State of Affairs

by Marie Force

“That’s perfect,” Sam said. “Do we need to run it by Nick’s people?”

  “Lilia was going to take care of that and call me if there’re any concerns.”

  “Thank you so much for thinking of that. I’ll admit I was feeling freaked out about sixty strangers coming to my house on this of all weekends.”

  “I figured you would be, so I also texted your friends, including Freddie and Elin, Gonzo and Christina, Harry and Lilia, Jeannie and Michael, the O’Connors, Celia, your mom, your sisters and Nick’s dad, to put them on notice that we need them to help run interference with the other guests.”

  “That’s very good thinking too.”

  “Is Nick going to make the party?”

  “Probably not. The Iranians have messed up his plans for the weekend.”

  “I saw that on the news this morning. What could they possibly be hoping to achieve?”

  “I don’t know, but I hope they can resolve it soon.”

  The news from Iran was grim. According to Nick’s advisers, the Iranians hadn’t responded to a request for information about the well-being of the secretary and his detail. The secretary’s plane was still surrounded by Iranian forces, with more than two dozen Americans on board.

  “According to the Air Force, they have six days’ worth of food and water,” Terry reported during the day’s first meeting in the Situation Room, “but the bathroom situation will become a concern sooner rather than later if they can’t get it pumped.”

  Nick took calls of concern and offers of support from U.S. allies, all of whom were equally anxious to see the situation resolved peacefully.

  Over the next few hours, Nick received briefings from intelligence and military officials that made him increasingly more nervous about what the Iranians’ end game might be.

  “Are they hoping we’ll send in U.S. forces?” he asked the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

  “We believe so, sir,” Army General Michael Wilson said.

  Nick expelled a long deep breath. “I’d like to see my options by the end of the day. We can’t let this go on indefinitely.”

  “If I may, sir,” Jennings, the Defense secretary said, “I prefer to see us discussing sanctions before we talk about sending in troops.”

  “Everything is on the table,” Nick said, “up to and including sending in special forces if it comes to that.” He’d instructed the Treasury and Commerce secretaries to work on a list of economic sanctions designed to cause the utmost pain to the Iranian economy. However, those sanctions would mostly hurt regular people in Iran who’d had nothing to do with detaining the United States’ top diplomat. There were no good solutions to a problem like this, which of course the Iranians had known when they took the bold action of detaining the secretary in the first place.

  Nick returned to the Oval Office and placed a call to Secretary Ruskin’s wife, Marilyn.

  “Mr. President,” she said, “thank you so much for calling.”

  “I’m so sorry for the need to call to reassure you that we’re doing everything we can to ensure the safe return of your husband and the others involved in this incident.”

  “I appreciate that,” she said, sounding tearful. “Marty would want you focused on the agents and the others on the plane ahead of him.”

  “We’re focused on bringing all of them home safely. I’ll make sure you’re kept informed of what’s going on.”

  “Thank you again for calling, Mr. President. It means a lot to my family and me.”

  “We’ll be in touch.”

  He made calls to the distraught families of everyone else involved in the incident, did his best to reassure them and was emotionally drained by the time he was finished. A quick check of his watch indicated it was nearly party time at home, where he longed to be.

  Terry came into the office. “Did you finish the calls?”

  “Yes, and you’d never believe how much fun that was.”

  “I can only imagine.”

  “I want to call Sam. Am I allowed to use my phone?”

  “I have a new, secure BlackBerry for you.”

  “Ugh, back to the BlackBerry, huh?”

  “Afraid so. It’s that or nothing, my friend. They’re going to want Sam to have one too.”

  Nick cracked up laughing. “Good luck with that. If the phone doesn’t slap shut, she doesn’t want it.”

  “It’s one of the few things they’ll probably insist on, since she’ll be talking frequently to you.”

  “We’ll make it work.” Somehow. Maybe she could use a secure phone for anything to do with him and her duties as first lady, and her regular phone for work and personal contacts. Using the new BlackBerry, he made the call to Sam’s cell phone, hoping she’d take the call from a number that would show up on caller ID as unavailable.

  It rang four times before she answered with a breathless hello.

  “Hey, it’s me.”

  “Hey! How’s it going?”

  He was so damn glad to hear her voice. No one had ever been able to calm him with just a few words the way she could. “It’s going. Tense. How are things there?”

  “The six-year-old excitement is off the charts. Eli predicted the twins are going to spontaneously combust before the day is over.”

  Nick chuckled as he imagined the scene and desperately wished he were there to see it. Missing something like the twins’ birthday party was exactly why he’d made the decision to sit out the next election cycle. He didn’t want to miss anything with them or Scotty, who’d be playing high school hockey by this time next year. “Did you tell them how sorry I am to miss it?”

  “I did, and they understand. I told them you’d celebrate with them when you got home.”

  “It makes me sick to miss it.”

  “There’ll be so many other years, Nick. Try not to let it upset you.”

  “I’m trying.” He fiddled with a pen while he talked to her. “I’m worried about the other parents hassling you for pictures and shit.”

