1966

Chapter 48

Jackie's Room

Otis Air Force Base

Jackie was dressed and her bags had been sent to the White House the night before. She heard a knock before Jack came in. Jackie walked over and hugged him. "Oh kid" Jack kissed her neck as Jackie embraced her husband. "I need to say goodbye to the staff" Jackie said to which Jack agreed. 

Reception

The First Couple walked into the reception hand in hand with Mrs Shaw following up behind carrying the twins. They shook hands and thanked the staff for the service. Finally Jackie came up to Dr Walsh's assistant for Otis. She, much to Nurse Well's surprise, hugged her before shaking her hand. "Thank you so much" Jackie smiled. "For everything". 

Nurse Wells was touched. 

"It's a pleasure Mrs Kennedy" Nurse Wells said, trying to look polite. 

"Please call me Jackie". This time, Nurse Wells was so shocked that the First Lady was actually talking to her, she nearly fainted!

After reaching the end of the line, Jack reached and squeezed his wife's hand. "Together" he said. Jackie nodded, smiling. They walked out the base and into the view of the Press. 

"MR AND MRS KENNEDY!" The Press screamed as the radiant First Couple emerged from the base and headed towards the car. Halfway in the walk, each of them took a child before heading into the car. 

Air Force One

Mrs Shaw took the twins to the cribs in the private room before leaving the First Couple to be alone. Jackie sat on the sofa and lay her head on her husband's shoulder. "I love you Jack" Jackie whispered. Jack replied: "I love you too Jackie". He held her hand and wouldn't let go of it, the entire flight. 

West Sitting Hall

Jack had to run down to the Oval but Jackie headed upstairs. She sat in the West Sitting Hall before she heard distant footsteps. 

"MRS KENNEDY!" She heard someone call. It was Tish. She burst through the door, and wasn't surprised to see Jackie. "Oh good you're here!" Tish glanced at the First Lady before reading her clipboard. "Okay, you need to be in New York next week as I hope to have you scheduled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art but before that you need to be at the Smithsonian to open a new exhibit. And Mrs Eisenhower has asked me to pass on to you tha-" Tish was interrupted. 

"NO!" Jackie yelled.

Tish looked shocked. "Excuse me?"
"NO!" Jackie repeated herself. "No Tish! No!" Jackie said before turning to head into her room. 

"What do you mean no?" Tish asked, shocked. Jackie had never been that way around her before. "I'm not doing it. I have to spend some time with my new children. My maternity leave doesn't end until December" Jackie reminded her. Tish wasn't listened. Until Jackie turned around and went into her room before slamming the door on Tish's face. 

It was official. Jackie wouldn't be doing any duties until her maternity leave was over; and that was final.