To:SSeaborn@whitehouse.gov
From:MWhitford@cdngovt.ca
Subject:Do you enjoy your life Spanky?
Can you tell I'm not laughing? My first strike has been an overwhelming success. All of Washington is at my drinking beck and call. I am the great puppet master and they are all just simpleton puppets. They have tasted my liquid crack and now that they are hopelessly addicted, phase two can begin. No one, not even my husband will stand in my way. My plans for world domination will not be deterred. If you know what is good for you, remove all thoughts of notifying editors out of your pretty little head. Avez vous compris?
Love
Shewhoshallnotbenamed.
Sam was laughing so hard, Ginger, Bonnie and Toby walked into his office believing he'd finally lost his mind. Sam merely turned his laptop around to share the e-mail and continued chuckling. Toby rolled his eyes several times but laughed never the less. Ginger was trying to convince Sam to send her a copy.
"Must have coffee, must have coffee now." Bonnie muttered and headed straight for the coffee station to fill up her mug.
When Toby stopped laughing at Bonnie he called out to her and asked for a mug too and went back to work. Sam read the e-mail once more and hit respond.
To:MWhitford@cdngovt.ca
From:SSeaborn@whitehouse.govMWhitford@cdngovt.ca
Subject Re: Do you enjoy your life Spanky?
Madame Ambassador, I do believe you have drank the coffee yourself and gone mad. Don't worry your secret is safe with me, oh evil one.
Love
Hewhomusthavebeeninsanetomarryyou.
Mara grinned at Sam's e-mail and decided it was time for one of her twice daily Beaver Tails. The eight pounds she had lost, causing most of her skirts to sit on her hips rather than her waist were back and Sam had stopped calling her Skeletor. Abbey had even lectured her about proper eating habits. There was no way she was going to tell Abbey how she gained the weight back.
Since Canada Place opened Mara was getting more visitors. Toby had even stopped by to see her office for the first time. He showed up with a bag from Lick's and proceeded to make her hungry by eating his homeburger in front of her. Mara told him that he was welcome anytime but only if he brought food for her too. She ran into Charlie one day leaving Laura Secord's and she didn't even bother asking if there were French Mint bars for Jed in the bag. Ginger and Bonnie would pop in at least once a week and Donna stopped by for a late lunch every Tuesday. Leslie teased Mara that they needed to hire a social secretary to accommodate her new found popularity. Sam met Carol waiting for the elevator one afternoon. He teased Mara about being too popular to make time for him anymore, reminding her that he use to be her only drop in visitor. Mara laughed and told him not to worry since he was still the only one getting the occasional couch sex out of the visits.
After Sam sent his e-mail he was called down to the situation room for his third surprise exam. He was given several pieces of information that he had to analyze, then make recommendations based on his analysis. In the previous exams all the analysis was given to him. He felt like he was back in law school and was grateful that he was a phenomenal test taker His friends at Duke use to tease him about his analytical mind but it had served him well for years. Half an hour into the test, Nancy told Sam, what help he could ask for, most of it was clarification of terms and acronyms. There was something bugging Sam about the information in front of him but he couldn't decide what it was exactly. It wasn't until he was reviewing his final notes before his recommendation that it dawned on him. He told Nancy that it was impossible to make a recommendation without information on the movement of troops in the last four hours. He pointed out that the information he was given was 20 hours old.
"Congratulations Sam, you just got your first perfect score. The new information would have shown that it was merely a military exercise that lasted six hours."
"Thanks, but isn't it your job to give me the analysis?"
"It is but I thought it was important for you to understand everything that is drawn together and presented to you. When you have this information Sam, you can ask us for pieces you think are missing, or get clarifications. Someone could have had both pictures and looked at the wrong one. When you are told about troop movement you can visualize them, you know what a risk assessment report looks like, you can ask for specific numbers. A strong background can be invaluable in situations like these Sam."
"Could I take this home with me Nancy and study it a bit more? I'd also like a blank copy of a risk assessment report."
"Sure Sam, none of this is sensitive material or we wouldn't be able to use it. In fact it's about seven years old. We use it as training material."
"Thanks Nancy. I assume there will be another one of these soon."
"Of course Sam. Have a good day."
"You too."
When Sam returned home he heard music coming from the backyard and found Mara relaxing on a lounge chair.
"Hi, I smell beef."
"Yeah I picked up a six pack of homeburgers with all the toppings and two large fries from McD's. The burgers will be done in two minutes. So how did your day go?"
