Page 49 of Accepted Precedent (Love & Politics #3)

Evelyn

TWO YEARS LATER

T wo of my dearest friends are about to do the impossible—attempt a two-woman, two-party ticket. If that isn’t smashing the patriarchy, I don’t know what is.

Ileah’s on stage with Mickey, ready for their big announcement. Mick keeps stealing glances, and every time his eyes meet mine, my stomach swoops. He’s every bit as handsome as he was more than a decade ago when we met.

While Andrew and I made our divorce public, it would look bad on everyone involved if I announced that Mickey and I are together.

Kristin insists when the time is right, we’ll start by staging dates and eventually an engagement.

I wish I could shout to the world that the beautiful man on the stage is my husband, but too much hangs in the balance.

I need to trust the process—no matter how much I hate it.

Between running one of the biggest lobbying firms in the nation and raising my adorable but chaotic children, I’m exhausted.

Andrew is only able to help me part-time, and while Mickey is very involved, he’s been busy with preparing Jaclyn for her presidential run.

With no nap in my future, and less than a minute before their announcement, I chug my energy drink and toss the can in the trash.

My friends deserve me fully alert and present.

“Good morning, Dover!” Mickey begins, waiting for the cheers to fade before continuing, “Over the past few years, it has been my pleasure to work as Senator Vasileiou’s campaign manager.

We promised the announcement of the century, and are streaming live with Senator Taylor.

” He gestures to the large television broadcasting Jaclyn at a podium.

“Senator Taylor, would you like to do the honors?”

“Thank you, Mr. Gallagher,” Jaclyn begins.

“My husband, Christopher, and I moved to Houston when his brother Alexander left us three years ago—almost to the day. That same night, we lost Senator Tim McKinnon. I’d like to ask that we take a moment of silence—or if you are a person of faith, a prayer—to remember the amazing men they were. ”

I bow my head, and Grace and Brandon start babbling to each other. “Shh, we have to be quiet,” I whisper.

“Sorry, Mommy,” they reply in unison, lowering their heads to mirror everyone around us.

After a minute, Jaclyn continues, “Thank you.” We all lift our gaze to her.

“It’s been my privilege to represent Texas in his place, but it is with deep gratitude and some regret that I will not be seeking reelection.

” Murmurs ripple through the Dover crowd.

“I will not be seeking reelection, because I’ll be running for President of the United States. ”

Cheers erupt here and in Houston, and when they die down, Jaclyn’s smile widens.

“We’re here to make history. To break glass ceilings.

To show the country—and the world—that collaboration isn’t just possible, it’s necessary.

Which is why I’ve asked the most capable politician I know to be my running mate.

I’m a Republican, and she is a Democrat, so yes—we’ll have our disagreements.

” She winks as we all laugh. “But Ileah is the right choice to help lead this country forward with me.

It is my pleasure to announce Delaware's own Senator Vasileiou as my right-hand woman in my upcoming presidential campaign.”

Finn joins Ileah on stage and Mickey hands her the microphone.

“Thank you all for coming out tonight. It’s been an honor and a privilege to represent the great state of Delaware in the wake of Tim’s death.

Jaclyn and I never set out to run for office—we were called to serve.

I’ve known Senator Taylor for most of my life, and despite standing on opposite sides of the aisle, we have far more in common than not.

” She pauses for a moment before continuing, “This country has been divided for far too long. All anyone wants is a chance to fulfill the promise our founders of this country gave us—the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That is what we’re fighting for. ”

She looks up adoringly at Finn as Grace tugs on my sweater. “Mommy, are they in love?”

“Yes, sweetheart. Very much so.”

“Like Uncle Mickey loves you?”

“I, uh…” While we planned on having this conversation with the twins when they were older, I’m tired of lying to them.

They’ve never seen us kissing or hugging, but Grace feels emotions so deeply.

It doesn’t surprise me that she’s caught onto it, even if she’s only two.

“You know what? Yes, just like Uncle Mickey loves me.”

Ileah continues her speech, and I couldn’t be more proud of my dear friend.

When the applause dies down, she adds, “I do have one more announcement to make about one of the most important people in my life, Finn Gallagher. Most people don’t know our story, and it’s about time we share it.

