"Ma'am, I have the seating chart, dance partners and buffet menu for your review," Blake said. "And approval, I hope."

"Has Stevie approved it?"

"She said you were in charge of the reception."

"What about Russell? He insisted on paying half."

"Mr. Jackson defers to your judgment."

"Well, that serves me right but I won't complain since you're doing all the work. And this is for only thirty-six. How do people handle the logistics of a big wedding?"

"Very few of them include the president, first lady, chief justice of the supreme court, presidential advisors, cabinet members and the Chinese minister."

"Ming accepted! I heard he would be in DC that week but I didn't really expect him to stay for the weekend to attend."

"Oh, he's only flying in for the reception. When he heard about it he started a rumor that he would be in DC, hoping for an invitation."

"He could have just asked."

Blake shook his head. "Forbidden by Chinese culture."

"I'm glad he's sneaky enough to get around it. Okay, let's start with seating."

"The head table will be a large oval seating twelve: Stevie, Russell, you, Henry, the president, first lady, chief justice, Chen, Hill, Parker, Becker and Ware. There will be three round tables seating eight each. Your brother and sister-in-law, Henry's brother and sisters and brother-in-law, Mike B and Nadine are together as is your staff, Russell's staff and his sons."

"I don't see you with the rest of my staff."

Blake pointed to the next table. "I've made the ultimate sacrifice and will join the cousins' table."

"To make sure they behave?"

"Yes, ma'am. At least until the president, first lady, chief justice and Minister Chen depart which will be after the duty dances."

"Let's see the dance partners. Oh god, the duty dances will take forever. My feet will hurt before I can have fun."

"A string quartet will play during dinner and for the duty dances. Songs for the duty dances are abbreviated versions of instrumental music, only two minutes each. They'll finish with Hail to the Chief when the president and first lady depart. While the chief justice and Minister Chen are leaving, the string quartet will be replaced by a DJ. The rest of the evening will be considerably less formal."

"Blake, thank you. You're like R2-D2."

"No, I'm not."

"Oh, I get them confused. I meant the tall shiny one who knows etiquette and protocol."

"C-3PO."

"You are the C-3PO of the state department."

"And now I know what my Halloween costume will be this year."

"Do the invitations include wording for no gifts?"

"Yes, ma'am. A donation to a charity of their choice in lieu of a gift."

"Now we get to the good part: the buffet. It's real food, isn't it? I don't want tidbits too trendy to eat."

"It's not meatloaf and mashed potatoes but I believe we've achieved something tasteful and tasty. There will be four food stations: salads and breads, entrees and sides, fruit and cheese, and beverages."

Elizabeth scanned the menu. "Perfect. You had me at pan-seared salmon."

"I included it especially for you."

"Grilled chicken breasts?"

"Stevie's choice. This is not the typical rubber chicken. The marinade is – and I do not exaggerate – divine." Blake stared blissfully into space.

"Do you need a minute for a cigarette?"

"I'll make do with nicotine gum."

"What about the saucy tenderloin tips?"

"Dr. McCord's suggestion. He said Russell eats barbecue in secret."

"Henry never told me that. I wonder how he knows."

"Russell once asked Dr. McCord to meet him at Smokin' Al's for lunch. I believe the meeting was secret along with Russell's obliteration of his diet."

"Learn something new every day. What are we drinking?"

"American sparkling wine instead of champagne, a selection of other dinner wines including a Chinese rice wine, American and Chinese beer, and a selection of juices and sodas. Still and sparkling water, of course."

"What about the cake?"

"Stevie and Russell refused to cut a cake and stuff some in each other's mouth. I agree. There will be a dessert station with glazed petits fours on a tiered stand."

"Aren't those awfully small?"

"They'll be wedding-size, which are three bites, in three flavors and shapes – square, round and diamond – with enough for guests to try all three. Plus a nod to tradition with mints, nuts and punch."

"Who chose the petits fours flavors?"

"Stevie agreed to taste-test the options. Russell came with us."

"Of course he did."

