A/N: I own none of the mentioned fast food chains or news channels. And
Secret Service men *do* dress in kahkis and blue blazers.
Chapter Eight: Election Day
7:23 AM
Karol McShane's apartment was a mess. She'd folded the couch back up, leaving the bedding inside which stuck out at odd angles. Deryk's dirty clothes were in a pile in the corner, topped by Karol's dirty clothes. Allison Campbell shook her head and walked around cleaning the major messes while Karol began to make breatkfast.
Deryk McShane awoke to the smell of smoke and shouted out, "Fire! Fire"
Scott once again was at the bedroom door with the baseball bat. He saw the trickle of smoke coming from the kitchen, saw Allison cleaning and looked over to Deryk. "It's worse. Karol's cooking."
"I happen to be able to cook very well," Karol retorted as she walked into the living room. "Deryk's just got this thing for burnt scrambled eggs."
Wildman looked at her oddly. "You *are* aware that it is election day, right?"
"Exactly why I'm cooking," Karol told him. "It's good luck to cook for yourself and your family on the day of a big decision."
"Where'd you hear that?"
"My mother used to tell me and Deryk that all the time," she answered. "It takes the stress away."
"Well, I doubt all America is cooking for themselves," Deryk said. "When does Virgina's open their ballots? I'm registered there still."
Scott looked at a paper he held in his hands. "Opens at eight. That's about... forty minutes from now."
"Good, I can rent a car and drive up there," he said. "What about you and Annie and Mrs. C?"
The Texan shook his head. "We're registered in Texas."
"Oh," Deryk said. "We'll, I'm going to get in the shower and let those eggs cool."
He walked into the bedroom and headed for the bathroom. Karol set the good eggs on the table and set Deryk's burnt ones on the counte, placing several strips of bacon on each plate. Rusty looked at them longingly, attracting many a suspicious eye from those seated around the table.
They all ate heartily, everyone giving a strip of bacon to Annie who tried to refuse but relented. And of course, on top of his bowl of food, got a piece of bacon snuck under the table for him by Scott.
After they had all eaten and showered, they headed for the Georgetown Hilton.
***
8:41 AM
"Simon, Donovan, Caleb!" Josh Lyman shouted up the stairs. "You dressed yet?"
The twins were only eight months older than Caleb and the three were pretty close friends even though they saw each other about once or twice a year. And after Caleb's outcry in Connecticut, they were glad for the chance to have them stay over with him. He'd been much more socialable since. It was also probably because he'd said that the kids didn't have to go to school Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday because of the election. Both situations were obviously factors.
"We're coming, Dad!" Caleb called back. "Hang on!"
There was the sound of running from the top floor and down the stairs came Caleb, Donovan and Simon followed closely by Bruce and Katie. They all had backpacks, packed with games and homework. It was going to be a long day and the only time that would really matter would be that night at ten when the ballots closed.
The group jumped into the minivan and Josh and Donna were glad they'd bought it or they'd never have fit five kids in. They stopped at a McDonalds on the way to the Hilton and ate a quick breakfast. It beat making it.
"When are you going to vote, Dad?" Caleb asked. "You are aren't you?"
Josh nodded. "We're going to go vote while you're at the hotel with the others."
"We don't get to come?" Katie asked. "I wanna vote."
"You're just a baby," Bruce said. "You're not old enough."
"I'm not a baby!"
"You're not old enough either, Bruce," Donovan told him.
Simon shook his head. "You hafta be eighteen."
Katie crossed her arms. "But I wanna vote..."
"We're here!" Donovan shouted as they pulled up to the Hilton. Donna and the kids got out and went in while Josh parked.
The kids tossed their stuff in Confrence Room Three which had been reserved for them and went to wander around.
***
1:11 PM
Jenna Clark walked out of the voting area and over to where Bobby was waiting for her. Bobby kissed her and led her out to the car. "When are we supposed to be at this party thing?"
She shrugged. "Anytime after noon."
"Want to get something to eat before we go?"
"We could have eaten already if these LINE WEREN'T SO SLOW!" she shouted the last words for the benifit of the people running the ballots.
Bobby laughed. "Come on," he said. "Burger King, Wendy's or McDonalds?"
"Food will be set out all day," Jenna told him. "Atleast that is what the campaign manager said when she called to remind me about it."
