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Chapter Two

Elias

Elias’ skin buzzed with a mixture of excitement and apprehension as they got closer to Matthew Dresdon’s home. He had a strong feeling he knew exactly what Matt wanted to discuss, but even his certainty couldn't quell the nervous energy that filled him. Everyone seemed so sure. Everyone except for Elias himself. His mind boggled over how unfazed Caleb and Matt were about things. The whole concept had him stressed to the point of perpetual heartburn.

The housekeeper buzzed them through the imposing front gate of the Dresdon property with a cheerful welcome. Parker all but bounced in the backseat as the now familiar property slowly passed by them, eager to eat up all of Cynthia’s undivided attention. It was the silver lining he needed to put a smile on his face—Matt and Cynthia were the surrogate grandparents Parker had always needed and never had.

Matthew and Cynthia’s home was a second sanctuary for them all. Over the years, these friends had become family and the familiar domicile held the same comfort any family home would. From discussing political strategy to heartfelt confessions about personal matters, Matt and Elias had forged a bond not all that different from that of a father and son. He trusted Matt implicitly for that reason, even as he knew they were planning to ambush him at some point over the course of the evening. Part of him wondered if maybe he was walking into the trap willingly because deep down, he knew it was the push he needed to make a difficult decision. Such was the way with family—hard truths spoken from a place of love went down a lot easier when everyone involved spoke from a place of genuine compassion. He was his own worst enemy. He was also blessed with undying support and sincere love. In fact, he had those in spades.

Some of Elias’ apprehension melted away over dinner. He knew it was a trap, but he eagerly fell into it as they shared light-hearted conversation over delicious food. Willful ignorance was a double-edged sword. The eye of the storm was a great place to take a few deep breaths and brace himself for the inevitable typhoon. When his husband put his mind to something, there was no way to break his focus. It was one of the many things Elias loved about Caleb—that tenacity and fighter’s spirit often left him breathless with awe.

As the evening wound down, he found himself in a room that held one of his most precious memories. The location was likely intentionally chosen for that reason. Matthew and Caleb were savvy, he’d give them that much credit. Having a difficult conversation in the space where Elias had impulsively proposed to Caleb as the clock ticked down to the start of a new year tipped the scales very much in their favor, but he couldn't be mad. Not even a little miffed. If anything, he was entertained, resigned, and more than a little impressed. Hot tea in a ceramic mug swirled steam into the air, capturing Elias’ attention as he patiently listened to their impassioned appeals while staring at the cup like it was an anchor point in a world that continued to spin too fast around him. He reluctantly placed it on the coffee table and lifted his gaze to track his husband’s energetic pacing around the room.

Caleb's energy was an infectious power that had Elias shifting his weight to perch on the edge of the couch. The man’s charm was a dangerously magnetic force that still held the power to draw him in. His hands flew in rapid, patternless movements as he punctuated each word with his typical effusiveness and flair for the dramatic.

“El, you have to run. I'll die on that hill. You're the only one good enough to go toe-to-toe with this lunacy! Look at the options. We can't do another four years of Adelaide fucking Montgomery. We can't. The world won't survive it and I'll be damned if we get a Republican instead. Fuck all that. Seven ways to Sunday.”

“Babe,” Elias exhaled the word in exasperation. “This isn't just about me or Addy or any of that. I'm not negating your very valid points but think about it. Think about us. You. Me. Parker. Hell, think about Theo and Connor and all the rest. The greater good is all fine and well, but did you stop to think about the implications on our life? The media frenzy. The scrutiny. The goddamn risks involved?”

Caleb rolled his eyes so hard, Elias worried they might pop right out and take a sabbatical. “As if our lives aren't already a reality tv shit show. All of that, it's already on our doorstep. At least if you had the power to actually effect some positive change, it wouldn't feel so futile.”

Elias parted his lips to make a counterpoint, but Cay flashed a palm with a vocalized sound that brought him up short.

“And beside all that, if anyone can handle scrutiny and chaos, it's us. I mean, do you need me to remind you about the PTA bake sale? It was an absolute circus but I still left to a standing ovation. My fabulousness dazzled.”

Matt snorted out a laugh as he sank deeper into the leather armchair nestled beside the couch. “Let’s not rewrite history here, Caleb. It was cupcakes, not foreign policy.”

