by John Simpson
“I doubt he’ll be much involved beyond being with me for State dinners and special events. The family business keeps him quite busy. Why don’t we all go into the dining room and have a snack? Anyone hungry?”
“I am!” Jack volunteered.
“In that case, let’s go!” Victoria said.
As they sat, the butlers immediately set out a continental breakfast and took drink requests. Everyone ordered iced tea and began to enjoy White House cooking once again.
“Is there anything you particularly want to see while you’re here in Washington, Michael?” the president asked.
“Everything, of course!” he replied, and everyone laughed.
“While that might not be possible, I’m sure you’ll be back here in the future once in a while.”
Darren looked at his mother and smiled. She smiled back, and all her feelings about Michael were made clear to Darren in that brief exchange.
“Michael’s wearing his prince’s uniform to the wedding. Wait until you see him!” Darren boasted.
“Really? That will certainly add a touch of class. Thank you, Michael. Would you boys mind spending an hour or so with me before bed this evening? I’d like to get to know you better, Michael,” she said.
“Of course, Mom,” Darren said.
“I guess that means the adults have to go to bed early!” Shane joked.
“Well, I for one am not leaving this house until I see Brandon. I hope he’s doing very well,” David said.
“Of course. He’s not required to stay after his last final, so he’ll be home in about two hours.”
“Good. Then the gang will all be here!” David said.
“The wedding is the day after tomorrow. Is Harry having a bachelor party tomorrow night?” Shane asked.
“Not to my knowledge. He’s certainly not going to a strip club or some sordid thing like that, but I’m sure he’d appreciate spending the evening with you men, if you’re interested.”
“Sure, but what would we do?” David asked.
“I don’t know, but I’m sure you’ll come up with something,” Victoria replied.
“Well, I suppose we could hire some strippers and hookers and import them to Blair House.” Shane snickered.
“Like hell you will, mister! You do that, and I’ll find a pretext to have you thrown into the new Alcatraz your husband rebuilt!”
After they all stopped laughing, Shane replied, “Now you know I’d never do something like that!”
“Uh-huh. You’re a male. There’s nothing I wouldn’t put past you, especially considering some of the things you two have gotten into over the last five years.”
Changing the subject, David asked, “Are any heads of state coming?”
“No. I didn’t want this to be a State occasion. This is a private matter between Harry, myself, and our families and close friends. Otherwise, it would turn into a circus with all the motorcades and be a huge drain on the Secret Service. I’ll be nervous enough without all that.”
“I wish my family felt that way,” Michael said.
“Well, your family is slightly different in that you are part of a monarchy, and it’s tradition that other royal families attend weddings and funerals. I’m not saying that’s wrong, Michael, just that I don’t want that.”
An aide walked into the gathering. “Excuse me, Madam President, but there’s a call you should take.”
“Thank you. Excuse me, gentlemen. I shall return… hopefully.”
After she left the room, everyone seemed to relax a little more.
“Your mother seems in great spirits,” Michael commented.
“Yeah, but I can tell she’s a little uptight. I hope everything’s all right.”
“It’s a big day in a person’s life. Marriage is a major step for men and women,” Shane said.
“Yeah, but she was married to my father, so this isn’t brand new to her. When he died in that airplane accident, she said she’d never marry again. I’m wondering if that’s going through her mind. I hope it isn’t,” Darren said. “Maybe my brother can tell us something when I can get him alone.”
“Good thinking. As long as it isn’t too personal, let us know if she’s troubled over something. It could also have something to do with her job. God only knows what the nuts of the world are up to,” David replied.
The president came back and said, “My apologies. I must attend an unexpected meeting on the budget. You know who is at it again, wanting to cut Social Security.”
“Mom, is it okay if I show Michael around the White House? I’ve been all over three of his palaces,” Darren said.
“Sure. An agent will have to accompany you, but you know what Michael can see and what he can’t. No offense, young man, but some things are classified.”
“No offense taken, Madam. I understand completely.”
“I’m off. What are you three going to do?” Victoria asked David, Shane, and Jack.
“I think we’ll head over to Blair House and get settled in.”
“Excellent. I have no idea how long this will last. See you for dinner.”
She spoke to one of her agents on the way out, and when Darren and Michael left the dining room, the agent approached and said he had been assigned to them. They left on their private tour as David, Shane, and Jack went across the street to Blair House.
As Michael and Darren enjoyed the various paintings of the White House, David, Shane, and Jack arrived at their destination and went to their bedrooms. Jack liked his because it had a view of the White House just like David and Shane’s room. David knew they would be sharing the house with other family members, and he reminded Jack and Shane of that fact.
“While Victoria’s family is well accustomed to gay people, I don’t know about the Rothschilds. So let’s keep that in mind when we’re in public.”
“This place is kinda small, isn’t it?” Jack asked.
“Yes, it is small. It was even smaller before the government bought three houses in a row and joined them to make one. But the size of most of the rooms was unchanged. You’re just spoiled by Winfield House and our home in Cape May.”
