“Good morning,” Amin said after everyone was cleared through security.
Unfortunately, the ZERO security team wasn’t with them at the White House. However, Blayne figured they were about as safe and secure there as they would be anywhere else.
“If you’ll follow me,” Amin said. She led the group through the Garden room and down the East Colonnade. “To your right is the Family Theater. On those rare occasions when the President and First Lady get to kick back and watch a movie, this is where they do it.” Up next was the Visitors Foyer. “I will hand you off to one of our interns, who will take you to the Palm Room. If you need anything, Clarissa can answer your questions or get you anything you need.”
Amin didn’t even wait for a goodbye. She entered the doors to the central part of the White House.
“Okay, if you’ll follow me. We are currently standing in the Visitors Foyer, which is the entrance to the Executive Residence,” Clarissa said as she opened the door and waited for the group to enter before she said, “The hall that we are now in is Center Hall. It connects the Visitor’s Foyer with the Palm Room. On the right is the library, and on the left is the Vermeil Room, added to the White House in 1902 as a formal sitting room used by the First Lady. Next to it is the China Room, created by Woodrow Wilson’s second wife, Edith, to house the ever-growing china collection. The china sets of each President, either state or from their personal family collection, are showcased in chronological order.”
The young intern provided historical tidbits as she walked them down the center hall. They saw everything from the Map Room to the kitchen along the way. Finally, the woman opened a door and led them into the Palm Room. “Sorry to disappoint you if you were expecting palm trees,” the intern joked as she ushered them in. “The Palm Room primarily gets its name from the conservatory look. There was a time during the Coolidge administration when the First Lady decorated the room with palms and even had a porch swing brought in here. Now, it’s primarily the staging area for any events in the Rose Garden.”
Blayne and Ethan walked around the little room before sitting between two giant potted ferns on a blue, rustic-looking bench.
“You ready for this?” Ethan asked. He reached up and straightened Blayne’s tie before gently pressing down the pocket square on his chest.
“God, I hate ties,” Blayne said. “I always feel like I have a noose around my neck.”
After the invitation to the White House, Blayne and Ethan had gone shopping to find suits.
“Trust me… I don’t feel comfortable in a suit and tie, either. But it’s better than wearing a tuxedo or some clothes my stylist picks out for me. I’m constantly vetoing what they want me to wear.”
“That sounds familiar,” Blayne said with a smirk. “Only you’re my personal stylist.”
“And I’ve never steered you wrong,” Ethan said. “We both look hot. We’ll look amazing in all the photos. Who knows? Maybe we’ll land a magazine cover or two.”
Blayne looked to the left. He could see the reporters milling around in the Rose Garden through the glass doors.
“This is all still surreal,” Blayne said. “I can’t believe we’re about to get medals from the President of the United States in a Rose Garden ceremony. None of this makes sense to me.”
“Where are my heroes?” a chipper voice said, her voice reverberating off the marble floor. Blayne turned to see Cleo Barnes strolling into the Palm Room, followed by her husband.
Blayne immediately jumped to his feet and practically dragged Ethan with him as the First Lady approached. Much to Blayne’s surprise, she dove right in for a hug and a kiss on each cheek.
“Let me introduce you to my husband, Jeffrey.” Cleo looked around the room briefly and found that the President was talking to Sepi Amin. “Jeffrey!”
The President turned and looked at his wife. “Yes, dear?”
“I want you to meet the boys,” Cleo said.
“They’re young men, dear,” Barnes said as he strolled over and extended his hand.
“It’s…an honor, Mr. President,” Blayne said as he shook the man’s hand.
Ethan just looked starstruck as he shook the President’s hand. “Thank you for having us,” Ethan finally said.
“Thank you for being the heroic young men you’ve been,” the President said.
“Mr. President,” Amin interjected.
“If you’ll excuse me,” the President said before returning to his Chief of Staff.
“That’s how it usually goes,” Cleo admitted. “I’m amazed at how busy that woman keeps my husband. But she’s been the captain of this ship, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Umm…” Ethan began, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a folded piece of paper. “We have a note from our mutual friend.”
Cleo tilted her head slightly. She grabbed Ethan’s hand. “Let’s get some photos before we head into the Rose Garden.” When she let go, the piece of paper was gone.
She dragged them over to the White House photographer, who started snapping shots of everyone.
