When we are done getting the White House Holiday Tour, Helen turns to Josh.
"We're going to head up to the residence. Why don't you see if you can drag Matt out of the Oval office. He promised me a half day today."
"Ahkay." Josh says with a shrug letting go of Lulu's hand and heading off in that direction.
Helen starts chatting with Carly as we make our way upstairs, leaving me to my thoughts. For a second, I wonder if this is a ploy. Even though Matt said he didn't want Josh's final answer until December 31, we had planned to talk to them tonight. I wonder if they are going to try one last ditch effort to change his mind.
The thing is, I'm fine with it either way. I just want Josh to be happy. And as much as he's always enjoyed his work, he's been really happy at home these last three months. He really enjoys the time he has with the kids. And he's finding time for himself, exercising and reading more for pleasure. He's got more energy after the kids go to bed too, and I'm finding that very enjoyable.
It's not like he hasn't been in the White House during his Paternity Leave anyway. He brought Lulu and Jonah up here for Trick or Treating, and the Turkey pardoning, and the Menorah Lighting. Plus we attended several of the Christmas parties. And he's had lunch with Senior Staff several times too.
I know that both Matt and Sam have called him a few times for advice, though honestly less than I had imagined. Maybe that was the trick– try to give him enough space to miss the place? If so I think the trick's on them. He hasn't changed his mind about turning down the senior counselor position.
Carly, Peter and Miranda immediately head up to the game room on the third floor and I follow them without thinking. But when we arrive, I'm a little taken back. Lulu's little preschool is no more.
I knew this was happening. Once I went on maternity leave and we enrolled Lulu at Sidwell Friends, there was no reason to keep this room set up for her. And Helen, Nicole and I have worked so hard on the OBEB Daycare, if we were going to be bringing Jonah here everyday, that's where he'd be. But still, to see it like this is a little sad.
Lulu apparently agrees.
"Where's my stuff?!" She demands, looking around the room. Her little table and kitchen set is gone, as are her dolls and dress up clothes. I guess she didn't realize that the stuff we have in our basement at home came from here.
Miranda laughs a little, but Peter, who's always been the more sensitive one, gets down on Lulu's level.
"Since you are in big girl school now, you don't need to have as much stuff to play with here. But we still have some games and toys for when you come to visit."
He shows her the closet where some of her games and toys, duplicates of what we have at home, have been stored.
"Or we could go downstairs and play in my room." Miranda suggests magnanimous.
"Yay!" Lulu quickly agrees. "I brought my vet set. We can give your animals a check up."
"Okay." Miranda agrees, taking her hand.
"You two good up here?" Helen asks, looking at Peter who is joining Carly on a couch in front of the Television, now that the Lulu crisis is over.
"We're good. We're just going to hang out until it's time to eat, then we're going to go bowling."
"Okay." Helen agrees with their plan, turning to follow Miranda and Lulu. I give Carly a little look before I leave and she blushes a little, so I'm pretty sure she remembers our talk from this morning.
"So, I guess we need to clean this out,." I suggest, pausing in front of the COS's bedroom, then opening the door.. "In three days, it's Sam's."
"We could always give him one of the other rooms, there's enough." Helen offers, a little sadly. I guess these changes are affecting her too.
"We really don't need it anymore." I gently remind her. "I can keep a spare suit in my office."
"So you don't think you'll ever spend the night here again?"
"If we do, it's more likely that it will be something planned, and we can stay in a guest room. This space really is meant to give the Chief of Staff a place to rest during a crisis. Truthfully, Josh and I probably used it more than any Chief of Staff ever has. Maybe too much?"
"No, I don't think so. You know I was worried about what life would be like being the First Lady. I thought I was going to lose all my friends and family and that we'd be stuck in this ivory tower. You and Josh have become family. I'm glad that you were willing to intertwine your personal lives with this job. I don't think I would have made it without you."
"Oh, Helen!" I give her an impromptu hug, squeezing Jonah between us. She uses the opportunity to take him from me, and he rewards her with a grin.
"Look at those teeth." She coos, noticing his recent acquisition.
I really am glad we are friends. It's made this job all the more special. While, she's holding him I take a minute toI look through the closet and dresser.
"We have accumulated quite a bit of clothes." I point out, chuckling. "I'm sure Lulu has outgrown this." I hold up a pair of winter leggings and a sweater that is a size 2. It's probably been here a couple years.
"I'll have a steward box it up. You can take it home after you're back in the office after the holidays." Helen insists, moving back into the hall.
"Okay." I agree, following her. If she doesn't want to do it now, that's fine. Obviously there's nothing here that we desperately need.
When we get downstairs, she heads towards the private living room. "Do you need anything? Coffee? Some cookies?"
"No, please, I'm cookie'd out."
Helen laughs. "I hear you. It's so cliche, but I really do need to go on a New Year's diet."
"Well, not a diet. But I definitely need to stop eating cookies."