A/N: This story picks up almost immediately where Expecting Felicity ended. I started working on it because I wanted to keep exploring this version of the West Wing I found myself in. Expecting Felicity is all about the anticipation of a birth and the birth itself. The Fourth Time Around deals with the aftermath of the birth and the reveal of this massive secret Jed, Abbey, and the senior staff kept from the world. A new chapter will be posted soon.
The clicking and flashing of cameras were a common occurrence whenever POTUS was out and about. But on this occasion, Jed found himself wishing for a modicum of privacy. He stood in a small baby boutique early on Friday evening in the Georgetown neighborhood looking over pacifiers. Ron and the Secret Service were doing their best to both protect him and provide some measure of privacy from the cameras trying to capture his movements. Usually, he could get away with a private shopping trip here and there. Ever since the announcement before Congress the previous day, all thoughts of privacy were out the window.
"…These ones are a favorite for babies who don't like pacifiers. The rounded design curves away from their face to avoid leaving an imprint," The shop's owner said to him. "It also helps to reduce nipple confusion."
"That is one issue my daughter does not have," Jed replied chuckling. "She knows the difference. He rolled the sample she gave him between his hands to see how it might feel for Felicity. "Do you have something for babies with a smaller mouth?"
"Yes, we do."
Charlie stood by quietly watching his boss engaged in a discussion with the store owner about pacifiers. Donna came up next to him. She had two of the products she purchased for the First Lady here last month in her hands because Abbey requested refills.
"They've been talking about pacifiers for over an hour," He observed.
"The President wants to make sure the trip home goes smoothly," Donna said. "It's still going to take about two hours to get from here to New Hampshire even taking Marine One to Andrews."
"I suppose you're right. Felicity did get really upset this afternoon. I heard her from the other side of the Residence."
Donna bit back a laugh just thinking about how mad Felicity became when the President attempted to give her one of several pacifiers they had on hand, "She's developing quite the personality."
"That's one way to put it. I never thought a baby could scream that loudly."
"I don't think the President did either and that's saying something."
The two White House staffers smiled at each other and waited for the President to finish his conversation. After the purchases were paid for, the trio waited for the Secret Service to give the all-clear. Despite the motorcade being parked at the curb just feet away, the photographers and reporters were making the Secret Service work to keep them back. The flashing of cameras started immediately.
"Mr. President, Mr. President!" Voices in every direction seemed to shout.
Donna looked around and from her position, she couldn't see the end of the crowd. People were everywhere.
"Mr. President!" shouted a photographer. "When are we going to see Felicity?"
"Mr. President! How do you respond to allegations that your wife had an affair?"
Jed didn't answer any questions and walked straight to the waiting limousine. He got into it followed by Donna and Charlie. The heavy door of the Beast closed behind them, dampening the noise from outside.
"God, I need a vacation," He muttered.
The motorcade started to pull away from the curb and he set the bag containing last-minute purchases for the journey home on the seat beside him. For just a second, Jed Bartlet let his public mask slip, and the annoyance and anger showed on his face. Just as quickly as it came, it was gone.
"Welcome to the Newsroom on this Saturday morning. Our top story today has stunned the world at large. Less than 72 hours ago, President Bartlet and First Lady Abigail Bartlet welcomed their fourth child, a daughter, named Felicity on Wednesday night in secret. Since his historic speech to Congress on Thursday afternoon announcing the birth, the President has received congratulatory calls from leaders all over the world including the President of Mexico, the Prime Minister of Canada, the President of France, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Prime Minister of Australia. Today, the President and First Lady are expected to return to their New Hampshire home for several weeks. Our cameras are at the White House now awaiting any signs of the First Family. This is expected to be the first glimpse the public will get of the new arrival..."
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Abbey said to the television from where she stood at the side of the bed looking over an open suitcase.
"The word "stunned" is going to be overused at the rate the pundits are going," Jed said. He sat in one of the chairs closest to the door feeding Felicity a bottle. "Are you satisfied with the packing job Donna and the girls did?"
