Disclaimer: I don't own Hamburger Helper. I own several boxes, but I don't
own the company or any affiliates or anything.
A/N: Times are for their respective time zones.
Chapter Four: 15 Days
11:46 AM
"Dad?" Katie Lyman called as she entered her parents's room.
Donna had gone out early to get some dress clothes for the kids, having taken their mesurements the night before because she knew they'd hate coming along. Though they probably wouldn't have minded. They'd taken them out for the week and the three of them were getting restless. They were back in Washington so she'd be gone all day, Josh knew.
Josh looked up from where he was reading by the window. "Yeah?"
"Is Uncle Sam going to live in the White House?" she asked.
He closed his book and patted his lap. The five year old ran over and hopped up.
"Do you think he is?" Josh asked her.
"I don't know," Katie answered. "Caleb says the TV newspapers say he won't. He yelled at me when I said he would too. But I just said that to be mean back."
Josh put an arm around Katie's waist. "Well, *I* believe in him," he told her. "So does a past President and the present President. So, yes, I think he will."
Katie though about this for a moment. "If he doesn't, will you lose your job?"
He smiled at her. "Let's just say, Daddy won't have the same job."
"We won't get to go to the big house any more?" she asked sadly.
"We'll move back to Connecticut and... we'll see, baby."
Katie crossed her arms. "I don't like Connecticuk," she complined. "There's nothing to do there."
"There's plenty to do there," Josh told her. "Caleb loves it there."
"Then he can go," she said. "I like it here. The city is more fun."
Her father nodded. "Can't say I disagree. It *is* fun here... and sometimes very, very aggrivating. But fun, too."
After a moment, Josh had an idea. It was Friday, so it wouldn't look that bad to other pedestrians if he took the kids outside. "Katie, go find Bruce and Caleb and tell them we're going to go to the Zoo."
"Really?" asked and her face lit up.
"Yeah," Josh said.
"Yipee!"
He watched as his daughter ran out of his room and heard her run downstairs. Josh pulled off his slippers and put on a pair of socks a shoes. Walking downstairs, he grabbed his coat and threw each of the kids's coats to them. It was chilly outside, not as chilly as it had been the year before at that time of year, but chilly never the less.
They got in the car and Josh was glad to see that even Caleb had a smile on his face, even if it *was* just going to the Zoo.
Good bonding time, Josh figured. And this would give Caleb time to see the good things about DC. Yes, this was a good idea. Even if the other adults there gave him the evil eye for them not being in school.
***
2:20 PM
Congress was taking a recess, a much needed one. The tension that was building up about this new gun law could be cut with a finger nail. What was so bad about requiring people to pass a firing test before buying high powered shot guns? Scott personally thought it was a great idea. Some places in the more rural part of Texas could use that law.
"I can't wait to get out of here," Karol said coming up behind him.
"Resigning tomorrow or the next day?" he asked.
"Tomorrow," she said. "Gunther is going to take over for me. Let him, I say. *He* can deal with this all."
The Texas Senator took off his glasses and cleaned them as he continued to talk. "Some of us can't afford that luxury," he said.
"Aww... is poor little Scotty feeling all alone?" Karol said. "Cheer up. Jody will be back soon. And I'll be around a whole lot... if we win. You won't be alone for that long."
Placing the glasses back on, and returning his vision, Scott looked over at Karol. "Guess not, in more ways that one."
"You heard from Annie?"
Scott's smile grew wider and he nodded. "There are four heart beats," he told her. "All strong, all healthy."
The Rhode Islander jumped up and hugged him. "That's great!"
He nodded. "Yeah," he said. "Instant family. Just break water."
"That's not nice, Scotty," a woman said from behind the two Senators. "It hurts like hell. Just like you men to be cracking jokes."
"Jody!"
The Oklahoman smiled hugged Scott and Karol.
"What are you doing here?" Scott demanded. "You're supposed to be in the hospital."
"Shantae is in the hospital," Jody replied. "And she needs to be there."
The other two nodded. It was true. Senator Shantae Barackas *did* need to be in the hospital more than Jody. The tornado had cause internal bleeding, fractured her skull and broke both her legs. It was a horrible thing for a Senator to be in the hospital. They may argue a lot in the Chamber, but outside, and Scott, Karol and Jody are a living example, Senators are really quite good friends.
"It doesn't mean you shouldn't be taking it easy," Karol said.
