Author's Note: Good evening, everyone. These last few days have been absolutely bonkers. I went to see my big sister at her new place and had a mini slumber party with our mutual friend. During that time, my maternal grandfather came up here out of the clear blue sky to find our family. Before he did, he ended up wandering 120 miles off of the address he had for us and the police had to bring him to our home. He's back home safe now but dude forgot most of his medications that he needs so now, we've got to scramble to get them to him before he goes into a diabetic or heart attack. We also have to figure out how to help him long term because the relatives around him are sick and nearly dead themselves. And today, my father's hernia had a colossal temper tantrum so now, he's in the hospital for observation overnight. What's gonna happen next is anyone's guess but right now, I feel like Ms. Rhimes has taken over the script pen for my life and I do not like it, not one little bit. Here's hoping that it gets better soon…
18 Weeks on the Trail: Enter the Bible Thumpers…
Georgia Senator Sally Langston knew that she had gained a Reputation in the political world.
She was known as a throwback to Prohibition age politicians, a Bible Thumper, a "right wing nut job", and most recently and offensively, "Ted Nugent in Drag". She wasn't a vain woman by any means. The Good Book discouraged that heartily but still, Ted Nugent? She was also seen as inflexible, snobbish, and Puritanical. Some individuals even cringed at the very idea of her in the White House, where she was needed most, where she deserved to be after so many years of loyal service to her God and Country. As the Bush Administration's rays began to sink below the horizon after 8 long years, she knew that it was her time. The Party needed a new face, a new candidate, a new image of soft wholesome values. She was that Face and she would be the First Female POTUS, shattering that Glass Ceiling for all the other ladies out there…
Professor Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III had initially been dismissed by many. Just another bright eyed, wet behind the ears Senator's son trying to play with the big kids. All right, he certainly had a sharp political mind in that perfectly coiffed skull of his. A series of papers had been published under his name, providing thorough, objective analysis of the Presidential Administrations from Reagan to Bush the Son. They were a part of the Lexicon now, cited by individuals in the poli-talk arenas and even by major news affiliates, such as CNN and the BBC.
On top of that, he was a veteran. The records he had set during his time as an Air Force had yet to be beaten and he was decorated for valor. Still, an academic with a gun, an academic with a gun that just barely met the minimum 35 years old age requirement for the Presidency…surely he wasn't a threat…
His opening remarks in Trenton, NJ…the sheer popularity of his African-American wife and mixed race genius child…the way that the youth, the eco-hippies, and even some staunch Democrats flocked to him...
He spoke with conviction. He spoke like he actually gave a damn, a rarity nowadays. He could be one half of the first interracial couple in the White House, the other half being Olivia Pope-Grant, Fixer and White Hat Wearing Savior of the New England elite…
Sally could see the tide turning further and further away from her every day, her road to the White House being washed out and sent adrift. There was no way for her to salvage her campaign enough to go toe to toe with Grant again, much less Samuel Reston. She knew that. She had accepted it and now, it was time to regroup.
She was still determined to be the First Female President of the United States.
However, being the First Female Vice President of the United States would suffice for now.
"Are you absolutely sure about this, Sally? It's not too late to salvage things…"
Billy Chambers. He was cut from the same cloth of Republican as she was and had a ruthlessness that she lacked. He was fully committed to the Campaign, staying even as others left but surely, he wasn't that naïve?
"Billy, it's the only way. Unless Grant drops out of the Race, there is no conceivable way for me to get the Party's Nomination. We lack the time and the money to revamp the Campaign and the snippets those reporters got from me are still out there, spreading the backlash further. I'm not giving up on being the President in general but I am for this Race."
"But merging the campaigns? How do you even know Grant will go along with it? Not to mention Cyrus Beene…"
"One of his prevailing themes is unity. A united Party, even on the surface, is pure political gold and he would be a fool to pass up on the opportunity to gain the Conservative votes."
"I don't like it."
"I don't either but it's better than throwing in the towel completely. "
/
"It's 11PM. Do you know where your spouse is?"
Once again, Cyrus marveled at how Fitz's attention snapped to his wife's like a dog spotting a squirrel he'd like to chase down. Langston and Chambers' brows went up as well but it was probably more because of her current attire than her words. Olivia was in a plum purple cotton nightgown and her hair was wrapped in a large American flag headscarf, her aquamarine painted toe nails catching the light of the back conference room as she walked forward.
"I thought you were sleeping." Fitz remarked warmly as she slid into the seat next to him.
"I tried but I can't sleep without you so for the safety of the Campaign and the general public, I decided to seek and find you, husband. And I did. Yay, me."
Fitz just kissed the back of her hand in response.
"Liv, what do you think about putting the campaigns together?" Cyrus cut in before their coupledom got too nauseating and/or naked for public consumption.
It was like flipping a switch. Olivia stood up and one could practically see the gears turning in her head as she started pacing in front of the small table. Gone was the soft, loving and playful wife and in her place was Olivia Pope-Grant, the Gladiator in a Suit and the apolitical Wild Card he had grown to adore and dread…
With a nod, she stopped and faced them, her words slow but confident.
"I think it's a good idea. Not only will it allow Fitz to focus on Resten fully, it'll also add to the Glass Ceiling angle you've got going on. Interracial First Couple and a female Vice President…that's some MENSA level optics if handled correctly and it eliminates a threat for the re-election run in 2012. Of course, there's going to be friction. Sally's an old school, right wing Republican and Fitz…well, the closest I can get to describing him is a RINO with a twist of liberal Democrat hippie lime…"
Cyrus couldn't decide if Fitz's mock offended face or Chambers' somewhat crazed giggle was more amusing.
"…but that can easily be worked around. Not to mention, Sally still being on the ticket will make women and the all the way to the Right people happy because they'll still have a powerful voice in DC and that'll get more electoral votes. I'm not saying that the popular vote isn't important because it certainly is but electorals are where it's at. George W. knew that in the 2000 election which is why he had his Florida family do some voodoo on both so he'd win."
"You actually buy into that conspiracy theory?"
"You don't? Wake up and smell the Dirty, Cyrus!"
"I'm up to my crow's feet in the Dirty all the time, Liv and you know it! So…we're going forward?"
"You're asking the wrong Grant.", she chided flatly.
All eyes went to Fitz, who after a minute declared, "Let's do it."
He extended his hand to Sally who shook it with graceful, ladylike enthusiasm.
"All right, then. You can have your husband back, now.", Cyrus said with a dismissive wave.
"Thank you, kind sir. Make tracks, Flyboy. I'm sleepy."
"Good night, everyone.", Fitz called over his shoulder as he led her towards the door.
As soon as the door shut behind them, Cyrus rolled his eyes at the all too familiar sound of their lips meeting. One thing he had yet to get used to with the Grant/Pope-Grant marriage was just how tactile they were, how warm and open they were with their affection. Handholding like pre-teens, kissing like they were about to be caught out after curfew, and…
"They really love each other, don't they?" Sally asked softly.
"Yeah. It's nauseating."
"Marriage is a blessing from the Lord, Cyrus and obviously Olivia is a complement to her husband, a helper and touchstone. That bodes well for our Administration. A happy Leader is a more effective one, after all."
As much as it pained him to agree with the woman who bathed in Baby Jesus' tears, Cyrus could only nod in solidarity.