“Hush, old man. I'm soapboxing. Don't dull my sparkle with your lies.” Caleb’s eyes crinkled with mirth as he wagged a finger in Matt’s direction. Pivoting in place, he stepped around the coffee table and crouched low before Elias, those damn eyes cutting straight through his defenses like they always did. “Baby doll, listen to me. We’ve been through worse. We’ve been through hell and back, and I understand your worries. I absolutely do. But this? This is a battle worth fighting. For us. For the country. For the world.”

Elias’ chest caved as he exhaled a weighted breath, his hand lifting to pinch the space between his eyes. “I'm not saying it's not a worthy cause. The stakes are just impossibly high. This insanity is like cancer. The extremists are tearing democracy apart at the seams. They've already torn our family apart. My concern is that we’ll just be adding more fuel to an already raging inferno, and the target will be on our backs, babe.”

“And what's the alternative, Elias?” Matthew shifted to rest his elbows on his knees, drawing even closer as his voice dipped low in compassionate earnestness. “Sit on the sidelines and hope it burns out on its own? That's not you. That's not how you've ever operated. You've spent your entire life fighting for the people. For what we stand for. You're really going to wave a white flag now?”

Elias pushed himself to his feet with an exasperated sound. He paced the hardwood floor like a caged animal as pressure built in his ribcage. “Because it's not just me I have to worry about. It's you, it's Caleb, it's Parker. Theo, Connor, Taz… Anna and Toby. Hell, all of them! None of them signed up for this war.”

Caleb’s hands flew heavenward with a wail. “Oy! Give me a break. They didn't enlist, but every single one of them is ready to fight tooth and nail. For Christ’s sake, you saw Park’s mock government project. He’s nine and already has better policy ideas than Congress does. And as far as I’m concerned, I'll be just dandy. I'm already drafting my tell-all memoir: The First Gentleman Chronicles. It's going to be fabulous.”

“I'd buy that in a heartbeat,” Matt cheered with a gravelly chuckle.

Despite himself, a smile tugged at the corner of Elias’ mouth. “You're both ridiculous.”

“Listen, I hear what you're saying. If your concern is about doing this alone—stop. Because you won't be fighting this battle by yourself.”

Something in Matt’s tone of voice drew Elias up short. He pivoted and arched a dubious brow in the direction of his very serious friend’s somber expression. “What do you mean by that?”

“If you're in, I'm in. You run, and I'll be your VP.” Matt’s calm, collected words stole the breath right from Elias’ chest.

Caleb broke the intensity of the moment with a dramatic swoon as he collapsed onto the seat Elias had just vacated. “Finally! Someone with some sense around here!”

“Christ, Matt. That's… that’s one hell of an offer. But you're a damn good senator. We need people like you on the floor—”

“And the Senate will survive a few years without me. You and I could be the team this country needs right now. Your pragmatism, my charm.”

“Pssh, your charm? What about my charm?” Caleb sat himself upright with a huff of indignation.

“You aren't on the ticket, Cay.” Elias eyed him with a smirk.

“Yet.” Caleb’s devil may care crooked grin tugged at Elias’ heart yet again.

Elias chuckled, shaking his head. “Insufferable. Both of you.”

“Yes, but you also know we’re right.” Matthew levered himself to stand, closing the distance between himself and Elias before taking his shoulders between both hands. “Listen, this isn't just about stopping the wildfire. This is about showing the people, our people, that hope can prevail. That honesty, integrity, decency can still win. That this country can heal. If I can be a part of that, I'm all in.”

Elias scanned Matt’s face and found only truth and determination there. His words held startling power and intensity. He really would make an excellent Vice President. The admittance was a begrudging but honest one. He was definitely losing steam in his resistance.

“And you'd best believe I'm already all in. Duh.” Caleb rose from his seat to join them, the trio of bodies forming a triangle before the crackling flames of the fireplace. A poignant moment of heavy stillness filled the space between them as Elias took turns scrutinizing both of their earnest expressions. He could already feel the remainder of the fight draining out of him.

“You're both insane.”

“Certifiable, but still fabulous.” Caleb winked as his lips quirked into a lopsided smile. “Now say yes so I can start planning your victory party. I'm envisioning rhinestone banners, and our name in spotlights.”

Elias’ eyes rolled a little as a half of a laugh puffed from his chest. “I'll strongly consider it.”

