Chapter 48 – Alison
She brushed the whisps of her dark hair out of her face. Despite her pregnancy and the baby bump, the beat of her footsteps on the treadmill were still light. She was still tiny. Her music played in her head as she faced the window that looked out over the night sky of New York City. It was late almost 11pm on Thursday and she was just looking to sweat off the stress of the day.
Liam was already in bed watching the news, while he waited for her to finish. It had taken a few years and a lot of work but she finally had her own show for New York's Fashion Week. Her whole family would be arriving for the weekend show. It would definitely be the show of the week and the most secure as the Leader of the Free World was not only attending but is the mother of the designer. To say, Allie was stressed would be an understatement, but no amount of stress compared to her nerves. She met with her mother's advance team multiple times over the last week and more than three times today.
She finished a fifteen mile run, grabbed the towel off the sidebar and wiped the sweat off the back of her neck that had beaded under her high ponytail. Walking into the bedroom, she stopped to give Liam a kiss.
"Who are you texting?" she asked.
"Your Dad" he smiled up at her.
"Oh please don't tell me he is planning some speech or something? I don't have the nerves for that this weekend," she complained.
Liam laughed, "No, you ladies asked to have the men handle the meals this weekend. Your Mom wanted to go to this French place after the show. It has been approved by the advance team. Tomorrow, we are eating at the hotel." She pouted at him. "It's just easier, hon. So, we are on a group text making some other plans. She wants to take Annie and the girls to that ice cream place on Sunday before the leave?"
"Dylan's?! Ugh, why didn't she say something before now? I will have Annalisa get with their advance guy tomorrow."
"She's a little busy dealing with the world." He answered defending Elizabeth.
"Is Jack ever going to propose to Stevie?" she stopped at the bathroom doorway, flicking on the light, and staring back at him.
Despite the fact that he knew the glow would make her gorgeous, he didn't look up from his phone avoiding eye contact with her. "Not sure, hun."
She furrowed her brow and bore her eyes at him, "You are so lying!" She was laughing. 'He talked to you about it, didn't he?"
He looked back up at her his green eyes shining back at hers under the straight tuft of hair that fell onto his forehead. "I'm not lying. I don't know," he chuckled.
"C'mon you two are like brothers! He had to have said something. Why won't he commit? Is it the thought of becoming a parent to the girls?"
"He loves the girls." Liam answered staring back at his phone.
"It's probably Stevie. She can be a smarty pants and a nag at times." Alison complained. "They've been together for over a year now. The girls love him. I love him. My MOTHER loves him."
Liam put his phone down and looked at her. "If you want to know, ask your sister."
She jumped over to the bed. "You do know! She won't commit, right?"
He simply said, "Talk to her on Sunday, but not before then we have too much going on. You need to stop stressing, not good for the babies."
She sighed and headed back to the bathroom. He followed her into the shower. While the steam filled the room and the hot water poured over their bodies, the conversation switched to themselves.
"I'm gonna miss this once we have babies in the house," he said as he kissed her neck.
"Sweetheart, babies do sleep. I have every intention on following my mother's method for making kids sleep. It worked with all of us and the girls. I'm not worried about it," she smiled at him.
"They are going to flip when they find out it is twins. I just wish my parents could be here so we could tell them together." he said quietly. They were waiting to make sure everything was okay with both babies before surprising their parents.
"I know I feel awful that your Dad can't make it. I don't blame your mother for not wanting to leave him. Do you think we could FaceTime them?" she asked.
"We can do that early Sunday morning. Not sure he will realize what is going on, but we can try. But, enough about them. Let's head to bed as these moments will be few and far between soon," he stepped out of the shower and let her finish. When she shut the water off, he handed her a towel and walked away. She was sad that he constantly changed the subject when they began to talk about his father's Alzheimer's. She knew this was really hard for him.
The next morning she arrived at the shop early. She ate her breakfast and was waiting for it to re-visit as it did every morning of the last seven months.
She walked amongst the fifty gowns and outfits and stopped in her tracks. Her mother's gold gown was on the mannequin she had built for all the outfits and gowns she made for her. It took her back to their conversation weeks ago.
"I'm not a model, Noodle. Besides, this is your night." Elizabeth sat on her Oval Office desk with her feet up on her chair, looking out the window. "How are you feeling?" Elizabeth winced almost knowing the answer since her daughters seemed to carry their pregnancies the same way she did: sick. She often wondered if her mother carried the same way and wished she'd only had that conversation with her amongst others.
