Author's Chapter Notes:

Fin is sworn in as Governor, with his friends and partner by his side.

Three Weeks Later - Tony & Fin's Home

"What about this, Mr. O'Connor? We're all done upstairs."

Fin turned to peer over at the burly moving man as he held up a small side table in the living room. "No, none of the furniture in here, but all the boxes in the study need to go," he verified as the man nodded, placing the table back down before turning to proceed down the hallway to the study, where Fin and Tony had previously packed several boxes that were now ready to load into the moving van.

Fin sighed, letting out some pent-up anxiety. In less than 48 hours, he would be sworn in officially as Governor of Pennsylvania, and he and Tony would be residing in the Governor's Mansion. In a way, it was a role he had been working for since he had been a young senator, but in another way the thought of being responsible for an entire state of people both excited him and scared the shit out of him.

He brushed his hair back with his hand nervously, not noticing his partner walking into the living room from down the hall. "Getting nervous before the big day, Mr. Governor-Elect?" Tony asked as he walked over with a jumbo-sized chocolate-chip cookie in one hand and an expresso in the other, handing it to his partner, who smiled at him gratefully. Both were two of his biggest vices.

"Thanks," he told him as Tony nodded. He sighed again. "I guess I am," he admitted. There were actually only a few people he would reveal that sort of information to, but his partner was one of the few he trusted to share his true feelings with.

Tony smiled at him gently. "You mean, the renowned, larger-than-life, mythical person known as Fintan O'Connor is nervous? How is that possible?" He eyed his partner sympathetically. "I imagine you feel the same way I do when I'm about to try a big case. A bundle of nervous energy and excited to get started, but still with butterflies in my stomach. It's not so bad until that big moment comes. And then it kind of hits you all at once."

Fin let out a deep breath, savoring the warmth of the cup in his hands. "Does it ever," he conceded. He took a sip from the mug and a big bite out of his cookie, swallowing before he asked, "How do you handle it? You always seem cool as a cucumber whenever I see you in action in the courtroom."

Tony smiled as he glanced up, just in time to see one of the movers hauling a couple of stacked boxes down the hall toward the open front door where the moving van was parked. "I do a lot of exercising downstairs in our gym to relieve the tension - plus, you give me a workout, too," he added with a grin as he turned his attention back to his partner. "Haven't you noticed I get a little friskier just before I'm scheduled to deliver my opening arguments?"

Fin smirked. "You're always frisky, Counselor. But now that you mention it..." He grinned widely. "I think we need to have you assigned big cases more often."

Tony grinned back at him. "Good idea," he concurred. "But first you have to survive tomorrow's inauguration - and all the festivities."

Fin winced. "Don't remind me. I'll probably be up 24 hours straight by the time it's over. Good thing the swearing in ceremony is in the early afternoon. Despite my son's brilliant speechwriting capabilities, if it was any later in the day I would probably start babbling incoherently."

Tony eyed him skeptically. "I doubt that. You're one of the most eloquent speakers I know." He cupped Fin's face with his hands as he whispered, "You're going to knock their socks off."

Fin smiled. "You're the only one I want to knock any socks off. And pants...and shirt...and shoes..."

Tony chuckled. "I like the sound of that. But not now," he told him as Fin pretended to pout. "I still have a few more things to box up before we go." His smile faded as he looked around their home, realizing it might be a long time before he got to see it again. It held so many memories for him; good memories. Memories that he and Fin had formed together.

Fin peered over at him, immediately realizing what his partner was thinking about. "Tony, it's not like we're selling the house. We'll be back here for special occasions from time to time - or if I start to go crazy and need somewhere just to get away."

"Yeah...you, me...and the security guards."

Fin placed his coffee cup and remnants of his cookie down on the nearby side table as he placed his hands on his partner's shoulders. "The damned security guards can sleep in their cars for all I care," he growled. "I am NOT sharing you, Counselor."

"I'm glad to hear that," Tony told him softly. "I don't want to share you, either."

Fin cupped his partner's face as he leaned in so their foreheads were touching. "I don't know what I would do without you, Tony," he whispered fervently, his voice a little choked with emotion. He leaned back to peer into the intense blue eyes of the man he loved; the man who had stuck with him through good times and bad, the man who knew him better than anyone. He noticed his sentimental partner's eyes were glistening as he leaned in and softly kissed him before pulling back. "I know as long as you're with me, everything will be all right. I love you so much."

