As the family arrived back at the White House, Mac felt a sinking in her stomach. She didn't want to be back to the crisis already. She felt like she was moving in hyper speed. As she settled back into the Oval Office, there was a knock on the door. Mac rolled her eyes but then composed herself. She was relieved when Rod came through the door. "Hey, baby," she said softly, a smile spreading across her face.
"Hey yourself. How are you feeling today?" Rod asked, putting his arms around her shoulders and stroking her hair. She smiled.
"Fine, dear. Just fine." Mac sighed and kissed him on the forehead. "Is there something you need?"
"Actually, yes. I just got a call from NBC," Rod started rather uncomfortably. Mac was rather taken by this. "Katie Couric wants to do a prime time piece to discuss your pregnancy. She wants us to call her with a date, time and place."
"Really?" Mac said. There was nothing else that she could think of to day to this. It definitely wasn't the news she was expecting. Frankly, she was thankful for that.
"Really. And I think it would be a good idea, Mac. Katie Couric is very courteous and well-respected, not to mention the public loves her. I think it would really help your campaign."
"Is the campaign the only reason?" Mac asked slowly, staring into his eyes. He read her expression.
"No," he replied. "Of course not. The family always comes first and you know that as well as I do." Mac touched her forehead to his and their lips met lightly.
"OK." Mac smiled and turned back to her work.
March 1st rolled around rather quickly. On Mac's calendar in pink gel pen, courtesy of Amy, Katie Couric's name was written in bubble letters. Mac waited warily until 4:00pm, when Katie was scheduled to arrive. Rod waited with her, both of them antsy and anxious about the interview. Mac knew that it should be done, but that didn't make it any more comfortable.
"Mac, sweetie? Are you OK?" Rod asked, observing Mac staring out the window.
"She's here," she stated solemnly. Rod smiled and kissed Mac on the lips lightly.
"Come on, honey." Rod walked out the door. "We should go greet her," he called back. Mac wrenched herself from the spot and walked slowly out the door in exasperation. She met Katie and her cameramen in the hall.
"Madame President!" Katie exclaimed, rushing up to her and shaking her hand warmly. "It's an honour to meet you!" Mac smiled and returned her gratitude, leading her to the Oval Office. They sat down on the couch and chatted for a while pleasantly.
"OK, let's get to the questions," Katie said after making a little bit of small talk
"Alright then," Mac and Rod chimed in unison. They giggled at their uncanny similarity and then pulled themselves together for the interview.
"Let's talk about your pregnancy, Madame President," Katie started with the big issue. Mac nodded knowingly, wanting to roll her eyes but restraining herself.
"Of course," Mac said, sarcasm nipping at her pleasant tone.
"Was this pregnancy planned?" Mac and Rod both choked on the predictability, looking at each other.
Finally Rod answered with, "We understand that people are curious about the timing. It's natural to be curious. But I'm not sure that question is relevant. Whether this was planned or not doesn't change the fact that Mac is pregnant. We are choosing to view this pregnancy–challenging though it's timing may be–as a blessing. My wife and I are having another child just like millions of other couples around the world. That's it. There's nothing more to it." Mac smiled at her husband, thanking him silently for his professional answer. Katie looked unprepared for this response, but shook it off quickly.
"President Allen, how is being pregnant going to effect your daily routine as president?" Katie asked. Mac was slightly put out by this question.
"Well, aside from the fact that I eventually won't be able to tell if my shoes are matching, it shouldn't affect it at all. Millions of women work while pregnant. I've done it twice already- and so have you. It's just what women do! I have a job to do. It's a job I know I can do—pregnant or not. And it's a job I will continue to do every day to the best of my ability. Will some days be harder than others? Absolutely, but that is the way of life.." Mac was serious about this question,
"How do you feel about the political controversy brought about by your pregnancy?" Katie asked, her voice slightly sympathetic through her professionalism.
"Katie, when you're the President, what you choose to eat for breakfast creates political controversy. It's all just part of the job. Really, however, this is purely a personal matter. What any outsider might say or think doesn't matter because we're happy about this baby and so is our family." Mac had fire in her voice. Katie and Rod stared at her, taken aback by her passion. Mac smiled.
"How are you going to handle all of this?"
"We'll do what we've always done. We'll do it together with a lot of help from our family," Rod explained.
"If anything, this time around might be easier. Our other children are older. My mother lives with us and is a great help. And we both basically work from home," Mac said. Katie smiled.
After the interview, Mac and Rod sat together on the Oval Office Couch. Mac needed rest more than anything, and she had a horrible craving for chocolate chip pancakes. She rested her head against Rod's chest. "I want pancakes," she whined softly, cuddling up to him and sighing deeply.
"I don't have any, dear," he said obviously. She lifted her head and stared at him.
"Duh," she exclaimed. She laid her head back down on his chest.