"Mom, stop deflecting." Allie spun around in her chair to face the view outside her window. "I would really love for you to wear your Inaugural gown. It is so unique and looks gorgeous on you. Please be a part of the show?"
Elizabeth turned and looked at Blake, who was nodding his head frantically at her. He then interrupted, "I won't be far away with a bag."
Referencing the other thing that made her sick, taking her out of her comfort zone.
Elizabeth stared at him, "I'll think about it."
"Yes!" Allie knew that was more of a yes. She would talk to her father later and knew he would convince her.
She stared at it with her niece's Inaugural dresses beside it. She smiled so proud of her show's finale. She started working on packing them for the hotel.
Friday evening, she was standing in the ballroom that was lit for the event with models running through rehearsals.
When the McCord's arrived , Elizabeth stopped, took a breath and smiled when she saw Allie's logo lit on the floor of the hotel lobby. Her whole entourage stopping with her, Daisy was at her side. "Pretty amazing, Ma'am!"
"Yes, it is," she answered her. Henry on the other side, squeezed her hand, "the backup" he whispered to Elizabeth. They both just stared at it. Years ago, when she was pregnant with her they argued over her name. They were between Jessica, Katherine and Alison. Henry loving Jessica for "Jessie" and Elizabeth loved Katherine for "Katie." Alison or "Allie" would be the backup. Then, she was born tiny at 6 pounds 4 ounces with a flash of black hair and dark eyes. Henry held her up for Elizabeth, she looked back at him, all sweaty from the lengthy, hard labor and they both said, "She's an Allie" at the same time. Now, that name stared back at them almost as popular as her mother's name.
The tears began in her eyes and Blake brought her out of it. "Ma'am you have a 7pm briefing. If you want to see Allie, first she is in the ballroom."
Henry said to her, "I'm going to head up to the suite and see Jason. You have a little mother-daughter time first."
They proceeded to the ballroom and Elizabeth stopped again. The room was lit with navy lights shooting up the white curtained walls. Her logo was white with her navy handwriting.
There was her daughter sitting in a director's chair, her silk black hair hanging over the back as she talked to those working for her and making changes to her show. She had the soft voice of her mother and diplomatically handled every situation just like her. She was so proud of her.
The commotion behind her caused Allie to turn. "Mom!" She jumped off the chair. It didn't matter how old she was or what title her mother held, she still always did that little skip to her for a hug and a kiss on the head.
She turned to her and Elizabeth saw the years go by in a flash. Allie greeting her at the door and jumping into her arms when she returned from overseas CIA trips. Her smile radiating back to her when she picked her up from elementary school. She was always first to the door from her State Department days unless Henry beat her to it. Now, as a well-respected fashion designer, a wife and a mother.
They held on to each other for a while. It had been some time since they last saw each other. "Look at you, Noodle. You are going to be a Mom!"
She looked around, 'Where's Dad?"
"He ran upstairs to the room to deal with a few things, but I wanted to come right in to see you. Oh Allie, this looks amazing."
Later in the suite, the whole family had pizza for dinner, the girls were being put to bed by Jack and Stevie. Elizabeth was on the couch watching a movie with Alison, Jason and Claudia. Henry was at the table playing chess with Liam. Well, losing a game of chess to Liam.
Elizabeth played with Alison's hair. The chess game finished and Liam left to their room. Henry moved to the chair. Liam came back and handed Elizabeth and Henry small white gift bags. They both opened at the same time. Henry held up a light blue onesie and Elizabeth held up a pink one. Henry read out loud "First Grandson" at the same time Elizabeth looked at hers and said "First Granddaughter." It took Elizabeth a few seconds and she jumped up "Wait. Oh My God…. Really?"
Henry finished "Twins!"
"Yes!" Allie said back as her parents hugged her.
"I knew you were too huge for one baby. Stevie was never THAT big."
"Jaayyson!" Elizabeth barked at him.
The next morning came, Allie thought she was leaving before everyone woke up but her mother was already in the kitchenette pouring herself coffee.
"Good Morning, Noodle," she smiled at her. "All ready for the big day?"
With that, Allie dropped her bags and made a beeline for the nearest bathroom. Elizabeth followed her and knelt down beside her and held her hair back. She rubbed her back. The bathroom was large enough for the two of them with pale yellow walls and a white marble floor that felt cool to their bodies.
Once she finished she sat back and Elizabeth grabbed a hand towel and ran it under cold water. She handed her the towel and sat down facing her.
"Baby, I am so sorry," she winced at her.
'Did you go through this?" Allie asked wiping the cool face cloth over her face.
