Chapter 4

"Thanks for seeing me Mrs. Bartlet, Mrs. Westin."

"Thank you for coming Danny. Please share with Liz what you told me."

"Mrs. Westin…."

"Danny, we've known each other for years. Please call me Liz."

"Okay, Liz. Well, after I saw CJ earlier this evening I knew this news being made public would devastate the Bartlet family and I hated for that to happen. So I made some calls and I have an offer to make to you and your husband."

"Yes?"

"The people behind the article want Doug to resign from the race effective immediately and the article won't be published. He can make any excuse he wants to but he has to resign. He doesn't have a chance to win anyway but the backers want him to pull out of the race immediately. In return, the article will not be published and the information will be forgotten."

In shock, Liz looked at her mother and then back at Danny. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"I can't make that promise. I mean Doug has to make that decision."

"Well, hon, I think we can help him make up his mind rather quickly."

"Mom! I don't know. I mean he wants this seat pretty bad and he's almost at the end of his campaign."

"He WILL do it. Otherwise, he's at the end of his family. It's time for him to choose which one he wants more. His children or the position. All the polling says he double digits points behind anyway."

"I don't know, Mom. I mean…"

"Liz, you have to call him and talk with him. This is a chance to save total embarrassment for his family. He can save his children with this action and maybe give his marriage another chance. He really doesn't have a choice."

"I know. I know. Okay, I'll call him. He's somewhere in Washington talking with the Democratic national party people so I'll call him."

"Why doesn't he come here? Yeah, I think your father would love to see him. And I would too."

"Mom…I still love him, I think. Try not to kill him."

"I think your father will take care of that."

"I won't. It's too close to the end of the race."

"Doug, you have to. Consider the children. They're the most important."

"Abbey, that's not what I'm worried about. I have a political future. I know it. And to resign will just be giving up on that."

"YOU WILL RESIGN OR I'LL KILL YOU!" Jed had just opened the door to his private study.

"Dad!"

"Jed! Calm down. Remember your blood pressure."

"I don't give a damn about my blood pressure." He turned to face his son-in-law. "You'll resign if that's what it takes to keep my grandchildren safe from this fiasco."

"Jed, how did you find out?"

"CJ told me what Danny wanted to say to you. Sorry. There's been a serious explosion in California and I just got away. I only have a few minutes before I have to be back downstairs. Now Doug, you WILL resign. You'll going to lose anyway and I don't want my daughter and grandchildren pulled through this slime you have brought upon yourself. Then you'll apologize to Liz and get whatever help you need to keep your pants zipped. Do you understand me?"

Doug and the two women stared at angry face of the President.

"Do you understand me?"

"Dad, this is between Doug and me. Please let me handle this."

Abbey walked over to her husband and took him by the arm, leading him out. "Come on Jed, this is between the two of them."

Although he had planted his feet and was determined not to leave, Abbey was right. It was between Liz and Doug. Reluctantly, he allowed Abbey to pull him out and close the door behind them.