Holy.
Shit.
I’m certain my eyes must be wide as I stare at her. If she’s like this now, I can only imagine how vicious she was when she practiced law. In this moment, she also reminds me more than a little of Mimi.
“Y-yes, President Samuels. Perfectly clear.” I’ve never heard my Mom sound so absolutelycowedbefore.
The president’s voice brightens. “Excellent! Is your husband there, or will you pass the message to him for me?”
“N-no, he’s not here. He’s still at work.”
“You’ll make sure to tell him what I said?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Fantastic! Glad you’re a reasonable woman, Mrs. Walsh. And, once again, may I say how much we absolutely love and adore Jordan? You should be so proud of him.”
Mom sounds really freaking quiet now. “Thank you, President Samuels.”
“Jordan, did you want to say anything else?”
I wish Leo and Elliot were here.
But of course I don’t saythat. “Nice talking to you, Mom.” Not really, but I’ll be polite.
“Y-you, too, Jordan.”
“Thanks for the chat, Mrs. Walsh. Good-bye.” The president hangs up and sits back in her chair. She looks pretty damned proud of herself. “You all right, Jordan?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her smile fades. “I meant every damned word, too. Wedolove you, we do feel you’re part of our family, and weareglad to have you here. Never forget that. You are loved, you are cherished, and you are family. You have family. We’reallyour family.”
She stands and as I’m sniffling and trying to stand, too, she rounds the desk and hugs me. “Don’t stop working on those two. They’ll get their shit together soon enough. You’re doing a fantastic job, and we’re all lucky to have you here.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
I excuse myself to the lav to pull myself together. I don’t even know how to tell this story to Elliot and Leo.
By the time we’re wheels-down at Andrews, I’ve received a scheduling change request from Elliot’s campaign manager. They have ads they want to show Elliot tonight, and they need him at headquarters to film a few promos.
Dammit. There goes my plan to go to Leo’s after getting Elliot home.
This would be sooo much easier if Leo was married to Elliot.
When we arrive at the White House, Elliot has a solution he’s standing firm on without having consulting me or Leo about it first. “I’ll have the detail detour and stop by Leo’s on our way to campaign headquarters. I already told them about the change, so it’s done.”
“What? That’s a security nightmare!”
He sadly smiles. “Not if I stay in the car and wait for you to run upstairs and check on him.”
I study his eyes, to see how he’s really feeling. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” He firmly nods. “Yes, Sir.”
So…that’s what happens. Needless to say, Leo never made it in to work today. Also, he’s a little surprised when I show up, and even more surprised when I tell him Elliot’s waiting downstairs.
He kisses me. “Give him that for me, please, baby.”
