Josh was in the Oval Office in Mid-October, briefing the President about the welfare bill on the schedule for the next month.
"It'll be a hard sell, but between Leo and Toby, you can get it passed while I'm out."
Jed had a smile on his face. "Bet you're glad we passed paternity leave before your baby came, right, Josh?"
Josh grinned. "Yes, sir."
You have no idea what's coming your way," He said. "Donna is going to need you whether you think so or not."
"I've tried to be there for Donna as much as I can."
"But you can't seem to do anything right?" Jed surmised.
"Pretty much."
"It's normal, son. All you can do is your best."
"How did you manage with your first baby?"
"We didn't. I don't think Abbey and I slept much for the first month or so. It's a big adjustment."
"Does it get better?"
"Doesn't seem like it at first. But…once they're sleeping through the night, and they're crawling and walking and growing teeth, you'll be so lost in how they're growing that the hard stuff won't even faze you."
"What was the best part?" Josh wanted to know.
"Hearing them say 'Daddy' for the first time."
Josh smiled when the President said that. "Do you miss those times, sir?"
Jed considered it, "Sometimes. Abbey and I really enjoyed Annie when she was a baby. We felt like we missed it completely when the twins were little since there were two of them."
"I made the doctor check multiple times to make sure we're having just one after you told me their birth story."
At this Jed grinned, "As you should. Having twins is no joke."
"I feel a little better. But, sir?"
"Yes, Josh?"
"What happens after they're old enough to talk back?"
Jed chuckled. "You'll learn about that when the time comes."
"Good thing I have a while before that happens."
"If you have a daughter, it'll be sooner than you think."
"One more reason to hope for a boy, then."
"When you see your child's face for the first time, none of that will matter. Boy or girl, you'll love them no matter what and move mountains to make them happy."
Josh nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Mr. President."
Across the White House, Donna and Abbey were having a planning meeting for when Donna would go on maternity leave.
"So, remind me when you're due?" Abbey asked.
"December 8. So seven more weeks." Donna said, rubbing her belly absentmindedly.
Abbey smiled. "Still don't know what you're having?"
"No, Josh wants to be surprised." Donna paused. "Dr. Bartlet, if I overstepped my bounds last night…"
"Donna, you absolutely didn't. You handled the situation with professionalism and sensitivity," Abbey assured her. "As offended as Mrs. Buchtel was, she said you were very authoritative. The kids are embarrassed but not ashamed so we're moving in the right direction."
"Alex was very afraid Logan was going to have to leave," Donna admitted. "I was actually a little surprised because it didn't seem like she was being overly dramatic."
"I can't argue with you there, Logan needs structure and stability. For the most part, he's been a good kid and he and Alex both seem happier around each other."
"Yes, they do," Donna agreed.
"Do we need to do any more damage control?"
"No, thank God," Donna sighed. "There was no press nearby, so it should be over."
"That's a relief."
"Have you told the President?"
"Yes," Abbey sighed. "He had enough difficulty knowing that I put his little girl on birth control. But it's how we've gotten through parenting teenage girls. I handle intimate and sensitive topics. He's in charge of school, volunteering, PTA, and anything I don't have the patience for."
Donna smiled, "I'll make a note."
"Enjoy this time Donna," Abbey said, looking at her seriously. "It's going to be a big adjustment and you'll be exhausted for at least the first few months. But they grow out of the little stage so quickly."
Donna nodded. "Thank you."
"I know you said that Josh wants to be surprised, but what do you think it is?"
Donna smiled, "I don't really care, as long as it's healthy, but…I'm kind of thinking it's a girl."
Abbey grinned, "You know, I can see Josh with a girl."
"Were you ever disappointed you never had a boy?"
"No, I grew up with a sister so mothering my girls didn't feel that different. I actually felt out of my depth when other friends had boys. I used to think Jed felt like he was left out without a son. But then I see him with Charlie and I think everything worked out like it was supposed to."
