Another Notch in the Beltway

by L. A. Long

  The senator released a big sigh. “Let me think about it.”

  Morris grunted.

  “Should I tell Jack? Maybe he has a right to know he has a brother and his bone marrow is coming from that brother.”

  “Your call, but be damned sure you’re going public with this, or Jack might once you tell him. He’s spiteful and I don’t think he cares for you or Corrine.”

  “Who could blame him?”

  “Byron, I’m serious.”

  “Me too.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  The next few days were quiet. Lenore relished the relative normalcy, even though nothing was normal. She’d finished Moon Over the Garden, and she and MP were racing toward the end of their book, which was still untitled.

  “A penny for your thoughts,” MP offered as she lay in his arms, the early morning light streaming over them.

  “For you, they’re free. I was thinking we need a title for our book.”

  “Indeed. Any ideas?”

  “Not really. A number of the titles I’ve thought of have been done to death. You?”

  “None. I haven’t thought about it. I finish a book before I title it.”

  “It kind of comes to you in the end?”

  “I guess. What about you?”

  “The only requirement I have is that the word moon be in the title.”

  “Why?” he asked and lifted a brow at her.

  “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”

  He laughed, “Now you’ve made me curious. Tell me, love, I can keep a secret.”

  She told him and he started laughing. “That’s brilliant, absolutely brilliant. We’ll have to have moon in the title of our book, too.”

  “Not sure it works. We have not described the moon in any of the scenes or mentioned the moon at all. There are plenty of bare moon moments…” She broke off as if in thought. “I’ve got it, I think—Laid Bare. Physically, emotionally, and professionally Cass is laid bare. All of his layers are stripped away.”

  “I like it. I think it works, especially the double entendre. I’m intrigued by the way your mind works. Does it ever turn off?”

  “When I sleep.”

  “Don’t think so. Your eyes are always moving under your lids.”

  “You’re watching me entirely too much.”

  “It’s one of my favorite things.”

  “Remember that when we’re old and gray and wrinkled and you’re sick of the sight of me.”

  “Don’t imagine I’ll grow tired of you. And I like the thought of growing old together. Speaking of which, have you given any thought to the wedding?”

  “I have. Let’s do it here in the sunroom. If it’s nice out, we can throw open the French doors. It will be March in a few weeks.”

  “Sounds lovely.”

  “Are there people you want to invite from Ireland? Do they need time to make travel plans?”

  “You’re all I need.”

  “What about your cousins?”

  “I’ll invite them if it’s important to you.”

  “Do. I’d like to meet them.”

  He smiled at her. “I will then.”

  “There will be Nate, his date if he brings one, Nikko, her date if she brings one, Addy—”

  “And her date if she brings one,” MP quipped.

  “Exactly. Connor and his wife, Meryl, and I think that’s it. We can keep it small and low-key.”

  “Whatever you want.”

  “I still need to rustle up someone to marry us, too.”

  “Maybe Walker knows someone,” MP said.

  “Good idea. I’ll ask him.”

  “How about I bring us some coffee and bagels?”

  “Breakfast in bed?”

  “Not the kind of breakfast you make but a breakfast of sorts. I’ll even make regular and decaf coffee.”

  “An offer I can’t refuse,” she said and snuggled down into the blankets.

  She’d been to the doctor’s the prior day, and she confirmed that Lenore was indeed pregnant. The baby would arrive around Thanksgiving.

  Lenore placed her hands on her stomach and made gentle circles.

  Speaking softly, she said, “Good morning, little one. Although there is no doubt in my mind that your father will call you ‘wee one’ or ‘lad’ or ‘lass,’ depending on what you turn out to be. We’re so excited you’re going to be part of our family. Daddy can’t wait to hold you and neither can I. But don’t make an early appearance. I want you fully cooked when you come into this crazy world.”

  ****

  MP had come up and heard Lenore talking. He thought she was on the phone, but she was talking to their unborn child as if he or she were there. It caused a lump in his throat. If there was any lingering doubt that Lenore wanted this child as much as he did, it vanished in that instant.

