"Where are my children?" Abbey asked as they were hustled out of the room.
"Their agents have them and they'll be with us shortly," Ron said as he brought Jed and Abbey to an empty function hall across the way.
Their agents began to secure it and within minutes, Ellie, followed by Alex and Logan, Liz, Annie, Toby, and then finally Zoey and Charlie came in.
"Are you ok?" Abbey asked, rushing to them.
"Yes mom," The girls said.
"What's going on?" Zoey asked.
"That's what I'd like to know," Jed grumbled.
Ron stepped forward. "Do you know Timothy Jones?"
Jed and Abbey looked at each other, and so did the girls. Only Charlie stepped forward.
"Yes. He's my father."
"He wasn't cleared to attend the event, sir," Ron explained to Jed.
"Ah. Charlie?"
"Yes, Jed?" Charlie asked, turning to him.
"Do you want to see your father?"
"I guess so."
"If you don't, we can leave early. Say it was a security precaution."
"No, I'll see him."
Ron nodded to the Secret Service. "Bring him in."
The agents led in a tall African-American man. He looked well-put together.
"Charlie?" He asked. "Hey, son."
"Hi Dad," Charlie said and offered him a small smile. "You look good."
"So do you, Charlie. Nice suit."
"Thanks," He said and walked his father over to Abbey and Jed, "Dad, this is the President and the First Lady."
Tim walked over to greet them. "It's an honor, Mr. President."
"Same to you," Jed replied. "We've heard…many, many things about you."
"Good things, I hope."
"Of course," Abbey said, not mentioning that she knew everything there was to know about him from Michelle and an FBI report.
"Charlie, would you and your dad like to spend some time together?"
"Sure, Mr. President."
Together, they all returned to the reception.
"He's a brave man," Juanita said to Abbey as she and Jed joined them.
"Or stupid," Isaac huffed.
"He's a father wanting to spend time with his son." Pausing to think of his father and late sister, he said, "And what could be better than that?"
On Monday just before lunch, Ainsley entered Sam's office.
"Are you ready to go?" She asked with a smile. "I decided to take an extra long lunch just like you suggested."
"Great," He smiled and walked over to her before greeting her with a kiss. "We just have to stop by Leo's office on the way out."
"Ok," Ainsley said and they took the short walk over to Leo's office. He was waiting for them in the foyer of his office.
"Hi, Ainsley. Sam, are you ready for that meeting?"
"Yeah."
"Sam!" Ainsley exclaimed. "What about our lunch date?"
"Sorry baby, you're already booked."
Leo opened the door to his office and there sat Jed and Abbey at his conference table, which had been set for lunch.
"Hello Ms. Hayes," Jed said. "Would you care to join us for lunch?"
Ainsley stood stock still. "Mr…Mr. President, Dr. Bartlet. It's an honor. It would be an honor to join you."
She probably wouldn't have been so cordial in an ordinary meeting with Democrats. But she was in shock.
Ainsley sat down. "What can I do for you?"
Leo closed the door behind them.
"First, let us dispense with the formalities," Abbey said. "We've invited you to lunch on a personal matter. So please call me Abbey."
"Abbey is correct," Jed said. "You might not feel so honored to join us when we're finished. You might have heard that we have taken guardianship of our daughter, Zoey's best friend, Charlie Young."
"Yes, I have," Ainsley said, taking a legal pad and pen out of her bag.
"His mother wanted us to take care of Charlie," Abbey said. "While this is all still very new, Jed and I would like to adopt Charlie sometime in the near future."
"That's a wonderful idea," Ainsley said softly. "Charlie is very lucky to have you two."
"Thank you," Abbey replied.
"Obviously, this could create a few problems."
"Like what?"
"For starters, Charlie has another family, correct?"
"Yes. Michelle's parents. She changed her will at the start of the year reflecting her wishes. They were aware and are supportive of us taking guardianship."
"Okay. What about his father?"
"That's slightly more complicated," Abbey admitted. "We met him for the first time on Friday. To our knowledge, he hasn't been very involved with Charlie. I'm sure there are court documents that would support that."
"But does he want custody now?"
"Possibly," Jed said. "Abbey and I have no wish to take Charlie away from his father. But we are concerned that Charlie may not receive the benefits he's entitled to from the MPD with his father in charge."
"So, you're saying that Charlie's dad might take the money and run?"
"Exactly. And more importantly, Charlie wouldn't get any of that inheritance."
"I see the problem." She clasped her hands in front of her. "If it did go to court, I would be happy to represent you."
"Wonderful," Abbey smiled. "If we were to move forward with an adoption, what should we expect?"
"How old is Charlie?"
"He'll be 14 in February."
"Willingness and consent will be the name of the game here. Charlie will most likely have to fill out a form required by the court saying that he wants to be adopted. Having the consent and support of his grandparents will be important as well. And his father would have to be willing to give up his rights as Charlie's dad or have them terminated by the court."
