by D J Small
Summer’s attitude fueled Val’s anger, and she stepped closer to her. “No, Colonel. Your commander in chief has invited you to tonight’s state dinner, and has made arrangements to make sure you are properly clothed for it. Do you not know how disrespectful you are being towards me?
Summer let out soft grunt. “Being respectful to you went out the window the moment you kidnapped me. Also, you are not my commander in chief. I’m retired.”
Val softly chuckled. “I think you might need to read through the Uniform Code of Military Justice again. Even as a retired member of the service, you can still be subjected to the laws of the UCMJ. This means I can have you court-martialed, tried accordingly, and punished appropriately.”
Val did her best not to grin in triumph as Summer’s gaze cut deeper into her. The muscles in her jaw tightened before she said, “This is bullshit.”
“Be that as it may, what will be your choice, Colonel?”
The anger and hatred blazing in Summer’s eyes affected Val more than she wanted to admit, but there was nothing she could do about it. Summer had chosen to behave like this, and Val wasn’t going to take her disrespect any longer.
“Have the tailor meet me in the Lincoln Room in an hour.”
Val gave her a curt nod. “I will have Nina notify him.” She turned to leave, but after taking a few steps she turned around. “I know you need to be in California, and I’m planning to go out there after the treaty talks are finished. You are more than welcome to join me if you would like.”
The offer didn’t change Summer’s demeanor, and Val wasn’t foolish enough to believe it would, but she said a in sharp tone, “Thank you for the offer, Madam President. I will take it under consideration.”
Val stared at her. There was so much she wanted to say, but the chasm between them was wide and full of Summer’s anger and scorn. She sighed quietly to herself. “I apologize for disrupting you.” Val left the office and purposefully strode over to the doorway of Nina’s office. “Call the tailor and have him meet the colonel in the Lincoln Room in an hour.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Nina replied with a nod.
As Val walked over to where Addison stood a loud, angry scream came from the First Spouse’s office. The fact Summer hadn’t done more surprised Val. Noticing the activity in the reception area had come to a stop, she ordered, “Everyone carry on.”
There were several murmured apologies, then Addison asked, “We’re not going to check on her?”
Val shook her head. “No. She’s pissed because I have her by the proverbial balls.”
They began to walk out of the East Wing. “How?”
A small smile came to Val’s face, but it wasn’t genuine. It only appeared because this was a fine example of Summer creating an unnecessary mess for herself. “I pulled rank.”
“Well, shit,” Addison said softly. She then mumbled, “We’re going to be in for a hell of a night because of this.”
Val stayed silent set as her lips formed a tight line, but she agreed with Addison. Summer didn’t handle situations that her painted into a corner well. They usually ended with her breaking some rule or another. Val sighed. She hoped whatever Summer’s deal was, she would be able to put it aside at least for tonight.
Chapter Five
Summer re-read the second sentence of the document sitting in her lap for what seemed like the hundredth time. She couldn’t maintain her focus. Being forced to go to this stupid state dinner had her fuming, and even though several hours had passed since Val had given her the order she still felt incensed over it. The easiest way for her to get out of the dinner would be to talk to Val and explain the true reason why she couldn’t go to the state dinner, but Summer’s brain balked at the idea of doing so.
She glanced down at the document in her lap, which contained information about the veterans program the foundation would be officially announcing next month at a fundraising event. Summer had begun to have doubts about being able to stick with the timeline, but they were the result of her not being able to leave the White House. Letting out the deepest of sighs, Summer dropped her head back against the couch.
Despite her doubts she had managed to get a lot done today, and Nina had actually been a big help. She’d gotten Summer meetings with a few senators and a couple of interest groups who were willing to work with the foundation on the veterans program. When she had passed the news onto Scott, he had been excited to hear things were moving forward and told her the political interest would be great for the event as well as funding. Summer didn’t care about the event or the money. She just wanted the program up and running so she could get back to what she cared about.
This wasn’t to say she didn’t care about the veterans program—Summer cared about it more than the other programs the foundation had, but it brought up too many of her own issues, and she couldn’t deal with it directly. Summer delegated the work to others, and those people reported back to her.
The only part of the program she dealt with directly was the mental health sub-program. Talking to those who were in the same situation as her and seeing them go through the same pain made Summer feel less alone, but it didn’t drive her to seek treatment herself. It just made her want to help her brothers and sisters.
Realizing her thoughts were about to travel down a dangerous path, Summer collected her work and got up from the couch. She headed for the Lincoln Room, but came to an abrupt stop when she saw her dress uniform hanging on the clothes rack next to the wardrobe. Taking in the pristine and freshly pressed uniform provoked memories of when Summer had last worn it.
“Madam President, you’ve made the proper appearances and have said the necessary things to get support for your bill…can we please leave?” Summer had leaned over to murmur the request into Val’s ear.
Val had casted a sidelong glance in her direction and smirked. “Colonel, you have been trying to get me to leave for the last hour, what is your plan once you have me to yourself?”