Tony smiled, swallowing the emotional lump in his throat. When Fin spoke like that - and looked at him like he was gazing at him now - it washed away any fears and doubts he had. "I love you, too," he told him softly. "More and more every day."

Fin's smile was gentle as he reluctantly let go of his partner to reply, "I'd better let you get whatever you need boxed up, Counselor. I'm going to head down to my office and make sure I'm not missing anything I want to take with me, too. I'm planning on carrying your Christmas present with me in the car; that is going to occupy a special place in my new office as Governor."

Tony smiled, pleased that Fin thought so much of his gift as he pecked Fin on the lips once more before turning to go. "Better finish that cookie, Mr. Governor-Elect," he teased him. "Might be the last food you see until the ball tomorrow."

Fin grimaced at the word 'ball.' "Why do they have to call it that? It sounds so...fairytale."

Tony laughed. "Well, if it does, I guess I'm Cinderella and you're my Prince Charming."

Fin rolled his eyes as Tony grinned at him. "Well, in that case, then, get to it, Princess."

Tony grinned at his partner before heading out into the hallway to do just that; Fin's eyes lingered on him until he disappeared from sight before - wolfing down the last bit of his cookie and taking one final gulp from his now-tepid coffee - he headed out of the room and down the opposite direction toward his study, taking a moment to pause just a bit to memorize every part of the home he and Tony had come to adore. Sighing a little in melancholy, he finally reached the study and got to work with his packing.


Late Morning - Britin

"Alex! Hurry up! We have to leave now!" Brian huffed in exasperation from his place at the bottom of the steps, turning to face Justin as he walked down the hall from the kitchen to join him. "What is she doing up there?" he asked him. "She took a shower an hour ago!"

Justin smiled. "She's a girl, Brian. A pre-teen girl. It's what they do."

"Is that so, Sunshine? And how would you know that?"

"I grew up with one, remember? Molly used to drive me crazy when I needed to use the bathroom to get dressed for school in the morning."

Brian snickered. "Yeah, I bet you had competitions all the time to see which one needed to preen the longest."

Justin smacked him on the arm, earning a tongue-in-cheek look. He shook his head, becoming a little frustrated himself. "I'll go see what's taking her so long." He started to climb the stairs, only to stop on the third step as Alex came running down the hallway and came to an abrupt stop at the top of the landing. The two men watched as she promptly turned around and swung her legs onto the polished banister like it was a saddle, using the smooth surface to slide all the way down until she was at the bottom.

The two men stared at her with mouths agape as she promptly jumped down from the banister to join them. "Was that fast enough?" she asked with a smirk as she headed toward the foyer closet to retrieve her coat from the hall closet and slip it on. Turning to face them, she placed her hands on her hips as she asked, "Well? I thought you were in a hurry!"

Brian stared over at Justin before, despite his earlier annoyance, he couldn't help chuckling. "You heard the girl. Let's go, Sunshine. Don't want to be late for the big event."

Justin stared over at Alex in disbelief, still trying to come to terms with what happened, before he, too, shook his head and followed Brian to the front door.


Harrisburg - Capitol Grounds

"This way, Mr. Governor Elect."

Fin rolled his eyes; he was all for decorum, but only in certain circumstances. "Don, can you quit with the 'Governor Elect' shit in private? I'm going to get enough of the ass-kissing without YOU putting me on a pedestal." They were in an office that led off from the atrium of the state capitol, awaiting the signal from the inauguration events coordinator that they were ready for him to emerge onto the capitol steps for the swearing-in ceremony. His heart was beating furiously as he mentally rehearsed the inauguration speech he would be giving immediately after being sworn in as the newest Governor. There would be thousands of people standing there facing him, hanging on his every word, in addition to thousands watching on live T.V., and despite his normal ease with speaking in front of a large crowd of people, his stomach was presently knotted full of butterflies.

Don Meyers - Fin's friend and previous security chief during the campaign, and now his newly appointed head of security - eyed him sheepishly. "Sorry, Fin. I guess I was just trying it on for size."

Fin grinned at him. "Don't worry; I'm still trying to get used to it, too."

