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I hope my smile looks right. “Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it.”

“You couldn’tpayme enough to ever vote for Ellis,” Dad grumbles from his end of the sofa. “I don’t care if he’s my son-in-law. That man needs a few holes poked in his ego. Can’t say I’m missing him or Stella today, either. This has been a peaceful holiday. I’ve certainly enjoyed myself and our visit, son.”

Live in the present. Accept him where he is.

Be grateful for what I’m given.

“Me, too, Dad. I’m glad you and Mom were able to come spend it with me.”

He nods. “Never thought I’d ever visit the White House, much less spend a few nights in it, or Christmas Day.”

Gratitude.

I take a deep breath and nod with him. “That makes two of us, Dad.”

* * *

Several hours later,it’s cold and grey outside when I hug my parents good-bye and help them into the car that’s part of the motorcade transporting them to Andrews, all while Jordan and Leo stand off to the side, silently watching and waiting.

I’m genuinely shocked Stella hasn’t been calling all morning and trying to elicit a rise out of me.

Instead of relaxing me her continued silence only ratchets my anxiety as I wonder from what direction she’ll strike next. I will pay for this act of brotherly rebellion, of that I’m certain.

Especially if she was convinced I’d fold like a grain elevator in a tornado and acquiesce to her demands, and she’d also convinced Ellis of that.

Stella despises losing face, especially to me, and always has. She’s usually at her most dangerous and vindictive until she’s consumed what she considers an adequate amount of metaphorical flesh in retribution.

Time to permanently change the rules of the game she’s been playing with me her entire life.

Once the cars have pulled out I turn and head down toward my private study in the West Wing, where I’ll take my PDB. Without a word, Leo and Jordan fall into step behind me and follow me there. Alone with them in my study, Leo leans his back against the door and stands with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Do we need to talk, pet?”

I sit at my desk. It’s not a fraction as stately as theResoluteDesk in the Oval, and it’s one that I’ve had for several years. My own personal desk, not government property. “No, Master,” I quietly say. “Not right now.”

He and Jordan share another of those knowing glances. Jordan leans in for a quick kiss, then Leo steps over and does the same.

“How long is he working tonight?” he asks Jordan.

Jordan consults his work phone. “PDB, then three short phone calls. Barring any emergencies he’s all ours for the rest of the evening.”

“Good. Wait here once you’re done,” he tells me. “We’ll come get you.”

“Yes, Master.” I take a deep breath and hold it for a moment before blowing it out again.

“Good boy.” He strokes my hair. “Don’t even try to process their visit right now. Just let it percolate for a while.”

He’s absolutely right. “I’ll be fine. You’re both right that I need to let go of hoping I’ll ever hear him outright say it.”

“Hedoeslove you,” Leo insists. “They both do. Their agents say that he’s always bragging about you to their friends.”

“Yeah but just one time it’d be nice to actually hear him say it to my face.”

* * *

Nearly two hourslater I’ve finished the first of my phone calls when the switchboard operator buzzes my study phone.

“President Woodley, Ms. Stella Woodley is calling for you. Would you like to take her call?”