In spite of his mistake, at least their conversation had ended on a note of love and laughter. That was more than enough to carry Fitz through for the next little while as he set himself back to work. Unfortunately, his mood was abruptly brought back down to earth by an alert from his inter-office intercom.
He pressed the incoming button. "Yes, Lauren?"
"Mr. President, the Vice President is back and is requesting to see you."
By now, the two of them had developed such a good working relationship that Fitz could often read his secretary's meanings beneath her words. This time, he could read the apology in her voice.
Also, her words told Fitz something else; there was a warning in her tone about Sally's mood - and the reminder that there had been an inter-office memo from her office requesting a meeting sometime this morning - at his earliest convenience. It was one he'd deliberately set aside so that he could tend to his daughter.
Well, earlier hadn't been convenient, he thought to himself without a shred of guilt. He can only imagine how Sally was behaving towards Lauren - and was irritated at the thought as to what attitude she was about to bring into the Oval. She's been more and more prickly lately and more of that is the last thing that Fitz needs. But it seems that for today at least, he has no choice but to deal with her. He gave Lauren permission to show Sally in.
Old fashioned courtesy and long habit has him rising from his desk as his vice-president walked in. Fitz studied her carefully, just as carefully as he was sure that Sally was studying him as she tried to gauge his mood.
He pasted a polite smile on his face. "Sally, how are you?"
"Busy, sir - but obviously not as busy as yourself." Disapproval underlaid her words. "I understand that there was a smother order put in place this morning - after my request was submitted to your office."
A smother order was one that blocked all scheduled meetings and calls for a set amount of time. One of the perks of the presidency.
He suddenly heard his daughter's voice again - especially her laughter - in his head as she'd reminded him that what was the point of having the power of the presidency at his fingertips if he didn't get to execute them every once in a while?
That thought made it hard for Fitz to keep a grin from rising to his lips; he hid it by inviting Sally to take a seat, gesturing to the twin sofas. Fitz watched as she primly perched herself on the edge of one sofa before he took his own opposite her.
"I'm sorry, Sally - I was returning a phone call from one of my children, so you can understand where my priorities were."
"As a parent, I totally understand, Mr. President." Sally conceded reluctantly.
Whatever satisfaction he might have felt faded away as her next words proved that he'd unexpectedly given her both the ammunition and the opening she needed to express her opinion.
There were days when Sally had all the tact of a pit-bull and it appeared that this was going to be one of those days.
But now that she had the advantage, she pressed it. "These are such delicate years for children and they do need their parents to guide them through it - both their mother and their father."
Fitz watched warily as Sally settled back, apparently determined to speak her piece.
"Interestingly enough, that was one of the reasons why I wanted to speak with you."
"Was it?" Fitz let a little disapproval color his tone. Just enough to let it be known, but otherwise as neutral as he could manage. He was willing to let Sally show her hand, if she were willing to be so foolish as to make that kind of mistake.
At the same time, he could see her caution; this wasn't the first time that they'd had conversations that danced around the subject but she'd always stepped lightly around it. But for some reason, she felt a little emboldened.
"Well, as I'm sure you know, I continually keep you - meaning you and the First Family - as well as the presidency in my prayers -"
"- and I'm sure that they're doing their job." Fitz deliberately opened the door wider. Let's see what game you're playing today, Madame Vice President.
Sally hovered at the threshold before venturing one foot over it. "Yes, well… as we move forward into this holiday season, I found myself thinking of you and the First Family and how you all could take an important step to embody both the themes of forgiveness and the generosity of the spirit of the season."
Now Fitz sat back, pretending to relax, knowing that Sally would see it as an invitation to continue. "Oh?"
Sally's expression shifted; despite her earlier caution, her eyes began to gleam in anticipation. "The First Lady and I agree on this - and on a great many other things concerning your family and what's best for your family - and for the country."
And there it was. Fitz felt a prickle of tension wash over his skin. Mellie.
Karen's warning flashed to the forefront of his mind. "Can I say that I'm hardly surprised to hear that?" He spoke his next words very carefully. "Mellie and I obviously don't always see eye to eye, but we both love our children and are dedicated to our family."
Sally smiled. "It's interesting to hear that the two of you still agree on some things - dare I say that it gives me hope?"
"Hope for what, Sally? We have children together and my intent, at least - is to hope that we continue to agree on matters that concern them as we all move forward with our lives."
Sally's expression changed just then - just for a moment - and Fitz was very careful not to react; instead he managed to keep his expression as one of mild interest. But inside, his temper sparked. He knew that no matter what sort of intimacy Sally might pretend to have with Mellie, she wasn't speaking for his ex-wife. Oh, hell no - this was Sally speaking for herself and for the party and now he wondered who else had she practiced this little speech with. It wasn't Mellie; she would never give Sally that much power and influence over her. Her ego simply wouldn't allow it, and for once, Fitz found himself glad of that.