"Pretty good, I had another test today."
"Really, how did you do this time?"
"I finally got my first perfect."
"That's fantastic Sam!" Mara exclaimed and jumped up to give him a hug and kiss. "Grab the box out of the fridge and the paper plates, we'll eat out here."
"Would you like a bun with your guk?" Sam asked with amusement as she generously slathered it on both sides of the bun.
"I love guk sauce, it makes a great fry dip too. So what were you tested on this time?"
"I had to do an analysis for my information and then make my recommendation based on my analysis."
"Sounds like lots of fun to me. What was the situation?"
"I actually brought it home to see what you'd make of it."
"Go get it, I'll do it while I eat."
Sam figured it was Mara's ego talking so he got right up and gave her everything he had been given. He had no doubt she'd figure it out but he was sure that scanning while she ate or dipped her fries into guk was a waste of time. He wasn't prepared for her to look up with a big grin on her face five minutes later.
"Sam. Is this the only satellite pic of troop build up?"
"Yes."
"Then it's impossible to make an informed analysis let alone a recommendation. The picture is practically a day old."
Sam was left speechless, it took him an hour of concentrated effort to reach the same conclusion that Mara made while scanning.
"You are in awe of me aren't you?" Mara laughed. "Interesting to see the risk assessment report the NSA uses. It's not as complete as the checklist I use."
"You mean you have an actual checklist, it's not all in that freakish brain of yours?"
"Well by now it's in my head, but when I started I relied on my checklist until the day I realized I didn't need it anymore."
"I was always the smartest kid in the room until you came along."
"Yeah well, girls rule boys drool."
"From Einstein to 6 year old in 8 seconds flat."
"You know you waaaant me."
"Excuse me?"
"Oh please Samuel, you want to rip this dress off me and ravish me right here right now."
"When don't I want to do that?" Sam replied with a grin and sauntered inside to get a beer.
*******************
Sam and Mara hosted Canadian Thanksgiving at the new house and practically had to evict everyone Sunday evening. CJ went so far as to state she quit and would house sit for free. Sam had convinced Mara not to tear down the climbing ivy until at least the spring. Mara had to attend a funeral of an MP in Ottawa the morning of their anniversary and Sam was a little disappointed they wouldn't get to spend their first anniversary of meeting together. Donna and Ginger were extra sweet to him and Margaret stopped by with homemade brownies. Carol sent him a joke or funny comics every half an hour and CJ offered to take him out to dinner. He looked at his clock and sighed, it was a little after two. Sam had no idea that Mara had chartered a private plane home and had set Josh in motion.
Josh stepped into Sam's office and waited to be noticed. When Sam didn't look up her cleared his throat.
"Sorry Josh you caught me lost in a thought. What do you need?"
"Nothing much I was just wondering are you ready for this state dinner?"
"State dinner, ha ha ha very...you're not grinning. Josh, I swear there isn't a dinner tonight."
"Sam, there is a State Dinner tonight, remember Leo asked if you had the President's remarks ready for tonight. It was right after Toby and I were arguing about Social Security. You said yea Leo I've got it covered."
Josh had to hide his smile, he knew Sam was distracted during the meeting and knew he could use it to his advantage.
"Josh who in the hell are we throwing it for?"
"Very funny Sam, I didn't just fall of the turnip truck you know." Josh laughed.
"Josh I'm serious who the hell is the state dinner for? I completely blanked on it."
"Prime Minister of Canada." Josh chuckled. "Which is why I'm staying away from the Anti Christ he employs." He added wryly
Sam's face light up when he realized what he'd been set up for. He craned his neck but he couldn't see Mara yet.
"Thank God it's just Canada, nothing major." Sam said loudly.
Sam looked up to see his wife standing at his door. A perfect look of mock indignation and fury on her face. She was wearing the exact same outfit from a year ago. Mara had on black leather pants, a snug deep scarlet velvet square neck top that showed off the beginning swell of her breasts and her hair was pulled up in her signature ponytail. Sam noticed that this time she wore the ruby earrings he got her for Valentine's day.
"Excuse me? Just Canada? How dare you! Just Canada is your largest trade partner and need I remind you that your trade deficit with us is quite substantial? I understand you know nothing about the White House so let me give you a little lesson. The White House got it's name after it was burnt down by Canadians in the War of 1812 and had to be painted: the colour chosen was white. I can arrange for History to repeat itself and give you a first hand account. I want an apology and I want it now."
"I... I umm....."