Under the low light Val’s dark brown skin radiated with beauty and it captivated Summer, while the coy smile playing on her lips had enticed her further. Once more, Summer leaned over and whispered, “I know the both of us have had enough to drink that if I were to make an adventurous suggestion, like trying out the new couch you had placed on the Truman Balcony, you may indulge in my request.”
Val had drawn in a sharp gasp, feigning to be scandalized. “Colonel Hawkins, how dare you.”
An overly confident smile had appeared on Summer’s face as she remarked, “President Hawkins, how dare I what? Proposition my wife to an evening of amazing sex in one of the most open areas of the White House?”
Val had laughed and shaken her head. “You’re incredible.” She took hold of Summer’s hand. “Come along, Colonel.”
After she had a quick word with Addison and told Agent Banner she would be going up to the Residence, she and Summer had made a quick escape to the second floor. The two of them headed for the doors that led out to the Truman Balcony, and once it closed behind them Val had gone over to the metal railing enclosing it. When she leaned back against it, a seductive glint had been dancing in her eyes, and Summer swore her heart had taken a momentary leave of absence. She approached Val and had placed her hands on her hips, asking softly, “Do you know how stunning you are right now?”
A low chuckle had come from Val before she commented, “I’m certain I have an idea considering you want to have sex on the balcony.”
Summer had kissed her hard and deep, letting it last long enough to stir the want and need in them before pulling back. Val’s dark eyes had told Summer what she wanted, and that she wanted it now, but Summer had other plans. She leaned in, her lips a breath away from Val’s, and as she lifted the fabric of her dress she murmured, “Darling, I always want to have sex on the balcony, but tonight you have stolen my heart for the millionth time, and I want you to have more than that.”
Val had placed her hand gently on Summer’s cheek. “I love you.”<
br />
“I love you too,” Summer had returned, before ending their conversation with a kiss full of fire, passion, and want.
The memory stirred several intense emotions inside Summer, bringing her back to the present, and she shook her head in a vain attempt to get rid of them. She rushed into the room and dropped her paperwork onto the bed then quickly left it, slamming the door behind her.
Summer stood in the hall for a moment and drew in several deep breaths. It had been a long time since she relived that type of memory. It wasn’t one she wanted to repeat again. She headed for the stairs, deciding a workout in the gym would help her forget the emotional and bodily responses the memory had provoked.
When Summer reached the landing between the two sets of stairs, she ran into Val’s parents, former president Kenneth Hawkins and his wife Rebecca. Automatically, Summer came to attention and greeted them. “President Hawkins, sir, Mrs. Hawkins. It’s a pleasure to see you both.”
Ken only grunted as Rebecca moved to hug Summer, who tensed up when the former first lady’s arms wrapped around her. Val’s mom gave her a long squeeze and said, “Summer, you know it’s Becky. It is so good to see you again.”
Summer gave her a tense smile as she pulled back. “Likewise, Becky.”
“Exactly why are you here, Colonel?” Ken asked as he continued to stare at her with slight disdain and annoyance.
“I do not know, sir,” Summer answered honestly. Though she didn’t want to be around either of them at the moment, disrespecting Val’s parents was not something she could do. “I was told my country and my president needed me, and then I was brought here.” She pressed her lips together then added, “It was not my decision, sir.”
Ken hummed. “Be sure all your things are packed, because you will be out of the White House by the end of tonight.”
Summer dug her nails into her palms as Becky scolded him. “Ken, you do not have a say in her presence here. It is Valarie’s choice.”
“I will be having a word with my daughter,” Ken said as he continued to pin Summer down with hard stare.
Summer gave him a curt nod. “I understand, sir. President Hawkins, Becky, if you’ll excuse me, there is a matter I need to attend to.”
A genuine smile came to Becky’s face and she said, “Of course, Summer. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you later.”
Summer nodded again, and as she left, Ken got in one last verbal punch. “I don’t see any whores around here, so I’m not certain where she’s off to in a hurry.”
“Kenneth!” Becky exclaimed.
The muscles of Summer’s jaw started to hurt as she tightly clenched it, and her blunt nails cut deeper into her palms. If her time at the White House wasn’t traumatizing enough, running into Val’s parents seemed to put the final nail in it. From the brief interaction with Ken, it was clear her relationship with Val’s dad had been obliterated. There was only one person she could blame for the change, and it was herself.
Summer made a beeline for the elevator. She was going to work out until her body couldn’t take it anymore. For a brief instant, Summer tried to figure out a way to push herself too hard so she would pass out during her workout, but eventually gave up when she realized she wouldn’t be that lucky.
~~~
Val paced around the Oval Office as she read the updated version of the tax bill that was supposed to be introduced to the House in a day or so. Dressed and ready for the state dinner, she had decided to come down to the Oval and do something to keep herself busy while she waited for the Italian president. The persistent desire to call Jabir and demand an update on the situation in the Middle East made her restless, and she needed to do something to keep herself from harassing him. She trusted him and knew he would handle everything as best as he could, but the precarious circumstances had her on edge. Val sighed. She needed to save those soldiers.
