"You're welcome," Lauren whispered back, her expression turning sour. "I don't know how you do this year after year, Devlyn. Sometimes I think if I have to deal with one more of those bast-" She finished the mumbled word with Dev's palm clamped firmly over her mouth.
Dev shook her head and grinned. "Careful there, Mighty Mouse. You almost slipped in front of my innocent," she glanced at her children and contorted her face into the silliest pose she could come up with, "impressionable kids."
The children all giggled, looking at Lauren and saying in unison, "But she's very, very sorry, mom. And she'll try to do better in the future."
With wide eyes, Lauren nodded and crossed her heart. "I'll try to do better in the future," she dutifully repeated when Dev removed her hand.
"That's a good girl. My father is a bad enough influence. But I love you anyway," Dev said fondly, ignoring her children's groaned protests over her mushiness. She took a moment to look at the notes Liza had given her earlier in the morning. "Did you know I'm delivering a speech at the zoo today – at the monkey house? I'm dedicating it." She nudged Lauren. "Do you think someone is trying to tell me something about my administration?"
"I hope not." Lauren intentionally kept her voice light as she carefully studied her lover. She knew Dev was apprehensive about this. It was her first local appearance since the shooting. Lauren wrapped her fingers around Dev's, feeling an uncharacteristic chill. "Hey," she whispered softly, her gaze straying for just a moment to find that the children had begun playing with the activity books Emma had sent along for them. She looked back to Dev. "Are you okay?"
"Umm...well..." Oh, boy, Marlowe, she's got your number. “I’m a little nervous, you know? I can't seem to help it."
Lauren leaned closer to the President, worry coloring her tone. "Is there any reason to be worried? More than normal, that is?" She knew Dev didn't really believe there was a high level of danger. Otherwise, neither she nor the kids would be coming along. Still, when Dev had mentioned giving her speech, a tiny, worried crease had appeared in her forehead.
"No, of course not. The zoo is actually only open to government employees today. And while that doesn't mean everyone there loves me, it does make things a little more secure than usual." She turned and caressed Lauren's cheek. "Besides, you know I'd never allow you or the children to be put in harm's way. I've just got butterflies." Dev swallowed and licked suddenly dry lips. Her voice grew even softer, so that the children wouldn't hear. "Sometimes I can still hear the shots." She gazed out the window, her eyes unfocused. "I guess it's going to take longer than I realized to get over that."
Lauren squeezed the hand she was holding, part of her wishing she'd been there that day to help Devlyn, the other part relieved beyond measure that she hadn't. I'd have gone crazy seeing her like that. The writer forced herself away from the dark thoughts and smiled gently. "It's okay to talk about it, whenever you want."
Dev nodded, but said nothing.
Lauren exhaled slowly. Later, Devlyn. She smiled tentatively, her eyes searching for Dev's. "You're going to be great today, darlin'. You always are. And I know David will have security as tight as a drum." A smile shifted into a full-fledged grin. "And after your speech you can hang around with us and eat junk food all day long."
Dev couldn't maintain her solemn expression when faced with such a delightful prospect. "Ooo, a woman with a plan. I like that." She leaned in for a quick kiss, which inspired another round of giggles from the munchkins across from them. Dev turned her head slowly and smiled at them. "And, of course, should they realize they're short three monkeys at the zoo, I'll be more than happy to make a donation."
* * *
The motorcade stopped at the private entrance the President and her family would be using to enter the zoo. Dev had to put her arm out to hold back the mad rush for the door. "Easy, kiddos," she laughed. "The doors on this car are eight inches thick. Let's let the guys outside open them so you don't rupture anything." Ashley dropped back onto her mother's lap with a sigh. She turned her head and they rubbed noses. "What's up, Moppet?"
"Can we see the penguins?"
"Absolutely. We're here to have a good time and see all the animals today. I only have this one little thing I need to do this morning, and then I'm yours for the day."
Lauren couldn't help but smile when the limousine was filled with wild cheers. It had been a while since they'd gotten a full day with Dev. And while she, Emma, and Amy did their best to fill in, it just wasn't the same as having their mom with them.
Christopher plopped down in Lauren's lap, wrapping his little arms around her neck, while Aaron stood between them. "What animal do you want to see?" Chris asked.
"Yeah," Dev's head turned slowly, and she raised an evil brow. "Which animal do you want to see, Lauren?"
"Well," she looked at each child in turn, "I already see a baboon, hyena, and wildebeest on a daily basis. How about something different?"
Three little voices all shouted together once they realized Lauren was actually talking about them. "Hey!"
Ashley turned to her mom and whispered indignantly, "You gonna let her talk about us like that?"
"Why not? It's the truth. I just can't believe she didn't peg one of you as an enormous, stinky warthog.