"Easier said than done," Jed muttered. "No proof of parentage, no inheritance."
"You said that right," Abbey agreed.
"That's a good point. But it'll have to be discussed at some point. Maybe Charlie will decide not to have him in his life at all."
"And if he does, will that mean an adoption can proceed free and clear?"
"Possibly. Charlie's desire to stay with you will weigh heavily in a decision to adopt. But It has to be proven that staying with you is the best option and that Charlie's father's rights should be terminated if he doesn't give them up voluntarily. Your jobs could also be a strike against you."
"Because we're the two most powerful people in the world," Abbey said.
"Precisely. A judge may question why intentionally putting a child in the public eye is in their best interest."
"Not to mention danger," Abbey admitted, eying her husband. "Would you be willing to represent us in the adoption when we decide to move forward? We need someone we can trust. Sam speaks very highly of you as do Joey and Amy. We want to keep our circle small."
"Yes, I'm willing to give Charlie and his father time to work on their relationship. But I want to be ready to strike."
Ainsley nodded, "Yes, sir. I can draft a retainer agreement covering representation and legal work for the guardianship and adoption and have it to you by the end of the day."
Jed smiled and exchanged a look with Abbey. Then extended his hand for Ainsley to shake, "Welcome aboard, counselor."
May 1989:
Jed and John stood on the front stoop of a condo in Madison, Wisconsin.
Jed took a breath. "Ready, John?"
"Ready."
They rang the doorbell. After a few minutes, a woman with short brown hair answered the door.
Jed spoke first. "Hello, Julia."
Julia smiled softly, "Hi Jed. Hi John. Come in."
The brothers stepped inside and Julia closed the door. Then she embraced them both in turn.
"It's good to see you, Julia," John said quietly.
"You, too." Julia agreed.
"Is Donna home?"
"She's out with friends," Julia explained. "Would you like some coffee? You must be starving after your long drive."
"I'd love some," John said.
The three of them sat down on the couch in the living room as Julia brought them coffee and snacks. Jed noticed, however, that Julia only picked at her food.
"Are you all right?" He said.
"I don't seem to have much of an appetite these days," She admitted.
"Jules, "John said after a moment of silence passed between them. "You didn't call us just to catch up, did you?"
"No. I don't want to have any regrets. And leaving you both behind is a big regret. I was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. I'm in treatment but I've been warned that I have a significant battle ahead."
"Oh, my God," Jed whispered.
"Does your family know?" John asked.
Julia nodded. "Daniel knows. Donna knows that I'm sick, but not how severe it is."
Jed reached for her hand. "We're here for you."
"Thank you," She said sincerely. "But let's not spend all our time talking about this. I want to see pictures of my nieces and nephew."
The three siblings proceeded to pull out stacks of photographs and in Julia's case a couple of albums worth.
Jed handed her a picture of the whole family; Abbey, Liz, Ellie, Zoey, and him all at Emily's Easter event. Alex was about to wriggle off his lap.
"Look at them. They're absolutely gorgeous."
"Yes."
"How old are they now?"
"Lizzie is 10, Ellie is 6, and the twins are two and a half, as I'm sure Zoey would tell you."
"They sound delightful."
"Bess is engaged," John shared. "He's a boy she met in college."
"Oh?" Julia said. "What's his name?"
"Henry. Henry McCord."
"And how's Will?"
"He's good. In high school. Can't decide whether he wants to become a doctor or a veterinarian."
"He sounds like a good boy, John."
"He is. What about Donna?"
"She's getting ready to graduate the 8th grade and can't wait to start high school. Her favorite subject is English."
"Sounds like Ellie. A big reader." Jed mused. "We really ought to think about getting the cousins together sometime."
Julia sighed. "I suppose so."
"Why don't you come out to the farm this summer? The fresh air would do you some good, and Donna would love it."
"I'll take it under advisement. How's Dad? Still the same as always?"
"He's mellowed a bit in his old age," John allowed. "I think it would do the two of you good to see each other."
"John," Jed warned.
"It's true."
Julia shook her head. "I can't go back, John. Especially not to Dad. It's been too long. I've burnt my bridges."
"But you're sick. You reached out to us."
"Because I knew I couldn't leave you behind without letting things go unsaid. We were too close growing up."
"Then you got married and left us behind," Jed mumbled.
"I have built a life here with Daniel and Donna that is richer than any wealth I could've had back in New Hampshire."
"I know," Jed replied. "I'm sorry."
"It's all right," Julia said.
John got a smile on his face. "So, Will has discovered the old tire swing."
"My God, I forgot that that was still there!" Julia laughed.
The three spent the afternoon reminiscing, never realizing that it would be the last time they were together.
