Chapter Twenty-Four

Dear Diary,

I was then the fiancé of the Vice President of the United States Of America. I never thought my position would rise higher than that with what has happened…I can't imagine many people get to say that either way. Actually, has any body ever gotten to say they were a fiancé to a Vice President or a President? I might be the first one…I need to research that. I'll ask Meg instead. There may have been a news story already written up about it. For all the annoying ways reporters can be with gossip, they can be pretty helpful when it comes to history. Here's hoping they don't find out anything I don't want to comment on… Erik said he wouldn't throw me to the wolves. Still, I don't know how long they want to have me living under a rock…I'm not going to think about it.

I remember how very helpful Douglas Nadir was in telling me where to go and what to do. Meg was the one to pick out my outfit. It's a pine green wool dress with practical black heels, belt and lining. A matching coat is with it. I don't know what I would do if it weren't wool. It was freezing that day. Sometimes, it's just nice to follow. I'm sure I was never meant to be a leader of anything

Erik took his vow, which was far shorter than what I remember being for the President. The point of it is for him to uphold the Constitution, which I guess means the President and America. Funny, I imagine not many people are paying attention. I know I wasn't before being so involved. I'm kind of hoping that if people aren't really paying attention to the Vice President, they won't pay any attention to me. Then again…Erik is a hard person not to see when he wants to be seen.

We eventually are all herded up to the capitol steps by the secret service and I was placed next to the First Lady…or well, the First Lady then. She was…kind of terrifying in her own way. She didn't have much to say to me. Then again, I was too afraid to say anything to her either, but I don't think she wasn't speaking to me because of fear. Every now and then she would mumble, "smile." I followed her lead. I don't know how she knew whenever the cameras were on us, but she did like a sixth sense. I'm grateful for that. She hugged and kissed her husband when he stepped down as a military choir started to sing. I looked to my shoes, feeling a pang of guilt that that's what a wife, or soon-to-be-wife was supposed to do after such things. My eyes trailed up to Erik, who was now beside me. He didn't say anything until the song ended. He whispered into my ear and the feel of him so close, his warm breath on my neck as he spoke made shiver, "You're doing well. Keep smiling. That's all they want."

Like the dummy I was, the smile snapped back in place on my lips. There were so many people before us, enduring the cold wind with us as they held up their signs and cheered. I wonder what people think of me. Maybe they think that the arrangement is because of money and power. I guess that makes sense. I never want to see the video of this day. I must look so stupid next to a woman such as Marguerite Walker. Margot, is her nick name. What a name. Nothing like mine. Nothing like me.

I'm not so religious, especially after Dad died, but I swore that I would pray every night that nothing awful would happen to President Richard Walker. Whether it was for selfish reasons or not, I know I will never be someone like Margot. She is so strong and good at her job. It's like she was cut just for this. Panic was beginning to fill my head in odd jolts during the ceremony. Was it possible I was feeling the future or maybe just nervous in general? I hadn't noticed, but my arms had crossed over my body. In hindsight, I learned that no one did this no matter how cold they were, as it was seen as closed off. Margot turned her head to me, her facial expression showing the act of kindness, but her voice like venom, "Put your arms down, girl."

I could have jumped out of my skin, but before I did, Erik smoothly placed my hand into the crook of his arm, "Keep smiling. It's almost over." My mouth turned up to follow instruction, but it never hit my eyes. Every time the crowd cheered, I wanted to run. Every time the music played too loudly, I was ready to pass out. I'm a behind-the-lines kind of person. Oh god, what was Erik thinking? I must have looked so dumb up there.

But it was over soon and I was being herded out once more.

There was a brief meeting of congress that Erik had to attend. All traditional sorts of things. I was lucky enough to get to wait in a side room with the President's family. He had two daughters and two grandchildren. They were all so happy and excited and scurried around the matriarch as Richard Walker was away. The children were young, one was hardly three. She scampered over to me, smiling with crooked teeth and asked me why I was so scared looking. Yep, I wanted to die. This was awful. I shouldn't have signed up for it.

However, when I didn't answer, she took my hand and said, "It's okay, Gram Gram says that since you're so pretty, they might not have noticed."

"Thanks?" I stumbled out, as I looked up at Margot who was not wasting any more glances on me.