"It's acceptable," She replied as she zipped the suitcase closed and looked over at him.
"How is lovebug doing over there?"
"Almost done," He said smiling proudly. "She'll be nice and sleepy all the way home, hopefully.
The older Bartlet daughters left yesterday for New Hampshire to make sure the house was ready for their arrival. They also did most of the packing for their mother since she was under strict instructions to rest for two weeks after the birth. Traveling back home wasn't really considered rest, at three days postpartum. After agreeing to assistance going up and down all stairs her midwife cleared her to go. Sheila agreed to join them in Manchester and was currently taking the scenic route by car to get there.
"I swear if we could teleport to Manchester, I wouldn't hesitate."
"Marine One will have to suffice. How are you feeling, really?" He asked knowing that Abbey had kept up a positive front around the girls and the family while they were here.
"I feel like I just had a baby and my body isn't thanking me for it," Abbey admitted with a wry smile. "That's why I can't wait to be in our bed. I thought I would feel differently about going back to the farm this time around since Felicity was technically born at home. But I don't. I can't seem to be comfortable here."
"Because this is just a temporary home. It's a place where we work and happen to live in. Our home will always be just that. Home."
"That's one of the things I've worried about for Felicity. We've hardly had time to go home this year. I worry that by the time we leave here, she's not going to see the farm as home."
"We'll make sure that she does. In the meantime, did you take something for pain?"
Abbey smiled good-naturedly, "Yes, Dr. Bartlet, I did."
As a general rule, Abbey didn't like being fussed over because Jed tended to overdo it. In this case, she needed his support now more than ever. She was grateful to have the support of Donna, Amy, and her daughters. But her husband was the one up with her in the middle of the night, making sure she was comfortable and that Felicity went back to sleep. He knew them both better than anyone else, which prompted him to do things like go on last-minute shopping trips to make sure Felicity wouldn't be upset on the trip home.
Once Felicity was done with her bottle, Jed handed her back to Abbey to be burped while he put the suitcase on the bed by the door for the staff to take out. Then he went to the nursery to get Felicity's car seat. It didn't take long for the little girl to fall asleep after. She was easily transferred into the car seat, dressed in a sundress with strawberries on it and little socks on. One of the new pacifiers Jed bought the previous day hung from a strap attached to a small stuffed giraffe tucked in with her.
"It looks like we have everything," He said surveying their bedroom one last time."
"Let's go home."
"Your wish is my command," Jed replied and they shared a brief kiss before he put the car seat cover on for Felicity.
They left the Master Suite where Charlie and Donna waited for them in the hall. Together they headed to the South Lawn where Marine One waited. A small group of pool photographers started taking pictures as soon as they emerged. Abbey and Jed walked hand in hand together across the lawn looking very much in love and happy. Charlie and Donna brought up the rear.
Moments after they got onto Marine One, the helicopter lifted into the air. As it did so, Jed, Abbey, Charlie, and Donna were afforded a look at some of the White House grounds including the fencing surrounding the entire complex. Below crowds of people milled around among the sea of stuffed animals, flowers, notes, cards, and signs.
"Oh my gosh," Donna said in amazement as she saw proof of how excited people were for herself. News cameras captured the extent of the celebrations since the announcement. But it was another thing to see it in person.
"Your speech struck a chord," Abbey said to her husband.
"Apparently," Jed agreed, feeling a surge of pride and also gratitude for the display of excitement.
It was heartening to see especially after the questions raised by the press over the last couple of days. Seeing evidence of how excited people were reminded him that they were all in a bubble where things were more intense than the outside world. Beyond it, Felicity's birth was seen as a joyous occasion. In the days to come, Jed and Abbey would turn back to this to help bring them through the tough times ahead.
