"Hi Pumpkin!"

"Hi Mama, Hi!" Lulu greets me but doesn't get up from the table where she's sitting with Peter. Her tongue is sticking out just a little as she concentrates. She looks so much like Josh's baby pictures right now. So I pull out my phone and snap a few quick pictures. I'll email them to Mom later. The clicking distracts Lulu from her task, and she looks up, brow furrowed in annoyance, this is even more classic Josh, so I quickly snap a few more.

I love the "josh looks" I'm getting from her. But since I'm an expert in smoothing ruffled Lyman feathers, I know that giving her a chance to talk, especially about her accomplishments,will keep her from slipping into a bad attitude.

"What are you making, sweetie?"

"Kitties." Lulu answers, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, as she rolls another clump of play-doh on the table. That's when I notice that there are several lumps of play-doh lined up, next to a large play-doh cat, that is actually recognizable by its ears, tail, and whiskers. Peter must have made that one. He's really good with Lulu for the 90 minutes or so that he watches her between when Nicole leaves and I pick her up.

"Tia Donna?" Peter asks hesitantly, as I walk towards the play area to straighten up the room a little bit.

"Yeah?"

"I was just wondering . . . do we have any campaign stops in Wisconsin soon?"

"Um, after the Convention, I think."

"Do you think you can schedule an event for my Mom in Wisconsin next weekend?"

Oh. I should have anticipated this. I noticed how cozy he and Carly were getting last week over the Fourth of July.

"Wisconsin's a swing state." Peter continues, "there's no such thing as too many visits. We could even make it a whole family thing. You know, let them take pictures of all of us together."

Well, if he's willing to endure the press, I know he must really like my niece. I think they make a cute couple, but I can't say I really want the press within 10 feet of that story. We want coverage of Matt's accomplishments and agenda, and while I do want some wholesome family images, I'm still stinging from manufactured family drama. We need to avoid a repeat of that!

Still, having a willing, smiling Peter on the campaign trail is something I think Amy would be all over.

"I'll see what I can do."

Peter gives me one of his shy little smiles, and now I really want to help him out. Not for the sake of the campaign, but because he's a good kid. He's been through a lot these last four years and he really doesn't ask for much. If Matt wins a second term, all of Peter's teen years will be spent in this fishbowl. All of his dates will be fodder for speculation. He deserves to have a chance to fall in love away from the public eye. I'll definitely bring this up with Amy tomorrow.

. . . .

After the intercom buzzes, Karen informs me- "I've got Amy Gardner on line one."

"Hey Donna. What's up?" Amy asks without prelude. I appreciate that we don't really need to make small talk.

"I was just wondering if there are any campaign events we could air drop into in Madison or Milwaukee next weekend? Someone in a close race who'd like a few words from the First Lady?"

"Looking for a visit home?"

"Something like that. . . . Actually, I might as well tell you. It's a special request from Peter. He's interested in my niece, Carly, and has enlisted me for logistical support. He's even willing to do some photo ops. You in? "

"You wanna make hay out of his relationship with your niece?" Amy questions me, with obvious confusion.

"God,no. He's willing to be part of a First Family Photo Op if it lands him near enough to Madison for a rendezvous."

"Is Helen on board? You know I'm not her favorite person, I don't want to add to the ill will."

I can hear Amy typing as she talks, so I'm pretty sure she's already on board, but I'm willing to placate her as much as necessary to get the info that I need.

"I haven't talked to her about a trip yet. I wanted to make sure we've got something to offer as cover. But she thinks Peter and Carly make a cute couple, so I don't think it'll be an issue. In fact, if you can't find anything suitable, then I'll talk to her about arranging something else, but if we can double dip and make some campaign hay, why not?"

"I like the way you think." Amy compliments me with a little laugh. It feels good. I like it when she and I get along. "So, President Santos is currently scheduled for a quick pop in Toledo on Friday afternoon. He's touring the Jeep plant there. Then he's in Chicago on Saturday for a special summer commencement program at Loyola. Mrs. Santos has a clear schedule right? We've been trying to keep one of them home for the kids until after the convention."

"Yes. The President is back Saturday night. Mrs. Santos has a brunch in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon."

