“Thanks for talking them into coming tonight,” I say. “How’d you manage that, anyway?” I tried to talk them into attending the first ball with me but Mom had balked.
But Jordan worked yet another miracle.
He smiles and buffs his nails on the lapel of his tux jacket. “I have ninja skills,MisterPresident.”
“That you do.”
He plucks a piece of lint from my jacket. “I was honest with them. I said this was the last time ever you’d be doing this and it would mean everything to you to have them there with you, even if only for a little while. I promised them they wouldn’t have to speak to reporters or anything, and that they could leave whenever they wanted. That we’d get them out of there so quietly no one would even notice when they left.”
I suck in a deep breath. “I hope that’s all a promise we can keep.”
“Oh, we will,” he darkly says. “Their detail will taze anyone who tries to interfere. I left orders with them.” He smiles and I can’t help but chuckle. Jordan and I have trained my detail over the years to the point they rarely ask me for confirmation about any orders Jordan’s relayed to them.
And when they do ask me for confirmation?
I always say, “What did Jordan tell you? Dothat.”
Every time.
We stop by Blair House to pick up my parents and Leo. He’s already escorting Mom down the stairs on his arm when we pull up, with Dad making his way down the stairs behind them.
I hop out and take Mom’s arm from Leo and help her into the limo while Jordan offers her a helping hand from inside. Once we get Dad inside, Leo gives me the briefest of eyebrow arches to remind me to go next. As POTUS, I should have gone first, but these are my fricking parents.
And this might be the last time I ever ride in a car with them.
“I don’t know how you do this,” Mom says once we’re on our way to the venue. “This is just so…much.”
“It is,” I say. “And you look wonderful tonight.” That’s the truth. The blue gown is simple, classic yet elegant, and she’ll fit right in. “I’ll be there with the most beautiful woman in the room on my arm.”
She smiles and blushes and looks over at Jordan. “You can thank Jordan for the fashion advice. I’ve already had several compliments just since we came downstairs.”
Two weeks ago, Jordan took another day trip to Nebraska to take Mom and Dad shopping on my credit card. I didn’t bother telling Stella about it.
I don’t know how he convinced them to let him shop for them, but my Sir has a magic touch with my parents. Dad wore the same suit this morning that he did to Stella’s wedding, because it still fit him and he refused to let Jordan buy him another one. Jordan apparently ceded that battle because he was more interested in getting Dad into a tux for tonight. Jordan outfitted him in a classic tux he’ll likely never wear again, but I’m glad there will be photographers everywhere getting pictures of us because he looks amazing.
Jordan also arranged for a stylist to help Mom with her makeup and hair today and sweet-talked Mom into accepting the pampering.
“You look great, too, Dad,” I say.
He tersely nods in that way he has that tells me he’s pleased at the compliment but he’s not comfortable with all the attention. “Jordan wouldn’t tell us how much everything cost so we can pay you back.”
“Yeah, no, that’s not happening, Dad. That’s my gift to you both.”
Besides, if anyone’s going to pay me anything for my parents’ outfits I’ll wring it out of Stella’s stingy neck before I take a dime from Mom and Dad.
When we enter the ballroom with Mom on my arm and Dad on her other side to a thunderous standing ovation, I take a deep breath and don my President Woodley mask while I smile and wave.
This is the last time I have to do this.
This is the last time Ieverwalk into a ballroom as an “eligible bachelor.”
I’m certain Jordan’s already fielded dozens of requests from DC politicos to let their female relatives dance with me tonight but, thankfully, I won’t have to do that, either.
I leave Mom and Dad at the front of the ball room with Ciro, Ily, and their kids, Shae, Chris, Kev, and their kids, Leo Casey-Marie, Declan, and George, who will help get Mom and Dad backstage. I make a quick hand-shaking circuit of the ballroom with Jordan shadowing me. I don’t see Stella yet and I honestly don’t care if she’s even here or not. I’m not waiting to do this until she gets here.
In fact, I’d prefer she’s not here when I do it.
I catch Jordan’s eye when I’m ready to make my way backstage. I coax Mom and Dad up there with me, but they stand hidden in the wings and look terrified as they stare out at the sea of people. “Sure you don’t want to come out with me?”
