We stand in front of the door and I sneak a quick kiss. The door opens and we exit, I let Zaire go first and think to myself here goes nothing. Barely down the stairs I see Karen speed walking trying not to run because we have press watching. She arrived a week earlier and from the way she was moving I could tell it has been one hell of a week. We get in talking distance but she doesn't even hear me because she was focused on something else.

"Hey Kare…," I think she hears but she is beaming at Zai and hugging him, "wow you hug him before your own brother."

"Shut it Jerry."

Zai and I share a look saying that we should tell her before her crush goes too far, but it still sucks because as far as I know this is her first big crush and I would be crushing her dreams. She finally lets him go; I know I shouldn't be jealous or possessive because she is my sister but it sucked that I couldn't hold him like that in the open. I push all that away and hug Karen back and I can feel the tension in her.

I look down at her, "that bad?"

"Worse."

"How?"

"With this party coming mom is coming home early while being hell on wheels."

"How's dad?"

"The same as every time..."

Saying together "hiding in his office."

"They got into it last night."

We start walking back towards Mellie who is smiling the fake smile. I look at Zai and he just looks concerned about Karen and I can't help but to love him more for showing my baby sis his concern, but I pull myself back to the present. I really don't know how dad does this when my mom is around I think.

"What about this time?"

"The guest list. I guess mom does not want Liv at the party, which is insane, but dad went off the handle and showed no room of discussion. And let's not forget she still won't get of f my case about being a 'proper girl' whatever the hell that means."

"Just forget her."

Zai speaks up, "you are fine the way you are."

"Thanks guys. Dad had an emergency this morning and told me to tell you that you should go down to his office around three and to bring Z with you. Are you nervous at meeting the President Z?" she says using the nickname.

"Yea a little but I'm here now and I consider it handled."

"Funny Liv says that too."

"Yea I guess I pic…"

Interrupting him before they go into deep about Liv, "how about we do this people."

Making it to Mellie she pulls me in for a hug. Then she shakes Zaire's hand and we make our way in. I think she was going to stay but the second we walk in the doors she's walking away without even a glance or word behind her to us. I don't know why I always get my hopes up a little but it never changes with her. Hiding the disappointment we all go to the residence and I show Z his room, which happens to be across from mine. For the next hour or so I take him around the house and lounge around. He says he was feeling the effects of the plane ride and was going to lay down, walking back up to the rooms with him I follow him to his.

"You plan on staying?"

"Is it wrong to say that I really want to?"

Walking over to me and wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me close, "not at all. This place is something else Jerry."

"I guess I can finally call it home now."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you're here. It would be completely perfect if my mom was here."

"You really love Liv huh?"

"Yea I do. I had a moment earlier where I felt a pull towards Mellie but I only ended getting my own hopes up. With Liv she may not be her e but she makes the hardest effort. She loves me, makes time to get to know me, she even disciplines and sets boundaries with me."

"J I know Mrs. Grant loves you in her own way."

"I know but it still hurts sometimes. I sometimes really just want my dad to say the hell with it and divorce Mellie and marry Liv. Selfish I know but I just want her around all the time and I know if I feel like this I can't imagine what my dad feels."

"J I wish I could take away that pain."

"It's fine. I'm fine. You just being here and listening is enough."

I lean in and try to give a quick kiss but he has other plans. I break the kiss and turn to lock the door and we kiss some more. I knew he was trying to make me feel better and it did but I guess that this feeling will always be there, the woman who carried and birth me didn't want me and someone who didn't carry me wanted me to be hers. After I say goodbye to Zai and tell him that I will be back to get him when it is time to go to the Oval, I make my way to the kitchen for something to eat but I end up running into the last person I wanted to see at this moment.

"Jerry sweetie how are you?"

"I'm fine. Yourself?"

"I am so busy with this dinner party. It means a lot to your fathers re election to have the Democratic leader to come here. Speaking of where is your friend?"

Sometimes I can't believe this woman was smart because at times she could say the stupidest things, "his name is Zaire and he is lying down for a bit. Can you please just remember that he is my roommate and boy…best friend."

"Of course honey," but I could see she already checked out of what I was saying, "his last name Kennedy right?"

"Yes and your point?"

"I'm just trying to get to know who you're rooming with. I remember his parents, Thomas and Jackie. Anyways I'm going to my office to finalize details some things are still in the air."

She walks out and I know she means trying to keep Liv out. I lost my appetite so I just grab an energy drink and mope a little. The head chef Roger walks in and finds me that way.

"Hello sir nice to have you back."

"Thanks but you don't have to call me sir. We talked about this Mr. Roger."

"Still a smarty pants I see. Are you hungry I can whip up your favorite, a cheesy patty melt?"

Suddenly my appetite came back with a vengeance, stomach growl and all, "I thought I wasn't hungry anymore but just hearing about your famous patty melt I think I can eat. Can you make two?"

"You that hungry?"

"No. My roommate is here too and I told him about your sandwich and he said he would love to try one."

"Ahhh I guess I'm a legend. I'll have them ready in thirty minutes."

"Alright thanks."

Making my way to the media room to watch a movie and wait for the food, which is where my boyfriend finds me.

"There you are. I almost got lost."

"Hey that was a quick nap."

"I couldn't sleep."

Feeling a little worried because a couple of days ago he woke up with a fever, "everything okay?"

Walking over to sit next me, "I'm fine so stop worrying. I guess I just have come depended on having you in my arms or least in the room."

"Aww you missed me."

"Shut up. What's that smell?"

"That would be Rogers famous patty melts."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah you finally get to try it."

Looking around he makes sure no one is around, "have I told you how much I loved you."

"Yes you have but it's always good to hear."

We make our way into the kitchen to eat. Once done and Zaire is done moaning at his meal we get ready to head downstairs to the Oval to meet my dad.

"So you ready for this?"

"I guess. I survived Liv right?"

"There's nothing to worry about. Don't think of him as the President, he's just my dad."

"Babe either situation is nerve wrecking but I can do this. I just hope he likes me."

"He will my love."