"Holy hell, Fitz what happened to you?"
He follows Gerry and Olivia further inside the door and shrugs his shoulders. "It's nothing Will, I'm fine."
"I don't know man, that eye rivals the Johnson fiasco of '92. What'd ya do? Did you piss off Olivia or something?"
He shoots Will a disapproving look, mainly for his language in Gerry's presence, and looks over at Olivia who had thankfully already made her way into the living room and then down to Gerry. Will mouths "sorry," but asks about his eye again. "What happened?"
Gerry looks up timidly, half hiding behind Fitz's leg, "it was me." And his little lips pout until he sees his grandmother walking in the room, and he runs to her, launching himself in her arms. "Grandma!"
She presses a kiss to the top of his head and picks him up. "Hi sweet boy, I've missed you so much." And she kisses his forehead before looking on to her sons who are standing a few feet away. "How are my other boys doing?"
They start walking closer to her. "We're alright, just wondering why the whole family has been sum—" But before he can finish Mrs. Grant cuts him off.
"My Lord, Fitz what happened to you eye?" And she reaches out to touch it with her free hand, and when she does, he flinches and takes a step backwards.
"Why is everyone's first instinct always to touch it?" and he notices Gerry's face pressed into his mother's shoulder, eyes peeking up at them. "I'm fine ok? It's not a big deal, it doesn't even hurt that bad. Let's drop it." And he gives his mother the same warning look that he gave Will.
Mrs. Grant looks down at Gerry, "hey Gerry, can you go get your grandpa and tell him that everyone's here?" The little boy nods, and when she puts him down, he quickly runs off down the hall in search of his grandfather.
"Ok, now tell me what happened to you."
Fitz sighs. "Gerry and I were playing; it was an accident; he elbowed me; he feels really bed about it; I'm fine; just drop it."
John walks over to his two brothers as Will starts laughing hysterically and Mrs. Grant nods with an amused smile. "What's going on? Whoa! Fitz what happened to your—?" and he motions to his own eye.
"Our older brother got beat up by a kid who's about three feet tall and twenty five pounds." And Will starts laughing again.
John looks from Will to his mother to Fitz. "Gerry did that? Man that's great. I love that kid." And he starts laughing too.
"I'm glad that you three are enjoying this, but please don't mention it around Gerry. He already feels bad enough as it is and I don't need the two of you making it any worse." And he looks at his two brothers. "Ok?"
"Yeah sure, but I still think that it's awesome."
Mr. Grant walks into the room with Gerry on his hip. "Hey guys, thanks for com— Fitzgerald what in the world?"
Mrs. Grant and Fitz both shoot him a disapproving look as John and Will smile. And Mrs. Grant intervenes; she holds out her arms for Gerry, "C'mon Ger, why don't we go get the food I set out for tonight?" And she whispers in his ear, but it's still loud enough for the others to hear. "I'll let you sneak a cookie."
His face lights up as he reaches over for her. She takes him and quickly puts him down and they start walking toward the kitchen.
Fitz calls after them, "One cookie mom!" and he sees Olivia turn around on the couch for a second before returning to her conversation with Jane, shaking her head in amused disapproval.
Once they're gone, Mr. Grant looks back to Fitz. "So what the hell happened to your eye?"
John motions to the kitchen and whispers for dramatic effect, "it was the cookie monster."
Mr. Grant smiles, "That was all Gerry? Not Liv?" And Fitz nods. "But he feels bad about it so please don't say anything to him."
"I won't say a word; but c'mon, your mother and I have something to tell you all." And the four start to file into the living room, Fitz and Will both sitting next to their wives as John takes his usual seat on the floor.
Mrs. Grant and Gerry walk in a few moments later and Gerry squeezes himself in between his parents. Olivia looks down at him and wipes the few crumbs from his face as he reaches for the platter of cookies that had been set on the table in front of them. "Hey, hey; how many have you already had?"
Gerry innocently looks up at her and holds up two fingers with his free hand.
"Ok then put those back and eat these." And she reaches for a bunch of grapes that are beside the cookies on the platter and hands them to him.
"Aww man." And he sighs and takes the grapes from her as he scoots back on the couch, plopping a grape into his mouth.