Don nodded. "I'm going to go check on the timetable," he told Fin as he nodded in understanding.

In a way, it was surreal; Fin had dreamed of this moment for so long. But now that it was finally here, it almost felt like someone else was experiencing it. He turned to walk over to a row of windows that faced out onto the capitol grounds, fascinated by the throngs of people waiting. Waiting for him. Normally the governor's swearing-in ceremony always attracted a large group of media, members of congress, and just plain old gawkers. This year, however, his sexuality was a focus - to his consternation, although he understood it - and as a result there was a huge mass of people everywhere the eye could see. He was so absorbed in looking at the hive of activity below that he didn't hear the door opening quietly behind him as Tony returned from the restroom down the hall, or the footsteps that approached him.

"I've never seen anything like it," Tony murmured by his side as he placed a hand on his partner's shoulder. "There must be thousands of people out there. All waiting to hear you speak. Amazing."

"Yeah," Fin replied without turning around, lost in thought.

Tony frowned as he walked around Fin to stand in front of him. He placed his hands on his partner's shoulders as he commented, "If I didn't know better, I would say that the great, confident, smooth-talking Fintan O'Connor is still nervous."

Fin's mouth crooked up into a self-deprecating smile as he responded, "Get your phone out and take a picture of this once-in-a-lifetime event." He let out a deep breath as he looked into his partner's curious face. "I guess I looked out and saw those thousands of people, and it hit me, Tony. I'm going to be responsible for the welfare of an entire fucking state!"

Tony laughed in amusement. "You're just now figuring that out?" he teased with a smile. His hands slid upward to cup Fin's face as he told him, "You're going to be the best governor this state has ever had, and you know you are more than capable of performing the duties of the job and making the changes that need to be done. And if the people of Pennsylvania didn't feel that way, you wouldn't have been elected. So stop that right now, Fintan O'Connor! Take a deep breath and repeat after me, "I'm awesome and unbeatable. I can do this."

Fin rolled his eyes at the childish mantra.

"Go on; say it."

Fin laughed as he dutifully repeated, "I'm awesome and unbeatable. I can do this."

Tony nodded. "Well, that didn't sound entirely convincing, but that's better, at least," he kidded him.

Fin sighed. "I guess it's like getting cold feet the day before a wedding," he explained. He noticed a flicker of emotion seem to fall over his lover's face as he spoke, but it disappeared just as fast as it had arrived, making him wonder if he had seen it or not. He smiled at his lover. "Thank you," he told Tony as he leaned in closer to kiss his partner on the lips in gratitude, receiving a soft smile in return.

"Anytime."

Just then, the sound of the door opening made both of them turn around, as Don reappeared in the doorway. "You have some visitors," he informed them with a smile as he swung the door open wider to reveal Brian, Justin, Alex, Gus, Kathy, and Sean.

Fin smiled warmly at them as they were ushered inside; it was good to see some friendly faces. "I was beginning to get a little worried," he admitted, relieved that they were finally here. "Traffic problems?"

Brian snorted. "You think?" he replied with a smirk as he and Justin walked up to shake his father's hand, repeating the same with Tony. "I figured it would be congested, but I never thought it would take us an hour just to travel the last five miles! Good thing we left early enough."

"What about you, Sean?"

Sean replied, "Brian rented a van so we could all ride together."

Kathy nodded. "Sean gets really flustered in heavy traffic," she disclosed.

"Hey, don't tell everything you know, wife," Sean told her good-naturedly. "Seriously, I might have had a heart attack if I had had to drive in this traffic. Seems like the entire state of Pennsylvania is here today."

Tony glanced over at his partner in response to Sean's statement, but to his credit it didn't seem to bother him; at least he wasn't showing it, anyway.

"Well, we're both glad you're all here," Fin told them, noticing Alex circling the room slowly, peering up at the artwork hung liberally on the walls. He also observed Gus walking along beside her, staring up at the paintings as if he were trying to glean something profound from the rather austere faces staring back at him.

He smiled at her interest. "Those paintings are quite old - and valuable," he called over to her, having asked one of the security guards about them earlier when they had first entered the room, a space that was kept as a sort of 'portable office/waiting room" for important visitors. "One of the guards told me the paintings in this room alone are worth millions."