“Maybe, but I understand why we can’t stay across the street. I can go to the party after the wedding, right?” Jack asked with pleading eyes.
“Yes, you’re old enough. Just behave like a gentleman, and for God’s sake, watch your mouth!” David answered.
“Dad, I’m not gonna embarrass you and Daddy. I slip sometimes when it’s just us because I’m totally comfortable with you. But after your husband had his blow out the other night, I try to be even more careful.”
“My husband? You mean your other father, right?” David asked in concern.
“Yeah, of course that’s who I mean. I was just busting his ba… um, his cookies.”
Shane smiled at David.
“It seems his reaction made an impact on you,” David said to Jack.
“Yeah, and a lot better one than what he wanted to do!”
“And what was that, Jack?” Shane asked.
“You wanted to beat my ass!”
This time no one got angry, everyone just laughed.
“You’re very lucky that my husband intervened on your behalf,” Shane said. “Or you wouldn’t have sat very comfortably for a while.”
“I know, and I apologize for what I said,” Jack said as he looked down at the floor.
David went over to Jack and hugged him. “You just keep working on that issue, okay? Your other dad loves you just as much as I do, and don’t ever forget that.”
“That’s true, Jack,” Shane said. “Just because I was mad at you, doesn’t mean I don’t love you. It means I want you to be a better person.”
Jack ran over to Shane and hugged him. “I know that, Daddy, and it’s one of the reasons I survived the kidnapping. I kept you both in my mind and asked myself what you would do if you were there instead of me. I have to confess, though, I said a lot of bad words just because I knew it upset them. I laughed inside each ti
me they called me part of a camel for something I said.”
“Whatever you did, it worked. You’re here, and the men who took you are dead. No one messes with a member of our family. Why don’t we all have showers now? It’s been a long day already, and we should look fresh for dinner.”
For the next hour, they showered, dressed in fresh clothes, and relaxed with iced tea and Diet 7-Up. Then a tornado hit the front door of Blair House—Brandon was home from school.
He ran straight to David and hugged him.
“I’ve missed you all so much. I was happy to hear you all were coming,” Brandon said as he looked around the room. He went to Shane and hugged him before walking over to shake Jack’s hand, which Jack was having none of.
“You’re getting hugged,” Jack said and grabbed onto the teary-eyed Brandon.
“I wish you could stay here. I owe you so much,” Brandon said.
“Your life is good, then?” Jack asked.
“Yep. The only thing missing is a prince. Why hasn’t my brother found me one yet?”
Everyone laughed just as Darren and Michael entered the house. There were more hugs all around, including for Michael.
“Boy, you’ve shot up like a weed! You must be close to six feet tall now!” Shane exclaimed.
“Yep, six feet exactly. I hope I grow a couple inches more, though.”
Jack laughed out loud, blushed, and said, “I’m going to be good and not touch that line.”
David laughed in spite of himself.
“Be quiet, or you’ll sit in the car during the wedding!” Brandon threatened with a smirk.
“Not worried. My dads wouldn’t allow that, and you know it!” Jack stuck his tongue out.
“Oh very mature!” Darren chimed in.
“Okay, boys, settle down,” David said. “It’s damn good we’re all together again. I’m delighted you’re looking so good, Brandon.”
“Yeah, a lot better than when you first met me in Baltimore under a bridge. God, I hate the memories of those days.”
“Then don’t think about them. You have an entirely new life. Not everyone gets a chance like that,” Shane said.
“Brandon, do you know if anyone is having a bachelor party for Harry Rothschild?” David asked.
“I haven’t heard anyone say anything about that, including the Secret Service.”
“We should do something for him. Do you have any suggestions?” David asked.
“How about a one-way ticket on a leaky tanker ship?” Brandon replied.
“Brandon! Is there something wrong? Don’t you like the man your mother is marrying?”
“Not really. He reeks of money, and yet doesn’t give any to charity. I talked to him once about starting a charity for homeless kids in the District, and he wasn’t interested. Do you know how much money his family has?”
“Well, I think the name Rothschild says it all. But you don’t know what he does with his money, Brandon. He may support many charities through his work. Just because he wasn’t interested in the charity you suggested doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a good heart. After all, your mother loves him enough to marry him. I can’t see her doing that if he was someone who didn’t care about others.”
“Yeah, maybe. I don’t know. Usually, when he was around, I stayed in another room. Now we’ll be together, whether he likes it or not.”
“Look, Brandon, give him a chance. For me, if not for your mother. Okay?” David asked.
“But I don’t want to replace you!”
“Don’t worry, I’m not being replaced. I love you, Brandon, and have since I saw you under that damn bridge. Nothing in this world will ever change that, but your mother has the right to be happy too. You want her to be happy, don’t you? She loves this man. He makes her happy. She has the right to accept his proposal. I don’t want to see you become an unhappy boy again. Please don’t do that to me.”
Brandon looked into David’s eyes. “You really mean that?”
“Which part? I meant all of it, though.”
“The part about loving me the second you saw me.”
