Georgia on my Mind
First Trimester
The clerk at the local convenience store nodded his head to Kendrick Lamar's Humble pumping through the Beats Studio buds in his ear. The graveyard shift fit his school schedule perfectly. He already completed his reading for his classes the next day; now he needed to complete inventory with the handheld scanning device. The men in black suits entering the location stopped his work. What the hell? His mouth fell open when the President of the United States entered the establishment dressed in blue plaid pajama pants, a dark blue t-shirt, and disheveled hair. "Uh, Mr. President…dude…is this real?"
Fitz smiled, "This is very real…life and death of the nation real. Are you prepared to deliver for the American people?"
"Is this some CIA…FBI type shit? Damn, my bad."
"More important than that…this is some First Lady may launch a military action if she does not get Milano dark chocolate cookies type shit. According to my intelligence report you have them in stock."
"Should you really be using our tax dollars on cookies for your wife? I mean don't y'all have a chef?"
Fitz walked over and placed both hands on the young man's shoulders, "Young man, what is your name?"
"Omar, sir."
"Omar, I am married to Oliva Carolyn Grant. There is absolutely nothing my woman cannot do. She wants cookies…I get cookies. I spoke to the CEO of Pepperidge Farms, but Denise cannot get my shipment to the White House until tomorrow morning; that is unacceptable. So, do you have the inventory or not?"
The young man typed on the device, "I have five on the shelf and a box in the back."
"Great, go get the box…Russell, grab the five on the shelf. Which one of you has my wallet?"
Second Trimester
"What's up America...and the world," Karen includes as Gerry introduces their Instagram livestream.
"So, you may have heard that our family is expecting a baby," he offers facetiously before they both break down in laughter.
Karen shakes her head, "I do not know how many times Congress and the Senate have to learn this lesson, but you do not deny a pregnant First Lady."
Gerry jumps in, "The budget included increased to the TANF and SNAP to increase the amount available to people to pay for diapers, formula and milk. Unfortunately, a bunch of losers tried to lower the amount or worse yet add work requirements."
"So," Karen jumps back into the conversation, "Ma'Liv led a posse of pregnant women and new moms through the halls of Congress to make sure the funding returned."
Gerry covers his mouth with his fist to try and control his laughter, "Full disclosure, I may have suggested turning Sen. Cruz's and Sen. Machin's offices into changing stations."
Karen slaps his shoulder, "OMG…you are so right for that."
"Anyway, things are back on track. Our family is doing great and if you want to help do not…I repeat do not send us anything, Donate to your local diaper bank or food closet."
"Thanks for listening and send us girl energy," Gerry cuts her off.
"Please, no…we have more than enough female power. Send dad and I some help…pray for a boy." The feed ends with Karen's open palm slapping him upside the head.
Third trimester
The camera crew and West Wing staff create chaos prepping the President to address the nation about federal relief efforts on the West Coast due to the devastating wildfires. He tunes out the voices to focus on his prepared remarks. The networks are in the process of an audio check when the door to the left flies open rattling the pictures on the wall, "Fitzgerald!"
Every person in the room stops moving and looks between the man behind the Resolute Desk and his extremely pregnant wife. Her white silk pajamas pants are covered by his large Navy t-shirt pulled tight across her large abdomen. She is barefoot and scowling. "Olivia," he speaks slowly, "You are on bed rest…doctor's orders. Remember, I must talk to the people about the help we are sending to California. You revised my speech last night."
"My pregnancy brain is not that bad…Did you think I would not notice you having the valets removing all my shoes?"
He stands, "You are being dramatic. I asked them to store those stilts. Look at your ankles."
"Just because I am having your giant babies does not mean I lost the ability to make decisions for my body. I can still wear my pumps when I get cleared," she shouts.
He moves around the desk, "I am not taking away your agency, but your balance is off, and you know it. Stop being stubborn," he responds just as loud.
"Bring 'em back or I will just order more. In fact, I can turn to the cameras right now," he cuts her off by pulling her into an embrace.