"Oklahoma needs one of her Senators here. Can't have you all making the decisions," Jody defended.
"Think we'll make a wrong one?" Scott jested.
"We just might," Virginia Senator Mary Ortz said. "Come one, we're going back into session. Good to see you Jody." The other Senators began walking back into the Chamber.
Jody sighed and muttered "Back to the coal mines, eh?"
"Welcome home, Jody."
***
4:30 PM
"All rise for the honorable Judge Young," the bailiff called out to the people in the court room. Judge Charles "Charlie" Young walked up to his seat.
"Be seated," he told those assembled. He turned to look at the jury. "Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?"
"We have your honor," the spokesperson of the jury stood and stated. She held out a sealed envelope to the bailiff.
Charlie watched as the bailiff took the enevlope from the woman and handed it to him. He nodded to the bailiff who took up post to his left. Showing no obvious signs of emotion, Charlie opened the envelope and read it. It took all he had in him to conceal the smile that threatened to creep across his face.
"When I read the verdict there will be no emotional outbursts of any kind," Charlie said to the people in the court room. There was a dead silence. "The jury finds the defendant, Jamal Walkins, guilty of murder in the first degree."
There was a great cheer that Charlie was sure could be heard two court rooms down. He banged his gavel several times before the court room quieted. "Sentencing will be in one week," he told the defendant and his lawyer. The lawyer nodded and the defendant glared as he was led away by the bailiff and another office.
"This court is dismissed."
Charlie watched as the people in the court room hugged and cried in happiness. He let the smile show now and he nodded to the woman whos daughter had been brutally murdered by the defendent. She mouthed, 'Thank you.' Charlie's smile grew wider and he walked into his chamber.
He took of his robes and gathered all the things he needed to take home. One of the things he regretted most, was having to bring work home. But his children didn't mind it as much as he did. As long as Dad was there to see Little League games or go to movies.
An old Buick waited in the parking lot for him. He tossed his things in the back seat and got in. For a moment he fumbled with the steering wheel lock, cursing San Diego and Sam for convincing him to come and run for judge there. It'd been a great surprise when he'd won, he hadn't been cursing Sam at that time. He was the youngest judge in the city, sometime a burden but other times a blessing. A great achievement that meant better for his wife and kids.
Charlie drove home, which was a large house outside San Diego. Zoey's father had helped make the payments when they'd first moved in. When he tried to pay him back, the former President had said that his grandkids were payment enough. Charlie sometimes agreed with him. Four kids could cover, and create, all kinds of debts.
"Daddy!" his youngest kids shouted as he pulled into the drive way.
Zaden (6) and Brady (5) ran at Charlie as he stepped out of his car. He gathered his son and daughter in his arms and lifted them up, carrying them to the front porch as he walked to where Zoey was waiting. He put them down and kissed Zoey.
"I made dinner, Dad!" Dylann (9), Charlie and Zoey's oldest daugther, called out from the kitchen.
He walked out to see her finishing up the Hamburger Helper. Charlie grinned and said, "That's great, Dyl. It looks really good."
"Mom said I can cook for Grandma and Grandpa when they come for Christmas," she said.
Charlie smiled. "And I know they'll love that," he told her, imaging what the Hamburger Helper was going to taste like. He could just see Jed Bartlet eating it and pretending to like it. He'd make it seem like politics and try covering himself in big words.
Zoey helped Dylann dish out the Helper while the younger two set the table and Charlie went over some papers he brought home. He saw the stack of papers Zoey'd brough home to grade and disregarded his own papers for hers, grading them by her answer key.
"Time to eat!" Dylann shouted gleefully.
Judge Young walked in to find his family already sitting at the table waiting for him. Somewhat cautiously, he took a bit and was surprised to find that the Helper tasted normal, like Zoey had cooked it.
"Very good, Dylann," he congratulated his daughter. "This is *really* good."
Dylann smiled and the rest of the family began eating. Charlie felt good, he'd seen a murderer convicted, done some of his wife's papers and made her life easier and was there to sample Dylann's first attempt at cooking. It was great day.
***
9:00 PM
Sam Seaborn sat in his hotel room and picked up the phone. He dialed the number to his home in California, something he hadn't done in almost a week.
"Hello?" someone said over the line.
"Simon? That you?" Sam asked, recognizing the voice of one of the twins.
The twin laughed at the other end. "No, Dad," he answered. "It's me! Donovan!"
Sam smiled. "How you doing?"