Alex turned around to stare at him in amazement. "Millions? For a bunch of old men?" she asked, incredulous.

Justin chuckled. "Those 'old men,' as you put it, are well-known statesmen. And it's not so much the subject - although that has a bearing on the value - but it's the artist who commands the most money."

Alex harrumphed. "Well, if I ever painted for a living, I would pick something a little more interesting."

Justin grinned. "You mean like fruit?" he teased her, remembering the still life she had drawn; it had been quite good, actually.

"Well, apples and bananas are better that wrinkled up prunes," she snickered as she finally walked back over to join them; Gus followed dutifully behind her as he walked over to his father and leaned into his side. Brian's arm wound protectively around him as Alex eyed Fin intently. "So when does this shindig start?" she asked him.

Fin grinned. "Well, that depends upon bureaucrats, and bureaucrats are notorious for never starting anything on time. So I suspect it won't start right at 1:00 like they were hoping." He paused as an idea occurred to him. "There's a cafeteria downstairs; why don't you and Gus head down there for some lunch? The inauguration festivities won't start until almost dinner time, so you might get pretty hungry before then."

"I'll take them down there, if that's okay" Kathy volunteered as she peered over at Brian.

Her grandson stooped down to talk to Gus as he asked, "Are you hungry, Sonny Boy?" Just as he expected, his son nodded his head vigorously. He smiled as he stood back up. "I'd appreciate that, Kathy," he told her as she nodded back at him with a smile.

"I'll have one of the guards outside escort you down there and show you where it is," Fin told her as he led her, Alex, and Gus over to the door and opened it. After a few moments, he headed back over to join the other men. "Where are your friends?" he asked Brian and Justin. "They did get their invitations, didn't they?"

Justin nodded. "Yes, they were really excited to be sitting up in the podium area with you," he informed him with a smile. "I got a text from Debbie, and she said they were already out there. Said it was - in her words - 'fucking freezing' out there, too."

Tony grinned. "Well, don't expect the Governor-Elect to wear a hat. Heaven forbid; we wouldn't want to get that perfect hair mussed up."

Justin laughed. "Oh, my God. That sounds so much like someone else I know." He peered meaningfully over at Brian, who huffed in indignation. "Don't try to deny it," he told him as he turned to Tony to explain, "He hates to wear hats, no matter how cold it is. Says only dweebs and little old men wear them."

"You know how long it takes me to get my hair looking just right," Brian replied in his defense, evoking a laugh from Tony this time.

"Oh, my God is right," he said with a grin. "They'd better not schedule any early-morning press conferences for the new Governor; it takes Fin forever to preen in the morning, too."

"I do not preen," Fin remarked. "I just like to look polished, that's all."

Tony grinned over at Sean, who seemed to silently be enjoying the exchange. "Any more polished and Fin would resemble one of those mannequins at Armani."

Fin snorted. "How did this conversation turn to my grooming habits?" He looked over at his son, who merely shrugged, before he shook his head. "I give up. I know I won't win this battle. But I'm STILL not wearing a hat to my inauguration."

"Suit yourself," Tony told him. "But when your ears get frostbitten, don't come running to me. And don't expect to get in bed before your feet are warmed up, either." He shuddered. "I hate cold feet!"

The others tittered in response as Fin commented, "I think I need some coffee. Anyone else?" he asked. Tony nodded eagerly as Fin rolled his eyes and shook his head. He had expected that response from Tony - his partner was a voracious coffee drinker all day long; Fin often kidded him about how he could drink all that caffeine and still be able to sleep at night. Of course, his partner would banter back that it was due to his penchant for wearing him out before they went to bed, so perhaps it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

"Sounds good," Justin told him. "Is there any cappuccino?" he asked as Fin walked over to a coffee station set up in a corner of the room.

Brian guffawed. "This isn't Starbucks, Sunshine," he told his husband as Justin glared over at him in mock irritation. "But all is not lost," he soothed him as he joined his father. "They have liquid cappuccino creamer."

Justin beamed at him as Brian fixed him a cup before walking over to hand it to him, fixed exactly the way he liked it: two small cups of liquid creamer, and one teaspoon of sugar. "Ahhh," he murmured in appreciation as he took a large sip. Brian shook his head in amusement. "Sean?"

His grandfather shook his head. "No, thanks; already had my limit at breakfast."

