Chapter 25
It was nearly 55 degrees out as she stood before the masses. The sun shining on what skiers would call "a beautiful bluebird day." For the third and final time, the Chief Justice administered the oath of office to her. For the second time, Henry held his family's Bible.
She cleared her throat at the podium and turned back to her family, her brother, Henry's siblings, Conrad, Lydia, Isabelle, Jay, Daisy. Beyond them, she saw the Rasmussen's, Aiden and the twins, Becky, her college roommate and her family.
She turned back to the crowd.
"I turned my back to you for just a minute to acknowledge the ties that bind my world together. My husband. My children. My family. My friends which includes the Vice President, his beautiful family and my staff. Looking out before me, all of you. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to stand here in front of all of you, who supported me the last four years and came here today to support me and our efforts to keep our country moving forward. Wow…there's a lot of you."
Cheers and laughter from the crowd as Elizabeth made a face.
"2025 looks a lot different than when we were last here in 2021. As we head into the next quarter century we have learned to come together and make the world a better place.
Climate change is still an existential threat. In the next year, we will work together in solidarity with other nations with a strong commitment to lower carbon emissions, bolder recycling efforts and investments in green initiatives. Investing in water sanitation systems across the globe to provide clean water for all children and families. No child should have to walk to provide water for their family over walking to school. Providing water sanitation systems in communities around the globe will allow children to focus on education and prevent migration.
My commitment to diplomacy to work with nations in keeping all children in their homes, schools and communities will be a priority.
These are monumental tasks but ones we can overcome as we continue to work together.
First Lady Abigail Adams, who as a child self-taught herself on a small wooden desk at home, once wrote, "Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence."
In my next term, I am committed to a more equitable education system for all students. Some may call it 'Education Reform', I prefer to call it just 'Education.'
We need to continually attend to education and consistently transform curriculum that befits not only the times we are in but reflects the future that awaits all students.
We have heard from not only our teachers but our students as well that the current way is not working. A system that is riddled with curriculums and assessments that cripple learning with mental health anxieties.
I am committed to working with our Secretary of Education and Congress to enhance our literacy and math programs to a level that allows every child to reach their full potential. Restoring our social studies and civics programs that tell the true history of America."
Cheers from the crowd both in front of her and behind her.
"Quality education must extend beyond America. The strength and stability that education allows should be available to all students both male and female on every land. The bright futures of our children depends on the foundations we build in lower and middle income countries. We must end the cycle of dependency and work together to educate their children to fulfill their dreams, which are no different from our children's. To educate all, is to leave a future bright and successful for all children and grandchildren."
She spoke for another half hour. Almost two hours later after the Congressional luncheon, they made their way down Pennsylvania and Elizabeth was as anxious as ever to get into the White House and see Alison. The cameras were on the whole family as Henry gripped her hand, "Babe, walk a little slower," he whispered to her.
"I can't. First, I am dying to see Allie. Second, the temperature dropped and I am now freezing!" she complained back to him.
"Do you want to get back in the car?" he asked. They didn't have that much further to walk.
"No, it'll be a whole thing like the rest of our lives," she said.
They passed the cameras and waved while stepping onto the viewing stand where the rest of their family waited for them to watch the parade. Once the parade ended, the motorcade brought her to the residence door.
She rushed through the residence and went straight to Allie's room. She was sound asleep on her bed. Hope laying on the floor beside her. Elizabeth reached down and brushed aside the one piece of hair that always fell over her face. Elizabeth pulled the blanket up over her and walked out, Hope followed her.
She had business to attend to downstairs. So, she headed out to do that. Henry was already down in his office.
She stepped in through the private doorway and was greeted by a stack of papers on her desk. Hope jumped up on the couch while she headed behind the desk. She kicked off her heels and got to work reading and signing.
Blake came in with Jay not far behind him. He was carrying a hot cup of coffee. Without looking up she said, "there's a lot less fanfare the second time around."
"Oh, I think there was plenty outside, Ma'am," Jay commented.
