AN: I hope everyone is safe. I am not sure why, but the Muse felt nostalgic. Let's check in with the Grant children in this universe.
Bang! Bang!
The President of the United States and the First Lady exit the motorcade at the South entrance. "Mr. President…Ma'am."
"Tom, aren't you supposed to be on a romantic weekend?"
"Yes Ma'am; however, a delicate matter requires my attention."
Olivia shakes her head, "She did it again." He nods in response.
"We don't know that. Maybe he is training."
She rolls her eyes, "Fitz, your princess stole the bomb sniffing dog. And the big one is probably her accomplice." I swear the Grant children have criminal instincts."
"Really…you blaming the Grant genes? What about the Pope factor? You are not a stranger to the shady side of the law."
"Whatever, let's go." They climb the steps headed toward the White House residence.
"Ms. Whelan, I have one last question?"
"What can I do for you Yamiche?"
"I have an internal source that says the Secret Service Golden Retriever is missing again. The cost for initial training is $218, 000 and $158,000 every year thereafter. Isn't that an excessive cost for a toddler's pet?"
"First, the dog has a name and I have not received any information that Fortune is not with his unit. Second, accusing a 3-year-old of theft is low; even for the left-leaning media." The room erupts in laughter.
"Seriously Whelan…the worst kept secret is the relationship between the youngest First Daughter and the Secret Service explosive unit's canine. He ran off from his assigned agent when she scraped her knee at last year's Fourth of July picnic."
"For the record, he is responsible for the safety of the First Family so technically he was doing his job. As entertaining as this line of questioning is I do not have credible information to share. So, I am closing the lid." Damn, I told the big ones to text me if the dog bandit struck again.
Young Theo Grant, as he decided to be called, awaits his fate in his room. The notes home started approximately three months ago, and the teacher scheduled a special parent conference to address their concerns regarding his disruptive behavior. Disruptive my lily-white ass. I am speaking truth to power. The subtle knock at the door interrupts his contemplation. "Teddy, we need to talk."
"Dad," he whines. "I keep telling you I will not respond to the name given to me by the brainwashed masses. The name is Theo Grant."
The voice of the family enforcer responds, "Fine Theo…would you like to explain why we had to stop leading the free world to listen to your teacher explain all the ways you are keeping children from learning."
"Yes Theo, why are we spending $47,000 a year for you to not take your education seriously?"
He swivels in his desk chair to face his parents. "Why don't we talk about the fact that we can afford $47,000 a year for me to go to elementary school. Or better yet, the $45,000 for Hope to go to pre-school. We should pay reparations." He folds his arms defiantly.
Fitz takes a deep breath and Olivia folds her lips together and glances at her husband. That's on you. "Son, I am so proud of you for embracing your role as an ally. I know how much your weekends at Georgetown with your big brother mean, but you cannot call your teacher a colonizer and accuse him of spewing white supremist propaganda and expect to have an impact…a positive impact."
"Mom and Aunt Abby call Congress Valley of the Trolls all the time and they get laws passed."
"That is true," she nods along.
Fitz turns to his wife, "Not helping." He turns back to his youngest son. "You do not have their skill set…yet. And you will never get their skill set if you do not get a solid education."
Theo's shoulders slump. "I want to do my part…this is your last term."
Fitz lowers his tall frame to the foot of the bed. "Listen bud…I appreciate the help, but we need to find another way."
Olivia paces back and forth, "How about this…since you are suspended from class for one more day. Tomorrow morning you shadow your dad in the morning; and I will take you with me to the Hill to lobby Mitch the Bitch and threaten John Kennedy of Louisiana."
Fitz nods along. "What do you say. You will get a master class on all the tools necessary to make change happen."
His face lights up but then he begins to frown, "I am still taking advantage of my privilege. No other kid my age gets to shadow the President and his Chief of Staff."
Olivia stops and moves in front of her son, "You do not have to apologize for having privilege if you use your advantages to make lives better. Now, do you want in on the family business or do you want to waste your privilege by just being a pain in the ass. The choice is yours."
He extends his hand, and she returns the shake twice, "Consider it handled."
The First Couple enter the hallway and collide with the Press Secretary. "I want a raise…a Grant children stipend. Remember the good old days…a torrid affair…corruption…seriously, what I wouldn't give for a sex tape."
"Hello to you Abby. I am so sorry our healthy relationship is such a hardship for you."
They turn the corner and enter the playroom to watch the current White House drama unfold. The small white table with a silver tea set includes a Track and Field American doll in the chair on the right and on the left is Fortune, the missing explosive canine expert. He is wearing a red rhinestone studded collar. Hope Grant dressed in a red tutu and a white t-shirt that reads Future Navy Seal carries on a quiet conversation. "I think we can skip the swings and play soccer. Do you think you would like that?" she looks to her left and then her right.
Fitz melts on the spot. Abby rolls her eyes and Olivia shakes her head. "Hope Grant."
"Hi, do you want tea too?"
"Sweetheart," Fitz squats next to his daughter. "We talked about this…this is not your dog. He has a job to do…remember."
She shakes her head from left to right and her deep auburn barrel curls bounce. "Daddy, he doesn't like that job. Can't you sign an order like on tv so we can play?" Her soft, pleading brown eyes and signature pout seal the deal. Olivia and Abby look at each other in defeat and exasperation.
At least I tried. "Abby, issue a press release that the Grant Family paid the cost from our personal funds for a new canine and all subsequent training."
Olivia sighs and joins in, "Get the White House photo team up her immediately. I want a full court press…all social media platforms…a positive statement from an agent."
Fitz joins back in the conversation after kissing the top of his daughter's head, "Not Tom, he lost all credibility after the piggyback ride on her birthday."
"She's charmed them all. I pick someone who rides a desk. Can you at least do me a favor and check in with the big ones. I do not need their shenanigans this weekend."
"Well…I don't think Gerry is still dating the Graduate Teaching Assistant from his Econ class and Karen promised not to get arrested again this month."
"Well thank baby Jesus for small miracles," she mutters on her way out the door.
"Hey, we never promised to be normal…your employment is evidence of that," Olivia shouts and Fitz snickers.