"Leo, what do you mean, 'it's time,'? Hi Andi."
"Sam, Senator Wilikes will be stepping down for family reasons. We want you to take over," Leo replied.
"How long is left in his term? Come in and have a seat." Mara said somberly.
"Two and a half years," Andi said as she sat down on the couch.
"Why don't you do it, Andi?"
"I don't want to give up my seat in Congress and this is your way in."
"Mara and I thought we'd do this in our fifties, not forties."
"Sam, you've got to take the opportunities when they come along. Seize the day and all that crap."
Sam chuckled, "Mara and I have to talk about this. Can I get back to you in a few days?"
"We need an answer by tomorrow morning," Andi almost whispered.
"Well, Sam, I knew this day would be coming, so I'm in favour of it," Mara said, trying to be gung-ho about it.
"Such enthusiasm. I know you lie; you secretly want me to say no."
"Of course I do, but then you'd never be President and I don't know how I'd live knowing that I held you back. This is the time for American heroes...responsible government can be a reality... schools should be palaces...we will eradicate cancer in ten years."
"That's the practice speech you worked out years ago."
"It still holds water, Seaborn."
"Matty is only four. He's used to having me around and I don't want to disappoint him."
"Sam, he'll get over it. There are ways of running an office so smoothly you can almost not be there."
"Mara, I can't be a part-time politician."
"You wouldn't have to be. Two and a half years isn't that long, Sam."
"It's what comes after the two and a half years that disturbs me."
"It would be election time. You can go from the Senate to the Oval," Mara replied.
"She's right, Sam. The timing on this couldn't have been better if we tried," Leo added.
"Would you really vote for a Presidential candidate with two and a half years in the Senate and was Deputy Communications Director for 8 years?"
"If it was you, I would," Andi replied.
Sam looked at Mara and saw a little sadness reflected in her eyes. He asked her to go into the kitchen with him so they could discuss it in private. Mara told him that the timing sucked for them, but it was politically perfect. She also assured him while sharing him would be a pain in the ass, she'd survive.
"Are you positive, sweetie?" Sam asked.
"I'm positive... Senator."
Sam pulled her into his arms and gave her a long slow kiss. Afterwards, Sam went back into the living room to tell Andi and Leo a decision was made. Sam would get the Senator's seat on Ways and Means and Leo assured him he'd have no trouble getting a seat on Foreign Affairs from there. Andi and Leo stayed for two hours outlining how the transition would work. As they were leaving, Jenna and Jacob returned well in advance of her curfew.
"Hi Uncle Leo. Hi Andi. Jacob, I don't think you've met Andi before."
"We've met a few times, Jen. Hello again."
"Hi Jacob. Good boy, you've returned our princess before her curfew."
"Hi Leo, I'm glad you approve."
"Mara, can we go chill in the backyard?"
"Sure, Jenna. I made lemonade. Bring it out with you and put on the patio lights."
"So much for sharing one lounge chair." Jenna replied with a smirk.
"Are you trying to give Sam heart failure, smart ass!" Mara retorted.
"Expect several inspections, young lady," Sam intoned.
Once Andi and Leo had left, Sam went in the kitchen under the guise of getting more iced tea but he really just wanted to check on Jenna. He was extremely proud of her, trusting her judgment but remembering all too well the power of hormones. Mara was lounging on the couch when he returned.
"So I take it they aren't on top of each other? Don't even attempt to say you didn't notice. You're cute when you go all medieval on her."
"Yeah, well you're going to be a Senate wife. Get ready for the luncheons."
"Is that all you can come back at me with? Are you feeling OK?" Mara chuckled.
"I'm going to miss Georgetown. I really liked teaching."
"I know you do, you can always return to it after the Presidency. You'll do a great job, Sam. I didn't want to say this in front of Leo, but there can be a change in the plan that will serve Matty. You can run for a second term and get at least another 3 years. Five extra years will make our son 9."
"Plus it would give me more experience for the Presidency."
"I suggest we keep this little plan to ourselves until Leo comes around to say it's time again."
"Yeah. I'd better call Ginger in the morning and let her know she's got a new job."
"You should call Donna and ask her if she wants to be your issues director. It's the type of job she'd love."
"Do you really think she'd want to work full time?"
"She's pregnant Sam, until she gives birth I think she'd like to have a rewarding job."
"Josh won't see it that way, he'll think I'm trying to steal her again."
"Ah don't worry about him, he'll get over it fast enough. I do think you should get on the phone and tell our friends about your new job. Call Jed first, even though I'd be highly surprised that he didn't know what was going to happen."
"He was probably behind it. I'm going to make the calls in the study. Check on Jenna."
Mara ignored Sam, as she usually did when it came to chaperoning Jenna. She washed the glasses that were used and turned on the TV. She gave up channel surfing and was once again appalled
at the lack of quality television. It suddenly dawned on her that their trip to Anguilla could be in jeopardy and it sent her straight upstairs. Mara and Sam had spent at least the middle two weeks in May vacationing there, at the very least. They had honeymooned in her opulent beach house and returned every year.
"Samuel what about Anguilla?" She asked from the doorway.
"Sam I can hear Mara. You better not miss Anguilla." Ginger laughed on the phone.
"Sweetie, Ginger can hear you and rest assured I won't mess with Anguilla. You know how fond
I am of the dress code there."
"Tell Ginger I say hello."
Mara wandered away and let Sam finish his conversation. He knew he'd find her in their bedroom. He looked out the window to check on Jenna and Jacob and found them kissing.
"Sam give the kids some privacy."
"You give them too much privacy. Someone has to look out for Jenna's virtue."
"Jenna's virtue? Give me a break, Sam. Good thing I'm here to look out for your sanity."
"I see what your doing, you are trying to avoid talking about my career change by inciting an argument about Jenna."
"Yo Senator Pretty boy, that was not my intention but you just put me in the mood to go a few rounds."
Sam ignored the pretty boy comment and smiled at her instead. "You know this Senate gig is going to be tough on you Mara."
"I can handle it and it really won't be that disruptive. It's not like you were representing California. The bay house will just be used a little more. If I had a glass, I'd toast you and the great state of Maryland"
"Somehow I think this is going to be more of an adjustment than you do."
"For you it will be, but you'll just be home at seven every night instead of five."
"I'll miss dinner." Sam replied sadly.
"Some nights, yes you will. Sam, you may have to settle for dessert instead."
"But Matty likes having dinner with both of us."
"He'll have to adjust. It's not like you'll never be home in time for dinner."
"A four year old shouldn't have to adjust."
"Sam he's been adjusting since infancy. How many dinners have we missed already because of my job? It's not like you are going back to White House hours."
"But..."
"No buts Sam, it will become a new normal to Matthew. If you let Ginger run your office you'll make more dinners than you'll miss."
"I guess." Sam replied sadly
Mara leaned over and ran her hand through his hair. "You know your disappointment makes me love you even more. You're a great Dad Sam. Just remember it's quality not quantity."
"Thanks, Donna is interested in the job. I invited her and Josh to dinner tomorrow."
"How did Josh take it?"
"He wanted to know if I needed a COS. I told him not yet. He was relived."
"I don't blame him. He doesn't want to give up his golden goose TV career for anything less than the big game."
"True, I think I've had enough excitement for one day. I'm calling it a night."
"I'll join you shortly. I'm just going to tell Jacob goodnight and lock up."
Sam picked up Tedzy, adjusted his bow and patted him on the head. He changed for bed and sat upright reading until Mara returned. He thought about the kind of politician he was going to be until he dozed off.