"Unfortunately, yes. With all three of you! A little bit easier with Jason. Maybe God knew what the rest of life was going to be like with him."
They both laughed. "Did your Mom get sick like this?"
Elizabeth looked down at the floor and her gaze met her daughter's eyes.
"Sorry, I just figured you and she would have talked about." Aliie frowned at her mother.
"We never got the chance." She took a breath, "But, baby don't be sad. She is going to be very proud looking down at us today." Elizabeth helped her to her feet.
The day seemed to fly by. Allie was downstairs getting ready for the show. Elizabeth had some alterations done to her dress mainly because she had lost a little weight since the Inauguration. In her afternoon briefing, she let her staff know about the newest family members. "Daisy, please prepare a joint statement for Monday to be released by both us and the company."
"Yes, Ma'am." The staff got up to leave and Daisy stayed behind. It didn't go unnoticed by Elizabeth.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"We've been friends a long time and have been through thick and thin together. I just want to say don't be nervous and just enjoy today because this is one of the good ones. Joanna and I are so looking forward to tonight. Not just for what it is, but to be here with all of you: our family!"
Elizabeth went over and gave her the biggest hug. "I can't believe we only have under a year left together. Doesn't seem possible. But, you are right. We are going to enjoy the ride! It's been quite a journey, Daisy and I wouldn't have wanted anybody else by my side!"
The beat of the music filled the room so loudly as model after model walked the runway. From her designer business clothes, sleek pants and suits, dresses, shoes and handbags the show was moving along smoothly. Allie took a quick peek out to check that her mother was still seated and not in the bathroom hurling up her lunch from nerves. She saw both her parents smiling and laughing as they watched. Stevie and Jason right with them with the girls happily clapping with Joanna, Daisy and Annie. She tucked back behind the curtain. Her mother would be there in a few minutes to slip into the gown with Eliza and Amelia joining her to lead Allie out at the end.
Matt leaned into his sleeve and simply said, "Moving Bluebird with Robin and Chickadee." Elizabeth took the girls hands and the detail led them to the back.
As soon as she saw Allie, the tears started to well as she hugged her. "Noodle, this has been amazing. I mean, your Dad and I are so so proud of you!" She rubbed her arms.
Allie grabbed her mother by the shoulders. "Mom, save it for later. You need to get changed and get out there. No time for tears or talk. Let's go."
Allie helped the girls into their dresses. Matching navy dresses with gold bows that matched their grandmother's dress.
Maeve, Allie's seamstress that worked on all of Elizabeth's gowns, tightened the bodice by the ribbons that overlay the back as Elizabeth joked, "I thought for sure I would never have to wear this again."
Allie stopped putting on Amelia's shoes and said "You hate it?!"
"No baby, I love it." She breathed in, "I just forgot how tight it is around…" Her seamstress tugged at it. "my core." She slipped into her shoes and grabbed Eliza's hand. Liam came to move them to the stage.
He immediately said, "Try eating some donuts then and she won't be able to make them so slimming."
She laughed and said, "This is the last time I wear one of these things."
Allie frowned and rolled her eyes.
The curtain opened, the music changed to an orchestral "Hail to the Chief" as Elizabeth beautifully appeared. She held the girls hands on each of her sides and they walked the catwalk. The small train of the slimming gown trailed behind her. The audience roared and cheered. But, Elizabeth's eyes were on Henry's. Both reminded of the way he had tore the back ribbons off of her just a couple years ago. It was a process and an ordeal especially after a few drinks and a passion to get it off.
She got to the end of the stage turned and walked back. The girls ran to Jack to lift them off the stage. Elizabeth headed back to the stage entrance and watched as Allie walked out flanked by every model in the show and all her amazing designs.
Allie walked out wearing a simple navy maternity dress that was loose on her still tiny but pregnant frame. She wore a light pink scarf with it. There had been a media buzz about what one of New York's most popular couples were having for a child. You could almost hear the groan of the crowd realizing they weren't getting a hint although they would realize they did on Monday.
The next morning, Elizabeth woke to the sun shining into their suite bedroom. The night before was a late one at the restaurant. She and Henry didn't get back until after midnight. Jason and Claudia stayed out with Alison and Liam. Stevie and Jack were already asleep when they got back disappointing Elizabeth because she knew what the plan was earlier.
She rolled over to put an arm on Henry only to find he wasn't there. Her hand landing on the sheet but it was still a little warm. She fell back asleep. It wasn't long after that Henry was back in bed leaning over her and kissing the sweet spot on her neck.
