A/N: Not every chapter will be Alexandria and family – some will be the side stories which happened because of the change in the timeline. This is one of them.
Former Congressman Tom Landis was sitting in his office. Since losing his seat, he had been invited to be on the Board of Directors for a number of companies and he had picked up a couple.
He was, like many people today, watching the continuing coverage of the sudden appearance of Alexandria Bartlett. Having met the President personally, he could imagine how happy the man was.
Suddenly, his phone rang. "Yes, Jessica?" he asked his secretary.
"Josh Lyman from the White House is on Line 2 asking for you."
A little shocked Tom replied, "I'll take it. Thank you." He switched the line. "Josh, this is a surprise! I've been watching the news. How are things in the West Wing?"
"Both normal and crazy to be perfectly truthful. We've been just going along but we got to make Majority leadership crazy for a couple of days. It was fun."
Tom chuckled with Josh. "I can imagine Haffley's face." Tom Landis, being fairly moderate, had never liked the right-wing Majority Whip.
"Anyway, Congressman. I was calling to invite you to the White House." Tom could hear the smile in Josh's voice.
"That's FORMER Congressman," Tom replied ruefully.
"Yeah. Whatever. Doesn't matter. Still want to invite you."
Curious, Tom asked, "What could possibly interest me enough to come to a Democratic White House when I'm no longer in office."
"Funny you should mention that. After tweaking the Majority Leadership all of Monday, I pointed out to someone who was more your style of Republican that the current fighting till it dies way of dealing with each other wasn't effective and that if Congress had better communication with us, they wouldn't have been so crazy. Long story short – I got one bill of my choice resurrected and about to be voted on as a message that Congress is willing to work closer with us. We're going to try to have a cease-fire and actually get things done. Guess what bill I got?" Tom could hear Josh's smile having turned into a smirk.
Tom paused for a moment and then said, "You mean …."
"Yeah. I'm sorry that your name isn't on it, but it's a Republican bill without all the crap that was added in the end to kill it – crap from both sides if you remember. I figured that you might want to see the President sign the Chesapeake Bay Restoration in person."
Tom Landis was flummoxed. "You could have picked anything and you picked mine?"
Josh laughed. "Actually, yours was the one I used as an example as a good bill that got killed by stupid infighting. Royce suggested it as a peace offering and I grabbed it with both hands."
"Robert Royce? We always got along."
"I know. You moderate Republicans are a dying breed. We're hoping to resurrect the species with all of this." The two laughed again.
"When?"
"Probably Thursday. The First Family is going back to New Hampshire for Spring Break to re-introduce Alexandria to the rest of the family." Josh paused. "Hey, let me put you on hold and I'll check to see exactly when it would be."
"Okay."
The phone clicked over to light music. Tom sat listening, marveling that something he had worked so hard for was actually going to happen – even after he left Congress.
Suddenly he heard the phone click again, "Former Congressman?"
"Deputy Chief of Staff?" Tom replied with some amused sarcasm.
"Thursday at 5:00 – it will be the last item on the President's agenda before he takes the vacation. Bring your wife. Afterwards we can go have a beer or two to celebrate. I'll corral a couple guys from here to go with us. What do you say?"
Tom smiled. "I'll check with my wife but it sounds good to me. She prefers wine though."
"Wine, beer, vodka – it's all good. One of you will have to stay sober enough to drive home though."
"We'll play rock, paper, scissors to figure out who gets to get sloshed. We'll be there at 4:30 Thursday."
"Looking forward to it."
Tom Landis and his wife were escorted to the West Wing. Upon seeing them, Donna Moss pushed a button on her phone. Instead of picking up, Josh called out of his office, "What?"
Tom smiled and shook his head and quietly reassured his wife.
Donna's face took on a look of exasperation. "Mr. Landis and his wife are here!" she called back.
Suddenly, the Josh Lyman was at his door. "Tom!" Pause. "Mrs. Tom!"
The two laughed. Mrs. Landis said, "You can call me Mary."
"Mary!" Josh smiled at her with his dimples and then addressed her husband. "Welcome back to the White House. You ready for this?"
"I'm looking forward to it," he replied.
Josh nodded and turned to his assistant. "Can you let Debbie know that Mr. Tom Landis, former Representative for the Maryland 5th and his wife have arrived to witness the Bill signing?"
Donna nodded and did it quietly. She listened and then hung up. "The President has invited Mr. and Mrs. Landis to the Oval Office at 4:40 for a short conversation before the bill signing."
Tom and Mary Landis were surprised. Tom hadn't been invited into the Oval when he was a Congressman. Josh looked at them and Tom said, "Certainly!"
Josh grinned and started leading them, chatting with Tom about what he'd been doing. Mary Landis was just overawed.
At 4:40, the President's Personal Secretary, in response to the President's bellow of "What's next?" got up and went to the door.
"Mr. Tom Landis, Former Representative Maryland 5th and his wife, Mary Landis." She turned and motioned them in.