"Great, Dad," Donovan answered.
"Great, Dad," came an echo.
"Good to hear, Simon," Sam said, realizing that the other twin had come on too.
There was laughter and then several sounds of "Uh-oh" and a reciever click. "Sam? Is that you?" Mallory Seaborn inquired.
"Hey, Mal," Sam replied. "Sorry I haven't called in a while..."
"How's the campaign, Sam?"
Sam smiled. "Good. I think," he answered. "We'll see in... fifteen days? Fourteen days, now?"
"Yeah," she said. "The kids and me are coming up on that Friday. Dad's going to meet us at the airport and take us to the hotel so don't worry about that. Jed Bartlet and his wife, are going to be coming down too."
He was surprised. Sam knew that he'd been supporting him New Hampshire but he'd not heard that he'd be coming down for election day. "You're kidding."
"Nope," came Mallory's reply. "He told you you'd run and he is going to be there to see if you win. Couldn't keep him away, even if you wanted to."
Seaborn smiled. "Good," he said. "It's been too long since we saw him."
"And the kids are looking forward to seeing CJ again, too," Mallory said. "Especially the twins. Hoping to pick up more on Agent Donovan."
"We'd better watch out or they're going to be on the security detail before we leave the White House," Sam joked.
"You're not kidding," Mallory laughed.
There was a pause.
"I miss you, Sam," Mallory said. "So do the kids."
Sam frowned. "I know... and... you'll be here soon," he said. "Tell the twins to get in bed for me, and tell the kids I love them. I'd better go. We've got an early flight tomorrow."
"Okay... I love you, Sam," Mallory said. "Say hello to Karol for me. And Josh and Donna when you see them next."
"Good night, Mal."
"'Night, Sam."
They both stayed on the line, neither wanting to hang up.
"Good night, Sam," Mallory said after a few minutes.
He grinned. "Good night," he said heard the other reciever click. "Good night."
***
A/N: The twins are named Simon and Donovan because he was the coolest character. He's dead, yes, I know. And that sucked. However, in my neighborhood we're praying for a Boston Public (they show him dead but he ends up not dead in the next episode.) Unlikely, as the season primer will most likely involve the staffers trekking to a cemetary for Donovan's burial. ::shrug:: We can hope right? That's what hope was made for after all.
A/N: Times are for their respective time zones.
Chapter Four: 15 Days
11:46 AM
"Dad?" Katie Lyman called as she entered her parents's room.
Donna had gone out early to get some dress clothes for the kids, having taken their mesurements the night before because she knew they'd hate coming along. Though they probably wouldn't have minded. They'd taken them out for the week and the three of them were getting restless. They were back in Washington so she'd be gone all day, Josh knew.
Josh looked up from where he was reading by the window. "Yeah?"
"Is Uncle Sam going to live in the White House?" she asked.
He closed his book and patted his lap. The five year old ran over and hopped up.
"Do you think he is?" Josh asked her.
"I don't know," Katie answered. "Caleb says the TV newspapers say he won't. He yelled at me when I said he would too. But I just said that to be mean back."
Josh put an arm around Katie's waist. "Well, *I* believe in him," he told her. "So does a past President and the present President. So, yes, I think he will."
Katie though about this for a moment. "If he doesn't, will you lose your job?"
He smiled at her. "Let's just say, Daddy won't have the same job."
"We won't get to go to the big house any more?" she asked sadly.
"We'll move back to Connecticut and... we'll see, baby."
Katie crossed her arms. "I don't like Connecticuk," she complined. "There's nothing to do there."
"There's plenty to do there," Josh told her. "Caleb loves it there."
"Then he can go," she said. "I like it here. The city is more fun."
Her father nodded. "Can't say I disagree. It *is* fun here... and sometimes very, very aggrivating. But fun, too."
After a moment, Josh had an idea. It was Friday, so it wouldn't look that bad to other pedestrians if he took the kids outside. "Katie, go find Bruce and Caleb and tell them we're going to go to the Zoo."
"Really?" asked and her face lit up.
"Yeah," Josh said.
"Yipee!"
He watched as his daughter ran out of his room and heard her run downstairs. Josh pulled off his slippers and put on a pair of socks a shoes. Walking downstairs, he grabbed his coat and threw each of the kids's coats to them. It was chilly outside, not as chilly as it had been the year before at that time of year, but chilly never the less.
They got in the car and Josh was glad to see that even Caleb had a smile on his face, even if it *was* just going to the Zoo.