"Great reviews from last night." He whispered, his rough voice low in her ear.
'What?" she sat up and he tossed the Times' fashion page in her lap. Staring back at her was a beautiful photo of her and Allie on the catwalk from the night before. The headline read "First Family Shines in Allie Collection Inaugural Show." Henry scooted behind her so they could read it together.
A tiny knock came to the door. In bounded the girls, hair a mess, princess nightgowns flowing behind them as they raced for their grandparents' giant bed.
"Grammy, Grandpa, guess what?" Amelia yelled.
Eliza finished, "We're going to be a family!" As Amelia immediately began to jump on the bed, while Eliza scooted close to Elizabeth to snuggle.
"Amelia, stop jumping!" Henry said.
'Why? It's fun," she bounced up and down her dark wavy locks flying with her.
Eliza now snuggled up at her side, continued talking to Elizabeth, 'We were walking, well running around the pond. Cecile was keeping with us. I turned to tell Mommy something. Then, I thought Dr. Jack had fallen because he was kneeling down. I went to run back and Cecile stopped me. Mommy started crying and then nodded her head yes and hugged him." She put her hands together just under her chin and leaned toward Henry and Elizabeth. "Then they told us we would be a family."
Amelia still bouncing on the bed because to Henry and Elizabeth it wasn't worth the fight, "Yeah. Mommy now has a big princess ring on her finger."
Eliza then said, 'Anyways, Daisy and Blake are out there waiting for you. Or maybe both of you? Lots of family stuff to discuss. They asked me to tell you they were here."
"What? Eliza! You could have lead with that." Elizabeth moved her out of the way while she shrugged at her like it wasn't a big deal. She headed to the bathroom to get ready.
Henry reached up and grabbed Amelia mid-jump and startled to wrestle with the girls in the bed.
Elizabeth stepped into the living area of the suite and immediately stopped. "Woah…woah. Daisy why do you have your panicked face on? With the tablet of doom in your hand?"
"Ma'am, Stevie's engagement last night…." Daisy began, handing Elizabeth the tablet of doom.
Elizabeth stared at the screen as Daisy continued, "We thought we had done our best to keep it private, but a private citizen witnessed it. Maybe from their apartment? They posted photos which have now made it online."
She looked back at her and Blake and then to Matt, who was standing behind them.
She looked back at them. "This was not your fault. Let me have Henry get Alison on the phone. Stevie and Jack are just getting ready for breakfast."
Henry came in dressed from the bedroom. You could see the girls sitting on the edge of the bed watching Paw Patrol. "What's going on?"
The door to the suite opened. Alison came storming in with Jason trailing not far behind her.
"You have got to be kidding me? On like the biggest night of my life! Going to law school when I was applying to college wasn't enough, never mind what happened at my wedding! She just can't let me have my moments, can she?"
Jason quietly said, "I tried to calm her down on the way over here."
"Calming me down! They literally kept this from us with a plan to keep it quiet for the next week or so until my stuff was over. I mean, when Jack asked, you couldn't have said, oh I don't know. 'Can you just wait a week because this weekend is really for her sister?'"
Elizabeth turned to Daisy and Blake. "Can we have the room?"
Daisy took her iPad back from Elizabeth, Blake and Matt walked out quietly. Henry turned to Jason and said "Can you take the girls to their room to for them to get dressed? Then maybe for a walk with Cecile?"
Alison said quietly, 'Robin is outside the room. She will go with them."
Stevie and Jack both walked in. By the look on Stevie's face, Henry and Elizabeth's world felt like it was about to collapse. They waited hesitantly for the most apocalyptic argument between their daughters.
"Allie, I don't blame you for being angry. But, please don't be angry at me. I didn't know anything about any of this. Had I known, I never would have allowed it to happen this weekend." She was nearly in tears looking at her younger sister.
"For the longest time in my life, you were the most important thing. There is nothing more than I want for you than to be celebrated and happy. Last night was so amazing and I was so proud of you. Please do not be angry," she finished.
Jack finished, "If anything be angry at me. Your Dad tried to talk me out of it for this weekend but I have always loved Central Park. My college buddy lives right above the park, I picked the location so he could get some candid photos of the moment. I didn't think he would turn around and post them." He looked to Elizabeth and Henry, "I'm so sorry."
Elizabeth spoke quietly in the disappointed Elizabeth voice. "Well, other than the fact that you authorized someone to take photos of members of the first family without clearance, there's not much else you are guilty of, Jack. I know this wasn't the best welcome to the family celebration but you kind of brought that on yourself. Stevie, why don't you and Jack go take the girls to breakfast as planned? Dad and I need sometime with Allie. Just remember wheels up at 4pm. So, we need to be out of here by 2:30."
