“I was pretty melty, but I held it together, thank God.”
“Celia told us how you came to get the Bible,” Tracy said. “It’s so scary and exciting and freaking huge all at the same time.”
“Yes, it is.”
“What about your job?” Angela asked warily.
“I’m keeping it. I’ve already told Nick that’s nonnegotiable.”
“Um, how will that work exactly?” Tracy asked.
“We haven’t figured out the details yet. It’s all still very new, but I’ve made my wishes clear. Nick said he’ll do everything he can to make it happen for me.”
“You’ll be the only first lady to ever hold a job outside the White House,” Tracy said.
“I might be the first, but I won’t be the last. It’s high time we had a first lady holding down a career in addition to being first lady.”
“We completely agree,” Angela said, “but you know lots of other people won’t see it the way we do.”
“I don’t care how they see it. That’s how it’s going to be. The end. I’m not debating it.”
The kids came into the kitchen with a grumpy Scotty, all of them dressed for an outing to the zoo. Scotty brightened when he saw Angela and Tracy.
“I guess this means you’ve heard the news,” Scotty said.
“Uh, yeah, the whole world has heard the news, sport,” Angela said.
Sam’s stomach started to ache at the thought of her husband and their family being a news story around the world. She hated being the center of attention, but she probably ought to get over that now that she was half of the highest profile couple on the planet.
Scotty grabbed a granola bar, and the kids got ready to leave with the Secret Service for a trip to the zoo.
Sam excused herself from her sisters to follow them to the door, asking Scotty’s lead agent, Debra, for a word. “I’m worried about them being bothered,” Sam said.
“We’re making arrangements to put space between them and the parties before and after them. We’ll make sure no one bothers them.”
“Thank you, Debra.”
Sam hugged and kissed the kids and Scotty. “Elijah is in charge. Whatever he says goes.”
“That’s right,” Elijah said. “I’m the boss of you.”
She watched them go down the ramp and get into one of the ever-present black Secret Service SUVs, her anxiety spiking as she watched them go. Only because she trusted the Secret Service implicitly was she able to wave them off and return to the kitchen.
“Why do you look panicked?” Tracy asked.
“I worry about the kids and crackpots.”
“They have the best security in the world with them at all times,” Angela said.
“We’re going to have to see about getting protection for Elijah when he goes back to school,” she said. “He’ll love that.” She dropped her head into her hands. “So much to think and worry about.”
“You’ll figure it out,” Angela said. “If anyone can handle this, you guys can.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. Nick is worried about people making a thing of him becoming president right after he said he wasn’t going to run.”
Tracy bit her lip, which was a big “tell” for her.
“What?”
“They’re already making a thing of it,” she said, “but I think they’ll get past it when he shows he’s more than up to the job.”
Sam’s phone chimed with a text from Nick. I’m calling you. Her phone rang, and the caller ID reported the number as unavailable. “This is Nick. Sorry, but I have to take it.”
“Go ahead,” Angela said.
She decided at the last second to use one of her dad’s favorite opening lines. “Kelly’s Pool Hall. Eight Ball speaking. How may I help you?”
Chuckling, Nick said, “I’m looking for my wife. She’s a hot blonde, about five-nine, curvy and sexy as all hell. Is she there?”
“She’s flirting with a biker dude. You want me to get her?”
“Yeah, tell her that her husband loves her and needs her more than anything.”
Swoon. “What’s going on?”
“I have a favor to ask…”
“Another one? I just did you a rather big favor by becoming first lady. What more do you want?”
“Turns out that’s just the start of what I’m going to need from you. Trevor and the communications team are strongly recommending we do a joint interview in the next few days with one of the networks. Would you be willing?”
“Is that another rhetorical question?”
“It’s a yes-or-no question.”
Sam propped her head on her upturned hand. “I suppose I could do it for you considering what you’re going to do for me, right?”
“Right. We have a meeting Tuesday at two with the director of the Secret Service. Can you be here for that?”
“I’ll see if I can fit it into my busy schedule.”
“On Wednesday late afternoon, we’ll be the first to greet the Nelson family at the Capitol where President Nelson will lie in state for twenty-four hours before the funeral on Thursday. Obviously, we’re going to have to be there for all of that.”
“I’ll see about taking the time off.”
“Thank you.”
“Stop being so polite with me.”
“How else should I be when I’m asking you to upend your entire life for me?”
“Be normal.”
“I don’t even remember what that is anymore.”
“I’ll do the interview and the funeral and anything else you need.”
“And I’m working from my end to figure out what has to happen to get you back to work as soon as possible.”
“Thank you.”
“Quit being polite.”
Sam laughed and immediately felt better. “Are you calling me from the Oval Office?”
“It just so happens that I am.”
“I hope someone’s getting pictures.”
“One of the White House photographers has been here all morning recording history. I’ve got to run. I’m meeting with Nelson’s cabinet in twenty minutes.”
“Are you keeping them?”
“I’m giving them the choice to stay or go.”
“Will they be loyal to you?”
“Maybe not at first, but they’ll come around, or they won’t be invited to stay. Terry was up all night reading about what Johnson did after Lincoln died, what Truman did after FDR died and what Johnson did after Kennedy died. There’s some precedent, and we’re following it to a point.”
“That’s very interesting. Good luck with the cabinet.”
“Thanks, babe. I have to renege on the plans for later. I hadn’t had coffee yet when I wrote that note to you. I’m doing the address to the nation at eight p.m. It’s critical I send the message that I’m in charge and taking care of business. I’ll be home after that, but it’ll be too late for the twins.”
“They’re having a blast with Elijah and Scotty. They went to the zoo just now. Don’t worry about us. We’ll be watching tonight.”