"I have a box of samples for you to take home."

"If there are any left when I'm done. Bring it out."

Chief justice Wilbourne conducted the ceremony uniting Stephanie McCord and Russell Jackson. The bride's parents and brother and sister, the groom's sons and Conrad and Lydia Dalton were the only guests. The wedding took place in a small chamber an hour before the reception to which twenty-five more were invited.

Stevie's dress was simple and stunning. She wanted no one but her sister to design it but she had been a little apprehensive because Alison had gone through a phase of overly complicated designs. But that phase was over and Alison had arrived home in May with five sketches. None of them were impossible but Stevie's eye had been caught by one immediately. In ivory, with a sleeveless halter bodice and ankle length slim skirt, but not too narrow for dancing. It was perfect for Stevie's tall slender figure. Her hair was pulled back in a loose French twist with tendrils around her face.

The wedding party moved into the small ballroom where the reception and dancing would take place. The room and tables were decorated with fresh flowers and candles. Henry and Elizabeth welcomed everyone.

"There won't be a formal receiving line," Henry said. "You'll have time to visit later but we'll take a few minutes for introductions now. First of course, the bride. Her mother and I are very proud and happy to introduce our daughter for the first time as Mrs. Stephanie McCord Jackson."

"The groom acquired a new title today," Elizabeth said. "You know him as Russell Jackson, White House chief of staff. Henry and I have the pleasure of calling him a friend, but from now on we'll probably just refer to him as Stevie's husband."

Laughter rippled throughout the room.

"I'm fairly certain Elizabeth has called me other things over the years," Russell said, to more laughter. "This man needs no introduction but I'm privileged to do so anyway. He has a lot of titles – POTUS and commander in chief come to mind – but most important to us today is friend: Conrad Dalton."

"Thank you, Russell. Since my speechwriter isn't with me, I'll steal your line and say that I'm also certain I've been called other things over the years."

"Not by your wife I hope," Stevie said, "Our lovely first lady, Lydia Dalton."

Lydia smiled. "Thank you, dear." She winked at Stevie. "We'll talk later about what to call husbands."

"At the University of Virginia I took a constitutional law course taught by Professor Wilbourne," Elizabeth said. "He is now chief justice of the Supreme Court and we are honored that he agreed to officiate Stevie and Russell's wedding. We are also honored by the presence of China's foreign minister Chen. Ming, if there was a prize for the guest who traveled farthest, you would win."

"There is!" Alison yelled. "I'll give it to him later."

"That's our daughter Alison. I don't know anything about it so I'm not sure if you should be excited or alarmed."

"I want to add that my sister is a fashion designer," Stevie said. "She designed and made my dress under her label Ali Mac. Next is my brother Jason. My mother's brother and family, uncle Will Adams, aunt Sophie and cousin Annie. My father's sister and family, aunt Maureen Ryan, uncle Tom and cousins John, Kelly and Kenzie. My father's brother uncle Shane McCord and cousin Sarah, and my father's sister aunt Erin McCord."

"My sons Ken and Logan," Russell said. "And I'm fortunate enough to have the invaluable assistance of Elena Kolar at home and of Adele Steele at the office."

"My staff is also here. Chief of staff Jay Whitman, speechwriter Matt Mahoney, press coordinator Daisy Grant, policy advisor Kat Sandoval and last but far from least my assistant Blake Moran who organized this entire evening. My former chief of staff Nadine Tolliver, as well as Mike Barnow who has advised a number of us in this room at one time or another. If you're wondering why there are no plus ones, it's because we didn't want Mike to bring his dog. You know I love Gordon. I hope he won't hold it against me."

"Elizabeth, Henry and I have had the pleasure of working with amazing colleagues in the Dalton administration: national security advisor Admiral Ellen Hill, member of the joint chiefs Admiral Ed Parker, secretary of defense Gordon Becker and director of national intelligence Ephraim Ware."

"Now that we know each other's names," Henry said. "Let's eat!"

"This is the cool table," Matt said to Ken and Logan when they sat down. "Blake did you a solid seating you here."

