by John Simpson
“Harry, are you ready for tomorrow? Any butterflies?” David asked.
“There are a couple floating around.” Harry smiled. “But they’re not because of the wedding itself. It’s just the thought of all the television cameras and media attention being paid to what I see as something private between myself and the woman I love. And, once the ceremony is over, I become a national possession in many respects. I’ll have to have a Secret Service detail and all that.”
“There’s no question that marrying the president of the United States is life-altering. But as time passes, you’ll become accustomed to all the fuss.”
“But will I become accustomed to so many men with guns around me all the time?”
“Of course. Why is that a concern?” Shane asked.
“Because if there are men with guns around to protect me, the question arises, who are they protecting me from? The conclusion is that I become a target simply by marrying the woman I love. How can that be right?”
“I understand why you would feel that way. I was lucky in my marriage for many reasons, but the situation was made easier by Shane’s position in the Secret Service. I was already used to the protection, and Shane was part of the security apparatus. The important thing is that you really love the woman you’re marrying. She loves you, and you love her, and you’ll deal with all that together. And remember that as soon as she’s out of office, things will calm down considerably. You might even find yourself bored at times.”
“Did you get bored once you left the White House?” Harry asked.
“Yes and no. It was good to get rid of the constant pressures of meeting after meeting and all the briefings before those meetings. I don’t miss that at all. I suppose I miss the State functions the most. State dinners, receiving royalty, presidents, leaders of other countries and talking about our common needs and desires. I had a real chance to make a difference for the better in the world. But as fate would have it, I didn’t stay bored for long. The president called me into service to handle a very touchy international crisis, and then she appointed me Ambassador to the Court of Saint James. So, I haven’t had time lately to be bored.”
“If I recall, Shane was with you on all those special trips.”
“I was there,” Shane said. “Wouldn’t think of letting him go by himself. Besides, I’ve become a State Department Security Specialist assigned to David. Much easier that way.”
“It was nice to have him with me,” David added. “I trust his professional abilities having seen them tested a few times while I was president… and afterward.”
“I’m sure I’ll get used to it all. But I have to continue running my business.”
“Gentlemen, are you ready to go to your dining room?” a waiter asked.
“I think so. Everyone looks hungry,” David said.
Everyone followed the waiter through a dining area and to a room off to one side. The man opened the door on a table set with six chairs. There were silver candlesticks with tall white tapers and the finest china and silverware. The stemware was crystal, as were the water glasses.
Another waiter brought in two bottles of white wine and two of red. He poured for the adults before another waiter announced the menu available for the special dining rooms.
Jack looked like a deer caught in the headlights. The menu was all in French, and he had yet to learn that in school.
“Jack, can I order for you? I think I know what you’ll like the best. I know it’s hard to choose from so many great sounding dishes,” David said.
“Yes, Father, that would be nice,” Jack said. It was the first time Jack had used the term father, and everyone knew he was trying to be as grown up as possible.
“Very well, my son will have the steak Diane. We’ll decide on dessert afterward.”
“Very good, sir,” the waiter said before he bowed and left. As the waiter was leaving, David noticed a current Supreme Court Justice was being seated.
“Well, as usual, the club is full of the Washington in-crowd tonight. I just saw Justice Kennedy being seated for dinner.”
“It’s a beautiful club, and I appreciate your arranging this. It’s very kind of you, David,” Harry said.
“Well, all of us wanted to do something special for you, so you’d have a nice little memory of the night before your wedding.”
“Thank you, everyone,” Harry responded.
Waiters came in and out, refilling glasses, adding iced tea to David’s constantly empty glass, and pouring wine when required. When dinner was served, six waiters entered at the same time and placed plates in front of each person. At a signal from the head waiter, the silver covers were all removed at the same time. They quietly left the room, and everyone got down to eating.
When the plates were cleared, no one had room for dessert, so after-dinner cordials were served for the adults, and the kids finished whatever they were drinking. When dinner was over, the head waiter whispered to David that a bill would be sent for payment. David handed the head waiter two hundred dollars as a tip for him and the other servers.
The Secret Servicemen standing outside the room talked into their hand mics to get the motorcade ready to leave. David said good evening to Justice Kennedy and a couple other notables before the manager escorted him and his guests to the door.
“Thank you for coming tonight, it’s been an honor,” the manager said as he bowed.
Everyone climbed back into the limousine, and with sirens wailing, they were off to the White House. Just over five minutes later, they pulled onto the White House grounds. It was just after eleven o’clock.
“Are you all coming in?” Harry asked.
“No, thank you, Harry. It’s late, and we have to be up early for what will be a long day. Give my love to Victoria, and we’ll see you in the morning. I understand we’re in the motorcade with you and the president.”
“Very well, good night, then, and thank you all once again. I had a good time tonight.”
They waved and were then driven over to Blair House where everyone settled in for the night.
