As the plane lands, I look over at Josh and smile. Lulu's still snuggled into his chest sleeping. Her schedule is probably going to be off but at least we made it through the flight without a total meltdown. Just a little whining.

When the plane stops taxi-ing and arrives at the gate, Kevin immediately stands in the aisle blocking anyone from trying to rush the door. I unhook Lulu's and Josh's seat belts and grab the diaper bag so we are ready as soon as Susan is ready to escort us off the plane.

An agent is waiting for us with a cart, which zips us through the airport to a private exit where a black SUV is waiting for us. I'm relieved to see that the agents are already loading our suitcases into the trunk.

As Josh gets out of the cart, Lulu opens her eyes and looks around in confusion. He pats her on the back and whispers sweetly into her ear as he moves to put her in the car seat. But as soon as he sets her down, she let's out a howl and starts struggling grasping at him. Josh's eyes bug out of his head as he picks her back up.

"What's the hell's wrong with that seat, Donna?" He growls at me. Lulu startles at his tone, and he immediately switches to a comforting voice. "You're okay, sweetie, Daddy's got you."

Well. This isn't my fault. I didn't install the seat. I give him a look as I check it out, running my hands over the inside of the seat to make sure nothing was poking her.

"The seat's fine, Josh. Just put her in it and let's go."

Lulu is clinging to him, but he tries to put her down again, to the same reaction. She flails her arms and cries, and he gives up after about ten seconds.

"Good grief! Give her to me." I take Lulu and quickly buckle her in, ignoring her cries and struggles. "Lulu! You have to ride in the car seat." I tell her firmly.

"Da-dee! Da-dee!" She howls.

Of course, I have to be the bad guy, while he gets to be the favorite. He stands just outside the car looking unsure about what to do. I can make that easy for him.

"Josh. Get in the car or I'm leaving your ass here."

Josh looks a little stunned but does as he's told.

"What we're you saying about another child?" I snap at him as he slides into the car.

I practically see his hackles raise. But he locks his jaw and doesn't respond. Lulu is crying. Josh is glaring at me. And I'm pissed. I was hoping Lulu would just fall back asleep, but she's still wailing as we make our way towards the expressway. I need to do something. Now. Before I lose my mind.

"Kyle?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Am I seeing a Starbuck's up there?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Go through the drive-thru please."

"Yes, ma'am."

Josh lets out a big sigh of relief, and immediately turns his attentions back to comforting Lulu. "Mama's going to get you some milk, Lulu. Do you want some milk?" Lulu's sobbing slows down to whimpering and Josh gives me a tentative smile.

I should have planned this better. I wonder if we should stop for dinner? It's only about an hour to the Farm. Abbey said she'd have something waiting for us. And I'd really rather get there as soon as possible.

Once Josh and I have coffee and Lulu has a cup of milk, we are all in a better frame of mind.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you about the car seat." Josh offers after a little bit. "I know you didn't have anything to do with it."

"I'm sorry I snapped back. I wouldn't really leave you at the airport."

He raises one eyebrow at me and his mouth tilts up in a barely suppressed smile. "Really?"

"Well, okay, yes, I have considered it before . But I haven't yet, so you're probably safe."

He laughs and leans over and kisses me. "I love you so much. Thanks for the coffee."

Lulu falls asleep again after she finishes her milk. It really could be a crazy night. But as we drive through the countryside, I see the stress slipping off Josh. I'm really glad we are taking a little vacation. Just being away from the District will do him a world of good.

It seems like no sooner than the car pulls to a stop, the front door opens and Jed and Abbey are there smiling. Lulu wakes up as I get her out of the seat, but she puts her head back down on my shoulder as I grab the diaper bag and head up the porch steps.

"Oh! It's so good to see you guys!" Abbey calls out. "Get that baby in here, quick."

Charlie gives Lulu and me a hug as he passes us on the way out to the car to help Josh with the suitcases.

"Look, Lulu. We're at Grandma Abbey's farm. Aunt Zoey's here."

"Zoey?" Lulu perks up a little and looks for her favorite Aunt.

"Hey pumpkin." Zoey holds her arms out, and I'm relieved that Lulu reaches for her.

"Are you hungry, sweetheart?" Abbey asks rubbing her back. At Lulu's nod, Abbey gives her a kiss on the top of her head. "Well, let's go to the kitchen. Soup's on."

