Jan 16, 2021

"So what are you wearing to the inauguration Sam?" Carol asked.

"Mara's covering that."

"Kay, what's Mara wearing?"

"I don't think she knows, I know she hasn't decided on a gown for later."

"She will be wearing an American designer though, right?"

"I highly doubt it. She never gives in to expectations."

"The two of you are going to be the death of me."

"Don't worry I'll give you a state funeral."

"You're not funny, geek boy."

"Everyone is calling me names today."

"Yeah cause tomorrow we'll have to just think it without saying it."

'20 bucks says you call me something before our first week is done."

'20 bucks says I call you something before our first day is over."

"Just as long as the press doesn't hear it, I'm fine with it."

"Are you nervous?"

"Nah, that will come on the 18th when I walk in the Oval for the first time and realize it's my office."

"I'm only going to the first few balls then I'm heading home."

"Can Mar and I come with you?"

"Umm, no! I'm going to go over things once more, then head home. You should enjoy your last night of freedom."

"Thanks, Carol, see you tomorrow. Send Josh, Jenna, Charlie and Toby in please."

"What's up Dad?"

"I'm on my way out, do you need anything before I go?"

"Nope, we'll see you on the podium." Charlie replied.

"I'll see you in the morning Dad. We are expected at ten?"

"Yes."

Sam walked out of his transition office for the last time, bought a gift in Canada Place and crossed the street to the Canadian Embassy. He agreed that the new security to get to the sixth floor was a pain in the ass but he wasn't going to confess that fact to his wife who had been bitching about it for weeks. He smiled at Leslie who was just packing up to leave.

"So has your eye candy, sweet tooth been satisfied?"

She laughed, "For the most part, these two don't talk much. Thanks for insisting I get to be Cinderella tomorrow."

"No problem, did you find a dress?"

"Yes I did, Mar lent me some fabulous jewels to complete my ensemble."

"I'll see you tomorrow Leslie."

"See ya Sam."

Sam nodded at the two agents standing outside Mara's office door, knocked once and entered. He loved the sight before him as Mara was standing there in her skirt and a sheer black bra.

"Love the look baby."

"Hey Sweetie, I just spilt juice all over myself."

"Damn, If I was a minute earlier I could have cleaned you up."

"Yeah, and it would have taken an hour instead of two minutes."

"Maybe, but you would have loved every minute of it. I'm going to miss popping over here whenever."

"I'm going to miss your visits too."

"Since you are half way there, how about some couch sex?"

"You have a one track mind Samuel. Luckily for you I'm on track with you to..."

Mara didn't get to finish her sentence as Sam quickly closed the gap between them and kissed her passionately. While he continued to kiss her, she reached behind her waist and unzipped her skirt letting it fall to the floor. An hour later, Mara reluctantly got off the couch because her leg had fallen asleep pinned under Sam's. She put her clothes back on and tossed Sam's at him. She noticed a Laura Secord bag on the floor and picked it up. It contained 15 of her favourite licorice lollipops.

"Thanks for the treat."

"Anytime, thanks for that treat."

"Anytime Spanky. Get dressed and let's go home."

"Carol asked me again what we were wearing tomorrow. What am I wearing?"

"You'll see in the morning. No, I don't know what I'm wearing yet. It won't be new though."

"What are we having for dinner?"

"I don't know, Matty said he wanted to make dinner. We may be having just drinks." She laughed.

Once they arrived home, they found Matty putting the finishing touches on his lemon thyme chicken. He explained that he'd watched his mom make it so often he was sure he could recreate it. The chicken was moist and tender and they made brownie sundaes for dessert. After dessert they sat down to play a game.

The phone rang and Mara leaned over to get it.

"Hello?"

"Hey Mar, I have my dress on and none of my jewelry goes, can I come over to raid your collection?"

"Sure, maybe you can help me figure out what the hell I'm going to wear."

"Kay, I'll be right over."

