Chapter 3
Author's side note: Because I really liked the second Emmalin and Second TJ, the only ones. The first TJ was obnoxious and didn't look like he could be related to Roxie, and the first Emmalin didn't have much of a personality, it wasn't her fault she didn't have the screen time to develop one, but still. In my West Wing Cross, they have the same election schedule as real life Leo didn't die, and he married (retired) Colonel Hollis Mann, when she broke it off with Gibbs they met at a political function, before she retired and Jared Booth may have been working at the Pentagon when he rescued his brother but his immediate Boss was General Jack O'Neill since he was an SGC member before that, so there was no court martial and Jack O'Neill just made him do all his paperwork for him. Also, Jonathon O'Neill Jackson (Mini Jack) happened in season 2, and everything that happened in Stargate SG1, and Stargate: Atlantis happened two years earlier, to shift with it being one year after Stargate. And there is no Stargate Universe as it's an abomination. Also no Kinsey.
Michael and Amanda were packing, Emmalin was helping Macy pack an activity bag for the plan ride, Emmalin and Amanda were old enough and responsible enough to pack their own suitcases, Macy wouldn't be able to until she was about 10, or 12, or knowing her six. Claudia Joy was going over her list, whenever they traveled, she always had a list. She liked President Bartlett at least Santos hasn't been elected yet, he was good for the country, he was good for the military, but she really hoped he wasn't the type hold a grudge after all it was Michael who injured his knee in an Army-Navy game 22 years ago, that ended his football career. Of course he became a Marine Officer, and a Naval Aviator, before his political career. Claudia Joy checked the agenda flight leaves at Thursday 5am, arrives 6:16. Car will be waiting for us, Check into the Hotel between 7 and 11 am, Meet Edie and Joe at Noon at the hotel restaurant. Back to the Suite By 1:30, Shower, dressed and leave by 3:30, 5:00 cocktail and Dinner reception at Washington Officer's Club Michael and I, Friday Breakfast 9:00 breakfast at the white House, Noon Rose Garden Ceremony With President Bartlett. 2 pm Luncheon at the White house. 6 Pm Dinner with Joe and Edie, 6am flight home, the next Morning.
They wake up in the morning and it's not a mad dash as Macy expects it to be its planned and everything down to the letter, and in precision and perfect. They're driven to the airport and they check their luggage, they arrive in DC, a Car with a Sergeant is waiting for them, he takes all their bags, and they they're driven to their hotel, they check into their suite, which has two bedrooms, a living room, and a couch.
"I'll take the couch." Macy said. "I'm the smallest, I'll fit."
"Alright honey, but if you get scared you can come sleep with Mommy and me." Michael said.
"What time is it?" Macy asked.
"It's 9:15." Michael said.
"We have nothing to do until noon."
"We have to hang up our clothes so they don't get wrinkled." He said.
"I'm too short to do that."
"You make a good point, but you can put away your underwear, undershirts, socks, slips, pajamas, handkerchiefs…." For some reason like her Octavia Joy Holden Macy, Macy always insisted on carrying around a handkerchief, then again so did Claudia Joy, and Michael so maybe it wasn't all that strange; Joyce carried one, and so did Bobby, Frank and Jack Macy. So He opened the drawer of a bureau, and she opened her cool bright Blue with deep Purple Polka Dot rolling suitcase. She unzipped it, and inside were organizational travel bags, her smaller bags were Wonder Woman themed. She took out the One with her Socks and Underclothes unpacked them, then the handkerchiefs, then the pajamas. Then they came to her casual clothes, and dress clothes they hung those both up. She had two sets of shoes her usual Black on Black low top chucks, and a pair of Black Mary Janes, Which she was not happy about. But her Mommy had been adamant. You do not wear scuffed up Basketball Shoes to the White House.
After everything was put away, and everyone was cleaned up for travel. They put Edie and Joe Holden in, the hotel restaurant in a private dining room for lunch, Edie and Joe were already waiting. When Michael, Claudia Joe, Amanda, and Macy entered.
"Joe, she looks just like Bobby….."+-
"She does, she really does….."
"Aunt Edie, Uncle Joe, Girls this is Your Aunt Edie, and Uncle Joe…..you remember Amanda and Emmalin."
Of Course….." Edie said.
"And this is Macy Joy Holden."
"Nice to meet you." Macy said sitting down on her knees on a chair. "What do I call you? Do I call you Aunt and Uncle, or do I call you something else. Daddy said you was my Mama's first daddy's parents."
"That's right." Edie said.
"Gunny was a good daddy to Mama, but she still missed her first daddy."