"Ok, can you two please tell us why we're all here?"
Mr. Grant smiles at his wife and then looks back to their children on the couch. "As you all know, I've been involved in politics practically my whole life, and I pride myself in Fitz's decision to continue on the Grant's legacy of service. But recently, I've realized that I'm not ready to retire just yet; I believe that I can still make a difference, and so do the leaders of the Republican Party."
Jane and Will share curious looks as John sits staring on ahead at his parents and Gerry hands the empty vine from the grapes to Fitz, leaning over onto Olivia's shoulder.
"What I'm trying to say is, I've been asked by the Republican Party to seek a spot in the presidential primaries."
John looks to both of his brothers, trying to gauge their reaction before he speaks. "Dad, ok wait, you want to run for president? Like President of the United States of America, President? Like Washington D.C. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, President? Like commander in chief, you pretty much own the armed forces of the United States, President? Are you high?"
"John Francis Grant." And Mrs. Grant shoots him a warning look.
"Well, we all know how John feels now; what about the rest of you?"
Will looks over at his wife and then to Fitz before addressing his parents. "Wow, I mean…wow. President? It's not all that much of a surprise and I think it's great dad, but are you sure?"
He smiles. "I am."
"Then we say you should go for it."
"No better man for the job; well maybe except this one," And Fitz ruffles Gerry's hair and the little boy squirms closer to Olivia who smiles and nods in agreement.
Mr. Grant looks over to Gerry. "So what do you think Ger? Can grandpa be the president?"
The little boy smiles and enthusiastically nods his head. "Yes!" And he looks down at the table and thinks for a moment before looking back up at his grandfather. "If you're president, can you make mommy give me one of those?" And he points to the side of the tray of food that houses the cookies.
The whole room laughs and Gerry looks around, not quite understanding the reason for their laughter, but deciding to join in anyway. "I don't know buddy; from what I've heard, mommies still outrank presidents, and they probably always will. You'll just have to ask very nicely."
He turns to his mother and looks up at her with pleading eyes, his bottom lip pushed out in pout formation. She sighs exaggeratedly, but then smiles at him. "One more; and you better make it last because it's the absolute last one you'll be having tonight."
"Thanks mommy!" And he starts to jump off the couch but then quickly turns back, standing next to her, wrapping his arms around her neck, giving her a short little hug. He moves off the couch and inspects the remaining cookies, looking for the largest one with the most chocolate chips. And he finishes it in record pace and then looks up at Fitz. "I have to go potty."
They walk down the hall together and when they reach the bathroom, Gerry turns to him. "I do it all by myself." And he pulls the door shut. Fitz stands against the wall waiting, and John walks up.
"How are you ok with this? Do you understand how much it'll suck if he wins? And let's face it, after the last eight train wreck years under that democratic control, he will. It's bad enough being a Representative's kid, but the president's kid? C'mon."
"Have you stopped to think about anyone except for yourself John? For as long as I can remember, this has always been something dad has talked about wanting to do; and he's done so much for us over the years, given up so much; why can't you give up something for him? Granted, I know this is a lot to ask for, but it doesn't last forever; and you'll be at school, away from the public eye, living the same life you're living now, just maybe with a new built in best friend who follows you everywhere and carries a gun for your protection."
The toilet flushes and Fitz calls through the door. "Wash your hands, Gerry."
"I am not the selfish one here. I'm in college, I worked my ass off to get here, these are supposed to be the best years of my life. I don't want to live them under a microscope. It was bad enough as kids, having his constituency know everything about us; but now having the whole country know it all?"
Gerry opens the door and looks up at Fitz, lifting his arms, signaling his desire to be held. Fitz obliges and reaches down, picking him up; and the little boy wraps his legs around Fitz's waist and his arms around his neck, resting his head on his shoulder. Fitz runs a hand down Gerry's back and looks back at John. "You don't really think dad would let that happen, do you? He would never let them close to you like that; he would protect you, and your privacy."
"You may have chosen this life for yourself, Fitz; but I sure as hell didn't." and he points to Gerry. "And for that matter, neither did he." And he turns and walks further down the hall and into his room, shutting the door with more force than necessary.
Gerry picks his head up and looks at his father. "Why's Uncle John so mad?"