"All right ladies and gentlemen, this is our last briefing for the weekend unless there's a development nationally or internationally," CJ said opening her binder at the podium in the briefing room, "The President and the First Lady departed on Marine One a few minutes ago bound for Joint Base Andrews with Felicity. They will depart at 12:30 PM and Air Force One is expected to touch down at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport at 2 PM and the family is expected to arrive at their home shortly after. The President will continue working throughout his time at home but is not expected to have anything on his public schedule for the next two weeks. Questions?"
"CJ! CJ."
"Amanda?"
"Was Dr. Bartlet medically cleared to leave for New Hampshire?"
"Yes. She was seen by her midwife this morning who confirmed that she is stable and ready to go home. Dr. Bartlet will be assisted on and off the plane per the advice of her medical team because is still recovering from the birth. Nathan?"
"The President went on an unannounced shopping trip last night. Is there a particular reason why he went himself instead of just sending an aide?"
"Yes. The President wanted to make sure his daughter was comfortable for the trip home and went to pick up a few things himself for that reason."
"CJ."
"Danny?"
"Are the President and First Lady withholding details about Felicity because of a potential health issue? Photos from the day of the speech seem to indicate that she's a small baby."
"According to Felicity's pediatrician and the midwife who delivered her, Felicity Bartlet is a completely healthy newborn who is doing everything she should be doing right now. Pat?"
"In the last several months, there's been a discussion about the President and First Lady separating. How are they doing personally after having a baby?"
"Their relationship is a private matter but they are very happy. Louise?"
"Is the President planning to respond to the paternity allegations?"
"The answer is no comment. That will for it for today. Have a good rest of the weekend everyone."
CJ left the briefing room and Carol fell into step beside her, "So much for a light day," She said.
"Tell me about it," CJ replied, looking unhappy. "I was hoping for at least a weekend of positivity."
"You saw the outside of the White House," Carol reminded her. The outside of the fence had been inundated with flowers, cards, and stuffed animals in celebration of Felicity's birth. They also extended into Lafayette Park. "People are thrilled."
"You wouldn't know it from the questions I was just asked."
"What can I do to help?"
"Any progress on the affair rumors?"
"Only that they seemed to be confined to the tabloids until the last month or so. The Vice President's offer still stands."
"The President hasn't moved on his decision."
"This is only going to get worse, CJ."
"I know, which is why we have to get to the bottom of these rumors before they explode."
CJ reached her office and found Toby inside waiting for her, "You saw the briefing."
Carol saw the look on Toby's face and went back to her desk.
"They smell blood in the water," He said decisively. "The paternity issue is going to keep coming up."
"I'm trying to pinpoint the source of those rumors as quick as I can. There's also the small matter of fielding the avalanche of media requests I'm getting."
"Aren't the press aides helping you with that?"
"It's not enough Toby. Everyone wants to see the President, the First Lady, and Felicity together. They want more details."
"Well, maybe we need to put together some sort of statement."
"The President doesn't want to make any more statements. You heard him. His focus is on his wife and his daughter right now. We have to deal with this shit storm for at least the next two weeks."
"CJ, he doesn't get to make that decision. He's a public figure."
"Do you really want to tell the Leader of the Free World that he has to talk about his daughter or his wife less than 72 hours after birth?"
Toby sighed, "Of course not. But you and I both know where this is heading. If we don't act on this now, it's just going to keep festering."
"You don't need to tell me, Toby, I know it, and so does the President. We need to get to the bottom of these rumors."
"I'll ask around," He offered.
"The President requested discretion and I intend to honor that request. I trust you'll do the same?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No one will know where the ask is coming from," Toby assured her and went back to his office.
CJ crossed to her desk and sat down. None of what she dealt with in the briefing was unexpected. The only thing that bothered her was the affair allegations. The state of the First Couple's marriage had been the topic of rumors for months now. It was to be expected considering that they were hiding a pregnancy from the world at large. After the announcement, she expected those rumors to dissipate not ramp up. Perhaps this was simply a case of knowing too much about the truth. But CJ couldn't fathom how tabloid gossip had found its way into the mouths of seasoned White House reporters. For the sake of everyone, she had to figure out who was propagating these rumors.