"Ainsley is on her way over. We'll be in my wardrobe room. Send her up, I'm going to take my jewels out of the safe."

"Dad, if I get tired of the parties can I come home?"

"Yes, just come tell your Mom and I and we'll make arrangements."

Ainsley knocked on the door and Matty go up to open it. "Wow, you look great Aunty Ainsley."

"Thank you Matty, will you save a dance for me?"

"Sure, Mom's up in her closet."

"Ainsley you look divine."

"Thanks Sam."

"What you don't want a dance from me?"

"I didn't think tearing you away from your wife would be possible."

"Why don't you negotiate with her while you shop. Tell her I suggest her black pearls."

"See ya later."

Ainsley climbed the stairs and found Mara pacing infront of her rack of formal gowns. She turned around and smiled at Ainsley who was poured into a pale gray strapless gown.

"Wow great dress, it's sort of platinum coloured so lets look at platinum pieces."

"Sam said he'd go with your black pearls."

"Sam would, no I think you need some colour. I think my Caribbean collection would be perfect, they are platinum and various shades of blue and green. Close your eyes and let me put the necklace on."

"Oh wow, these are incredible Mar. How come you never wear them?"

"They need a spectacular dress, the one I use to wear them with was ruined. Now put the earrings in and there is a bracelet too."

Ainsley put the rest of the jewels on and spun around in the mirror. I feel like a million bucks."

"You are wearing a million bucks worth of jewels and you like look a few million."

"Ah thanks, so what are we going to do about you?"

"I have no clue, I feel like I did when I was trying to find a wedding dress. I told Sam I was going to wear jeans and he said that was fine with him."

"Mara, if I recall, half the problem then was that you were looking for perfection. I think the problem now is that you are worrying about the image you'll project. Stop trying to please anyone but yourself."

"Ains, as much as I try to pretend none of this affects me... I'm acutely aware of how my actions reflect on Sam. I refuse to give up my job, I refuse to be called First Lady, I refuse to be a First Lady. I convinced Sam that not moving into the residence was a good idea."

"Mara, this is Sam's home, he didn't want to leave it. You'd suck as a First Lady but you are a brilliant Ambassador and one hell of a foreign policy advisor. Now stop thinking about the American People and pick something that will stop Sam in his tracks. Pick something that will make him beg to skip the balls so he can make love to you instead. How about this?"

Mara looked at the purple cleavage dress that Josh and Sam loved so much and smiled.

"I know Josh will approve of this one." Ainsley chuckled.

"Let that be the default dress, if we can't find me something else I'll wear it."

"See the pressure is off now."

Ainsley took the left rack and Mara the right. She stopped at the cherry Versace that she had worn for her first Valentine's Day Gala and smiled. Sam had yet to regain his sight and wanted to know what her dress looked like. So rather than explain that the dress was chiffon over thin silk in a deep cherry colour, with a top that twisted over her breasts like a bandeau and that the twist started a bending slit two inches wide that snaked its way down to a thigh high she told him to take a look. She closed her eyes and she could still feel his hands as he started at her bare shoulders and worked his way down the side of her breasts until he felt skin on the left hand side.
Sam's finger snaked past her ribs and downwards, over her hip and straight down her leg. Ainsley looked over at Mara and realized she was going down memory lane and stopped to watch her face.

"That's a great dress, where's it from?" She asked snapping Mara back to the present.

"My first Valentine's Day Gala, the dress is 20 years old."

"You have incredible fashion instincts Mara, not one of these dresses is outdated. I love this velvet coat dress."

Ainsley showed the teal coat dress to Mara. "That was my Grandma's from the sixties. If it wasn't going to be so damn cold tomorrow I'd wear it." She took it from Ainsley and noticed that there was something underneath it. She unbuttoned the dress and discovered a silk emerald dress she'd forgotten about.

"Ains, close you eyes until I tell you to open them."

