Chapter 30 – Will

The beeping, the voice of his nurse, his hands working to dislodge a bullet that had been sitting in the legs of this soldier for more than 48 hours now. If you asked Will, far too long to go untreated. The infection had already begun to settle in. He was frustrated. This guy and his buddy were screwing around with their guns and one went off. They tried to cover it up by faking the soldier was sick to his commanding officer.

The bullet lodged in diagonally and was part way into the bone. The surgery was already 45 minutes in and he still couldn't dislodge it.

"Ugh! He exclaimed as he tried to pull it out in an effort to save the soldier's leg but the infection made it slippery and he couldn't get the right grip.

He said to his assistant, "One more try and then, may have to take the leg. He can't walk like this. Hand me the bigger clamp and forceps with the grip."

"Will, you are not going to do that?!" the assistant exclaimed. He was half asking, half stating.

"I'm feeling strong today. My daughter stayed with my sister all weekend and I got plenty of sleep!"

He put the clamp over the bone. And gripped the bullet tightly with forceps. He turned himself up almost onto the operating table and yanked on the bullet one last time. The bullet let go and the blood followed. The nurse jumped in and started packing the wound.

The bullet went into a pan on the side. Will was covered in blood. But, he went right back to work, resetting the leg back in place. He stitched the wound and pressurized the wound area.

"All in a morning's work, my friends!" as he walked out of the operating room. "Taking the rest of the day off. Having lunch with the President."

Elizabeth was sitting at her desk going over paperwork when she looked at her watch. "1:30? Where the hell is he?"

She got up and swung her office door open to ask Blake, when she almost ran right into Will.

"It's about time you got here," she snapped at him.

"Oh you're hangry. Are we eating here or upstairs?" he walked in and was looking around.

"Here. I've got to get this paperwork done for the G7. What are you looking for?" she asked him, rolling her eyes.

"My favorite niece. Where's Hope?" he laughed when he saw the look on her face.

"She's in Henry's office but he should be here soon for lunch." Elizabeth answered not looking up from her paperwork.

With that, Hope came bounding in and jumped up on Will.

Elizabeth looked up and mumbled, "At least, everyone's timing is on point today."

Hope made her way over to Elizabeth. She petted her behind the ears and said to Will, "you need to not let her jump on you."

Will ignored his sister and turned to greet Henry.

Sandwiches were brought in for lunch. As always, Elizabeth and Will had sharesies. Henry was amazed that after all these years, they shut him out and always shared their food but never with him.

Elizabeth was so skilled in addressing matters with her brother.

"Are you coming to the State Dinner this weekend? It's a big one. The kids will all be here."

"Doesn't Blake tell you anything. Yes, I will be there. It's a plus two not plus one. "

Henry raised his eyebrows and said, "That's great man. Who is the lucky lady?"

Elizabeth put her sandwich down and stopped eating. Taking a drink of her water, she stared at her brother.

"A little soon," she said quietly.

Henry turned and looked at her. Will put his lunch down and said, "And here we go. Can you just for once be happy for me and not criticize?"

She stood up and made her way to the front of her desk.

"Annie is still recovering from losing her mother. She is scared to death to be out in public. She literally hid behind Matt, my detail this weekend when we were in a crowd. She needs time, Will. Not you bringing a stranger into her life."

Henry gave her a look that told her to stop.

Will began, "She is not a stranger. She teaches yoga at my gym. I met her there. Annie has met her there when she has gone with me to run on the treadmill. She enjoys Melanie. They actually get along very well."

"Did you really have to work last night and early this morning?" Elizabeth persisted despite Henry eyeing her. 'Wait, don't answer that. I don't want to know."

In a rare moment of counteracting against his wife, Henry said, "Well, I am happy for you and look forward to meeting her this weekend."

Elizabeth stared him down. "Well, look at that, I have to get to a meeting," Henry stood and whistled for Hope to join him.

As they walked out, she turned to Will and said, "I need to talk to you about Annie. Has she mentioned to the therapist about being afraid of crowds?"

"She has. They are working on it. I know it is an issue when she is with you." Will said as they sat back down to eat.

