Mid Feb. 2020
Sam looked at his watch as he polished off his fourth slice of pizza. He knew he was in Michigan but he couldn't quite recall what city he was in. In the past two days he'd been in Jackson, Lansing, Battle Creek, Saginaw and points in-between. The Michigan primary was in two days and he wanted to win it. He'd come in second in Arizona, Delaware and South Carolina which was more than they had hoped for, considering he'd only been campaigning for 3 weeks. Josh and Toby wanted a strong showing in Michigan, to get Sam's name out there, because come election time Michigan held 18 electoral votes. He'd looked over his speech for the University of Michigan the next day and made a few adjustments. It still felt strange to be taking a red sharpie to Toby's writing.
He was tired for the first time in three weeks and it made him miss Mara even more than usual. Sam wished he was curled up in her arms instead of eating barely warm pizza in a nondescript hotel room. He finished chewing then picked up his cell phone from the bedside table. It rang four times before it was picked up.
"Hello."
"Hey." Sam sighed.
"Sam, you sound beat, where are you?"
"I don't know, somewhere in Michigan. I'm suppose to be speaking in Ann Arbour at eleven tomorrow so I have to be somewhere in the vicinity. "
"You must be tired, you usually know where you are staying. How's the hotel?"
"It's not the Ritz, no mini bar and I seriously think I have to tell Josh we need to upgrade hotels."
"You can afford to if you dip into your kept man fund." Mara laughed.
"Oh I'll be dipping into the fund. I miss you."
"I miss you too. What did you eat today?"
"I had bacon and pancakes this morning, a grilled chicken sandwich with fries for lunch and I ate 4 slices of pizza for dinner."
"Samuel, you need to be eating healthier, you body can only take so much crap. Do you remember what veggies, fruit, whole grains and proteins look like?"
"What's a veggie?" Sam asked wearily.
"Not cute, Seaborn. Shall I insist you bring a nutritionist along?"
"Oh yeah that would look good, I'd be the prima donna candidate."
"Then I suggest you pay attention to what you eat. Matty is still up, you want to talk to him?"
"What's he still doing up at eleven?"
"I let him eat pounds of sugar, drink beer and stay up all night long when you aren't here. We have been doing a Harry Potter movie marathon this week, we're on the Half Blood Prince."
"Ah, I don't want to interrupt the movie."
"It's a DVD you dork I can hit pause."
"Kay."
Mara brought the portable phone from the kitchen over to Matthew.
"It's your Dad."
Matthew picked up the phone as Mara hit pause. "Hi Daddy."
"Hi buddy, how was school today?"
"It was fine. Mommy made me the best lunch."
"Really, what did she make you?"
"A big chicken salad sandwich on a fresh baguette, carrots with dill dip, chocolate cookies and chocolate milk. Everyone wanted to trade lunch with me."
"Heck, I want to trade lunch with you. I had some M's last night and thought of you."
"Did you eat the green ones first or last?"
"What do you think?"
"I hope you did what I taught you to do. "
"I ate one green one first, one green one in the middle and finished with the remaining four green ones."
"I'm proud of you Daddy, you finally got it right. I feared you'd never live up to my expectations."
"Whoa, talk about intense pressure Matty. I 've never expected you to live up to any expectations."
"Obviously, I'm more demanding." Matty giggled.
"You are a little bugger, that's what you are."
"Mom, would say I'm a chip off the old block."
"Your mother is a nut case though, so you have to disregard most of what she says." Sam teased.
"I'm telling her you said that." Matty threatened.
"Tell me what Matty?" Mara asked.
"Buddy, remember who loves you the most."
"Daddy said that you are a nut case so I should ignore most of what you say."
"Matty!" Sam yelled.
"I'm not stupid, I'm sticking with the parent that feeds me."
Mara kissed him on the forehead and took the phone out of his hand.
"That's my boy. You are so not getting any when you get home Samuel."
