A/N: Welcome back and thank you for all the lovely reviews you left me. This chapter starts before the previous one began and goes from there. Also, for the time being, I'm really adhering to the last few episodes of season two, with a couple of minor changes. I hope you like it, enjoy!
Chapter Four
The sound of someone stomping up the stairs is enough to wake up Claire. Her hand blindly navigates over to the other side of the bed, but it's cold. She assumes whoever is coming up the stairs is Frank, and will scold him for being so loud when he enters their bedroom. To her surprise, Meechum pops his head in, worry marring his usually neutral face. On instinct, Claire pulls the comforter up higher on herself, not wanting their head of security to see her dressed in a nightie.
"Ma'am, you and Emily need to come with us," Meechum says, his eyes looking anywhere but her. He is as uncomfortable as she is, if not more.
"Why?" Claire is not waking up her sleeping toddler for some minor incident, unless it's something serious, she is staying put and so is Emily.
"We've arrested someone outside your home with an explosive device. We need to get you and your daughter to a secure location, now." Meechum has witnessed firsthand how stubborn Claire can be. He will forcibly remove her and Emily from their rooms if he has to.
Claire's hand ghosts over Frank's side of the bed. He didn't come home from work and she hasn't heard from him, which is atypical. Frank always lets her know if he is going to be late.
"Francis?" Claire asks Meechum, biting her lip in anticipation of his response.
"He got pulled into an emergency meeting at the White House. Someone is notifying him now. We really need to get you two downstairs, ma'am." Claire nods and watches Meechum half-shut her door to give her a modicum of privacy. She climbs out of bed and swings her robe over her shoulders, cinching it tightly around the waist.
Claire crosses the hall to Emily's room with Meechum a step behind her. She eases open the door of the toddler's room, being careful not to wake her up. Undoubtedly, the chaos in the basement will cause her daughter to stir, but she wants to prevent that for as long as possible. Claire carefully picks Emily up from her crib and grabs her favorite stuffed animal. She has no idea how long they are going to be sequestered in the basement, but they will figure it out as they go. Emily lays her head on Claire's shoulder, not rising from her slumber.
"Close the door," Claire whispers to Meechum and trails behind him downstairs. Once they get down in the basement, Claire gently sets Emily down on the couch and sits beside her.
"No, you aren't hearing me, we have to show the Chinese we cannot be messed with," Frank says to the room. President Walker called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the escalating tension with China due in large part to Raymond Tusk.
"I see what you are saying Frank, but we need to have options in case the Chinese won't play ball," Walker says back. Frank bites back a sigh. Walker always chooses the safest option when he should be demonstrating the country's strength.
Before Frank can object, a Secret Service bursts into the room, heading his way.
"We are in the middle of a meeting," Frank tells the agent.
"I'm sorry Sir, but I thought you should know we arrested someone outside of your home with an explosive device. We have moved your wife and daughter to a secure location, but you need to come with us."
Frank rockets out of his seat and follows the Secret Service agents to an awaiting vehicle. He yanks his phone out of his pocket and dials Claire. His stomach knots up when he receives her voicemail.
"Claire, its me, you need to call me back," Frank says and hangs up the phone. He contemplates calling her again, but the ride from the White House to their townhouse is only fifteen minutes. His wife hopefully left her cell phone in their bedroom amidst everything happening around her.
Claire glances around at the Secret Service agents hurriedly whispering to each other, occasionally stopping to look at her and Emily. She forgot her phone upstairs and doubts someone will let her go get it. Sleep will not come until Frank is here with them, there is nothing for her to do except wait for him.
Frank bursts through the townhouse, pounding down the stairs, sighing in relief when he sees the back of Claire's head. Claire spins around and carefully gets off the couch, so she won't jostle Emily. She steps into his awaiting arms, hugging him silently. They separate when a Secret Service agent approaches them.
"What's the latest?" Frank asks. Claire and Frank follow the agent to their main staging area in the townhouse.
