Ally's POV
When I walk into work in the morning, I hear a lot of noise. I walk faster toward the disruption and I see a lot of people staring at something. I look in the same direction to see Todd being taken out by two security men.
I sigh from relief and smile a little to myself. "I didn't do it, I promise!" He screamed as he was being escorted out and being soon taken to a Police Station. I walked to me and Holly's office to not see her. I knock softly on the President's door and when he says I can enter, I do.
When I walk in, I see him, Dez and Holly all smiling. "So, I just seen Todd being escorted off the premises. That must have felt amazing." I said to Holly. "It was Ally." She said hugging me and then quickly pulling away holding on to my shoulders. "I want you to know how thankful I am for everything you've done for me." She said sincerely. "Of course." I said smiling at her. "And we know it wasn't really discreet, Als but you said you could handle the court thing right?" Dez asked. "Don't worry, already handled.
"One of my fellow lawyers Pat found a judge willing to do the case privately and she agreed to never disclose any of it outside the courtroom." I told them as they get excited from the news. "I can finally get back to my life because of you. I'm so happy you work here." She said rubbing my arm.
"Actually, since you never really needed me in the first place, I guess I don't need to work here." I said reminding her. Deep down I was a little sad but I couldn't show that. "What? What are you talking about?" President Moon asked confused as well as Dez. "I didn't ask for a partner because of the stress of the job. I asked because I was sick of being available to that horrible man." Holly admitted. "Oh.." President Moon said looking down disappointed.
"Oh, come on. She's been so great here though. With all due respect Mr. President, do you think it's possible for her to still keep her job?" Dez said pleading. "Dez, I'm fine with that. But it's not up to me. It's up to Holly and Ally." He said as they faced us. "Well, you already know my answer." Holly said facing me hopeful.
I act like I'm thinking about it for awhile before busting out a smile. "I would love to stay." I say as Dez and Holly cheer while President Moon just folds his arms and smiles a big smile. "Thanks for protecting her Als." Dez said kissing me on my forehead before walking out with Holly.
I turn around to see President Moon still smiling at me. "Well, don't be creepy." I said as we both laughed. "Did you just call the President creepy?" He said fake gasping. "Yeah, I did. Also, you don't have to fake your happiness. I know you feel like jumping on chairs." I said jokingly making him laugh again before he walks closer to me breaking our gap but I don't get intimidated.
"But seriously, I'm really happy you're staying." He said looking into my eyes deeply. "Why?" I asked lowly and curious. "Because...you're smart. I like smart people." He said and I could tell he was making up stuff but I let it go. "I like smart people too." I say backing away a little.
"It is a Monday, so I better start fresh." I said starting to walk away before he called me again. "Wait, Monday? Are we in May?" He asked kind of panicking. "Uh, yes we are. Why?" I asked going back up to him. He looked down a little at a picture of a blonde girl who looked about 17. "Nothing, I mean it's something. I just don't like to talk about it." He said sighing and sitting down while putting his head in his hands. "Mr. President." I said looking down at him and soon he lifts his head. "You once told me that even President's have feelings." I said looking at him as he sighed.
"It's my little sister's death anniversary. She died when she was 17 in a car accident." He told me as I hold my hand over my heart. "Oh my god, I am so sorry." I told him. "No, I do not want pity." He responded irritated. "You can't expect me not to care Mr. President." I replied honestly. "You're a lawyer. You should know about professionalism." He said and I'm just gonna pretend like that didn't offend me. Plus, it's his sister death anniversary. I'm gonna cut him some slack. "Sorry, that was mean. I have to go visit her grave." He said getting up and getting his jacket.
"Excuse me, sir. I hope you don't mind me asking but can I come?" I asked politely. "You know I don't need protecting, right? I have two big security men who are with me everywhere I go waiting outside that door." He said pointing to the door of his office. "I know, Mr. President." I said laughing a little at his thoughts. "I was wondering if I could be there for friendship support. If we are friends, sir." I said remembering my boundaries. "That's sweet, Ally." He said smiling at me. "But that's what I have a wife for. I think she'll comfort me fine." He said and I could tell he didn't himself believe that.
Right when we are talking about her she walks in. "Hey honey how are- oh...who's this?" She said smiling fake at me. "This is Ally Dawson. Our new second editor in chief." President Moon introduced me. "Hi, Mrs. Moon. It's truly an honor to meet the First Lady. You're more beautiful in person." I say lying but it's better having her on my good side.
