Author's Note: This is a continuation of the emergency Sunday workday. The group learns of President Owens' temper and Suzanne's equally intense feelings. The reader should wonder if they're hormonal? Is Suzanne Gibbs transitioning to motherhood inklings?

In this chapter:

Jessica Owens: The President's youngest child.

"Renewal and Reflection:" What does it cost to be President of the United States? Suzanne reminds the President of his prior, present and future obligations.

The temperament of the White House that Sunday morning was intense. Office workers were working at a hurried pace, the hum of copiers and commentaries from the flat-screen televisions. The usual office music was off. Their checkpoint was three minutes behind schedule, causing them to arrive moments later than ordered by the President.

"Thank God you're here!" A staffer hugged Suzanne and then Claudia. The young man was genuinely happy to see the duo and trembled slightly.

"Oh, this must be a dilly." Claudia whispered as she and Suzanne entered the office, noticing their coworker at her station. Linda never worked on Sundays.

"I got called in too, around 7:45, just before we left for church." Linda said, focused on her computer screen, glancing momentarily at the two. "And you're right, Claudia: it's a dilly."

"The mood?"

"How about a man possessed?" Linda whispered.

"And he's been buzzing your extension for the last 10 minutes, Suzanne."Linda continued typing on her computer and shook her head in disbelief.

The President's mood was of disgust. Definitely, it was infectious. The others snapped amongst another. Suzanne's temperament was equalizing. Besides Mrs. Owens, it was his trusty aide who deescalated tense situation with the right amount of humor, the steady tone.

"The word…he asked for resignations."

"Gibbs, get in here! Now!" The President growled from his library.

"Oh, Lord!" Suzanne took a deep breath, bracing herself for anything.

"When he says Gibbs…" She paused for a second, placing her jacket on the chair. "Not a good sign…"

"Bring the data and all meeting notes concerning the 'Twit' campaign…" The President added.

"Yes, Mr. President."

"and Claudia Bailey too…" She managed to hang up her heavy overcoat and make it to the desk.

"Damn!" She whispered.

"Hey!" Linda motioned. "The kid's here…"

"Hey Q...?" The President called. "Have a seat while I change into my home-team uniform." The reference was relaxation, changing from his suit to well worn sweat clothes.

The President had four children-two daughters and two sons. His sons Daniel and David were twins, age 15. They were at basketball practice. His 13 year old daughter was the typical teenager who longed for independence from a younger sister. Jessica Owens was the youngest of the Owens children. At age 7, all she knew of the man was 'Daddy.' A third grader recognized the word "President," understood it was a job, but didn't grasp how it affected her. She visited, known to sneak down to the work area from the residence to spend time with Mrs. Person, Mrs. Bailey and "Q." Linda was the Grandma. Claudia was the auntie. Suzanne was Jessica's playmate and confidant.

"Hi."

"Hi." Suzanne replied.

"Thank you for Hans and Helga." Jessica remembered the present Suzanne bought during the first overnighter, her first assignment. A friend from the merchandise department at the local theme park sent the two bears upon Suzanne's request.

"You are welcome!" Suzanne replied, laughed. "They're friends of mine who lived in Williamsburg. They're actually from the Black Forest in this country called Germany."

"Why does my daddy call you Q?" Asked the precious one at their first meeting, an informal meeting in the residence.

"It's my nickname." She simply answered. "Just like he calls you Double R." Both Jessica and Suzanne smiled.

"Well, my name is Jessica Catherine Owens." She said.

"And my name is Suzanne McNamara Gibbs."

The President just observed, appreciated the time she took with Jessica; it was genuine. Suzanne spoke to the youngster honestly, gently.

"You have a funny middle name." Jessica chuckled.

"My middle name is actually Denise. When I met Mr. Gibbs, I used my old last name as my middle name."

"Oh." Jessica simply said. "You got married." She noticed Suzanne's rings.

"Guess what? I can name words beginning with the letter Q..." Jessica said proudly, sitting closer to Suzanne.

"I bet you can!" Suzanne replied.

"You know what? My sister says she's too big to play dollies with me. My brothers say I'm too little and might get hurt playing football." Jessica pouted. "It's not fun being 7 years old. There's no one to play with."

"You know what? My brothers said the same thing to me too." Suzanne responded. "Now, I'm a grown up too, just like they are!"

"How many brothers do you have?"

"I have two."

"Maybe one day...you can come play with me?" Jessica asked.

"If it's okay with your parents, sure, I will." Suzanne paused, noticing the time on the clock.

"Are you done with your homework, Jess?"

"I have to read today."

"What if I..." Suzanne tapped her side, urging Jessica to sit closer. "What if we read a book together? Then, you'll have to go to sleep for school tomorrow. Okay?"

"I'll get one from my bookcase!"

"The agent's on their way." Linda whispered in Suzanne's ear. "She's hiding underneath your desk."

Sundays were 'Daddy's days,' meaning he spent time with his family. The President's appeal was commitment to family, spending quality time with each of his children collectively and individually. When Suzanne sat her backpack down, she noticed the company.

