A/N: We're back with another installment! The City of Jesolo Trophy competition started in 2008. We use it in this story because it is now a part of the elite gymnastics calendar.
On Tuesday morning, three weeks after The Winter Cup competition, CJ entered the press room with a warm smile on her face. It wasn't too often that she received the opportunity to deliver good news all on its own.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," She said, stepping onto the podium. "The President will be leaving Andrews at 2 pm today to go to Geneva for the World Trade Organization Conference. He will leave Geneva to join Dr. Bartlet in Jesolo, Italy on Friday. They will be joined by their children and accompanied by the entire senior staff for the weekend.
The President and the First Lady are proud to announce that their daughter, Alexandra has been chosen as one of a five-member team to represent the United States in the junior division of the City of Jesolo Trophy this weekend. The Jesolo Trophy is an international artistic gymnastics competition sanctioned by the Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) that brings together young gymnasts from all over the world. The US Gymnastics Federation is expected to face gymnasts from Italy, the UK, Russia, France, Germany, and China in the team competition. We're all very proud of Alex and can't wait to see her compete in Italy. Questions?"
"CJ! Does Alex qualify for the Olympics with this tournament?"
"Not yet," CJ explained. "The minimum age for the Olympics is 16. If she competes in the Olympics, it will be in Athens in 2004. Chris?"
"CJ, does the President have any comment on his daughter's academic record in all of this?"
"Chris, you know the President and the First Lady don't comment on their children's private lives. They decided to come forward with this news because Alex gave her permission to share it."
"I have a source that says she's having trouble in school."
"Anything related to the children is a private matter. Danny?"
"Has Alex competed internationally before?"
"No, this is her first competition."
"Will she compete in the all-around?"
"That will be determined by the federation. The teams arrived in Italy on Sunday and are currently in training. So we'll have to see when we get there."
After the briefing was over, CJ headed over to Donna's office.
"Hey, Donna. You might be getting some questions about Alex and school. I just wanted to give you the heads up."
Donna put her head in her hand. "Her grades?"
"Afraid so."
Donna smiled weakly, "I know that school is supposed to be her first priority, but let's get her through this competition first."
"I'm right there with you."
"Off the record, the President and Dr. Bartlet know all about it. But they don't want to pull her out of her gym and school so close to the end of the school year. "
"So they're just trying to get her through like they did with Liz when she got pregnant."
"Pretty much. Dr. Bartlet is meeting with a coach I met during the campaign today to find out what she could be doing. Alex is in the gym 8 hours a day and in school for 5. So it's not a shock that this is happening."
"Hopefully, Alex can understand that," CJ said sympathetically.
"We'll find out in Jesolo."
On Friday night, Jed, Abbey, and the senior staff arrived at their hotel in Jesolo. It was a small hotel so the Secret Service bought out the hotel for three nights, which meant the Bartlet Administration and family were staying there except for Alex. After everyone went to their rooms and unpacked, they met downstairs on the outdoor patio of the hotel's restaurant for dinner.
During a lull in the conversation, Jed and Leo excused themselves to discuss something that had just come up. Toby excused himself a few minutes later and went in search of Leo and Jed.
Excuse me, Mr. President?" Toby asked, knocking on the ajar conference room door.
Jed turned around. "Hey, Toby, what's up?"
"I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute. About something…personal."
Leo turned to the door. "I'm out of here."
"Stay."
"Yeah, right."
"Chicken."
Jed watched Leo leave and Toby stepped inside. They both sat adjacent to each other at the conference table.
"What's up?" Jed asked warily. He already had an idea of what Toby wanted to ask and he wasn't sure how he felt about it.
"Well, sir. I would like to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."
"I have four daughters, Toby. You're going to have to be more specific."
"Liz."
Jed crossed his arms. "Have you thought about this?"
"Yes, I have. We've been dating for two years. I feel like Annie and her are both parts of me now."
"You understand it's not the whole Catholic/Jewish thing I'm uncomfortable about."
"No, sir."
"It's the age difference."
"I've thought a lot about it," Toby admitted. "And it made me uncomfortable too, in the beginning. But since I've gotten to know Liz and Annie, I've come to see it as a positive thing."
Jed raised an eyebrow, "I can't wait to hear this argument."
"Liz has been very forthcoming about her relationship with Doug and the difficulties she had when it came to raising Annie with him."
