The Fourth of July is a weird holiday for the executive branch. Legislators have it easy. Congress is in recess, so they all go home to their constituents, walk in parades, shake hands and kiss babies. You know, remind people who they are before the next election. DC isn't really home for the President and only contains a very few of his constituents but the country expects to see him here. So he'll give a speech from the Rose Garden, and he'll host a celebration for vets on the South Law, and he'll watch the fireworks from the Truman balcony with his family. There will be television cameras and photo ops, but it's not really a holiday for him.
Summer is not that much of a break for me either. Sure, the pace is slightly slower when Congress isn't actually in session, but only marginally so. We've still got a country to run.
There are troops in Kazakhstan and the West Bank to monitor. Administrative Agencies that don't take a hiatus and are looking for more face time with us. And rumor has it that Henry Clark is considering retirement. I wonder if Matt will get to appoint a new Supreme Court Justice before the election
That would send the right wing into a frenzy. From a campaign standpoint, appointing a new justice might not help us at this point in the game. We already have files on potential nominees. But filling the bench just doesn't mobilize the left the way it does the right, even though it should.
It's one of the most long-lasting Presidential decisions. So of course, if there was a vacancy we'd fill it. And that would without a doubt mobilize the right. Ray Sullivan would go ballistic if we appointed a liberal lion to the bench. His campaign is already all about the Courts, the Courts, the Courts, the Courts. Every other speech is a harbinger of the way the Court will swing irrevocably to the left if Matt has a chance to replace one or two Justices.
Nevermind that Bartlet appointed Mulready. Nevermind that the left has always tended towards moderates and balance. Most of our current contenders fall into that category. After all, we still have a Republican Senate that we'd have to get to confirm our nominee. Maybe, just maybe, we can flip the last seat this November and have the option of appointing someone more progressive leaning.
I'll never understand people who split their ticket. Do they want gridlock? Do they want empty promises that no one has the power to fulfill? Or do they not have a clue? Are they guided only by whatever names they happen to remember from whatever ad ran during their sitcoms or whatever yard sign was closest to their kids' elementary schools?
Seven years of political science classes and no one could ever explain the phenomena to me. I wonder if I could figure it out? I wonder if I could pass that onto the next generation, so maybe they could do something to increase civic engagement, increase turnout of informed voters, and change the world.
"Hey Good Morning." Donna greets me, wrapping her arms around my neck and planting a kiss near my ear.
"Morning, sweetheart."
"Lulu's still asleep?" She asks through a yawn that makes me smile. I still can't believe that for almost ten years I thought she was a morning person.
"Yeah, I think the weekend is catching up to her a bit."
"Me too." Donna agrees, sitting down with a cup of coffee and a yogurt. "I'm ready for my family to go home and for life to get back to normal."
"It seems like it's been okay though? Right?" I haven't seen or heard of anything major, but her family has this odd way of fighting where no one really yells but they seethe and make everyone miserable. I haven't noticed that either, but it doesn't mean it's not happening behind my back. And if it is, then I'll find a way to get Donna away from her family for most of their last day here.
"Yeah. It's been okay. Julie and I had a nice talk yesterday. And my Mom's been surprisingly warm. I think she really is glad to have some time with Lulu. It makes me wonder . . ."
Donna trails off, leaving her thought uncompleted, but I really want to know what she's thinking.
"Wonder what?"
"If we lived there- if we had normal jobs, would I be closer to my Mom? Would the bond of motherhood make us friends? Like she and Bella are."
"I don't know- is it something you'd want to try?" I'm a little surprised to hear her talking like this, but I'm glad she's telling me. I don't want our jobs to ruin our life, now that I've discovered how nice it is to have one.
Donna wrinkles her nose, but doesn't say no, so I give her a little more to consider. "We don't have to live in DC forever, you know."
"Actually, that's kinda what Julie and I talked about. And no, I don't think so. I don't think it's something I want to try. I really love this city and culture. I always wanted to get out of Wisconsin. I don't want to move back there. I don't want my parents' life."
"Okay. I have to admit, I don't really see myself living there either. But there is something to be said for Midwest values. The focus on the family. The work ethic. The slower pace."
"You sound a politician." Donna accuses me. "Don't want to offend any voters in an election year."