"We identified the suspect as former military," the agent says and tilts the computer screen for the couple to see. "He was carrying a duffel bag full of explosives as well as a vest strapped to his chest. He also claims he sent the letter to the Capitol."
Frank and Claire glance at each other, each thinking about the interview she was forced to give by herself because of the threat a few months ago.
"It looks like he really wanted to take me out for good." The agent nervously looks from Frank to Claire.
"Sir, this wasn't about you. When the agents were interrogating the suspect, he said his wife cheated on him and this was a message for you," The agent stares directly at Claire. She feels her husbands hand on her shoulder, skating it down her arm. He is attempting to capture her attention, to reassure her that this isn't her fault when they know it is.
The interview. Adam. And now this. The mistakes Claire has made, the number of times she has put her family in danger keep adding up. Frank will try to tell her they couldn't predict a madman would come to their house with explosives, but he wouldn't have a motive if it wasn't for her.
He watches remorse ripple across her features and tightens his grip on her arm. His eyes find hers, forcing her to look at him instead of at Emily sleeping in the next room. This is not your fault, he silently communicates to her.
"Oh my God, it was me," Claire whispers to herself more than Frank.
"Yes, you were in the intended target," Agent Rockwell reiterates. Frank glares at him for making his wife feel worse. The agent takes the hint and backs off, pretending to be summoned away by someone.
"Claire…Claire…" Frank glides his hands down her arms, coaxing her attention. "I'll stay." He doesn't give a damn if Walker needs him right now. Claire and Emily are more important than some imaginary crisis in China.
Claire shakes her head, she doesn't want him hovering over her, reassuring her of something that isn't true. She would rather come to terms with this on her own.
"No, you need to get back." Hurt flickers across his face for a brief moment and then dissipates. He knows Claire better than anyone. She isn't shutting him out, she just isn't ready to share her feelings with him yet. "Francis, I'll be fine, honestly."
He gives up his pursuit and leaves her to speak to Agent Rockwell and Meechum.
"I want you to stay with Claire and Emily at all times, do not let them out of your sight," Frank says directly to Meechum. He is the only agent Frank can trust at a time like this. After arguing with the agent in charge, Frank goes over to Claire. She has migrated to the couch, sitting next to Emily. His hands cup her shoulders, causing Claire to turn her head towards him. He wants to make sure she is truly okay with him leaving.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," Frank whispers in her ear. Claire reaches up to pat his hand as his lips press into her cheek.
"Okay," Claire whispers back. Frank reaches over and gently brushes the back of his hand against Emily's cheek. The toddler's eyes flutter open and she sits up slowly, looking at her parents. Claire frowns, she didn't want their daughter to wake up until it was safe to go upstairs.
"Mommy? Daddy?" Emily asks, her voice thick with sleep. Her blue eyes dance around the room, wondering why she is in the basement.
"Go back to sleep, Em. We just had to come down here to make sure we are safe," Frank explains to Emily. The toddler is still too dazed to ask her usual litany of questions. Claire watches Emily climb into her lap, her favorite rabbit clutched in her fist. "Call me when you know something." Claire nods and accepts another kiss from her husband before he heads upstairs.
By morning, Claire and Emily are cleared to go upstairs. Frank still hasn't returned home, choosing to sleep at the office instead. Claire makes the executive decision to keep Emily home from school for the day, just as a precaution. Unfortunately, Emily's nanny isn't available to watch the two-year-old all day, which puts Claire in a bind. She never wants to bring her daughter into work, but she isn't left with a choice. Claire has an important meeting she can't cancel with Jackie Sharp, the congresswoman who took over Frank's position when he became vice president.
"Emily, we have to get dressed and go see your father," Claire informs Emily while they are eating breakfast. Emily nods and smiles at the thought of seeing her dad.