THE NEXT morning, everyone in Blair House was up and rushing to and fro. Tuxedos were put on, and last minute fixes were taking place. Jack looked very handsome in his Christian Dior tux, giving a preview of the man he’d soon be. After a last inspection in the mirrors, everyone got into the limousine waiting for them. They took their place in the presidential motorcade and waited for Victoria and Harry. Darren looked admiringly at Michael in his prince’s uniform.
Once they were at the National Cathedral, Victoria and Harry would enter through a door into the sacristy, away from everyone. The rest of the wedding party would enter through the front doors. No other cars were allowed to enter the grounds of the cathedral. At nine fifteen, the president and Harry got into the Beast, and the motorcade was off. They sailed through Washington, as the entire route had been cleared of traffic. They pulled onto the grounds of the cathedral at 9:31, and the Beast and a war wagon split off and went to the side of the cathedral.
When the Secret Service opened the doors, everyone got out and formed a nice orderly party. Darren and Brandon were first, followed by David, Shane and Jack, and Prince Michael. As they walked down the long aisle to the front pew, hundreds of camera flashes went off. Special attention was paid to Darren and Brandon. They were seated in the front pew of the bride’s side. David looked at his watch to see they had twenty minutes until the wedding would begin.
Even though everyone had been cleared to attend the function and bags were checked before entering, the Secret Service was a very visible presence throughout the cathedral. Two agents sat directly behind David’s row.
The organist played various songs to keep everyone distracted. David was enjoying the music when he saw an agent approaching him in a hurry. The hair on David’s neck stood up.
“Excuse me, sir, but one of the groomsman has been delayed, and Mr. Rothschild has asked if you would stand with him,” the agent said.
�
��Of course, lead the way,” David replied. “Shane, keep a good eye on the boys.”
David followed the agent to the room they were waiting in. When he entered, Harry look relieved.
“Thank you so much for doing this. One of my men was in a car accident. Do you know what to do?” Harry asked.
“I believe so.”
“Of course, you’ll be first in line in acknowledgement of your position.”
“No, I’m not your best man, and that’s his place. Second will do just fine for me,” David replied.
Everyone lined up and walked out to the altar at two minutes to ten. Victoria and a male relative were waiting where they couldn’t be seen. The president would walk half the distance to the altar, instead of all the way from the back, which would have exposed her longer than the Secret Service was comfortable with.
Finally, the opening notes of “The Bridal Chorus” rang out from the organ, and Victoria and her flower girls stepped onto the world stage as everyone stood. The groom and groomsmen faced the aisle and watched Victoria walk to the altar in a beautiful wedding dress with a six-foot train. When she arrived at the altar, Harry pulled up her veil, and she looked radiant.
The ceremony went off without a hitch, and the organ played Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March,” as the happy couple walked down the aisle into a secure area. David kissed the bride and shook Harry’s hand.
“Beautiful wedding, just magnificent,” David said as Victoria smiled through her tears.
“Thank you for being here with your family to share this most important day in my life. I owe you so much, and now I’m married to a wonderful man. I don’t think I could be any happier.”
“I’m flattered,” David said as he held her hand. “Now, I’m going to rejoin my party, find our new limousine, and make sure everyone is in it so the motorcade can start on time. See you back at the White House.”
They kissed again, and David was off in search of his husband and kids. An agent escorted him out of the cathedral and radioed that he had Condor and was en route to the limousine. When they got there, David climbed in with his group.
“Wow, that was great!” Jack said.
“What did you guys think of your mother’s wedding?” David asked Darren and Brandon.
“I thought she looked beautiful in that dress, and I have to admit, I cried a little,” Darren responded as Michael put his arm around him.
“I liked it too, and the party this afternoon should be a blast,” Brandon said.
“Right, the party doesn’t start until two. Should we change?” Shane asked.
“Yes, she said to dress comfortably, no tuxes for anyone but the waiters,” replied David.
“But, Dad, what does that really mean? She doesn’t mean jeans, does she?” Jack asked.
“I would suggest we all change into dress pants, nice shirts, and shoes, but no ties. How’s that sound, Shane?”
“I think that’ll work.”
They watched as the Beast drove around them to the front of the line, and off they went to cheering and clapping from the crowds gathered on the streets around the cathedral. Though they were not able to get tickets, they gathered to wave good-bye to their president and new first gentleman.
David’s limousine broke off from the motorcade and stopped in front of Blair House. Everyone got out and went inside to relax for an hour before they changed.
At the White House, chaos was the rule of the day. Everyone wanted to congratulate the president and her husband as they worked their way to the residential quarters. Finally, after getting off the elevator on the second floor, total peace and quiet enveloped the newlyweds. Harry’s clothes had been transferred into the presidential bedroom while they were at the cathedral, and so they went into her bedroom. As they took a shower together, the clock ticked onward.
When everyone at Blair House was refreshed and dressed, they sat in one of the living rooms. When the phone rang, Jack ran to it and answered it.