Towlhouse clapped his hands. "Alright!" he shouted. "I get to keep my ten bucks!" He grinned at Jenna. "I've never been to the Georgetown Hilton..."
"It's okay," Jenna said with a shrug. "My mother stayed there once when she came down for my sister's graduation."
The two of them got into the car and drove to the Hilton. There was a door man blocking entrance into the entire bottom floor, checking invitations and such. Jenna handed him hers and vouched for Bobby, a bit conserned about the lack of security. But then, Seaborn wasn't President yet.
"We're the only reporters here..."
"Don't even think about it," Jenna growled. "NO story. Got it?"
"Oh, fine," Bobby whined. "You're no fun."
***
3:51 PM
"You guys vote yet?" Lisa asked Petey and Sean who sat in the back of the cab with her.
"I was the first one in line," Petey said. "It's my first time... but... I guess I shouldn't have camped out there... Some guy gave me his coat and another lady gave me five dollars. I think they think I was homeless."
Sean started laughing. "It's not like it's a movie or something."
"I know," Petey said sheepishly. "But it was great! I felt like I was really getting to imput on the American government."
Lisa shook her head and Sean burst out in a new round of laughter. "How is is possible for someone to be so much for the system?" Lisa asked.
Garrison shrugged. "I dunno. Is it so wrong to think the US works?"
"Georgetown Hilton?" the driver asked.
"Yup," Lisa answered.
"They got some big party going on in there," the driver continued. "Can't get in the entire first floor."
Sean grinned. "We know," he said. "We're going."
It was now the driver's turn to start laughing. "Dressed like that?"
They all looked down at their attire. Sean wore a pair of new blue jeans, a white shirt and a brown leather jacket and Lisa wore blue jeans and red shirt. The only one of the three who had actually gotten a bit dressed up was Petey who wore khaki pants, a white shirt and a blue blazer. In truth, he looked like a Secret Service member just without the glasses. It wasn't like they looked liked they'd come off the street.
"Yeah," Lisa growled. "We are. Got a problem with it?
The driver shut up and dropped them off at the Hilton a few minutes later.
Lisa pulled out some money and paid him the exact amount. "Next time, if you want a tip, don't insult the passengers. Got it?"
He grumbled something and sped off. It was all Lisa could do to restrain herself from picking up a rock and tossing it at his back window. Well... the security cameras and Secret Service members by the door were a factor too. But mostly it was self restraint.
They entered the Hilton, clearly obvious of the suspicious glances coming from the Secret Service men. It was also obvious from the looks of the two in blazers, they were quite angry about Petey's dressing like them.
Sean and Lisa were expecting to see a lot of people dressed up now, due to the driver but were surprised to see that the main ballroom was set up like a football night. There were several couches and several big screen TVs. How they'd afforded them was beyond Lisa.
Sean went straight to the food table. Free food was his biggest weakness. Lisa was still a bit stunned, seeing several Senators in the crowd dressed in blue jeans and sweat shirts. Even Seaborn himself was decked up like he was ready for the game to start.
She left Petey ans Sean to the food and went to sit on one of the couches. Not liking CNN or Fox News, she sat in front of the TV on MSNBC, watching the numbers on the screen, hoping that Seaborn would get a head.
***
4:08 PM
"I told you didn't I?" Josiah "Jed" Bartlet said as he walked up to Sam. "I told you that one day, you'd run."
Sam smiled. "Yes, sir. But I've got to admitt that I didn't listen. I'm as scared as hell and I don't know how this is going to turn out.
"If it makes you feel any better, I voted for you," Bartlet said.
"Now I just need... oh... fifty million otheres to follow suit?"
The former President shook his head. "No, you need a lot more than that."
"Thank you, sir. I feel a lot better," Sam said sarcastically.
Bartlet clapped him on the back. "That's good. You should. You'll win this thing, just don't lose hope."
***
4:32 PM
After making sure Annie was comfortable, Scott walked over and sat on the couch infront of the CNN Headline news TV. Roy Pentabal was awoken as Scott plopped down beside him.
"What? Did he win?" Roy shouted and jumped up.
Scott grinned. "It's only 4:30, Roy. Go back to sleep."