"Did I scare you?" Jessica giggled.

"No!" Suzanne grinned.

"Come here, you!" She hugged the little girl, kissed her on the cheek. "What're you doing down there?"

"Q, I want to see Daddy." She sat outside the library beside the desk, holding her rag doll. "We're supposed to have a tea party today."

"Jess…" Suzanne sighed. "I think he's really, really busy today."

"Please?"

Suzanne couldn't resist those deep brown eyes. In Jessica, she saw a little of her personality at the same age-7 years old, pigtailed, missing front teeth, and tall! She thought of her father, remembered how Sundays they attended Mass and then went for an adventure, just the two.

"My goodness! You're getting tall!" Suzanne whispered lovingly, steered the conversation to an alternative.

"Maybe later…you and I can have the tea party." She placed Jessica on her lap, stroking her pigtailed hairdo. "How about that?"

"I can bring Hans and Helga…" Jessica suggested. "And we can have it down here in the library!"

"That...sounds really, really good!"

The President came outside his library.

"Jessica, what I did tell you?" He scolded the youngster loudly. His voice overpowered the activity on the entire wing.

"Daddy—"

"NO! Go back to the residence! Tell Mrs. Gibbs, Mrs. Bailey, and Mrs. Person you're sorry…"

Linda, Claudia and Suzanne stood, listening and watching in disbelief.

"I just wanted to spend time with you…"

Tearfully, Jessica left the room with the security detail.

"Bye, Mrs. Gibbs…" Her voice quivered.

"Bye, Sweetie…" Suzanne whispered.

She thought to herself, 'All Jess wanted was her daddy...'

Normally, her emotions stayed within reason. She seemed to know when to address a concern. The way he addressed Jessica irritated her. It was no way. She picked the battles carefully. The kid was a welcomed change to the scenery. The library door was usually closed.

"Jessica was outside your office, and…"

"I called for you and you chose to ignore my directions…" The President said aloud.

"Mrs. Gibbs, do you value your career with this administration?" His hands were folded.

"I do…" Suzanne remained vocal and didn't care all could hear the heated conversation. "But I value other things outside work, too."

"Maybe a note regarding insubordination in your personnel file may help you remember the balance of power in this office."

"If that's the case, Mr. President, let me give you something substantial to place in there…" Her hands rested on her hips.

"Let me get Suzanne…" Linda suggested.

"No…" Claudia placed a hand on Linda's arm. "Let her handle this…she's doing the right thing."

"This right here is temporary…" Suzanne used her hands, swiping it around to describe the White House. "Fatherhood is a lifelong commitment. Remember that 10, 15 years from now when she's an adult." In disgust, Suzanne left the library to gather the paperwork. Her peers stared, uncertain to intercede, congratulate or detail the ramifications for expressing an opinion. She returned to the library, closing the door. The conversation waned a little.

"Mr. President…" Suzanne's tone cooled significantly as did the President's. "There's no reason whatsoever to take out your frustration with the stalemate on those who work…and even love you."

President Owens sighed, began to pace around the room, realizing the aide, equally knowledgeable, equally passionate about the legislation, was ballsy. He was impressed with her stance, her courage.

"There is an easy solution for the situation." She explained in detail with handwritten notations, a chart and statistical information. "It was something Linda, Claudia and I thought about after Friday's meeting…a plan B." With a hint of confidence and a little trepidation, she handed the President the file.

He glanced over the notes, nodded his head in approval, even chuckled and muttered, 'This may work…"

"At the meeting Friday, I had some reservations…I asked for Claudia's and Linda's input, and ta-da…"

"How soon?" The President asked.

"Yesterday." Suzanne replied. "Acknowledge our errors, create an aggressive strategy, and hopefully, we'll trend again with the new and improved model…"

"Work with Lewis and Claudia on the retool…" The President suggested. "EOB tomorrow—I want a finished product…"

"What about Jane?"

"I asked for her resignation." Suzanne remained quiet, surprised at the sympathy she had for an employee who tried to discredit and disrespect Suzanne's skills.

"I have an opening with the Press Office...and I'm thinking of Claudia Bailey and Lewis in duel responsibilities."

Suzanne smiled, watching Claudia work at her desk.

"I would move you there, but...we're a good team."

"Anything else, Mr. President?"

"Cream and sugar, please?" The President passed her the coffee cup.

"Yes, Mr. President." Suzanne headed to the breezeway.

The President noticed his photo, the one with he and Jessica in the official White House "Treehouse."

"Hey, Q?" He began. "Off record: what do you think about your dad?"

"He was a great Daddy." She smiled. "Supported me, always around, and always made time for me."

"I'm sorry for snapping at you."

"I think...you need to apologize to Jessica." Suzanne walked out of the office and for the break area.

The President reached for his phone but then changed his mind.

"I have a tea party with my daughter." He grabbed the coffee and informed Suzanne that he'll be back in a while. "Reroute my calls to the residence."

"Yes, Mr. President."