"I have your schedule cleared still, Ma'am, everything with the college is ready to go." Blake's voice filtered up from the speaker where the phone laid in the bathroom counter. "All staff know to run everything through Nadine."

"Good, good. And you really don't mind coming along?"

"Not at all."

"Because I can't imagine hanging out with just Alison and I will be all that fun for you."

"Well, Henry told me he couldn't get off work. I'm just wrapping up some things at the office and then we'll be able to get on our way."

"Thanks, Blake. I really mean it. The past couple months have been… so crazy. I think I need this break as much as I need the time to just do this with Alison."

"I understand that."

"I know now why Mom and Dad like you so much." Stevie said from the couch. He gave her a curious look. The whole college trip so far had been surprisingly disastrous. She turned in her seat. Her mom was still arguing behind the closed bedroom door and Alison had retreated into her headphones. "I know the security guys look out for her, that's their job." She sighed. "Ever since that time at the State Department, that lockdown, I guess I've been a little more observant of all of her staff and security. Those guys… That confetti thing went off and their first response was neutralizing the threat. Before that it was to keep those kids at arm's length. They make a circle of space around her."

"Protocols dictate how far away they have to keep people depending on the crowd." He shared, poking around in the paper bag for more fries. "If she's out for a walk in DC, low threat, they are further away."

"They grabbed Ali and I. But you grabbed Mom."

"That's part of my job."

"Is it?" She studied him; Blake recognized the look from his boss. "Thank you, by the way. Ali was right earlier; she doesn't pay you enough." She smiled. "So far today you've memorized the entire tour schedule, anticipated breakfast and lunch… You stocked the fridge over there with all the right snacks."

"And?"

"And… I just hope you know we all appreciate what you do. We don't take it for granted."

"Thanks."

Blake opened the door to his room to see Matt, the DS agent, standing there, cheeks read from the cold. "Where have you been?" He stepped back to let the bigger man in.

"MSec and the girls decided to go sledding down that hill on cafeteria trays."

He couldn't help but laugh.