Chapter 13

Back in Washington, Leo and the rest of the staff gathered around the TVs in the Oval Office to watch the event. Leo had kept in touch with the girls. Zoey was coming from Georgetown to be with the gathered staff. Liz and Ellie would watch the landing from their locations.

"When was the last time you talked to my father?"

Leo turned to see how Zoey was taking all of this tension. He walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. "It's been a couple of hours. They had engine trouble and were going to have to fly through a storm. But the Service says that everybody is fine. And Zoey, it will continue to be fine. You have to believe."

Zoey turned to him, trying not to cry. "I'm praying, Uncle Leo."

"Me too, kidoo. Me too."

With Air Force One coming in without landing gears, every piece of emergency equipment that the Air Force had at Hickam was strategically placed on the longest runway. Multiple ambulances had been requested from the city of Honolulu to stand-by in case of injuries. The base hospital had been placed on emergency status and extra personnel called in.

Foam was being spread across the runway to slow the plane down and hopefully prevent any fires from breaking out.

TV crews had placed their equipment to capture the best possible angle. All the channels would carry this landing live. There had never been a bigger story concerning the Presidency. Ninety-two people were aboard. But the world was watching for only two.

All eyes, electronic and human, searched the sky to see Air Force One. The low light of the early morning prevented seeing very far.

Everyone held their breath as the shout rang out. "There it is!"

A quick look to the west showed the injured angel coming in for the landing.

Luck had finally returned. The back landing gears were visible under the aircraft. But no one knew if they were locked. Two chase planes veered off, leaving the plane alone in the sky.

The crowd was quiet as the plane began its final approach.

Aboard the plane, the crew told the passengers to get in crash position.

In the President's office, Ron checked seat belts for the last time.

"Take off your glasses and bend your head into the pillow on your lap. And remember, when we land, follow my directions immediately. No hesitation whatsoever."

All the occupants of the office nodded their understanding of Ron's instructions.

Jed and Abbey held each other's hands tightly. No words could express the love and support that was passing through those hands at that very moment. They only hoped that they would see their children again. But if they had to die, at least it would be together. It was a chance that many couples rarely got.

Jed and Abbey looked at each other for the last time, squeezed each other's hand, and bent forward.

What Ron didn't have to tell them was to pray.

Every occupant on the plane said their own prayers to their own Higher Being.

Ninety-two people saying their own goodbyes.

Ninety-two people praying for a miracle.

And the world was praying right along with them.

TBC