"Hey guys. Glad you made it." Matt greets us.

"Donna, come see the cabin after you get changed. It's unbelievable."

Helen looks really happy. I think this weekend is going to be really good for her.

"Okay. We'll just be a few minutes."

After the porter takes our bags into the cabin, Josh flips his backpack over his shoulder and takes my briefcase in his left hand. Then he grabs my hand with his right.

'I can get that you know." I tell him. But he just rolls his eyes and smirks at me.

"You bring the baby."

As we walk into the cabin, Josh turns toward me in anticipation of my reaction.

"OH! It's charming. Like a little storybook cabin." I'm in love with it. In the living room there is an old fashioned rocker with an afghan draped over it. There is a large sofa and a matching arm chair. They look like they are from the 70's but they are in good shape. There are spindle legged end tables and a newer looking TV on a low bookshelf.

In the bedroom, there is a queen size bed covered in a patchwork quilt. I reach out to touch it to see if it's as soft as it looks and I'm not disappointed.

Josh is looking at me grinning, rather than looking around. "Have you stayed here before?" I ask.

"Yes, actually, the last time I was here. But my roommate wasn't as cute as you are."

"Roommate?"

"Yes, I had to bunk with Will. During a summit like that, bedrooms are at a premium. That couch pulls out into a bed."

"I didn't know you stayed here."

His face clouds over. "No, you wouldn't have."

"No, I guess not." Last time he was here, I was half way around the world, in a lot of pain, feeling very confused and very lonely. Well. I certainly don't want to think about that right now.

"Let's get changed."

The suit cases have been left on luggage racks in the bedroom. It's still pretty warm out, so I pull out a pair of black capris with an elastic waist. I don't remember the last time I wore these but I was happy to find them in a box of summer clothes. I don't have a lot of options right now. At least these look okay with the green blouse.

Josh had ditched his suit coat before we stopped at the bar, but otherwise he's still in his work clothes. All he's managed to do since we've been here is to take off the tie and his shoes.

"Come on, babe, take it all off." I taunt him.

He rolls his eyes as he unbuttons his shirt. He's not much good at the striptease. I grin anyway. I like what I see. His chest is still broad, even though there are a few grey hairs dotting it. His arms are still well defined. His abs still look great for a guy in his mid-forties and I don't mind the little bit of padding that has formed just over his hips. The word love handles is totally appropriate.

"You going to hand me a shirt?"

"Not yet."

He sighs like he's being put out, but I see the sparkle in his eyes as he unbuckles his belt and pulls it through the loops. With Josh, that doesn't bother me. He unbuttons and unzips his pants and then steps slowly out of them. He folds them and places them on the dresser. I've trained him well.

Since I'm still not offering him any clothes, he sits down on the bed and takes his socks off. I use that opportunity to walk over to him and push him down. Then I lay on top of him and give him a good long kiss. I feel him stirring underneath me, so I start to pull back and get up. We really don't have time to make love.

But he anticipates what I was about to do and wraps his arms around me and very gently rolls so that I'm under him. He props his arms on either side of me to keep his weight of me, but I'm still basically trapped.

"You are quite the tease today, young lady." He says in that voice. "Just remember, sooner or later you have to pay the piper."

God, I'm looking forward to it. He gives me another thorough kiss, then gets up and goes over to the suitcase. Suddenly, I'm the one panting and wishing for more. He might have won this round.

As he pulls out his clothes, I decide to share some trivia to take my mind off the fact that I'd really like to rip his boxers off rather than watch him put clothes on.

"Did you know that Witch Hazel was one of the original cabins at the camp? Back in FDR's time, it was known as the "Grace Tully Cottage" because FDR's secretary, used this cabin most often."

"Nope. Didn't know that." He responds, putting on khaki colored cargo shorts. Man, he has nice legs!

"President Kennedy turned the cabin into a nursery for the children and their nanny." I tell him as he pulls a soft blue t-shirt over his chest. "And "President Johnson's two teenage daughters stayed here when they visited.

"That's odd. I wonder why they didn't stay in Aspen? There are four bedrooms in there."

"I don't know. Maybe some people don't really like their children that much, although in the case of the teenagers it might be the other way around. Anyway, all set? I'm ready to go see this Aspen Lodge I've heard so much about."

"Donna. Neither of us is wearing shoes."

"Oh right!' Pregnancy brain. I'm forgetting stupid stuff these days. But at least so far it hasn't been anything important, or work related.

Once we both have footwear, we head over and knock on the door.

Helen answers with a smile. "Come on in."

Looking around, I can see why Matt and Helen look so relaxed. The President's Cabin is what I'd call "rustic luxury." The cabin and lodge sit on top of a little hill with the rest of the camp out before it. The large living room windows really showcase the surrounding forest and countryside. The kitchen is homey but well appointed. And the bedrooms are a good size. Three of the bedrooms have two twin beds in them. We made specific arrangements to accommodate the cousins. There are five fireplaces. One in the master bedroom, one in the living room of the cabin and three in other areas of the lodge. My favorite is a "sunroom" on the end of the lodge. It has light hardwood floors and soft leather furniture in front of a large stone fireplace. It seems like a very cozy place for friends to hang out. The doors lead out to a flagstone patio.

In the back, the lower terrace has tables and an outdoor cooking area. The four of us stand there staring at the pool.

I turn to Helen. "That's amazing."

"The kids couldn't wait to get in. They went swimming before dinner. I thought we could have a little adults only swim time after they go to bed. Have some drinks, hang out in the hot tub . . ."

"Donna can't get in the hot tub!" Josh interrupts. He must feel like he's on vacation if he's interrupting the First Lady.