"It's not just that-" I insist. "And at some point we're going to have to figure out what comes next."
"Daddy! Mama!" Lulu calls from the nursery.
"Well, there you go." Donna smirks as I rise from my chair. "She's what's next."
It's a throwaway comment, but it strikes me. Yes. She is what's next. Not just in this moment but for our whole future. But more importantly she's my right now too. Having a life is incredible.
Sure, it would suck if Matt loses but it's not the most important thing anymore. I may not know exactly what I'll do if this election doesn't go our way, but I know who I'll be doing it with.
"Good Morning, Princess Lulu."
"Good Morning, Daddy."
As soon as I give her a kiss and set her down, she's off to the bathroom. I follow her down the hall but stop to stand outside the door just in case she needs help. She probably won't. She's really got this down. She sings a little song to herself as she tinkles and washes her hands, then she runs out of the bathroom with no pants on. She likes to be naked. She gets that from me.
When I catch up to her in her bedroom, she's removed her shirt as well.
"Hey you little streaker. Let's get dressed."
"I want kitties."
"Of course you do." Thanks to Mom, Lulu now owns at least 10 pairs of panties with kitties on them, so it's not a difficult request to grant, and once I hand her a pair, she quickly pulls them on.
"DONNA!" I yell just for fun. "DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL OUTFIT FOR LULU?"
She's pretty much been wearing red, white and blue all weekend, but since today's actually the 4th, there's probably a tutu or something.
"MAMA!" Lulu mimics me, giggling. We're probably both going to get in trouble for this, but I give my accomplice a grin as she flashes her dimples at me.
Sure enough, Donna shows up at the door, scowling playfully at us. "I swear, the two of you are absolutely incorrigible."
"Incorig?" Lulu tries the word without much success.
"In-core-age-able." I sound it out for her. "It means beyond repair. But Mama's just teasing us." I turn to Donna, giving her my best I'm sorry smile, "Right, pretty Mama?"
"Yes, I'm just teasing." Donna agrees, walking to the closet to look through it. "Do you want to wear a tutu, today Lulu?"
"YES!"
"Red or Blue?"
"BLUE!"
That's my girl.
"Okay." Donna agrees, pulling it off the hanger. "How about you go eat breakfast like that, and I'll get your clothes ready for when you're done. That way you won't get them messy."
"Ahkay, Mama." Lulu agrees, skipping out of her room and heading toward the table.
"That's why you're in charge." I tell Donna, planting a kiss on her before I join Lulu.
. . . . .
I love watching Lulu run around the South Lawn. Red, white, and blue curlicue ribbons in her little pigtails, red and white striped top, the blue tutu over blue bike shorts dotted with white stars. Not that I want her picture in the paper, but against the backdrop of the White House, she could be a model. My all-American baby. In moments like this, it feels like this is where we belong.
It's not just her outfit, although I do have to laugh at myself for noticing such things, it's the whole ambiance. On today of all days, how can anyone not love this Country and want to see it live up to its glorious potential?
While the kids play on the lawn, the adults are spread out on a couple of blankets. The band playing patriotic music is far enough away that we can hear it between snatches of conversation, but it isn't overwhelming.
"So, what did you do this morning?" Jim asks me lightly. I think he's really making an effort not to sound accusatory, but I can't help but wonder if he believed me when I declined attending church with them so I could get some work done.
"I met with the head of the Secret Service for a final threat assessment for today's activities. Each activity has to be individually vetted and get approval from both Ron Butterfield and the Chief of Staff. We actually decide which church service the First Family will attend shortly before they leave the White House. In addition to that, today the President had a citizenship ceremony, a reception in the blue room, a speech, and of course he wants to attend this event and meet as many veterans as possible. It's quite a bit to coordinate."
"All of that this morning?"
"Yes. Of course all the planning is done in advance by other teams. Donna's pretty involved in some of that with the First Lady's office. But if either Ron or I decide that the risk level has become too great, we can make adjustments or cancel the appearance all together."
"I see. Well, we missed you." Lottie offers cautiously. Donna's right. She is acting differently. I'll take it.
"Thanks. Did you enjoy the Service?"
"The Church is beautiful!" Lottie gushes. "Have you ever been?"