Pentabal shrugged and tilted his head back again. Scott looked at him in disbelief then looked back at the news. Seaborn had been eight down in the polls but from the estimated numbers, it wouldn't seem like he was. He looked over to where Sam was sitting on the couch with his daughter.
It made him wonder if he'd have a daughter soon. They'd decided to wait until they knew if the babies would survive to name them, consequently deciding not to find out their genders to keep from unwittingly going against their decision.
Jody and Mary came over and pushed the sleeping Roy to the side. They both looked to the screen and asked Scott, "How we doing on *this* channel?"
"Fine..." Scott said uncertaintly. "What do you mean on *this* channel?"
"Fox News says we're hopeless at getting Connecticut but CNN says we've got it by the ears," Jody answered.
"These news people really need to talk," Mary said. "They're worse than the FBI and CIA."
"Worse than the Democrats and the Republicans," Ted said, leaning on the back of the couch since there was no room for him to sit.
Scott shook his head. "Let's not go *that* far."
The three Senators sank down in their seats. "When is this going to be over?"
***
6:28 PM
"Is the waiting generally this extreme?" Donna asked Josh as they sat infront of CNN.
Josh nodded. "Pretty much," he said. "Except with Schumer's second term. I could have cared less who one. I didn't even vote that year."
"Well, I'm sure glad you did this year," Sam Seaborn said from behind them. "Your one measly vote maybe all that is standing between me and the White House."
"Damn." Josh joked, "I *knew* I should have voted for you."
Sam raised his eyebrow. "Want that Chief of Staff job or not? I'm sure I could get Charlie to take it, or maybe even you, Donna."
"Hey, now, let's talk this over..."
Seaborn grinned and then sighed. "How long til this is all over?"
"Ends at 11:00 in most states," Josh told him. "We should have the results estimated results by... Midnight? One? Maybe two?"
"And I was hoping to surprise the kids with a ride to school... oh, well," Donna said.
***
7:01 PM
"Think they'll freak out if we call 'gun'?" Simon whispered to Caleb. They were watching Max and his partner, Gary Michaels, from behind a large potted plant outside the ballroom.
"Wanna find out?" Donovan asked.
Caleb wasn't sure if it was a great idea. "We probably shouldn't..."
"Caleb's right," Simon said. "If Dad wins, we'll have four years to yell 'gun'."
"But he might not get elected," Donovan whined. "Come on."
Though plagued by the fact that they shouldn't do it, Caleb and Simon both agreed that they should see if it worked.
"On the count of three," Donovan said. "One, two, three..."
"GUN!"
"Gun!" the Secret Service men called to each other, one knocking over Sam and AJ then ran to duck Karol behind a TV while another raced over and toppled the chouch where the Senators were sitting. Two more raised their guns, pointing them around looking for the source of the alarm.
In shock, the three boys watched, jaws dropped and eyes open as the scene unfolded.
"Uh-oh..."
"No kidding," Simon said and pulled them into the third confrence room to hide.
The three of them jumped into seats around the table, pretending to do their homework.
"You kids okay?" Bannerman asked as he burst into the room.
They all looked at each other then nodded. "Yeah," Simon said. "Why wouldn't we be?"
The Secret Service man looked at them for a moment as if he wasn't sure he believed them. They waited until they were sure he was gone before bursting out laughing.
They were going to have so much fun once their father got into office.
***
8:57 PM
"Did you know it would be so boring?" Bobby asked Jenna as they sat watching MSNBC beside some sleeping lady who'd already been bored out of her mind.
Jenna groaned. "No. This waiting is killing me."
"Polls close at eleven," the lady beside them said, sitting up. "*Then* the fun starts. Champaign and we can all get drunk together."
She reached out her hand. "Lisa Morris. Maryland and DC campaign manager. Those two over there infront of Fox News are Petey Garrison and Sean Bower. They work for me."
The reporters shook her hand.
"Can I ask you a few-"
Jenna hit Bobby outside the head. "No story!"
He sighed. "I'm Bobby Towlhouse. A reporter."
"Obviously," came Lisa's response.
"She is too," he said.
"I'm Jenna Clark."
Now sitting up, Lisa nodded. "I've seen you two in the Press Room. I did an internship at the White House for a few months. Bobby Towlhouse? My friend Gryffon Bagshaw said you sang for them the other day."