  “Shelby and Lilia already thought of that. Lilia prepared something to hand out to each of the parents as they come in. Lilia cleared it with Trevor and Terry.”

  “I’m glad they’ve got that covered,” he said, relieved to know she wouldn’t be bothered in her own home because of his job.

  “Vernon and Jimmy told me they plan to stay close today too, and I’ll be surrounded by friends and family. Try not to worry. Just do what you need to do there so you can get home to us.”

  “That’s the only place I want to be. I hope you know that.”

  “I do know that, and one of the benefits of living at the White House is if something like this happens again next year, you can pop into the party and then go right back to work.”

  “That’s true.” He sat up straighter as an idea took hold. “Take lots of photos and videos for me.”

  “Will do. We miss you and we love you.”

  “Love you too, babe.”

  He ended the call and bellowed for Terry and Brant.

  They came in together.

  “You rang, sir?” Terry asked, eyebrow raised.

  “I want you to take me home for thirty minutes.” He checked his watch. “I’ll be back in plenty of time for the five o’clock briefing.” He was the fucking president and could do whatever the hell he wanted, and what he wanted more than anything—other than for the fucking Iranians to let his secretary of State leave the country—was to be home with his family for the kids’ birthday party.

  “Yes, sir,” Brant said. “We’ll make that happen.”

  Chapter Ten

  This had to be what it was like to be trapped in elementary school hell, Sam thought, giving thanks to the teachers who spent their days with excited, loud, screeching children and put up with their annoying parents. Shelby, being Shelby, had donned a pink fairy godmother costume and was leading the kids through crafts and games and snacks. Not surprisingly, they hung on her every word.

  Sam had sat with Alden and Aubrey to ma
ke masks of glitter and sequins that they were now wearing as they played a competitive game of musical chairs.

  Despite the written order to leave her the fuck alone, the parents were still all over her, killing her with kindness, probably in hope of securing an invitation to the White House.

  Freddie approached her as she spoke with six other mothers, who were peppering her with questions about Nick, her job, their plans, how they felt about moving to the White House. “Sorry to interrupt, Lieutenant. But could I have a moment of your time?”

  “Who’s this cutie?” one of the perky blonde mommies asked, taking a lustful look at Sam’s handsome partner.

  “This is my partner, Detective Freddie Cruz. He’s happily married—as are you.”

  The other woman blushed. “I’m never too married to appreciate a handsome man.”

  Sam linked her arm with Freddie’s, wondering if he could sense her desperation. “Excuse us.” Under her breath, she said, “Get me out of here.”

  He led her into the kitchen.

  Sam went straight for the liquor cabinet, poured vodka on the rocks and downed it quickly—probably a little too quickly.

  “Have another one,” Freddie said. “So you won’t give in to the urge to actually throat-punch someone.”

  Sam poured another drink, but sipped this one. “Thanks for the rescue.”

  “Anytime.” He grabbed a cola from the fridge and popped it open. “How’re you holding up?”

  “Just dandy. I’ve got sixty-something strangers in my house one day after my husband unexpectedly became president. Meanwhile, he’s at the White House trying to negotiate the release of his secretary of State, who’s been ‘detained’ by the Iranians. Other than that, all good in the hood.”

  Freddie made a visible effort not to laugh.

  She took another sip from her glass. “Hold it in, or I might throat-punch you.”

  “What’re they saying about work?”

  “I have no idea. I told Nick that I plan to be business as usual, and I expect him to make that happen.”

  “And he was cool with that?”

  “I guess. I made myself very clear.”

  “There’s a lot of talk in the media about how we’ve never had a first lady who chose to keep a job outside the White House.”

  “It’s probably high time we did, wouldn’t you say?”

  “I would, and lots of others are saying that too.”

  “That’s good to know.” She took another sip of her drink before dumping the rest down the drain so she wouldn’t be tempted to guzzle it all. “I need to get back to the twins.”

  “I’ll stay close to keep the parents away from you.”

  “Thank you. In case I forget to tell you, you’re the best.”

  “I gotcha covered.”

  Tracy poked her head into the kitchen. “Ah, Sam, you’re going to want to come here.”

  Sam gave Freddie a what the hell is this? look and left the kitchen in time to see Brant come into the house ahead of Nick. A buzz of excitement went through the room when the guests saw him.

  Nick spotted Sam and went right to her, putting his arm around her and kissing her forehead. “I heard there’s a party here and didn’t want to miss it.”

  “I thought you couldn’t get away.”

  “So did I until I realized if there’s any benefit to being president, it’s that I should be able to decide what I do and when I do it.”

  “Good thinking, Lincoln.”

  “Actually, it’s Cappuano, with two p’s.”

  Sam smiled up at him, wishing she could kiss him the way she wanted to, but with scores of strangers watching them, she resisted the urge and led him to the dining room, where the kids were playing pin the tail on the donkey.

  Alden and Aubrey let out cries of happiness when they saw Nick, leaving their friends and the game to come hug him.

  He squatted to their level and hugged them both at once.

  Seeing him with them made Sam forget all about her earlier aggravations so she could focus on him and their family.