"Livvie, I know you are frustrated, tired…lord knows your hormones are taking us all on a roller coaster ride, but enough is enough. You almost fell and I almost lost my mind. For my sanity and ability to run the free world…please wear the little shoes," he begs.
Olivia places her forehead against his broad chest, "They are called flats. Fitz, I need to be me."
He lifts her chin so he can look her in the eye, "Let's compromise. Pick one pair you can wear to the hospital." He smiles softly.
"Fine," she exhales, "I am going back to bed after stopping by the kitchen for kettle corn. Have a great speech," she kisses him softly.
Every head in the room watches her exit. An intern raises her hand, "Uh, sorry to bring this up but that argument was broadcast nationally."
Fitz runs his fingers through his hair and loosens his tie, "Fuck!"
Six weeks post delivery
Olivia stands in front of the full-length mirror turning from left to right. She paired a pair of Andrea Pitter white scarla pants with a silk shell. The over the stop sparkle and fringe of the semi-sheer pants is extra in the extreme, but she cannot help but smile admiring her wider hips and fuller breast that her husband cannot keep his hands off. Thank the goddess the doctor cleared me to resume all normal activities.
Strong arms pull her body flush against his broad chest, "You look delicious," he whispers in her ear. She shudders. "What did the doctor say while the babies and I were with the pediatrician?"
"The doctor was pleased with the healing and does not foresee any issue with me resuming all my First Lady duties," she whispers back.
"Should I traumatize the big ones further by putting them on night feeding duty since we will be occupied?"
She giggles, "I think that might be a bit much. One night with the nanny doesn't make us bad parents. Maybe they will give us a break and sleep for more than four hours."
Fitz turns her body to face him, "Olivia, your son is much too spoiled for that to happen."
"Oh, so he is my son now. What about junior princess?"
He laughs, "You leave my darling angel alone. Like her mother…she sleeps better across my chest."
Olivia rolls her eyes, "Whatever…let's go. America is waiting for the big reveal."
Early evening
"I am Joy Reid…coming to from the White House residence. I have the privilege of interviewing the First Family back from maternity leave for not one but two new additions to the family. Let's start with you…how are you feeling First Lady Grant?"
"Thank you for coming Joy. I feel great. The privilege of having six weeks to adjust as new parents is making all the difference for our family. Experiencing the benefits of paid time away to manage feeding and sleep schedule should not be a reality for the wealthy exclusively. I am proud to help my husband champion the effort to make 4-6 weeks of paid leave a reality for all our citizens."
"Mr. President my inside sources claim you have a mini-nursery in the Oval. Is that true?"
He smiles, "The West and the East Wing both look quite different. Based on the advice of our older children we made a conscious choice to be as hands on as possible. Don't get me wrong…we are leading the free world but at the end of the day; being the kind of mother and father all our children can be proud of matters."
"Wow, well since you mentioned the children…I believe we have two new ones to meet."
Karen and Gerry enter the living room each carrying a baby. "Good evening, America, I would like you to meet my little sister, who by the way is older than her brother. Honor Truth Grant," Karen announces after joining her dad on the couch. She turns the baby wearing a white onesie with a silver presidential seal over her heart wrapped in a lilac blanket toward the camera.
"And I get to introduce my baby brother, Oliver Thomas Grant, who is bigger than his little big sister," Gerry states from his seat next to Olivia. The baby boy is wearing the matching onesie but wrapped in a light green blanket.
The journalist fans her eyes, "I am sorry…this is so unprofessional but my lord you make gorgeous babies. I may have to sit on my hands to keep from pinching those cheeks."
The family laughs. Gerry chimes in, "Yeah, the parentals did good this go 'round."
Olivia clears her throat, "To be clear…this is all of it. There will be no more. Correct me if I am wrong Mr. Grant but 4 kids were the dream." She points to each one, "I count four."
Fitz looks at his children and then back to his wife, "I am open to negotiation," he teases. Olivia hit shim with a side eye. "On second thought…I am living the dream right now."
She pats his cheek, "I thought you would see it my way."