Good bonding time, Josh figured. And this would give Caleb time to see the good things about DC. Yes, this was a good idea. Even if the other adults there gave him the evil eye for them not being in school.
***
2:20 PM
Congress was taking a recess, a much needed one. The tension that was building up about this new gun law could be cut with a finger nail. What was so bad about requiring people to pass a firing test before buying high powered shot guns? Scott personally thought it was a great idea. Some places in the more rural part of Texas could use that law.
"I can't wait to get out of here," Karol said coming up behind him.
"Resigning tomorrow or the next day?" he asked.
"Tomorrow," she said. "Gunther is going to take over for me. Let him, I say. *He* can deal with this all."
The Texas Senator took off his glasses and cleaned them as he continued to talk. "Some of us can't afford that luxury," he said.
"Aww... is poor little Scotty feeling all alone?" Karol said. "Cheer up. Jody will be back soon. And I'll be around a whole lot... if we win. You won't be alone for that long."
Placing the glasses back on, and returning his vision, Scott looked over at Karol. "Guess not, in more ways that one."
"You heard from Annie?"
Scott's smile grew wider and he nodded. "There are four heart beats," he told her. "All strong, all healthy."
The Rhode Islander jumped up and hugged him. "That's great!"
He nodded. "Yeah," he said. "Instant family. Just break water."
"That's not nice, Scotty," a woman said from behind the two Senators. "It hurts like hell. Just like you men to be cracking jokes."
"Jody!"
The Oklahoman smiled hugged Scott and Karol.
"What are you doing here?" Scott demanded. "You're supposed to be in the hospital."
"Shantae is in the hospital," Jody replied. "And she needs to be there."
The other two nodded. It was true. Senator Shantae Barackas *did* need to be in the hospital more than Jody. The tornado had cause internal bleeding, fractured her skull and broke both her legs. It was a horrible thing for a Senator to be in the hospital. They may argue a lot in the Chamber, but outside, and Scott, Karol and Jody are a living example, Senators are really quite good friends.
"It doesn't mean you shouldn't be taking it easy," Karol said.
"Oklahoma needs one of her Senators here. Can't have you all making the decisions," Jody defended.
"Think we'll make a wrong one?" Scott jested.
"We just might," Virginia Senator Mary Ortz said. "Come one, we're going back into session. Good to see you Jody." The other Senators began walking back into the Chamber.
Jody sighed and muttered "Back to the coal mines, eh?"
"Welcome home, Jody."
***
4:30 PM
"All rise for the honorable Judge Young," the bailiff called out to the people in the court room. Judge Charles "Charlie" Young walked up to his seat.
"Be seated," he told those assembled. He turned to look at the jury. "Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?"
"We have your honor," the spokesperson of the jury stood and stated. She held out a sealed envelope to the bailiff.
Charlie watched as the bailiff took the enevlope from the woman and handed it to him. He nodded to the bailiff who took up post to his left. Showing no obvious signs of emotion, Charlie opened the envelope and read it. It took all he had in him to conceal the smile that threatened to creep across his face.
"When I read the verdict there will be no emotional outbursts of any kind," Charlie said to the people in the court room. There was a dead silence. "The jury finds the defendant, Jamal Walkins, guilty of murder in the first degree."
There was a great cheer that Charlie was sure could be heard two court rooms down. He banged his gavel several times before the court room quieted. "Sentencing will be in one week," he told the defendant and his lawyer. The lawyer nodded and the defendant glared as he was led away by the bailiff and another office.
"This court is dismissed."
Charlie watched as the people in the court room hugged and cried in happiness. He let the smile show now and he nodded to the woman whos daughter had been brutally murdered by the defendent. She mouthed, 'Thank you.' Charlie's smile grew wider and he walked into his chamber.
He took of his robes and gathered all the things he needed to take home. One of the things he regretted most, was having to bring work home. But his children didn't mind it as much as he did. As long as Dad was there to see Little League games or go to movies.
An old Buick waited in the parking lot for him. He tossed his things in the back seat and got in. For a moment he fumbled with the steering wheel lock, cursing San Diego and Sam for convincing him to come and run for judge there. It'd been a great surprise when he'd won, he hadn't been cursing Sam at that time. He was the youngest judge in the city, sometime a burden but other times a blessing. A great achievement that meant better for his wife and kids.