Bobby blushed.
Jenna giggled. "Things sure do get around DC."
Lisa nodded.
The sat watching the news for a few minutes before a very bored Bobby turned to Lisa. "Can we get drunk yet?"
***
11:04 PM
Petey and Sean had volunteered to take phone duty. The eating and the news lost its splendor, even for little Petey, about an hour before. They took many calls of encouragement and several from the campaign headquarters.
"Petey Garrison at the Hilton," he said picking up another line.
"Maryland closed polls at eleven," the young man on the other end said. "We've taken her. By a landslide."
Petey grinned and hollered.
"Hey everyone!" he shouted out to the people in the ballroom. "We've taken Maryland!"
There was a loud round of cheering, everyone jumping up and down, hugging each other and congratulating each other. If they'd taken one of the states they'd thought would never be theirs, who knew what was possible.
***
For the next hour everyone was glued to the TVs. Chairs were pulled out of the confrence rooms and situated around the screens. Big maps marked the progress of the election, California, DC and Virginia unfortunatly gone to Billings.
However, despite California's 54 votes going to Billings, Seaborn brought in Texas and New York which combined to make 65 votes. They weren't out of the running. Not by a long shot.
Florida went to Billings, putting him way ahead. But they bounced back. They were hanging on... if only by a thread.
***
12:00 AM - Wednseday, November 9th of 2015
"Rhode Island just closed polls," Sean told everyone as he looked up and covered the mouthpiece. "They're counting the ballots."
"So it all comes down to this," Sam said as he and several others were gathered around the phone.
They were two electoral votes down and Rhode Island was their last hope. It's four votes would take them ahead by only two, but they'd win.
Sam and Karol stood infront of the TV watching, praying that the state would stand by it's former Senator.
"We should have campaigned there more," Sam was saying. "We should have campaigned there. They're going to vote against us. They're going to say they felt left out. We're not goin to win."
"You will," Bartlet said from beside him. "Don't worry."
"Don't worry? We barely campaigned there at all. We *should* have gone there more. They're out last chance. They're not going to vote for us-"
"Shut up," Karol growled.
"Okay."
They stood there, time taking on no meaning. Even the little kids were quiet, everyone's eyes fixated on a television screen.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," the announcer on the screen Sam and Karol were watching said. "We've gotten confirmation. Rhode Island's votes *have* been counted."
Everyone held their breath.
Someone walked over and handed the man a sheet of paper.
"The results are- Well... wait... what is this?" He broke out into a smiled. "We've got a note came in with this... 'We're with you Karol.'" The announcer shook his head and laughed. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the next President of the United States, by these four electoral votes...."
"Is Sam Seaborn."
There was silence as everyone was fixated on their television screen. Then...
"We won," Mallory said. "We won."
"WE WON!"
The entire hotel burst into applause, cheering, shouting, whistling. Outside on the street it would have sounded like an explosion and had the same ground shaking effects. Because, inside that hotel that Wednseday morning the occupants all knew that a new era had just begun.
"I was right to believe in you," Bartlet said to Sam before pushing out of the crowd surrounded the next POTUS.
"Thank you, Mr. President!" he shouted as the older man left.
Jed Bartlet smiled. "Congratulations, President Seaborn."
***
12:11 PM
"Look at that," the bartender said, cleaning a glass as he looked up at the television. "Seaborn won. Who'd a guessed."
"Me," Greg Tymes replied, setting his glass down. "I got fifty bucks waiting for me when I come in tomorrow. Or rather, today."
"You got lucky," Eryk said from beside him.
The bartender chuckled. "Want another, round?"
Greg nodded. "One more," he said and handed him the money. Then he tossed enough for another round on the counter. "Get one of your own and join me and my friend here in a toast."
The man shrugged and got two beers, Eryk still not having finished his third. "What we toasting to?"
"My new boss," Greg answered.
"May he do what Daniels never go to," Eryk said.
"May he undo the wrongs that Schumer did," the man the Communication Directors recognized as Ronald Timmons said from behind them.
The four of them clinked their drinks.
"Its the begining of a new era," Eryk joked.
"Nope," Greg replied. "Just a new Presidency."