"I'm standing here at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Behind me, Air Force One just landed. There is a massive crowd here ready to greet President Bartlet and First Lady Abigail Bartlet as they arrive home in New Hampshire for the first time in nearly three months. They departed Washington DC earlier today by Marine One which took them straight to Andrews Air Force Base. People are anxiously awaiting the first glimpse of new First Daughter Felicity Bartlet as she comes off Air Force One with her parents…"
Reporters doing live shots lined the tarmac at a safe distance from Air Force One. Behind them, people waited in roped-off areas. Crowds started forming hours before the plane was scheduled to arrive. Now that it was here, excitement and anticipation filled the warm summer air.
On the plane, Abbey and Jed sat on the sofa in his office together with Felicity. The little girl let out a good burp sitting up in her father's arms after nursing while the plane landed.
"You haven't lost your touch," Abbey observed, smiling at her husband.
"Burping a baby is one of those skills you don't forget," He replied as he watched their daughter yawn.
She seemed to reach her little arms out to him and he brought her back to rest on his chest. Felicity snuggled into him. Abbey leaned over and pressed a kiss into the soft brown puff of hair the baby had been graced with at birth.
"She's going to make getting any work done very hard for you."
"Here's hoping the world will stay quiet for a little longer then."
They looked at each other and their lips met in a sweet kiss. Despite the activity and excitement of the last few days, every time they were alone together, just the three of them, nothing else mattered. And Jed was intent on keeping it that way. A knock sounded on the door.
"Mr. President?" Charlie called.
"Yeah?"
The door opened, "Sorry to interrupt. But the motorcade is waiting. Agent Butterfield wants to make sure Dr. Bartlet gets down the stairs safely first."
"We'll be there in a minute, Charlie."
Charlie nodded and closed the door. Jed sat up slowly and set Felicity down in her car seat. She looked to be asleep but almost as soon as he buckled her in, she let out a cry of protest.
"I know," Jed soothed and offered the pacifier he had at the ready. She took it. "Let's try this until we get home."
Felicity's opened her eyes and squirmed against the straps, looking very unhappy. She spit the pacifier out with a look in her eyes that said "I will not be fooled." Undeterred, Jed reached into the diaper bag sitting by his feet and pulled out a pouch with the other pacifiers he bought the day before. Swapping out the current one with another, he offered it again. Felicity frowned and continue to squirm against the straps, taking the pacifier distractedly. He pulled back the pacifier slightly and she started to suck on it.
Abbey looked over husband to Felicity, "Smooth move babe."
"Thank you," He said satisfied. "There's a reason why I spent an hour testing every pacifier in the store."
"I'm sure Felicity appreciates your efforts."
"It looks like she does."
They watched Felicity close her eyes again and suck contently on her pacifier. Jed dropped the pouch back into the diaper bag and put the privacy cover over Felicity's car seat. The moment it was on, she spit the pacifier out and started to fuss again. Off the cover came and this time Jed took Felicity back out of her car seat. She started to cry and this time Abbey reached for her.
"Ma'am?" Donna called.
"Felicity needs a few more minutes," Abbey said, taking the newborn into her arms, imagining how uptight their security detail was becoming with the plane sitting on the runway.
Jed looked amused, "So much for an uneventful trip home."
While some memories of the early days with their children faded, others were etched in Abbey and Jed's minds. They traveled quite a bit especially when Ellie and Zoey were babies. The trips had mixed results with the more disastrous ones sticking in their minds. There were good memories too, of course. But the experiences taught them to be ready for anything and to have patience, especially with a baby in tow.
"Lovebug has done very well for her first trip. Haven't you, sweetheart?" Felicity's cries lessened as she figured out she could snuggle into her mother, "This is all she wants," She said, rubbing Felicity's back and kissing her head.