The girl, told me she would walk me into the luncheon because she knew she looked happy and according to her logic, if she could look so happy next to me, maybe I wouldn't look so bad. I wasn't in the mood to be fighting, even with a three year old. For the rest of the time in that room, I was told an entire series worth of My Little Pony tales. At least it filled the time.

Erik came in with Walker to escort us to lunch. How was I supposed to eat in front of so many people? Seeing that I wasn't alone anymore, the girl scampered back to her family. Erik didn't have much to say. He asked me how I was doing. I asked him if he wanted the truth…he answered by offering his arm to me again and we walked out and towards Statuary Hall.

I remember seeing Statuary Hall on a tour I had taken the first time I had come to Washington. The tour guide told us a ghost story about how the statues danced with each other every New Years to celebrate another year of the union. Besides those statues, the room was hardly recognizable as it was now filled with tables for lunch, the largest table was at the front and elevated. Of course…we had to sit there. This time, instead of being next to the First Lady, I was next to the President on my left and Erik on my right. Walker isn't as threatening to me as his wife. He smiles more and is kinder to me…maybe he's just better at hiding his real opinions.

The lunch itself, besides sitting and staring out at rows of other people below me, was uneventful. Erik chatted with Walker occasionally. They both wore smiles, even though Erik's seemed more to me like smirk. He never smiled much, so it maybe the way his face falls. I don't know. I kept my lips turned up and nodded along, nothing much to say.

Next was the parade. Walking and waving would be easy enough, right? My feet said otherwise. I thought those chunky heels would be more practical than they turned out to be. Of course Margot was sporting flats. She thought this thing out. I had not. What's wrong with me? My hand hurt too. Stupid complaining, I know. Who wouldn't want a parade in their honor, right? Well, not mine per se, but still. Fame and me…we're not good pals. The girl (I failed to mention her name was Amanda, or, Mandy more of) stuck with me for the parade. She even took my hand and swung it back and forth as she skipped around, basking in the attention. That made a funny picture that I don't want to see again. I think I'll retire to a hole from now on.

The parade finally ended at the White House and we were herded inside of it, but not before taking another million photos waving in front of it. Wow…I must sound so ungrateful. I really don't mean to be, really. Just…I didn't feel like me. I'm not good at being overly happy and waving to others and baby sitting three year olds. At least…I don't think I am. Maybe that's the whole problem. I don't think I'm good at any of this so it doesn't help to pretend otherwise. I don't know…I wish I were. I wish I could be a leader and help people…I can only think of what people are saying about me since then and everything that has happened…

Once inside the White House, sometime in the later afternoon, Erik and I were taken up to the presidential suite with the family. From there we were given cocktails and finger foods. Erik left with Walker to do…president things, I guess. Mandy told me all about her classmates in pre-school. She didn't like it very much when I kept trying to reply to Meg's text messages. Meg was being screened to come inside to help me get ready for the ball that night…other things I was already terrified of. My dress and things had already arrived, but I wasn't sure where they were and if someone was going to take me there. Nadir was off with Erik so I couldn't ask him either.

Once it was evening and the sun had set, Erik came back and took me out of the room. I wanted to sleep. Doesn't Mandy have to nap? Why did I have to listen to her for two hours when we both should have been asleep? Meg was brining me a Five-Hour Energy. She's is a godsend. Erik took me to a room to change and get ready for the evening. He said that Meg would be arriving shortly. Before he left I asked tentatively, "Am I…doing okay?"

He turned back and answered confidently, "Far better than you think you are, Christine."

Before he left I questioned again, "Erik?"

"Yes?"

"Are we…do we have to dance tonight?"

"We would draw more attention to us if we did not."

"Oh…"

He walked back over to me and took my hand in his as he had the previous night, "Do not worry. You are doing very well." I tried to smile but my face hurt so I ended up sighing. He squeezed my hand a little, "I feel the need to keep watching you. I'm afraid of losing my fiancé to the public."

"What do you mean?"

He told me that I was the top trending name on Twitter and asked if I had an account. I told him Meg had forced me to make one half a year ago and I never used it. He suggested I take a look, whereas I told him I didn't want to know what people were thinking of me. I was sure they were saying terrible things…But Erik was reassuring, "You're adored, Christine. You needn't fret."