Charlie drove home, which was a large house outside San Diego. Zoey's father had helped make the payments when they'd first moved in. When he tried to pay him back, the former President had said that his grandkids were payment enough. Charlie sometimes agreed with him. Four kids could cover, and create, all kinds of debts.
"Daddy!" his youngest kids shouted as he pulled into the drive way.
Zaden (6) and Brady (5) ran at Charlie as he stepped out of his car. He gathered his son and daughter in his arms and lifted them up, carrying them to the front porch as he walked to where Zoey was waiting. He put them down and kissed Zoey.
"I made dinner, Dad!" Dylann (9), Charlie and Zoey's oldest daugther, called out from the kitchen.
He walked out to see her finishing up the Hamburger Helper. Charlie grinned and said, "That's great, Dyl. It looks really good."
"Mom said I can cook for Grandma and Grandpa when they come for Christmas," she said.
Charlie smiled. "And I know they'll love that," he told her, imaging what the Hamburger Helper was going to taste like. He could just see Jed Bartlet eating it and pretending to like it. He'd make it seem like politics and try covering himself in big words.
Zoey helped Dylann dish out the Helper while the younger two set the table and Charlie went over some papers he brought home. He saw the stack of papers Zoey'd brough home to grade and disregarded his own papers for hers, grading them by her answer key.
"Time to eat!" Dylann shouted gleefully.
Judge Young walked in to find his family already sitting at the table waiting for him. Somewhat cautiously, he took a bit and was surprised to find that the Helper tasted normal, like Zoey had cooked it.
"Very good, Dylann," he congratulated his daughter. "This is *really* good."
Dylann smiled and the rest of the family began eating. Charlie felt good, he'd seen a murderer convicted, done some of his wife's papers and made her life easier and was there to sample Dylann's first attempt at cooking. It was great day.
***
9:00 PM
Sam Seaborn sat in his hotel room and picked up the phone. He dialed the number to his home in California, something he hadn't done in almost a week.
"Hello?" someone said over the line.
"Simon? That you?" Sam asked, recognizing the voice of one of the twins.
The twin laughed at the other end. "No, Dad," he answered. "It's me! Donovan!"
Sam smiled. "How you doing?"
"Great, Dad," Donovan answered.
"Great, Dad," came an echo.
"Good to hear, Simon," Sam said, realizing that the other twin had come on too.
There was laughter and then several sounds of "Uh-oh" and a reciever click. "Sam? Is that you?" Mallory Seaborn inquired.
"Hey, Mal," Sam replied. "Sorry I haven't called in a while..."
"How's the campaign, Sam?"
Sam smiled. "Good. I think," he answered. "We'll see in... fifteen days? Fourteen days, now?"
"Yeah," she said. "The kids and me are coming up on that Friday. Dad's going to meet us at the airport and take us to the hotel so don't worry about that. Jed Bartlet and his wife, are going to be coming down too."
He was surprised. Sam knew that he'd been supporting him New Hampshire but he'd not heard that he'd be coming down for election day. "You're kidding."
"Nope," came Mallory's reply. "He told you you'd run and he is going to be there to see if you win. Couldn't keep him away, even if you wanted to."
Seaborn smiled. "Good," he said. "It's been too long since we saw him."
"And the kids are looking forward to seeing CJ again, too," Mallory said. "Especially the twins. Hoping to pick up more on Agent Donovan."
"We'd better watch out or they're going to be on the security detail before we leave the White House," Sam joked.
"You're not kidding," Mallory laughed.
There was a pause.
"I miss you, Sam," Mallory said. "So do the kids."
Sam frowned. "I know... and... you'll be here soon," he said. "Tell the twins to get in bed for me, and tell the kids I love them. I'd better go. We've got an early flight tomorrow."
"Okay... I love you, Sam," Mallory said. "Say hello to Karol for me. And Josh and Donna when you see them next."
"Good night, Mal."
"'Night, Sam."
They both stayed on the line, neither wanting to hang up.
"Good night, Sam," Mallory said after a few minutes.
He grinned. "Good night," he said heard the other reciever click. "Good night."
***
A/N: The twins are named Simon and Donovan because he was the coolest character. He's dead, yes, I know. And that sucked. However, in my neighborhood we're praying for a Boston Public (they show him dead but he ends up not dead in the next episode.) Unlikely, as the season primer will most likely involve the staffers trekking to a cemetary for Donovan's burial. ::shrug:: We can hope right? That's what hope was made for after all.