Mara looked at the sign on his door and pointed to it. "Oh yeah Deputy Communications Director, what a joke you can't even speak. Joshua coffee: milk and three sugars now. Oh don't
get your assistant to do it either."
"No chance of that happening Donna won't even get him coffee." Sam quipped he didn't even have to think what he said that fateful day, it just flowed from his lips.
"Chop, chop Josh."
"Hello Mara, I was praying you would have been tossed in to a deep polar crevasse by now. "
"Josh don't you know by now that I'm indestructible."
"You know you remind me of a pesky little Black fly, always buzzing around making a nuisance of yourself and annoying the hell out of me."
"Just get me my bloody coffee you elitist, egotistical, chauvinistic, pig with a good memory."
"Hey you can't talk to him like that." Sam said quickly.
"You can shut the hell up until you apologize pretty boy."
"Pretty boy?" Josh chuckled.
"Why Josh I do believe you are jealous." Mara laughed.
"Who me? Not on your life you sadistic witch. Sorry Sam, buddy, old pal but you have just inherited her wrath which means she's done with me."
"Guess again Josh. I want my coffee in two minutes flat go."
Josh glared at Mara and left Sam's office to fetch her coffee.
"Well I'm waiting!" Mara said firmly planting her right hand on her hip.
Sam looked at the woman standing in front of him. His heart full of love. Her green eyes shone with a certain fire. Her full lips were drawn in to the same sexy little pout that sealed his fate a year ago.
"I'm so not sorry you heard that." He said softly with a grin.
"I bet you aren't but that's not the apology I wanted." Mara replied.
"How about you tell me what you want to hear and I'll repeat it. It will save us both a lot of time."
Mara gazed in to his blue eyes and marveled how one look into his baby blue eyes could still dissipate all her anger. "You're the speech writer I'm sure you can come up with something on your own."
Sam thought a few moments because he wanted to surprise Mara. "I'm sorry I didn't meet you ten years ago. I love you with all my heart Mara and you should have seen me moping around last night and today because I thought we wouldn't get to recreate this moment. Mara Whitford you were and still are my manifest destiny. Oh in case you didn't know it, I'd never belittle your country because Canada is the coolest country on the earth, it has to be since it's your birthplace. Happy anniversary darling, I love you."
Josh shoved the cup of coffee in to Mara's hand. "I hope you choke on it."
Mara smiled at Josh, gave him a kiss on the cheek and gave the coffee back to him. "Thanks One Fry, now make like a bee and buzz, Mr. Seaborn and I are going to have a little debate."
"Too much info!" Josh exclaimed and quickly left.
Mara closed his office door and engaged her husband in a series of blistering kisses.
"Well I've got work to do. I'll see you at the State dinner tonight."
"What?"
"Oy vey Sam, just put on your tux and I'll see you in the East room at 8, see ya later."
"Ginger, I need someone to go pick up my tux."
"You mean this tux?" Ginger asked with a grin as she hung it on the back of his door. "You really forgot there was a state dinner today, didn't you Sam. It's a good thing Toby did the remarks."
"Who is it for?"
"French Prime Minister." Ginger lied.
"I think I've been spending too much time at the State Department. I know everything there is to know about Strasbourg though."
"That would be helpful if we were all Austrians instead of Americans." Ginger quipped as she went back to her desk.
Sam had just started doubting there really was a state dinner when Toby came by in his tux and CJ stopped by to get Ginger to fix the top hook on her blue Armani dress. At 7:30 Sam changed into his tux When he left his office he ran into CJ in the hall.
"Walk me in handsome." She requested with a grin.
They were busy talking so Sam didn't notice that there was only one table set in the East room until he was standing in front of it.
"I knew there was no dinner tonight. I know I've had tunnel vision over Strasbourg lately but I knew I wasn't that out of it."
"We had you going pretty good though Spanky."
"Yeah you did, so you and Toby got all dressed up as a rouse?"
"Yes we did but I managed to convince Toby that we should go eat at McDonald's. We'll be the best dressed couple there."
"Thanks Ceeg."
"You're welcome mi amour. Did you get Mara anything?"
"Yeah, actually I found it at that third yard sale you made me stop at."
"Can I see it?"
"Sure." Sam took the little box out of his pocket and handed it to CJ.
It was a deep red heart shaped stone a little over a carat suspended off a delicate gold chain. CJ couldn't get over how much it sparkled.
"Sam, what kind of stone is this? It sparkles so much."