"Oh I know!" Helen laughs. "She can stick her feet in a bit. And the pool is heated too. We can float around and enjoy it before the rest of the family gets here. You brought suits, right?"

"Yes, I brought a bikini." I slyly watch Josh out of the corner of my eye while I'm talking to Helen. Josh swallows hard. He loves the red bikini. "I hope that's okay." I'm still talking to Helen but watching Josh's reaction.

"Yes, of course! I brought one too." She tells me. "That's the great thing about this! Absolutely no press!"

Miranda runs up to ask her parents something and I walk Josh back over to look at the stone fireplace some more.

On the way, Josh finally finds his voice and manages to squeak out. "The red one?"

He's still thinking about the bikini. I love watching him struggle with his dual desires to see me practically naked while keeping anyone else from getting a glimpse of my skin. It was one of the really funny things about the honeymoon. Finally, I take mercy on him.

"No. It's black and it covers a lot more of me than the red one. Although, my bump is going to stick out."

"I can't wait to see it." He says wrapping me up in his arms.

I use the opportunity to lean over and whisper in his ear. I know it turns him on when I do that. Even if no one is around, everything just seems sexier if you whisper it directly into your lover's ear. "I was thinking that after everyone else goes to bed tonight, we could sneak over here and skinny dip." I'm just teasing him. There is no way I'd take that chance. But I've made him think about it and that's points for me.

His arms tighten around me even more, and he groans "Donna, you're killing me here."

I know. I'm kind of evil that way. But the results of teasing him all day are definitely worth it.

Matt's voice breaks into our little tete-a-tete.

"So, Miranda would like to take a golf cart tour of this place. You two want to join us?"

I smile at Josh as I answer Matt. "Yes, we would."

"We'll go get our golf cart and meet you in the circle." Josh tells him, grabbing my hand and heading back to our cabin next door. He swings it back and forth as we walk and he's whistling. It's really great to see him relaxed.

"You're cheerful!"

Josh grins at me. "No skinny dipping. But I AM going to get you naked later and have my way with you."

"Okay." I grin back.

Five minutes later, there is a caravan of golf carts ready to head out. Matt and Miranda are in one. Helen and Peter are in another. Josh and I are in ours. And another cart with 2 agents are ready to go along. Seeing the agents surprises me a little, since there is no one here except the First Family, us and staff right now. But even here there is protocol. The president's detail will stay with him the way they do at the White House. Helen and the children still have their detail, although they are given a much wider perimeter. Josh and my detail have been given the weekend off. There are enough agents just generally patrolling the camp that Ron agreed that we didn't need shadow guards. I think Josh and I are both looking forward to the freedom.

It's not surprising that the first place the kids want to go is Hickory Lodge. When we pull up to the building Josh is grinning. Sometimes he's a big kid at heart. He leads the way inside, showing us the 2 lane bowling alley, the billiards and air hockey tables. He challenges Peter to a foos ball game right away. Miranda wants to go look at the movie theater. We did arrange for several movies, just in case, but it seems like the weather is going to cooperate, so I don't know if anyone will end up watching them.

After they've checked out Hickory Lodge, we drive over and see the tennis and basketball courts, then the horseshoe pits and archery range, then the pond for fishing. The kids are going to have a fabulous time. And I'm really looking forward to some long walks along the nature trails.

"Let's go see the horses!" Miranda suggests. I see Josh grimace, but he agrees to follow along.

"So, horses?" I query with my eyebrow raised.

"Don't laugh, okay, but I'm kind of scared of them. They're pretty big and they seem to do whatever they want. They sort of smell too."

I giggle a little and he shoots me a hurt look.

"No, you don't understand, I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing with you. I'm scared of horses too!"

"Really? I thought Donna Moss wasn't scared of anything."

"Oh, Josh. There are so many things I'm scared of. But especially horses. I used to love them until the summer before 3rd grade."

"What happened?"

"I went to summer camp for the first time. It was a church camp up in the Pierre Marquette forest in Michigan. Actually, the camp was kind of like this place, except for the wait staff and security guards. Anyway, we got to pick several activities to do every day and my parents paid extra for horseback riding. The first two days were great. But on the third day I got stuck with this horse called "Lightening." At first I thought it was a terrible name. He was a pokey horse that didn't really want to keep up with the group, until about half way through the ride a snake spooked him. He reared up, but I hung on for dear life. Then he took off at a full gallop. When he finally came to a sudden stop, he threw me off."

"Did you get hurt?" Josh looks really worried.

"Just my ass and my pride. I was crying hysterically when the group caught up to me. Then, of course, I had to get back on and ride to the stables. For the next three days, I cried during the horseback riding hour. I was so scared they clipped a lead from my horse to the counselor's horse. Some of the older boys teased me for the rest of the week."

"Did you ever try to ride again?"

"Yes. I was a lifeguard up there one summer. During a break one day, some staff went out riding. I tried to go but when they brought the horse over to me, my heart was pounding so hard I thought I was going to pass out. I ended up bailing on the group. I just told them I had a headache."

When we get to the stables, Josh calls over to the First Family-

"Donna's allergic to horses! We're going to wait here."

"Josh! You just lied to the President!"

"Yes. Yes I did. And now no one will ask you to go horseback riding the rest time you're here."

"You are a brilliant man."

The sun is setting as Miranda finishes up at the stables. It's beautiful. We've only been here about 90 minutes and I'm already more relaxed than I've been in months. This place really is a presidential retreat.

I look over at Josh and smile. I'm sure the campfire with the family will be fun. Miranda has already informed me there will be s'mores and singing. I'm looking forward to hearing Josh belt out some silly camp songs. And floating in the pool sounds heavenly. But I really can't wait just to lay in Josh's arms under that quilt in our cabin and make good on all the teasing I did today.