“And by that, he means he’s already plotting out which ties he will wear for the debates.” Caleb’s hand breached the distance to squeeze Elias’ hip.

“Really consider it, Elias. That's all I ask.” Matthew gave Elias’s shoulders another gentle squeeze before his hands fell back to his sides.

“God help us all.” Elias shook his head again as the weight of it settled in his chest. Caleb was right. Elias had all but made up his mind already. He simply had to speak the words out loud. After a little more serious debate with himself in a hot shower, of course. He was nothing if not precise and calculated and he did his best scheming under the ruthless spray of his shower head. Despite his reservations, he was already plotting debates. He’d leave the decisions about which tie to wear to his far more fashionable spouse, though.

It was late by the time his family made it home. Heavy darkness blanketed their neighborhood, shadows vying for supremacy against the golden glow of porch lights and the harsh illumination of street lamps. The headlights became a guiding beacon through the night as he navigated the familiar roads and enjoyed the cushion of comfortable quiet that filled the BMW. Parker’s sleep-soft breaths from the backseat were a balm for Elias’ overwrought nerves. Caleb’s steady, warm palm on his thigh kept him grounded against the maelstrom of his thoughts.

Entering the home was effortless as they fell into their practiced routine. Elias carried his sleeping son over the threshold as Caleb secured the doors behind them, flicking on lights and settling their belongings in their respective spots with familiarity that still warmed Elias’ chest. Caleb belonged here. Elias had known it from the start, but he still marveled at how blessed he was to have this man in his life every time he caught something simple like the ease with which Caleb moved through the house. Without needing to speak, they parted ways in the foyer as Elias ferried Parker upstairs and into his bedroom.

Groggy and pliant, Parker barely woke long enough to change out of his clothes and into pajamas, albeit with Elias doing most of the work. His head hit the pillow with a soft sigh before Elias could get his glasses settled on the nightstand. That's when the weight of it all really truly sunk its teeth in. A trembling fingertip brushed a lock of soft hair from Parker's brow as Elias nestled in beside him, seated on the edge of the bed to take a moment with his thoughts. Sure, it sounded good to make claims that he would be doing this for the people, for the country, for the greater good, but all of that felt weak and meaningless in the face of his real intention. Above all else, he was considering running against Adelaide to secure the democratic nomination for exceptionally selfish reasons. He was doing this because a father and husband would do anything to make the world a better place for his family and wielding the power of the presidency would be the easiest way to do so.

“I made your tea. Come to bed with me, baby doll.” Caleb’s whispered words pulled Elias from his weighted mind and drew his gaze from the sleeping face of his son toward the doorway.

“Thank you, Cay.” He hoped his sincerity conveyed his appreciation for all of it, every single thing his husband had done to make his life infinitely better, and not just his gratitude for a cup of tea.

Caleb’s eyes scrunched behind his glasses, and Elias knew that he'd heard the deeper meaning. “Come. We can save the world tomorrow. Tonight, I want to save you from yourself.”

Elias chuckled, soft and breathy, as he eased his weight off the mattress and padded quietly from the room. They both lingered in the hall, their eyes gravitating back to the small body already soundly sleeping without a care in the world. Elias would do anything to keep him carefree and young. He’d move mountains if it meant his son—their son—could continue to rest as peacefully as he did at this moment.

“Is this a mistake?”

“Does it feel like a mistake, El?” Caleb’s arm wound around Elias’ waist, tethering him to reality with the surety of his presence and the weight of his support.

“No. No, I don't think it does.”

“Me neither. Tonight, we sleep. Tomorrow, we plan how to save the world.”

Elias couldn't help but laugh as he gently shut Parker’s bedroom door and turned to face his indomitable husband’s adoring expression. “We’ll need to discuss the platform. And I need to make a lot of phone calls—”

“Ah!” Caleb reached up and pressed a hand to Elias’ mouth. “Bad El. Naughty bossman. Tonight, I'm in charge, and I distinctly remember saying tomorrow is for planning.”

Duly chastened and a willing victim to the innuendo lacing Caleb’s words, Elias nipped at the flesh of the palm against his lips. The sparkle in Caleb's eyes promised freedom from the weight of his worries and he gladly ceded that control. Cay was right, as always. Tomorrow sounded like a much better day for making plans. Tonight, he simply wanted to feel.