***
A/N: Well, that's the end of it. Of this part anyways. Look for the continuation when we take you Inside the Seaborn Administration.
Chapter Eight: Election Day
7:23 AM
Karol McShane's apartment was a mess. She'd folded the couch back up, leaving the bedding inside which stuck out at odd angles. Deryk's dirty clothes were in a pile in the corner, topped by Karol's dirty clothes. Allison Campbell shook her head and walked around cleaning the major messes while Karol began to make breatkfast.
Deryk McShane awoke to the smell of smoke and shouted out, "Fire! Fire"
Scott once again was at the bedroom door with the baseball bat. He saw the trickle of smoke coming from the kitchen, saw Allison cleaning and looked over to Deryk. "It's worse. Karol's cooking."
"I happen to be able to cook very well," Karol retorted as she walked into the living room. "Deryk's just got this thing for burnt scrambled eggs."
Wildman looked at her oddly. "You *are* aware that it is election day, right?"
"Exactly why I'm cooking," Karol told him. "It's good luck to cook for yourself and your family on the day of a big decision."
"Where'd you hear that?"
"My mother used to tell me and Deryk that all the time," she answered. "It takes the stress away."
"Well, I doubt all America is cooking for themselves," Deryk said. "When does Virgina's open their ballots? I'm registered there still."
Scott looked at a paper he held in his hands. "Opens at eight. That's about... forty minutes from now."
"Good, I can rent a car and drive up there," he said. "What about you and Annie and Mrs. C?"
The Texan shook his head. "We're registered in Texas."
"Oh," Deryk said. "We'll, I'm going to get in the shower and let those eggs cool."
He walked into the bedroom and headed for the bathroom. Karol set the good eggs on the table and set Deryk's burnt ones on the counte, placing several strips of bacon on each plate. Rusty looked at them longingly, attracting many a suspicious eye from those seated around the table.
They all ate heartily, everyone giving a strip of bacon to Annie who tried to refuse but relented. And of course, on top of his bowl of food, got a piece of bacon snuck under the table for him by Scott.
After they had all eaten and showered, they headed for the Georgetown Hilton.
***
8:41 AM
"Simon, Donovan, Caleb!" Josh Lyman shouted up the stairs. "You dressed yet?"
The twins were only eight months older than Caleb and the three were pretty close friends even though they saw each other about once or twice a year. And after Caleb's outcry in Connecticut, they were glad for the chance to have them stay over with him. He'd been much more socialable since. It was also probably because he'd said that the kids didn't have to go to school Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday because of the election. Both situations were obviously factors.
"We're coming, Dad!" Caleb called back. "Hang on!"
There was the sound of running from the top floor and down the stairs came Caleb, Donovan and Simon followed closely by Bruce and Katie. They all had backpacks, packed with games and homework. It was going to be a long day and the only time that would really matter would be that night at ten when the ballots closed.
The group jumped into the minivan and Josh and Donna were glad they'd bought it or they'd never have fit five kids in. They stopped at a McDonalds on the way to the Hilton and ate a quick breakfast. It beat making it.
"When are you going to vote, Dad?" Caleb asked. "You are aren't you?"
Josh nodded. "We're going to go vote while you're at the hotel with the others."
"We don't get to come?" Katie asked. "I wanna vote."
"You're just a baby," Bruce said. "You're not old enough."
"I'm not a baby!"
"You're not old enough either, Bruce," Donovan told him.
Simon shook his head. "You hafta be eighteen."
Katie crossed her arms. "But I wanna vote..."
"We're here!" Donovan shouted as they pulled up to the Hilton. Donna and the kids got out and went in while Josh parked.
The kids tossed their stuff in Confrence Room Three which had been reserved for them and went to wander around.
***
1:11 PM
Jenna Clark walked out of the voting area and over to where Bobby was waiting for her. Bobby kissed her and led her out to the car. "When are we supposed to be at this party thing?"
She shrugged. "Anytime after noon."
"Want to get something to eat before we go?"
"We could have eaten already if these LINE WEREN'T SO SLOW!" she shouted the last words for the benifit of the people running the ballots.
Bobby laughed. "Come on," he said. "Burger King, Wendy's or McDonalds?"
"Food will be set out all day," Jenna told him. "Atleast that is what the campaign manager said when she called to remind me about it."