“Absolutely, and so does Shane here. You stole our hearts that day, and we would have done anything to get you away from the life you had to live just because your parents are ignorant. You’re gay, you’re beautiful, and you have a promising life ahead of you. Just do your very best in school, so you can get into an Ivy League university.”
“I wanna be like you. I wanna do good things for people and make them happy,” Brandon said.
“Then get a good education, and keep learning until the day you die. Make a difference in life, and show your parents just how wrong they were to throw you away like you were garbage.”
“My parents are the president and the soon-to-be husband of the president. My first parents died five years ago as far as I’m concerned. I finally believe what you said when you told me they didn’t deserve me.”
David blinked away a tear, but before he could say anything, Brandon lightened the mood. “So, we’re all eating at the White House, right?”
“That’s correct,” David said as he checked his watch. “We’ll be eating about an hour from now, if your mother gets out of her meeting on time.”
“One of her aides asked me to tell you guys to come over and make yourselves at home in the living quarters.”
“That’s thoughtful of her,” David said. “I’ll check and see if everyone’s ready for the evening.”
Shortly before the dinner hour, David’s party entered the White House, and David got that certain feeling he used to when he was president—anxiety tinged with dread coupled with determination. The constant worrying about what could happen in the next moment to drastically affect the world. David pushed the feeling aside and said a warm hello to members of the household staff who had served during his administration. Henry, who’d looked after David personally, escorted everyone into the living room.
“Mr. Ambassador, is there anything I may get for you or your guests?” Henry asked.
“Well, if it’s going to be a while, drinks would be nice.”
“Of course, sir. What would everyone like?”
After taking the drink requests, Henry disappeared, and the family settled down in the living room. David noticed the decor had a more feminine touch than when he was president. The curtains had a swirling floral pattern. They were very tasteful, but also very pink.
“Can I put the television on, Dad?” Jack asked.
“I don’t see why not, but turn it off when the president comes in, please,” David replied.
“Sure thing, Dad.”
Henry returned with the drinks and served them. When he handed David his soda, he said, “I very much enjoyed your presidency, sir, and I miss you and Mr. Thompson. That’s not to say I don’t love President Wilson also, but I miss the interest you took in my family and life.”
“Thank you, Henry. I enjoyed hearing what was going on in your life and the lives of all the people who served in this noble house with me. It’s very good to see you again.”
Henry bowed his head slightly in respect and left the room.
“That was nice of him to say,” Shane said.
“I really miss him too. If he wasn’t so elderly, I’d ask him to join us in London, but I know he’d rather be here. And I wouldn’t want to upset Victoria, of course. Looks like the kids are getting along famously.” David nodded toward Brandon, Darren, Michael, and Jack.
“I’m serious, Michael!” Brandon said. “There has to be at least one more hot, gay prince in your family.”
“I’m not so sure,” Michael said. “It’s not as though we have a secret club for gay royalty. But if you like, I’ll make some inquiries. You’re very fit and handsome. If there is a gay prince out there who doesn’t have a boyfriend already, I’m sure he’d be interested in meeting you.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
“Then we’d have two royals in our family. That would be unusual, to say the
least!” Darren said.
President Wilson swept into the room with a big smile on her face.
“Hello, everyone, so nice to see us all together again.”
“Good evening, Madam President,” David said formally.
“Hi, Mom,” Darren and Brandon said at the same time.
Not to be outdone, Jack bowed to the President and said, “Good evening, my lady.”
The boys laughed as David’s jaw dropped open. Shane said, “Jack, the president is not addressed as my lady, but as Madam President.”
“Oh, that’s all right, I rather liked the sound of it,” Victoria said. “Where did you learn that phrase, Jack?”
“I heard it in some old movie called Fire over England. It was about the Queen,” Jack replied.
“Well there you have it, then, Jack. That’s proper address for someone in England, but not here in America,” Shane said.
As she sat down, Victoria rubbed the top of Jack’s head, making him smile.
“I have time for one drink before dinner. Henry, make me a gin and tonic, please.”
“Of course, ma’am.”
They chatted about the upcoming wedding and things to squeeze into the trip, and then Darren asked a question.
“Mom, I want to show Michael a couple of Washington bars like he showed me around London. Is that okay with you?”
“What kind of bars?” she asked.
“Gay dance bars.”
“As long as they’re not strip bars, I don’t mind. You’ll have to have a Secret Service detail, though.”
“I’ve talked to them, and they have a team that will be a great fit for the boys,” Shane said.
“Thank you, Shane. Well then, I suppose we should eat so the boys can go have some fun.”
Chapter 9
DINNER WAS delicious, and everyone ate their fill. The boys skipped dessert as they ran off to plan the evening, leaving Brandon and Jack behind at the table.
“I can’t wait until I’m old enough to go to the bars,” Brandon moaned.
“It will come soon enough. Don’t rush it, dear,” his mother said.
“I’ve got forever to wait,” Jack chimed in.
“Trust me, you’ll survive. Let Michael and Darren have their fun tonight,” David said. “It’ll be your turn before you know it.”