"You're not going to feed Daddy?" Matthew asked. "He'll starve!"
"Your Dad knows what I mean son."
"You're killing me Mara."
"If you stopped saying stupid things, I wouldn't have to punish you."
"You know how much I enjoy having sex with you, why do you always have to go for the jugular?"
"I'm in to tough love. You want to say goodnight to your son?"
"Put the traitor on."
"Hey, Dad."
"My son, Benedict Arnold. Good night oh evil one."
Matthew laughed evilly, "Good night Daddy. Here's Mommy again."
"What did you call him?" Mara asked as she picked up the phone.
"Benedict Arnold."
"Sam, you're so bad. So what time will you be home on Saturday?"
"Early afternoon, around two."
" I'm going back to the movie, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Sweet dreams."
"Sweet dreams, I love you."
"I love you too, night."
Sam walked in the door just before three on Saturday afternoon and found Matthew sitting on the couch watching TV.
"Hey buddy."
"Daddy! Congratulations on winning the Michigan primary."
"Thanks, where's your Mom?"
"She went down to the wine cellar to get something. Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"How did you win with only 43 of the votes. I'd think you'd need 80 or more."
"I got the most votes. Dan Cannon got 30, Mark Rubio 15, Paul Teno 7 and Dana Ducane got 5. Add them all together and you get 100 ."
"Oh. There's a piece of chocolate cake on the counter for you."
"Yum sounds like the perfect mid day snack." Sam went into the kitchen and dropped his fork when Mara walked in the room.
"Hi Sam."
"You are so evil Mara. I can't believe you would stoop so low..."
"Excuse me?"
"You cut me off then you greet me dressed like that. This is against the Geneva Convention."
Sam, I've read the Geneva Convention, in it's entirety a few times, I don't recall any article referring to what I'm allowed to wear."
"Smart ass!"
"Daddy said a bad word." Matthew announced as he headed to the fridge for a drink.
He looked at his mother who started laughing and his father who looked fit to be tied. He decided he didn't want to know what they were talking about and made a hasty retreat with a can of pop.
"How does he do it, he always catches me when I swear."
"I think he has swear radar. For your information, this is what I wore to brunch with Matty, Donna and Noah."
"Oh really."
"Yes and we got excellent service."
"I wonder why. Think it would have anything to do with all the cleavage and leg you are showing?"
"Could have been. I woke up and felt like wearing this. You didn't factor into the decision. If I wanted to be evil I would have told you that prior to your phone assassination on my character that I was making plans for today."
"Plans for today?"
"Yes, I would have pointed out that Matty was going over to Ainsley's for the day. I would have
mentioned that there was a new can of whip cream in the fridge and a jar of fudge sauce in the cupboard. Of course, you opened your big mouth so I stopped making plans."
"I love your plans though."
Mara smiled and gave Sam a hug and a kiss. He lengthened the kiss and she responded, playing with his hair.
"You need a shave and a hair cut Samuel."
"I guess, now back to..."
" Matty, you and Dad are going to get your hair cut. No stops for junk food, your Dad has eaten enough crap this week." She called out.
"Okay."
"Are you going to make up some new plans?" Sam asked with a sexy grin.
"No, I'm going to have a nap."
"You are by far, the most frustrating woman in the entire universe."
"Ah thanks, but flattery still isn't going to get you some. Now go get that hair cut." Mara hit him on the butt and went upstairs.
Sam and Matthew ignored Mara's no junk food order and stopped to have apple pie sundaes before going to get their hair cut. Matthew asked a few questions about life on the campaign trail and Sam asked about school while they waited for each other. On the way home, Sam decided that he should make a plan if he wanted to survive the weekend. He dropped Matthew off at Ainsley's who teased him about going on a suicide mission.
Sam found Mara asleep on top of the covers. She hadn't changed so he gently crawled beside her, sliding his hand under her top to caress her breasts. After a few minutes she moaned softly and turned towards him.
