Chapter 29 - Annie

They were sitting at a table at Dylan's Candy Bar in New York. Annie, Elizabeth and Alison were halfway through their Nutella Milkshakes. Stevie refrained because of the no dairy thing.

Annie immediately turned to her and said, "You know what they call holdouts on a girls' weekend? Party poopers!"

Alison and Annie had laughed as Elizabeth chuckled but spoke to Annie about being rough on her cousin.

Stevie said, "C'mon Mom, she just takes after her Dad. We all know how he treats you. He doesn't even care that you are the President."

The detail laughed. They knew that was the truth.

While sitting there, Annie looked at Elizabeth, her golden locks (the same color as her aunts) were beginning to relax in her pre-teen years. Her hair was easily becoming a wavy, golden mane. Her eyes were blue like her father's not as crystal as Elizabeth's. But, Elizabeth saw so much of her own mother in Annie's face. But, her attitude she got from her Dad.

Annie looked around and asked, "Do you ever get sick of it?"

Elizabeth took a sip of her shake and then asked, "Sick of what?"

Annie put her hands up and pointing around, "All of these people. The gawkers. It's a bit ridiculous."

They all laughed.

Elizabeth answered, "No, they don't bother me that much."

Alison, "Oh my God, Mom. You are such a liar." She then turned to Annie and laughed. "Mom, used to slip her detail all the time as Secretary of State."

"Wait…you did?" Annie asked laughing as she slipped her straw back in her mouth.

"I've used some tradecraft in my State days. But, now Uncle Henry has sold me out and they watch my every move." Elizabeth rolled her eyes and they all laughed.

They finished and headed back out to the motorcade and back to the hotel. On the way back, Elizabeth said "I feel like I need to walk that milkshake off."

Stevie rolled her eyes, "Here we go!"

Matt looked back from the front. "Really, Ma'am?"

She rolled her eyes and looked out the window. 'We won't go far, Matt. Just a quick jaunt across the street to the park."

Annie piped up. "I've always wanted to see Central Park. You know up close and not from a hotel window." She stared back at Matt with her pleading eyes and her hands up in a prayer motion. In a very short time, she had won him over.

"Ten minutes. That's it. You already have half the city in a gridlock." He answered back to her clearly not happy with this idea.

"Bluebird's going for a walk at Central Park. Please clear a pathway," he said into his mic.

Elizabeth smiled at Annie and said, "See, you're getting the hang of this."

Stevie rolled her eyes and Alison laughed, "Stevie, you really need to lighten up a little."

They had to hang in the motorcade for a little bit while the path was cleared. A crowd had gathered outside the hotel. Mostly tourists.

Matt called back to them, "Daisy, thinks would be a good time to get out and do some crowd pleasing. Are you ladies up for it?"

Elizabeth yelled back, "YES! Holding random babies and taking selfies are my favorite parts of the job. Let's go!"

As they got out Elizabeth, Stevie and Alison went right over and greeted the crowd, took selfies and held a few babies.

Annie hung back. She was still very afraid to be with strangers. She practically clung to Matt's side.

A few teenager girls called her name from the crowd since everyone now knew who she was.

She was reluctant to go over to them but Elizabeth took her under her arm and brought her over. They only stayed there for a minute before being shuffled across the street to the Park.

That night, they had a girls' night planned at the hotel suite. Complete with baths, pizza, popcorn and a movie.

Annie was in the most exquisite bath she had ever been in. Stevie had pulled her hair high up on her head for her. The bubbles were huge. The scent smelled like cotton candy and unicorns. Well, she thought what she imagined a unicorn would smell like.

Her phone started going off like crazy. "I'm not going to go get that. I could soooo get used to this life." She said to herself sinking lower into the tub. Her Aunt was in a meeting, Stevie was asleep and Allie was talking to one of her managers about the sizing of their dresses. Annie was enjoying the peace and quiet.

All she could think about was Allie's wedding. Annie loved the dress Allie designed for her. It was a rose pink color. The material was going to be flowy. Annie had never been in a wedding before. She couldn't believe her first wedding would be a White House wedding and the premiere event of the year. Dignitaries from France and the United States would be there. She was so excited.

She eventually decided her fingers looked like those of an elderly man and got out of the tub. She wrapped herself in the softest towel and checked her phone.

She had about ten "OMG! I saw you on TV!" texts from her friends that made her roll her eyes. Her friends all knew her Aunt was the President. She had even managed to make it to a couple of her soccer games. You would think they would settle down. "They really need to get over this." She said shaking her head.

She threw the phone down on the bed and got herself ready for dinner. It had been the most amazing day in New York. They couldn't do all the sites but being at Allie's shop and getting sized for a dress was definitely the best part. She felt treated like the Queen. Allie also gave her a few new dresses for her wardrobe that she designed for her.

She went out to the living room and grabbed the bucket of popcorn off the table sat down and put the television on to watch Premier League. She had been paying attention to her phone the whole time and didn't even notice her Aunt and her staff sitting at the end of the table and watching her.

Elizabeth spoke to her, "Annie."

"Yeah." She answered not looking away from the screen.

"Ummm we're having a meeting here."

"Cool. Do any of you want to watch the game with me? It's Manchester United."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes as the team started laughing.

Daisy spoke first since she was the lead on this trip. "Ma'am we can wrap this up on the plane tomorrow. Nothing else is pressing."

"That sounds good. Looks like I have a soccer game to watch. Daisy, can you hang back?"

"Yes, Ma'am." The others left the room.

Elizabeth and Dais moved over to sit with Annie.

Annie looked at Daisy and said, "You like soccer?!"