"I think it will for Josh and I too."
That afternoon, Alex was sitting upstairs on the observation deck overlooking the floor at Logan's gym in Rosslyn. She sat over in the corner, away from the groups of parents watching their children, but just close enough to watch Logan.
"Hi, there."
Alex looked up to see Joey Lyman standing there. "Hi, Joey! Good to see you again!"
"Mind if I join you?"
"No, not at all."
"How's school going?"
"Good," Alex smiled.
"If you're done with your homework, maybe you should go down and do some conditioning."
"Maybe…I promised my parents I would focus on school."
Joey looked at her, "Alex, I can see that you miss it. There's nothing wrong with a little practice. You don't have to compete again."
Alex shook her head, shrinking back in fear. "I-I can't."
Joey's expression became concerned. "Alex, what's wrong?"
"I just-I can't do it like I used to."
"What do you mean?"
"I—I have the twisties. When I came back from worlds, my coach wanted me back in the gym to do a few routines and conditioning. Nothing big. Just stuff to keep me in shape until we started working up to Classics. It was like I forgot how to do everything. I was either too afraid to do a skill or I fell on everything I tried."
"Oh, Alex…did you tell Clare?"
Alex nodded, "Yeah. She gave me the week off and told me to concentrate on school. Maybe with some rest and getting caught up with school, things would be better."
"Have you tried since?"
Alex shook her head violently, "I'm too scared."
"Okay. You don't have to go up if you're not ready."
Over on the other side of the gym floor, one of the coaches was holding a class for her level one gym students. The girls, who ranged in age from 4 to 6 were wiggly and excited to try some gymnastics.
"I used to be like that," Alex said, pointing over to the group of girls. "My mom and dad had to put my mattress on the floor for six months because I wouldn't stop jumping off my bed."
"Was that before or after you jumped out of the hayloft?"
She smiled, "Before. They put me in gymnastics the next day."
"Would you like to help with the class?"
Alex looked at her. "Sure."
Together, they walked over, and Joey got the kids' attention.
"Everyone! Miss Alex here is going to help demonstrate some of what you'll be doing today."
"Hi Miss Alex," The girls chorused.
"Ok girls," Their coach said, smiling at Joey and Alex. "Who's ready to go work on the beam?"
"Meee!" They said in unison.
"Alex, maybe you can show us how to do the level one beam routine?" She said.
"I'd love to," She said.
Joey left them to it and walked back to her office, happy to know that Alex was doing something with her gymnastics. Just before six, Abbey came into the gym to pick up Logan and Alex as she usually tried to do after working at the hospital or if she didn't have any other pressing engagements.
Joey met Abbey by the door. "I didn't want you to be shocked."
"Shocked by what?" Abbey said, immediately alarmed. "Is Alex all right?"
"She's fine. But I think you should see this for yourself."
Abbey walked in. To her great shock, Alex was helping to teach gymnastics. She was on the ground, demonstrating routines, and looked to be completely in her element.
"Well I'll be damned," Abbey said, watching her daughter helping with a group of slightly older students.
"I've been watching Alex sit up on the observation deck and I could tell that she misses it. So today I went up there and tried to encourage her to participate. And we settled on this."
"You know, in medicine, we call this, see one, do one, teach one."
"That's the idea. With time, I'm hoping that teaching the younger girls might help Alex overcome her case of the twisties."
"That's a mental block, isn't it? Like the yips?"
"Yes, except we gymnasts are throwing ourselves in the air. And when the twisties strike, they can make you forget how to do skills, get lost in the air, question them mid-skill, and add twists where they shouldn't be. It affects everyone differently. Some can't do a specific skill. For others, it's whole events. Alex has trouble with everything right now."
"Is that why she quit?"
"I can't say for certain. But the combined stress of school and developing the twisties is a lot for anyone."
Abbey nodded as she continued to watch Alex. She could tell that Alex missed gymnastics. Then a thought occurred to her.