When I said that she seemed to loosen up. "Why, thank you. Well, babe I could get use to her." She said causing me to fake laugh. Oh, this isn't awkward at all. "Anyway, I was on my way to visit Ashley's grave. Get your coat." He told her as she made a face that you could tell was saying no.
"Oh, come on. What could be more important than visiting your husband's dead sister's grave?" He said offended but not shocked. "Nothing, baby!" She said tightening his tie while giving him puppy eyes. "But?" He said annoyed. "But I have a broadcast to go to right now and they are talking to me about an opportunity to go to Africa to help those poor children." She said for sympathy and I roll my eyes without them noticing. "Fine, go." He said as she kissed his cheek. "Love you, bye." She said running out.
Something tells me she cares more about the camera's on her than the actually poor children. "You were saying?" I said folding my arms. "Okay, maybe she's not the most supporting wife but..." He said trying to think of something before giving up. "Oh, just come on." He said as I laughed and we started to walk out. "And yes." He said randomly before heading out the door. "Huh?" I said facing him. "Yes to the question you asked earlier. We are friends." He said with a slight smile and I nodded understanding.
We walked out and the secret service followed us as we got into the limo outside. Thankfully, no paparazzi followed us, and we made it to the cemetery nice and quietly.
When we get out, the secret service stands on each side of the car, President Moon and I walk to his sister's grave. It was already a pair of flowers there that looked super fresh. "My mother and father must have been here." He told me. "Why don't you all just go together?" I said confused. "Because we don't really talk anymore." He said looking down. "I wanna ask why because we're friends and all now but I don't wanna overstep my boundaries." I said honestly.
He looked up at me. "No, it's fine. We haven't talked much since I married Melanie. They don't really get along. Well she tries with them but they don't like her." He admitted. "Why? Why wouldn't they like her?" I asked even though I could think of reasons. "They said she wasn't the right one for me." He said. "But that's still no reason to treat someone bad." I said honestly.
I may not like Melanie all that much but you shouldn't just dislike someone just because you don't think their the right person for your child unless they give you an actual reason. "Well, my parents are very personal. They take everything to heart. They think if I don't have the right girl, then I'm somehow disrespecting the family." He said rolling his eyes.
"Do you think you have the right girl?" I asked curious. He stopped to think and then faced me. "I married her didn't I?" He said confidently but I could tell he was fronting. "A lot of people get married Mr. President. A lot of people also get divorced." I said looking at him and he didn't like that I was catching on to his lies. "Okay, remember how you didn't want to overstep your boundaries? Well you are now." He said because he didn't like I was saying the truth and I playfully rolled my eyes.
"It's not my fault you are in denial Mr. President." I said more confident as he looked at me in disbelief. "In denial? You think I'm in denial? I am not in denial. I'll even ask my sister." He said looking at her grave as I shook my head as his childishness. "Ashley, did I marry the wrong girl?" He said and as soon as he asked, it started to pour down rain with thunder and lightening.
His mouth opened in shocked and I smirked at him. "You know, I like your sister. She's smart." I said as we both put flowers down on her grave. We stand back next to each other while he says a few words. "I miss you Ashley. I miss you all the time. You were the light of our family. You always put a smile on everyone's faces." He said and I smiled at him. "I miss those nights we talked all night long. I miss those times you'd tell me I was doing the wrong thing or making the wrong choice. If I'm being honest with myself, I haven't made the wisest decisions without you here. I miss you everyday. I love you." He said and I could tell he was holding back tears. I've observed that it takes a lot from Austin to be emotional. I intertwine my hand with his and he doesn't flinch at all. It was just natural. We stood there for a while in the pouring rain.
Austin's POV
When me and Ally got back from my sister's grave, I go to my bedroom in the White House and flop down on my bed. It's been a long and irritating day. Besides Ally. I don't know how but she always cheers me up.
I hear the bathroom door open and Melanie comes out and smiles when she notices me. "Hey baby." She says laying down next to me putting her hand on my chest. "How was your visit at your sister's grave?" She asked trying to sound sympathetic. "It was great." I said blankly. "I'm so sorry I couldn't be there." She told me. "Oh, don't worry. Ally came." I said purposely to bother her even though it wasn't like that. She's a very jealous person. "She did, did she?" She said smiling even though I could tell it was bothering her. "Yeah, she's been a very good friend. She offered with no intention behind it. Isn't that nice?" I said looking at her as she sighed frustrated.