  He didn’t want to startle or embarrass her so he said conversationally, “Breakfast is served, me lady.”

  “I was telling this little one how happy we are.”

  “Happy doesn’t begin to cover it,” he said and leaned in for a kiss as he settled the tray on her lap.

  They ate for a few moments in comfortable silence.

  “We have Walker and Nikko coming for lunch and our powwow this afternoon.”

  “I remember,” he said, a little irritated.

  “I wasn’t implying you didn’t. I wanted to suggest we strategize before they get here.” Then she looked at him, “MP, I don’t mean to sound like a nag.”

  “No, I’m sorry, Lenore. I got defensive because it had totally slipped my mind. I didn’t mean to imply you were a nag. You’re fairly wonderful to live with. I’m sorry,” he said again.

  “Accepted. I don’t want to be a stereotypical wife.”

  “A chuisle, you could never be a stereotypical anything. Now eat. I don’t want you dropping on me.”

  “I won’t drop on you, and the doctor told you it was normal.”

  “Yes, and she did put my mind at ease, but—”

  “I’m eating, sweetheart. See?”

  He smiled at her. He was the one being a nag.

  ****

  “It smells terrific in here, girlfriend,” Nikko boomed as she entered the kitchen.

  Lenore momentarily panicked, thinking she’d lost an hour somewhere.

  “I’m early. I wanted some girl time. So, if MP’s around, toss him out,” Nik said dramatically.

  “He’s working upstairs. If he comes down, I’ll banish him.”

  Nikko was flitting about the kitchen, taking lids off everything and tasting as she went along.

  “This chicken Marsala is to die for and the risotto is yummy.”

  “Don’t open the oven,” Lenore almost yelled. “It’s a pumpkin pecan cheesecake, and it has to rest in a closed oven for an hour after it’s done.”

  Undeterred, her friend turned on the oven light and peered in. “Looks wonderful.”

  Nikko, turning to the refrigerator, checked out the salad and other veggies.

  Lenore watched her agent flying around like the Energizer bunny.

  “To what do I owe your frenetic mood?” Lenore finally asked.

  “Nolan Hubble is leaving.”

  “That’s terrific. Do you have someone to replace him?”

  “Working on it. I’d like to hire two people.”

  “That’s exciting,” Lenore said, reaching to help her friend off with her coat.

  “No, wait.”

  Lenore almost jumped back.

  “Sorry,” Nik said. “I’m excited.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were on speed.”

  “High on life.”

  Lenore raised an eyebrow and laughed. “Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?”

  Nikko shimmied out of her coat. Lenore studied her from head to toe and came back to Nik’s face.

  “You’re pregnant,” Lenore gasped.

  Nikko, beaming, pulled back her suit jacket and pushed the fabr
ic of her skirt tightly over her barely discernable baby bump. “Yes! After all these years. Howard and I never conceived. Thought one or both of us were faulty.”

  Lenore was thinking of fertility doctors and treatments but wasn’t going there. Nik had never shared any of this with her when Howard was alive. Instead, she poured herself and Nik an OJ and motioned for her to sit at the table.

  “The baby is Hubble’s?”

  “Yes, that’s the only downside. But I wanted a baby for so long, then thought that it would never happen, but it did.”

  “Does he know?”

  Nikko shook her head no.

  “Are you going to tell him?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Honey, I’m over the moon for you, but he’ll find out you’re pregnant and assume it’s his.”

  “Of course it’s his. I don’t sleep around.”

  “Focus, Nikko. I know you don’t and so does Nolan Hubble. Any idea how he feels about kids? Does he have any?”

  “No to both.”

  “It’s possible he could want a part in your child’s life.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Sweetie, you need to do more than suppose. You need to tell him before he realizes and confronts you. It might not be pleasant.”

  “I know. What did you do about Nate’s dad?”

