Cleo bit her lower lip as she tried not to laugh. “Phillipa does like letting people know she can always get to them when they’re most vulnerable.” Cleo leaned against the sizable ornate desk and crossed her legs and arms in front of her. She wore a navy sleeveless fitted dress. “So, I hear you’re thinking about a benefit concert?”
“How do you—?” Ethan asked. Cleo tutted and tilted her head slightly, giving him a small smile. “I need to stop asking that question.”
“Now you’re learning,” Cleo joked. “Actually, your people called my people while you were coming over. I heard you were looking for a venue, and I thought the West Lawn of the US Capitol Building would make a great place. Plus, it’s a facility we’re used to securing because of the other events there.”
“Wow, this is moving fast,” Ethan admitted.
“That’s how we do things around here. The only thing is that it will have to be funded through private donations, which won’t be a problem. We can pull the concert off for less than twenty million.”
“Why not skip the concert and use the twenty million to help people?” Blayne asked, the comment coming out more snidely than he had intended.
“Because that’s not how rich people think,” Cleo admitted. “Give a couple thousand dollars to help cover the costs of an intern’s funeral? Never. Give five million to have your name listed on a banner for a benefit concert? They’ll pull out their checkbooks and ask who to make it out to.”
The door opened, and the social secretary walked in with the President. The President wore casual suit pants and a cardigan sweater with the Presidential seal on the chest.
“Good, we all got the memo to dress casually,” Barnes said. “Well, except for my wife. This is about as casual as she gets. I swear, she’d wear a pantsuit to bed if I’d let her get away with it.” He then laughed at his own joke.
“Mr. President.” Sepi Amin stood in the door and tapped her watch.
“Oh yes, I have a phone call in twenty minutes. I’ve prepared a few remarks. Then I’ll give you your medals, and that will be it.”
“We’re going to start the live broadcast in sixty seconds. It will go out to our social media channels, and we’ll simulcast it to the press corps, who don’t know we’re doing this,” a frenzied-looking young man informed the group. “Oh yeah, hi. I’m in charge of the White House’s social media team,” the man said before getting his camera and lights in position. Everything was very professional and designed to look like itwasn’tdone professionally.
Cleo looked at them and winked.
“In five, four, three, two.” The man holding the camera pointed to the President.
“My fellow Americans… Today, the First Lady and I gather to honor two extraordinary individuals who exemplify courage, selflessness and dedication to our nation. Blayne Dickenson and Ethan Bond, your actions before and during yesterday’s attack on the White House serve as a beacon of hope and a testament to the strength of our democracy.”
“Blayne,” the cameraman turned the camera to focus on Blayne. From the corner of his eye, Blayne did his best not to look at the camera and stared at the President. “Your bravery in the face of unimaginable danger and your unwavering commitment to defending our democracy inspire us all. Ethan,”—Ethan stood a little taller hearing his name called—“your quick thinking and decisive actions ensured the safety of the First Lady, demonstrating your unwavering dedication to the well-being of our nation’s leaders.”
The camera panned back to the President. “In recognition of your exceptional contributions yesterday and on that fateful day in Houston, Texas, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I present you both with the Presidential Citizen’s Medal. This distinction is a lasting tribute to your unwavering dedication to our nation.” Cleo opened a box and tilted the medal just enough so the camera could catch it on social media.She’s good,Ethan thought.
Cleo handed the President the first box, and he handed it to Blayne, shaking his hand while saying, “May your actions continue to inspire us to stand tall in the face of adversity, to protect the sanctity of our democracy.” He handed Ethan the second medal and shook his hand. “And to embody the principles that define us as a nation that will not bow down to terrorism, domestically or abroad.”
“Thank you, Blayne and Ethan, for etching your names into the annals of our nation’s history and reminding us of the power within each of us to shape a brighter future. Your country owes you a debt of gratitude. God bless you both, and may God bless the United States of America.” There was a pause, as nothing was happening.
“And we’ve stopped broadcasting,” the social media guy said.
“Again, Blayne, Ethan, thank you for saving mine and my wife’s lives. I wish I could stay longer, but I must make this conference call.”
“It was nice seeing you again, Mr. President,” Ethan said.
“Yes, Mr. President,” Blayne added. “Glad we could be of service.”
As soon as the President was out of the office, Cleo looked at him and said, “Glad we could be of service?”
“It was the first thing that popped into my head,” Blayne admitted. Cleo let out a low chuckle.
“Thanks for coming in so quickly. I know this may seem a little cheesy. Still, these videos help settle the country, let them see that things are back to normal and understand their country is working for them, even after what happened yesterday. The people of this country need to know we’re still here.”
“It makes sense,” Blayne says. “It’s weird being on this side of everything.”
“I honestly forget what it was like before I became a political spouse. It’s just part of who I am now.” She gave them a small smile. She approached the door and said, “Let me show you out.”
“One thing before we go,” Ethan said. Cleo turned to look at him and gestured for him to continue. “Do you agree with his politics? I mean, his political stances are cringeworthy on a good day.”
Cleo looked at Ethan with a faint smile, as if she had anticipated this inquiry. She adjusted her posture, maintaining an air of grace and composure. “Ethan, let me be clear. My role as the First Lady is not about personal opinions or political ideologies.” She paused, her eyes momentarily scanning Ethan’s face. “I’m here to safeguard the welfare and security of this nation on behalf of The Foundation. Politics, as you might imagine, is an arena of differing opinions and ideologies. I must focus on the bigger picture, our citizens’ wellbeing and our nation’s stability. I stay out of the petty squabbles of politicians.”