Brian nodded as he fixed himself a cup, feeling his father's eyes on him as he did the same. He heard Fin clear his throat then as he peered questioningly over at him.

"Uh, Brian?'

His son arched one eyebrow silently in response.

Fin smiled at him nervously; he and Brian had grown a lot closer over the past several months - God knows they had endured a lot of ups and downs during the campaign - but he still found it a little uncomfortable baring his soul to him. Still, he knew it was important that he said what he felt he had to say. "I just wanted to tell you that I know I wouldn't be here today if it hadn't been for your help and expertise during my campaign."

Brian unexpectedly found his face warming over the unexpected gratitude. For once, he couldn't conjure up his normally glib self as he mumbled, "It wasn't me, Fin. The people voted for you. If you hadn't come across as sincere and forthright, and told them what they wanted to hear, they wouldn't have voted you in," he maintained.

Fin flashed a soft smile on his son. "Maybe," he conceded. "But the words I spoke oftentimes came from your talent in advertising. Sometimes it's not the words you say, but the way you say them. And for that, I owe you a big thank you." He paused before adding, "You know...if it wasn't for the fact that you were so dedicated to Kinnetik, I would have snatched you up immediately as my chief of staff."

Brian smiled at him. "That would have been a tempting offer," he told him sincerely.

"I could still make it happen," Fin told him hopefully. But to his disappointment - and also his expectation - his son shook his head.

"I am very flattered, Fin. But I'm still trying to increase my market share with my company. And I won't stop until I'm the biggest ad agency in the state - and the Mid-Atlantic, too. I have big plans for my company. Besides, I don't think Kirk would appreciate being ousted from his position before he even starts."

Fin grinned. "No, probably not." His speechwriter from the campaign had been rewarded for his loyalty and hard work by being appointed as Fin's right-hand man. He was certainly worthy of the honor, but Fin would have dearly loved to have had his son by his side even more. He had suspected, however, that Brian would not agree to it. He supposed he couldn't fault him for his drive and determination to succeed; after all, he had much the same disposition. Perhaps that was why his son was much the same way; at least, he liked to think so. He nodded. "Well, it was worth a try, at least," he told him as Brian nodded. "But I fully expect you and Justin to come and visit Tony and me frequently. That house is even bigger than yours."

Brian smiled. "We'll make a point of it," he promised him as Fin nodded, pleased. He and Brian had worked hard to nurture their father-son relationship; the last thing he wanted was to jeopardize what they had accomplished so far.

"Good," he told him as the two headed back toward the others.


Thirty Minutes Later - 1:25 p.m.

The group - now whole again with Kathy, Alex, and Gus having returned from the cafeteria - waited rather impatiently as they sat on couches in a 'conversation area' of the spacious room, Tony occasionally sneaking glances over at his partner, who was moving his lips as he silently rehearsed his inauguration speech; his first speech as the new Governor. He knew Fin was full of nervous energy, although to the casual observer that would not be apparent. But the slight crease in his brow, and the way he kept one hand tightly gripping the arm of the couch, told Tony a different story. He discreetly reached over to cover Fin's hand with his as his partner peered over at him in reaction. He smiled softly at Tony in gratitude, and was about to return to his speech when the door opened and Don Meyers appeared in the doorway. Several security personnel, and other members of Fin's newly appointed staff - some chosen from the campaign trail, and some from his Senate days - were grouped around Fin's old college friend; a buzz of excitement filled the air as Don confirmed, "It's time, Fin. The chief justice is out at the podium for the swearing-in ceremony, and ready for you."

Fin nodded, inhaling a deep breath to calm himself before letting it out. "This is it," he told his family and friends gathered around him. Folding up the copy of his speech into his suit jacket, he rose to his feet and smiled at his partner. "Let's do this, Counselor," he simply said as Tony nodded back at him, accepting the hand extended out toward him as Fin pulled him to his feet.

The small entourage headed out the door and were immediately surrounded by security forces, members of Congress, and a few other nameless dignitaries. Fortunately, the press had been relegated to a media area near the podium, and could not enter the capitol building during the festivities; a fact for which both Tony and Fin were enormously grateful. The only person at the moment who was permitted to take photographs was Fin's official photographer, Brad Mason, a man who had worked alongside him for several years as a media consultant, and whom he trusted implicitly.

