“And what about getting married? Are you finally going to marry that girl after all this?”
I chuckled. “I tried, Elias. But she said no. I was going to have the ceremony performed right there in the hospital, but my stubborn little darling said no.”
“She deserves something better, don’t you think? The white dress and the big wedding? Maybe out there in the rose garden?”
I nodded. “She deserves that, and so much more.”
Elias stood and extended his hand over the desk. I took it and locked hands before he left my office. And then I sat down and ran my hand over the faint carving on the desk. T.E.W. Thaddeus Edward Washington. Right below his initials were hers. G.M.W. Georgina Marie Washington. She idolized her father. Since coming to the White House, Georgie opened up more about her parents, and I felt like some of the sadness she’d carried since their death faded away.
I reached inside and took out the small Swiss Army knife that I’d carried with me since my thirteenth birthday. It was a gift from one of my dad’s Army buddies, an old grizzly vet who had a heart of gold. I dug the tip into the wood, next to her initials, and carved mine. J.P.M. Jameson Patrick Martin. I ran my thumb over the carving, brushing aside the fine wood shavings, and smiled.
“I’m going to marry your daughter,” I said aloud.
Then I returned to our bedroom and slid into bed beside her. I could be Jameson Martin, the man, for a few more hours, until the world demanded my attention once more.
The White House Press Briefing room was in an actual tizzy. The reporters were all talking in hushed tones, whispering amongst each other, speculating about what was going to be announced. I watched all this from the sidelines; I wanted to keep them waiting.
“Sir,” Bart said, coming up behind me. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Oh yes,” I said. I was going to be like Sherman and scorch the fucking Earth.
I reached out for the notes that Bart had prepared for me. Since returning from Finland, I had one goal in mind: clean house. Straightening my tie, I took one last glance at the paper he just handed to me and then walked out to the podium.
The entire room went silent.
“Good morning,” I said firmly, my voice loud and clear. I gripped the edges of the podium and looked out at all their faces. Shock and awe had an entirely new meaning. “I will be conducting today’s briefing as I felt that the changes to my administration were important enough to personally address. First, Secretary Edison has been asked to resign from his position, effective immediately. Second, Deputy Press Secretary Lauren Thompson has also been asked to resign. These two events are being handled separately and are not related. Third, after a thorough investigation conducted by Director of the NSA, Jack McGowan, it has been determined that Russian oil tycoon Valery Kuznetsov has used his vast fortune to gain access to my administration. That investigation is still ongoing to determine the motives of Mr. Kuznetsov. As a result of this unprecedented interference in American politics and American government, several members of my administration have been relieved of their duties.”
I paused for a moment, to let all that seep in, to let them all fully comprehend what I just said. I looked up from my notes to see a very stunned group of reporters. They weren’t expecting this, or me.
“I realize this is quite shocking and please be aware, that because this investigation is ongoing, it is entirely possible that more members of my administration will also be terminated. I take responsibility for this breech in our country’s government. My focus on getting here and starting the work that needed to be done was skewed. I made the American people a promise, and I wanted to keep it so badly that I didn’t properly vet these individuals. I opened the door to Russia’s interference, and now I’m closing it.”
My notes indicated I was supposed to address Georgie’s recent hospitalization. Even before we returned to Washington, there was speculation about why Georgie was admitted to a hospital in Finland. I hated all the made-up garbage that was being said about her, but even worse was having to publicize something that was very, very private.
“Finally, I want to address the rumors surrounding the first lady. Yes, she was admitted to a hospital in Finland during her recent visit. Regretfully, the first lady suffered a miscarriage. This is a very private matter; however, she wanted me to relay that information to you all because she knows that many women share this same experience. She is currently resting and will continue doing so over the next few days before resuming her normal duties. We both ask that you respect our privacy, and we will not address any questions regarding this matter.”
I cleared my throat, and the emotions bottled up threatened to spill out. I shuffled the papers nervously and then stepped back a fraction of an inch to compose myself. “I will now turn the rest of this briefing over to the very capable hands of Bart Davidson. He will do his best to answer the questions that I’m sure you all have, but please note, he either cannot or will not answer all your questions. Thank you.”
The sound of everyone shouting at once was deafening. I kept my head down as I walked from the front of the room. I passed Bart and we shook hands, but then I was gone. I returned quickly to my private study next to the Oval Office and calmed my nerves with a finger or two of scotch. Sometimes being president was the worst fucking job in the world.
Georgie
When I woke up, Jameson was watching me eagerly, grinning like the Cheshire cat.
“What’s going on?” I grumbled.
“Do you know what today is?”
“No. What’s today?”
“It’s the happiest day of my life.”
“Good for you. Can I go back to sleep now?”
“Georgie. It’s the happiest day of life,” he said, looking at me expectantly, as if somehow those words were supposed to mean something to me, but they didn’t compute.
“What does that mean, Jameson?”
“It means that today, I’m going to marry you. We’re going to get married today.”
It had been months since my miscarriage in Finland and the moment he tried to marry me in the hospital. But I turned him down and told him it wasn’t the right time. Today, was apparently the right time.