"You didn't suggest this by accident."
"No, I didn't," Joey said. "The key to overcoming the twisties is to go back to the basics and build skills back up to eliminate the fear. It might not solve everything. But it's a start."
Abbey continued to watch her daughter and wondered if she would ever be able to find her way back again.
Two days later, Abbey was in the Master Suite. A box containing a brand new laptop was sitting on the coffee table along with a few other gifts. A roll of wrapping paper sat by Abbey's side. Ribbon and tape were on the table. She was busy completing last-minute preparations for Ellie's family birthday dinner. Jed opened the double doors a moment later and stepped inside before closing them.
"Hey," he said approaching the sitting area.
"Hey."
"You need help with those?"
"Yes, please."
Jed took the wrapping paper and began to wrap the laptop. "I can't believe our middle daughter is turning 18."
"Me neither," Abbey replied. "Seems like just yesterday you were bending King Gustaf's ear about her multiplication tables."
"That was yesterday."
"Touché."
"The twins will be there before we know it. Hell, Alex is there. Somehow I let the two of you convince me to let her boyfriend move in here."
"A few weeks ago, you couldn't stop talking about what a piece of work Mitchum is."
"That hasn't changed," Jed replied. "It's the canoodling and kissing our baby girl that I mind."
"I know. But Logan is a good boy. And I think Charlie likes having him around."
"I do too. We can't do enough for Charlie in my mind."
"I can agree with that. You know that Michelle was in court again yesterday?"
"What'd she ask for this time?"
"A raise in child support."
"And how'd she do?"
"She got it," Abbey said. "We'll see if Michelle gets it."
"If she doesn't, I'll have the FBI track him down."
"Jed, you know you can't do that."
"Abbey, we have to do something. Michelle is a hard-working public servant. She shouldn't have to struggle financially to give Charlie a good education."
"I know," Abbey agreed. "I wish we could do something more for them. But we can't. All we can do is be there for moral support. And to help her bring Charlie up right."
"Got that right," Jed said. They continued wrapping Ellie's gifts but also thought about Charlie and Logan and how grateful they were that they had come into their lives.
Meanwhile, Alex and Logan were getting ready for Ellie's party in her room.
"Ellie will love this," Alex said as she placed the bracelet Logan bought for her sister's birthday back in its robin's egg blue box and closed the lid. She placed the box back on her dresser.
"You think so?" Logan asked. "I want to make a good impression."
"My sister has known you for over two years. You don't have to make a good impression."
"I'm saving up, Minx," He replied, coming up and wrapping his arms around her from behind. Logan pulled her into him.
"What for?" Alex breathed.
"The day I marry you."
Logan kissed her neck and inhaled the scent of the honeysuckle perfume that she dabbed on a few minutes earlier. Alex turned in his arms and he smiled at her.
"We've got a long wait until that happens," She reminded him and then kissed his nose.
"Which is why I'm saving up all of the goodwill that I can with your family. When we're ready to get married, I want your family to support us."
"I'm sure they will. But I like the way you think."
He grinned and kissed her. Alex deepened the kiss. Had they not bumped into her dresser and nearly knocked the bracelet box off of it, they would have been late to the party. They reluctantly parted.
"We're going to pick this up later," Logan assured her.
"I'm counting on it," Alex replied with an impish grin.
"You should talk to Michelle. Tonight is a good opportunity."
"Logan, I don't know…"
"Alex, please? For me?"
Alex took a deep breath. "Okay. For you."
Two hours later, the extended Bartlet-Barrington family was gathered in the Residence's Family Dining Room celebrating Ellie's 18th birthday along with a few of Ellie's friends and Logan. Michelle and Charlie were also in attendance.
"Mom, this cake is amazing!" Ellie exclaimed. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me, thank the chef." Abbey quipped.
"Yes, but you helped." Jed teased her.
