Page 36 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“Soon enough, you’ll be working from home. I talked to Lilia earlier, and she mentioned how most presidents say they get more family time living here than they did before.”

“That’s something to look forward to. What else did Lilia have to say?”

“That Mrs. Nelson invited me to afternoon tea and a tour of the residence on Sunday at two.”

“Is that right? Are you going?”

“Of course I’m going. You don’t say no to the first lady.”

“Former first lady. You’re the first lady now.”

“Still trying to wrap my head around that.” She snuggled into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him inside his suit coat. “Remember the night we got engaged in the Rose Garden?”

“How could I ever forget?”

“You said something then about promising me a rose garden.”

“I always keep my promises.”

Sam laughed. “This is one I sorta wish you hadn’t kept.”

“I know,” he said with a sigh. “Sorry.”

“Let’s not do that. I was also thinking about what we talked about when we were first together, about what kind of people we were going to be—the kind who shrink from challenges or the kind who meet them head-on.”

“We’ve had a lot of challenges in two years, more than some people have in a lifetime.”

“And we’ve met every one of them head-on.”

“It’s a wonder we don’t have chronic concussions.”

Sam laughed. “We’ll do the same with this one.”

After they’d stood there, wrapped up in each other, for several minutes, Nick said, “You want to hear my speech?”

“I’d love to.”

Chapter Eight

At exactly eight o’clock Eastern Time, Nick stared into the camera set up in front of the Resolute desk, tuned out the lights, the technicians, the staffers and even Sam, who stood off to his right, and focused on his message to the country on the teleprompter.

“My fellow Americans, I come before you tonight as your new president and ask for your patience, prayers and forbearance as I take on this challenge at a time of national mourning for a man twice elected president of this great nation. My wife, Samantha, and I extend our deepest condolences to Mrs. Nelson and the entire Nelson family, as well as President Nelson’s cabinet, devoted staff, extended family and wide circle of friends both here in Washington and back home in South Dakota. President Nelson will long be remembered for his advocacy for the middle class and working Americans, his infrastructure program, his focus on the damaging effects of climate change, as well as caring for our veterans and the landmark immigration bill he championed along with my former boss, the late Senator John O’Connor. The sudden death of the president has left us all shocked and saddened, but as has been the case eight other times in our country’s history, we have no choice but to move forward and to continue the work on behalf of the American people. Per the Constitution, I was sworn in overnight, and I’m honored to serve as your forty-seventh president, even if I’d never want to achieve the highest office in our land through a loss of this magnitude. President Nelson died far too young and was cheated of many years he should’ve had as your president and to later enjoy a well-earned retirement. I’ve ordered the flags lowered to half-staff for fourteen days in his honor, and we will pause as a nation this week to remember him. He will lie in state at the Capitol beginning Wednesday, and a state funeral will be held at the National Cathedral on Thursday. The federal government and schools in the capital region will be closed on Thursday in honor of President Nelson. Today I took the time to reflect on the other vice presidents who’ve assumed this office after the untimely death of their predecessor and to learn from their examples. I was struck by President Johnson’s eloquent words after the tragic death of President Kennedy:

“‘No words are sad enough to express our sense of loss,’ he said. ‘No words are strong enough to express our determination to continue the forward thrust of America that he began.’ I feel that same sense of determination to continue the work begun by David Nelson and to represent the United States and her best interests at home and abroad.

“I’ve heard today from leaders around the world who extended their sympathies to the Nelson family and the American people. Each of them has pledged their support to me and my administration as we step forward to complete the work President Nelson began. I understand that many of you are concerned. Not only am I the nation’s youngest president, but less than a week ago, I told you I wasn’t planning to run in the next election. So, you may be wondering about whether you’re stuck now with a reluctant president. Let me assure you, that is not the case. While it is true that I had chosen not to be away from my young family for months on end to campaign for the presidency, it is not true that I’m unwilling or unable to assume the duties of the office at this critical juncture in our history. I do so willingly, with an open heart and mind and a desire to serve you, my fellow Americans, to the best of my ability.

“Keeping our nation safe, secure and prosperous will be foremost on my agenda as I complete the remainder of President Nelson’s term. It is a tremendous honor and the greatest privilege of my life to be your president. I will do everything in my power to be worthy of the trust and faith placed in me by President Nelson and the American people. May God bless and keep President Nelson and the Nelson family as well as our troops around the world, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.”

When the cameraman signaled that the live feed had ended, Nick sat back in the chair and took a deep breath.

“You did great,” Sam said.

Nick held out his hand to her, and she joined him behind the desk. “Thanks for being here.”

“Well done, Mr. President,” Terry said.

“Thank you and everyone who put that together. I think we struck the right note.”