"I told you how sorry I was. I made a mistake okay? Forgive me?" She said pouting. I look at her. "You know what?" I said calmly and she starts to smile. "You can go sleep in the guest room tonight." I finished taking her arm off me as she gasped in shock. "Austin baby." She said trying to talk to me. "Go." I said raising my voice scaring her a little before she got mad. "Are you serious? People will talk if they see me leave this room and go to the guest room to stay!" She said and I rolled my eyes at her pathetic mind always caring about what other people think.
"Well I guess they're gonna have to talk." I said in her face and she looked at me as if she's never seen me this cold. The truth is, she hasn't. I have let her get everything she wanted all these years and it's not sliding anymore. I don't know what's changed but something or someone is making me realize I deserve better. I hope I soon find that out.
Ally's POV
I'm sitting on my couch with a bowl of popcorn and wine with my best friend Liz. Also one of the best lawyers to ever work along side me. "So, how's working in the White House?" She asked popping some popcorn in her mouth. "Emotional." I said truthfully as she looked at me weird. "Huh?" She said laughing a little.
"Seriously, it's been an emotional roller coaster ride since I arrived there. I mean the President said it's been lighter because of me but I don't know. Maybe it's a lot on me because I'm the one solving the problems." I said shrugging my shoulders. "Comes with the job." She said nonchalant. "Ain't that the truth." I replied taking a sip of wine.
"So, what else makes it emotional? I know about the Holly thing of course because I helped with that but what exactly else?" She asked curious. "The President's younger sister...is dead." I said as she looked at me with wide eyes putting the bowl of popcorn down. "Oh my god, did this recently just happen?" She said as I hurriedly shake my head. "Oh god no! You know that would be top news. She died when she was 17." I said correcting her. "Oh wow. That's so young." She said sadly.
"Yeah, I know. We visited her grave today." I said as she looked at me funny. "We? As in you and the President?" She said looking at me again funny. "Yeah, who else?" I replied calmly. "Um, I don't know maybe his wife?" She said as I playfully roll my eyes. "I can support a friend. Oh and apparently something else was more important to her. Cameras." I said as she shook her head. "Wow, she's a mess." Liz said popping some more popcorn in her mouth.
"Anyway, when we were talking earlier, you could tell he was hiding how hurt he was. It's like he didn't wanna show me that he was in pain." I said a little offended by it. "Well, Als. He is the President. He's most likely just being professional." She said and I sighed realizing she was right. "Yeah...I just wish I could help. He even told me that his sister was really cremated." I admitted as she looked at me crazy. "Ally, you literally just told me you visited her grave with him. How the hell could she have been cremated if she's in the ground?" She asked confused.
"On the way back to the White House, he explained that 10 years ago his family didn't have much money so they couldn't afford a funeral so they just cremated her. A couple years ago, his parents bought a certain area in that cemetery and even bought a tombstone and everything. I guess to make them feel like she had a real funeral." I said shrugging my shoulders.
"Wow...her body isn't even in there? That's crazy, Als." She said shaking her head in disbelief. "I know. She's just ashes now." I replied. "If she's ashes, why won't he just take them. Many people keep their relatives or friends ashes out of respect. It's a beautiful thing." She said not understanding. "I know, I said that but he just told me he can't because once he does her death becomes really real for him. It's been over 10 years but he still hasn't processed it." I told her and she looked with sympathy. "I feel bad for him. So not even the parents won't take them?" She asked curious. "No, their praying one day he will because they believe he needs it more than them. They weren't just siblings, they were best friends." I said sighing and sitting back feeling bad for the hundredth time again. "I wanna help so bad." I said taking another sip of wine.
We sit in silence for a while before Liz speaks up. "Then why don't you? We always say if there's a problem, we solve it. So solve it." She said smiling a little sitting up. I sit up as well looking at her crazy. "This isn't some case, Liz. He's not a client." I said as she shakes her head. "Better. He's a friend. And you're the best friend I know. If there's a way you could somehow help him...do it." She said motivational and I think about it for a second before getting up.
I get my jacket and open the door before turning around. "Lock up before you leave okay?" I said she lays back on the couch turning on the TV. "Nah, I'll just spend the night." She said taking the popcorn bowl again. "Oh, great. It's nice of you to ask." I said sarcastically before she threw popcorn at me until I went out the door.
Austin's POV
I've been up all night and right when I can finally fall asleep, there's a knock on my door. I get up with just a pair of boxers on and I don't bother to put anything on because I know it's just Melanie begging to come back in.
