Page 188 of Incisive

“Dad,” he says, sounding weary. “Call me Dad.”

His mom straightens my tie. “You can call me Mom.” She meets my gaze. “You’d better take care of them.”

“I promise I will.”

“Not to interrupt,” Casey-Marie says, “but I have a pool full of hungry reporters dying to get some family pics. Can we move this down to the Oval so we can get that over with?”

“The…Oval?” Mom asks, her eyes widening. “As in, the OvalOffice?”

Casey-Marie grins. “Yep. Unless you know another one?”

Mom’s eyes practically bug out. “Holy cow!”

Leo moves to her side. “It’s okay, Mom. Just pictures. No questions.”

She nods but still looks shell-shocked, like maybe the reality is finally settling in that her son-in-law is the president of the United States.

I can relate. I can’t believe I’m finally out and engaged.

CHAPTERFIFTY-ONE

We head downstairsand over to the West Wing. After I let them sit at my desk and we have their pictures taken—and even take some selfies together—we settle on the couches in there. Jordan helps Casey-Marie and Angie wrangle the photographers who step inside to take pictures and video for about fifteen seconds before they’re ushered out again.

Once the reporters are gone and the doors close it’s me, Leo, Jordan, Leo’s parents, and Casey-Marie.

“If you have any other questions,” Leo says to them, “please ask us now.”

They exchange a glance and focus on Jordan. “You’rereallyhappy?” Mom asks him.

Jordan walks over, his hands in his pockets and a thoughtful look on his face. I’m glad he has no personal aspirations to run for office because he’d likely get himself elected and I really don’t want to share him with the world.

“Mom, it’s not an exaggeration to say that after last night I’m happier than I’veeverbeen in my life. I promise you that this is a good thing. We’re happy.I’mhappy.” He nudges his glasses up his nose. “I know it’s not traditional but the three of us together are an unbeatable team. We belong together. I am not just happy—I’m contented.”

“Okay.” Then she waggles a finger at me. “I swear on everything there is that you hurt either of them I will kill you. I don’t care how many Secret Service agents are around you, I’ll figure out a way to do it.”

I stand and offer her a hug. “I’ll die to protect both of them, ma’am.”

She stands and hugs me again. “Then I guess it’s welcome to the family, Elliot.”

The four of them return to the residence while I have three more meetings down here. Tonight we’re cooking together as a family. Once I can end work for the day, I return to the residence and eagerly change into sweats to join Jordan in our small family kitchen, where he’s in charge tonight. We’ll be eating a Mimi-inspired feast, all of Jordan’s favorite recipes.

We don’t often have time to cook together but when we do it’s one of Jordan’s love languages.

Just like touch and stalking are two of Leo’s.

Meredith has a glass of wine and is hanging out in the kitchen with us while we get started. Secret Service took Leo to the airport, where they’re picking up his sister. His father opted to go with him for backup.

I’m sure Leo will tell us all about the conversation later tonight.

Jordan changed into jeans and a plain black T-shirt and he looks just as sexy as he always does. The two of us have cooked together countless times before and we have an easy way of moving around each other while we prep our respective dishes. It’s easy to forget we have an audience, and I playfully bump hips with him to prompt him for a kiss before I remember we’re not alone.

Meredith sits at the small table, off to the side. “I’m sorry I was snotty to you earlier, Elliot.”

Jordan gently nudges my bare foot with his, a pleased smile on his face.

“It’s all right, Mom,” I say. “I’m sorry we couldn’t tell you the truth sooner. I take full responsibility for that. Leo wanted me to.”

She swirls the wine in her glass. “You’ve been with Leo eighteen years, huh?”