The two entered to a smiling president walking over from his desk. "Mr. and Mrs. Landis! Welcome to the White House. How has your visit been so far?"
"It's been great, Mr. President, even if we just got here 15 minutes ago." Mrs. Landis echoed this. "It's an honor to meet you."
After shaking both of their hands, they were led over to the couch. "I heard that you wrote most of this bill."
"That's right. Josh and I worked a number of late nights working out the kinks before it got stuck in committee. That it came back was a shock to be certain."
"I understand. I was happy to hear that Josh and Congressman Royce worked out getting it back. A good bill I'm happy to sign. How has life been since leaving the House?" the President asked curiously.
Tom and Mary looked at each other and then Tom said, "It's actually be kind of nice. A couple of positions on different Boards, and I no longer have to fight with my coworkers constantly. I'm certain my wife is happy about that."
With a chuckle, Mary agreed. "He's much less of a grouch when he comes home" The three laughed. "And how has your family been since your daughter was returned? It was heartwarming to see such an unexpected occurrence."
Jed Bartlet smiled and both could see how happy he was. "It's been a joy. It's amazing how well she turned out with such a hard life. Her and Zoey have been together almost constantly and neither seems to mind."
"Some twins are just like that," Mary commented. "I can't imagine losing one of our children or finding one again after so many years of grief. Please give our best regards to your wife and family and our prayer that your blessing continues to bring you all joy."
Touched, the President nodded and took one of her hands in both of hers. "Thank you, Mrs. Landis. I will be certain to pass along your good words." He let go and sat back. "Mr. Landis? I have a question. Are your current plans set in stone?"
Curious, Tom looked at Mary and the two shrugged infinitesimally at each other. "Not really. We've a comfortable nest egg so finding a full time job hasn't been a priority. I had six years in the House so I will get a small pension when I retire, so looking for work has been about finding something I can believe in."
The President nodded. "How would you feel about coming to work for the Executive Branch?"
The two were taken aback. "What? … How?"
The President smiled. "When the Majority and Minority leaders get here for the bill signing, I'm going to let them know that I will be submitting your name for Senate Approval as the Region 3 EPA Director – the EPA Office that runs the Chesapeake Bay Project Office that will be overseeing this new law. How does that sound?"
At 5:00, representatives of the White House Press Corp were welcomed into the Oval Office. Unlike previous bill signings, instead of Democratic Congressmen and lobbyists who had pushed a bill, this time found the President seated at his desk with his Chief of Staff on one wide and his Deputy on the other. Arrayed behind and to the side were the Senate and House Majority Leadership to the left and the Senate and House Minority Leadership to the right. At the end of the Republicans was the Representative who had put the bill forward for this Congressional term along with Robert Royce. At the end of the Democrats was the current holder of the Maryland 5th.
If one was looking carefully, one would see the annoyance of the face of the Democratic incumbent for the Maryland 5th due solely to the presence, right behind the President, of the former Representative for the Maryland 5th, Republican Tom Landis, and his wife, Mary.
When the Honorable Representative had first arrived with his Party leadership he had made the faux pas of protesting the man's inclusion. The President had – politely – rebuked the man and had indicated that he was present with his personal invitation, this being such an important issue to him.
The President had further indicated that Mr. Landis was his nominee for the EPA Regional Director and the President expected speedy confirmation when the Senate reconvened.
The Minority leadership had given the rookie Congressman the stink-eye for making them look bad. He had resolved to keep his mouth shut.
The Minority and Majority leadership had then excused themselves for a moment for a brief discussion and, upon returning, had a quiet word with President Bartlet.
Both sides had seen the obvious excitement in the President's face and were happy with their extemporaneous bipartisan agreement.
The Press Secretary settled the reporters down and the President spoke.
"Good evening, and welcome to the White House. I know that it's a shock, but I don't have a huge, long speech for you today because as soon as we're done, it's time for the holiday to begin. And I have places to go and family to visit, as do these Honorable members of Congress."
The press laughed at the amusement coming from the President. The Senators and Representatives all chuckled as well.
"Today we have a bill which has been resurrected. In the last term, an earlier version got lost in committee. Unlike most bills which often no longer ever see the light of day, this one had been brought back because it is, as the Leadership from both Houses agree, a good bill. And a necessary one.
"In decades past, we were not so careful with our natural resources and, unfortunately, many natural resources were tainted with long term pollution whose effect, at that time, were unknown. This is not a knock against business, or the people, or farmers, or anyone else, really, except our own shortsightedness.
"One of the premier resources in this area of the country is Chesapeake Bay. It is a prime foundation of the eco-system and the economy for several states and it has been suffering for a number of years.
"Because this involved many states, and many citizens, and many groups, it falls within the purview and jurisdiction of the Federal government to do something about it. And because of its importance, members of Congress, both past and present, have worked hard to write a bill which will ensure the preservation and restoration of this beautiful landmark so that our children and our children's children, and so forth into the long future, can benefit from it and enjoy its natural beauty.