"Okay, so we could add a Friday night event in Wisconsin and turn it into a three state family affair."

"Hmmm, Saturday night might be better. Mrs. Santos might not want them skipping school. How's this- you see what's out there without making any promises, and I'll check with both sets of parental units and make sure that our fairy godmother-esque behavior is well received."

"That sounds like a good course of action, and if you don't mind, leave my name out of it until it's approved, okay?"

"Chicken."

"Ha! You'd know, chicken fighter."

"That's fair. Thanks for the help, Amy."

"Sure. I hope it works out. I'd love to have some new footage of the family to work with."

. . . . . . .

Now the question is, who's next? Should I check in with Sean and Becky or my boss? Probably Helen. If she approves, we'll end up doing these events whether or not Peter and Carly get to spend any time together. And if she doesn't approve there's really no reason to have a conversation with my big brother about his little girl dating the President's son.

So, Helen it is, and in person would be best. I'm not sure whether it is good or bad that Helen is in the office right now. On one hand this is a very personal discussion, on the other, it's a political issue. I guess since we are where we are, I'll begin with that.

I have walk-in privileges to Helen's office much like Josh does with Matt. And now that we are back in the standard FLOTUS offices, Helen is literally right next to me. So I tap lightly as I open the door.

"Oh Hi Donna! I'm almost done reading through this week's correspondence. There are some really good letters. A very articulate request to visit a girl scout troop and another to participate in Girls-on-the Run."

"Where?"

Helen picks up two letters that she had set off to the side and looks at them. "The troop is in Oklahoma and the race is in New Jersey."

"When's the race?"

"Not until Fall, Mid-October. Their group will meet after school for ten weeks to train for a 5K but this young lady and her friends are training on their own all summer. She wants to know if Miranda and I will join them. She wanted to give us time to train over the summer so we can keep up."

"That sounds fantastic. Is it something you'd like to do?"

"Yes. I used to run to stay fit in college, but I got out of it when the kids were younger. I'd like to get back to it."

"Do you think Miranda would want to do it? We could find out what the girls are doing to train over the summer and try to match it. And we can have Angie post updates of your progress on the blog. We can make it a whole physical fitness initiative, and encourage others to join in from where they are. Maybe even have a section for people to send in photos or to let us know how they are doing."

"I love it. I think Miranda would like it too. It might help her feel more included, like she has friends around the Country. Maybe they can start a Girls on the Run group at her school."

I make notes for myself as we talk. This is why I never come in here without a notebook in hand.

"Great. Let me do some additional background work. And you can talk to Miranda, and then we can finalize your response."

"Okay. What about the Girl Scouts?"

"I don't know. We hadn't planned to do a lot of campaigning in Oklahoma, but this could be a reason to visit. What made this letter special?"

"Caroline, the girl who wrote to me, sold cookies to someone from every State in the continental United States. She was hoping that I could present her with her award."

"Is there a time on that?"

Helen looks over the letter again.

"It doesn't say."

"Okay, I'll see if I can get some more information. If we can't arrange a visit we can at least send a certificate, and you could make a congratulatory phone call."

"Alright, that sounds fine."

"And while we are on the subject of special requests, we've had a request for you to travel to Madison, Wisconsin."

Helen's eyes light up and she laughs a little. "I'm not surprised! I told Matt that those two were looking pretty cozy up there on the roof."

I'm relieved that they've talked about it and seem okay with the idea of Peter and Carly liking each other, otherwise this had the potential of being awkward.

"So when did Carly present this idea to you?" Helen asks in delight.

"OH! It wasn't Carly. Peter is the one who asked me, although you make a good point, it could be all her idea."

"Peter asked you?!"

"Yesterday. When I picked Lulu up. He was very sweet about it. He's willing to submit to a family photo op in exchange."

"He must be in love! Matt will be so impressed that he was moved to action. And relieved too. For a while there Matt was afraid Peter wasn't going to get over his crush on you."

"Well I'm happy to pass the baton onto Carly. I may be slightly biased, but she's a really nice girl. And I think she really likes Peter too."

"So what's the plan?"

