"There is nothing like beauty. It stops your heart. It thickens your blood. It stops your breath. It makes you feel dirty."

Jethro whispered the quote into Suzanne's ear, moving his body close to hers. They were in the shower, each meeting in the middle. His calloused finger traced the side of her face. His eyes locked into hers.

For a moment, he stopped talking and simply admired Suzanne. Her smile grew wider as Jethro's hands caressed her face.

"I was unpacking some of your books to put in the bookcase, stumbled across it. That one line got me thinking about you, about us... how I've ached for you…" He wrapped her closely in his arms, brushing his fingers through her curled braids, carefully pulled into a ponytail. Jethro's hands were planted on her face while softly, intermittently kissing Suzanne on her lips.

"How I've wanted you …"

"Jethro…" She giggled softly.

"Do you know how beautiful you are?" Jethro looked into her eyes. He lathered the body wash on her wet body, taking his time with the wash cloth to rinse remaining soap residue.

"You tell me often...that I actually believe it." Suzanne smiled.

"I see you on TV…" Jethro inched closer. "And I get so turned on…"

His hands caressed her body, carefully inspecting her breasts, massaging her thighs.

"Knowing I'm the only man, not the President of the United States that can make you…" Finally his fingers slipped inward. Jethro's mouth was on her earlobe. Suzanne's eyes rolled back, moaned softly, breaking the kiss momentarily. "Unhinged…" Jethro grinned.

"Jethro?!" Suzanne moaned. Her place was perfect—Suzanne's back leaning against the wall, Jethro's body against hers. The water added to the picturesque moment, how it dripped against her ebony skin.

Jethro continued massaging, probing in. Her muscles tightened as responses to his touch.

"Oh, my God, you feel so good, baby…" He whispered. Suzanne's eyes fluttered as an answer to everything-his touches, his voice.

Jethro's speed quickened. Suzanne moaned harder, more frequent.

"Yeah…" He growled. Jethro kissed her passionately; his tongue traced her lips slowly, darted inside her mouth. Suzanne, generally docile but passionate, kissed him back with the same intensity.

"Let's go to the bedroom." Suzanne suggested. "And finish this…conversation."

Jethro and Suzanne made love several more times during the night. When the alarm chimed at 4:30, her usual time, she ignored the initial chimes.

"Sugar…" Jethro gently nudged her. "Time to wake up."

"Not going in." Sleepily, she fumbled and switched off the chime. "I'm working from home today."

It was rare, for Suzanne to call in. Suzanne planned to work from the office but was physically, mentally tired.

"Tired?" He grinned, pulling her closer in his arms. The smile was a gentle reminder of their passionate lovemaking.

"Feeling alive." Suzanne whispered. "And loved."

When the President was off, she was also…well, off from taking road trips. The President requested a cleared week, visiting his in-laws in Topeka as a family. Suzanne still fulfilled her work-related obligations with a laptop computer, complete with a video camera. In pajamas, she sipped coffee and continued her meeting with Claudia and Linda from the living room. At 7 AM, the three held a video conference.

"That is afterglow, Sister." Claudia said. The women laughed.

"On to new business…" Linda had a way of changing a conversation. "Latin America is in two weeks. I'm off the tour; my grandkids are coming."

"So I guess it's you and me, Newlywed." Claudia chuckled. "That is, if you're coming up for air."

"Suzanne, do you have the itinerary?" Linda asked.

"Yes, ma'am, it's on my desk." Suzanne answered. "I'll work on the notes some more, start the translation from English to Spanish." She noticed 7:25 on the clock.

"Let me get breakfast on and call y'all back." Jethro overheard, smiled as he walked downstairs. "Jethro will be downstairs any minute. I'll be in around 10 this morning."

"The notes can wait." Claudia said with a slight chuckle.

"See you later, Suzanne."

"I'm beginning to appreciate this internet thing…" Jethro smiled, watching Suzanne work from their home.

"Well, it is a convenience." Suzanne heavily whisked the eggs with a simple fork. The dining room table was always set with placemats, silverware, glasses and coffee cups. Their coffeemaker made single-cup brews. Jethro used it when Suzanne traveled.

"It means I can work from the house, go in a little later...not go in at all."

"Judging by your attire…" Jethro studied the look—baggy pajama pants, oversized t-shirt. "I can assume you're staying home today?"

"I'm going in around 10 this morning."

She nodded, pouring from the traditional pot of coffee.

"Scrambled, with toast?" She asked, peeping through the divider. "I baked bread this morning."

"Sounds good." Jethro sipped on his coffee.

"It's amazing how I've gained weight but you haven't." Jethro commented.

Suzanne poured the eggs into a hot skillet, stirring, chopping slightly.

"Going for a run?"

"I'm not feeling up to it." Suzanne returned to the dining table. The smell irritated her stomach, causing her to cough violently. Without warning, she quickly ran into the kitchen and to the backyard. Concerned, Jethro came by Suzanne's side.

"24 hour virus?"

Suzanne nodded.

"I'm certain it's just a little bug." Suzanne replied. "I went from tundra climate, to Mediterranean, Humid subtropical to desert climate in a matter of two weeks."

Suzanne saw Jethro off to work, ensuring him once again a little rest and relaxation was all to the sudden symptoms. She didn't share with her husband that the symptoms had been consistent for two weeks, excluding the fainting spell in Australia.

Suzanne had a feeling she was pregnant.