"So Liz has told you about the steps she had to take concerning getting child support from Doug and setting up visitations through the court?"
"Yes. I'm aware of all of that. We've discussed finances and Doug's involvement with Annie. I have no desire to interfere with their arrangements. But I do think that as far as partners go, I am both emotionally and financially ready to support Liz and Annie, in part because of my age, and my life experience."
Jed nodded. "That's a good point. But listen to me. My daughter and granddaughter come first. And if you hurt either one of them, just remember this."
Toby nodded.
"The 82nd Airborne works for me."
"Yes, sir."
"That being said," Jed continued, "I can see that you make them happy." He sighed. "If my daughter says yes, then you may marry her. You have my permission."
He smiled, "Thank you, sir."
"Unfortunately for you, I am just the tip of the iceberg so to speak. You'll have to run this by Abbey, Ellie, Zoey, and Alex before you ask Liz and Annie."
"I was planning to talk to Dr. Bartlet," Toby admitted. "But I didn't consider talking to Ellie and the twins."
"Did Liz ever tell you the shaving cream and feathers story?"
"No, she didn't."
"Alex decided to get back at Doug because Annie was upset that he didn't show up for a planned visit. The next time he showed up, she led him right into a trap that dumped shaving cream and feathers on his head."
Toby's lips quirked up, and he began to laugh. "That sounds like Alex."
"One thing about the Bartlet sisters: it's all for one and one for all with them." He nodded towards the other room. "So, why don't you go ask them?"
Toby nodded, then walked into the other room toward Ellie and Zoey. Liz was putting Annie to bed next door. Alex was still staying with the US delegation before the team competition. But Ellie and Zoey were sitting at one end of the table talking to each other.
"Hey Toby," Ellie said looking up at him. "What's up?"
"I'd like to talk to you and Zoey for a second."
"Ok," She said, exchanging a glance with Zoey.
"What about?" Zoey asked.
"Well, I'd rather talk with the three of you at once, but since Alex isn't here, the two of you will do."
Ellie nodded for him to continue.
"What would you think if I asked Liz to marry me?"
"I don't know," Zoey said honestly.
"Annie seems to like you," Ellie admitted. "And you do make Liz happy. But Zoey is right to be uncertain. The whole thing with Liz and Doug affected all of us."
"Yeah. We don't want Annie to be hurt again either," Zoey replied with a protective look in her eyes.
"I can understand that. But I think I would make Liz and Annie very happy."
Zoey sighed. "You know, Doug never really said that. That he wanted to make them happy. At least not after Annie was born. It was all about keeping up appearances."
"Well, I can assure you that that is not the case with me."
"You swear you won't hurt her?" Zoey asked skeptically.
"Cross my heart."
Ellie and Zoey exchanged glances.
"You have my vote," Ellie said.
"Mine too," Zoey said, after a moment. "But Alex…might be a tougher sell. Annie is her little buddy."
"Yes, she is," Toby said and repressed a sigh. It didn't even occur to him to think about that.
Since the President's election, Ellie and Alex took on a lot of childcare duties for Liz so that she could get to class in the early mornings or go at night. Annie spent several mornings a week at Alex's gym for the last couple of years. It made sense for Annie and Alex to be that close. He could only hope that she would say yes.
Toby had to wait until the next morning to talk to Alex. With Jed and Abbey's permission, he slipped back to the training gym once they arrived at the Palazzo Del Turismo and went searching for the American delegation. When he found them, he spotted Alex on beam almost instantly. She flew through the air after springing off of a springboard and did a back layout onto the 4-inch piece of wood, leather, and springs, landing perfectly. She did a few more leaps before jumping off.
A man wearing a Team USA jacket approached Alex. Toby hadn't seen him before. She smiled as he came up to her and handed her what appeared to be candy. She went over to her backpack and tucked it into a pocket.
"Alex?"
She turned and looked surprised, "Hi Toby. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Ok, what is it?"
"I want to ask Liz to marry me. And I want to ask if you're okay with it before I do it."
Alex shifted her feet before sitting down. "How do I know you're not another Doug?"
Toby sat next to her. "Because I promise to treat Liz and Annie better than Doug ever did."
"If you hurt her-"
"I'm not going to hurt Liz or Annie," He assured her.
"Anyone can make a promise, Toby. I have to have proof," Alex said, folding her arms across her chest.
