DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters or dialogue taken directly from the show. I do not claim to be a political expert, I am far from that, I am a biology major. Therefore I would like to preface this story with the notion I wrote this story out of pure love of the show and the characters. Thank you & enjoy.

Part 14: Friday, November 10, 2000

The Seventeenth Amendment of the US Constitution

Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature my direct.

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"I can't believe they elected me," I said flatly as I sat in the parlor of my parents' house.

"You had to expect it honey," my mother sat next to me, pushing back my hair. Her British accent was always a soothing mechanism. "Alexander's will clearly placed emphasis on you succeeding him and I think Congress expects you to fill his void."

"I don't want to … " I muttered.

"McKayla, c'mon, don't sulk. This is for your brother," she patted my hand and stood. "You have two years to decide whether or not to run for Senate. Today is your brother's funeral … " She looked down at me mournfully. "So let's go."

- - - - -

I sat in a room somewhere in the Cathedral with Josh. He was staring off into space as he sat in a leather chair and I on the arm of it, looking down at him. He was sad, but not because Alex had died.

"I don't understand," he finally said and looked up at me.

"Josh, you know this isn't easy for me," I forced a smile and caressed his face. "I love you very much, I do, but I can't continue dating you." I leaned over so my forehead rested on his. "I have to leave my job at the White House and take on the job as a full-time Senator."

"But it can work – "

"Josh you know as well as I do that it's inconceivable. You are a senior staff member, and now I'm going to be part of Congress … it's too much gossip and whispering. I need as little obstacles as possible during this transition," I said softly.

"Mack I won't leave you," he was on the brink of tears.

"Josh, you will find someone who is more beautiful and smarter and easier to get along with and you will forget about me," I smiled. "You know how this goes."

"15 years … " he looked up at me. "I waited 15 years … "

"I know."

"And this is what it all comes down to?"

"Maybe it's fate," I shrugged and stood, but Josh pulled me down to his lips. For a moment I kissed him but then stood. "Josh we can't do this anymore. Please don't make it any harder than it already is … " I got up and went to take my place in the pew next to my mother.

St. Patrick's Cathedral was packed. There was controversy over whether to have the funeral and wake in Maryland or DC. We decided DC. Almost every Democratic Senator and Representative was present and a few Republicans our office had a good rapport with. Of course Jed and the Senior Staff were there also.

The service was beautiful. My sister sang most of the songs and many people spoke: my brother's chief of staff, my father, my brother and sister, and Jed. I was the last in the line-up. I had the speech planned and memorized, but when I stood at the pulpit in front of the hundreds of mourners my knees buckled and I couldn't speak. It took me a moment of silent crying until I finally composed myself and began the longest speech I had ever delivered.

"Someone once said 'You never know how precious something is until you lose it'. How true that is," I paused and looked out into the crowd. I caught Josh's tear filled eyes and a surge of pain engulfed me, but I pressed on, barely speaking between sobs. "We take for granted what we have. Our lives, our time on earth, in the grand scheme of history it is only a fraction of time."

I paused I smiled at the casket, draped beautifully in an American flag.

"For those of you who knew Alex you probably realized that he was not a man of many words. He spoke only when necessary and I do mean only when necessary. Some of you may recall his first television appearance after his first election. A bill had just come out that he did not like and after much preparation and air time set aside, he calmly approached the microphone and simply said, 'I do not like this bill.' And then he walked away." I smiled to myself. "After that we had press conference boot camp …

"Alex wrote in his will that he didn't want people mourning for him on the day of his death rather celebrating the accomplishments of his life and taking the blueprints of his ideas and creating something great. He said that he wanted a party with champagne and balloons. He said that said that he wanted people to instead of sending flowers take the money they would spend on expensive gifts and give it to education.

"There were two things Alex lived for: Education and his family … Okay, three, he also lived for his job. But throughout his entire political career Alexander Whitman Jr. was one of the strongest supporters of education and he asked in his will to have this short narrative read at his funeral:

"'Family and friends if my sister is reading this then that means I have passed on and am no longer with you in body, but I promise I am in spirit. As most of you know I am a strong proponent of education thus I would like to take this time to teach a small lesson. Death is not something to be feared nor is it meant to hold the living back. Instead, take this opportunity to examine your own life and think about what is important to you. I also believe in second chances and I believe that you listening to this narrative is a second chance for each of you to realize what is truly important in your lives. James Dean, one of my favorite actors, once said "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die tomorrow." Take this opportunity to understand and realize that life does not last forever and we never know when our time is up; therefore embrace each day with open arms and an open mind. God bless you and God bless America.'"

I sighed and looked back into the sea of people. Some were smiling, some were still crying, but they all seemed to have a new light. The sun that was seeping through the stained glass was shining just a little brighter. I smiled.

"Alex will always be remembered, so will the legacy he has left in the Senate. I am still here and I promise to fill Alex's shoes to the best of my ability, though I have no doubt it will be difficult considering he wore a size 13 and I am but a 6. God bless you, Alex," I stepped down and kissed my hand and placed it on the casket for a moment. Then I resumed my seat next to my mother. I looked up at her and muttered, "Dum vita est spes est."

She smiled. "While there is life there is hope … "

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The End.