"Republicans and Democrats have worked hard to ensure that it will be an effective bill. They have also worked hard to ensure that the costs of this bill shall put no extra pressure upon the US taxpayer – it is, as we say in government, revenue neutral. We're not going to make any money off of it – but we won't lose money on it either or have to pull funding from other, important programs that are currently running under the laws as put forth by Congress and sighed by the Executive.
"And so, today, I sign this bill, the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Project into law."
The President, with a flourish, carefully signed the bill. As was often the case, several pens were used to sign different letters in his name.
When it was done, he held it up and allowed the Press to take a picture of the bill with himself and all the witnesses in the frame. They also took pictures of him handing out all but one of the pens. Tom Landis, who was the only one who hadn't got a pen, looked both slightly upset and slightly curious all at once.
"Now, usually that would be it and we would be pushing you out. But we have one more item of business to take care of." He motioned to Josh Lyman who took the folded item he had been holding and handed it to President Bartlet.
The President stood and motioned to the door. The remaining members of the Senior Staff arrived, along with the Administrator of the EPA, who held cabinet-rank.
The President turned and said, "Mr. Thomas Alan Landis, please step forth."
In confusion, Tom Landis looked around and saw the Leadership of both Houses smiling at him encouragingly, both Democratic AND Republican.
The President opened the folio in front of him and said, "With the importance of the appointment of an EPA Director for Region 3 given the newly signed Chesapeake Bay Restoration, and due to the fact that Congress is in recess at the moment, I, Josiah Edward Bartlet, President of the United States, and with full notification to the Leadership of the US Senate, hereby employ my Constitutional authority to make a recess appointment. I will now re-administer the Oath."
The President opened the folio and said, "Repeat after me …."
The Press took a number of photos as Tom Landis gave his Oath of Office.
"I, Thomas Alan Landis, … do solemnly swear … that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States … against all enemies, foreign and domestic; … that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; … that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; … and that I will … well and faithfully … discharge the duties of the office … on which I am about to enter. … So help me God."
"Thomas Landis, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity, prudence and ability, I designate you to the post of Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 Director. And I do authorize you to execute and fulfill the duties of that office with all the powers and privileges and subject to the conditions prescribed. It is affirmed by my signature..."
The president signed the order with the final pen he had used to sign the bill. He handed this pen to Tom.
"and affixed with the Seal of the United States."
The President accepted the Seal from Josh and stamped the Certificate. He put the seal down on his desk and closed the folio.
"And it is done so on this day and in this place." He handed the folio with the certificate to Tom who gave a brilliant smile.
"Congratulations." The President was the first to shake his hand and he allowed the Press to take a picture of that.
Every member of the Leadership also shook Tom's hand. He thanked each of them.
The President looked around and said, "Okay folks. We're done. I need a moment of the Leadership's time for a private matter, but the rest of you folks should get the heck out of my office." The President grinned at the Press and Senior staff. "They'll be out in a minute for you to hound. Thank God, I'm going to New Hampshire for the break. Tom, talk to your boss there about when you start – I suggest two weeks at the most or the whole recess appointment thing will make me a liar and we can't have that."
The press laughed as they exited, as did Tom and Mary Landis, who left with Josh Lyman. The EPA Director followed the couple so that they could speak before they left the White House.
When only the Leadership and Leo were left, he looked at them and said, "This isn't a politics thing. Alex especially hasn't yet spoken to the press but both of my youngest daughters felt it was proper to thank you personally for your proclamation." He nodded to Leo who went to the door to the Chief of Staff's office and opened it. In walked the twin sisters.
Alex was nervous but said, "Hello, folks. I'm Alexandria Bartet and I wanted to thank you for your kind words, especially about my sister and what she did."
The Leadership was pleasantly surprised and honestly felt that this wasn't a political move at all.
Say what you would about the Bartlets, but they came off as very genuine. The group was happy to meet the girls and exchange kind words.
Josh led the way back to the office area. Tom had spoken briefly with the EPA Director and made an appointment for the Monday a week after Easter Monday to begin his integration into the Agency.
Josh was grinning as he walked past Communications. "Sam! Toby! CJ! Come out with us. I'm taking Tom and his wife out for a beer … well, wine for the Mrs. because that's what she likes. But beer for the rest of us."
CJ paused and said, "I'll come out but I'm getting a Grasshopper."
Sam looked over and said, "That sounds good!"
Toby paused and looked at Tom and back to Josh. "Josh. Aren't you forgetting something?"
Confused Josh replied, "Umm. No?"
Toby, looking amusedly exasperated said, "They're Republicans!" All could see his was ribbing the new Federal employee.
Josh grinned and shrugged. "Well, no one's perfect. Besides, he works for us now."
Tom looked mockingly annoyed, Mary giggled and Toby mock glared again. "Fine. But only one beer. Maybe two." He paused. "We'll see." He turned and stopped and then turned back, "But I'm having Scotch. And you're buying. Well the first round anyway." He went back into his office to shut it down.
"Okay. Whatever." Josh groused quietly.
Tom and Mary laughed at the staff members.