When he left I finally got a chance to download Twitter to my phone to see that I had gained over fifty thousand followers! What do I do with all those people? They don't even know me! I wouldn't have even gotten the account if Meg hadn't set it up for me. I began to read what people were saying. In my long hours trying to avoid much more terrifying thoughts than fame, I actually dug some up for these pages:

ChirstineGallagher is the cutest thing! #inagaurationday2017

#inagaurationday2017 ChirstineGallagher during the parade with the president's granddaughter. After my heart!

ChristineGallagher is so stylish! I was nice to see something other than black today - can't wait to see her at the ball #inagaurationday2017

Can't remember the last time I saw someone so beautiful surrounded by politicians ChristineGallagher

#VP's woman is rocking some heels during the #inagaurationparade ChristineGallagher betta werk!

Those were surprising enough…but it were the other ones that made my stomach sink.

ChristineGallagher & #ErikUnderwood are the cutest!

She may be young, but ChristineGallagher & #VP #ErikUnderwood have such a tasteful relationship.

ChristineGallagher hooking arms with #VP during #inagaurationday2017 when she was cold #soadorable #love

When she's not looking terrified, ChirstineGallagher has the most genuine smile up there! #inagaurationday2017

ChristineGallagher always smiles the biggest when she looks at #VicePresident #ErikUnderwood

I can see why #ErikUnderwood is in #love ChristineGallagher #adorable

I didn't get to read too many more before Meg barreled in. She joked about being my best friend first and how it was helping her new blog to claim me. I told her I didn't know what to think about everything on Twitter and she told me it wasn't just Twitter. It was everywhere. Facebook. Instagram. Tumblr. Buzzfeed. Cosmopolitan. Every gossip column was, well, gossiping and all about me.

"People are in love." she had said, "You're almost stealing the show from Walker. I'm so proud of you chica." She hugged me.

"But why?" I asked, "I don't know what I'm doing, my feet hurt so bad I can hardly walk straight, and I've been terrified all day."

"That's the point, pretty lady! People love you because they can relate to you. You're like, the commoner Kate Middleton next to royalty. Everyone's eating it up. And it does help that you looking effing amazing. You should hire me to dress you full time."

"I might have to."

Meg buzzed on and on as she helped me into my gown. The gown is made of satin and the blue of it is so faint that in the wrong light, the dress could be taken as white. The design of the gown pulled in at my waist, but swept up and almost bunched at my bodice. It then fanned out around my legs. I was given pearls to wear around my neck, ears, and wrist, as the gown was sleeveless. Meg did a great job of curling my hair, then pinning it neatly on top of my head. My shoes were my go-to nude pair. I didn't want to know how much Erik had paid for this. He was nice enough to not only get Meg a ticket into the ball, but to also get her a dress too. Her's was pine green, with one sleeve that fit her bust and waist exactly then fanned out to the floor. It was simpler than mine, but still very beautiful. She fitted her hair up into a collection of braids into a bun on top of her head. I don't know what I would do if it weren't for her fixing all of these things for me. I know I would look like a mess going to all these things.

Fortunately, the ball was really all about the president and first lady. For most of it, I sat and watched as others danced. Meg was sitting at my table along with Nadir and who else but Phillip Tusk! I guess it was to show others that everything was fine and that things would keep moving forward.

Meg was as much by me at the table as she was on the dance floor. Of course she was flawless as she danced. She always knew how to make others look good and was asked out over and over again by people from all over the political spectrum. She kept telling them that she was my only living relative, a cousin twice removed or something like that. They took the bait, and she is sure to have some interesting stories to write down the next day. Not long after things had started, the press had been removed which gave her a step way up in the game.

I'll admit, I may have had one glass too many of the champagne. It wasn't that I had had so much, it was that I was so exhausted. Erik, while speaking with others, and introducing me to people I had only seen on television, didn't seem to have his eyes on me and how much I had in my system. I guess you could say it surprised him when I accepted his invitation to dance so easily…However, once I was actually on the dance floor, I realized what was happening and froze. Looking around, everyone seemed to know what they were doing. The only times I had danced with anyone was on my dad's toes.

"I don't know how to do this." I managed to say.

He laughed, "I suppose that means there are two of us here who are one cotillion short of these figures."

