Title: Stay Anyway 28/32

Author: Amber (Ambino1111@prodigy.net)

Author's Notes: Okay, I'm figuring that if you're reading part 28 out of 32 of a story, you've probably been keeping up with it and remembering it. So, instead of a page long reminder, here's a short little update: Sam discovers that Alex is his two and a half year old son with Lisa. Josh and Donna are dating. Sam just told CJ about Alex, and she has demanded a lunch meeting with Lisa, Alex, and Sam.

Short and sweet, huh?

*****

"See the now, see the Zen

There is no division

Through the eyes of a child

There is perfect vision." - Styx, Brave New World

*****

I glance at my watch as I gently tug on the small hand that is tightly grasping mine. Dave wasn't at the security desk when I came in, so I had to leave the stroller. Which would have been fine, except that we're running late and Alex started having a fit about being carried. He insisted on walking, which he is doing… very slowly.

I can't really blame him. He's taking in all of the commotion around him in his usual childlike urge to learn everything about everything. I would probably be overwhelmed if I were his age, too.

"C'mon, Alex. We're late. I don't want to make a bad first impression," I inform my little boy. He looks up at me, the epitome of wide-eyed innocence. I slow down and stop urging him down the maze of hallways. There's really no need to rush. Sam said today's press briefing was supposed to run longer than usual because the President was going to be discussing… something. Praising HR 206, if I remember correctly.

I decide to take notice of my surroundings, too. I've been in the White House a lot recently, but I still haven't really taken any notice of the historic building.

Alex almost trips as we turn down a hallway, and, noticing his untied sneaker, I bend down to tie it. He fidgets, trying desperately to pull out of my steadying grasp.

"Hold still, Alex. This will only take a second."

"Daddy!" He shrieks, and with a strong tug (stronger than I would have ever expected from him) he's off and running into the room next to us before I can stop him.

My stomach sinks when I realize it's the Press Room.

"Oh my God. Oh my God!" I mumble under my breath, struggling to my feet and dashing into the room after him.

I'm too late. Oh dear God Almighty, I'm too late.

The room is dead silent for an endless moment as I observe Alexander wrapping himself around the right leg of the President, happily shrieking "Daddy! Daddy!" over and over.

I freeze in the doorway, unsure how to proceed. Should I just run up by the podium and remove him? Apologize? Right then I notice just how packed the room is with reporters. Wide-eyed reporters, some frozen in shock, others scribbling furiously on their pads of paper.

In a daze, I notice CJ to my right. Without seeing her face, I can tell how surprised and horrified the woman is. Quickly snapping back into Press Secretary mode, she rushes up to the podium, politely nudging the confused President towards the doorway I am blocking.

Appalled and full of embarrassment and horror, I back up into the hallway. My face has never been redder. I want to crawl into a hole and die. Literally. I don't stop backing up until I bump into the wall, even then I briefly contemplate running away.

TBC