Elizabeth and Daisy laughed. Elizabeth started, "You got a point. I just want to talk to you about being out in public with me. I know today you were uncomfortable. It is hard for you and we get it. But, Matt has to be by my side whenever I am out in public. He really can't leave my side. So, for tomorrow and the rest of my time as President, when you are with me, Daisy or one of her staff will hang back with you. I never want you to feel forced to do anything. There will be times when you are on camera. Walking from Marine One to the White House or when we are out in public. We will do our very best to protect you, you do not have to be scared."

She looked at her Aunt and simply said, "Okay." Even though she wasn't.

Elizabeth turned to Daisy and said, "Great. Do you have plans tonight?"

"A night to myself in a beautiful hotel. I am taking advantage of the childless weekend and going to bed early," answered Daisy.

"Well, we are hanging out here for a Girls' Night. Why don't you join us? It's been a long time since you and I have had some downtime together. I think 'Elf' is what we are watching." Elizabeth smiled at Daisy. She then whispered, "Annie's favorite!"

"One of mine too! I would love to join all of you." Daisy smiled.

"Pajamas are mandatory." Elizabeth said as Daisy left the room.

A half hour later, they were all camped out in front of the television eating pizza and having the best sleepover party in a hotel ever.

Elizabeth would not trade this moment for another right now. To watch all three girls laughing and smiling. They were happy. Happiest they had been in a while

Annie's phone buzzed and Elizabeth immediately noticed her cheeks blush. She waited until she was done typing back.

"Who is he?" she asked, nudging Annie's shoulder. Annie looked at her shyly. "Just a boy at school."

Elizabeth looked disappointed. Allie was never one to keep secrets.

"Not just a boy at school. Jack Mitchell…" Alison said, proud of her ability to report these things to her mother.

Annie yelled at her jokingly, "Allie! I thought you were my friend."

Stevie interrupted, "Not when she has a chance to rat somebody out."

The three girls laughed.

Meanwhile, Daisy and Elizabeth were staring at each other. Elizabeth's mouth was wide open. It took her a bit before she said anything.

"Annie, Jack Mitchell, as in Senator Alice Mitchell's son?!"

She answered her with a simple, "Yes." Without a care for the change in tone of her Aunt's voice.

Elizabeth looked back at Daisy, "I just had lunch with her the other day. She said nothing about this."

Without looking away from the screen, Annie said "Maybe because she doesn't know."

Elizabeth furrowed her brow at Daisy who shrugged her shoulders.

"Does your father know?"

"Please! We are not dating, just talking. We're only 12. Please do not tell him. He won't be able to handle it yet. We just play soccer at school together and talk. He's cool."

"Well, do you like him?"

"If I didn't like him, why would I be talking to him?"

"Annie!" both Stevie and Alison spoke up. Alison finished, "That's not okay to answer her like that."

Annie looked back at the screen and said "Sorry!"

There was a knock on the door. Security opened the door and a full sundae bar was wheeled into the room.

Later, Annie said, "I am so stuffed. I have never eaten like this in my whole life!"

The next morning, Allie left and for a minute Elizabeth thought Annie wasn't going to let her go.

Walking out of the suite, her suitcase in tow, Annie had the biggest smile for Matt and asked, "Did you see the game?"

He grimaced at her. She held out her hand and he placed the $20 dollar bill in it. Jason had taught her well. Betting with the detail, always wins!

Elizabeth was too busy, yelling to Stevie to "Let's go!" to see the transaction.

Back on Air Force One and waiting for takeoff, Elizabeth and Stevie's phones buzzed.

Text from Will: "I now have an early surgery in the morning. Also working late tonight. Stevie: Can Annie stay with you and can you get her to school in the morning?"

They looked at each other. Elizabeth explained to Annie.

Annie immediately asked, "Can I just stay with you? Maybe Uncle Henry can take me to school in the morning?"

Elizabeth looked at her inquisitively. Her spy craft intuition was on high alert.

Stevie began to speak, "Don't you want to see Eliza?"

Elizabeth put her hand up signaling Stevie to stop.

"That's fine, sweetheart. You can stay with us tonight."

Elizabeth texted Will back.

"Annie will stay with Henry and I tonight. Henry will get her to school tomorrow. Need to talk to you right after surgery. She's scared, Will."

Later that night, Elizabeth was in bed reading briefings for the next day.

Henry climbed in next to her. "Math homework is done, she showered and is safely tucked into bed. With her phone. So, much for the empty nest life." He leaned over and kissed her head.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "That thing might as well just be an extension of her hand. She never put it down all weekend long unless I told her to. Ridiculous."

"She's a pre-teen, babe. They are all like that."

"Oh Henry speaking of which, do you know what else is going on with that phone?" she asked, giving him the look. Henry didn't answer.

"Jack Mitchell is texting her."

"Rob and Alice's son? Well, I thought we liked them?" he asked.

"We do. I love Alice. Up and coming senator, who is completely normal. Somebody I can talk business or personal life with, without the whole 'I want to be your best friend' thing. But, I do think they are a little young, don't you?"

"Elizabeth, do not parent her like you parent your brother," Henry admonished her.

"Henry! She is only twelve. You can't honestly think that it is okay?"

"They are not dating, Elizabeth. Maybe they are just friends at school."

"No, I know that look. This isn't our first ride on the carousel, Henry!"

"Don't you mean first rodeo?!" he was laughing at her mistake.

She was not having it. "Okay, bring it up to Will. It's his call, not yours."

"Really? My brother who deflects her care onto our daughter or us, whenever he can. Because quite honestly he prefers the operating room to parenthood," her tone completely changed.

"Ohhkay. How about we put this topic to bed for the night? Besides I missed you all weekend," Henry moved himself on top of her. She dropped her books onto the floor and easily slid down in the bed. "I missed you too."