  “I told him. He was older and married and wanted no part of a baby, wanted me to abort. I refused.”

  “OMG, that is so awful. I never knew, and you were so young.”

  “I survived.”

  “You did better than that, Lenore, you flourished.”

  Lenore could feel herself blush.

  “Don’t be embarrassed by your success. You’ve earned it.”

  “She has,” MP joined them in the kitchen. He bent to kiss his agent’s cheek.

  “This is girl time, Michael Patrick. So could you please go back upstairs?” Lenore asked.

  “Of course.” He eyed her warily.

  She reached out, squeezed his hand, and gave him a full smile so he’d know he wasn’t the topic of conversation.

  He leaned down and kissed her again.

  “You two are disgusting,” Nikko said with mock disdain.

  “Why, thank you, Nik,” MP grinned as he left the room.

  “Things are well with you two?”

  “Yes,” Lenore said, watching him leave the room.

  “You deserve happiness, Lenore. So does MP for that matter.”

  “Thanks, because I have something to ask you. Will you stand up for me when Michael Patrick and I wed in a few weeks?”

  “Yes, of course I will.” Nik enveloped her friend in a hug and then looked at Lenore’s ring.

  “Beautiful, Lenore. It sparkles like your marvelous eyes—the opals do.”

  “It was MP’s grandmother’s and mother’s.”

  “Now it’s yours. It suits you. He suits you.”

  They were both tearing up.

  “Damn these hormones,” Nik said. “I seem to cry at the drop of a hat.” She looked at Lenore all teared up as well and at the two glasses of orange juice. “Oh my God, you too?”

  Lenore nodded, and Nikko hugged her again.

  “When?” Nik asked.

  “Thanksgiving.”

  “Ha, Halloween for me. It seems fitting. I hope I birth a very talented witch.”

  “Whoever you birth will be very talented,” Lenore said. “But back to Hubble. You need to tell him. Are you sure the two of you can’t reconcile?”

  “How could I trust him?”

  Lenore couldn’t answer that.

  “That’s why he’s agreed to leave. I won’t talk to him about anything but work and then the bare minimum. He wants more. We were good in bed, very compatible there.”

  “I see,” Lenore said, glancing at her friend’s stomach.

  They both laughed.

  “Claims he made a mistake,” Nikko continued. “While admitting to nothing, I might add.”

  Lenore was careful not to influence Nikko. This was a major personal decision for her and her child. She didn’t want her professional disdain of the man to impact Nik’s choice.

  “Only you know how you feel about Nolan. I know he made you happy, or the sex did, while you were seeing him. You need to do what’s best for you and the baby. Tell him, then decide. I can tell you’re not sure in your own heart what you want from the man.”

  “You’re right. But if nothing else, he’s given me the child Howard and I never had. How I wish we’d had children. Fucked like rabbits, but… I loved that man deeply.” Tears again.

  “I know you did. He loved you, too.” Lenore held her friend until her emotions evened out.

  Getting herself together, Nikko asked, “So when’s the wedding?”

  “MP wants it before I start showing. He’s quite traditional, believe it or not.”

  “I’m not surprised.”

  “Two, three weeks at most. It will be a small do here at the house. Nate is going to be MP’s best man.”

  “That’s nice. Anything special you want me to wear?”

  “Nope, whatever you like. Not sure what I’ll wear myself.”

  “You could wear something sexy—no baby bump for you yet. In fact, you look like you’ve lost weight.”

  “Thanks. I think.”

  “You look fabulous, Lenore. You always do—a natural beauty.”

  “Please.”

  “It’s true. You have no idea how many men have been interested in you over the years.”

  “MP caught my interest, my heart, and then my tail,” she laughed.

  They talked for a little while longer, and when Connor Walker arrived, they all went up to Lenore’s office.

  “Lenore and Michael Patrick asked that we meet here today so we can outline a media statement if we need one,” Connor said, starting the meeting.

  Nikko looked from Lenore to MP and back. “What the fuck have the two of you gotten into now?”