Claire gets herself and Emily dressed and informs the Secret Service they are going to the White House. Once they arrive, Claire keeps a firm grip on Emily's hand, not letting the rambunctious toddler run ahead like she wants to. Everyone they walk past is gawking at Claire and Emily and whispering amongst themselves. Claire didn't want to bring Emily here for this precise reason. Her and Frank believe strongly in keeping their daughter away from what they do at the White House for as long as possible. The sooner Claire can get done with her meeting and bring Emily home, the better.
Claire makes sure her husband isn't meeting with anyone before bringing Emily into the office. Frank looks up from his paperwork and raises his eyebrows in surprise at his daughter's presence in his office. Emily runs over to her father, jumping in his lap.
"Claire?" Frank asks. He is a little confused as to why his wife didn't inform him that she was bringing their daughter to the White House. They don't keep things like this from each other. She picks up on his irritated tone, but chooses to ignore it for the time being.
"The nanny had an emergency and I have a meeting to get to. It's only going to be for an hour, Francis," Claire offers as an explanation.
"Hi Daddy," Emily says to Frank, pulling on his tie.
"Hi, Em," Frank mumbles, not breaking eye contact with his wife. Claire isn't acting like herself at the moment, which is understandable given the last twenty-four hours. She still perceives what happened last night as her fault and will until she convinces herself otherwise. Pushing her will do nothing constructive, he just has to let her fumble through her emotions by herself.
"Emily, I will be back in an hour. Be good for your dad," Claire informs their daughter and leaves without so much as another glance at her husband. Frank sighs loudly and watches the toddler scribble on his briefing sheet.
"Daddy, I help you be vice pwesident, okay?" Emily asks her father. A grin chases across his face at the seriousness playing out on his daughter's face.
"Alright Em, let's get to work," Frank says.
An hour later, Claire comes back to pick up Emily. She can't help but be amused by the scene playing out before her. Emily is standing in front of Frank's voting board while he is sitting at his desk, rattling off names of Congressmen and their stance on the bill so she can place them in the appropriate columns.
"Mommy, I helpin' Daddy wif dis bill!" Emily says excitedly. Claire can see their daughter bouncing up and down with glee at the thought of assisting Frank with a piece of legislation, even if it's just for pretend.
"Very nice," Claire comments and sits in the chair across from her husband. Her hand reaches to find his, squeezing it to thank him for not pushing her earlier. A tendril of anxiety is tightly coiled in her stomach and its going to take her some time for it to settle. "Emily, we have to go. Your father has to get back to work." Her and Emily have taken up enough of Frank's morning. Emily is visibly upset about the thought of leaving and shakes her head.
"No mommy, I stay. You go," The toddler insists and looks to her father for confirmation.
"Em, your mom's right. I have to meet with the president and you have to take a nap," Frank steps in for his wife. Claire and Frank have always found it easier to gang up on Emily before the toddler can start a coup.
"You and Garrett? He's willing to meet with you?" Claire asks with shock. It's no secret that Frank and Walker have had a falling-out recently. Walker thinks Frank is trying an end-around to oust him from the Oval Office, which is true.
"For now." A mischievous smirk tugs on Claire's lips. She has an idea that will help Frank and destroy Walker at the same time. "What are you thinking?"
"You should tell Garrett that I want to keep Trisha in the loop about my meeting with Jackie Sharp." Claire intends on using her newfound friendship with Trisha Walker to her advantage. Frank grins and stands up, pinching Claire's cheek. Claire goes over and scoops up Emily, letting the toddler hug her father goodbye.
Claire brings Emily back to her office, setting her up with a movie on her iPad while she gets some work done. She hopes Trisha Walker received the message and will stop by. Sure enough, twenty minutes later, Claire receives a call from her assistant that the first lady is coming to see her. Having Emily here is the perfect coincidence. Trisha gravitated towards Emily when her and Garrett came over to the Underwood townhouse for dinner a few months back.
"Trisha, hi, I'm surprised Francis' message actually got to you," Claire says and stands up to greet the first lady. Trisha and Claire hug and sit across from the couch from one another.