“Jameson, it’s a Tuesday.”
“I know.”
“I don’t have anything planned. I don’t even have a dress.”
“You have an entire closet full of dresses. Pick one.”
“Your parents aren’t even here.”
“So? I’m beginning to think you don’t want to marry me, Georgie.”
“Jameson, I do. But today? On a random Tuesday?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I want. Now, go get dressed. You have two hours, and then we’re heading to the Supreme Court. Justice Ormsby is expecting us.”
He was absolutely insane, but I did exactly as he asked. I rolled out of bed and into the massive room that was our closet. Dresses lined one entire wall, and I scrutinized each one until my eyes landed on a dress I hadn’t yet worn. It was a brilliant cobalt blue silk with a darker blue floral print. It was sleeveless, and the bodice was fitted with a full skirt. It was the perfect dress.
I took my time getting ready, performing each task with deliberation. I curled my hair in soft waves and applied my makeup with a light touch. The only stand out was the crimson lipstick that I applied. It was the perfect pop of color against the blue dress. I wore the emerald studs Jameson gave me when he proposed in my ears and the familiar antique ring that constantly remained on my left hand
When I stepped out into the bedroom, Jameson turned, and I sucked in a sharp breath, blown away by his handsomeness. His jet-black hair had been recently trimmed, and those glacial blue eyes that so often pierced my soul sparkled with excitement. His suit was perfect, right down to the red silk tie that matched my lipstick.
“You look amazing,” I breathed out.
“So do you.” He eyed me appreciatively and smiled. “I see you’re wearing your some
thing blue.”
“And it’s new too.”
Jameson stepped forward and took my left hand in his, rubbing the pad of his thumb over the massive gemstone. “Something old,” he murmured, right before he brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. A thousand memories flooded my brain, and I blinked away the tears that started to form.
“I just need to borrow something, and then I’ll have my bases covered.”
“I’m sure we can think of something.”
A Secret Service agent passed by us as we headed for the portico, completely unaware of what was about to happen. I immediately took notice of his ebony tie clip studded with a diamond in the center and stopped him. “Pardon me,” I said, my hand shooting out to stop him. I pointed at his tie. “Can I borrow that?”
“Ma’am?” He was confused and looked down to where my finger was pointing.
“Your tie clip. Can I borrow it? I’ll make sure it’s returned to you, Agent …?”
“Veltry,” he finished for me.
“Agent Veltry, I’ll make sure it’s returned to you. I just need to borrow it for a few hours.”
Agent Veltry quickly slid the clip from his tie and held it out to me. I plucked it from his palm and slipped it on to the strap of my dress. I turned to face Jameson and smiled triumphantly.
“Now I’m all set,” I declared.
Jameson’s scrutinizing gaze scanned me before he said, “Not quite. We have a stop to make on our way to the Supreme Court.”
That stop was the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. We literally pulled up to the curb, and Jameson rolled down his window, sticking his hand out. Someone handed him a small box, which he then handed to me.
“What’s this?” I asked, eyeing the box skeptically.
“A penny for your shoe. Or something like that.”
I opened the box, and resting on a piece of fluff was an ancient looking coin. I picked it up gingerly between my thumb and pointer finger and inspected it. “What kind of coin is this?”
“I have no clue. I just called and asked to borrow a rare coin. Just stick it in your shoe and don’t lose it. I might have money, but I’m not paying to replace that.”
“Are you sure?”
Jameson took the coin from my finger and then bent down toward my foot. “Lift,” he commanded. I slipped my foot from my shoe and he placed the coin inside. I replaced my foot and could feel the cool metal against my skin.
“We need all the luck we can possibly get,” he informed me.
I smiled appreciatively, but I didn’t feel like luck was necessary. There were moments throughout our relationship when Jameson and I lost our way, but we found our way back to each other. It wasn’t luck; it was determination and love.
The limousine arrived at the Supreme Court minutes later. Everything in DC was so close together, but with the frequent bumper-to-bumper traffic, getting around took a lot longer. When you’re the president, though, travel time is reduced to minutes, which didn’t leave me a whole lot of time to contemplate what exactly we were doing and if it was a mistake. But maybe that was for the best.
The limousine door swung open, beckoning me toward my future. I stepped out of the car, realizing we were at some sort of private entrance. Only building security and Secret Service witnessed our arrival. Jameson stood behind me, buttoned his suit jacket, and then placed a gentle hand on the small of my back. I looked back at him and smiled.
“Are you nervous?” he asked me quietly.
I thought for a moment, to see if butterflies were dancing around in my tummy, but there was nothing. I didn’t feel a single flutter of nervousness. All I felt was excitement. “No,” I answered confidently.
“Me neither,” he said with a wink.
We walked toward a set of heavy bronze doors and were ushered inside a marble foyer. Jameson held my hand as we walked down a set of steps to an elevator. The golden doors slid open, revealing the grin of the elevator operator.
“Hello, Johnnie,” Jameson greeted the man.
“Good morning, sir,” Johnnie replied.