"Fin, look this way," Brad called over to him as he paused long enough for Brad to get a photo of him. Everything now - the crowds, the security guards, and the official gubernatorial photographer recording the day for posterity - further demonstrated that this wasn't all a dream; it was real. He was finally about to accomplish one of his most cherished goals. It was almost too much to absorb. But as he felt Tony's hand slide into his, and turned to peer into his smiling face - the pride clearly radiating there - he knew it was real. Squeezing Tony's hand briefly in reaction before letting it go, he followed behind Don as they walked through the impressive rotunda, heading toward a door that would lead to the outside steps of the capitol building. From there, it would be a few dozen steps over to the podium, where he would make his first speech as Governor after being sworn in.

Don held the door open as they arrived, Fin shivering in reaction to the brisk wind that blew in from the outside. January in Pennsylvania was typically cold, but the strong gust of wind seemed to lower the temperature instantly by several degrees. For just a moment, Fin wished that he hadn't been so stubborn about wearing a hat, but it was too late now.

As if by some cue that Fin wasn't privy to, as soon as he emerged outside a band began to play the familiar strands of the Pennsylvania state song in a lively tempo; a song not too different than the ones heard at college football games. But today, the stakes were much higher, and as Fin appeared in front of the crowd gathered all around him - along with his friends and family following behind - a thunderous cheer erupted, along with applause and whistles of approval. He looked down upon the thousands of people congregated there, waiting to see him and hear him speak, and he briefly wondered if this was how it might feel when the pope comes out on his balcony at the Vatican to address his followers. He noticed a sea of rainbow-colored flags, along with several Pennsylvania state flags, waving vigorously back and forth in the crowd as he strode over to the podium; the whole experience was at once both exhilarating as well as overwhelming.

Spotting the Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, William Jamison, he reached to shake his hand. "Ready, Sir?" the tall, distinguished statesman asked Fin.

His heart thumping in his chest, he nodded. "I'm ready," he told him firmly, even though his stomach felt like it was doing somersaults. He glanced over at Tony, who was sitting very close to the podium, next to Brian and Justin; he recognized several others seated nearby, also: Justin's mother, Jennifer, and some of his and Brian's friends from Pittsburgh - Debbie, Carl, Emmett, Ben Bruckner and Debbie's son, Michael, Ted - Brian's accountant - as well as several of his own colleagues from the Senate and the House. They all helped to calm him as he turned to face the Chief Justice in front of the microphone.

"Please raise your right hand, and repeat after me," the long-time Justice intoned as his robes whipped around his body. Fin could feel the brisk, January wind lifting the hem of his charcoal-gray suit jacket, but his eyes were fixed on the man staring back at him as he began to recite the oath that would dramatically change his life:

"I do solemnly swear..."

Fin licked his lips to wet them as his voice clearly echoed through the microphone: "I do solemnly swear..."

"...that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States..."

"...that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States," Fin repeated, his hand slightly trembling as the entire crowd fell quiet.

"...and the Constitution of the Commonwealth..."

"...and the Constitution of the Commonwealth..." Fin replied clearly, a solemn look on his face.

"...and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity," the justice concluded.

Fin recited the final part with a clear voice. "...and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity," he concluded.

The Chief Justice nodded with a smile then. "Congratulations, Mr. Governor," he replied as he shook hands with Fin. Fin smiled back at him and nodded in gratitude as the band nearby once more struck up the state song; as the lively tune continued to play, he turned to face the crowd for the first time as Governor as they went wild with approval, clapping and shouting their approval, the multi-colored rainbow flags and royal blue state flags waving back and forth in the stiff breeze like a giant, undulating wave.

Fin stole another glance at Tony seated a few feet away; he beamed at him encouragingly. The two of them locked gazes for a few moments before Fin turned back to his audience below. The band finished playing then, but it would be several minutes before the crowd noise died down enough to enable him to speak.