"What's wrong with the other tables?" Logan asked.

"The head table is pretty formal," Jay said. "Talking to all those dignitaries can be a conversational minefield."

"The family table could be interesting if they don't get along," Kat said. "Or if Mike B says something outrageous, which is likely."

"The families get along but they aren't very close because they don't see each other often," Daisy said. "And they're not used to occasions like this. Blake put Nadine there to make sure they understand the protocol and etiquette of the evening."

"Where is Blake?" Ken asked.

"Behind you," Matt said. "Babysitting the cousins."

Ken glanced over his shoulder. "Only one looks very young."

"That's Annie Adams," Jay said. "Chaperone is a better word. He's just making sure things don't get out of hand."

"That's why Elena and I are at this table," Adele said.

"Wait, what?" Daisy was surprised.

"Russell asked that I keep an eye on his sons," Elena said.

"That's embarrassing," Logan said.

"Madam Secretary asked me to do the same for her staff," Adele added. "She trusts two of you but she wasn't sure about the other three."

"Blake and Jay are probably the two she trusts," Kat said. She looked at Matt and Daisy. "We're the weak links."

"Forget embarrassing," Daisy said. "This is humiliating."

Adele and Elena smiled at each other.

Matt caught on. "You punked us! Right?"

Adele and Elena nodded.

"That was good," Logan admitted. "You both sold it."

"I bought it," Jay said. "I wasn't even sure I was one she trusts."

Blake interrupted by scooting his chair close. "Please let me sit with grown-ups for a few minutes."

Ken moved his chair to make room. "You're the one who planned all this? Great job."

"Thank you."

"And you're the secretary of state's assistant. You must like to keep busy."

"I'm an avid multi-tasker."

"Hey, Blake," Jason called, "can we hit the cake table now or do we have to wait for somebody important to go first?"

"My break is over. I'll see you all later." Blake moved his chair back to the cousins' table.

The four duty dances were carefully planned. Stevie and Russell would dance together but not alone. They would be joined by Elizabeth and Henry, the president and Admiral Hill, and the first lady and Minister Chen. Partners would change for the second dance: Stevie and Henry, Elizabeth and Russell, the president and first lady, Admiral Hill and Minister Chen. Third dance: Stevie and the president, Russell and the first lady, Elizabeth and Minister Chen, Henry and Admiral Hill. Fourth dance: Stevie and Minister Chen, Russell and Admiral Hill, Elizabeth and the president, Henry and the first lady. With dignitaries in attendance, etiquette must be followed even at a private social occasion. With protocol observed, the president and first lady would leave, followed by the chief justice who used a cane and would not be dancing, and then Minister Chen. After that, a DJ would take over from the string quartet and the rest of the evening would be more relaxed.

"Thank you for marrying me," Stevie said.

"My pleasure. Thanks for asking," Russell replied.

"Why did you tell me you couldn't dance?"

"I didn't. I said I don't like to dance."

"But you're good. Why not?"

"Dance partners at political events are seldom anyone I want to hold close."

"Now you have me to dance with."

"That could still be a problem. You I want to hold too close."

"You look beautiful, Stevie," Henry said. "And very happy."

"I am, Dad."

"Nobody was going to be good enough for you but I have to admit Russell comes close."

"Would you like to know how I'm sure Russell loves me? Not because he says so, although he does, but because he puts his phone away when we're together."

Henry almost stumbled. "Russell Jackson turns his phone off!?"

"Of course not. Are you crazy? He leaves it on but it only vibrates if he gets a call or text from certain numbers."

Henry nodded. "I'm convinced."

"When did you first notice Stevie?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm not talking about that with you," Russell replied.

"I don't mean … that, I mean as a person."

"When she was Harrison's date for a governor's dinner at the White House a few months after you became sec state. She was wearing a short strapless dress. It looked metallic. I remember thinking her parents would have their hands full. And that her boyfriends were doomed. A former spy and a religious scholar? You'd destroy anybody who was interested in her that you didn't like."

