“I have nothing to say about that. You can address those questions to the Justice Department.”
“Can you understand that people are unsettled after what we’ve learned about your administration this week?”
“What you’ve learned concerns one member of my administration who has been removed from her position and is now under investigation by DOJ. As soon as we learned of the issue, we addressed it.”
“What do you say to people who think you should’ve known about this long before you did?”
“I agree with them, but the parties involved went to enormous lengths to avoid detection, and their efforts worked. Until they didn’t.”
“Senator O’Connor is eighty years old. Is that too old to serve as president should the need arise?”
“Senator O’Connor does more before noon every day than many of us do in a week. I have every confidence that he could easily step up to the presidency, should the need arise. Thank you so much for your time.”
As always, they continued to shout questions at him as he waved to Scotty to join them and guided Sam and the O’Connors off the dais.
“I wish we could invite you to stay for dinner, but I’m leaving for Greenland,” Nick said to the older couple, each of whom hugged Scotty.
“We’ll have lots of time for dinner going forward,” Graham said as he hugged Nick, Sam and Terry. “I couldn’t be more excited for the next steps, Mr. President.”
“We’ll be in touch early next week and get this moving in the Senate. In the meantime, you’ll need to go up to the Hill and shake some hands.”
“I’ll take care of that while you’re away.”
“Excellent.” To Laine, Nick simply said, “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
“No, it isn’t, but I appreciate it anyway.”
Nick and Sam left them laughing with Terry as they walked away, hand in hand, accompanied as always by Brant. Nick held out his other hand to Scotty.
“That was well done, Pops.”
“Thanks for coming.”
“It’s fun to watch history being made by my own parents.”
“Glad you think it’s fun.”
“I also wanted to say good luck in Greenland. We’ll miss you around here, but I’ll take care of everyone while you’re gone.”
Smiling, Nick said, “Thanks, pal. I appreciate that. Mom can’t handle it on her own.”
“Hey!” Sam said, sputtering.
They both laughed at her reaction.
“We’re ready for transport, Mr. President.”
“Thank you, Brant.”
They hugged Scotty.
“I’ll be home shortly,” Sam said.
“I’ll check on the Littles.”
“Thank you.”
