Meaning Mom and Dad won’t have to deal with Stella for any longer than necessary.
They were fine with that, and maybe even a little bit relieved. I know they never truly feel comfortable staying here because, hello, it’s the fricking White House.
Since I’m the incumbent I invite all of them over for a morning coffee meeting with me and Ciro, one I’d be having with my successor had I not won. Mom and Dad will join us, too, as will Stella and Ellis.
The only reason I included them in that one is because of Mom and Dad.
Yeah, so far Stella’s still with Ellis and outwardly it appears to be situation normal, all fucked up with them. Or maybe she’s just that good at hiding stuff and will leave him after the inauguration. Who knows?
I don’t care, to be honest. Not anymore.
My parents will also come over to the White House the morning after the inauguration for breakfast before they head back to Nebraska, which should be…interesting.
Hopefully.
I mean, hopefully they’ll come over.
I’m certain it’ll be interesting.
* * *
The morningof my inauguration dawns brightly chilly and clear. It’s a beautiful day to stand outside while the world watches me swear on a book I really don’t believe in.
My Sirs are both proud of me but I sense the quiet resignation heavily weighing on Leo’s soul as the day’s events begin. He’s already been relegated to the sidelines for too damn long. I know he’d stay there another four years if I ask him to but dammit, I don’twanthim to.
I want him openly by my side. It’s where he deserves to be.
No one besides me, Jordan, Ciro, Casey-Marie, and Declan know what’s happening tonight.
Walking through the morning with Jordan’s ever-present guidance and strength, I make it through all the social events, the church service—leaving the swearing in and parade before the balls tonight.
Because I’m not a complete idiot I wait until just before leaving the White House for the swearing in ceremony to tell Stella she’s not holding the Bible for me. We’re in the Oval Office. Ellis stepped outside onto the veranda to take a phone call so it’s only me, Stella, Jordan, and Casey-Marie in here right now. Mom and Dad are being driven over from Blair House, where they’d retreated for a private lunch because they were feeling a little overwhelmed and needed a break.
Stella’s eyes widen. “What thefuck, Elliot! I’ve told everyone I would!”
“That’s ayouproblem, sis, not a me problem.”
Her gaze darkens. “You can’t do this to me.”
“Actually, I’m reasonably certain I can. Unless you would like me to revoke your tickets to the ceremony?”
I hadn’t thought her eyes could get any wider but I was wrong. “What? No! How would I explain that?”
“Uh, that you acted like a spoiled fucking brat and pissed off your brother, who happens to be POTUS? I mean, that’s the truth. I know you’re allergic to the truth but isn’t it supposed to set you free? Ask any of the religious PACs you’re working for and they’ll tell you. Or are they too busy trying to strip rights from everyone who doesn’t look or think or pray like them to actually, you know, read the damned Bible they claim to love?”
“John 8:32,” Jordan says. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Where she’s standing off to the side next to Jordan, Casey-Marie is overtaken by a sudden coughing fit.
Stella shoots a dark glare in that direction but she straightens, smiles, and takes a deep breath, another tell my sister has. “Fine. I’ll just ask Mom toletme do it.” She smugly smirks. “She’ll say yes. You know she will.”
I step in so close and quickly Stella has to scramble back. “You do that and I’ll have you and Ellis both physically removed from the ceremony.”
“That’ll look good on live TV,” Casey-Marie snarks.
Stella wheels around. “Getoutof here!” Stella shrieks. “Bothof you!”
“Don’t you move,” I tell her and Jordan, not that honestly I expected them to do what my sister said. “And if youevertry to order any of my staff around again you’ll find yourself banned from the White House grounds.”