Gripping the sides of the podium, Fin shivered slightly as a gust of wind blew through his hair, effectively tousling it even more than a hat would have done. No matter, though; he was only mindful of the thousands of pairs of eyes staring at him as he began to speak, his voice echoing slightly in the microphone. "Esteemed members of Congress and the Supreme Court, family and friends, and most of all, my fellow citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania..." he began in a clear and surprisingly calm voice; at least, it sounded that way to everyone. Inside, Fin's stomach was still tied up in knots. "I first want to thank all of you who supported me during my campaign. If it weren't for you, I would not be standing up here today, ready to willingly accept the challenges I know we will be facing for the next four years. They are challenges, however, that I am prepared to battle, both with resolve and with the knowledge that this commonwealth consists of some of the most dedicated, hard-working, and innovative people I have had the privilege to meet." A roar of approval rose in response to his statement and more flag waving, causing Fin to pause for several seconds before it died down enough again for him to continue.

He smiled slightly in reaction as he spoke again. "It wasn't an easy journey," he told them. "It was arduous and full of conflict. Conflict predicated upon prejudice and bigotry - bigotry often grounded in plain, simple ignorance." He took a breath. "But I do not want to dwell on this today. What I want to concentrate on is mending whatever rift that was created, and working with all the members of Congress to develop a rapport in both houses that will create and nurture productive and innovative changes for our Commonwealth; changes that will lead to prosperity and lasting success for years to come." Again, the crowd erupted in approval as they clapped and shouted in response; Fin shivered a little harder as he waited, feeling like the temperature had actually dropped a few degrees since he had begun speaking. He began to wish he had cast his vanity aside, and had opted for a hat after all. Thank goodness my speech is relatively short, he couldn't help thinking. He couldn't wait to get back inside where it was warm.

"I am not naïve," he continued. "I am not saying the road ahead will be easy, or without struggles or occasional setbacks. Our commonwealth has experienced dramatic changes in the past several years due to outsourcing of manufacturing jobs, and foreign competition. We must be ever vigilant to further changes ahead. But I am confident that with your support - and with good, old-fashioned Pennsylvanian know-how and ingenuity - we WILL triumph over any obstacles that we encounter, and we will emerge even stronger and with even more determination. We WILL continue to be a force to be reckoned with, and I am excited about the future. I am excited to be leading this great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and looking forward to working with you and the members of Congress. You will remember my campaign slogan: Ignite the Change. That is exactly what I want to do. And I will do it - with your help."

Again, the crowd shouted its approval and waved their flags; someone set off an air horn, then, piercing the air. Fin shivered even a little more this time; so much so that it was noticeable to everyone seated nearby, including his partner.

Justin looked up in surprise from his seat next to Tony as his friend took off his gloves and quietly stood up to walk over to the podium, discreetly standing behind Fin's taller frame as he slid one hand under his suit jacket to silently rub his back, his warm touch instantly both calming Fin's rapidly beating heart and helping to warm him up. Fin wanted badly to turn around and smile at Tony in gratitude, but instead he continued his speech as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And in a way, it was.

"I won't kid you. Nothing will be easy. As the saying goes, nothing worth doing ever is. We need innovation to sustain ourselves in today's economy. We need to find new ways of doing things, and the willingness and fortitude to accept and embrace new technology. This is not the same world your grandparents, or even your parents experienced. It is up to us to make the changes necessary to keep pace with the rest of the world and to achieve our goals and continue to succeed. But I am confident that with your support, we WILL make those changes happen. We WILL come out on top, and we WILL once more take the lead as we have always done in the past. So in conclusion, thank you for giving me the opportunity to take this journey with you, and thank you for this honor of leading the greatest commonwealth in the United States!"

As Fin waved and smiled down at the sea of people smiling back at him, clapping and furiously waving their multi-colored and state flags in support, he found himself tearing up with emotion. To go from where they had started - with all the drama, all the subterfuge from his opponents, and all the treachery - to be standing here, able to see and almost feel the outpouring of support; it was almost too much.

The band struck up a celebratory song as Fin turned around to leave the podium, immediately locking eyes with his partner as he impetuously swept him up into a tight embrace, unmindful and uncaring of whoever might not approve. "Tony," he whispered in his partner's ear as they remained together for several seconds. "We did it."

He pulled back then as Don Meyers approached him, reluctantly releasing a teary-eyed Tony from his grasp as his friend and security chief led him over to the people who had been sitting behind him during his speech and were now standing up to greet and congratulate the new governor. He walked a few steps over to them, needing to stop frequently to shake several hands and express his thanks for their support, before he paused when he reached his son and Justin.