Right now, I couldn't love Abbey Bartlet more. If it were my Mom, she'd have snatched Lulu up out of my arms the instant she saw her, without giving Lulu a chance to acclimate. With only seeing these sets of grandparents two or three times a year, Lulu just isn't as used to them as she is to her Bubbe. My mother seems to think that means she should grab her and monopolize her every possible moment. Abbey seems to understand that's not how it works. If she gives Lulu some time to adjust, she'll end up being a lot more comfortable spending time with her in the long run.

When we get to the kitchen, I discover that "soup's on" wasn't just an expression. There is literally a big pot of chicken noodle soup on the stove.

"That smells amazing."

"I thought soup would be a good idea. That way it was ready whenever you got here."

"It's perfect, thank you."

"We're so glad you're here, Donna." Abbey gives me a quick hug, then grabs a ladle. I watch as she drains the broth off and puts some noodles and vegetables in a bowl.

"She can have the chicken too, right?"

"Yes, we just need to make them pretty small pieces."

Abbey grabs a knife and dices a piece of chicken and puts it in the bowl. "There. We'll let that cool off a minute."

"Come on baby doll, let's wash your hand." Zoey tells Lulu, taking her to the sink.

"Abbey, it smells fantastic in here!" Josh announces as he, Charlie, and Jed join us in the kitchen.

"Wash your hands and grab a bowl. We're not being formal tonight." Abbey tells the guys as they file in. She places a basket of rolls on the table, along with a big bowl of salad.

"Josh, Charlie, beer?" Jed asks.

Zoey rolls her eyes at me as she puts Lulu in the high chair. "I'll have one, Dad."

"You aren't old enough for beer, young lady."

"I'm almost 27, Dad!"

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes, Dad!"

Charlie and Josh start laughing at Jed's antics, and Lulu follows suit. She may not know what's funny, but if everyone is laughing she'll join in.

As soon as Abbey puts the bowl of noodles, carrots and chicken on Lulu's tray, she practically inhales it. Again, I feel kind of bad for messing up her schedule. But eating all together like this is really nice, I'm glad we didn't stop on the way.

Josh earns a fond smile from Abbey when he takes a large helping of salad to go with his soup. "How's your blood pressure been?"

"It was a little high this week, but it's averaging 120 over 80."

Abby's brow furrows. "Something going on this week?"

Everyone looks around the table uneasily while Josh and Jed make eye contact without saying anything. In that moment, I'm sure that Jed has been briefed and knows exactly what was going on, he obviously didn't tell Abbey either. Not knowing has me a little freaked out.

Jed quickly changes the subject. "How about this angel? I can't believe how much she's grown in 3 months!"

"Oh, Jed," Abbey scoffs. "You know how fast they grow the first year!"

"Is she walking yet?" He asks Josh.

"No, but she's really close!" Josh looks relieved talk about his favorite subject instead of whatever happened last week. "She can stand on her own, and she can push a walker. It's just a matter of her deciding to take those first steps on her own."

"Well, we have one of those push toys here." Abbey informs him. "But Tori is running everywhere these days. It wouldn't surprise me if Lulu decides to follow her lead."

"When are they going to be here?" I'm looking forward to spending some time with Ellie and Vic. Even though we only see them once a year, we've started to develop a friendship with them. Ellie and I have a lot in common, and it's nice to have someone close to my age who knows what I'm going through as a working mom with a small child.

"Ellie said they'd drive up in the morning. They should be here by 9."

"We can all watch the parade together." Zoey chimes in. "I bet Lulu and Tori will enjoy it a lot more this year."

"Well, since Lulu pretty much slept through everything last year, this will really be the first time. She does like music, so hopefully it will hold her attention for a little while."

"Speaking of holding her attention . . ." Josh chuckles, tilting his head toward her.

Lulu is having a hard time keeping her eyes open. Each blink is getting longer, and her head is bobbing in between them.

Josh starts to push back from the table, but I wave him off. "I've got her. Please eat." He doesn't eat well when he's stressed out and it worries me. We need him to stay healthy.

"I'm finished. I'll go with you." Zoey offers, standing up too.

"Come on sweet pea, say good night to everyone." As I walk Lulu around the table, she accepts a kiss from everyone and offers a soft goodnight.