"I'm sure she did sweetheart, she named you after Gunny, Macy."
"Macy after her, she took his last name and used it in the field, Joy after her Mom, anything was better than Octavia Mama Thought that name was child abuse."
"I think you may be right." Edie said. They talked and laughed and had a good time with their relatives until it was time to go. Amanda and Emmalin assured their parents they would be fine babysitting for the night. Claudia Joy and Michael went to the party. They worked the room. Spoke to Several High ranking Generals, and Admirals. Everything went well. Michael and Claudia got back to the Hotel and went to bed everyone was up early, to get ready for the day. It was going to be a long one. The car arrived at 7:30. They arrived at the white house at 8:30, they along with Edie, and Joe, joined a small breakfast tastefully done outside where Michael knew the Rose Garden entrance was. Abbey Bartlett came out and they all stood.
"Welcome and thanks for coming, later my husband is going to give a great speech written by but today we're basically here to honor two individuals Corporal Robert Keith Holden US Army who gave his life so many people including his pregnant lover could escape Vietnam with their lives, which is why in 1973 he was awarded with the Silver Star, and the child who would be born six months later, Special Agent Octavia Joy Holden Macy, Who gave her life recently in a conflict with terrorists developing a Bioterror weapon. She has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the FBI Director is also going award her the FBI Medal of Valor, and her daughter is going to receive the FBI Memorial Shield."
Bartlett Stood at the Podium at the rose Garden.
"What does it mean to be a Hero? Robert Keith Holden wasn't thinking of heroism when he saved those lives sacrificing his life, he was only thinking of his child. He was only thinking of how to safety get his child to safety, but he had done that before in 1970, gone to help someone else, thought of someone else when it was captured by the enemy, his daughter was much the same she saved my life once much to the secret service and my wife's chagrin, I've met his father former Air Force General Holden, saved countless lives in World war II and Korea by delivering People and Goods where they needed to be, I've Met the Holden's Nephew Colonel Michael Holden I fine man and a loving father. Service to One's country is a Holden tradition and like her father, Octavia Macy served her country and serviced it well. Now for the parents of Robert Keith Holden we have the Silver Star he was supposed to be awarded 35 years ago…."
He steps down from the Podium, and Jack His new Body man helps him, and then hands him the Silver Star, and President Bartlett hands it to Edie. "For Gallantry against an Enemy against the United States, Corporal Robert Keith Holden."
"Thank you."
"The Late Octavia Joy Holden Macy has been awarded the Presidential medal of freedom in her actions, she was captured and experimented on, tortured by enemy scientists for days she protected the other prisoners as best she could and was able to get a message giving out their coordinates so a rescue mission was able to be mounted, so I award it to her next of Kin her daughter Macy Joy Holden." The press snap pictures. Then the FBI Director comes. And gives her, his awards. Then there's a Luncheon. It was boring as far as Macy was concerned. Amanda had found some cute boy to amuse herself with. Emmalin was talking hockey with an air force Captain.
Colonel Carter appears and the Young blonde Captain, jumps to his feet and salutes.
Returns the salute and he goes back to attention. "Captain Jackson, I was surprised when you didn't follow into your Uncle's footsteps, and instead went to the Elite Terrorist task force at the Pentagon."
"There's room for only one Jack O'Neill at the Mountain, Colonel Carter, besides I found a Home at the Pentagon, and Special Agent Macy was a great partner and friend, it bothered me greatly when we were ordered to stand down and let the 23rd Airborne division rescue her. But I suppose it was a good thing, there was nothing much left, she's dead the two remaining civilians were put into Witness Protection, she died how she lived protecting others and serving her county just like you or I would have, Ma'am."
"She has the medals to prove it."
"Awarded to her child instead of her." He bit out bitterly.
"Captain you're going to meet that Little girl, come on that's an order."
"You knew my Cousin Octavia?" Emmalin asked.
"Yes, I was her partner at the pentagon. Captain Jonathon O'Neill Jackson, US Air Force, call me Jack."
"Alright, Jack you want to meet Macy, I'll ask my parents if it's alright.'
She did, and Captain Jackson went up to Macy who was in Michael's lap, and taking notes of what everyone was saying in steno in her 3x5 notebook in royal blue pen, Emmalin came over.
"Dad cousin Octavia's work partner would like to meet Macy."
"What's his name?"
"He's an Air Force Captain about 25, his name is Jonathon O'Neill Jackson, Colonel Carter and he alluded to the fact that he's General O'Neill's nephew."
Michael chuckled. "Send him over, I know Jack O'Neill he'll take care of it, if he makes Macy cry."