"Happy birthday, Ellie," Zoey said, tossing her a box.
Ellie lifted out a white-gold necklace. "It's beautiful. Thanks, Zoey."
"It's from me, too," Alex spoke up.
"Thank you, Alex," Ellie said as Zoey rolled her eyes.
"Me next," Liz said and handed her a wrapped square package.
Ellie opened it to find a book on women in science inside.
"I can't wait to read it!"
After cake and presents, everyone went into the Yellow Oval Room to chat.
"Hey Zoey," Charlie said, catching up to her in the hall.
"Hey Charlie," Zoey said. "I didn't get a chance to ask you. But how was court yesterday?"
Charlie had missed school the day before because he had to go to family court because his mom and dad were trying to work out custody issues.
"More of the same." Charlie sighed. "Dad refused to budge on custody. But Mom got a boost on child support."
"That's good, I guess," Zoey replied.
"All he ever wants is money."
"Do you ever visit him?"
"Not really. We've hung out a couple of times. To be honest, I see your dad a lot more than I see mine."
Hearing Charlie say that made Zoey feel bad for him.
"Luckily, my dad likes you a lot," She replied. "Maybe even more than me or Alex."
"I'm lucky to have him."
"Yeah, you sure are," Zoey said.
Just then, Jed walked in. "Am I interrupting anything?"
"No, Dad," Zoey announced. "Charlie and I were just talking."
"Good. Charlie, come with me, I have something to show you," He said and the two of them went to Jed's study.
Abbey and Michelle watched them go.
"You really lucked out in the father and husband department," Michelle said to Abbey as they left.
"I certainly did," Abbey replied. "Did something happen after court?"
Michelle shook her head. "Charlie's dad was supposed to see him and he was a no show."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"At this point, I'm used to it. But seeing the disappointment on Charlie's face every time his dad fails to show up is awful. I hate to say it. But I wish he would just stay away. Every time he comes back into our lives, he never fails to cause trouble."
"Oh Michelle," Abbey sighed. "Have you thought about dating again?"
"Abbey, you and I both know there is no time for that. Between my job and Charlie, I hardly have time to do anything else. Our group of friends has been so good for me."
"Glad to hear it."
Just then, Charlie ran back into the room. "Guess what President Bartlet showed me?"
"What is it?"
"A knife he got from Paul Revere!"
Abbey smiled, "He's been waiting to show that to you."
"Wow," Michelle said, impressed. "I didn't know something like that existed."
"Don't say it too loudly or you're liable to get an hour lecture on it from our resident professor." Charlie went over to go tell Zoey. "But in all seriousness, I'm not surprised Jed showed it to him. It's a tradition in his family to pass that knife down to the oldest son. But something tells me it could be in Charlie's hands someday."
Michelle's eyes filled with tears. "That would be wonderful."
In another corner of the room, Logan and Alex were talking.
"I think you should tell Michelle," Logan said to her. "You trust her right?"
"Yeah," Alex replied. "I do. But exactly what do I say? I don't want my parents involved, at least not right now. They'll freak out and we don't even really know what happened."
"The pictures do. Just ask her if you can show them to her. She'll tell you the same thing I did."
"Do you really believe that?"
"Yes," He said and kissed the top of her head. "You need to tell someone, Alex, besides me. And from what I can see, Michelle is that person. You know her, but she's not going to feel like she has to tell your parents. The police have protocols that they have to follow."
Alex took a breath and nodded. "You're right." She waited until the older woman left the room and then walked up to Michelle in the hallway. "Michelle?"
Michelle turned around. "Yes, Alex? What can I do for you?"
Alex shifted on her feet, "I was wondering if I could show you something?"
"Yes, of course. Is everything all right?"
"I'm not sure."
Michelle placed a hand on Alex's shoulder, her professional experience kicking in. "Ok, what do you want to show me?"
"It's in my room."
Alex led Michelle down the hallway to her room and hoped that she was doing the right thing.