"Don't worry about it buddy, he'll be fine." And Gerry shrugs his shoulders and lays his head back down on Fitz's shoulder.
"Are you tired?" He nods. "Ok, well I guess we should get you home then." And they start walking back to the living room.
"Hey daddy?"
"Yeah Gerbear?"
"When you be president will I be mad like Uncle John?"
Fitz stops walking, slightly taken aback by Gerry's intuitiveness. "I hope not, buddy. But if you are you can always talk to me."
Mr. Grant approaches them as they walk back into the living room. "What'd John say to you?"
Fitz holds up his finger and quickly walks Gerry over to the couch, placing him down next to Will and Olivia. He walks back over to his father and leads him a few feet further down the hall. "He's worried about all of the attention and his lack of privacy. He'll come around. But I think this is a good thing for you dad, and for the country. Just talk to John and explain to him that you're the president and you're the one everyone will be obsessed with, not your college-aged son. And if they do happen to be interested, you protect him."
Mr. Grant process for a moment and nods before turning to walk towards John's room. Fitz stops him though, "hey dad, I think Olivia and I are going to head out before Gerry falls asleep. Congratulations, Mr. Presidential Hopeful; you've already got my vote." And he smiles as he gives his father a quick pat on the shoulder and walks back towards his family.
He gets back to the living room and Gerry's already asleep so they say quick goodbyes and load him into the car. "So president, huh?"
Fitz looks away from the traffic in front of him and turns to look at Olivia for a split second. "Right?" And he laughs. "How do you like the sound of First Daughter?"
She smiles and laces their fingers together on the center console. "It's nice. But not as nice as First Lady." And she smiles at him, but he doesn't return the gesture, and she notices. "What's wrong?" And she does her best to turns in her seat to look at him.
He looks back in the review mirror at Gerry for a few seconds and lets out a deep breath. "I don't know; it's just something John said." And he looks over at the expectant look on her face before continuing. "He upset about dad running and said that he didn't choose this life for himself; and I feel like he's just so resentful about it all."
"And you're worried that one day Gerry or this baby may feel the same way."
He keeps his eyes fixed straight ahead of himself, but slightly nods his head. "I don't want any of our children to ever feel like that Livvie."
He slows the car, bringing it to a complete stop at a red light and she looks over to him. "Fitz, look at me. Look at me." And he turns his head. "Gerry is not John. This baby is not John. They're you, and they're me; smart, and idealistic, and courageous, and humble; strong willed, and stubborn, and creative, and caring. That little boy back there worships the ground you walk on; you're his hero; you're his role model; you're his best friend; you're not just his father, you're his daddy. And this baby? He or she already loves you, and they haven't even met you yet. Every single time they hear your voice, the kicking doubles; just like when I hear you laugh or see you smile, my heart skips a beat." And he regretfully turns his head away and starts driving again, but she doesn't stop. "I love you Fitz; Gerry loves you; and our unborn baby loves you. We all love you, so we'll sacrifice for you just like you sacrifice for us. I'm not saying that it'll be a walk in the park, I'm not saying it'll be all smiles and luxurious state dinners; but I am saying that it'll be worth it, and I'm saying that we'll do it all together, as a family. Because that's what families do. We rally behind our loved ones; we fight for them; and sometimes, we tell them what they don't want to hear, we're honest. And that's what John was tonight, he was honest. And if one day Gerry or this baby or any other children we have in the future feel the same way, I hope they have the courage to speak up like John did; and whatever you say to them to ease their fears, I hope you have the courage to actually do. I hope you won't just pay lip service to them like most other politicians would, I hope you would actually do better. And I know you can, because I know you. I know you Fitz, and I know your dream, and we won't stop until we make even your wildest dream a reality."
He looks over to her for a few seconds, a single tear threatening to escape his eye, "Thank you Livvie;" and he picks up their interlaced hands and lifts them to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss to the back of hers.
She smiles at him and brings their hands to her stomach, placing hers on top of his, right over the fast paced fluttery kicks. And they drive the rest of the way home in peaceful silence, their hands intertwined on her stomach, feeling their unborn child kick, periodically looking back a Gerry, watching the unconscious smile on his face, looking at each other, feeling the love that eases the fear.