“Blair House,” he said.
Everyone smiled.
“Yes, Madam President. I’ll tell ’em all to get their asses over there now! Good-bye.”
When Jack turned around, everyone in the room burst out laughing. Jack scratched his head trying to figure it out.
“I don’t think the president meant for you to relay her message word for word, honey,” Shane said.
“But if I had changed them, then it wouldn’t have been her message, right?”
“I suppose so, champ. Let’s go,” David said as he kissed Jack on the top of his head. “Damn, you’re getting tall.”
“That’s a good thing, right?” Jack asked.
“You bet. In this world, rightly or wrongly, tall men are taken more seriously,” Shane answered.
They quickly passed through White House security gates and were told to go up to the president’s quarters. When they stepped off the elevator, they heard Victoria’s laughter. When they reached the living area, they saw big smiles on Victoria and Harry’s faces.
“Hi, David. I was just telling Harry how effectively Jack delivers messages.”
“No question about that, word for word,” David replied.
Jack blushed. Darren and Michael laughed.
“I’m glad to see you all dressed comfortably. Shall we go down to the reception?”
“Lead the way, my lady,” David said.
“I thought it was wrong to call her my lady,” a confused Jack said.
“In the sense I used it, it’s fine, Jack.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
The presidential party was escorted out of the White House and to the massive white tent where seven hundred guests were assembled. The head table sat twelve people, including David, Shane, Jack, and the president’s sons and one prince.
When they stepped into the tent, applause broke out, and the newlyweds waved to everyone as David and his party took their seats. Victoria and Harry worked their way through the round tables set up beyond the dance floor as the Marine band played soft music.
“This is beautiful. They did a wonderful job for her,” Shane said.
“Without question. I’d be proud if this were our reception area.”
“Yes, but we had a much smaller reception in the White House, and I found that to be special,” Shane said.
“I remember. It was pretty cool, and there were all those hot-looking young Marines in dress uniform everywhere,” Jack said.
David acknowledged the statement with a tolerant smile, but Shane said, “What were you doing even noticing those Marines?”
“Huh? They were hotties. Was I not supposed to notice?”
“No, I suppose not. I just think of you as a little boy, and I guess you’re not. Behave tonight.”
Jack turned to Brandon. “Brandon, will you have a dance with me tonight?”
Brandon smiled and replied, “You bet. You’re young, Jack, but you’re a little hottie yourself! You just let me know when a song comes on that you like.”
Jack was all smiles. His first public dance with another guy.
Chapter 11
AFTER A few minutes, the president and first gentleman returned to the head table and took their seats. Champagne was poured, and the first course began to make its way to the tables. David leaned over and whispered to the president, “Jack asked Brandon to dance with him later. Is that all right with you?”
“Of course! It’s sweet of Brandon to say yes. They’ll look cute together.”
“Okay, just wanted to make sure you didn’t have any issues with it,” David said.
“None. Everyone should have a good time here today.”
The salads were placed on the head table, and forks were picked up. Some of the chatter began to die down as people ate. David looked around the tent, and his eyes landed on a seven tier wedding cake with the bride and groom standing on top of the Presidential Seal of Office.
“Shane, look at the cake! That’s one thing I didn’t think of doing for our wedding
.”
“Ah, honey, the best thing about our wedding was the wedding night!”
David chuckled. “You old horn dog. We had done that how many times before the wedding?”
“Yeah, but never as husbands.”
THE REST of the dinner had been served, and the first dance was ready to take place. Everyone clapped as the bride and groom took to the floor and danced to a slow number. Camera flashes from White House photographers went off constantly.
When the president signaled for others to join, Shane took David by the hand, Darren took Michael’s hand, and they went onto the dance floor to join the first couple. It all seemed so surreal, especially to Darren and Michael. Darren sank into Michael’s arms as the song played on. When it ended, Michael gave him a quick kiss before they returned to the table.
The next song was a fast one, and the head table watched as Brandon and Jack joined the others on the dance floor. David was stunned by how well Jack danced, and the two boys made a good-looking couple dancing together.
“That’s not something I expected to see for at least two years,” Shane said.
“He’s growing up fast now, Shane. Brandon was already an adult in so many ways when we found him under that bridge.”
Shane started to reply but stopped when he saw tears rolling down David’s face.
IT WAS a glorious afternoon and evening, and the president was reluctant to wrap things up. As the guests slowly exited the grounds of the White House, David and his party went to the family quarters upstairs.
Everyone was laid out in chairs and sofas, full, content, and happy. One final round of drinks was ordered, and light conversation finished the day.
“I hope you all enjoyed yourselves, especially my sons,” Victoria said.
“Yes, it was a grand day that went off pretty much without a hitch,” David said as Brandon and Darren shook their heads.
“I even got to dance!” Jack blurted out. “Thanks to Brandon, who knows how to move.”