Mara took off her sweater and bra and slid in to the dress. She went over to the shoe closet and grabbed a pair of stilettos that were a near perfect match. She stepped out side and gave Ainsley the OK to open her eyes. She walked back in to the room and posed infront of Ainsley.

"Va,Va,Va, Voom! Mara, why have I never seen you in that dress? You look like a Goddess."

"Thanks, do you think this is the one?"

"Yes, you will be the sexiest non First Lady in history. Sam will go insane and so will Josh which will provide a lot of entertainment for me. I love watching Josh try to dig himself out of a hole with Donna."

She chuckled, "You'd think after all these years Josh would know to keep his mouth shut."

"True, but after all these years Donna knows damn well that Josh is fixated on your breasts so she'd hurt him for thinking it."

"Did I ever tell you about the time Jacob got a perfect view of the girls?"

"I remember Sam muttering about it but he didn't give me any details. What happened?"

"This was about 3 years ago. We were up at the Bay house and they all went out sailing. I had to finish some work and then I took advantage of the sun and sat out by the pool sun bathing."

"Topless as usual."

"Yup, I heard Sam say they would be gone for three hours so I wasn't expecting them back an hour early. Jacob was the first up to the house and since he saw me, I didn't bother covering up. Sam wasn't a happy camper when he finally made it up to the deck. I think that was the only time he wasn't happy to see the girls on display."

"Sam isn't the jealous type but he is very protective of the girls. Jacob caught a half view of me once. I was wearing a very skimpy bikini top and when I came out of the pool one of the triangles had completely moved to the side. Jacob just sort of pointed to his chest and I looked down, turned beet red and fixed my top."

"Did you tell Tom?"

"Yeah, it not like it was Sam."

"I thought he was finally over the jealous thing."

"He is but every so often the green monster rears it's ugly head. He'll say that was a long hug or Sam had his hand on your back for twenty minutes. He notices everything and comments on it."

"Doesn't that bug you?"

"It did a bit in the beginning, I'd remind him that we had a roof over our heads at an insanely low price thanks to you and Sam. I screamed at him once and that seemed to do the trick. I 've always known that he trusted me, it just took him a number of years to trust that Sam would never try to start something with me. So what jewels are you going to wear?"

"I don't know. Are you guys going to the swearing in?"

"No, I'd rather watch from the comfort of my couch in my sweats."

"Can, I join you?"

"Sure but I think Sam may have an objection or two."

"Damn this President thing."

Ainsley gave her a hug. "Cheer up you'll always have your friends and we will always look at Sam and see a goof ball."

"Thanks, go home and show Tom super model Ainsley."

"Don't forget I'm making you dinner tomorrow."

"Don't forget to have a big glass of liquor waiting for me."

"I'd never forget your liquid courage, should I tell Sam to come up here?"

"Nah, I want his jaw to drop tomorrow. Sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams, Madam Ambassador."

On the way out Ainsley told Sam that the dress issue had been resolved and that Mara wanted to surprise him. Sam continued playing the game with his son until Matty finally won. Afterwards they shared a big bowl of bubble gum ice cream.

"Matty, I want you to know that I'll always be there for you. If you need to see me, come straight down to my office. You may have to wait but if it is really important to you just say I need my Dad now to Ginger."

"Okay, but it's not like I'm going to be over there all that much. Are you keeping our family cell?"

"Yes I am."

"Good, are you going to have dinner with us?"

"Your mom has agreed to me working from 7-5, so that I'm home by 6 for dinner. I know emergencies are going to come up but I'm going to try to make it home every night."

"Cool, maybe I can come by your office every so often instead of Mom's after school."

"I thought you liked being at the Embassy?"

"I do, but I can bug Jenna and freak Uncle Josh and Toby out at the same time."

"Freaking Josh out was one of your mom's favourite things to do in the White House."

"I know, she's told me a few stories. Are we ever going to stay in the Residence?"

