Chapter 38
December had brought a rather large surprise for Blake Darkhorse. He had tentatively asked the First Lady of the United States if it would be inappropriate to request that she and the President act as attendants for the wedding of one of their Secret Service agents. Not only had Mac, after checking with Kenneth, said yes they would, but, she had offered the foyer of the White House itself as a place for the private wedding that the couple had planned to have at her father's home. With the added security measures that would be needed for the President and First Lady to be there, moving the wedding seemed the best thing to do. After being consulted about the change AJ Chegwidden had answered, 'how could he mind his daughter getting married in the White House?'
During that month, Francesca had worked hard on a special surprise for Blake and about three days before her flight back to the US she knew that after the New Year she would be able to move herself and her business to her father's and fiancé's country. There would have to be a few trips during the year, but she would keep them to the bare minimum. The only thing left to do was to pay a visit to her mother and tell her the news. Maybe an invitation to the White House for her daughter's wedding would go a long ways toward improving her mood, when Francesca told her she was moving out of the country. Then again, knowing her mother, probably not!
Luna had been away from home quite a lot during the month. Her book was now number four on the best sellers list and the signing tour was going amazingly well. It seemed that each time she left for another out of town signing she did so with more confidence than the last. AJ was so proud of her, but worried a bit that she might be overdoing it so late in her pregnancy. She smiled and promised him she was fine and that there would be no signings that weren't within driving distance after the New Year. Her due date was February third.
Kat had excitedly told Sturgis that she had managed to secure a date for a book signing at her shop with the hot new author, Luna Chegwidden. She was shocked when Sturgis grinned and said he knew her. When asked 'how', he explained that she was the wife of his former CO, Admiral AJ Chegwidden. Kat asked if he might be able to be free for lunch the day she came into town. Even though it was the middle of the week, Sturgis promised he would clear the time to do so.
It wasn't unusual for the First Lady of the United States to have whatever she was wearing commented on in the news, but Mac was surprised when it happened mid-December. She had a day free of meetings and appointments, so was dressed casually in maternity jeans and a cute T-shirt Harriett had bought for her. She was cutting through the public area of the House to save time and happened on a class tour. She had no idea when she stopped to say a few words to the fourth grade class that the teacher had pulled out her cell phone and captured a picture of her. The woman got a nice sized check for selling the picture, and the next morning the front page photo was of six month pregnant Sarah Kennex wearing a shirt with an arrow pointing to her tummy, claiming: Daddy's Little Tax Deduction!
The T-shirt was the top news story of the day and everyone seemed to have something to say about it. The older, conservatives thought it to be 'outrageous' and 'improper' while the younger, liberal crowd thought it 'cute' and 'sweet'. When asked to comment on the T-shirt at a public appearance, Kenneth replied, "The same friend that gave Sarah her shirt, gave me one saying, 'Expectant Father'! What can I say? We're happy and excited about the coming baby."
When he was asked if any names had been chosen, he answered, "It's still being debated, but I keep reminding my wife that I have veto power."
To be continued…..