Towlhouse clapped his hands. "Alright!" he shouted. "I get to keep my ten bucks!" He grinned at Jenna. "I've never been to the Georgetown Hilton..."
"It's okay," Jenna said with a shrug. "My mother stayed there once when she came down for my sister's graduation."
The two of them got into the car and drove to the Hilton. There was a door man blocking entrance into the entire bottom floor, checking invitations and such. Jenna handed him hers and vouched for Bobby, a bit conserned about the lack of security. But then, Seaborn wasn't President yet.
"We're the only reporters here..."
"Don't even think about it," Jenna growled. "NO story. Got it?"
"Oh, fine," Bobby whined. "You're no fun."
***
3:51 PM
"You guys vote yet?" Lisa asked Petey and Sean who sat in the back of the cab with her.
"I was the first one in line," Petey said. "It's my first time... but... I guess I shouldn't have camped out there... Some guy gave me his coat and another lady gave me five dollars. I think they think I was homeless."
Sean started laughing. "It's not like it's a movie or something."
"I know," Petey said sheepishly. "But it was great! I felt like I was really getting to imput on the American government."
Lisa shook her head and Sean burst out in a new round of laughter. "How is is possible for someone to be so much for the system?" Lisa asked.
Garrison shrugged. "I dunno. Is it so wrong to think the US works?"
"Georgetown Hilton?" the driver asked.
"Yup," Lisa answered.
"They got some big party going on in there," the driver continued. "Can't get in the entire first floor."
Sean grinned. "We know," he said. "We're going."
It was now the driver's turn to start laughing. "Dressed like that?"
They all looked down at their attire. Sean wore a pair of new blue jeans, a white shirt and a brown leather jacket and Lisa wore blue jeans and red shirt. The only one of the three who had actually gotten a bit dressed up was Petey who wore khaki pants, a white shirt and a blue blazer. In truth, he looked like a Secret Service member just without the glasses. It wasn't like they looked liked they'd come off the street.
"Yeah," Lisa growled. "We are. Got a problem with it?
The driver shut up and dropped them off at the Hilton a few minutes later.
Lisa pulled out some money and paid him the exact amount. "Next time, if you want a tip, don't insult the passengers. Got it?"
He grumbled something and sped off. It was all Lisa could do to restrain herself from picking up a rock and tossing it at his back window. Well... the security cameras and Secret Service members by the door were a factor too. But mostly it was self restraint.
They entered the Hilton, clearly obvious of the suspicious glances coming from the Secret Service men. It was also obvious from the looks of the two in blazers, they were quite angry about Petey's dressing like them.
Sean and Lisa were expecting to see a lot of people dressed up now, due to the driver but were surprised to see that the main ballroom was set up like a football night. There were several couches and several big screen TVs. How they'd afforded them was beyond Lisa.
Sean went straight to the food table. Free food was his biggest weakness. Lisa was still a bit stunned, seeing several Senators in the crowd dressed in blue jeans and sweat shirts. Even Seaborn himself was decked up like he was ready for the game to start.
She left Petey ans Sean to the food and went to sit on one of the couches. Not liking CNN or Fox News, she sat in front of the TV on MSNBC, watching the numbers on the screen, hoping that Seaborn would get a head.
***
4:08 PM
"I told you didn't I?" Josiah "Jed" Bartlet said as he walked up to Sam. "I told you that one day, you'd run."
Sam smiled. "Yes, sir. But I've got to admitt that I didn't listen. I'm as scared as hell and I don't know how this is going to turn out.
"If it makes you feel any better, I voted for you," Bartlet said.
"Now I just need... oh... fifty million otheres to follow suit?"
The former President shook his head. "No, you need a lot more than that."
"Thank you, sir. I feel a lot better," Sam said sarcastically.
Bartlet clapped him on the back. "That's good. You should. You'll win this thing, just don't lose hope."
***
4:32 PM
After making sure Annie was comfortable, Scott walked over and sat on the couch infront of the CNN Headline news TV. Roy Pentabal was awoken as Scott plopped down beside him.
"What? Did he win?" Roy shouted and jumped up.
Scott grinned. "It's only 4:30, Roy. Go back to sleep."