"Mom!"
"Only if you're good today. Otherwise, I'm pretending I don't know you," the President teased as the doors were opened from the outside.
Dev helped the kids out of the car and into the custody of their respective Secret Service agents. Before getting out herself she leaned over and leered at Lauren. "And in case you're wondering what I'd like to see most, it's a tiny, incredibly precious tattoo of a leprechaun, right on your-"
"Oh, God." A bright blush turned the tips of Lauren's ears scarlet, and she buried her face against Dev's chest. "You'd better hush up, Madam President. Or I won't be responsible for my actions. I might have a tiny tattoo, but you've got the cutest dimple right on your lovely-"
"Why, Ms. Strayer," Dev's eyes went round. "I didn't realize that you were taking inventory of my dimples." She smirked. "I have three you know." Dev exited the car and then reached back in to help Lauren out.
Lauren stepped out of the limo, shielding her eyes from the bright morning sun with her hand. She could tell that Dev was much more relaxed and was a little shocked by how much it bothered her when Dev was anxious and worried. She leaned in close to Dev and whispered, "Believe me, darlin', I now know every square inch of your body."
Dev sighed with contentment and zipped up her jacket. "Yes, you do. And my body thanks you." She wiggled her brows at Lauren who grinned back as the agents began preparing for them to enter the zoo.
* * *
Dev met up with Liza while Lauren went with the kids. The President rolled her shoulders, wishing Lauren were there to rub them. She had learned where her muscles kinked the worst and the best way to work out the pain that settled there far too often now. Dev wondered if that was because of the job or the shooting.
She felt a hand brush her arm; turning, she found Liza slipping her last minute note cards into her pocket. "Thanks." Dev cleared her throat, wondering if she looked as nervous as she felt. This was a real trial by fire for her. Some of the people in this crowd had been present when she was shot. They had seen her taken down. They had seen their President taken down; seen her crumple and fall like a mere mortal.
For Devlyn Marlowe this was the closest thing to a panic attack that she had ever really experienced in her public life. She looked at her hands and realized they were actually shaking a bit. She rubbed them together, took a deep breath and walked out on the stage.
Lauren stopped at an exhibit and allowed the kids to point and talk to the animals while she turned around to observe her lover. Because the spot she had chosen gave her an excellent view, she didn't look like she was hovering. Which, of course, she was. But she was worried, dammit. Lauren lifted her camera and began to focus, zooming in on Dev. Jesus. She's shaking. She almos
t left the kids with the Secret Service and went up there. But before she could move, Dev strode to the podium.
She smiled and licked her lips, once again shoving down her nervousness. Her eyes moved more rapidly over the crowd now. The applause she was hearing was barely audible in her world as her eyes landed on Lauren. The smile that she had on her face softened and became one that Lauren would know was just for her. There's your strength, Marlowe. Latch on and take it. “Good morning, everyone. They tell me I'm here to talk about monkeys this morning, but since I don't like to tell stories about my Chief of Staff, I guess they mean the real thing..."
* * *
Dev didn't have problems tracking her family like everyone else who got separated in a situation like this. She was being guided along quite nicely by the Secret Service detail, which knew exactly where every member of the Marlowe family was at all times. And right now, she was being escorted to the seal exhibit.
She did take the time to shake a few hands and sign a few autographs for the crowd, hoping that would help her later in the day, when she would be less social as she spent time with her family.
Devlyn slowed her pace as she approached her four favorite people, a huge smile brightening her face. She wrestled it away immediately, glancing around to make sure there wasn't a drinking fountain anywhere nearby. There wasn't. Dev shoved her hands in her pockets as she closed the remaining distance between her and her family. She stopped alongside Lauren, who was kneeling in front of Aaron. They appeared to be in the midst of a very in-depth conversation. She still had to fight to keep the grin off her face as she watched Lauren cleaning something from her son's face, oblivious to her presence.
"Umm, Lauren?"
Lauren glanced up. "Oh, hi. You're back." She smiled affectionately. "We missed you. And why are you looking at me like I grew a mustache while you were gone? Do I have something between my teeth?" Lauren immediately swirled the tip of her tongue across pearly whites, searching for the offending piece of food.
A small laugh bubbled up that Dev was helpless to control. "No. Your teeth are fine." Dev looked pointedly at Lauren's hand. "I was just wondering how exactly you wet the napkin you're using to clean his," her gaze drifted to her son, and she grimaced, "filthy face."
"Huh?" Lauren looked down at the wadded up, chocolate ice cream-covered napkin in her hand. She frowned. "Well, there was no drinking fountain or bathroom nearby, and it was all over his little face, and it wouldn't come off, and I couldn't stand it. So I-" Gray eyes widened to an almost comical degree. "Oh, my God."
