Page 3 of Campaign Season (By Design #18)

Candace sighed inwardly. Jameson was excited about taking Cooper trick-or-treating.

He’d turn ten at the beginning of December.

Time seemed to fly when children were around.

Having Michelle and Melanie nearby allowed them to strengthen their relationships with Amanda, Brody, and Avery—something both she and Jameson appreciated.

That didn’t diminish their longing for their other grandchildren.

Candace had thought she understood the cost of the presidency—as much as anyone could—but she had underestimated how much she and Jameson would miss the kids.

“You should take the twins trick-or-treating with Melanie,” Candace suggested.

“I don’t think they need me as a tag-along.”

“I’ll bet Mel might appreciate help dealing with four kids in costumes,” Cassidy offered.

Jameson laughed. That might be true. She hadn’t had much time to spend with Melanie recently.

She saw Michelle daily on her treks through the White House and spoke briefly with Melanie about work or the kids when Melanie came by to visit Michelle or to drop the kids off with Jameson.

Trick-or-treating would give her a chance to catch up with Mel and see the kids’ excitement.

But the last thing Jameson wanted was to intrude on family time for Michelle and Melanie.

“I see the wheels spinning,” Candace said. “Cass is right; Mel would welcome the company.”

“It’s their time, Candace.”

“I doubt either Shell or Melanie will see it that way. Another pair of hands to wrangle three excited kids is never a bad thing. And you can help Mel secure the kids’ candy from Shell.”

Jameson chuckled. There was truth in that statement. “Is there a reason you don’t want me to attend this party?”

“What? Of course not,” Candace said.

“Mm-hm.”

“You know, you could also go with Alex and Claire,” Cassidy suggested.

“Claire? Claire’s coming to Washington?” Jameson asked. “She didn’t say anything when I talked to her yesterday.”

“She doesn’t know yet,” Cassidy replied.

Jameson lifted an eyebrow.

“Don’t worry, I’ll let her know as soon as I get to my office,” Cassidy said.

Candace laughed. Cassidy loved playing the older sister. It reminded her a bit of Marianne with Michelle.

“You have plenty of options,” Candace remarked. “What are you going to wear?” she asked Jameson.

“Wear?”

“As a costume,” Candace clarified.

“I’m going as the FirstLady.”

Candace rolled her eyes. “There is no way my daughter will let you get away with that.”

“Claire will.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t count on that,” Cassidy said. “I should probably make that call,” she added. “I’ll see you this afternoon,” she told Candace. “JD.”

Jameson offered Cassidy a smile. She waited for the door to close and looked at Candace.

“What?” Candace asked.

“You look tired.”

“Probably because I am.”

Jameson sighed.

“I’m all right, Jameson.”

“No. You aren’t. You’re not sleeping. Talk to me.”

“I’ll be fine. There are a lot of moving pieces right now, that’s all.”

Jameson wanted to press further. Candace had always juggled numerous responsibilities, even before taking the oath of office.

This latest unease felt different—deeper.

She wasn't irritable or confrontational; in fact, she was quite the opposite. The changes were subtle. Jameson doubted many people noticed the way Candace shifted in her chair and how her fingers drummed against her thigh when she thought no one was watching. Surviving an assassination attempt left deep scars that wouldn’t heal in just a few months.

Jameson still held Candace close many nights when a nightmare woke her in a sweat, and her tears stained her cheeks.

Her wrist had healed, her bruises were gone, but the memories had yet to fade.

Candace had a natural instinct to protect others, and she was particularly concerned about how the kids would cope with Jonathan's passing.

Jameson didn't need to ask; she could see the worry etched on Candace's face.

For the past few months, death and illness had cast a long shadow over their lives.

Losing Blake in the attack and watching Dana struggle to regain her strength weighed heavily on Candace.

She battled with survivor's guilt, and witnessing Jonathan's health slowly decline took a toll on her spirit.

"Are you going to attend this Halloween party as the president?" Jameson asked. "Or should we pull out that old pair of Teenage Mutant Ninja pajamas?"

Candace laughed. "That would certainly get some tongues wagging."

"Imagine if you dressed up as a French maid. You could say it was a foreign policy choice."

Candace rolled her eyes. "You really are a lunatic," she said. "Thank you."

"For?"

"I think you know. Lightening my mood."

Jameson nodded. "Do you feel like telling me why it had darkened?"

"I don't know. I met with Ryan early this morning about Cooper's Halloween wishes."

"Well, we've solved that. Coop will want to be wherever Mackenzie is."

"True," Candace said.