"Occasionally, if something big comes up, I'll want you there so I can pop up to see you, even if it's only for an hour. That's why Mom told you about decorating a second bedroom. The First Family normally stays on the second floor but the Sky Parlour or the Seaborn Suites as Abbey use to call them are special to your Mom and I so we'll stay there."

"Whatever. I'm going to go to bed, tomorrow is going to be a long day."

Mara had just changed into her PJ's and hung up her dress when Matty came up the stairs.

"Night Mommy."

"Want me to tuck you in?"

"Sure, I'll call you when I'm in bed."

Mara entered her sons room a few minutes later and sat cross legged on the end of his bed.

"So how are you feeling about tomorrow?"

"I guess it should be exciting but I'm not really looking forward to it. The only good thing about this is that I know you always have my back."

"Forever and a day, my love. Come here."

She wrapped her son in a hug and a tear fell down her check when Matty started playing with her ponytail. From the time he was a baby he would play with her ponytail and he stopped doing it around age five.

"Mommy, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, my love. You just took me down memory lane. You use to play with my hair when you were younger. I'd hug you and you'd pet my hair as a baby, then grasp it as you got a little older and you'd twirl it when you were 3 and 4."

"I remember that, your hair still smells the same."

"I've used the same shampoo for 40 years. Do you want me to stay until you fall asleep?"

"Would you?"

"I'd do anything for you my love."

Mara told him a story until he finally drifted off to sleep. She left a kiss on his forehead and went downstairs to bring Sam to bed. He was nursing a JD so she picked the glass up and finished the remnants in one sip.

"Come to bed. I guess it's too late to tell them you changed your mind."

"Yeah, I checked today out of curiosity."

"So I'll wake you up at two tomorrow?"

"Nice try. I'll wake you up around 9."

"Come to bed."

"Are you going to make it worth my while?"

"Sam, we had sex earlier. We are going to sleep, end of discussion. Of course, if you want to piss me off..."

"I'm right behind you Sweetie." Sam replied quickly and sprung off the couch to follow her upstairs. The last thing he needed was a pissed off Mara on his inauguration day.

Sam actually slept in until 8 am, got out of bed, took a shower, put on his robe and went downstairs for some coffee. He decided to make breakfast and he was almost finished when Matty came downstairs for some orange juice.

"Do me a favour buddy, bring a glass of juice up to your mom and wake her up. I'm bringing breakfast for all of us to my room."

"Sure, let Mommy be all grumpy at me."

"That was the plan, now go."

Matty crawled into his parents bed and tapped his Mom on the shoulder. She turned around and gave him the one eyed grumpy look that he was expecting.

"Dad is bringing breakfast up in a minute, time to get up."

Mara mumbled something and got comfortable again. Matty picked Tedzy up and was playing with his ribbon when Sam came up the stairs with a plate piled high with cheddar cheese scrambled eggs and bacon. He took one look at his wife and rolled his eyes. He placed the tray on the bed and sat down handing Matty a fork.

"I guess your MOM doesn't want to eat until 5 tonight." Sam said loudly.

Mara sat up and looked at the plate. "Save me three pieces of bacon and about 2 eggs worth." With that she laid back down.

Sam and Matty continued to eat and Matty took his Mom's orange juice since she wasn't drinking it. After he ate Matty went to get dressed and Sam pulled the covers off Mara.

"I hate you."

"Right back at you babe."

Mara sat up and ate while Sam went over to her fainting couch to see what she had laid out for him. He wasn't surprised to see a blue shirt and blue and gray stripped tie. H picked up the navy suit and didn't recognize it.

"Did you buy me a new suit?"

"No, you've had that for two years. You wore it once and said it was too hot. I figured that would be a good thing today."

"Ah, wow I get to pick my own underwear. That's showing some great faith in me."

"I've bought all your boxers so I'm not too worried, especially since no one will see them."

"I guess I should wear my blue coat."

"That would be a good idea, make sure your gloves are in the pockets."