"Well, I've got Amy checking into options for next weekend. We could add the three of you to the President's trip to Chicago and then look for an opportunity for you to zip up to Madison. It's only a couple hours from there. Or I can check in with my brother, Sean and see if he can bring Carly down to meet you, and she we could all visit a museum."

"Well, either of those is fine with me. There are a lot of nice museums in Chicago. And it might not feel as much like a date if we're all together."

"Yeah, I think if he can hold off on any formal date until after the election it might get less of a reaction. We really don't need another tabloid scandal if we can avoid it."

"I agree. Do you think your brother is going to be okay with Peter asking her out?"

"I hope so! I mean, he's a reasonable guy. But something seems to happen to men when they end up being a girl Dad."

"True. Matt's already making noise about Miranda not dating until she's twenty-five."

"Josh said Lulu can't date until she's 30!"

"Peter is doomed." Helen moans.

"Well he does have one really nice perk. . . . He comes with built in chaperones."

"Ha! That's true. Well, I'll leave it to you to talk to your brother. Maybe that selling point will help."

. . . . .

Back in my office, I'm tempted to wait until I'm at home to call Sean. But time is of the essence. While the Secret Service can make impromptu plans happen, they'd like as much notice as possible, and it's already Tuesday.

Since this is a personal call, I use my cell phone, rather than the White House line. Not that it really matters if there is a record of me calling my brother.

"Moss Insurance Agency. This is Rebecca, how can I help you?"

"Hey Becky, It's Donna."

"Hey Donna! How are you? I'm sorry we couldn't come for the 4th, but Liam's team was runner up in the Tournament. Liam had 2 homers and 6 RBIs!"

"That's great! We missed you guys, but we're glad you let Conor and Carly come with Mom and Dad."

"Thanks for having them. Carly hasn't stopped talking about it. She's going to be devastated if Governor Sullivan wins."

"Well, the whole country really, but that's not why I called. Is Sean available? Can you put me on speaker?"

"Yeah, let me transfer it to his office, then I'll pop in there."

A few seconds go by before Sean greets me. "Hey Donna. How're ya doin?"

"I'm good."

"Okay, I'm here now." Becky's voice breaks in.

Great. Now how to bring this up. I guess direct is best.

"So, yeah, obviously Carly had a great time when she was here. She and Peter really hit it off, you know."

"Yeah . . ." Sean agrees slowly while Becky laughs. I think at least one of them knows where this is going.

"Anyway, next weekend we are going to be in Chicago, and we might make a stop in Wisconsin, do you think Carly could join us on the campaign trail?"

"Are you playing matchmaker with my daughter and Peter Santos?" Sean asks gruffly. "I don't really want her in the tabloids!"

"Sean!" Becky admonishes him.

"I'm not playing matchmaker, Sean. Peter is a really sweet kid. He doesn't have a lot of friends and he doesn't ask for much. He likes Carly and he asked me if I'd see if she can join us, that's why I'm calling."

"I think it's fine." Becky announces. "You take Liam to baseball. Carly and I can have a girls trip to Chicago. I'd like to see Donna and Lulu."

I think she must be talking to Sean, but in the interest of full disclosure I should explain- "Oh. I don't know if Lulu will be along. Josh wasn't scheduled for this trip. But I can probably work it out."

"Aww. I'd really like to see her. But even if she can't at least we'd get together." Becky is quick to answer. "And it's not like it will be a real date, Sean. I'll be with them the whole time."

"I don't know." Sean mumbles, but I recognize that tone. It's the same as my Dad's right before he caved to my requests.

"It'll be fine Sean. We knew she had a little crush on Peter. I know you don't like to think about it, but she is growing up. This is a once in a lifetime chance for a first date. With armed guards present!"

I'm glad Becky's on our side. I just stay quiet and let her work on her husband.

"Alright." He finally concedes.

"Great. Becky, I'll call you later with the details."

"Okay sounds good. Give Lulu a hug for us. I hope she ends up coming on the trip."

"Love you both! Talk to you later!"

I wish I could be there when Becky tells Carly that a visit is going to work out. I'd like to see the look on her face. Hopefully, I'll get to see Helen tell Peter. But it's probably a good idea to wait until everything is finalized. Geez, I didn't realize that Fairy Godmothers had to work so hard.