"I have no idea, I paid $40 for it. I just knew Mara would like it."
"If she doesn't, I love it, just remember that."
Sam looked up and found Mara standing in the entranceway, in the same backless red dress that caused Sam and Josh's jaws to drop that night. He was so mesmerized by her once again that he didn't even notice CJ leave. He noticed the black kitty purse in her hand and smiled.
"Is this seat taken?" She asked upon approaching him.
"No, I was saving it for you. This was all your doing? "
"Yeah, Abbey took over when I asked for permission, so I really don't know what is under those silver domes."
"Well before we find out, I have a little anniversary gift for you." Sam handed her the box.
"Sam, it's gorgeous! Look how it sparkles, wow it's facets are phenomenal. I love it!"
Sam slid it on to her neck and left a kiss on her collar bone.
Dinner was lobster gnocchi in a rose sauce and Belgium chocolate mousse in a dark chocolate tart. After dinner they danced for an hour before retracing their first date by walking around the monuments at night.
*******************
"Brrr...it's actually cold out there. This is my Ottawa coat." Mara said as she shook snowflakes off her.
Toby took one look at Mara's knee high stiletto black leather boots and short black skirt and rolled his eyes. "You know Mara, if you actually wore some clothes you might not be so cold."
"Yo Toby, how many times have I told you, we never want to encourage my wife to wear more clothes." Sam replied with a grin as he entered his office.
"That coat makes you look like a black teddy bear." Toby stated ignoring Sam. He reached over and brushed the pile on her coat.
"Yes I'm very pettble in this coat. Come on Sam, let's get out of here before someone notices you and drags you into the Congressional Christmas party."
"What the heck are we doing tonight?"
"Since half of the city is here that means the malls will be empty."
"We're power shopping? Can I stay at the party instead?"
"No, end of discussion."
"Umm Mara, there actually has to be a discussion for it to be over. That wasn't a discussion it was a edict."
"Samuel, I'm not getting into semantics with you. You are going and that is final. Now be a good little boy and pack up your bag and let's go. If you behave you can have a Mara sundae when we get home."
"You have to promise me right now that if I'm good I get the sundae."
"Sam, are you really going to let her treat you like a naughty six year old?"
"Toby, you've never had a Mara sundae, nor will you ever, so trust me when I say, hell yeah!"
"I promise Sammy, now move it." Mara turned and swatted Toby. "You stop undermining my authority Buster!"
************************
Sam woke up Christmas morning and was shocked when he rolled over and found an empty bed. He checked the clock and his watch which both read 8:34 am. He didn't want to yell and wake up Dani if she was still asleep. He grabbed his robe and pulled it on as he padded downstairs. He caught a whiff of Tim Horton's coffee and was amazed to see Mara dancing around the kitchen.
"Merry Christmas Baby, what on earth are you doing up?"
"All the Christmas gifts are bagged and sitting near the door. If that sister of mine even suggests going for a walk you smack her down."
"Mara, it's ancient history when are you going to forget?"
"Never Sam, I can forgive but I've never been able to forget. I hear tires squeal and I look to see if you are around. I'm never going to be able to forget I almost lost you thanks to her stubbornness."
"I just think that if I'm over it you should let it go too."
"Not gonna happen in this lifetime. Merry Christmas."
Sam knew it was a lost cause, maybe time would eventually let her forget. "Swedish pancakes and warm apple sauce, yum. I'm surprised Killer isn't waiting for some."
"I gave him a little bowl of apple sauce so he'd leave me alone. We're safe until we start eating."
"Can I give you your Christmas gift now?"
"I never say no to opening gifts. Why don't you take your coffee and we'll go sit on the couch."
Sam sat his mug on the table and disappeared down to the wine cellar. He came upstairs with a large green velvet hat box trimmed with a crystal beaded trim.
"Sam, the box is gorgeous."
"I knew you'd like it. Merry Christmas."
Mara heard something shift in the box when Sam placed it on her lap and lifted the top of the box quickly. She was slightly disappointed to find the box was filled with envelopes. Most of the envelopes were white but there was a green, red, periwinkle blue, pink and purple envelope. Mara picked the red one and opened it. She found a hand written letter from Sam detailing his excitement in asking her to marry him later on in the day , how much he loved her and why. She picked up the periwinkle envelope that contained a letter written the morning of their wedding and one on the last morning of their honeymoon. The green envelope contained a short yet sweet thank you note for helping him through his father's betrayal. The pink envelope held all of his grades and comments from Nancy on all the situation room tests and exams he had taken. The purple envelope brought Mara to tears as it spoke of his love for her after the miscarriage. The last lines read : Mara, you breath life into everything you touch, your passion and devotion inspire all those fortunate enough to know you. If God does not bless us with a child of our own, it will not matter, because you will have established a living legacy anyway. I love you.
