitting. Both of their kids were asleep. "Well great,"
"I know, right?" she looked up at him with a smile. "It's been a long day."
"A long, rough, stressful, upsetting day." he tucked the key into his pocket and bent down to lift Drew. Ainsley stood with Mia and followed Sam towards the elevator. Silently, they made their way to their room and Sam was thankful their luggage was already up in the room. That was one less thing he had to worry about. The couple quickly put the kids to bed, then retreated to the balcony. On the way out, Ainsley grabbed the agenda book and began flipping through it.
"Do you want to get room service?"
"Definitely. I could probably eat a cow right now."
"So I should get two cows?"
Sam snorted softly and Ainsley sat the book down on the small table, then sat on Sam's lap.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. It's all just very surreal, you know? I mean, I've worked so hard the past eight years and now it's over. I don't have to get up tomorrow at five o'clock and fight with people on the Hill. And I already miss it. It was a crazy job but I loved what I was doing because I actually wanted to do it. I don't want to go back to some boring job."
"Well you don't have to decide anything now. I personally think a little time off would do you some good."
"I don't mind taking some time off. It's just what's going to happen after I'm finished taking time off." Sam looked off across the lagoon where Cinderella's Castle glowed against the night sky.
"You never make plans that far ahead."
"That would work if I was in a 1940s bar in Casablanca and looked like Humphrey Bogart."
"How about, frankly you don't give a damn."
"I think you're getting close. I'm more Clark Gable than Humphrey Bogart. Or, Rhett Butler than Rick Blaine or whatever."
Ainsley laughed softly as she leaned in to kiss him. He seemed distracted and she pulled away from him with a frown.
"What are you thinking about?"
"That I need to show you movies did indeed come out after 1942."
"You're lucky you're cute. I want the truth,"
"You can't handle the truth," a hint of a smile played on his lips and she tried to look frustrated.
"You're not funny."
"You walked right into that one." Sam's expression turned serious and sticking with their movie trivia for dorks, he continued on, "You know, Ilsa and Scarlett both left them."
"Rhett actually left Scarlett." Ainsley muttered, "But anyway, is that what's bothering you?"
"It's not bothering me."
"Sam, you're in a funk. I'd say that's bothering you. Why didn't you tell me? I... could have eased your troubles. Cause y'know," she elbowed him gently, "that's what I do."
"That was a good one."
"Thank you. I try."
"I figured you'd think I was being an idiot."
"Well yeah but I would've helped you."
"Yeah."
"Babe, I wouldn't care if you decided you wanted to be a garbage man. I love you because of you not because of what your job is, unlike some people." the blonde rolled her eyes at the thought of her husband's ex-fiancee. "Do you think I'm like her?"
"Not in the slightest. It's just psychological. I was terrified of beginning a relationship with you. I didn't want to get hurt again."
"If I do, you have my utmost permission to give me a slow and painful death. But fortunately, I would never hurt you. I'm afraid that you are stuck with me Mr. Seaborn. Is that okay with you?"
"It's more than okay Mrs. Seaborn."
"Wonderful," they came together for a slow kiss just as the nightly fireworks began. "And they all lived happily ever after."
"Should we continue this happily ever after somewhere that we won't get arrested for indecent exposure?"
A/N: I obviously do not own Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, A Few Good Men, Disney World, or any other famous allusions that were made in this chapter.