In her excitement over having seeming caught Fitz in a receptive mood, Sally didn't realize that the next words spoken would prove to be an obvious slip of the tongue. "Just this morning, she said the same thing to me over tea. I will admit however, what she didn't say was what I came to say to you."
"And exactly what was that, Sally?" Fitz's voice was still deceptively calm.
If she had realized her mistake, then Sally had decided to just brazen it out. "Just hear me out, Mr. President, please. I know that you might see what I'm about to suggest as an unbearable sacrifice - but perhaps what you need is a fresh viewpoint. Think of your children, of your position as their father and then take a moment of prayerful contemplation to look beyond that. You are not only their father, but you stand in the position of being a father-figure to our great nation - in many ways, to the world…"
Was she serious? This was a new level of hyperbole, even for Sally.
But she wasn't done yet. "I'm not saying that to repair your family would be an easy thing - but I have to say that it weighs upon my soul and so I have to point out that you wouldn't be the first politician to make a personal sacrifice for the greater good. Think of what a selfless act to present to the world, a shining example…"
Fitz dominated his rising temper even as he watched the calculation flood into her gaze. There was more, he was suddenly incontrovertibly sure of it. And he was right.
"And as much as it pains me to point it out, Mr. President - this could also be a chance to mark yourself as different from your father."
Her words sent an icy rage stabbing Fitz in his chest.
Sally misread his silence as permission - and approval - to continue. "I'm sure we don't need to review the senior Grant's failings.."
"No, we do not." Fitz gritted the words out.
"Good." Sally said. "I take no joy in speaking on such a distasteful matter and wouldn't - except for my ongoing concerns."
"And those are…"
"You've been seen in the company of quite a few women lately." Sally allowed herself the tiniest frown. "And ordinarily, I wouldn't dream of expressing any criticism - but… unfortunately we both know that you have your father's difficult legacy to deal with."
"We do?"
"Unfortunately, yes." Despite her little declaration about taking no joy in her words, there was a certain satisfaction in Sally's demeanor. She nodded as though she were finally getting to express her wisdom from on high. "No one else would dare speak these truths to you, but as your vice president, I feel that's it's my unique burden - and my duty - to lay out certain truths before you."
Her expression brightened with self-righteousness. "But if you were to use the holiday to reconcile with your wife, to reunite your family, that would go a long way to refuting your father's legacy… can't you see what a good thing this could be - not only for you, but for the nation?"
And not the least bit of shared glory for herself with not only the Party, but with her evangelical supporters. Fitz's thoughts were bitter - behold the prodigal son welcomed home, or some such nonsense…
Fitz was suddenly done, unable to listen to one more word. He stood up, his body language making it clear that the conversation was over. He watched Sally as dispassionately as he could manage as she quickly scrambled to her feet.
"Sally, I want to thank you for taking the time to come and speak with me." He said as he guided her towards the door.
"You are?" Thinly veiled disbelief underlaid her words.
Fitz paused, hand on the knob, pasting a deliberately neutral tone into his voice. "Believe me, I pay attention to everything you have to say - probably more than you've ever realized."
The look in her eyes told Fitz that Sally didn't know exactly how to take his words.
Good. Let her chew on that for awhile.
A quick check on Sally's schedule told Fitz what he'd already suspected; she hadn't left the capitol recently. Combining that with what Karen had told him solidified the facts for him. Mellie was here in DC.
He took a moment to compose himself before he made his next phone call.
"Fitz." Mellie was cheerful enough when she picked up. "Hello - what a pleasant surprise."
"We need to talk."
"I'm listening..."
"In person, Mellie."
"Do you really want to waste what time you'll have with the kids once Karen and Gerry arrive…"
Fitz stopped her. "Just stop with the lies, Mellie - I know that you're already here in DC. Tell me, how did you manage my not being informed that you were at Blair House?"
The brightness dropped out of her voice, but Mellie - to give her conniving little mind credit - didn't miss a beat. "That was easy, Fitz. Who wouldn't believe me when I told a few select members of your staff that I told them that I wanted to surprise you for the holidays."
Fitz could not only hear, but feel the malicious satisfaction in her voice. "Surprise, baby."
He did his best to ignore it. "You need to come to the Oval."
"And why is that?"
"Because obviously you and I need to have a conversation about how the rest of this situation is going to play out."
"I'd be happy to." Mellie said. "In fact, I have a few ideas of my own about that -"
"About that, I really don't care - but you need to come to the Oval - now."
"Don't threaten me, Fitzgerald - because in case you don't remember - I don't take kindly to threats."
"I'm not threatening you, Mellie. I wouldn't waste my time. What I am doing is stating to you clearly what's going to happen. Either you come willingly - or I'll have you escorted here - your choice. But you will be here in the Oval, somewhere within the next thirty minutes. Do I make myself clear?"
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone call before she answered.
"Crystal." She said, just before the line went dead.