"What are you going to wear?"

"I've narrowed it down to three choices. I'll make up my mind when I look at my clothes. Hey where did my orange juice go?"

"Your son was thirsty. I suggest you get your butt out of bed and decide what you are wearing."

Mara sighed and got out of bed, she left Sam to get dressed and went into her wardrobe room. She ruled out a long suede skirt and decided she didn't feel like wearing panty hose so she went with option three. She grabbed a pair of socks and was dressed fifteen minutes later. She put in her bezel set emerald earrings and brought the chain in to Sam to put on for her.

"Looking mighty sexy there Sweetie. It's almost what you wore when you were sworn in."

"Thanks, put my chain on."

"You know I loved what you were wearing then, but I like this even more."

"Sure because this top shows some cleavage."

Mara was wearing the same black leather pants and high heeled boots she has worn when Jed swore her in. She wore a long sleeve scoop neck velvet top in emerald green. Sam kissed her neck a few times before fastening the gold heart with an emerald floating in it. He had given it to her to mark their first trip to Nassau together and it was one of her favourites. She put on the gold and emerald tennis bracelet that her Grandma had given her for her twentieth birthday.

Sam sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled her on to his lap, they were in the middle of a steamy kiss when Matty sighed loudly and asked if he needed to go get the hose.

"Have I told you what a wise ass you are growing up to be?" Sam asked.

"Several times, I'm impervious."

Mara started laughing and stood up. She messed her sons hair a little and gave him a hug. She brushed her hair and then decided to put it up in a ponytail so it wouldn't blow around. She called Matty back to see what he was wearing and gave his blue pants and white fisherman's sweater an OK. He'd pleaded with her to not make him wear a suit. Mara agreed and broke the news to him that he'd be wearing a tux to the galas. She secretly wondered who would complain about the bow tie first, father or son. She grabbed her purse and slipped in a bag of Good & Plenty.

Sam and Matty did up their coats and Mara walked out the door with hers wide open. Sam rolled his eyes and stopped for a second to reflect on the fact that this was the last time he'd walk through the gate as a Senator. He closed the gate, nodded his head to the security detail and slid in next to Mara.

"To the airport." Mara called out.

"Pronto." Matty added.

"Ignore them." Sam chuckled.

Fifteen minutes later, the car pulled up to the gate at the White House and then continued to the South Portico. Matty jumped out of the car first and waited for his parents. They were ushered inside. The President and First Lady were waiting just inside.

"Hello Sam, Mara and Matthew."

"Hello." Matty replied.

"Tom will take your coats." Cecila Davis stated.

When Mara took her coat off Cecila got a good look at what she was wearing and cringed.

"Mara, you aren't wearing that are you?"

The disapproval in her voice registered with Mara. "I was going to wear a micro mini skirt but it's a little cold today, so yes this is what I'm wearing."

Sensing trouble was brewing Daniel Davis escorted everyone into the sitting room where Jenna and Jacob were already waiting. Jenna had on a long brown leather skirt and a red boat neck sweater.

"Hi guys, I see we were both thinking leather this morning Mar."

"Yup, we both have great fashion sense." Mara replied shooting Cecila a look.

"I've been told that I should offer you a grand tour but you are all familiar with the White House."

"Yes we are." Matty replied.

"Jenna was telling me that she was your Deputy, Sam. Are you crazy about Politics too Matthew?"

"No, I think they are all crazy. I think politics is so boring."

"Yes my son loves me but he is not impressed with me." Sam said with a grin.

"Mara, what causes are you going to champion as First Lady?" Cecila asked.

"I have a full time job Cecila so I don't intend on getting involved at all. My Chief of Staff, Donna Moss Lyman will be the defacto First Lady."

"The President's wife is expected to represent..."

"Cecila, I'm Canadian so I can't nor do I want to represent the American people."

"Daddy is the only Yankee in our household." Matty stated.

"Yes it's me against 3 Canuks on a daily basis. So what are your plans Daniel?"

