That evening Caitlin, her parents, Zoey, Charlie, the Senior Staff, Donna Moss and Mrs. Landingham were all having dinner in the residence. The President was a little miffed that he wasn't given enough warning to prepare his famous chili for the occasion, but he didn't let that spoil his mood.
"There are three words and three words only in the English language that begin with dw. Can anyone name them?"
"Ugh"
"You've got to be kidding."
"Can't we even get a break after work."
"C'mon Princeton, you went to a fancy schmansy school, what is it?"
"Somebody answer him so we can get out of this jeopardy hell."
The Senior Staffers all began at once, used to the President's persistant badgering.
"Dwindle" -Sam supplied
"Dwarf" CJ added
"Dwindle, dwarf....dwell. There can we eat now." Toby finished.
"Actually not yet. My father is misinformed. There are four words in the English language that start with dw." Caitlin replied mysteriously.
There was shocked silence. Could the President have been wrong?
"Caitlin, my darling. There are only three." The President insisted.
"Sorry Dad, still one more." Caitlin said mischievously.
"Ok and that would be..." Josh asked anxious to hear the answer.
Caitlin smiled, then looked at her father and simply said "dweeb". The room erupted into laughter at the appropriate word Caitlin had come up with.
"I meant real words, Caitlin." The President replied slightly put off, yet amused.
"It's in the dictionary, Dad, hence it is a real word. Face it you were wrong, let's eat."
The President smiled in good humor but sent Charlie downstairs to get a dictionary.
"That was very nice Caitlin." Toby said. "You've made us proud."
"That's Rhodes Scholars for you. We can think on our feet." Caitlin beemed, then looked over at Josh. "Unlike Fulbright Scholars." She continued, adding in the running joke/argument between her and Josh.
"Hey, we are just as..." Josh began.
"Tell me Josh, about this secret economic plan to fight inflation my father has."Everyone laughed except Josh who looked slightly shocked.
"I can't believe that made it all the way to Oxford." Josh said.
"It didn't." Caitlin replied. "Sam told me."
Josh turned an accusing eye at Sam.
"You told her?"
"I did"
"Why?"
"Why not? It was a priceless moment, and at the time Caitlin sounded stressed and I felt she needed a diversion."
"He was right. I did and it did. The thought of it kept me in good spirits all through finals." Caitlin said with a chuckle.
"Great just when I was starting to live it down."
"Not anymore my friend. You didn't let me live down my most embarrassing moment, I don't plan on letting you forget this one." Caitlin stated.
"Oh you are not still sqwaking about that are you?" Josh stopped lost in the memory and smiled. "I was pretty annoying I guess. It was really funny though. I mean you...hmph" CAitlin clasped her hand over Josh's mouth before he could finish.
"I didn't make fun of her."
Sam simply stated."See?" Caitlin said.
"Of course *he* didn't. That's part of his role. Knight in shining armor. I'm the annoying big brother, remember?" Josh replied.
"How could I forget?" Caitlin aksed, realizing just how much she missed these guys.Over in the corner the President turned to the First Lady. "Any idea what embarrassing moment they are talking about?" he asked.
"No. But the three of them spent so much time together during the campaign, I'm sure they have a lot of such shared moments." The First Lady paused. "I'm so happy she's here."
"Our family is almost complete again. Think we can convince Elizabeth to move to Virginia?" The President asked, watching his two daughters laugh as they caught up.
"I wish." Abby said. "Jed, has Caitlin said anything to you about why she left England in such a hurry?"
"No. I think we just need to give her a little time to settle in."
"I hope you're right."
"Abby, now don't start worrying over this, it's probably nothing."
"I'm a mother. It's my job to worry. Especially about my little girl."
TBC