The papers said we began dating about six months ago, but what the world never bothered to do was a deep dive into our dating lives.

” She smiles brightly as she tells Finn, “If they had, they would’ve known I fell in love with you over ten years ago.

It wasn’t our time—we drifted apart—and then I met my late husband.

When he died, I was broken, but you put me back together.

And while I will always love Tim, you are the love of my life. ”

He whispers something to her. She nods, pulls away from the mic, then suddenly drops down to one knee. “Finn, will you marry me?”

She offers a ring, and Finn doesn’t hesitate to slip it on his finger. He brings her back to her feet and kisses her, smiling against her lips. Brandon covers his eyes, making me chuckle.

“See!” Grace beams.

“He said yes, everyone!” Ileah squeals into the microphone.

Finn takes it from her and grumbles, “She couldn’t wait an hour for me.

” He pulls a ring box from his jacket and removes the ring, tossing the box haphazardly aside.

“I wanted to propose to you inside the library, among the stacks of stories about love and overcoming impossible odds. Nothing would make me happier than to call you my wife.”

He slides the ring onto Ileah’s finger and kisses her again, then Mickey ushers them offstage. I take the kids’ hands and we make our way over to congratulate them. Mick is already talking to Finn, and as we approach, I overhear Finn say, “Did you ask her about the research regarding… you know? ”

Mick nods. “Aye. The country isn’t that progressive yet.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Go celebrate,” he sighs. Spotting me behind Finn, he pins me with a smoldering glare that usually means I’ll be bent over the nearest surface in under a minute. “We’ll debrief tomorrow.”

“Congrats, Finn.”

“Thanks, darlin’.” The kids give him a quick hug around his legs, then he kisses me on the cheek. “Good to see you. I better get back to my fiancée.”

Finn leaves and Mick leans in, brushing an innocent kiss on my cheek, just like Finn. “Hey, angel.” His voice is low and dark, making my heart skip a beat.

“What did you mean by the country isn’t that progressive yet?”

“For people to know about…” He glances down at our kids.

“It’s time the world knew the truth,” I blurt.

He freezes and carefully asks, “How much of the truth?”

“Jaclyn and Ileah want Kristin to handle the campaign. We don’t have to tell everyone about…” I also look down at the twins, then return my gaze to Mick. “It’s risky, but it’s time for you to walk away from all of it.”

Mick’s about to say something when Grace reaches for him. He slings her onto his hip, and as she wraps her little arms around his neck, he kisses her temple. “Hey, beautiful. Have you been good for your mam?”

“I was!” she coos. “Brandon also. We talked once . Mommy was good too.”

I laugh under my breath, but my giggles are cut short as he closes the small distance, tilting my chin to kiss me. I gasp—our kids have never seen more than a peck on the cheek. “Mick!”

“Yes, love?” he mutters against my lips, before pulling back. “You’re right. It’s about time the world knows you’re mine.”

Kristin clears her throat behind me. “I have my hands full with whatever that double engagement was, and the launch of the campaign. Could you two make my life a little easier and keep the PDAs to a minimum when there are cameras literally everywhere?”

“Your life is about to be a lot busier, Ms. Proctor. It’s time.”

She sucks in a breath. “What? No, it’s not. I can’t. You… No, just no.”

“I have all the confidence in the world that you’re ready.”

“What’s she talking about?” I ask, brows pinched.

“He’s wrong, but why don’t I take the kids while Mickey fills you in? Come on, munchkins.” She offers her hand to Brandon, and Mick sets Grace down to go with her.

“No sugar,” I remind her as she leads them away.

“All right, Mick, what are you up to?”

“Your sister will be running everything from here on out,” he explains.

“It’s a little earlier than we planned, but I’m done waiting to be with you.

” He tucks a few rogue strands of hair behind my ear.

“We’ll keep everything quiet—and I’ll be able to help her with whatever she needs—but it’s time I gave our kids the life they deserve.

You’re not just raising our children. You’re managing our empire.

And it’s about time you weren’t doing it alone. ”

Ignoring Kristin’s warning about cameras, I slide my hands up his chest and lift onto my toes to kiss him. “I love you.”

“Not as much as I love you, angel.”