Pentabal shrugged and tilted his head back again. Scott looked at him in disbelief then looked back at the news. Seaborn had been eight down in the polls but from the estimated numbers, it wouldn't seem like he was. He looked over to where Sam was sitting on the couch with his daughter.
It made him wonder if he'd have a daughter soon. They'd decided to wait until they knew if the babies would survive to name them, consequently deciding not to find out their genders to keep from unwittingly going against their decision.
Jody and Mary came over and pushed the sleeping Roy to the side. They both looked to the screen and asked Scott, "How we doing on *this* channel?"
"Fine..." Scott said uncertaintly. "What do you mean on *this* channel?"
"Fox News says we're hopeless at getting Connecticut but CNN says we've got it by the ears," Jody answered.
"These news people really need to talk," Mary said. "They're worse than the FBI and CIA."
"Worse than the Democrats and the Republicans," Ted said, leaning on the back of the couch since there was no room for him to sit.
Scott shook his head. "Let's not go *that* far."
The three Senators sank down in their seats. "When is this going to be over?"
***
6:28 PM
"Is the waiting generally this extreme?" Donna asked Josh as they sat infront of CNN.
Josh nodded. "Pretty much," he said. "Except with Schumer's second term. I could have cared less who one. I didn't even vote that year."
"Well, I'm sure glad you did this year," Sam Seaborn said from behind them. "Your one measly vote maybe all that is standing between me and the White House."
"Damn." Josh joked, "I *knew* I should have voted for you."
Sam raised his eyebrow. "Want that Chief of Staff job or not? I'm sure I could get Charlie to take it, or maybe even you, Donna."
"Hey, now, let's talk this over..."
Seaborn grinned and then sighed. "How long til this is all over?"
"Ends at 11:00 in most states," Josh told him. "We should have the results estimated results by... Midnight? One? Maybe two?"
"And I was hoping to surprise the kids with a ride to school... oh, well," Donna said.
***
7:01 PM
"Think they'll freak out if we call 'gun'?" Simon whispered to Caleb. They were watching Max and his partner, Gary Michaels, from behind a large potted plant outside the ballroom.
"Wanna find out?" Donovan asked.
Caleb wasn't sure if it was a great idea. "We probably shouldn't..."
"Caleb's right," Simon said. "If Dad wins, we'll have four years to yell 'gun'."
"But he might not get elected," Donovan whined. "Come on."
Though plagued by the fact that they shouldn't do it, Caleb and Simon both agreed that they should see if it worked.
"On the count of three," Donovan said. "One, two, three..."
"GUN!"
"Gun!" the Secret Service men called to each other, one knocking over Sam and AJ then ran to duck Karol behind a TV while another raced over and toppled the chouch where the Senators were sitting. Two more raised their guns, pointing them around looking for the source of the alarm.
In shock, the three boys watched, jaws dropped and eyes open as the scene unfolded.
"Uh-oh..."
"No kidding," Simon said and pulled them into the third confrence room to hide.
The three of them jumped into seats around the table, pretending to do their homework.
"You kids okay?" Bannerman asked as he burst into the room.
They all looked at each other then nodded. "Yeah," Simon said. "Why wouldn't we be?"
The Secret Service man looked at them for a moment as if he wasn't sure he believed them. They waited until they were sure he was gone before bursting out laughing.
They were going to have so much fun once their father got into office.
***
8:57 PM
"Did you know it would be so boring?" Bobby asked Jenna as they sat watching MSNBC beside some sleeping lady who'd already been bored out of her mind.
Jenna groaned. "No. This waiting is killing me."
"Polls close at eleven," the lady beside them said, sitting up. "*Then* the fun starts. Champaign and we can all get drunk together."
She reached out her hand. "Lisa Morris. Maryland and DC campaign manager. Those two over there infront of Fox News are Petey Garrison and Sean Bower. They work for me."
The reporters shook her hand.
"Can I ask you a few-"
Jenna hit Bobby outside the head. "No story!"
He sighed. "I'm Bobby Towlhouse. A reporter."
"Obviously," came Lisa's response.
"She is too," he said.
"I'm Jenna Clark."
Now sitting up, Lisa nodded. "I've seen you two in the Press Room. I did an internship at the White House for a few months. Bobby Towlhouse? My friend Gryffon Bagshaw said you sang for them the other day."
Bobby blushed.