"I'll be upstairs in a few minutes." Josh announces after giving Lulu a kiss on the forehead.

At the top of the stairs, Zoey points to the right. "You're in the same room as last time."

Abbey put us in Zoey's room, and set up a crib for Lulu in Ellie's old room. They connect by bathroom between them. It's a really nice set up for us. But I feel a little bad. "Hey, can you pull Lulu's pajamas out of that duffle right there. Are you sure you don't mind us taking your room? "

"I don't mind." While she's answering my question, Zoey pulls out a pair of pink fleece footed pajamas, and I nod. "Charlie and I like being out in the guest house." She gives me a mischievous grin. "It's a lot more private."

Last year, Zoey had Liz's old room and Charlie had the guest room, while Ellie and Vic were in the guest house. "How on earth did you manage to get your Dad to agree to that?"

He played it as a joke but Jed was only partially kidding about the beer. In his head, Zoey will always be a little girl, and for as much as he loves Charlie, he's not going to be comfortable with them being together until they actually do get married.

"Oh, I don't think Mom really gave him much choice. Technically they gave us each our own room out there, but deep down they know we are only using one. It's sort of our own little don't ask, don't tell policy. Besides, if Annie and her boyfriend spend the night, they'll need the extra room."

"Have you met the boyfriend yet?"

"Yeah, over the summer at one of Gus's baseball games."

"What's he like?"

"Nice kid. Kind of reminds me of Vic. Not really what I would have expected from our strong, independent Annie. I'd have thought she'd end up with a fellow athlete, or an activist. Neil is quiet, smart, and a little dorky. But he seems to adore her, so I guess that's what matters."

"They're twenty years old. This might not last through Christmas."

"That's true, but they fact that she's willing to bring him home to meet Grandpa Jed and the rest of you says a lot."

"Well, it is a good test." Josh says as he walks into the room. "I mean if he can spend a holiday with all of us and not go running for the hills, there's hope for him."

He stops in front of me, reaches out his arms and gives me the puppy dog eyes, so I hand Lulu over to him. "I'm a member of the clean plate club!" He jokes. "I'll put her to bed, so you can go finish your salad."

I'm glad he's in a good mood now, and I'm really glad he ate all his dinner. I'm willing to relinquish bedtime.

"Good night, baby doll." Lulu barely opens her eyes as I give her a kiss. I think the story is just going to be for Josh's benefit anyway. I'm pretty sure that Lulu will be completely out before he makes it to the end. But routine is good, and since we already skipped her bath, and we are in a strange place, it's probably a good idea to at least go through some of the motions even if it is way past her bedtime.

Zoey follows me back into the kitchen. The table has been cleared except for my salad, so I sit down to finish it.

"Where'd everyone go?"

"Dad and Charlie were playing chess before you guys got here. They're probably back in the study. Mom's probably checking in with Liz. You should let her know if you need anything, Liz could bring it with her tomorrow."

"I'm all set. I gave your mom my list last week."

"What are you making?"

"My Mom's famous Mac-n-cheese."

"What about you?"

"I brought rolls from that bakery in Georgetown."

"Ooooo, I love those."

"Okay, girls, wash your hands and roll up your sleeves," Abbey instructs us briskly as she hustles into the kitchen. "It's time to make the pies."

I can't help but feel a pang of concern. Abbey didn't let me help last year, insisting that I rest and take care of the baby, but I want to pull my own weight this year. I don't want them to think I'm some lazy freeloader just here for a free vacation. I just hope I can prove myself.

Baking with Abbey and Zoey turns out to be fun. Abbey puts the radio on an 80's station and we all sing along and dance around the kitchen while we work. This is completely different than what it's like with my Mom. Abbey isn't particular about how I peel the apples or how thinly Zoey slices them. She laughs at herself as she rolls out the crust and it's less than perfect. And she throws an extra shot in the Bourbon-Pecan pie.

"Keep the kids away from that one!" Zoey laughs.

"Maybe we'll keep that one for just us girls!" Abbey suggests in glee.

Eventually, when we have a few pies cooling and a few more ready to go into the oven, Abbey shoos us out of the kitchen. Zoey and I leave the room smiling and completely stress-free. What a great way to start a holiday weekend.