Jed rose from the sofa and went to the small coat closet behind his desk chair. Two spare suit jackets, a POTUS jacket, and a University of Notre Dame windbreaker were hung up inside. He took the windbreaker out along with a baby carrier attachment that their niece, Alex, designed and put it on.
"Snuggles it is then," He declared and returned to the sofa. Abbey handed Felicity back to him and he put her in the carrier before pulling the privacy cover up from the back. Since she was so small, it more than hid her from view. The baby didn't make a sound. "We should have started with this first."
"Now we know."
With Felicity finally content, Abbey and Jed gathered the car seat, diaper bag, and their things before heading out the door. From his position just near the open door of the plane, Jed heard the wall of noise that represented cheering people. He watched as agents from Abbey's detail helped her down the stairs and into the SUV. Donna followed behind them with the car seat, her bag, and Felicity's diaper bag. Charlie went down the stairs next.
The sound clicking of cameras gave him pause. Despite the distance, the Secret Service put between the press and them, they still seemed too close. His hand rested over Felicity protectively. He looked down one more time to make sure that she was still content and safe in her carrier before walking out onto the stair landing. The cheers only seemed to get louder as he descended the stairs, nearly drowning out the cameras. Jed looked up for a few brief seconds as he walked down and saw people waving American flags and signs. When he reached the bottom, Jed waived to the enthusiastic crowds for a moment before joining Abbey in the SUV.
"It looks like the entire state came out to welcome us home," He said to Abbey with a touch of pride in his voice.
"It does," She agreed, lifting up the straps of the car seat between them so that Jed could put their daughter in it.
He lifted Felicity out of the carrier and placed the sleepy baby back into the car seat before strapping her in. Abbey covered her with a light blanket just as the motorcade started to move, heading for home.
The crowds didn't get any smaller as they left the airport. People lined the streets of the route they took home, looking happy and excited. Signs read "Welcome home!" And "We love you, Felicity!" Dispersed among the crowds were photographers and reporters. It was normal to have the press around. But there was a heavy presence here, particularly of photographers. Abbey reached for Jed's hand across the car seat. He took it and squeezed it to provide reassurance as she saw the same thing out her window. It was the beginning of a very long and antagonistic relationship.
Secret Service agents opened a large gate hidden among the trees just off a dirt road an hour after the motorcade left the airport. The gate led down a primitive path laid with gravel for a mile leading down to the Bartlet Family Farm. This entrance to the farm wasn't widely used except by livestock because it was steep and rocky.
"Liberty's ETA is 4 minutes," The lead car reported in each agent's earpiece.
The beginning of the motorcade came around the corner just down the road a few minutes later. The pilot cars and motorcycles continued driving. A series of SUVs followed the lead car. Just as the lead car turned in to go through the gate, motorcycle engines revved up and emerged from the trees across the road, down near the middle of the SUVs. Cameras clicked incessantly as shouting began.
Agents moved in seconds after the motorcycles, seeing drivers on the front with photographers on the back. The drivers tried to speed away. But Secret Service Agents swarmed them.
"United States Secret Service!" They shouted, guns drawn. "Hands up! Hands up!"
The motorcade sped by as soon as it was safe to move. Agents standing at the gate waiting to close it heard the muffled sounds of a baby crying as the SUVs passed.
Down at the house, Liz walked out onto the porch with Ellie. The movements of the Secret Service already on the property drew them outside. The air filled with tension. It was just after 3 in the afternoon and the motorcade hadn't shown up yet. At any given time, it took about 20 minutes to go from the airport to the farm. Before either woman could utter a word, the sound of vehicles approaching from the north reached their ears. Looking up, they saw the motorcade emerge through the trees, having come through a back route. It was a rough way to come onto the farm because it wasn't made for cars.
