Descending the stairs of the aircraft, both Elizabeth and Annie looked up to
see Abbey standing right outside one of the Presidential limousines.
"MOM!" Elizabeth shouted back.
Feeling left out, Annie shouted "GRANDMA!"
As soon as they finished coming down the stairs, Abbey started to approach
them. Annie took off immediately after her grandmother and gave her a big
hug. Abbey then kissed her on the forehead as Elizabeth walked up and joined
the group. Upon greeting and embracing her mother in a hug, Elizabeth asked,
"Where's dad? He said he was going to be here."
"Your father got caught on some kind of big emergency. Some oil tank ran
aground in the Atlantic, and he has to fight with the environmental and the
wildlife lobbies." Abbey said approaching the awaiting limo. "He said he
was very sorry that he couldn't make it, and that the two of you are to
report to him the moment we reach White House grounds." Abbey finished as
they finally reached the limo.
Once Annie and Elizabeth climbed in side, Abbey got in as well, and
continued, "So did you enjoy your flight?"
"She hated it mom. Annie still gets airsick, to this day." Elizabeth said in
a teasing, but loving way.
"And you made her get on that plane? How dare you! Annie, sweetheart, are
you okay? How are you feeling?" Abbey said with a concerned look on her
face.
"I'm a lot better now that I'm no longer on that airplane, grandma."
"Yeah, I imagine so."
"So where is she? Roni, I mean. Where is my sister? I thought she was
going to come with you to the airport to pick us up."
"Yes, well she wanted to be here, but couldn't get time off of work without
lying. She's gonna try to get off early though."
******************************
"Mr. President, with all due respect, let's move on already." Leo pleaded
with the President.
"This is an important aspect that deserves our attention, and I for one am
for it."
"As am I Mr. President, but we have exhausted all means necessary in an
attempt to handle this. And we have had no luck up to this point. Sir, it's
time to move on. The environment people are supposed to be Josh and Toby's
thing, let's let them do this."
"And wildlife?"
"Sam's working on it."
"How far have they gotten with the cleanup efforts?"
"It's not going very good. They had hoped to be twice as far along by now."
"What's with the hold ups?"
"There were quite a few animals found trapped, more than expected. They all
had to be taken to safety."
"The oil company responsible?"
"I have a meeting with them later today, in hopes to convince them to
cooperate a lot more then they currently are."
Popping her head in, as she so often does, Mrs. Landingham called out to the
President, "Sir, Elizabeth and Annie to see you."
In a very excited tone, the president said, "Send them in."
Before he could even finish, both girls entered the room. Annie ran straight
to the President and gave him a hug. Elizabeth stayed back a little so she
could watch. As soon as he was done hugging his granddaughter, he said to
Elizabeth, "Get over here and give your old man a hug."
At his request, Elizabeth headed to her father and hugged him. He then took
a step back, with his hands on her arms, "It's good to see you." He then
went on to kiss her on the cheek. Right about then, Elizabeth looked over
and saw Leo quietly retreating into his office.
"You're not trying to leave without saying hello, are you Leo?" Elizabeth
said with a smile.
Stopping dead in his tracks, Leo turned around to see the face that went
along with the voice. "Hi Elizabeth, I was just…..I thought…..I thought
you'd like some time alone with your father, that's all."
"Well before you run away, I want a hug."
"Yes ma'am." Leo said as he hugged Elizabeth.
"It's good to see you again, Leo." Elizabeth said giving him a peck on the
cheek.
"Yes, yes it is." Leo said.
"Okay, you can go now, but you are in no way off the hook for trying to sneak
out of here."
"Yes ma'am." Leo said as he disappeared into his office.