Bert settled himself deeper in the saddle and let Delilah take her time. Sometimes it simply didn’t pay to spin your wheels. “Attagirl, Delilah. As long as you get me there before midnight, I’ll be a happy camper.” Delilah snorted, and it seemed to Bert she was moving a tad faster. What had he said to create this change? “Ah, attagirl, Delilah. Boy, you can really strut your stuff here on this open road. Attagirl!” Damn, the old girl was actually working herself up to a trot. “Wheeee!” Bert shouted.

While Bert and Delilah made their way to Georgetown, Jack Emery was ushering in a gaggle of people, who immediately stampeded their way to the rows of babies, all of whom were sleeping peacefully.

Harry whistled, and the gaggle came to a dead stop. “Back up, ladies and gentlemen. Now, will the nurses step forward so we can do this trade-off in a nice, orderly manner? There are things you all need to know about these babies, even though they…have been out of your arms and homes for only a little while. Everyone is going to get their baby, so just be patient.” He jerked his head in Espinosa’s direction to indicate he should start his photography session, but Espinosa was already doing it.

“That sounded real good, Harry,” Jack remarked. “All those parents listened to you like you were a doctor explaining a medical condition. I was impressed, and so were they.”

Harry looked at his buddy suspiciously to see if Jack was making fun of him. He decided Jack was sincere, so he accepted the flattery he was heaping on him with good grace.

“What time is it?” Ted asked, a worried look on his face. “Maggie said she would personally kill us if we’re late to the White House. Are you listening to me, Jack?”

“I am, but I have to pay attention to what’s going on here, too. All we need is one baby going someplace it isn’t supposed to go, and we might as well head to Siberia. We have to square this away. In case you forgot, these kids are what this is all about. That Christmas party at the White House is just the frosting on the cake.”

“So what’s the game plan, then, Jack?” asked Ted.

Jack was mesmerized by how Ted could talk, watch what was going on, and still text a message. “The minute each set of parents has its baby and Espinosa takes his picture, then a group shot, we’re outta here. Those nurses remind me of my old grade-school teachers, who walked around with a ruler to smack the crap out of you if you moved a muscle. That means they are more than capable.”

“Navarro is here, Jack,” Harry hissed. “He’s on a horse! Look! His feet almost touch the ground. How silly is that?”