Page 181 of Incisive

“Angie was up all night handling media. I think we owe that girl a pay raise, or a spiral-cut ham, or a case of booze, orsomethingspecial. I brought her a brand-new Keurig this morning and a case of espresso pods. The fancy ones.”

“Oh, boy.”

“No worries. This is her job, after all. But we need to plan a wedding sooner rather than later unless you want every question she gets at the podium for the rest of her tenure to be about you and your beloved stud muffin.”

“Will do. Can we get through today first?” I’m nervous about how things will go with both sets of parents.

“I’ll tell her we’ll announce details next Monday. So…we’d better have some details by next Monday or I’m letting her chew you a new one.”

I know an order when I hear it and snap her a salute. “Will do, ma’am.”

That earns me a laugh.

I head downstairs to the West Wing, take my PDB in my private study, and end up working in the Oval. My parents are supposed to eat breakfast with me and Leo, but…

I honestly don’t know if that’s going to happen. I’m afraid to call their detail and see if they’ve changed the plan.

I already know Stella and Ellis quietly and unexpectedly left DC for Florida late last night, based on what Jordan gleaned through his contacts. Fine with me. They weren’t invited here today, anyway.

I’m relieved when the detail notifies me my parents are heading this way. They arrive on time, and after a tense greeting we settle in the private family dining room upstairs in the executive residence.

I’ve never felt such a chill from them before. Once breakfast is served and we’re alone, just the four of us—because like hell will we tell them we’re a triad—Leo speaks.

“I’m sorry that was sprung on you like that last night, but I love Elliot.”

Dad looks weary. “Elliot, we don’t understand. Why couldn’t you have waited until you’re out of office? Or you could have told us in private before last night instead of surprising us.”

My heart sinks. “Because I’ve waited eighteen years, Dad. If I thought you wouldn’t have disowned me sooner I would’ve begged Leo to marry me a long time ago.”

“We’ll publicly support you but we’ll need to do a lot of praying on this, son.”

“Jesus never said anything about gays, Dad,” I shoot back. “Back then, an unmarried guy wandering around the countryside with twelve other guys probably wasn’t exactly straight himself.”

“Elliot!” Mom scolds. “That’s sacrilegious!”

“No, it’s me being honest for once in my life about who I am. I’ve worked my whole life trying to make the two of you proud of me and all I did was make myself and Leo miserable in the process. It’s time for me to embrace who I am and stop denying myself. I’ve always been gay, and I hated playing football.”

I know that’s a stupid segue but it’s the truth and it feels good to finally admit it.

“What?” Mom asks. “You loved football.”

“No,Dadloved football and I was expected to play it. I never remember asking to play when I was little. It was assumed I would.”

“Well, excuse us for being good parents,” Dad snipes.

Leo holds up a hand. “Elliot loves both of you. And he’s president of the United States. Do youreallycare that he’s gay? Is it more because you care what your friends say? Shouldn’thishappiness matter?”

Times like these make me grateful for Leo’s psychology degree.

At least Mom has the decency to look guilty. Dad still looks angry.

ThankgodStella’s not here.

They both grow quiet.

Dad finally breaks the uncomfortable silence. “What kind of nonsense are we going to have to put up with for the wedding?”

Leo’s gaze meets mine, silently asking if I want him to deal with that question, but I opt to handle it. “It’ll be held here, at the White House. It won’t be huge, only a couple hundred people. I’d really appreciate it if you would attend. But…” I sigh. “If you don’t want to I will understand and I’ll make a statement that you’re not attending for personal reasons.”