"What else?" Jameson asked.

"Jonathan."

"Candace, maybe we should make plans to head home for a long weekend... or to Marianne's."

"Funny. Cassidy suggested the same thing."

"She knows you."

Candace sighed. "I don't want to put more pressure on him."

Jameson nodded.

"I don't," Candace repeated.

"I'm sure that's true," Jameson replied, taking a deep breath. "But I also think you're avoiding seeing him."

Jameson watched as the blue of Candace's eyes flared bright.

"You can deny it and get mad at me," Jameson said. "It won't make you feel better."

"You think I'm avoiding Jon?"

"I think watching him decline hurts—not only for the kids.

He's been your friend your entire life, and you shared a life with him for a long time.

You love him, Candace. Not in the way you needed to be married, and maybe not quite in the way he still loves you.

But you do... love him. I think you're worried about falling apart. "

"Of course it hurts," Candace replied more harshly than usual. "I'm worried about the kids."

"Me too. You don't want the kids to see how hard this is for you . I know you, Candace. You can fool most people. There's a reason Cass told you to make a visit back home. She sees it too."

Candace threw her head back and groaned. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"It's not. I need to stay focused right now."

"I'll call Marianne," Jameson said.

"Jameson, I can?—"

"You're traveling the next couple of days. I'll call Marianne and make a plan. Okay? We can do something after the election. No matter what happens, it will be a good time for you to take a breath."

Candace nodded. "Thank you."

Jameson smiled and kissed Candace's cheek. "I need to check in with Dana before I leave."

"Looking forward to your trip to Michigan?"

"It gets me out of the?—"

"Mouse house?"

Jameson shrugged. "Yep. Besides, I was promised an afternoon of fishing."

"Mm-hm. So, that's how Shell lured you to campaign with Aubrey Peters."

Jameson laughed. "Cute."

Candace winked. "Catch some voters while you're there."

"Don't worry. I don't intend to come home empty-handed," Jameson said as she walked to the door.

"Should I expect dinner or someone for dinner?" Candace called after her.

Jameson turned, flashed Candace a grin, and shrugged.

Candace shook her head. "God only knows what she'll bring back," she muttered.

Luke stepped into the room. "Madam President?"

"Luke. What kind of fish should I expect Jameson to come home with from Michigan?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Fish. She's going fishing with Aubrey Peters."

"Oh. Maybe Steelhead trout?"

"I need to call Kevin."

"Kevin?" he asked. "The chef? That Kevin?"

"Is there another Kevin here?"

"I can call?—"

"On second thought, maybe I'll pay him a visit."

"Madam—"

"Is it urgent?" Candace asked.

"What?"

"The reason you came into my office—is it urgent?"

"Not urgent. You have a meeting with Gil in twenty minutes."

"Is it that late already?"

Luke nodded.

"Mm. Well, maybe Gil will know how to cook trout," Candace mumbled to herself.

"Madam Pres?—"

"For God's sake, Luke. No one is here. Stop making me feel like I run a house of ill repute."

Luke chuckled. "Do you want to review anything before Gil gets here?"

"No. Just do me a favor and find Alex."

"I just saw Joshua," he replied.

"Alex, Luke. I'd like her to sit in."

"I'll get her," he promised.

"And Luke?"

"Yes?"

"Find out if anyone knows how to cook trout."

"You realize you could simply ask Kevin to cook it for you—if Jameson comes back with anything."

Candace rolled out of her chair and took a seat behind her desk. "Oh, she'll come back with something ," she quipped.

Luke nodded and left the office, gently closing the door behind him.

"Everything all right?" Carol asked from her desk.

"Did the president seem okay to you this morning?" he asked.

"She seemed fine. Why?"

"She seems more concerned about fish than her meeting with the SECDEF."

Carol shrugged. "I doubt it. Jameson skipped out of there right before you went in, mumbling about fish."

"She just seems... distracted."

"Who seems distracted?" Cassidy asked from behind Luke.

"Oh, Cass. You saw the president this morning."

"I did."

"Was she... did she seem okay to you?"

"She's fine, Luke."

He nodded. "I need to find your wife."

"My wife?" Cassidy asked. "Luke, you really need to find your own."

Carol howled with laughter.

Luke rolled his eyes. "Sometimes, this place feels more like my fraternity," he grumbled as he walked away.

Cassidy looked at Carol, and they laughed again.

"He really does need to find a wife—or a husband," Carol said.

"Or just a distraction ."

"Well, he has your wife for the moment."

Cassidy snorted. "God help them both."