On Wednesday, Jed took a stroll over to the East Wing in the early afternoon. Leo was taking the rest of his schedule so that he could attend to family business with Abbey. Amy was just walking back to her office when Jed entered the First Lady's office suite.
"Hey Amy," He said. "Is she in?"
"Yes, Mr. President. Go on in."
Jed went in and found Abbey just getting up from her seat.
"Hey," She said. "Donna, Josh, and their parents just arrived. They should be here any minute to start the tour."
"So…we just pull Donna aside and tell her?" Jed asked.
"Well, I thought we'd take her up to the Residence first, but yes." She paused. "I still think we're going against what Daniel wants."
"At this point, I could care less what his wishes are. Donna's been living here in DC for two years, and the girls still don't know she's their cousin. It's time."
"It's a good thing John's here then. I put him upstairs in your study with tea so that we can all talk in private while the tour goes on. Until we know how this goes, we'll keep the girls out of it."
"Thank you," He said gratefully.
"Don't mention it, babe," She said, kissing him. "But we may have to play referee between Donna and Daniel."
"Small price to pay."
Jed made his way down to the Diplomatic Reception Room, where Josh, Rachel, Daniel, and Donna were surveying the different paintings. He tapped Donna on the shoulder.
"Donna, may I see you in the Residence for a few minutes, please?"
"Of course, sir." She told the group she'd be right back.
"Is everything all right?" Josh asked.
"Yes, I just need to borrow your wife, if you don't mind."
"Of course, sir."
Jed brought Donna up to the Residence where Abbey was waiting just outside the study.
"Donna, Thank you for coming. You look fabulous."
"You're too kind ma'am."
Jed opened the study door and they walked inside where John waited with the tea service Abbey promised.
"Donna, you remember my brother John."
"Of course. How nice to see you again."
"You as well, Donna," John said, shaking her hand.
"Why don't we all sit down?" Jed suggested.
The three sat down on the chairs in the study.
Jed rubbed her hand. "I…don't know quite how to begin. Well, I can start here. Donna, did I ever tell you that John and I had a sister?"
"No, I don't think you did, sir."
John pulled out a small stack of photographs from the breast pocket of his jacket. He handed them to Donna.
"This is our sister, Julia."
Donna took them and she let out a small gasp of surprise. The top photo showed a young woman standing in front of what she recognized as the front door of the Bartlet farmhouse in Manchester. She looked no older than 16 and smiled for the camera.
"We were…very close for a long time, in spite of our age differences," Jed explained. "We did everything together when we were younger. But then when she was 22, everything changed."
John took over. "When she was 22, she fell in love with your father, Daniel. He was a good man, a kind man, but he didn't have much money to his name. Our father disapproved."
"She went off and eloped, and that was the last time we saw her for 23 years."
"She reached out to us, asking to see us," John said. "We visited her, and we were able to say all the things we hadn't said, but unfortunately, that was the last time we saw her. She died the next year."
Donna's head was spinning. She slowly flipped through the photos. It was like she saw an entirely different side of her mother and in a way she did. Julia never talked about her family much, only to say she had brothers she wasn't close to. But it didn't seem to be the truth.
"Whenever I asked about her family, my mother said that her home life wasn't the best. That's not true, is it?"
"The truth is complicated," John admitted. "Our father was a difficult man to deal with, to say the least. But he adored Julia. I don't think I ever saw him look as proud as he did the day Julia was admitted to Smith College. She met your father not long after she graduated and it went against our father's plans for her. He wanted her to marry well and to take advantage of the education he paid for. When your mother made it clear that she wanted to be with your father, our father forbade it and threatened to send her to a convent. She eloped with your father not long after, and we had no idea where she was until she called."
Donna looked up. She was starting to put the pieces together. The pieces that had been scattered her whole life but were now coming together like a puzzle.
"So…you're my…"
"Uncles," Jed confirmed. "Yes, we are."
"How come I was never told about this?"
"Julia was terrified her father would come to find her and drag her back by the ear if he knew where she lived. And your father supported that."
Donna nodded mutely, "Your father died before my mom did. Why didn't you talk to her again?"
"We tried, Donna. But by that time, your mother was very ill and your father wanted to protect her. So we let things be. We assumed he would tell you the truth when the time was right. And then there you were. One day you were in my campaign office working for Josh."
"And I was still in the dark."
"Yes." Jed looked at John. "I'm sorry about that. I should've told you the truth the day you started working for us. Or at least the day you got married. But it was never the right time. At least not until Michelle died. And then I realized that life was way too short to be keeping secrets."
"I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back," Donna said.
"Of course," Abbey said gently, speaking for the first time since they all walked into the room. "Take your time."
"Thank you," Donna said, stopping herself before she said "ma'am." What was she supposed to say in situations like this?