Sam gently wiped the tears from her eyes and watched as she randomly opened envelopes. He had printed out every e-mail he ever sent to her, all the love notes he wrote and tucked away instead of sending, a copy of the inscription written in every book he gave her, any page he'd ever put a few doodles on involving her. She laughed when a page of the State of the Union abruptly turned into musings on what she'd make for dinner and a poetic description of her cooking abilities. If Sam had thought of her and written something it was in a business sized envelope. Each envelope was numbered and dated.
"Wow Sam, this is the most incredible gift I've ever been given. The next time you have to go away I can sit down and read through all of these and hear your voice reading them to me. It will almost be like having you beside me. I'm sure this took you forever to organize but can I make a request?"
"Yes and yes."
"Would it be asking too much for you to give me a box like this every year as my Christmas gift? This means more to me than anything you could buy. It won't be a surprise anymore but the contents would be."
"If it's what you really want sure. My organizing system is pretty much down to a science now."
"It's what I really, really want Sam. I love you so much for thinking of this."
"Then it shall be yours. I love you too."
"You haven't even cashed your gift from last year in."
"I know, I sent away for a few catalogues of custom build sailboats last week actually. I want to be able to take you sailing this spring."
"Now you have a place to park it. That will be fun. Do you want your gift now?"
"Sure. Can I ask you what you said to The President to get him to let me go to Disney with you and Jenna tomorrow?"
"I reminded him that he survived without you for more than 7 days last year. I also pulled the daughter card and asked him how he could begrudge me having a joyous holiday given what I suffered through last year."
"That was hitting below the belt."
"Yeah but it worked didn't it?"
"Give me my gift you wicked woman."
"It's in the big Disney bag closest to the door."
Sam walked over, picked it up unprepared for it's weight. He brought it over to the floor, gently taking off the glass cherry ornaments Mara had put on all her gifts this year. He opened the box pushing back tissue paper and bubble pack and found a blue lapis globe with a twelve inch circumference. Each country was a rough shaped semi precious gemstone with a tiny gemstone for each countries capital. The lettering was done with black enamel and the longitude, latitude, equator were lines of platinum. Sam guessed it weighed close to fifty pounds.
"Mara, it's wow. It's gorgeous. If you had described this to me I would have pictured something gaudy and ostentatious but it's really just elegant, classy and impressive as hell. I love it. Can I bring it in to work?"
"This is where I should say it's your gift you can do anything you want with it but the answer is no."
(Ah there is a mini version for my office in one of those bags.) "Fine, be like that." Sam replied with a grin.
"Just pour yourself a mug of coffee and get back into bed. Breakfast will be served in five minutes.
"What about Dani?"
"I'll leave some in the oven for her. Oh before you get any ideas, Ron is picking Jenna up at the airport at noon, dropping her off at the residence then going off duty. You are not leaving my sight today Mister."
*************************
Sam and Mara spent there first anniversary at the Chesapeake Bay house. Mara had made them a picnic lunch and dinner fit for royalty and they were going to take the inaugural sail on Sam's new boat. He'd finally settled on a fifty footer but refused to tell Mara what he named her. Mara had a bottle of champagne ready to christen the boat and started to laugh when Sam moved the tarp to reveal Bu.
"Bu, you named her Bu? You couldn't have come up with something better?"
"No because every time I see this boat, I'm going to think of you and smile. It is also short, simple and to the point. Now kindly take off those heels, get on board and we'll see how she floats."
"What you aren't going to carry me over the threshold?'
"Sure, but if you end up in the Bay don't blame me."
"Never mind I'll do it myself. Josh told me I should tie you to the deck, what was he talking about?"
"You fall off once and never live it down, that's what he's talking about."
"Sam, I'm seriously thinking of changing your middle name to klutz, accident waiting to happen is more accurate but it's too long."
"Yeah because I enjoyed sitting around the waiting room while you had your finger stitched up on Valentines Day and it wasn't me on crutches at Easter."
"Your klutz karma just rubbed off on me."
"Get on the boat Blondy."
*************************
The end
Sam and Mara will be back in A Canadian Heritage Minute.