"It worked until you came along."

"Stevie, you're radiant," Conrad Dalton said. "At one time I wondered if you might become my daughter-in-law. Russell is a lucky man."

"I got lucky, too."

"Is that a double entendre?"

"Yes it is."

Everyone wondered what Stevie said to make the president laugh.

"Thank you for the honor of attending this celebration," Ming Chen said to Stevie during their dance. "I am sure it was at your mother's request so I appreciate the invitation all the more."

"The honor is mine and my husband's, Minister Chen. You're my mother's favorite diplomat, you know."

"The regard is mutual."

When their dance concluded, Minister Chen escorted Stevie to Russell and bowed. "Mr. Jackson, I felicitate you on your marriage. You have chosen an intelligent, beautiful and charming wife."

"Thank you, Minister Chen."

"Actually, I chose him," Stevie said.

"Then I must add excellent judgment to your accomplishments," Chen said to Stevie.

"Good save," Russell said.

"I have a favor to ask before you leave," Stevie said. "My sister would like to meet you. She has a gift for you."

"There really is a prize? Most intriguing."

Stevie introduced Alison to Minister Chen.

"I noticed you're always the best-dressed official. You go to fashion week!" Alison was her usual exuberant self. "I've become interested in menswear. I designed this tie and pocket square for you."

Chen opened the box. "Magnificent!" he said sincerely. "But I cannot accept it."

"You must."

"It is too much."

"I insist."

"Very well."

They beamed at each other.

"It appears that you are acquainted with the Chinese custom of refusing a gift twice before accepting it. Are you also aware of the meaning of the color?"

"Of course. Yellow is for power, prosperity, heroism and freedom from worldly cares. The tiny imprints of swallows symbolize success, happiness and children."

"I shall treasure it."

Minister Chen left, accompanied by his security detail.

"It was too much to hope that he would put it on right away," Alison said a little sadly.

"Not until it's cleared," Russell said.

"What?"

"Let's go see." Russell led Stevie and Alison to a side door where Chen's limousine was waiting. The driver opened the door and Chen got in. The trunk was open and two guards were looking inside. After a few minutes they nodded and the tie box came into view. It was handed to the driver who opened the door and gave it to Chen. The motorcade moved off.

"That tie and pocket square have been scanned by very sophisticated equipment."

"I'm surprised they let Chen near it before checking." Alison was indignant.

"Low threat," Russell said. "They expected to be bugged not blown up."

With the DJ in charge the evening loosened up. Stevie and Russell danced to the Potger-Gillis duet of I'll Never Find Another You.

"I love this. How did you pick the song?"

"The original is from the sixties by an Australian group called The Seekers. My mother was a fan. The duet was recorded in 2017. I like it better for a wedding dance."

"Russell, you're sentimental and romantic."

"No need to insult me so early in the marriage."

Stevie laughed. "I won't tell anyone."

"They wouldn't believe you anyway."

Elizabeth's former chief of staff had flown in for the wedding.

"Nadine, are you ready to get back in the game?" Mike B asked.

"Yes, I am."

Mike's face lit up. "I knew it! You couldn't play granny in California forever. Are you moving back?"

"No, I'm running for city council."

"That's a waste of your experience and skill."

"It will suit me very well to work on my little corner. I'll leave the rest of the world to you."

Elizabeth snagged Jason. "Stevie has disappeared. Look for her and make sure she's all right. Check the bathrooms in case something happened to her dress."

"Shouldn't Alison do that if Stevie's having a wardrobe malfunction?"

"Alison is dancing. Just do a quick sweep, please." Elizabeth called out as he left, "You're my favorite son!"

There were two restrooms for men and women off the ballroom. Stevie wouldn't be in the men's so when Elena came out of the women's he asked if Stevie was in there. She wasn't. Jason remembered a small restroom down a long corridor and around the corner that wasn't marked for men or women. As he approached he heard muffled sounds. He hoped Stevie wasn't sick. She hadn't seemed nervous and he hadn't noticed her drinking a lot but brides were unpredictable. Maybe she had been holding it together until now. His hand was raised to knock when he heard a voice. It was a whisper but Jason knew his sister when he heard her. He backed away in horror because he also heard a lower tone, words indistinguishable, but Stevie had just moaned, "Russell" so Jason was confident it was his brother-in-law.