Emmalin leaves and comes back with Captain Jackson. He salutes Michael, because Jack has the utmost respect for Michael it's a perfect salute. Michael returns the salute.
"Nice to meet you, Captain Jackson, you knew Octavia well."
"Most of her friends called her Joy, Sir. I was one of them, And in the field we called her Macy."
"How close were you?"
"Like brother and sister, comrades in arms, I cared about her very much, but nothing could ever happen between us."
"Why don't you tell us about her?" Claudia Joy said. And Jack Jackson told some non-classified stories about His partner. The next day morning the Holden's flew home, and took a car back to fort Marshall, Amanda went back to St. Catherine's, Emmaline went back to Ft. Marshall High School, and Claudia Joy was looking into educational options for Macy for next year, which would be preschool, or she turns 5, on New Year's Day. The day after they returned Claudia Joy signed Macy up for the base Preschool three times a week. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so she could socialize with her peers.
Her first day of school. She had a Black kid's with stars all over. It was the only kids backpack at the PX she liked, and it came with a matching cross-body purse. Emmalin helped her pick out her clothes for school. Rainbow leggings, and a Purple top, and Purple low top chucks instead of her black on black ones, Purple hair ribbons in her twin braids, they had breakfast together as a family.
"Are you excited for your first day of preschool?" Michael asked.
"Yes, when are you going to hear if you'll stay a Colonel or become a General?"
He smiled warmly. "Next week, the ceremony will be two weeks after that."
"You'll get it Daddy, you're the best there's no way they won't pick you." Macy said with such conviction. After breakfast. Claudia Joy took, Emmalin to school, and took, Macy to Preschool. Miss Ella was the preschool teacher. She was the wife of an NCO, who didn't mind his wife working until they had kids that is. Corporal Stephen "Fitz" Fitzpatrick in Lt. Colonel Joan Burton. Joan had said they were genuinely nice people. Fitz was a fourth generation US Solider,
"Good Morning, Mrs. Fitzpatrick?"
"Ella, or as the kids call me Miss Ella, and this must be Macy….."
"Are we early?" there was no one in the classroom but the three of them.
"Yes, Not even my assistant Miss Delia is here yet, but Why don't you help Macy find her cubby….."
"I can find it, does it have my name on it?"
'Yes."
"Alright." Macy ran off.
"She can already read and write fairly well." Claudia Joy said.
"Why did you enroll her in preschool, she should be in at a private school for the gifted."
"It's Months until September, and she needs to socialize with children her own age, so she can learn to interact with people same as any four year old."
Ella nodded. She couldn't wait to have kids. She and Steve were waiting to try until he made Sergeant which should be sometime next year. Since she'd have to quit her job, they'd need the pay bump. Macy skipped back over, carrying a square Stars and stripes zipper bag with a strap that fit around her shoulder. That was filled with her notebooks, coloring books, pens, pencils, crayons.
"I hung up my Backpack and my jacket Mommy in My cubby, and I got my supplies."
"That's great sweetheart, but you may not need them, I have to go now, sweetie."
"Do you have to?"
"Yes, sweetie I do."
"Okay." She knew she did. The other kids started to arrive, none of them really interested her, she played with the other kids but didn't make any friends. Meanwhile, In Colonel Holden's Office, Claudia Joy Holden and Michael Holden were being briefed by defense department doctor with experience with these types of things.
"She will continue to age normally, according to the blood work that was taken. Mentally and emotionally she really is 4 years old, she has the knowledge and skills of an adult, and she is very precocious and mature, but she really is only 4 years old. There are times when her understanding of things are as a 4 year old understands them. She seems to be ignoring anything in Octavia's education she doesn't want to deal with like Human reproduction."
They continued to talk. Back at preschool, Macy interacted with the other children, she played with them but didn't make any friends, though she was friendly with everyone and everyone was friendly to her. She just didn't click with anyone. One day, when Emmalin and her friends took her for Ice Cream at the commissary, Macy got them to start a rumor about Lenore Baker, that Lenore Baker, actually got off on starting rumors, and playing with people heads, especially people she felt were below her. Lenore Baker tried to start the rumor that, Macy was Colonel Holden's through an affair but none of her usual gossip lines were open to her, they were all polite, but cold, and none would spread the tumor for her. She eventually heard the tumor from her daughter Caitlin that, she was a compulsive liar and a Sex addict that got off on playing games with people minds and had to pay male prostitutes in Charleston to please her because her husband couldn't do the job. She was shocked and appalled she would get revenge. Since she couldn't start rumors, she talked to David Cunningham her source in Washington, it seemed Michael Holden was getting the promotion and not her husband, with her usual ability to spread rumors cut off, she would need to get creative. Most people had no idea Lenore Baker was a somewhat talented Hacker, and she made life very difficult electronically for Claudia Joy, for the next few days, unfortunately she was caught because she just even though she was very good, she was rusty and hadn't used her skills in two years which could get her caught, which did this time. To save her husband the embarrassment both husband and wife were transferred to the Pentagon, and Colonel Holden was given the Promotion to Brigadier General. Emmalin babysat her that night they had the ceremony and they watched her new favorite Movie, The Incredibles.