The look of pure, unadulterated shock on Lauren's face was priceless, and what had started out small was now a full-fledged belly laugh. Dev wiped tears from her cheeks as she leaned back against a rail and offered Lauren her hand so she could pull her up.
Lauren hadn't even made it all the way to her feet, before she was pulled into a heartfelt hug. She grinned against Dev's chest as she felt the older woman's silent laughter. "Very funny." She pinched her hard in the belly for the teasing, drawing a muffled squawk that ruffled her hair.
"Welcome to the club, sweetheart," Dev finally said. "It's been a wild year for you, hasn't it?"
Aaron looked between the women. "What club?"
"The one where they clean your sticky old face with their spit, stupid-head," Christopher added helpfully.
"Oh." Aaron just shrugged. What did he care?
"I... I..." Lauren stuttered, still a little wide-eyed. "I didn't even think about it."
Dev shrugged casually as she found something terribly interesting about her shoes and kicked at a non-existent pebble. "Yeah, comes pretty naturally to us mom types."
Lauren was speechless, and Dev took pity on her friend, giving her a moment to compose herself. She looked up and found Aaron's Secret Service agent lurking close by. She motioned the young man over and in a few quick strides he was ready for his orders. "Could you please take Aaron to the men's room and give him a little clean up? Even though clinical research has proven that 'mom spit' and hydrochloric acid are exactly the same thing, I think a little soap would come in handy for this job." Dev reached down and cupped her son's chin, so she could get a good look at the damage. "Eww... now I gotta go wash my hands!" She arched a well-shaped eyebrow at her son. "You're a slob, buddy."
Aaron blushed.
Ashley, who had finally pried herself away from the railing where she was watching the seals, joined her brothers. Her voice took on a sage quality. "Grandpa says if it isn't on your face, you're not enjoying it properly."
Dev's eyes went round as an entirely X-rated thought popped into her mind at Ashley's innocent statement. She felt a sudden, burning heat sting her cheeks.
Lauren looked at Dev quizzically. "Why-?" Her jaw sagged with her realization, and she blushed so fiercely she felt lightheaded. Lauren covered her eyes with her hands. "You're such a pervert, Devlyn Marlowe."
"What?" Ashley questioned. "What? And why are you guys all red?" She hated being left out of the loop.
Lauren narrowed her eyes at Dev who stared back at her with devastating innocence. "No wonder your parents call you Devil."
Dev just wriggled her eyebrows.
Ashley put her hands on her hips and waited.
Lauren looked down at the girl. "It's nothing you need to worry about, sweetheart." The blonde's gaze flicked back to Dev, and she glared at the grinning woman. "Your mom was just making a very private joke."
Lauren reached out and took Dev's hand. "C'mon, you; we're leaving the kids with their agents for five minutes so I can buy you some ice cream." In a much lower but still teasing voice she added, "And keep you from traumatizing them with your wicked ways."
Dev felt herself being tugged away. She waved at Ashley, who had already hooked up with Amy and was heading towards the alligator exhibit. "Keep an eye on your brothers; we'll be back in a minute. Be good and don't give Amy any trouble."
The little girl threw her hands into the air. "Do I ever?!"
"Yes," Dev called over her shoulder. "I've got an FBI file on you an inch thick. Be good till we get back."
"Yes, ma'am."
Once the women were a few feet away, Lauren eased up on their pace. She leaned closer to Dev and spoke quietly, concern coloring her tone. "Your speech was wonderful, Devlyn." She looked for a tactful segue, but in this instance there didn't seem to be one. Lauren let go of Dev's hand and gently rubbed her back as they strolled along at a snail's pace. "You okay?"
The President nodded slowly. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just needed to get back out there and do it. Kind of like falling off a horse for the first time. You just have to get up and get back on before you lose your nerve." She smiled wryly. "Funny, when I was on tour after the bombings, being out there didn't bother me, but this, here at home, where it happened – this shook me up." Dev felt her guts begin to churn when she thought of the shooting, and she quickly pushed the thoughts away, focusing on the here and now. "I don't understand it, but I survived it, and that's all that matters."
Unexpected tears pricked Lauren's eyes, and she felt her throat close.
"Hey." Dev stopped walking and wrapped her arms around the shorter woman's waist. "None of that, okay?" She tilted her head in entreaty. "Today's supposed to be fun."
Lauren nodded and drew in a deep breath. "You're right. I'm sorry." She smiled weakly, and they resumed their trek.
"It helped having you here today. Keeping watch over me, were you, Mighty Mouse?"
Lauren laughed lightly. "You know it, Wonder Woman. Somebody's got to keep you out of trouble."
Dev's hand let go of Lauren's waist as they maneuvered around a popcorn stand and a large family. "Get any nice pictures?"
Madam President Page 43