Jason leaned against the wall. The sound was muffled again from this distance. His first thought was to tell Alison but then he remembered Dad and Mom telling him not to say anything embarrassing about Stevie and Russell when the news came out that they were together. Eighteen years old and he already had a secret to take to his grave. And he couldn't even leave yet. The door was probably locked. If it wasn't, they deserved to have anybody walk in but he couldn't try it because they'd know someone was out here. And he couldn't let anybody else wander down here and find them. He waited endless minutes then forced himself to step close to the door again and was relieved to hear breathless panting. Stevie said something and giggled, Russell replied and laughed. Then a faucet was turned on and he couldn't hear anything else. They should have turned the water on before!

Jason returned to the ballroom.

"Russell's gone, too," Elizabeth said. "Did you find them?"

"Yeah, they're fine, probably needed a minute. Big day, you know?"

Jason knew he wasn't the best liar and his mom was ex-CIA but she had a lot on her mind so she didn't pick up on anything. He sat down. The trauma was receding and the ability to think returning. So what if the newlyweds did it in a bathroom? Jason wasn't going to judge. He was aware that sex could knock people sideways. Now that he thought about it, he was glad to know they had a regular relationship. Stevie had moved in with Russell months ago and before that Jason and Alison had joked about them sleeping together. They seemed to like each other but they weren't all over each other in public, which Jason was grateful for. He hadn't realized until now that something in the back of his mind had wondered if Stevie just wanted to take care of Russell or maybe it was more of a political alliance than a real marriage. Chief of staff and secretary of state's daughter. Russell was thirty years older, after all. What did they see in each other? Maybe the same thing his mom and dad saw in each other. Stevie and Russell came quietly in a side door of the ballroom and started dancing. They looked the same as usual. Time to man up and go dance with his aunts.

They hadn't planned to have sex at their wedding reception. They had danced the first duty dance together and the first dance when the DJ took over. Then they had greeted all their guests. Stevie had felt uneasiness growing as they visited with the politicos. In Russell's arms again, she tried to dismiss the uncertainty that had been building.

"Russell, are you sure I'm the right wife for you?"

"You're three hours late asking but yes, I'm sure. What's wrong?"

"I knew it already but tonight it really hit me how much everyone respects you. They're probably wondering how long it will be before you realize you made a mistake marrying me."

"They're more likely to think you made a mistake marrying me."

"I didn't make a mistake."

"I'm relieved. Me neither. Where is this coming from?"

"I'm not sure. I love you. I don't want people to think you married a bimbo."

"You aren't so I didn't."

"I don't have a job. I haven't even finished college. Carol was a surgeon."

"All right, we're taking a break. There's a side door behind you."

They escaped unnoticed. Down a corridor and around a corner was a small restroom. It was empty and the door had a lock.

"First, I love you," Russell said. "You know I'll get caught up in work and not say it enough but please don't ever doubt it. Second, you don't have a job because you had to leave the veep's staff. You can get another job or you can get your degree, whatever you want. I miss working with you but at least we can be together when we're not working. Not as much as I'd like but that will change when the president's second term ends."

"You won't retire. You love it too much."

"When you've been chief of staff to the president of the United States for eight years, you're done. Did you know the average tenure of a chief of staff is under three years? I do love it but only with Dalton as president and your mother as secretary of state. That can't be repeated." Russell paused. "Third, I don't compare you to Carol and you shouldn't compare yourself to her. Carol and I had a good marriage but it wasn't perfect. We were both on call in very different demanding professions and the result is that we missed a lot of each other's lives. I went to very few hospital functions, she went to very few political events. I'm glad you like politics. We have more in common."

"Are you really going to retire?"