Saturday as the wives only tea, and she dressed exactly like mommy and followed her around. And went with her off post to deliver the babies, she stayed out of the way though. Although she was in the pact when they decided to all be friends. That night the babies stayed at their house, and her daddy was a little upset but he got over it. Colonel Joan was Deputy Garrison commander, and he needed her to be sharp, but she was going through PTSD, Macy mentioned this to him and he nodded.
Monday morning there was a new student in his class. Finn, he was funny and smart, and he got her, and they became fast friends.
"Mommy, Mommy, I made a friend today in School, this is Finn….."
"Hello, Finn, I'm Mrs. Holden." Mrs. LeBlanc came to pick up Finn.
"Hi, Mrs. LeBlanc." She said brightly.
"Hi, Macy how are you."
"I'm fine."
"Mom, Macy is my friend." Finn said.
"Your girlfriend?"
"Well, she's a girl who's a friend, but does that make her my girlfriend?" Finn asked.
"No, sweetie it doesn't."
"Then no she isn't.'
"Cool."
"Maybe you can come over my house to play Finn, I have some really cool toys."
"That would be fine." Claudia Joy said. "Finn is welcome anytime."
"Cool." Finn said.
"Bye, Finn, Bye Mrs. LeBlanc, I'll see you Wednesday Finn, Tomorrow I'm spending the day with Miss Denise….."
She hugs Finn, and then goes over to her Mother.
"Bye Roxie, I'll see you soon." Claudia Joy Said. The next day. She helps Denise sent a care package to Frank.
"You'll think he'll like it Miss Denise?"
"I think he'll love it, Macy, he has such a soft spot for you, Macy."
"I like him too, Miss Denise. He reminds me of Gunny, my grandpa I think it's fuzzy. But since the army sent me the pictures I have a picture of Gunny, me, Mommy, and Grandma Joyce when I was a baby, I 'member now." It was faked of course, but Macy didn't know that. And she really did have memories of Gunny. "Major Frank is a good man, I'm proud he's my Godfather."
"That he is."
"I have to go to the bathroom."
"You need help."
"I can do it myself, I'm a big girl."
Jeremy came in and started beating his mother. When Macy came out she saw this ran into Frank, and Denise's room and called her daddy.
"General Holden's office."
"Daddy….."
"Macy, what's wrong."
"Jeremy is beating up, Miss Denise." He sent the MPs, immediately and went himself and told his daughter to hide in the closet. Roxy showed up, and kicked him in the balls and scared him off but the MPs still went looking for him, with prodding from Macy Denise decided to press charges. Incidentally, if he joined the Army and got counseling it would all go away and his record would be expunged. Since he wasn't quite 18, she made appointments with Roland Burton for him, and a recruiter and insisted Michael go with him, but didn't kick him out of the house she had a video chat with Frank.
"He hit you and he's still in the house?"
"He's having anger management sessions with Roland and, he's been talking to a recruiter, he's going to join the army, it's a condition of his arrest." She said. 'Macy insisted I have him arrested so did Michael do I did, but I didn't want to kick him out of the house, so I didn't as long as he stops and he goes to counseling he can stay, but he hits once more, I hit back and call the cops, he knows this, I refuse to be victim Frank, Macy and Roxy LeBlanc, have been helping me see this, I was so ashamed what kind of mother's own child hits them, but they made me see it was his problem, he's been better behaved lately, He leaves for basic two weeks after school lets out, he plans to go through ranger school, and OCS at some point, he has a definite career path in mind. Frank can you please forgive him? I have."
"As long as he takes steps to make amends and continues to do right by you, I suppose I can." Frank said. Macy really had changed him.
Meanwhile, seeing through a profiler's eyes Macy alerts her father to the fact an Army wife is possibly being beaten and when he investigates he finds it's true. Her husband is fact very unstable and issues death threats against General Holden and his family. They are taken seriously and George Polarksi is arrested. Marilyn Polarski takes this opportunity to file for divorce take her kids and run away with the civilian she's been seein