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Chapter Thirteen:

"Of the staff, we monitored, we found only one mildly significant lead," the wiretap expert told Miranda Tuesday evening. "The deputy communications director has been contact with the Lang administration. Specifically, his legal adviser Davis Haller."

"Carla Saunders?" she said.

He nodded. "She's keeping Lang informed about the inner workings of your staff," he said. "They are also having an affair will Haller."

"Sounds circumstantial. Did she inform him of anything of interest?"

"She still has questions about the drill and the office drawers. There is also a sense that you're playing favorites."

Miranda let the information sink in. "She's a traitor but not the one we're after. Lang knows nothing about this mess."

"Not according to the wiretaps, we've conducted," he said.

"Anything else?"

"Not at this time, Ma'am," he said.

"Thank you. That will be all then."

"Have a good evening, Ma'am," he said and left.

Miranda closed her eyes. Lang was still causing her trouble, her staff remained divided, and the person or group responsible for the mind games was still at large. Just another day in the oval office.

…

She went upstairs and found Reid sitting down and staring at a wall blankly.

"What?" she asked coming towards him.

"Our daughter got her period," he said simply.

Miranda gasped and sat down.

"How is she?"

"In pain and terrified, and wished you were here," he said. "I know you had a security meeting but still—"

"I need to go her," she said and then he grabbed her hand. There were tears in his eyes.

"Our little girl is growing up," he said.

"I know," she said held it.

They exchanged a meaningful look and then let go.

Miranda rushed to Rachel's room. She was curled up in bed reading a book. It had pictures of the menstrual cycle. She looked up when she heard her enter.

"Did you know, I'm young to get my period?" she said. "In developing countries, it happens earlier for girls and later in the developed world."

Miranda took a seat at the edge of her bed.

"I did know that," she said. "I had to study up for when this would happen because you always seem to have the answers."

"But I'm scared," she said tearfully. "I don't know why I'm scared because it is perfectly natural, but I'm scared."

"Reading about something is different from reality," she said stroking her hair. "Everything is going to be alright."

She knocked the book aside and hugged Miranda.

"Can you stay with me tonight please?"

"Anything, baby," she said. "Even though you're not a baby."

"I still need you," she said.

"I'll always try to be there for you," she said choking up. "I promise."

Later that night Reid quietly looked in on them. She could see he was still choked up and she felt the same way. This was what parenting was about.

…

It was after the Super Bowl winners left that Miranda let out a moan and leaned back in her chair.

Gina and Fleming were present. Gina grinned.

"You did a good job acting like you watched the game," she said.

"It was just a few compliments, a statistic or two, and let the meat heads do all the talking."

"You do know over one hundred million people, including voters watched that game," Fleming said.

Miranda glared at her.

"Now you want to throw something at me," she said.

"The name plate my kids made for me is breakable and would leave a bad bruise," she said.

Gina nor Fleming said anything.

Miranda closed her eyes. "Rally the troupes, we need to go over what I'm going to say to a joint session of what is pre-empting who murdered Jack on How to Get Away with Murder Again."

Miranda opened her eyes as they filed in. She sat up when she saw Carla Saunders and stared at her. She avoided her gaze. She stood up, walked around to the front of her desk.

"I have autographs from the whole team, for everyone," she said with a winning smile.

A staffer raised his hand. "Did you actually watch the game?"

"We had it on during a game of Risk," she said. "I can honestly tell you, my son is a better strategist than the coach of the opposing team."

This drew laughs.

"Okay, so everybody we've gone over the details now let's review the basics. The key points are unity, a fiscally responsible budget, and making good on campaign promises including climate change and support for the VA. I really want to keep it simple, because we all know this is a rehearsal for our first state of the union next year."

There were nods of approval.

"Now Chuck, let's starting running through it line by line."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Miranda listened contributed when she thought it was necessary. She also kept scanning the group, wondering what she was missing, and wondering who else was betraying her trust.