Chapter 2
"We've contacted every outlet that got the query. If they make the purchase, they will feel the full force of the Executive Branch," Russell said, the gruff tone indicating his level of frustration.
"Aren't I enough of a public figure that they can claim fair use?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not if I have anything to do with it," he grumbled. "Half an hour ago, I thought Maria Ostrov was the only thing that could hijack the news cycle and run down our poll numbers."
"You thinking this is another hack, like Air Force One?" she asked, fear creeping into her voice.
"I don't know, maybe," Russell said. "Unless you or Henry we're stupid enough to take photos of yourselves—"
"Of course not!" Elizabeth snapped. "And I don't appreciate the tone you're using."
He huffed. "We need to move forward. I need you to talk to Henry, let him know what we're up against. God forbid there's video."
"I think you're forgetting that we're the victims here," Elizabeth said.
"I don't really give a damn!" Russell exploded. "Frankly, I'm more worried about the image of American than your feelings." Upon seeing the embarrassed blush on her face, he attempted to soften his tone. "We need to corroborate so we can contain the blast. We don't want this turning into a media scandal."
Elizabeth thanked him, though she didn't know what for, and headed back to the State Department.
"Welcome back, ma'am," Blake greeted her as soon as she stepped out of the elevator.
"Hi, Blake," she sighed. "Anything happen while I was gone? You know, besides Congress cutting our funding and a flagrant violation of my privacy?"
"Not to my knowledge," he said. "Your next meeting isn't until 1:30." Elizabeth glanced at her watch. Thank gave her a good hour and twenty minutes for lunch.
"Thanks, Blake," she said and pushed open the doors to her office.
"Hey babe." Henry stood up from her couch. "I brought Chinese food."
"You're the best, you know that?" Elizabeth said. She dropped her bag somewhere on the floor, her jacket falling to the ground with it as she crossed the room to meet her husband. He wrapped his arms around her snugly. They stood there absorbing each others' warmth, taking comforting in each others' presence. Elizabeth sighed, consciously allowing herself to let go of tension and just melt into the hug.
"How you holding up?" Henry asked softly.
"I'll be better after we eat some of that food," Elizabeth replied. He chuckled and sat down on the couch with her. They ate together, keeping the conversation intentionally light to preserve the essence of normality while there was a stranger attempting to sell photos of them naked. When they finished eating, they lapsed into silence. Henry had his feet propped up on her coffee table, his hand in Elizabeth's hair while she rested on his shoulder.
"I guess we should tell the kids," Henry said quietly, no longer able to ignore the elephant in the room.
"Yeah." She nodded. "That's a family meeting that's gonna suck."
He snorted. "Talking to our kids about how our sex life might be paraded around the internet? It'll be a blast."
"I hate that this is happening to us, Henry."
"Me too."
Sorry this chapter is super short. I don't quite know how to go about writing this, and lately my brain has been functioning in only dialogue so it's been dificult to write things. Hopefully this didn't suck too bad. Anyway, please let me know what you think in the reviews!