"What kind of proof do you need?"
"Annie needs a dad that's going to be there for her, even when it's hard."
"I'm going to be there for her, Alex, I swear."
"Can I think about it? At least until the competition is over?"
Toby nodded. "Sure. If you want."
Alex ran off, and Toby watched her go. He hoped she would say yes.
Just as Alex got into line twenty minutes later to prepare to march out, Amy appeared beside her.
"Hey Amy," Alex said nervously.
"Hey, I just wanted to wish you good luck."
She smiled, "Thanks."
"I know you'll be great. Just think about doing the best for your team."
"Did that work for you when you competed at UNC?"
"Yeah, it did."
"Well, I guess it's worth a shot."
The announcer in the arena began to list out the teams in Italian. An American commentator who regularly commentated for college basketball on ESPN was sitting at a table not far from the audience section on one side. When word got out that President Bartlet's daughter was competing in a competition for gymnastics, a sport many Americans only tuned into during the Olympics, the press rushed to cover it. The Italian organizers, however, limited TV coverage to just two outlets.
"Ladies and gentlemen," He said into his microphone, "Here comes Team USA!"
The team walked out to roaring applause into the venue. The Palazzo Del Turismo was a large hall with sections of seating on three sides. Alex grinned wildly to see her family sitting on one side in one of the lower sections closer to the floor. For security reasons, The Secret Service cordoned off one entire section and restricted it to the family, senior staff, and delegations competing.
"The United States will be competing first today. And first up for the Americans, Alexandra Bartlet!"
The US got the luxury of competing in Olympic order, which meant they were up on vault first. After a successful warm-up, Alex stood at the end of the vault runway. She took off running and reached the springboard. But she didn't hit it exactly where she needed to, which meant she didn't get the push or block off the table. Therefore when Alex pushed off the table, she only made it one twist around. She crashed to the floor on her hands and knees, unable to land on her feet, her head narrowly missed the edge of the table as she fell.
The crowd gasped.
"Alex!" Annie exclaimed from her seat. She tried to get up and run over to the railing where advertising banners separated the floor from the public. But Toby picked her up.
"Hey munchkin, Alex is going to be ok," He said.
Alex froze at first. Then, she took a breath and stood up, to the applause of those around and in the stands. She saw Toby and Annie as she saluted, mad at herself for the fall. But maybe, just maybe, Toby was the right guy for Annie and Liz after all.
Donna leaned over to Amy in the stands, "What just happened?"
Amy turned to her. "Something prevented her from finishing that vault."
"Is it a physical thing?"
Amy indicated the screen just across the arena. It showed a replay of Alex's vault in slow motion.
"She put her hand in the wrong place on the springboard when she did the back handspring. So she couldn't get to the right place on the table or push off quick enough to get the height she needed. So she crashed."
Donna looked at Amy, "Alex could have broken her neck."
Amy smiled wryly, "At least we know how to fall."
Meanwhile, Abbey watched the replay anxiously. She thanked God her daughter wasn't seriously hurt but wondered how she missed that vault.
"It was a freak accident," Ellie said to her mother. "It could've happened to any of those kids."
"I know, but…Alex practiced that move ten or a hundred times."
"Maybe she's just under stress."
Abbey began to consider her words. Was Alex under more stress than this was worth?
After the team competition, Jed took his family and the staff to San Giorgio di Livenza, his mother's birthplace. It was twenty minutes from Jesolo. Abbey and the girls had traveled to Italy multiple times with Jed. So this was really the Senior staff's first time seeing the President institute his Italian-only rule while they were visiting.
Unfortunately for Josh and the others, they knew little Italian. Donna wasn't much better, but at least she knew some conversational Italian from school.
"You took Italian in school, Donna?" Abbey asked as they walked along the riverbank.
"Yeah. I don't know much about my mom's family, but I know that she was part Italian. So, in a way, it keeps me close to her."
Unfortunately for Josh and the others, they knew little Italian. Donna wasn't much better, but at least she knew some conversational Italian from school.
"You took Italian in school, Donna?" Abbey asked as they walked along the riverbank.
"Yeah. I don't know much about my mom's family, but I know that she was part Italian. So, in a way, it keeps me close to her."
"It certainly does," Abbey agreed. The Catholic guilt she felt was kicking in hard at this moment, knowing what she did about Donna's mother.
"I didn't know the girls were fluent."