Jenna giggled. "Things sure do get around DC."
Lisa nodded.
The sat watching the news for a few minutes before a very bored Bobby turned to Lisa. "Can we get drunk yet?"
***
11:04 PM
Petey and Sean had volunteered to take phone duty. The eating and the news lost its splendor, even for little Petey, about an hour before. They took many calls of encouragement and several from the campaign headquarters.
"Petey Garrison at the Hilton," he said picking up another line.
"Maryland closed polls at eleven," the young man on the other end said. "We've taken her. By a landslide."
Petey grinned and hollered.
"Hey everyone!" he shouted out to the people in the ballroom. "We've taken Maryland!"
There was a loud round of cheering, everyone jumping up and down, hugging each other and congratulating each other. If they'd taken one of the states they'd thought would never be theirs, who knew what was possible.
***
For the next hour everyone was glued to the TVs. Chairs were pulled out of the confrence rooms and situated around the screens. Big maps marked the progress of the election, California, DC and Virginia unfortunatly gone to Billings.
However, despite California's 54 votes going to Billings, Seaborn brought in Texas and New York which combined to make 65 votes. They weren't out of the running. Not by a long shot.
Florida went to Billings, putting him way ahead. But they bounced back. They were hanging on... if only by a thread.
***
12:00 AM - Wednseday, November 9th of 2015
"Rhode Island just closed polls," Sean told everyone as he looked up and covered the mouthpiece. "They're counting the ballots."
"So it all comes down to this," Sam said as he and several others were gathered around the phone.
They were two electoral votes down and Rhode Island was their last hope. It's four votes would take them ahead by only two, but they'd win.
Sam and Karol stood infront of the TV watching, praying that the state would stand by it's former Senator.
"We should have campaigned there more," Sam was saying. "We should have campaigned there. They're going to vote against us. They're going to say they felt left out. We're not goin to win."
"You will," Bartlet said from beside him. "Don't worry."
"Don't worry? We barely campaigned there at all. We *should* have gone there more. They're out last chance. They're not going to vote for us-"
"Shut up," Karol growled.
"Okay."
They stood there, time taking on no meaning. Even the little kids were quiet, everyone's eyes fixated on a television screen.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," the announcer on the screen Sam and Karol were watching said. "We've gotten confirmation. Rhode Island's votes *have* been counted."
Everyone held their breath.
Someone walked over and handed the man a sheet of paper.
"The results are- Well... wait... what is this?" He broke out into a smiled. "We've got a note came in with this... 'We're with you Karol.'" The announcer shook his head and laughed. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the next President of the United States, by these four electoral votes...."
"Is Sam Seaborn."
There was silence as everyone was fixated on their television screen. Then...
"We won," Mallory said. "We won."
"WE WON!"
The entire hotel burst into applause, cheering, shouting, whistling. Outside on the street it would have sounded like an explosion and had the same ground shaking effects. Because, inside that hotel that Wednseday morning the occupants all knew that a new era had just begun.
"I was right to believe in you," Bartlet said to Sam before pushing out of the crowd surrounded the next POTUS.
"Thank you, Mr. President!" he shouted as the older man left.
Jed Bartlet smiled. "Congratulations, President Seaborn."
***
12:11 PM
"Look at that," the bartender said, cleaning a glass as he looked up at the television. "Seaborn won. Who'd a guessed."
"Me," Greg Tymes replied, setting his glass down. "I got fifty bucks waiting for me when I come in tomorrow. Or rather, today."
"You got lucky," Eryk said from beside him.
The bartender chuckled. "Want another, round?"
Greg nodded. "One more," he said and handed him the money. Then he tossed enough for another round on the counter. "Get one of your own and join me and my friend here in a toast."
The man shrugged and got two beers, Eryk still not having finished his third. "What we toasting to?"
"My new boss," Greg answered.
"May he do what Daniels never go to," Eryk said.
"May he undo the wrongs that Schumer did," the man the Communication Directors recognized as Ronald Timmons said from behind them.
The four of them clinked their drinks.
"Its the begining of a new era," Eryk joked.
"Nope," Greg replied. "Just a new Presidency."
***
A/N: Well, that's the end of it. Of this part anyways. Look for the continuation when we take you Inside the Seaborn Administration.