They left without saying another word.
Elizabeth and Henry sat across from Allie, who was sitting on the couch her hands folded over her white maternity shirt, legs crossed in faded blue jeans. She looked to the side out the hotel's expansive window that overlooked Central Park. High School Alison played in Elizabeth's mind. Elizabeth couldn't even remember the amount of times they have had this conversation with her since high school. Every time, Allie was not wrong. Stevie did always have something come up during Alison's big life moments. This was the same argument she made to Henry two weeks ago, after he informed Elizabeth that Jack asked him. He specifically asked for it to be done this weekend. Elizabeth said told him absolutely not. It was not their best moment in the White House. When she approached Blake, Daisy and Jay about it they all hesitantly agreed with her because they tend to stay out of family decisions. The plan was derived and she thought it had been made clear to Jack from Henry.
The girls for the most part had always been super close. Their fights were few and far between but when this happened it usually went explosive and over the top. If not for Jack being in the room, Elizabeth was pretty sure that is where the wonderful weekend would have ended. The silence in the room was deafening. Elizabeth turned her head to look at Henry almost goading him to speak. Her mind played back to the argument they had when she said to him, "If this falls apart, it is on you. You will have to take the blame to Allie." And here they were.
Henry leaned up and rested his elbows on his knees. The sleeves of his forest green sweater rolled up as if he was going to work on something. "Look, Noodle, I am sorry. There is nothing else to say. You are right. Every time something big happens in your life, something big seems to happen in Stevie's too. It is not like I planned it this way."
She didn't look back at him but simply said, "Bad choice of words."
"Okay, I will give you that. But, honestly these are not things your mother and I can control. We asked Jack not to do it this weekend but we can't force him to not do it when he wants to."
"You could have asked him to keep it quiet," she stared at her parents.
"We did!" they both answered her now. Elizabeth finished, "I explicitly asked for this to be kept quiet for at least a week or two. Stevie is on vacation this week and that is why we would have been able to do this. The good news is for starters, this will not be another White House wedding. The other good news is you had an amazing night last night and your reviews this morning are outstanding. Noodle, are you really going to let Stevie's engagement, which should still be a happy thing, ruin the whole weekend. Dad and I had planned to spend the whole day with you and Liam, nobody else. Secret Service has it all set up for us to go to the baby boutique you wanted to go to so we can shop for cribs and then we can go back to your place for the afternoon. We are meeting the others at the plane. C'mon let's go and continue the weekend for you."
Allie looked at her and said, "Nice deflection. Anyways, I wasn't going to let it ruin our day. But, I still think I have the right to question how many times you are going to let this happen? I swear if she decides to get married the same week my babies are born, it will not be good for anyone in this family."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at Henry.
"C'mon Noodle, that is not going to happen," he said looking at his watch. "We have about 20 minutes until our appointment at the boutique. All of us especially you still need to eat."
Elizabeth got up and gave her a long hug and a kiss on her head. "I promise you Daisy will still make the twins announcement this biggest thing of the week."
Four months later, Alison walked into her daughter's nursery to find her mother had rocked the cranky, colicky baby to sleep and was placing her in her beautiful white crib. The nursery had a blush pink on three walls with huge pink flowers on the wallpaper side.
"Mom, thank you so much for taking the time to come this weekend. You have been a Godsend for both babies. I can't believe how easy she is going down now." Alison leaned into to hug her mother from the side as they watched the baby sleep.
"Well, I would stay in that rocking chair with her forever if I could." Elizabeth whispered back. "How's Benjamin?"
"Asleep in Dad's arms while Dad is asleep in the chair," she said making it sound more like a complaint. "Why does he sleep so much better than Lauren?"
They walked out of the nursery. "For starters, he was the bigger one and he isn't having gas issues. Allie, you have got to keep her on the Mylicon. I know working from home and running a corporation with twin babies makes it hard to remember but write it down and don't let the new nanny forget."
"Let's go organize everything you need for them and the nanny when she starts tomorrow. The day goes better for everyone if everything is organized. Then, I am taking your father back to the hotel," she said to her.
While going through the babies' things and schedule, they talked up the next few days Henry and Elizabeth would spend in Boston with Jason and Claudia.
"Mom, can I say I am really looking forward to a year fromm now when your time is up in the White House and you can be available all the time?"
"You can, because I am too!" They both laughed as they sat at the table.