  The others laughed.

  “Lenore, do you want to start at the beginning?” Walker asked.

  “All right. Michael Patrick, jump in if I miss something.”

  “Will do,” he said taking her hand.

  Lenore told the saga that she’d kept carefully under wraps for so many years. The story finally ended with the Kelly debacle.

  “Poor Nathan,” Nikko said.

  “Yes, but he’s getting through it,” Lenore said, then continued. “This took longer than I expected it would. Can we brainstorm over lunch?”

  “I’m starved,” Connor admitted.

  “Me too,” Nikko said.

  “Let’s eat,” MP chimed in, looked at Lenore, and offered her his hand before she stood up. It was a sweet gesture and she took it.

  Lunch was met with an enthusiastic review, and dessert was an even bigger hit.

  “So depending upon what Jack Maxwell decides, that will determine what statement Connor releases and when?” Nikko asked.

  “Yes. We all thought he’d have made his decision by now but nothing,” Lenore said.

  “And what if one of these crazies goes to the tabloids? We just experienced that with the Sentinel mess. If this Kelly girl needs money, this is one hell of a story.”

  “We know,” MP said. “Maxwell was to head Kelly off and get her some money and a place to live.”

  “Any word on that, Connor?” Lenore asked.

  “Not yet.”

  “Let us know when you hear,” MP said.

  “I’m speaking from experience, and the sooner we get out there and hit this head-on, the better,” Nikko said, all vulnerability gone. She was in pit bull mode. “I know Lenore doesn’t want to appear with Maxwell, but it might be better if you and that fuck-up made a statement together, honey.”

  “I don’t think I could, Nik,” Lenore said.

  “I don’t want her to,” MP said.

  Nik ignored him. “What about a controlled situation like ‘The Today Show’? An interview
with Matt Lauer or something? That could work.”

  “No,” MP said with barely controlled anger. “Lenore doesn’t need the stress.”

  “We could pre-tape with the right to have anything we don’t like edited out,” Nik suggested.

  “No,” MP said again.

  “Okay,” Connor said. “This discussion is headed nowhere good, and nothing is going to get resolved today, but there is plenty to think about. I’ll check in with Morris and see what’s up there. But I agree with Nik. Regardless how it plays out, we need to be prepared to move on this.”

  “Agreed,” MP said. “If you recall, this was my idea in the first place. I simply don’t want Lenore out in front of the cameras.”

  Nodding, Connor got up to go, and Lenore walked him out.

  “Thanks for coming,” she said.

  “Thanks for lunch.”

  She waved him off.

  “I wanted to ask you if you knew a judge who could marry MP and me here at the house two or three Saturdays from now.”

  “One of my associates is an ordained Methodist minister, if that would work.”

  “It does and, of course you and Meryl are invited. Nate is best man and Nik is going to stand up for me.”

  “Are you happy?” Connor asked.

  “Except for this Maxwell mess, yes.”

  “I’m glad. Do you need any legal work done before the wedding?”

  Lenore looked at him. “You mean a pre-nup?”

  Connor nodded.

  “No, but I do need a new will. I’m pregnant, Connor.”

  She laughed. “You should see the look on your face. ‘Shock and awe’ doesn’t do it justice. But I need to make sure Nate and the baby are taken care of if anything should happen to me. I want Nate’s money transferred to him when he graduates in May, the new baby secondary until Nate takes a wife, then it would go to her if something happened to Nate.”

  Connor nodded. “You’ve thought about this then?”

  “I’ve thought about a lot of things lately, and a lot’s going on. I guess it’s payback time for all those years of relative calm. MP says, ‘Life is messy.’”

  “Yes, sometimes it is, but you’ll get through it.”

  “I have incentive.” She touched her stomach.

  Connor chuckled. “And here I was envying you that Nate was out of the house and on his way. Meryl and I can’t wait until the girls go off to college.”

  “In seven years, I’ll be envying you. But know that this baby is very wanted.”