The Calloway Saga
by Baxley & CourtneyHawk
(Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Commander in Chief.)
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
~Psalm 127:3-5
Chapter 8
"2000 votes! Missouri had turned against us by only 2000 votes!" Rod shook his head incredulously.
Even after a wild, passionate night after her "Fritz" tease, Rod was still brooding. They were getting ready for the new President and the new First Lady. He looked at his mentor, Clark Stevenson.
"You know as well as I do elections will come and they will go. For now, just go home and lick your wounds," Clark had suggested, feeling the weight that Rod had bore now moving onto himself.
Rod planned on doing as he suggested but first were the formalities. The out-going President always greeted the in-coming President and gave them a tour of the White House. Rod was putting on his tie as mac walked in. She offered him a bright smile. For the first time in weeks she appeared to be alright. "Hello, handsome," she gave him a quick kiss.
"Are you ready, Madame President?" he returned the kiss.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she answered.
Life was going to take a different turn for them and their family. Nodding to him they headed hand in hand towards the front door where they greeted Phil and Danny. Cameras flashed as the two couples greeted each other and stood side by side as it was tradition to do so.
From room to room the Calloways took the Philsons, telling them the rich history of the White House held and shared story after story with them about the Jeffersons, the Lincolns, the Trumans, the Roosevelts, and where so many other Presidents and their families lived and led the nation. Their last stop was the Oval Office where Mac was about to tell them about the famous desk, the Resolute, when Phil unceremoniously and irreverently plopped down behind the desk. Leaning back in the chair he propped his feet on the desk, crossing them at the ankles, laced his fingers behind his head and widely grinned triumphantly. Mac gave a sideway glance to Rod with a look that said 'You've got to be kidding.'
Later, they held a luncheon for the new President and the First Lady. During the luncheon Rod sat with Mac looking at Philander. Danny was the only one really saying much to them. Phil was looking around with a dumbstruck appearance trying to figure out why Mac was keeping up with this tradition. Rod watched him and glanced towards Mac. It was at that moment Rod knew that Philander Philson had no clue of the history surrounding him and it left a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.
As they both rode in the limo towards the inauguration Mac said something that made his heart stop.
"I'm thankful we're leaving Washington."
***
The Juniper was a stone mansion originally built at the turn of the 20th century by railroad tycoon Stanley Greene adjacent to Lake Cherokee outside Springfield, Missouri. It was named after the abundant Juniper trees that grew on the grounds. In the 1960's it was purchased by the late Glen DeRenne, founder of the DeRenne Record Company and the named changed to the DeRenne mansion. It sat empty and neglected for ten years until it was purchased by Rod for his new bride, Mackenzie, and it took three years to restore and refurbish inside and out and to re-landscape the 125 acres it sat on. Renamed the Calloway it has been the home of the Rod and Mac and their children. It has 15 bedrooms (each with their own bathrooms), a large family room with fireplace, large kitchen, morning room where the family eats, a formal dining room, reception, children's play room, game room, ball room, three offices, two guest bathrooms, a den with fireplace, large laundry, small salon for hair and make-up, family library, foyer, patio, dining porch, gazebo and a small movie theater that seats 30.
The Calloways employ two part-time and one full-time Nanny, a part time beautician, nine servants and housekeepers and hire landscapers and gardeners from a local landscaping company. They are well known for their generosity with their employees paying them well and treating them kindly.
Justin moved his wife and daughter into the east side of the house where they changed one of the bedrooms into a living area. Jenny and Jazzy each had their own rooms but Joel and Josh shared a bedroom. Jada slept in the nursery connected to the master bedroom where Rod and Mac slept.
Jenny started to attending Thomas Jefferson High School where she began working with the school newspaper. Jazzy started at the Bridgeport Middle School and became a cheerleader for the Bridgeport Pirates. Joel and Josh went to the Madison Elementary. The family began to settle into a comfortable routine.
***
The family was sitting in the den, an unusual night when everyone was home. No PTA meetings, no cheer leading practice, no staff meetings, nothing going on outside of the home. Mac and Kelly had popped popcorn as the Calloways relaxed in front of the flat screen TV watching 'Saving Nemo'.
"Fishes, Daddy!" three year old Marie Calloway pointed when she saw the movie start.
"Yes, fishes!" Justin smiled at his blonde daughter and then at Kelly.
"Anybody want a soda pop?" Kelly asked handing out cold cans of soft drinks to the various raised hands.
Rod held the year old redheaded Jada in his lap as she giggled and pointed at the movie. Mac, six months pregnant now with what she thought was twins, sat next to Rod loving the fact that all of her family was together on one place. This was a rare treat.
"Are you feeling alright?" Rod asked his very pregnant wife. He had been very concerned about her. In all of the pregnancies he had seen his wife endure this one seemed different. She was
extraordinary large to be carrying twins.
"I'm fine. I'm just tired," she snuggled close to him laying her weary head on his shoulder.
The movie progressed when she had her first contraction. A convoy of limos rushed to the hospital.
***
She had complications and the babies had to be delivered by cesarean section but instead of twins there was triplet girls, all redheaded. Two of the babies were identical but unfortunately the third baby was fraternal and still born. Marie Allen's prediction had indeed been right. Rod had a baseball team only minus one. Mac named the girls Judith Rachel and Julianne Kelly Calloway. Rod named the still born baby Jewel.
After a short stay in the hospital the family went home. In time she healed and life became as normal as normal can get with eight children. Mac was happy to settle down and raise her happy family. Life was normal, or so they thought.
