Hi y'all, Happy Easter Weekend! Here is another chapter for you. As always, I appreciate the reviews for the last chapter. I'm sorry for the almost two week delay for a new chapter; I am a perfectionist and I had to be sure that it was right before I posted it. I hope it was worth the wait. Enjoy Chapter 100!
"I feel the need to do this, because I am a white man, and I want to use the power that I hold as President of the United States, to do something that needs to be done. There is no reason that African Americans should not be able to get reparations. Survivors of the Holocaust were given reparations and Japanese Americans were given compensation for the suffering they endured in the aftermath of World War II."
I took a breath. I could feel my adrenaline pumping, there was a fire in me that I wanted the public to feel and see from me. I could feel that I was going to ad-lib, to go off script. I wanted the American public to know that I was not going to miss an opportunity to get this message across and I was going to do everything in my power to do something about it.
"Why is it that people in these particular communities have gotten compensation for the wrongs that were committed against them but the United States has not done anything about the wrongs committed against the African American community? The obvious answer to that question, is that the United States feels no contrition for their part in what happened to the African American community. To put it simply, domestic terrorism is a large part of the injustices that this community has has suffered. Think about it, being mistreated because of nothing but the color of your skin. You are vilified because of something you have no control over. There is no wonder why African Americans are leery, at best of white people. They are given no good reason to trust white people. Look at the history of what white people have done and are still doing to African Americans. This country is steeped in racism and mistreatment of people who are not white, but especially African Americans. As I just mentioned, I am making it my mission of my administration to have a sweeping, meaningful agenda that is beneficial to the African American community, and reparations is just the start of this agenda that I am going to put into action. I would like to think of myself as a man of principle and integrity. I don't think I would be able to live with myself, if I didn't do something to make the lives of my constituents easier and aspirational of what life in the United States should be like. The road to a more perfect union starts now."
Fitz was still in the midst of his address. I walked the length of the hall that led to the East Room. I stood there behind the doors to the East Room, with my hand over my nearly 11 week baby belly. Even though I am carrying twins, I wasn't showing at all yet. I don't look pregnant yet; let alone pregnant with two babies. As I continued to hear Fitz speak, it was as if his voice was over a loudspeaker, it was that powerful. I could feel my heart bloom with pride.
I know that I am not at the point of where I could feel kicking yet, but when I closed my eyes and heard the words that Fitz spoke, I could almost tell that there was a slight flutter or a little kick. It was almost like the babies could recognize their daddy's voice. But it was my imagination, it was too soon for that. But I could only imagine that if I was at that point in my pregnancy, I could definitely know that it would happen. I could imagine the babies bouncing around excited to hear my voice or the voice of their daddy.
I walked around the length of the hall and started humming 'Lift Every Voice And Sing'. This song is commonly known as The Black National Anthem. I learned the whole song when I visited my parents in Houston. Mama taught it to me. Before going to Houston, my knowledge of the song did not go beyond the first part of it.
I think the song was in the back of my mind subconsciously, especially after reading the address Fitz had written and hearing him say the words, brought it to the forefront of my mind.
Fitz and I walked hand in hand, on our way back to the Residence. The moment we walked in, Fitz immediately swept me up in his arms, and spun me around. In that moment the only way I could describe us was that we are giddy with happiness. This moment that we were having right now, was reminiscent of election night during the first campaign at the Westmont Hotel.
"We did it, Livvie," he said as his lips descended on mine in a kiss. I could feel myself smile as he kissed me. Fitz kissed me again, and inhaled my scent as he buried his face in my neck.
"What is it with you, using we? This was all you. I had nothing to do with this," I heard Livvie say, as I watched her take her earrings out and wind down for the night. I unzipped her dress for her so she could get out of it. Now she was in a silk robe, hanging the dress back up in the closet. "That is where you're wrong, Liv. You are my inspiration. You are always in my thoughts. I want to do right by you. I want to do right by our children. So you are a big part in why I am pursuing an aggressive agenda like this."
What did you think of this chapter? What do you hope happens next? I think James' exclusive interview with Fitz and Liv is going to be the next chapter. Don't worry, you won't have to wait two weeks for the next chapter. Have a wonderful rest of your weekend! Until next time...Taylor
