Page 35 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

Tom picked up the box and headed out of the Oval Office, taking a last look back before leaving the room.

“I feel for him,” Nick said to Terry.

“You’ve been right where he is.”

“Yeah.” Shaking off the painful memories of John’s untimely death, Nick took the printout from Terry.

They spent the rest of the day refining the speech until Nick was satisfied with it. While they worked, one of the butlers was in and out, bringing sandwiches and drinks. He’d had some contact with the butlers and other household staff as vice president, but he already noticed a different level of attentiveness for the president.

“Thank you,” Nick said when the man served a turkey club with fries for him and a cheeseburger for Terry.

“Pleasure, sir.”

“I didn’t catch your name.”

“It’s Anthony Jones, sir.”

Nick stood to shake the man’s hand. “Very nice to meet you.”

“You as well, sir. Please let me know if I can get you anything else.”

“Thanks very much.” When he and Terry were alone, Nick said, “I could get used to this service.”

“They’ll take very good care of you and your family.”

“I’ve never had people waiting on me before. It feels kind of weird.”

“The White House residence staff is an incredible group of dedicated professionals. Many of them are the second and third generation of their families to work here. They take great pride in their work and in taking care of the first family.”

“I’m still trying to believe this has actually happened,” Nick said, taking in the Oval Office and all it signified. “What’re we hearing from Ruskin?”

“Nothing yet.”

“I hope he’s able to get somewhere with the Iranians. I don’t need an international incident on my first day in office.”

“He has a good rapport with the Iranian president. Nelson was the one who was at odds with him. Ruskin has run interference from the beginning of the Nelson administration. He’s the right guy to be there now.”

“I hope so.”

An hour later, a knock on the door preceded one of the receptionists. “Pardon the interruption, Mr. President, but the first lady is here to see you.”

Surprised to hear that, Nick stood. “Please ask her to come in.” When his people moved over from the vice president’s office, they’d know to send Sam right in anytime she came by.

She came in wearing a pale peach silk blouse, black dress pants and heels. Spiral curls cascaded around her shoulders, and her pretty eyes looked at him with love and trepidation. Hopefully, the latter would recede once they settled into their new normal.

He went to kiss and hug her. “This is a very nice surprise.”

“I’ll be back after a while,” Terry said. “We have an hour until the broadcast.”

Nick kept his arms around Sam. “Thanks, Terry.” Hugging Sam even tighter, he breathed in the scent of her hair. “I really needed this.”

“I thought you might.”

“How’re the kids?”

“Everyone is fine. They had a great time at the zoo, and now they’re playing Go Fish with Elijah.”

“I wish I could’ve spent today at home with you guys.”