Becca talks to the Designer in this chapter... and Mac does the unthinkable... well sort of--- S.K.

Makeover

"I want to thank you so much for coming Miss Taylor, I can't wait to see what you have." Becca said to the designer. She figured out that her mom had called her in to help choose a dress for an upcoming fund raiser that Dickey had been talking about at the staff meeting.

"Well, when the President summons you, you come." The young designer took a seat next to Becca.

"My daughter will be needing a dress, too."

"I haven't got anything like that here... but I could sketch something out for you if you like."

"That would be fantastic." Becca wasfar more interested in Ashley Taylor's drawing pad than on the models that had just lined up in front of her. She described what she liked and watched fascinated as the designer drew it. That's it! That's great she'd love it."

"Great, I'll just need her measurements."

"She'll be in at noon, you can measure her then." Becca turned her attention to the verypatient models in the room. She tried to find the best match for her mother's coloring. She had taken the liberty of allowing her mother's hair to be cut shorter in a boy style and lightened to a more auburn color. So now she could wear Green. She stood at the end and found a green dress that she felt was just right. "This one," Becca said.

The designer looked at the dress and raised her brows. She thought it was school marmish for a vibrant woman like the President she was going to suggest a few changes to the dress which is why she had brought it. But if she thought that was good... "Great... I also brought some suits for you to look at ma'am."

"No...Becca... I think I should decide on that," Mac whispered. "And get pictures of the dress I want to see it."

Becca smiled. "Sure bring them out." She could hear her mother growl in her ear but tried to keep herself from laughing.

"Ma'am..." Usher Waverly said walking into the living room of the Residence. Hepaused at the new look the President was sporting. "Uh... Ma'am, Vince is calling for you, it seems like they need you in the Sit Room."

Beccamomentarilyfroze. "Excuse me miss Taylor." She stood and walked resolutely down to the Oval and into the Situation Room. Everyone stood as she entered. Suddenlyshe felt self-conscious of what she looked like. She ran a fingers through her mother's shorter hair then smoothed down the suit jacket and waited for instructions from her mother, who seemingly had disappeared or fallen asleep in her English Class. "What's going on?"

"Ma'am," Secretary Francis told her, "We were just briefed on the situation of the insurgence in Iraq. We have made contact with Prime Minister Abu Azzam, and he has refused to meet with me about an occupation plan."

Mac still hadn't said anything so Becca panicked internally. "What does he want?"

"He wants to speak with you directly Ma'am," General Shupe answered.

"Fine. I'll talk to him. But I want to do it from the Oval Office." Angrily, Becca walked out of the room. How could her mother have fallen asleep at a time like this?

As she walked into the hall, she unexpectedly ran into her father. "Hey hon," he said leaning in for a kiss. Becca panicked and turned her head just in time for Rod to place a kiss on her cheek.

He took a moment and noted the change in her appearance. He completely approved... she looked at least five years younger with a more natural color for her. And as for the new hair cut, though he preferred her hair longer, he had to admit it made her look sexy. She'd had a similar cut once before, and he'd liked it then, too.

"Hi." Becca pulled away from him and continued walking towards the Oval.

Rod was taken aback at her coldness. He momentarily watched her walk away before following her upstairs. "Everything okay?" He asked once they were alone in her office.

"Yeah fine." Becca saw he was staring at her... well, at her mom, anyway. "What you don't like it?"

"On the contrary... I think you look fantastic and much younger." He smiled and moved towards her, wrapping his arms around her.

Oh gross, she thought, as he began to kiss her neck., "ROD... Rod hon, I have to talk to the Iraqi Prime Minister here in a few seconds, I can't right now." She broke out of his embrace. Her skin crawling.

"It's okay we have all weekend," her dad said as he sort of pinched her bottom as she walked around the big oak desk.

Becca jumped slightly and quickly sat behind her desk. "Was there something you needed to tell me?"

"Rebecca 's school called. She has been sent to the principal's office three times today."

"Oh dear... I want to talk to her... could you get her at lunch?" Becca said, figuring out a way to get her mother back in the oval for lunch since she couldn't go and retrieve her herself.

"Sure hun. I'll go now, so that she's here by lunch."

"Great, Thanks." She waited until he walked out of the door to say. "Mackenzie Spencer Allen, Wake Up!"

"Oh my god... ew..." Mac said waking as Becca had called her name.

"Do you realize that I just came out of the Situation room?"

"Mrs. Ballard can I go to the bathroom?" Mac said at the other end.

Becca related the entire situation as Mac walked down the hall to the restroom. "You did good Becca, I promise I'll be here for the call."

"Yeah... well dad is coming to get you for lunch... He's going to be pretty steamed, so prepare yourself."

"Got ya." Mac muttered just as the phone call came through.