She dropped the pen and looked at both of them, "I meant back in here. It's like it is just another day at work," placing her hand on the pile of paperwork.
A knock came at the private doorway, Elizabeth said "Come in," quietly as she knew that knock.
Allie poked her head in. She was still in sweats. "Hey Mom."
Jay and Blake stepped out as Elizabeth strode around her desk to hug her.
"Oh baby, come here. I am so sorry I couldn't go to the hospital," she hugged her a little tighter.
"Honestly, it's okay," they made their way to the couch. The one that had them facing the main door, which was left open.
"How are you feeling?" Elizabeth asked planting a kiss on her head.
"Better. Still a little sad but better overall," Allie looked down at her hands.
"I know it's hard. I have been there, too," she tucked Allie into her side and glanced over her head. Blake was busy at his desk and not paying attention for once.
"Yes, but the difference is, you wanted those babies from the beginning," Allie said quietly. "For me, I had to come around to the idea."
"Oh baby," Elizabeth hugged her tighter as there were no words.
Blake got up and closed the door without saying a word. Elizabeth thought, "Of course, he was paying attention."
"Allie, listen, it doesn't matter whether the pregnancy was a surprise or not. All mothers love their babies. You are no different. The grief from this is still just as painful." Elizabeth looked down and Allie met her gaze.
"Thanks, Mom," she snuggled back into her.
Blake knocked lightly on the door and opened the door bringing Allie a cup of tea.
"Thanks, Blake," she said.
"No problem. We just want you to feel better. That has some herbs in there that should help you," he smiled slightly.
"Okay, when did Stevie call you? There's no way you knew that on your own?" Elizabeth questioned him while Allie giggled.
He skirted the question and simply said, "I will make sure the two of you can have some time alone."
"Thank you," she said quietly.
Elizabeth was holding her while she had her coffee and Allie drank her tea.
A few minutes passed, when Allie said to her, "I don't think things are going to work out with Michael."
Elizabeth's eyes opened wide as she looked up at nothing, "Why would you say that?"
"I know he is in love with me. But, Mom, the feeling is just not mutual," she sighed.
Elizabeth simply said, "Just give everything some time. Right now, you probably need each other."
Nothing else was said between them.
Henry came through the office almost an hour later.
"They fell asleep about an hour ago. I put a blanket on each of them and closed the door." Blake made a face and said shyly, "I didn't have the heart to wake them and send them upstairs."
"It's okay. I got it. As always, thanks Blake." Henry grinned at him. There was nobody else in the administration that took as good care of his wife and family than Blake.
Henry opened the door quietly and peered in. He smiled at the sight before him. One he had seen many times with these two, often when Allie was sick. She was the ultimate Momma's girl. The one to always greet her first when Elizabeth returned home. She sought out her mother for almost every decision despite her running her business the same way her mother ran the world. She would linger longer in her mother's arms than the others. In relationships, she had a similar fear of commitment that her mother had when they met. Something that needed to be addressed.
But for now, the vision of Elizabeth's head resting on Allie's. Both of them covered in navy blankets and sound asleep, warmed his heart.
He walked to them and leaned down to kiss Elizabeth on the head. She stirred a little bit. Then, realizing where she was she jumped a little.
"Shh, babe. She is still asleep." Elizabeth moved her arm as Allie stirred a bit. But, then settled back into her.
"How long were we asleep?" she whispered.
"Blake said about an hour. It's almost 4," he smiled at her as he sat on the coffee table across from her.
"Oh God, I have paperwork that needs to be done before dinner," she said, looking over at her desk and Hope asleep on the floor. "Wow. Even Hope didn't wake when you came in. We have been missing out on sleep."
He laughed, "Wake her and we can head upstairs and let you finish."
She leaned into her, "Noodle, c'mon baby. You need to wake up."
She slowly rose and rubbed her eyes, her hair a bit of a mess. "What time is it?"
Henry answered, "Four. C'mon we're going to head upstairs and let Mom finish her work while dinner gets put on the table." He held a hand out to his daughter to help her stand up and then to Elizabeth. He kissed Elizabeth's check and they left the office.