The Kennedys

Chapter 16

○{June 1960}○

Joanna faced a rushed trip to the hospital, and after several challenging attempts, she and her husband triumphantly welcomed a child into their lives.

Before discovering her pregnancy, Joanna resumed her studies. With John's presidential aspirations, she delved into constitutional law, aiming to enhance her career.

In the hospital room, Joanna's assigned doctor entered. "Joanna, I'm gonna need you to do the breathing techniques you practiced." The doctor instructed, arranging pillows behind her back for added support.

Enduring the pain, Joanna suspected the person in the room next door could likely sense her discomfort. A compassionate nurse hurriedly brought ice and a stuffed animal. "What's this for?" Joanna questioned, her tone reflecting the heightened pain. "You can squeeze it as hard as your heart desires." The nurse explained, handing her the stuffed animal. Initially hesitant, Joanna's expression changed to a pained "Oooowwww!" as she clutched the bear tightly.

James, observing Joanna's tight grip on the stuffed animal, attempted to lighten the mood with a joke. "Seeing how hard you just grabbed that thing, I don't really wanna hold your hand," he quipped. The woman beside him shot him a glare, while the doctor couldn't help but laugh.

Christopher's birth lasted for an intense hour, filled with screams and tears. James took on the role of wiping away the tears from Joanna's eyes, providing steady support. While he was overjoyed to become a father, Joanna felt unprepared for the new chapter in their lives.

After spending the night in the hospital, Joanna returned home the next day to a warm welcome from friends and family. The clean home served as the backdrop for celebrating the arrival of the new family of three.

Joanna took another break from her studies to devote time to her child, during which James demonstrated that she was indeed an amazing mother. The family embraced a routine of attending church every Sunday and saying their prayers daily.

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Meanwhile, in their relatively short years of marriage, Bobby and Ethel had already welcomed three kids. While Joanna was genuinely happy for them, she recognized the challenges she faced in expanding her own family, given the difficulties they had encountered in having just one child.

Joanna empathized with both Bobby and Ethel, observing Bobby's persistent downcast mood during their hangouts. Despite the public perception of their perfect couple image, she witnessed their multiple fights and sensed there was more to their relationship behind closed doors.

During a night of laughter and music, Bobby, in a drunken state, made a move towards Joanna. Sensing the situation, she backed away, bringing him back to his senses. She then escorted him back to his house. Before parting ways, he expressed gratitude, saying, "Thanks for not yelling at me, Joanna." Leaving her with a statement that lingered in her thoughts everyday.

Joanna struggled to comprehend the frequent fights between Bobby and Ethel. Despite being a good husband, a great dad, and exceptional in bed, Ethel seemed to believe he excelled most in arguments. The discrepancy puzzled Joanna as she witnessed the complexity of their relationship.

○{November 1960}○

On November 8th, 1960, America cast their votes in a closely contested presidential election. Democratic Senator John F. Kennedy emerged victorious, defeating the Republican nominee, incumbent Vice President Richard Nixon.

Joanna and James celebrated with excitement when John's victory was announced. They not only rejoiced for John's success but were also thrilled at the prospect of moving to DC with the new president. Rose and Joseph, filled with pride, threw a party to honor their oldest son's significant achievement for the family.

With the deep seated desire for one of their sons to become president, Rose and Joseph had envisioned this dream throughout their lives. After Joe's passing, Jack felt a responsibility to fulfill his father's wishes. Recognizing the political value of a family, Jack, as a newly married man with a soon-to-be-born child, understood the significance of presenting an ideal family image to gain votes. And frankly, it worked.

Anticipating their relocation in January, the two families engaged in packing and reveled in their triumph. Despite the challenge of uprooting a 5-year-old across multiple states, Joanna and James executed the move with apparent ease.

Bobby and Ethel had two more children than Joanna and James so they were pros basically.

○{January 1961}○

Having officially resettled in Washington, D.C., the families now embark on what they hope will be a residence lasting not just four years, but ideally extending even further.

Despite numerous job offers flooding in from around the district, Joanna opted to prioritize settling into their new life and home with her toddler before actively seeking employment.

James, deeply engrossed in his work for the new President of the United States, filled Joanna with immense pride. With everything aligning positively in her life, it felt like an era where nothing could disrupt the newfound harmony.

In her time away from work, Joanna has delved deeper into global affairs, actively participating in various social reform groups, particularly those focused on children and women. Her commitment is evident through a series of UNICEF field trips, spanning from a polio vaccine project in Turkey to training programs for women in Venezuela, initiatives for street-involved children in Ecuador, projects for clean drinking water in Guatemala and Honduras, and radio literacy initiatives in El Salvador.

Between her travels and maternal duties, Joanna dedicates her time to the White House alongside Christopher, immersing herself in the intricacies of social reforms within the United States. Her overarching goal is to advocate tirelessly for meaningful change on various fronts.

Within the White House, Joanna gravitates towards John, finding him a fount of information on American affairs. Their interactions provide not only insights into the nation but also offer a chance to keenly observe the dynamics within the historic walls. Beyond the rich history of offices, Joanna keenly observes the behaviors and interactions, gaining a nuanced understanding of the people in the White House.

The maids are always young and called the President by Jack. Joanna always gets a good laugh out of that, but she knows Jack, and sadly, she knows just how easy it is to get into HIS pants and that they probably knew as well.