I see Finn grimace out of the corner of my eye. He's a history teacher. He probably knows all about Leo's funeral. Thinking of Leo always stings, but lately I've noticed that it's not as bad. As my family grows, I'm able to think of him without as much pain, but man, I do miss him.
"Yes." I assure Lottie, without telling her the reasons I'm familiar with the Cathedral, "It's a beautiful church."
"This really is a nice event." Jim continues making small talk. "It's nice to have a military man back in the White House. And honoring veterans like this."
"President Bartlet held this event too." I quickly defend Jed. Then to ease the tension, offer something conciliatory- "I'm sorry I didn't think to invite you before. Thank you for your service."
"It's what we did." Jim says gruffly.
Donna says he doesn't really talk about his military experience. He joined right out of high school, did a three year tour, then came home, started working at his Father's insurance agency, and then married Donna's Mom as soon as she graduated high school. A year later they had Sean, then a baby every two years for the next six years. But for what I know of him, he's still somewhat of an enigma to me. They really weren't Sixties flower children, more like the 1950's Leave it to Beaver. I honestly would like to get to know him better. But this doesn't really seem the time or place to delve into a deep history.
And then Sam saves me, appearing out of nowhere with Ainsley and her parents. Seeing them reminds me of how good I actually have it. Because for all their quirks, at least my in-laws aren't bigots. Sam has stories that would make your hair curl.
"Hi guys!" Ainsley greets us brightly. "Can we join you?"
Donna breaks off her conversation with Julie. "Of course, come sit by us!"
Sam looks at me in desperation. So I decide to be a real friend.
"Ainsley- would you mind terribly if I borrowed Sam for a few minutes? I promise we'll be less than an hour."
"Oh, of course not," Ainsley agrees distractedly as she unfolds their blanket while her Mother gets Bartlet out of the stroller.
Donna smirks at me, fully aware of what I'm doing, but indulgently waves me off as she starts the introductions.
As soon as we are out of earshot, Sam lets out a deep sigh. "Thanks, man. I owe you one."
Sam and I don't really talk much on the way back to the West Wing. We greet people as we go, but both keep moving. Once we reach my office, Sam looks at me expectantly.
"Well?"
"Oh, I don't need you. I figured we'd catch the end of the Mets game. Then go back."
"What if they ask what this was about?"
I give Sam a look. "Code word clearance."
The timing is perfect. We're able to see the Mets wrap up a 9-5 win over the Nats. Sam doesn't really care that much, but I have to spend the walk back trying not to look too happy. A little happy is okay because this is a party, but if I'm too happy no one will buy the work excuse.
When we get close to the blanket, we can see that the girls are gone, hopefully to get food, but our Fathers-in-law are sitting there, with our children on their laps.
"Like that, they look pretty harmless." Sam mutters under his breath.
But as we get closer we can hear their conversation. "And that's why President Lassiter was the greatest President of our time." Earle is telling the kids, who are listening intently.
Oh, hell no.
Sam and I rush forward to rescue our progeny from their depraved grandfathers. As I scoop Lulu up, I see Jim flash Earle a sly look, and I suspect I've been played. In any case, I'll be spending more time discussing history with Lulu this week. I don't want to take any chances.
. . . .
"I can't believe we get to do this." Julie whispers to Finn as they settle in to watch the Fireworks from the White House roof. Finn just grins at her. Last time they were here, Kate and Lulu were too small so Julie and I ended up skipping out. I didn't really mind that much. I'm not a huge fan of fireworks.
Donna spreads out our blanket, and I sit down with Lulu on my lap. She's tired and I think she could fall asleep, but Marco has her excited about watching the show, so, against my better judgment, we're going to try this.
I can't help but notice that Carly quickly joins Peter on his blanket, sitting pretty closely. He smiles shyly at her and she beams back at him with a smile just like Donna's!
That kid is a goner.
For the rest of the night, I watch them instead of the display.
Sure enough. At some point she drops her head to his shoulder, and he wraps his arms around her.
I look around trying to decide whom to alert.
"Look at Carly and Peter!" I finally whisper in Donna's ear during the finale.
"Shhhh!" Donna admonishes me, but just as she turns her head towards them, Peter leans down and gives Carly a quick peck on the lips.
Donna breaks into a smile and for a moment I forget that I'm against fireworks and first kisses.