"Samuel, I was having a really peaceful sleep and you woke me up."
"Matty's over at Ainsley's."
"Do I have to go to Ainsley's if I want to go back to sleep?"
"I thought I'd plan your seduction for a change."
"Sam, did that plan involve proving you loved me by simply wrapping your arms around me and letting me go back to sleep? Think carefully before you answer, more than this weekend is riding on it."
Sam knew there was no way his plan would work and the thought of being cut off for more than the weekend was enough to make him utter what she wanted to hear. He pulled her into his arms and left a kiss on the top of her head.
"Go to sleep Mara."
He wasn't sure if it was wishful thinking or not but he was fairly certain he heard her mumble tomorrow Sam before she drifted off to sleep.
Sam heard Matthew calling that he was home just before six. He left Mara sleeping and went downstairs. Sam made them KD for dinner and they played video games until it was time for bed. Matthew mentioned that he'd seen their bedroom light on several times very early in the morning when he got up to go to the bathroom. Sam wondered how much sleep Mara was missing if she could sleep the day away. He carefully got back in to bed and played with her hair until he fell asleep.
Mara and Sam were awaken the next morning by their son's voice.
"Mommy, mommy?"
"Yes my love?" Mara responded as she stretched and turned to face her son.
"Can I go skating with Sam?"
"How are you going to get there?"
"Ryan will pick me up in half an hour. We'll probably go to lunch and maybe see a movie."
"So it would be a good thing if I said yes."
"A very good thing. It would make your day easier because you wouldn't have to feed me."
Mara chuckled, "I want you home for dinner at 6:30 so don't get a jumbo popcorn, a chocolate bar and licorice."
"How about licorice and a large pop?"
"That's fine with me, I just don't want you ruining your appetite. Dress properly and say hello to Ryan and Sam. Remind her that we are having tea Thursday."
"I will, see ya later gators."
"It still amazes me that a ten year old boy still calls you mommy regularly."
"Don't you dare dissuade him! I love it when he calls me mommy. He loves hearing yes my love, so it's mutually beneficial."
"The two of you are very cute together. Today's Parent should come interview you both."
"No thanks, there is going to be enough publicity thanks to you."
"Don't worry, we plan to keep you out of the limelight as much as possible."
"Good, you should tell Toby that the first rule of communications is don't piss Mara off."
"Toby already knows that."
"So what are you going to make me for breakfast?"
"I've been on the road all week and you want me to make you breakfast?"
"I don't care if it's eggs, an omelet or French toast. I don't want cold cereal, toast or porridge."
"You are a demanding wench."
"Yes, but you love me for it. A meek and mild woman would bore you to tears. You like your woman with sass and I'm the sassiest of them all. Now be a good little boy and get me breakfast."
"What will my reward be?"
"I'll consider lifting your no sex ban."
"No, I want you to guarantee you'll lift it."
"No, consideration is all you get. If I have to go get my own breakfast, I don't think I'll have the energy to have sex for a month."
Sam wanted to slap the smug look of her face but he knew she had him. He couldn't remember ever having the upper hand in eighteen years of marriage. He tried the withholding card a few times but it never had an effect on Mara. He was always the one who suffered, anytime he tried to get her. He shot her a look and left the bedroom heading downstairs.
Twenty minutes later Sam found her sitting on the bed in his robe. He placed a tray of French toast, orange juice and syrup infront of her. Neither of them said much during breakfast and when she was finished Mara thanked him.
"Going to take a shower?" He asked.
"No, I'm going to take a long bubble bath."
"Go hit the tub, I'll bring the dishes to the kitchen"
"You can join me if you wish."
It took every ounce of will power Sam had to decline her offer. "Thanks, but I better check my e-mail's. I didn't even look at the computer yesterday."
"Suit yourself, but the view is much better with my offer."
"The view is vastly superior but duty calls. Hopefully, I'll have another chance to enjoy the view."