Abbey smiled, "Zoey, Liz, and Ellie are. Alex still struggles a bit. But it helped her pick up French much faster."
"I'll have to practice with them to improve my Italian."
"I'm sure the President would be eager to help too."
"You think so?"
Abbey looked over at Jed, conversing with his daughters. "Yes, I think he would."
One of the stops on their tour of San Giorgio di Livenza was to get gelato. Everyone indulged except for Alex, who merely sat at the table with her sisters and drank her water.
"Are you sure you don't want some?" Zoey smirked.
Alex shook her head, "Nope, I'm competing all-around tomorrow."
"The gelato isn't going to be the same tomorrow because we won't be here."
"Oh well."
"Zoey," Liz said warningly. "Be nice. We haven't seen Alex all week."
"Why should she miss out on this?"
"Because I'm competing. I have to stay fit." Alex argued.
"Okay, fine."
"So, Alex, how's school going?" Ellie asked.
Alex looked like a deer caught in headlights. "School?"
"Yeah." Zoey eyed her suspiciously. Was she telling the truth?
Liz and Toby split off from the group after a while and took a picnic dinner at the beach near their hotel. They sat there with their wine glasses, watching the tide go out.
Toby raised his glass. "To…new beginnings."
"To new beginnings." Liz echoed softly as they kissed.
Toby returned the kiss and felt nerves form in the pit of his stomach. Alex had given him the go-ahead after the competition to propose and he talked with Abbey the night before. So there was no good reason not to ask. But what if she said no?"
"Lizzy," He said when they parted. "I wanted to ask you something."
"Yeah?" Liz replied.
Toby pulled the ring box out of his pocket and opened it. "Will you marry me?"
Liz gasped softly. "Toby…"
"I love you. You and Annie have made me whole in a way that I never thought possible. And nothing would make me happier than if I spent the rest of my days with you."
Liz felt tears well up in her eyes, "Yes," She said softly. "Yes, Toby Ziegler I'll marry you."
Their lips met in a kiss once again and when they pulled away, Toby slipped a beautiful diamond ring on her finger.
"It's beautiful."
"I picked it out myself. And Zoey and Alex approved of my selection."
"You asked them?"
"And your parents and Ellie. I wanted the whole Bartlet family's permission before I took their eldest daughter and sister in marriage."
"That's so sweet."
"I almost thought it wouldn't happen. Alex made me wait until the competition was over."
Liz smiled to herself, "She must think a lot of you if she said yes. I think she hated Doug more than my father did."
"Well, I take it as a badge of honor then."
Jed and Abbey were in the sitting room at the hotel when Liz came in followed by Toby after they returned from their sightseeing trip, beaming with tears in her eyes.
"What is it?" Jed asked.
Liz said nothing but held out her hand, and Abbey gasped.
"Oh, honey! You're engaged?"
Liz nodded.
"Congratulations!" Abbey said, embracing her daughter.
"Congratulations, Toby," Jed said, rising from his chair.
"Thank you, sir," Toby said shaking his hand,
Jed hugged Liz and Abbey embraced Toby, "You did well," She said to him.
On Sunday afternoon, Alex stood next to the uneven bars and chalked up her grips during the all-around and event finals. Then she went over and stood on top of the springboard and faced the judges.
The arena announcer said in Italian, "Representing the United States of America, Alexandra Bartlet."
Alex waited to be given the go-ahead and then saluted. She jumped up to the high bar and did a kip to handstand before swinging around the bar. As she came around she used the momentum to swing up and let go of the bar, throwing herself into a straddle position before catching the bar again. She changed her grip so that she was facing out through the high bar. Then she launched herself backward toward the low bar, turning in between the bars to catch the low bar at the last second. She swung patiently around the low and the back over to the high bar. Once there she did some pirouette work, moving her arms around the bar gracefully as she swung around it.
Finally, Alex did several giants around the low bar, building up speed, and then she let go of the bar, propelling herself above the bar as she did a double-twisting double somersault in the air before landing with one foot just slightly behind the other. She brought her feet together and saluted, happy with the final routine of the competition.
"Ladies and gentlemen, that was a near-perfect uneven bars routine from Alexandra Bartlet. She has done well in this competition so far, scoring a 14.500 on her vault, which she fell on in the team competition. Now, we wait for the judges' scores," the same American commentator from the day before said.
