Rory and Logan flew into Washington, D.C. a few days later.  Although Barrack Obama would not be sworn into office for several months, he and his team were in D.C. meeting with current president George W. Bush.  

Just hours after landing and checking into a hotel, Rory found herself in The Rose Room of The White House lunching with Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, Lynne Cheney, and Laura Bush.  Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden had invited Rory to meet the current First and Second Lady.  

"Rory, it is wonderful to see you again,"  Michelle said.

"Mrs. Obama, congratulations to you and your husband.  You look spectacular. How are the girls?"  Rory asked.

"Thank you.  Yes, Barrack is thrilled and very anxious to be sworn in so he can begin implementing his ideas.  The girls are excited to move to Washington and make new friends at a new school,"  Michelle said.

"Hello, Rory.  I was so pleased to hear you accepted this offer and are willing to write the feature on us.  I just loved the article you wrote on me and the Blue Star Mothers Club.  I think you really brought awareness and compassion to the cause,"  Jill said  shaking Rory's hand.

"Thank you.  It is wonderful to see you again, Mrs. Biden. Congratulations to you as well.  I am so happy you were pleased with the article.  It really is a great organization and deserves more recognition,"  Rory said. 

"Rory, I would like to formally introduce you to Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Lynne Cheney,"  Michelle said gesturing to the two women.  "Ladies, this is Rory Gilmore,  the Editor/Special Features Writer for Huntzberger Publishing Company.  I am certain you have seen some of her articles.  Rory has a special touch and manner to her writing that just appealed so much to Jill and me that we would not accept anyone else do this feature."

"I have read your articles, Rory.  And I agree that you are immensely talented.  Your piece on The Blue Star Mothers Club and their sacrifice and plight brought tears to my eyes.  It was just so touching while still being incredibly informative.  It is a pleasure to meet you,"  Laura said shaking Rory's hand.

"Thank you, Mrs. Bush.  I am so flattered by your praise and thrilled to meet you,"  Rory said.

Lynne shook Rory's hand.  "It is very nice to meet you, Rory."

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Cheney,"  Rory said.  "I remember watching you on CNN's "Crossfire" growing up.  It is an honor to meet you."

"Ok, ladies, please sit.  Lunch should be served shortly,"  Laura said motioning to the intimately set round table.  "I asked the kitchen to send a variety of sandwiches and salads, so we should have plenty to choose from.  Can I interest anyone in a glass of wine with lunch?"

Since this was a more informal gathering, everyone accepted a glass.  "I guess we should limit it to a glass or two. We don't want to get loose lips and gossip about foreign dignitaries' wives in front of a reporter!"  Michelle joked and broke the ice.  Everyone laughed and relaxed into easy conversation.

"Any plans for redecorating yet, Michelle?"  Lynne asked.  "Every First Lady is expected to put her own touch on things while she is in residence."

"Oh gosh, no, not yet!  The campaign and election were such a whirlwind, I haven't even packed up most of our things in Chicago yet!"  Michelle replied.

Laura patted her hand, "Plenty of time for all that.  I can give you the name of the interior designer I used.  He was amazing.  I was so lost with all the decisions.  But he made it fun."

"You know I will be around to help in any way I can too, Michelle,"  Jill said.

"Thank you both.  I'm more concerned with the schools for the girls right now though.  Laura, what did you think of the schools here?  Both your girls attended, right?"  Michelle asked Laura.  

"Oh yes, they are wonderful-- great staff, great curriculum.   You will want to interview the top three or four with your girls, but I am certain you will find a good match for them.  There are several excellent schools very close,"  Laura said.  

Lynne interjected, "I can't really vouch for the schools as my children are older, but we did use some of the childcare services here for our grandchildren when we went to events.  I know it can be daunting uprooting your kids and moving them to a new city, but rest assured, there are very good resources here."

Michelle smiled, "Thank you both.  This is why I was eager to have this lunch.  I wanted to talk to the women who have been here and know the ins and outs."  She looked at Rory, "I thought you might like to hear all this too.  In addition to the new political roles we are about to take on, we are still raising families.  I know you like to expose the more common, human aspects of prominent figures."

"Yes, this is perfect.  If you all don't mind, I would love to detail for the readers how you all are mothers and wives trying to raise families just like them.  This same conversation could be taking place at any kitchen table, not just the Rose Room of the White House.  People love knowing they have things in common with their idols.  Of course I want to detail your platforms and committees as well, but I think this angle should be highlighted in the first installment,"  Rory said.

The women smiled.  Jill said, "I knew we picked you for a reason!  We want to appeal to average, everyday citizens, not just be figureheads."

Rory met Logan several hours later back at the hotel.  

"Hey, you're back.  How was your lunch?"  Logan asked.

"It was great!  All of those ladies are so nice and so real!  I got some really good stuff to start the article.  Of course I want to meet with Michelle and Jill again to get some more information on the political aspects, but this was a great start,"  Rory gushed.

"That's great.  So you met with all four of them today?  How was it really?  Are they jealous of each other?  Was it like one of the D.A.R. hen parties, like they were all vying for top spot and pecking at each other?"  Logan asked trying to dig up dirt.

"Not at all.  They all really seem supportive of each other.  And they are all such friendly, compassionate women.  Today was more of  meet and greet and 'Welcome to D.C.' type deal.  They really seem like old friends already.  I think this is going to be a really unique, enlightening feature that will surprise a lot of people,"  Rory said.  

"I have full faith in you, Ace.  You always write things that appeal to the average person.  I am sure that's the reason they hand picked you to do this thing,"  Logan said.

Rory laughed.  At Logan's questioning glance, she said, "Mrs. Biden said almost the same thing to me today."