The Secret Service agents opened the gate separating the driveway from the field the cars were going to pass through. A few minutes later, the line of SUVs pulled up near the porch. Ron Butterfield jumped out of the passenger seat in the front vehicle. Doors were opened and very sad cries reached Ellie and Liz's ears as they walked down the stairs. When they got to the car, they saw their mother attempting to soothe a very upset Felicity.
"Damn it!" Jed growled, emerging from the other side of the SUV followed by Charlie. "Ron! I want a list of every outlet who had photographers out there by the end of the day."
"Yes, Mr. President," Ron replied. His face gave nothing away.
"Dad?" Liz said watching her father come around the car, "What happened?"
"We were ambushed," He said, looking angrier than she had ever seen him. "The other routes were congested by people and the press so we came up the back way and those vultures were lying in wait for us. Bastards!"
"Jed, please," Abbey said, lifting Felicity into her arms and holding her close. "Shhhh" She whispered to her distraught daughter. "It's all over, lovebug. "
He looked at Abbey and his face softened, "I'm sorry sweetheart. Let's get you inside. "
Donna and Charlie got out of the rear of the SUV and took out Felicity's car seat and bag. Ellie stepped forward and took Felicity for her mother once she was calmer. Jed carried Abbey up the porch steps, into the house, and up the stairs. Ellie followed behind them with Felicity. Zoey came in from the kitchen as Liz, Charlie, and Donna came into the house.
"What took so long?"
"All the routes were crowded with people and press," Donna explained. "They were causing traffic bottlenecks so the Secret Service decided to take a back route."
"You guys came up the back way?" She asked surprised.
The back way to the farm referred to a narrow one-lane dirt road that led to one of the property gates hidden in a grove of trees on Uncle John's side of the farm. No cars usually went that way because the terrain was rough and better left to an ATV.
"A bunch of photographers were waiting and they ambushed the SUV," Charlie said. "We left them behind quickly but they managed to get close to the car."
Liz smiled at the two staffers sympathetically, "Donna, welcome to Awasiwi Odanak as my dad calls it or the farm. Charlie, welcome back. I'll show you to your rooms."
The trio headed upstairs and Liz brought them to a pair of guest rooms on one side of the house complete with their own bathrooms.
"Are you sure we won't be disturbing your parents?" Donna asked when Liz showed her to her room.
"No," Liz assured her. "Their room is on the other side of the house. Besides, they want you and Charlie to feel at home even though you're working. Was the trip here as bad as it sounds?"
"It was actually fairly peaceful until we left the airport. People were everywhere."
"We were following your progress here on TV until the motorcade disappeared."
"The service kept trying different routes. but some of the roads were closed due to the increased security presence and it took time to get them to open back up. Agent Butterfield said it might be hard for people to get in and out of here for a while."
Liz sighed, "Good to know. Well, I'll let you get settled in and go check on my parents."
She left Donna and followed the familiar path to the other side of the house where the master bedroom was. It was located in one corner of the home with the childhood bedrooms of the three sisters located just across a short hallway. Ellie emerged from the master and closed the door behind her.
"How are they?" She asked quietly.
Ellie gestured for Liz to follow her back downstairs, "Dad wants me to call the midwife and ask her to stop by once she arrives."
"It wouldn't be a bad idea. Going down that road had to be hell."
"Mom's feeding Felicity right now and I don't think we'll see dad for a while."
"I don't blame them. They need space. I'll tell Doug not to bring Annie. She'll see dad tomorrow at church anyway."
Liz and Ellie reached the bottom of the stairs and saw Zoey looking out the window in the living room. She looked unsettled.
"Zoe?" Liz said.
"They're locking down the farm," She said without looking at them.
They walked over to join their sister and saw that she was right. Secret Service Agents were moving purposefully outside, visibly posting themselves around the buildings on the property. The long road leading to the driveway was closed off by a gate. In the distance, fencing was being erected temporarily to keep the press and anyone else who was interested in the first family away. Beyond the farm and the checkpoints erected to keep traffic flowing for locals, photographers were already making plans to capture the first photo of Felicity Bartlet at any cost.