"Garrett told me about what happened at your house last night. I'm glad you guys are okay." Trisha Walker is a genuinely nice person, Claire almost feels bad about manipulating her.
"Thank you, I appreciate that. Emily, say hi to our guest," Claire taps her daughter on the shoulder. Emily turns and notices the visitor in her mother's office. Trisha brightens and waves the toddler over.
"It's nice to see you, Emily," Trisha says and picks the toddler up. Emily calmly plays on her iPad while sitting in the first lady's lap. "You are so lucky to have Frank and Emily."
Claire's ears pick up on the sadness of Trisha's tone.
"Things with Garrett still aren't going well?"
"No. I tried to take your advice, but with everything happening…especially with the investigation, it doesn't help." The Justice Department launched a full-scale inquiry into Walker's administration possible ties to Chinese campaign contributions. Frank and Walker are both at risk, but the Underwoods' are working to put all the blame on the president so he will be forced to resign. Claire believes Trisha can inadvertently help with that.
"Remember what I told you. Your marriage comes first. Garrett is going to need you now more than ever."
"How is Frank handling all of this?"
Claire pauses to consider Trisha's question. She has to play this carefully. If she oversells the strength of her marriage to the first lady, then it won't be believable. If she pretends that the investigation has put a strain on her marriage as well, then Trisha will be less inclined to listen to her advice.
"He…we…have had some difficult conversations, but he is willing to do what is necessary for Emily and me. I trust he will make the right decision when or if it comes to testifying."
"I wish I had your marriage, Claire," Trisha admits softly while looking down at Emily sitting in her lap. This is just too easy, Claire thinks to herself and lightly smiles.
"We talk to each other Trisha, it's as simple as that. We are a team. You and Garrett will get back there, but it's going to take some time."
"I know. We are still going to that therapist you recommended. He really has been helping." Claire hides her excitement over Trisha's admission. She cannot wait to dissect this conversation with Frank over a cigarette tonight.
An assistant pops her head in to inform the first lady she has another meeting to get to.
"Thank you, Claire for taking time to talk to me," Trisha says. Claire nods and extracts Emily out of her lap. "Emily, I loved hanging out with you." Emily waves goodbye and Trisha shows herself out.
"Mommy, we go home now?" Emily asks.
"Yes. Get your stuff together," Claire instructs her daughter.
Later that night, after Emily is put to bed, Frank and Claire share a cigarette in his office. Claire is perched on a windowsill, Frank is sitting across from her with his feet in her lap.
"Thank you for doing this," Frank says after a few moments of silence. He takes a puff and hands the cigarette over to his wife.
"All I had to do was get her alone. Emily being in the room with me helped a lot," Claire says nonchalantly while rubbing his feet.
"We haven't talked about our little squabble today in my office," Frank mentions, turning his head to face Claire.
"I'd hardly call it a squabble."
"Claire." Frank's noticed over the years of being married to Claire, when something is bothering her, she gets evasive and dismissive. Claire sighs and chooses to stare out the window instead of looking directly at him, knowing this is the only way she will be able to express what's on her mind.
"I'm not a good mother." It's not a question and she's not fishing for a compliment. To her, it's a mere statement of fact.
Frank is not shocked by Claire's admission. He's just surprised she is doubting herself, something she has told him countless times never to do. This isn't the first time she has made this declaration either.
Frank drops his keys on the kitchen counter and starts combing through a weeks-worth of mail. He's shocked he beat Claire and Emily home, and then he remembers his wife mentioning something about picking up groceries on their way. Twenty minutes later, Claire comes breezing through the townhouse, clutching Emily tightly in one hand, the other holding groceries.
"Hey," Frank says over his shoulder. He tilts his head when he hears Claire drop the bag on the counter and close the gap between them, wordlessly plopping Emily in his arms. She doesn't say anything back, and leaves the kitchen, slamming the door to their bedroom upstairs. He glances down at Emily, wondering what could've happened. They didn't get into a fight that he's aware of. In fact, they barely spoke all day except for her texting him that she was going to be late.