Alex held her breath as the judges conferred. Finally, the electronic board announced the score: a 14.200
"This is Alexandra Bartlet's second-highest score of the night, second only to her impressive vault score of 14.500.
Alex ended up placing first in the bars final bringing her medal haul from Jesolo to 2 silvers, one for the team competition and the other for beam, and three gold medals for the all-around, bars, and floor. She ended up placing fourth on vault. But to her, that was a major win since it was her weakest event and she fell the day before. After she gathered her backpack, her coach and the Federation gave her leave to go with her detail to see her family and the senior staff.
Security protocol dictated that the First Family leave immediately after the medals were handed out. Alex left with her security detail and got into a waiting car that took her to the hotel everyone was staying at. Her luggage had already been given to her detail so that she could go home with everyone else instead of her team. She got out of the car at the hotel and walked with her very heavy bag, containing three small trophies, her medals, and her gym stuff to find, what she was sure was most of the White House staff.
"Alex!" Zoey ran up to her and hugged her. "That was incredible! I knew you could do it!"
"Thanks, Zo," Alex replied. After accepting congratulations from the Senior Staff, she turned toward her parents.
"Alex, we are so proud of you!" Abbey said, pulling her close. Jed soon joined the hug.
"Thanks, guys."
"Are you starving?" Abbey asked after they parted.
Alex nodded emphatically and both of her parents laughed.
"Let's eat," Jed declared.
Soon the entire family and the senior staff were sitting around a long table enjoying a meal together. Alex's new hardware was being passed around the table.
"You know, Alex," Toby commented, "You could easily consider world domination your next move."
Alex laughed, "I wouldn't go that far."
"Maybe not, but you certainly could dominate the Olympics in four years."
"You really think so?"
"Yes!"
Donna and Sam nodded in agreement.
"I have to take it one competition at a time," She said. "Athens is a long way away."
"Yes, it is," Jed agreed before exchanging a look with Abbey.
Conversations like this were part of the reason why they refrained from sharing that Alex competed. People were quick to say Alex could make the Olympics. But as of now, they had a kid who was exhausted and still needed to make it through the 7th grade.
Alex looked tired. "May I please be excused?"
"Of course, honey," Abbey nodded. Alex left the table and went upstairs to the hotel suite she and her sisters were sharing with their parents. The back bedroom in one corner of the suite was where Alex and Zoey were sleeping.
Once alone in the room, Alex gripped the dresser. Her breaths were short and staccato, and she was convinced she was having a panic attack.
Abbey followed Alex into the room a few minutes later, "Oh baby," She said gently. "It's okay." She wrapped Alex up in a hug. "Just breathe and try to relax. You did so well today."
"Why does everyone say that?" Alex murmured. "Athens is a really long time from now."
"I know it is," Abbey replied, rubbing her back. "Which is why we're not going to think about it. Instead, we're going to be grateful that you did well and that you didn't get hurt."
"Okay," Alex agreed.
Abbey helped get Alex's full-body recovery sleeves ready while her daughter changed into her pajamas. Another expensive investment, the large sleeves she helped put Alex's arms and legs into, up to her hips and shoulders, delivered massage therapy to her. Since she used them almost daily and they helped cut down on her injuries, Abbey and Jed both thought they were well worth it. Once the machine was set, Abbey left Alex to relax and went back out to the dining room.
"May I have everyone's attention?" She asked. All eyes turned to her. "From this moment, I'm going to ask that everyone refrain from Olympic talk. The Sydney Games haven't even happened yet and there's a lot that could go wrong or right in the next four years. The press will do enough speculating as it is."
Everyone nodded. "Yes, Dr. Bartlet."
As everyone returned to eating, Toby walked up to Abbey. "Dr. Bartlet, I'm sorry if I said something I shouldn't have."
"It's all right, Toby," Abbey replied. "It wasn't your fault. Alex has been under enormous pressure for a while now."
"She has?"
"Yes," Jed replied. "Abbey and I are working to find a better solution but right now, Alex is in school and training 13 hours every day. To do what you all saw her do this weekend has taken her months and years to work up to. It's why we had some reservations about going public with Alex competing internationally. There are many stops on the road to Athens and Alex is just past the first."
Jed would think a lot about what he told his staff that night in the months and years to come. There would be many stops on Alex's journey as an international elite gymnast along with unexpected twists and some very dark turns.