Jameson led me into the car and introduced me to Johnnie Bacon, the Supreme Court’s lone elevator operator. I held out my hand toward him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine, ma’am,” he said, bringing my hand to his lips for a chaste kiss.
“Back off, Johnnie, she’s mine,” Jameson playfully growled, shooting a scowl in Johnnie’s direction. Jameson’s arm snaked around my waist, pulling me firmly against his side. He lightly kissed my temple and let his nose graze the shell of my ear. “Forever,” he whispered.
The elevator stopped, and Johnnie let us out. We walked down a brightly lit corridor to the chambers of Chief Justice Ormsby. The closer we got to her chamber door, the more I started to expect the nervous fluttering in my belly to begin, but it never came.
Justice Ormsby seemed to be expecting us because just as Jameson raised a hand to knock, the door flew open.
“You’re here,” she said, breathlessly. “I thought maybe you’d changed your mind.”
“Absolutely not,” Jameson replied.
“Good. Well, I thought we’d do this in one of the inner courtyards. My chambers are nice, but since no one is around, you might prefer the courtyard instead.”
“It doesn’t really matter,” I answered for us both. “But the courtyard sounds lovely.”
We followed Chief Justice Ormsby through a winding maze of corridors until we reached a set of doors that opened to a sunny courtyard with a large fountain ringed with flowers on one side. Large potted arrangements dotted the courtyard’s perimeter. It was perfect.
“This won’t take long, Jameson, so you can get back to world domination shortly,” Justice Ormsby commented once we were situated in front of the fountain. “And I’d only do this for you.”
“I appreciate it,” Jameson replied. He reached out and grasped my hands lightly in his and held them throughout the short ceremony.
Chief Justice Ormsby cleared her throat once and then began. “The wedding ring is a symbol of unity, a circle unbroken, without beginning or end. Today, Jameson and Georgina give and receive these rings as demonstrations of their love and commitment for each other, and of their vows to make their life one. These rings symbolize the commitment of Jameson and Georgina to work at all times to create a love that is whole and unbroken, and to love each other without end.”
There was a brief pause, and at that moment, tears started to trickle down my cheeks. This was it; I was finally going to marry Jameson. Relief surged through my body. I felt like I had been holding my breath, waiting for this day, and now I could take that first breath of our new life together. I inhaled sharply as Justice Ormsby held out two shining rings in the palm of her hand. I was ready for forever to begin.
Jameson
All day, Georgie seemed confident. Every time I looked into her bright green eyes, I expected to see nervousness and fear. Instead, she seemed sure that today, a random Tuesday, was the perfect day to get married. That confidence matched my own. I woke up knowing that I couldn’t let another day pass without Georgie as my wife.
Chief Justice Ormsby held two plain gold bands in the center of her palm. I plucked one from her palm and reached for Georgie’s hand, sliding the band up her left ring finger. I repeated Justice Ormsby’s words. “I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife. Before this witness, I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you, with all your faults and strengths, and offer myself to you, with all my faults and strengths. I will help you when needed and will turn to you during my own times of need. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.”
I reached up and swiped my thumb across Georgie’s cheek, wiping the stray tear from her cheek. This was the most important promise that I had ever made, and I had every intention of keeping it until the day I took my last breath.
I watched Georgie repeat my actions, taking the ring from Justice Orm
sby’s palm and then sliding it down my finger. There was a slight tremble in her hand, but when I caught her gaze, I saw that her tears were flowing freely. Georgie repeated the same vows, stopping once or twice to calm herself and to swipe at her tear-soaked cheeks. When she finished, she smiled triumphantly.
“Jameson and Georgina, love should be the core of your marriage. Love is the reason you are both here today. But a good marriage also needs trust. You need to know in your heart that you want what is best for the other. A marriage takes dedication to stay open to one another; to learn and grow from each other, even when it is not easy to do so. You will need faith and to be willing to move forward to tomorrow even when you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. And lastly, a marriage takes commitment, to hold true to the journey you have pledged to share together.
“Jameson and Georgina, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in matrimony, you have promised your love for each other with these vows, I now declare you husband and wife. Jameson, you may now kiss your bride. Congratulations.”
There was a small round of applause from the Secret Service agents and the White House photographer in attendance, but the sound faded away the moment I wrapped my wife in my arms and kissed her. Her arms wound their way around my body, holding me tightly to her as she accepted the kiss, opening for me like a flower. My tongue dipped inside, sweeping her lips gently. I tamed the hunger that ignited inside me because it could wait until we were alone.
“Georgie,” I whispered after our kiss ended.
“Yes,” she answered breathlessly, her eyes still closed.
“I have a very important question to ask you.”
“It’s a little too late for that, Jameson. I already married you.”
A chuckled escaped. “Not that question.”
“Oh. What is it?”
“How does it feel to be my wife?”
“Wonderful,” she answered, nuzzling her face into my neck. I held her against my chest for a moment until Chief Justice Ormsby cleared her throat.
Capitol Promises (The Presidential Promises Duet ) Page 21