"Well, Daisy and I came up with a plan. If she travels with me, which she loves doing by the way, she will just hang back with Daisy or a staff member when I am in a crowd."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Positive. I love having her with me and she loves hotels."

They both laughed.

"Is she cute?" Elizabeth asked.

Will looked at her, "You never change. Of course, she is. But, more importantly she is nice. And not tied to your adversary."

She stopped chewing and gave him the side-eye.

"Anyways, I am excited for you to meet her. Oh what color are you wearing? Mel, doesn't want to wear the same color as you."

"Black, white, red, purple are all colors I am not allowed to wear. So, tell her those are always safe."

"Good to know." They finished lunch.

"You know the drill for Secret Service," she said to him.

"Already gave all of her info to Blake."

"Good, why don't you plan to meet us in the residence at 5:30? Don't make her meet me in public. It's already nerve-wracking enough."

They were on their way over to the White House in the detail car. It was easier for all of them to travel with Stevie and Dmitri in their SUV. Annie would not stop talking. She was very excited about her first state dinner. She pressed her hands down across her white dress with the blue ribbon wrapped around her waist and tied in the back. It was one of the dresses Allie made for her.

Will watched and listened to her. Stevie has shushed her twice already in an attempt to have a conversation with Melanie. Dmitri egged Annie on to talk more by asking her a million questions. Will laughed and could not believe this is where they were 8 months later. Life seemed to be taking a turn.

They pulled in and Melanie took a deep breath as Will took her hand. They were soulmates and they both knew it. Melanie looked out the window at the chaos going on as they pulled around to the residence entrance. It was the biggest State Dinner of Elizabeth's Presidency. Anybody who was anybody in this town, was at this dinner.

Annie raced ahead, anxious to see Michael, her favorite butler.

"Miss Annie, you are looking so pretty tonight. Where did you ever get such and adorable dress?" Michael winked at Stevie.

"Allie made it. Is she here?" she asked.

"She is. She is waiting for you upstairs. Wanna go?"

Annie nodded and ran onto the elevator.

When they got upstairs, Annie ran into the residence ahead of the others. Hope greeted her and she immediately told her "Hopey, no jumping. Everyone is dressed."

Allie and Liam came walking into the common area and Annie rushed to her arms. Allie told her how much she loved the dress on her.

Henry came out of the bedroom. "Look at you. Didn't you just have a soccer game," he looked at his watch. "three hours ago!"

Annie laughed, "I did and yes, I scored. Only once."

Henry greeted Melanie and introduced himself. Then, gave Will their customary brotherly hug.

Elizabeth came out of the room in a silver and navy gown that Allie had designed and brought down specifically for this event.

The dress almost looked like large diagonal stripes in the two colors. Her hair was pulled up in a simple but gorgeous up-do and her makeup was perfect. She had dewdrop sapphire earrings hanging from her ears.

Will looked at her thinking how proud their parents would be of her. Of them. The whole family.

Melanie stretched out her hand and said "Madam President, it is nice to meet you."

"Please call me Elizabeth." They shook hands.

Just then laughter came from down the hallway. They could hear Jay and Jason laughing. Jason most likely telling Jay some story of his college party escapades.

They both came into the residence laughing but stopped when they noticed everyone staring at them.

Jason greeted everyone as Jay told them they were ready for them down in the ballroom. Elizabeth and Henry lead the way with Annie just a few steps ahead of them.

Elizabeth said to her. "A little bit of surprise tonight. I thought you might get a little bored, so I invited a friend of yours over. Jack and his parents are here."

She turned and smiled broadly at her aunt. She truly thought she was the best person in her life.

Hours later, they walked out of the residence exhausted. Elizabeth said to them, "Melanie, I feel bad. State Dinners are not the best way to meet your boyfriend's family. What are your plans tomorrow? It's Sunday and I only have to spend a few hours in the office. Want to come back for family dinner?'

Will looked at her, "Sure, I think we can do that. Oh and thanks for the table seating with the Miller's. Great family."

Elizabeth winked at her brother, 'See you tomorrow."