"We are going back to Orlando for a few weeks before taking a twenty day cruise. Then we were going to visit my youngest daughter in Denver. She's 7 months pregnant with her third child so we were going to help her out."

"I'm sure she'll appreciate the help. I know I was grateful that Sam was around when I had Matty."

"Did you do a natural birth Mara?"

"I didn't plan to but Matty decided to be born in the middle of a lock down test at the Embassy. I had no choice but to have a natural birth. Thankfully, it was a quick delivery."

"So that is how he ended up being Canadian."

"Yes and I was the baby nurse. I helped deliver him and cut the cord." Jenna added.

"And I focussed on my wife's face."

"That's what I did too Sam. The birth of a baby is a beautiful thing but not the birth itself."

"If men had to give birth, society would have died out before it got started." Mara chuckled.

"Daniel, anything you've noticed that needs fixing here?" Sam asked.

"I think the heating and air conditioning systems could use an overhaul."

"There never seems to be a good time to fix it."

"No, you need heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. I guess spring is the only time you can get the work done. I understand you won't be using the residence?"

"Not as our primary residence. We are staying put. I'll commute in."

"I guess you'll only stay after State Dinners or when an international crisis is looming."

"Or when the Secret Service deems it necessary."

"Mara, I hope you will still feel comfortable weighing in on international issues. I probably could have called upon you more often but I truly valued your opinions and ideas."

"Thank you Daniel."

"I intend on exploiting Mara's brain as often as possible."

The conversation s stopped when a butler brought in coffee, juice and pastries. Mara and Matty went straight for the cherry Danish's which made them both remember the Danish's at the Ritz in San Francisco. When they both went for a second Danish they broke out laughing. Matty ended up telling the story of liberating a dozen Danish's from the Ritz. Mara avoided talking to Cecila and it was finally time for them to leave for the Capitol.

"So Daniel and Sam will ride together and you'll come with me Mara and..."

"I'm sorry Cecila but Sam, Matty, Jenna, Jacob and I can all fit in our car. We'll see you there." Mara replied quickly as she grabbed her coat and headed out to the limo.

"Wow, Mom I'm impressed you didn't throw a punch." Jenna laughed.

"I didn't want to hurt my hand. Those Danish's were good though, Sam..."

"I'll request them for breakfast and bring them home as often as I can."

"So who has the bible?" Jenna asked trying to stir up trouble.

"You were suppose to take care of that." Sam replied quickly.

"No, you told me you could handle it."

"Jenna, this is not time for a Bambi prank." Mara warned.

"Oh, I almost had him."

"Remind me that my first act as President will be to fire her."

The car stopped and the door was opened. Matty got out first followed by Jenna and Jacob. Sam climbed out and gave his hand to Mara to help her out. Sam knew that up a short flight of stairs his Mother and Father would be waiting with the Bartlet's and his friends. He hung back for a moment and gave Mara a long kiss.

"Are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I will ever be. I love you."

"I love you too Mara."

The door was opened for them and the first person Sam saw was Abbey. He took a deep breath and smiled. He was twenty minutes away from being sworn in and his nerves decided to kick in. He grasped Mara's hand a little tighter and she put her other hand on top of his and gave it a little squeeze. His mom was the first to approach him and give him a hug. He saw his sister and was surprised she was able to make it. He greeted his Father and then the Bartlet's. His twenty minutes disappeared in a flash and before he knew it everyone was seated and only Mara remained. She straightened his tie and gave him a long kiss. She stood beside him and reached out for his hand. Sam smiled at her and took a deep breath. Two Marine guards opened the door for them and cameras flashed as they took their seats. In what seemed like mere seconds, Sam was called forward by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Jed Bartlet stood with Mara's bible. Sam waited for Jed to come down two steps and shook his hand. They took their place and waited for the Chief Justice to begin.

-Fin-

To be continued in The First Hundred Days.