"Dada," Emily mumbles and pats his cheek. Frank sets Emily down on the floor and heads upstairs to see what's going on. He opens the door to their bedroom and sees a lit cigarette in Claire's hand. She is alternating between pacing and sitting on the bench in front of their bed.
"Claire?" He tentatively asks. She isn't crying, but he can tell she is close to it. Claire takes a long, shaky drag of the cigarette before responding.
"I lost her, Francis, in the grocery store." Claire states and takes another puff. Frank sits down next to her, taking the cigarette from her.
"She's fine, Claire. She's one, she probably thought you were playing a game with her." Claire shakes her head and reaches to take the cigarette away from him.
He has never seen Claire this freaked out before. She is trembling against him.
"My mother was right. We had no business having a child. I'm not a good mother, she was right." Frank sighs, he had a feeling the conversation Claire had with her mother when she was pregnant would come up again. For as much as Claire told him she didn't care, and it didn't bother her, he knew she was lying.
His hands reach up to cup both of her cheeks, compelling her to look at him.
"You are, Claire. I will talk about this with you if you want, but if you're doubting yourself, I can't indulge that." He repeats something she has told him before. They don't regret decisions they've made, they don't dwell on the past.
Claire lets out a rattling breath and nods against his hands. He brings her in for a hug, gently rubbing her back.
"Yes, you are." He says as she hands the cigarette back to him. She focuses on the foot massage she is giving him, needing something to distract herself.
"I'm damaged goods. I put Emily's life in danger, Francis."
"No, you're not. We couldn't have predicted any of this would've happened." Claire shakes her head and reaches to steal the cigarette back.
"That sounds like an excuse." They are both well aware of the ramifications that come with being in the executive level of politics; they can't expect to go through their life unscathed.
"It's a reality, Claire. Emily is fine. We are fine. There's no reason for you to be doing this to yourself." He brushes a kiss to her cheek and leaves her on the windowsill while he goes to take a shower.
Over the next few weeks, Frank and Claire meticulously plot to bring Walker and Tusk to their knees. Frank has been playing both sides, pretending to be an ally to Walker, all the while stabbing him in the back to further his own agenda. Claire has worked hard to preserve her friendship with Trisha, squeezing her for information to use against her husband. Eventually, Frank is forced to testify, as is Tusk, about their involvement in the Chinese money laundering scandal. Neither Frank nor Tusk gave up any worthwhile information, choosing to backchannel with one another instead.
Finally, Frank was able to get Walker into a position where he had no choice but to resign, or be indicted and eventually, impeached.
"Mommy, Daddy, Meechy comin," Emily says from her position on the couch. Frank and Claire are sharing a cigarette in their usual spot in front of the window. They typically never smoke together while Emily is awake, but with everything that has been happening lately, they haven't had much time to spend together.
Claire and Frank turn their heads, seeing Meechum appear in the room. Frank hands the cigarette over to his wife and hops off the windowsill, wanting to hear what the agent has to say privately. Meechum whispers something in his ear and then exits the townhouse, waving goodbye to Emily on his way out.
Claire meets Frank in the dining room, stepping into his hug. She doesn't need him to say the words, his hug is enough. They did it. Everything they have been working for over the past twenty-plus years is coming true.
"Mommy? Daddy?" Emily asks as she toddles into the dining room. Frank pauses to kiss Claire before kneeling down to pick up their daughter. Claire sets her hand on his shoulder blade and grins at Emily. Even though the toddler will have no clue what Frank tells her, its important they involve her in this pivotal moment in their lives.
"I am now the president of the United States, Em." Frank tells his daughter and stamps a kiss to her cheek.
A/N 2: Next chapter is the start of Frank's presidency and the difficult adjustments the Underwoods' have to go through. Please leave me some reviews, they would make the best birthday present to me. Thanks for reading and I'll see you again soon!