"We're only gone for four days," Abbey said, as she wandered into Alex's bedroom. She surveyed the piles of clothes the girl had created in order to pack for the Europe trip.
"Haha," Alex replied dryly. She crossed her arms and ran over the list of things to take that CJ had created for her.
"Donna's got your schedule downstairs," Abbey said, "She'll have it for you on the plane this afternoon."
"Is she my escort," Alex asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Her and three secret service agents," Abbey replied.
"Three?" She flopped down on her bed, leaning back on her elbows.
"Yes. Three," Abbey said, with her doctor tone. "Your father and I are in meetings all day. You will be with Donna and various political escorts for the two days we're there."
"Who else is going," Alex asked, folding her legs and beginning to fold her clothes to place them in the suitcase.
"Josh, Sam, CJ," she said, "Leo and Tobey are staying behind."
"Oh," Alex said, "Security or something?"
"Something like that," Abbey replied. "Hurry up, then come down for dinner. We'll eat before leaving for the plane."
"Okay," Alex said, folding up her pants and placing them in the suitcase.
Alex walked down the hall to the dining room table and sat down. She took a couple of sandwiches off the plate, along with some apple slices and carrot sticks. "I'm all packed," Alex said, as her mother breezed through the kitchen.
"Good. Your father's finishing up downstairs," Abbey said, taking a sandwich. She returned to her bedroom to finish packing. "Take a sweater for the plane. It can get kind of cold."
"Mom, I am wearing a sweater," Alex called back. "How long's the flight?"
"Twelve hours," Abbey replied, "Your father likes to fly at night."
"At least I'll be able to get some sleep," Alex muttered. She made a mental reminder to pack some books to take with her. "We leave at seven, right?"
"Yeah," Abbey said, walking back into the kitchen. She took a sip of milk from Alex's glass, then went back to packing.
"I talked to Zoey earlier," Alex said, munching on a carrot stick.
"How's she doing," Abbey asked, leaning against the doorway.
"Good. Cramming for finals," Alex replied. "Makes me hardly be able to wait for college."
"You'll do fine," Abbey said, grabbing a carrot stick off her plate. "Now go get ready. We leave in half an hour." Alex groaned and took the rest of her sandwich to her room.
Forty-five minutes later, they boarded the plane, bound for London. Alex carried only her backpack on the plane, following her mother and father up the stairs. Behind her, Josh and Sam were playfully arguing while Donna trailed behind them.
She sat her stuff in a seat, then sat down in the seat next to it, pulling out the personal DVD player that she had borrowed from Zoey. "What'cha watching," Donna asked, sitting down next to her.
"National Treasure," Alex replied, "Borrowed it from Zoey. You have a schedule for me?"
"Yeah," Donna said, handing it to her.
Alex looked it over, raising her eyebrow. "Lunch with parliament?"
"Your parents will be there for that," Donna explained, "We start at 8:00am tomorrow morning, so get some sleep tonight."
"Yes mom," Alex said, rolling her eyes. She cracked a smile at Donna's look and turned on her DVD player.
At midnight, Abbey walked the plane, noticing various members of the senior staff were still up. Josh was on the phone with Leo, while CJ and Sam sat and talked. She wandered a bit further down and found Alex sound asleep on the couch, the DVD player on the table was still playing a movie. She pulled the earphones off of Alex and turned the player off. She reached for the blanket laying across the back of the sofa and spread it over the girl gently. Abbey brushed a strand of hair behind Alex's ear and kissed her temple gently before pulling the shades down on the window.
She left Alex to sleep and wandered back to her husband's office. "You going to sleep tonight," she asked, leaning against the desk.
"Yeah," he said, pulling off his glasses. "Alex asleep?"
"Yeah," she said, "Donna went over the agenda with her."
"That's good," he said, leaning back.
"C'me on. Let's go to bed," she said, holding out her hand. She smiled as her husband reluctantly slid his glasses off and followed her to bed.
"Hey, time to wake up," Abbey said, shaking Alex awake.
"Hmm..we're here," Alex asked, sitting up.
"Yeah. Go get a shower, then we'll deplane," Abbey said, standing up. Alex nodded sleepily and went to the back to get a shower.
Alex slipped on the suit and long light blue overcoat, cinching the black belt around her waist. Her long brown hair fell in soft curls, with the top half pulled back to stay out of her eyes. She slid on the black heels and sprayed perfume on herself before leaving to meet her parents. "I like your suit," Donna said as they walked to the front of the plane.
"Thanks," Alex said, nervously smoothing the overcoat out. "You ready?"
"Yeah," Donna said, straightening her shoulders. Alex watched as the door to the plane opened, then carefully walked down the steps, praying she didn't trip on the way down. She smiled and waved to the media as they stepped to the bottom.
"You have fun today," Abbey said, kissing Alex's cheek gently, "I'll see you for tea this afternoon."
"Okay," Alex said, smiling. "Have fun." She squeezed her mother's hand, then went off to join Donna in the car waiting for her. "So, what's first?"
They arrived at the Louvre, where Alex was to have breakfast before a guided tour of the Louvre. She studied each piece of art and reveled in being able to see the Mona Lisa with only a few other people aside from herself. The guide talked in hushed tones, giving information to Donna and Alex about each piece of art they passed.
They stopped in front of David, where Alex stood, examining the sculpture before. "I thought it'd be bigger," Donna said softly, looking at the statue. Alex let out a snort, and covered her face, disguising it as a cough. Donna, who hadn't realized what she had said looked over at Alex, then turned bright red.
"We'll be moving on to Atlas now," the guide said, not noticing the tears Alex fought to hold back.