Donna exited the room and she stepped into the hall, she saw a flash of brown hair disappear into Alex's bedroom before the door shut. She checked her watch. It was just after 12:30. The girls weren't due home for a few hours yet. She walked down the hall and knocked on the door before opening it.
Alex sat on the edge of a king-size bed that Donna didn't recognize. Her room looked mostly the same. But there were some posters on the wall and clothes on the bench at the foot of the bed that must've belonged to Logan. She had been gone not even two weeks yet. What happened? But then none of those things mattered anymore when Donna saw that the Burberry dress Alex was wearing, a gift from Emily, was stained with what appeared to be Hawaiian punch or something down the front.
"Oh, Alex…"
Alex looked up, and her lower lip quivered.
"What happened?" Donna said, sitting down.
"Someone saw the tabloids about me and Logan. They waited until I was walking by my locker, then threw Hawaiian Punch on my dress."
"Why?" Donna gasped.
"I don't know. Jealousy maybe? Most of the girls have had a crush on Logan since school started and they weren't happy when they found out we were dating. The tabloids took pictures of us in town over Thanksgiving weekend. They made up some story that I'm pregnant and Logan's parents are fighting with mine because of it."
"Well, none of that is true."
"Logan and I moved in together," She said, indicating the room. "He gets so upset when I tell him about this stuff."
"Because he cares about you, Alex. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Yes, I did."
"No, you didn't. Don't listen to them, Alex. You are an incredibly sweet, bright, talented young woman. And anybody who tries to tell you anything different isn't worth your time." She paused. "Did you tell anyone?"
Alex shook her head. "It'll only make it worse."
"I think you should tell your parents."
"The only thing I'm telling my parents is that I'll go to boarding school if the offer's still open."
"Alex, why would they send you to boarding school? They just brought you here."
She sighed, "My dad got really mad and wanted to send me to boarding school. He cooled off and apologized after. But it might just be easier if I left."
Donna smiled sadly. "I think your sister would really miss you. And Logan. And I've heard that you're really nice to Charlie since his mom died. You've got your parents and siblings. And me. Don't let those bullies scare you away."
Alex sighed. "Okay, Donna. I'll stay."
"That's my girl," Donna said and gave her a hug. "It'll get better sweetheart. I promise. I have something to ask you."
"What's that?"
"What do you know about your Aunt Julia?"
Alex shrugged, "She died when I was little. Dad doesn't talk about her a lot."
"My mom's name was Julia, Alex. Which would make us cousins."
Alex's eyes widened in shock, "No way!"
"Yeah. Would you believe I didn't know about it myself until a few minutes ago?"
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"So...your mom was my dad's sister?"
"That's right."
"Wow," Alex said, stunned. "But I guess it makes sense. When my dad and my uncle talked about Aunt Julia, they said she was always in charge. Kind of like you."
Donna smiled, "Should I be flattered?"
"I think so."
"Good." They hugged again, then Donna stood up.
"I'm going back out there. Are you going to be okay?"
"Sure, Donna. I'll be fine."
Donna smiled at her, then left the room. She returned to the study to find Jed, John, and Abbey talking quietly.
Jed noticed her first. "Hey, Donna. How are you doing?"
"Better," Donna said with a small smile. "I ran into Alex just now."
"Alex?" Abbey repeated. "Is she all right?"
"She's fine, but I think you should have a talk with her. The kids at school are really bothering her."
"Excuse me," Abbey said, slipping out.
"Donna, we do have one other thing we need to discuss," John spoke up.
"Oh?"
"Yes," Jed said. "Your grandfather decided that it would be best to put his money into college trust funds for his grandchildren. When we found out about you, John and I put money aside for your college and later graduate school. We would like to continue the legacy with a fund for Madeline. Annie has one as well."
"I don't know what to say," Donna said quietly. "Thank you so much."
"You're very welcome, Donna," Jed replied. "It's the least we can do. You're family."
Just then, Abbey reentered the room. "Jed, we need to talk."
Jed stood up, "Excuse me a moment."
Abbey waited for Jed who emerged from the study and gestured for him to follow her to their room. They walked in and closed the door behind them.
"What's going on? Is Alex all right?"
"Alex is physically fine. I didn't want to be overheard in the hall. Some little punk decided to throw some sort of drink all over her at school. Alex came home early to change and she doesn't want Zoey, Logan, or Charlie to know what happened."
"Who is it?"
"Jed-"
"No, I'll kill him."
Just then, the phone rang. Abbey went over to her nightstand to answer it and her eyes widened. "Thank you," She said into the phone and hung up.
"Well, Logan already tried to beat you to it."
"What do you mean?"
"They need us up at the school. Logan got into a fight."
Curious to know more about why we created Julia Bartlet? Read more about it in the latest blog post:
twwyoursmineours dot com /2022/06/20/julia-bartlet/