"Exactly." I pulled at the arm that I held, "Erik, maybe…maybe we should sit back down."

As he had done earlier that day, he pulled me close and spoke softly into my ear, "One dance and we'll leave. Your fans have been waiting on this. We can't let them down, can we?"

His voice made me shiver again. What was it about him that could make me react like that?

"What if I…what if…"

As he placed an arm around my waist, I caught and held it instinctually. His other hand reached for mine and held it up to our sides. The movement was enough to silence me. Just when I thought we were close enough, he pulled me a little closer so that our chests touched. Suddenly, dancing was so intimate. How did I not notice this before? How did I not see how close two people could get and still be considered appropriate to society?

"Erik I…I don't know if I…"

I could hear music starting somewhere beyond us. It was the orchestra. My orchestra betraying me with pretty dance music. Looking around quickly from corner to corner trying to find an exit, but when he spoke, my eyes met his once more.

"I will not let you fall. Ever."

His words were so…sincere. I found so much meaning in my heart all in that moment and I almost wanted to cry. Everything that day had been so stressful. I was confused most of the time and it was all for him. That's right…it was all for him when I think about it. Once again, I find myself asking why I would do so much for him. What do I really owe him other than warmth during a power outage and minor improvement on a voice I never wanted to hear again. I guess that's just it…he knows that the fancy things aren't what I need. He has to, even if he keeps buying me more things for events like this.

I guess when I think about it, he was around when I probably shouldn't have been alone. He said it was for the investment, but he walked through all that snow to my house when Raoul passed. And while I could have figured out how to get to Meg's apartment the day of the snow storm, I never thought that I would actually enjoy the time I spent next to the fire that week. Maybe it's some kind of sensory memory, but as we started to sway lightly to the slow tempo of the music, my hand in his, my other resting in the crook of his arm. I remembered our lack of distance the night he took me outside to see all the stars over the city. I know I was nowhere close to sober that night, but I seem to recall his hands holding my arms when I lost my balance on the snow.

Maybe somewhere, Erik does care for me. I know that a lot of everything that day was duty, but he can be really nice when he thinks he needs to be. The night before, when we held each others hands, that was nice. This afternoon when it happened again, I got the same kind of warmth. It was…comforting. When reviewing all of the strange circumstances between us, comfort is a strange thought, but that's what it feels like.

When the song ended he went so far as to lean forward and kiss the top of my head. He's taller than me, so, I guess that would make sense, but still, it caught me off guard. I felt part of the weight of his head as he wrapped the arm around my back closer to him and said quietly, "You are the only thing of real beauty for me today."

Of course I didn't know what to say! Was he only saying this for a camera somewhere? To convince the world that we were a real couple and getting married over real feelings? I couldn't think long enough to get angry as I was still in a state of shock. He pulled away from me and took my hands in his, "I will take you home. You have done so well, Christine."

He took both Meg and myself back to my apartment and dropped us off without much to say. Meg was quick to fall asleep once out of her dress and makeup. Even as my body was ready to give out that night, I remember being up until the sun started to peek through the row houses of my street. I couldn't seem to stop thinking about everything about…him. I felt really stupid. I'm part of his political gain…right? It must be helpful to his image that I was trending and still do on occasion. I keep having to ask Meg to translate social media lingo for me as things progress. God I don't know what I'd do without her. She snapped a picture of when Erik and I were dancing. I let her release it via Twitter and Instagram. I couldn't imagine it would hurt. She showed me the picture. I guess we fooled everyone that night. We really did look like we were in love.

Still, it meant a lot, if nothing else, that I received a text from Erik not so long after he had left with the simple words, "Thank you."

Hello again! To my 7 reviewers from the last chapter: THANK YOU for welcoming me back! The rest of you 600+ viewers from the last 2 days sure can be quiet...helpful FF has stats (that's if I'm reading it correctly)...that was cool to see nonetheless. Hope you don't hate me too much for going first person. Only temporary - I promise!

I did as much research as I could for this chapter. It's true, the VP kind of falls to the wayside on election day. If anyone has any particular critiques on this, please let me know!

To those asking about my other in-progress story, Madame Valerius Is Dead: 1) Thanks for reading and asking! 2) Still working on it...had more of this story written first so I went ahead and posted.