I open the door with an irritated expression until I noticed it was Ally. I look at her shocked because it's 2 in the morning and instead at her own house, she's in the White House at my bedroom door. "Ally? What? What are you doing here?" I asked confused and tired at the same time rubbing my eyes.
"Hi, can I come in?" She asked lowly being careful with her voice because it's late. I just nod slowly and she comes in as I close the door. I turn around and wipe my eyes again and that's when I notice she has a vase in her hand. "Ally...what is that. Please tell me that isn't-" I said stopping myself when I see her sigh guilty. As soon as I was getting ready to yell, she spoke up first.
Ally's POV
Here I go. Wish me luck. "Before you say anything, let me speak first. I know you said you didn't want them, but their your sister's. It's literally her! When I look at you I can tell your a closed off man when it comes to emotional pain. You don't like to feel pain because you hate the way it makes you feel. Well, guess what? Get use to it! That's life. Pain is apart of life. It hurts us all until we can't take anymore, but you can! You know why? Because you're strong! Because if you weren't, you wouldn't be able to run this God forsaken country. I know it hurts Mr. President and I'm so sorry that you had to lose your best friend but...she deserves better from someone who claims to love her. If you loved her, she would be right here in your house so she could be with you at all times. I know you don't wanna believe that she's gone, but that's unfortunately apart of life. She might not be here for you to see her anymore. But she's still here in your heart. Always." I said poking his chest lightly as he looked at me with tears in his eyes.
"I defiantly know I over stepped my boundaries today and if you fire me, I completely understand and I rather be fired than keeping my mouth shut on something that could really help someone." I said honestly and he looked at me deeply before slowly taking the vase out of my hands. I watch as he slowly walks over to his fireplace and he puts it on top of it.
I smile slightly to myself as he turns around. He looks at me with still teary eyes as he walks back to me. "I'm not gonna fire you." He said calmly sitting down on the edge of his bed. "Do you mind?" I say referring to sitting on his bed and he nods.
I sit down next to him as he looks at me. "I'm just not use to people caring so much about me." He said honestly. "I mean there's Dez but that's about it, and he's busy you know being my Chief In Staff." He told me as I nodded understanding. "Give him slack. I'm a lawyer. Caring and solving people's problems is part of my job description." I said.
"So I'm like one of your clients?" He asked amused looking at me while wiping his tears from his face. "No. No, you're defiantly not like any of my clients. You're much more handsome than my clients." I said making us both laugh. "You're a flirt." He said bumping my shoulder. "Takes one to know one." I replied back. "Touché." He said chuckling a little before getting serious again staring at the ashes.
"She use to ride her bike all the time." He said and I made sure I payed close attention. "I taught her when she was 8 and once I did that, she got obsessed. I thought it was just a phase but nope. Anywhere you seen Ashley, Wheeley was there too." He said smiling at the memory. "She named her bike Wheeley? That's adorable." I said smiling while thinking about it. "Yeah. We were five years apart but we spent most of all our time together. Our parents use to fight a lot and sometimes all we had was each other. She might have been younger but she was defiantly wiser than me. Everything she helped me with growing up always worked out for me. I always wonder how different my life would be if she didn't...you know." He said as I nodded.
"Maybe somehow she still is giving you signs in life. I mean she did lead me to you, after all. To be one of your bad ass Editor in Chiefs." I said making him laugh and he really does have a beautiful smile. "That's true. How do you always make me feel better?" He said looking at me as I shrugged. "I guess it's the charm." I say making him blush and smile. "Thank you for today." He said leaning in and kissing me on the cheek in a friendly way. I think.
I smile and I don't know why but I lean in and kiss him on the cheek as well and that shocks him. We look at each other and start to lean in. When we get really close to only being literally an inch away I stop. "Um, I should go." I say snapping myself out of if and getting up. "Yeah, you should do that." He says rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks again, Ally." He said awkwardly as I smiled awake fly as well. "No problem, Mr. President." I said dashing out the room. What the hell is wrong with me?! He is a married man! A married man! Get yourself together Ally Dawson! You do not play that way!
Austin's POV
After Ally leaves I flip down on my bed on my back putting my hands on my face in disbelief of what just happened. What the hell is wrong with me?! I'm a married man! A married man! Get yourself together Austin Moon or you're gonna start something you can't finish.
END OF CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS
1.) What are your thoughts on Melanie?
2.) How did you feel about Ashley's sign?
3.) What did you think about Ally confronting President Moon and his problem?
4.) Fav Part?