There was a light knock on the door, and Val called out, “Come in.” When her dad walked in, she smiled at him. “You’re not supposed to be down here.”
Ken chuckled and countered, “I could say the same for you.”
“I’m the president, I always have work to do,” Val remarked as she walked over to her desk. She opened the top drawer and dropped the legislation document into it. “Why aren’t you bothering one of the agents or harassing the staff like usual?”
Ken moved to the sitting area and sat down on the couch. “I came to ask you about Summer. Why is she here?”
Val exhaled a deep sigh and walked over to join him. Smoothing down the back of her designer dress, she situated herself on the edge of the couch and crossed her legs at the ankle as she faced her father. “I can’t tell you that, dad.”
“To hell you will, Valarie. She hurt you, publicly embarrassed you, and continues to flaunt her affairs for the world to see,” he argued, and Val appreciated his concern, but it wasn’t that simple.
She wanted to run her hand through her hair, or over it, but wasn’t able to. Her hair stylist had spent an hour and a half doing it, and she didn’t want to mess it up before making the necessary appearances. “Dad, I understand why you’re upset, and I’m not happy she did all those things during my first term as president, but what she went through…” Val sighed. “It was worse, much worse.”
Ken huffed in disbelief. “She is an Armstrong married to a Hawkins, resilience is innate to her and she has been groomed to handle anything that comes her way. I refuse to believe running away and making a fool of you was the best choice.”
“To her, it was the only choice,” Val snapped. No matter what had happened between her and Summer, she would defend her until her dying breath. “Summer lost more than her damn leg, dad. She lost her purpose in life, and nothing made sense to her anymore. It sucks it happened when it did, but having to go through what she went through on the national stage probably made everything a thousand times worse.”
“You’re still in love with her?” Ken asked as he studied her closely.
Val snorted softly and got up from the couch to pace around the office. She should have known sitting down while talking to her father wasn’t going to be possible. “Of course I’m still in love with her. I don’t think I will ever stop loving Summer.”
The admission caused a long silence to linger between Val and her father. “Why didn’t you go after her?” Ken asked moments later.
Val stopped pacing and stared at him, her face an expressionless, but serious slate. “If mom had left you in the middle of your term, would you have resigned and gone after her?” Val saw the answer in his eyes, and the guilt that followed it. She didn’t condemn him for it. This was the nature of who they were. “That’s what I thought.”
Her dad let out an inaudible sigh and patted the empty spot next to him. “Have a seat, sweetheart.”
The endearment caused Val to roll her eyes, but she smiled and walked back over to the couch. Once she was comfortable, her dad released another sigh and said, “Being president isn’t easy, but being married to the president is no walk in the park either.” He pressed his lips together. “Running the country becomes your primary focus. Day in and day out, until you complete your term. The American people are your first priority, and if you go for a second term, well, it’s another four years of the same thing.”
“I know, dad. For eight years, I saw what your presidency did to you and mom. There were times where things were so strained between you and her I thought you two were going to get a divorce,” Val said, revealing something she had never admitted to either of her parents before. It was a thought she had never wanted to give voice to because she didn’t want it to happen.
“We almost did, but your mother and I had a discussion and came to an understanding, and we worked out something that helped us.” Ken sighed. “But what you and Summer went through…the circumstances were more than extenuating.”
Val grunted. “Yeah, and by extenuating circumstances you mean I sent her on a mission that almost killed her.” A lump formed in her thro
at, and Val swallowed a few times as tears blurred the edges of her vision. “She may not have died, but I still lost my wife.”
A wayward tear fell out the corner of Val’s eye, and as she wiped it away Ken took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze. Some of the emotions she had managed to bury over the last couple of years broke through her defenses, and guilt and pain washed over her, taking her off guard. Val took several deep breaths as she forced the emotions back into the boxes they had escaped from. Now wasn’t the time for her to deal with them. She drew in another deep breath, deciding to move the conversation to a safer topic. “I invited the Armstrongs.”
Ken gave her an annoyed glare. “Why do you continue to invite them to these events?”
“Summer and I may have divorced, but they’re still family and my supporters,” Val said with a small grin. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t invite your supporters to an event like this as a show of appreciation?”
Ken grunted. “We all know Matthew Armstrong is more than a supporter. That man and his family are nothing but influencers. They’re the ones leading the charge for social change in this country.” He chuckled a little. “And I would invite them, the only reason why I’m not happy about the invitation is because I’ve been avoiding Matt. He’s been trying to get me involved in this program he’s trying to float internationally.”
Val chuckled and remarked, “You should do it, dad. I mean, we both know the foundation is influential domestically, so branching out internationally is the next step for them.”
Ken held up his finger. “No, the next big step for them is the veterans program Summer is creating.” Val arched an eyebrow, surprised by the comment. Her dad laughed softly. “I know. I’m surprised too. She’s on my shit list for what she did to you, but I’m quite proud of the work she’s doing for injured soldiers and those who have lost family members in combat. I’m especially moved by what she is doing for homeless veterans and those with mental health problems.”