  They sang “Happy Birthday,” helped the twins cut the cake, took pictures with them, Scotty and Elijah, and supervised the opening of an enormous number of presents that would have to be moved to their new home. Goody bags were distributed as school friends began to leave with their starstruck parents until they were finally down to their own family and close friends.

  “What an awesome party, Shelby,” Sam said. “Thank you so much.” She led a round of applause for their Tinker Bell, the maker of magic.

  Shelby bowed dramatically and straightened the crown on her head that had gotten crooked during the course of the afternoon.

  “Come get off your feet,” Sam said to her, gesturing to the sofa. “We’ll clean up.”

  “Don’t mind if I do. The old gray mare ain’t what she used to be.”

  “Who do you think you are, calling my beautiful wife an old gray mare?” Avery asked as he put an arm around her.

  She reached for Noah, who was on Avery’s lap, and snuggled him into her embrace.

  “I hate to say I have to go,” Nick said, “but I have to go.”

  “What’re you hearing from Iran?” Harry asked him.

  “Nothing,” Nick said, seeming disheartened. “I’m due to hear my options at five, and I expect them to be unsettling.”

  “I don’t envy you that,” Harry said, grimacing.

  “Why do people want this job so badly?” Nick asked, forcing a smile for the sake of their friends.

  Sam could see he was deeply troubled and stressed, as anyone would be with so much at stake in this situation.

  He went to say goodbye to the kids, who were sitting in the middle of their own personal toy store while Scotty and Elijah helped them with packaging and setup. “I’m so glad you guys had such a fun day. Make sure you say thank you to Shelby.”

  “Thank you, Shelby!” they said together.

  “You’re welcome, my loves.”

  Nick said his goodbyes to their friends and family, all of whom had congratulated him and given him their best wishes. The support of those closest to them was good for him as he stepped into this difficult role.

  Sam walked Nick to the door. “I’m so glad you got to be here.”

  “Me too. They’re so damn cute.”

  “They sure are.”

  At the doorway, Nate, the Secret Service agent on duty, stepped outside to give them a minute of privacy.

  “Are you doing okay?” she asked.

  “Taking it a minute at a time. Big meeting at five. After that, I should know more.”

  “Good luck. We’re all praying for a peaceful resolution.”

  “Thanks,” he said, kissing her. “I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

  “We’ll be here. Do you think I should talk to the Littles about the move while I’ve got the chance with Eli here?”

  “I hate to say you probably should, because I really wanted to be here for that. But I think it’s more important that he’s here to reassure them.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Eli, Scotty and I will take care of it. You take care of you.” She kissed him again. “We love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  And then he was out the door, surrounded by Secret Service agents.

  “The poor guy has the weight of the world on his shoulders,” Graham O’Connor said.

  Sam turned to him. “It would’ve been more than enough without the situation in Iran.”

  “Indeed,” Graham said. “Take comfort in knowing he’s surrounded by great people who will help him figure out what to do. I’m going to the White House myself after this, and I’ll stay for as long as he needs me.”

  “That’ll mean a lot to him, Graham. Thank you for that.”

  “Try not to worry too much. He’s one of the smartest guys I’ve ever known, and I have full faith in his ability to navigate everything that’ll come his way.”

  Sam had no doubt that Nick had
all the intelligence and political savvy needed to be a successful president, but she couldn’t help but wonder about the toll his new job would take on their marriage and family.

  Lilia came over to talk to her, holding her smart phone. “Mrs. Nelson’s chief of staff wants to confirm your appointment for afternoon tea and a tour of the residence tomorrow at two.”

  “I’ll be there.” After Lilia confirmed the appointment and ended the call, Sam said, “What do I wear to meet with the first lady?”

  “Don’t you mean the former first lady? Since, of course, you’re now the first lady.”

  Sam scowled at her. “I keep forgetting that.”

  Lilia laughed. “I’m sure you have a nice dress and a pair of heels you can wear. There’ll be photos, so you’ll want to do your hair and makeup.”

  “I’ll see what I can do to not look too feral.”

  “You’re going to have a lot of wardrobe demands. We should introduce you to some stylists and designers who can provide you with what you need. That’ll take some of the guesswork out of it.”

  “That’s the one part of this whole thing that sounds fun to me—clothes and shoes.”

  “If you give me some idea of what you’d like, I’ll make some calls.”

  “I’ll think about that.”

  “You also need to think about who you’d like to serve as your social secretary.”

  Sam recoiled. “I need a social secretary?”

  “I’m afraid so.” Lilia glanced over at Shelby. “I think you have someone very close to you who’d do a marvelous job.”

  “I… uh… Maybe.”

  Lilia squeezed her arm. “Try not to worry about anything. We’ll walk you through it and make sure you shine. I do have one other thing for you to think about.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Andrea has informed me that she’s getting married in the spring and planning to move back to Boston with her future husband after the first of the year.”

  Sam was almost ashamed to admit that she barely knew the woman who’d been her communications director and spokesperson during her tenure as second lady. “That’s good news, I suppose.”

  “She and Brad are very happy. They’ve been together since their freshman year of college.”