"Maybe he'll be up to your expectations," Alex whispered as they walked down the hall. Donna fought back the laugh and had to excuse herself to the restroom.
"So, we do this again tomorrow," Alex asked, flopping down in the car after the tour of the Louvre.
"Yeah," Donna said, "Now, after lunch, we have a tour of the city, then high tea with your mother and the president, then you'll be attending a lecture at the University, followed by a gala."
"Tea with my mother and president as in my father, or the president of France," Alex asked, looking out the window.
"President of France," Donna replied, looking down at the schedule. Alex groaned and slid down in the seat.
"So, Donna, what's up with you and Josh," Alex asked, pushing herself in her seat. "Does he measure up like David, or like Atlas?" She grinned at the blush that spread across Donna's face.
"I wouldn't know," Donna replied, "He's my boss."
"I'm sure that's all he is," Alex said, crossing her arms. "It's too bad that the White House tears apart so many great relationships."
"What do you mean," Donna asked.
"You and Josh, CJ and Danny. A girl notices a lot when she's stuck in a house for awhile," Alex said, looking back towards Donna.
"Your parents have stayed together," Donna said.
"Yeah, but believe me when I say Mom would trade the White House for New Hampshire any day," Alex said. She smoothed out her overcoat and touched up her lipstick as they pulled up in front of the prime minister's mansion.
She stepped out of the limo as the door was opened and she waved to the crowd of people. "Ma'm will you be walking the line," her secret service agent asked.
"Uh..sure," Alex said. "Donna, what's walking the line?" She hissed under her breath.
"Greeting the crowd," Donna responded.
"Oh. I thought I might have messed up already," Alex said, approaching the large crowd.
She waved and signed her named, greeting the people. She took pictures with the children and various people that had come out to see her. "Alex, we'll be late for lunch," Donna said, touching the First Daughter's elbow gently.
Alex nodded and took one last picture before disappearing inside. She walked through the foyer, smiling at the older man who approached her. "Alexandria, it's so nice to finally meet you," he said, kissing her hand. "I am Andreas Montpelier, Vice-President to President D'Austier."
"I am honored to meet you, Mr. Vice-President," Alex said, blushing. "This is Donna Moss, Senior Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff." She motioned to Donna, who blushed as the man kissed her hand as well.
"Would you do me the honor of joining me for lunch," he asked, holding his arm.
"I would be honored," Alex replied, looping her arm through his.
Lunch was served in a garden room, with a view over Paris. "Your city is so beautiful," Alex said, as they ate their lunch.
"Thank you," he said, "I understand you are looking to enroll in college."
"Yes, I am," Alex replied, "I am looking forward to attending the lecture at the University."
"I understand it will be quite interesting," he replied, "I am sorry I won't be there myself. What is it you wish to study?"
"Federal Law," she replied.
"Ah…following the footsteps of your father," he said, "I know he is quite proud." Alex smiled and continued to eat her lunch.
"Hey Donna, can't we stop by the Eiffel Tower," Alex asked as they left the mansion.
"It's on your schedule for tomorrow," Donna replied, glancing down. She had been so careful at lunch to keep Alex on schedule. She had guided Zoey around some, but had been granted the honor of touring the city with Alex. She had begged and pleased with Josh to allow her this.
"But we're going on a tour of the city now," Alex said as they walked towards the carriage. She smiled at the crowd and waved. Donna groaned and followed after the First Daughter and climbed into the carriage. Secret service agents climbed on the back and rode on motorbikes alongside, guarding Alex the entire time.
The sun had come out from behind the clouds and had warmed up some, but Alex and Donna were still covered by a tartan blanket. Crowds gathered as they rode throughout the city, taking pictures of Alex as she smiled. She now knew why her father and mother hadn't wanted her along when she had first returned from the hospital. Alex was already tired and she still had tea, the lecture and dinner to go to.
The tour ended at the University of Paris, where Alex was to attend the lecture on modern French politics. She sat in one of the front rows, surrounded by some of France's top students. The class was taught by Professor Novartis, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics. Donna stood at the back of the class, watching the youngest Bartlet interact with the other students.
After the class, Alex met with the other students, finding out their names and what they were interested in, what their majors were. She was intimidated by those around her, but was glad that they considered her an equal. She felt Donna's touch on her elbow and she said goodbye before being lead out by the Secret Service.
"How was the city," Abbey asked, greeting Alex with a kiss on the cheek.
"It was beautiful," Alex said, sitting down, "The trees…the people. Can't we move the White House here?" She laughed as a maid entered with a tea cart.
"The president will be with you shortly," she said, pouring the tea.
Alex rose with her mother as the French President D'Austier entered the room. "Mrs. Bartlet, how are you," he asked, kissing Abbey's hand.
"I'm doing well, Mr. President," Abbey responded, "And your self? How is Marie?"
"We are both well," he responded, "And this must be your daughter, Alexandria."
"An honor to meet you sir," Alex said, allowing him to kiss her hand.
"You have your mother's beauty," he said.
"Thank you," Alex said, blushing.
"Did you enjoy the lecture at the university," he asked as they sat down.
"I did," Alex said, "I know so little of the Napoleonic code."
"I assure you that should you decide to come back to Paris, you would be more than welcome to attend the university." He smiled at her and she smiled back, grateful for the offer.
As Alex lay in bed that night, her mind kept running over the events of the day. A month and a half ago, she had never dreamed she would be in France, having tea with the President of France and the First Lady of the United States. She never dreamed that she'd be invited to attend the University of Paris. Her head hurt from all of the activity, but looked forward to the next, just the same. She closed her eyes and fell asleep in no time, with visions on the Eiffel tower imprinted in her mind.