"Maybe, maybe not." She replied coyly.
After she finished her bath Mara applied orange scented lotion to her arms and legs. She walked into the study naked with the bottle in her hand.
"Sweetie, you want to do my back please?"
Sam looked up and the pencil he had in his mouth hit the floor. His eyes swept her body as a appreciative grin spread across his face. He stood up and took the bottle out of her hand leaving it on the table.
"I'll put this on later. As amazing as it smells it doesn't taste so great."
"What makes you think you get to taste me?" Mara said with a devilish grin.
"Oh dear God, please give me a break Mar." Sam pleaded.
"Samuel, you are sad. I hope you know you are getting pity sex."
"Works for me." He replied as he stepped forward and whisked her in to his arms carrying her to their bedroom.
"Sam, will you leave my breasts alone!" Mara muttered as she tried to take a short nap afterwards.
"But the girls really missed me hon."
"You said hello numerous times, trust me they are fine."
"They tell me they'd like some whip cream. I'd be happy to run downstairs and..."
"They belong to a nut case though so you have to ignore most of what they say."
The look Mara gave him could have freezed North America in an instant. He felt a chill to his bones and knew he'd be lucky if Mara didn't force him to spend the night on the couch.
"You should be down on your knees thanking me for having pity on you but no you've got to push it further. I hope you enjoyed yourself because it will be a cold day in hell before you get anymore."
Sam did his best to contain his frustration and thought for a few seconds before he opened his mouth. "I'm sorry that I find you sexier now than the day we met. I'm sorry I love having sex with you. I'm sorry I miss you body. I'm sorry you are in such a bitchy mood after sex."
"I'm going to make dinner." Mara replied flatly and left the bed.
Sam put the pillow over his face and screamed in to it. He loved Mara but times like these he'd happily choke her to death. He'd never met anyone as frustrating and stubborn in his entire life.
Mara prepared a large plate of her signature nachos and grilled chicken and vegtables for fajitas. She had just put the sour cream and salsa in bowls when she heard the door open.
"Mommy!"
"Yes, my love?"
"I brought Sam home for dinner." Matthew yelled back.
Mara came out of the kitchen with a tray and placed it on the table. She gave Samantha a big hug and a kiss.
"So did you guys have fun?"
"Yes, but we skipped the movie for the arcade instead. I wiped the floor with Matty at Pacman."
"I doubled your pinball score though, three times in a row." Matty replied with a take that look.
"Yum looks like Mexican for dinner. Are you sure it's OK I stay Aunty Mara?"
"You are always welcome Sam. Both of you go wash your hands and Matty tell your Dad to get his butt down here."
"So how is my favourite God daughter?" Sam asked as he came down the stairs.
"I'm your only God daughter Uncle Sam, I better be your favourite."
"I see you've inherited your mother's sass gene."
"You better believe it. Mom was telling me the other day how she use to threaten you in the West Wing by shoving your chair into your desk."
"Yes, your mother was evil. I should have been more serious about firing her all those times."
"Ah, but you never did because you loved her."
"Almost as much as you love Mommy, Dad?"
"It's a different type of love Matty. Ginger and I always got along great, but when Cathy left she risked her job by telling Toby she was working for me. She was very patient and encouraging when I lost my sight and she quickly became one of the few people I'd trust with my life. She still annoys me on a daily basis but I'd be lost without her."
"Mom occasionaly tells us she's going to call Princeton and Duke and tell them to revoke your degrees because you are too stupid to have earned them." Sam laughed.
"I'll have to remember to fire her on Monday. I should have kept track of how many times I've fired her over the years. It has to be some sort of a record."
"Stop hogging the sour cream Samuel." Mara stated.
The conversation over diner was lively and after dinner the kids put in a movie while Mara and Sam went upstairs. Mara took care of administrative work she'd let pile up while Sam looked at his schedule for the up coming week.