"Maybe I'll consult or write a book. Or be a better father if that happens for us."

"It's been three months."

"Did that contribute to your crisis of confidence?"

"I guess so. The average time for getting pregnant is three months."

"If both parents are your age, which I'm not. So let's try not to worry about it for a few more months."

"Okay." They kissed. After awhile Stevie felt Russell's hand under the bodice of her dress. She reached between them. "Are we going to do this?"

"We need to do something because I can't go back like this."

Stevie lifted her skirt and Russell pulled off her panties. She sat on the edge of the counter with her dress spread behind and opened his pants. Neither of them needed more foreplay. They finished in minutes.

"Our marriage is officially consummated." Stevie giggled.

"And I crossed number four off my bucket list." Russell laughed.

"We need to clean up and get back."

Russell turned on the water.

Back in the ballroom they danced again.

"Blake and Ken are dancing together. Is Ken gay?"

"I don't know and neither does he."

"You're okay with it if he is, aren't you?"

"Sure. But I really don't know and apparently Ken doesn't either. He's had girlfriends and boyfriends."

"Maybe he's bi. Blake is. He told Mom a couple of years ago."

"That opens up the dating pool."

"Alison thinks Ken is hot. She'll be disappointed."

"Why? She's got as good a shot as Blake. Maybe better. She's a year younger than Ken and Blake is a dozen …" Russell's voice trailed off.

"Oh my god, did you almost say Blake is a dozen years older?"

"Almost. I tend to forget the years between us."

"So do I. It never seems to matter."

"I hope it never does."

The guests had gone, the DJ had departed and the caterer had cleared up.

Elizabeth, Henry, Stevie and Russell sat together for a few minutes before leaving.

"Everyone said this is the best wedding they've been to," Elizabeth said.

"We know how to throw a party, babe," Henry said.

"It's Blake who knows."

"Okay, so we know someone who knows how to throw a party."

"Lydia called from air force one to thank us for a wonderful evening," Elizabeth said.

"Conrad called to say the same thing," Russell said. "And he said to tell Stevie he hopes her luck holds."

Stevie laughed. "It did!"

"What's that about?" Henry asked. "Why were you and the president laughing when you danced?"

"Private joke," Stevie replied.

"Should I be worried about my wife and the president having a private joke? I already know you like older men."

"I'll tell you later."

"Don't we get to know?" Elizabeth asked.

"Maybe it's best if we don't," Henry said. "Hey, Russell, you passed the McCord family test. Maureen likes you."

"Why so surprised? We had a nice dance together."

"It's kind of a big deal. My sister doesn't like many people and she isn't shy about saying so."

Russell raised his eyebrows.

"Oh my god, Stevie married a male Maureen," Elizabeth said.

"I saw you tossing back Chinese beer with Chen," Russell said. "I hope you didn't get drunk and give away the state department."

"One Chinese beer. Maybe two. And some rice wine. But we didn't talk shop at all. Ming just wanted to attend an American wedding."

"Ali's gift was a hit," Stevie said. "Fashion patrol was at the airport when he left tonight." She cued a video clip on her phone. Chen was wearing the yellow tie and pocket square. When asked, he said, "It was a gift from an American designer. Her label is Ali Mac."

"You can't buy publicity like that," Henry said. "Maybe Alison's empire will take care of us in our old age, babe."

"That was quid pro quo," Russell said.

Elizabeth nodded. "I invited Ming to the reception which put him in my debt. He didn't want to feel pressure to cooperate with the state department next time I ask for something so he plugged Alison to wipe out the debt."

"But isn't the plug for Ali quid pro quo for the tie itself?" Stevie asked. "Chen still owes for attending our reception, especially since he angled for the invitation. If you thank him for giving Ali publicity, he'll probably catch on that only the tie debt has been paid. Every time you ask for China's cooperation he'll be calculating whether he should use it to pay off the invite."

Elizabeth and Henry looked at each other with amazement.

They turned to Russell who didn't seem surprised by Stevie's comprehensive analysis. He shrugged. "What my wife said."