Chapter 3
Two weeks ago Abbey had come to Leo and pleaded with him to find some uninterrupted time for Jed. After looking at the schedule, there were several openings this week. After making sure that nothing else was urgent, he cleared the entire Presidential schedule for one whole week. It was just one of those rare occurrences that that was no international leader scheduled for a state visit and no speeches were scheduled. Other business could be rearranged. In fact, he threatened the Senior Staff with death if they breathed a word to the President about even a potential problem. They readily agreed.
While it took some time to persuade the President that he could take some time off, it didn't take any time for the family members to rearrange their schedules. Abbey had already told them that if she could find time, they had sure better rearrange their schedules. A week at the beach with Jed and Abbey seemed to move them to clear their calendars in a hurry.
Liz, Doug, and the grandchildren arrived at the White House the afternoon before departure. Jed was so happy to have his whole family under one roof at the same time. Six months ago at Christmas was the last time they had all been together. Even then the responsibilities of the office weighed heavily on him. He couldn't even sit through a complete Christmas Dinner without being called away for an international crisis. He was looking forward to his well-deserved vacation. And because the whole family was going, it would make this very special. One that they would long remember.
After a family dinner, they went to bed because a six am departure time would come very soon.
As usual, the President had some trouble waking up, but Abbey quickly opened his eyes with some of his favorite action. After a shared shower, they were ready to go when Charlie knocked on the door and said the limo was ready.
All of the family climbed into the limousine for the drive to Andrews. Five year old Gus slept on his grandfather's lap while Annie yawned all the way to the plane. The rest of the family could barely keep their eyes open as well. They had had some coffee before they left the White House, but were still not wide awake. Only Jed and Abbey were truly awake.
Upon arrival, Jed had carried his sleeping grandson aboard the plane. Although he knew this would make his back hurt, he wanted to do the little things that grandfathers do. The rest of the family had boarded the plane and was just waiting for the President to finally make it up the stairs. At the top, Jed handed Gus off to his father. The sleeping child was taken to the Presidential bedroom, and laid gently on the bed. Doug decided to stay with him until after takeoff so he wouldn't have to wake him to place a seatbelt around him.
Jed went straight to his office. The girls and Annie were already there, and had their seat belts fastened. He reached for the phone. Nothing gave him the sense of power more than telling the pilot he could leave. And he loved to show off in front of his girls.
"You can go now."
With that, the engines revved up, and Air Force One was rolling down the runway. Off to Mexico for a much-needed family vacation.