Father and son stared at each other for several seconds until Brian extended his hand out to him. "Congratulations, Fin," he told him sincerely. He was a little surprised to feel the pride that bubbled up inside of him as he waited for his father to reciprocate - only to be unexpectedly swept up into an impromptu bear hug. He rather awkwardly patted his father's back for a few seconds - the official gubernatorial photographer capturing a photo of the moment - before Fin let go of him to peer at his son with an intense look on his face, "Thank you, Brian," he murmured a little awkwardly, having to speak a little more loudly in order to be heard. This 'father' business was still so new to him, and there wasn't any guide book to follow. "For everything."

Brian, too, appeared a little uncomfortable as he nodded back at him. "It's been a hell of a ride."

"It sure has been," Fin agreed. "And it's just beginning." He smiled softly back at him with a nod - the burgeoning, well-wishing crowd temporarily pushed to the background - as he reached out then to warmly clasp the hand of the man standing beside his son - the person who had been instrumental in bringing the two of them together; he would be forever grateful to his son-in-law for that.

Justin smiled. "Congratulations, Mr. Governor," he told him as they shook hands.

Fin groaned as Tony snickered beside him. "Not you, too," he chided him. "Fin will do just fine, Justin." His son-in-law nodded as they broke off their greeting. He shivered as a gust of wind suddenly blew, his hair flying off in several different directions. "Great," he groaned as he heard a camera shutter nearby; he glanced over to observe a member of the press snapping his photo. "As soon as THAT picture shows up in the paper, all the hat manufacturers in the state will either hate me - or be saying I told you so behind my back."

The small group chuckled as Don informed Fin that it was time to go; he was scheduled to meet in an hour with a well-known, female network newscaster for his first interview as Governor. Later in the afternoon there would be time to relax, celebrate, and enjoy his new role with his partner, friends, and family before the official festivities began in the evening. He reached over to squeeze Tony's shoulder as he told him, "I'll see you later."

Tony nodded with a smile as he watched Fin leave, suddenly feeling a little awkward in his new position as the Governor's 'gay partner.' He knew he, too, would be under a microscope now, and he would have to get used to living in an unfamiliar, if not imposing new residence. He realized that the actual living quarters for him and Fin would be more comfortable and less formal than the rooms the public or important visitors would see down on the main floor, but it still made him a little anxious. Even with the mementos and furnishings from their own home, he was still going to miss the intimacy and privacy he and Fin had found there. Despite his anxiety, though, he couldn't imagine not being by Fin's side for the next four years. Straightening his shoulders in determination, he felt someone grasping his upper arm as he turned to see Justin standing next to him.

Blue eyes bored into his as Justin asked softly, "You okay?"

Tony nodded. "Yeah," he told him with a half-smile, trying to reassure his friend. "It's just so...awkward in a way," he finally admitted. "All this hype and attention, and Fin being such an important person now. Going to take some getting used to, I guess."

Justin nodded as the rest of their friends and family approached them. "I can imagine," he told him sympathetically. He smiled then in reassurance. "But you know nothing will change between you and Fin. And don't plan on getting rid of Brian and me, either; we plan on coming to visit as often as we can."

Tony smiled in relief. "I'm counting on that," he told him. "Speaking of which, you two ARE planning on staying the night after the celebration later, aren't you?"

Justin laughed softly as he glanced over at Brian, who had hoisted Gus up into his arms to keep a better eye on him; the little boy was enamored of all the noise and excitement occurring all around them, and with the crowd now slowly filtering out of the main viewing area, he wanted to make sure Gus was closely watched. "Definitely. We already staked out our room before, remember? In fact, Brian wants a plaque installed on the door after Fin leaves office, designating it as the room we used during his tenure."

Tony chuckled. "I'll see what I can do," he told him. "Ready to get out of here and grab some lunch back at our new, humble abode? I know I am." Fin had arranged for the mansion's cook and his staff to prepare a lunch for his family and friends back at the governor's residence, promising to join them as soon as he could.

"Me, too," Justin told him with a grin. "Let me tell the others we're leaving; they're all eager to see your modest, little cottage, too, you know," he teased him. A few minutes later, the group was heading toward their cars and on their way back to what would be Fin and Tony's residence for the foreseeable future.