The Capitol Building, Henry, 2014
She stops suddenly halfway through the climb of the stairs. She is looking up at the building sizing it up as a heavy weight is dropped on her shoulders.
"What if I can't do this?" She looks at me, her panic only slightly covered. And I know that the events of the past few days are finally getting to her. We are so close, she is so close to winning her war. I grab her hand and find her eyes. I take a slow measured breath, and silently encouraging her to do the same. She does.
"What do you think you can't do?" I ask her softly, trying to help her untangle her thoughts and make since of her feelings.
"Any of it. Be a mom. Testify. Take my life back." Tears fill her eyes and I feel the fear that radiates off of her. And I realize, she's terrified of herself.
"Why do you think you can't do it?" I embody Socrates, that's usually a hit or miss with her.
"I… I'm just scared. I know I'm not allowed to be…" Her voice is shaky and she looks down to the ground almost flinching. And I remember, the catalyst that changed our lives. The year she spent in Iraq. Her life has been completely controlled by other people for ten years. She has had to follow rules with her only other choice being getting hurt or her family being hurt.
"It's okay to be scared. You can be scared." I tell her gently. She lets out a small cry. I wrap her in a hug.
"You can do this, babe." I whisper to her. I hear her take a sharp intake of breath through her nose in an effort to calm herself.
"One step at a time." She tells me as she wipes her own tears from her face. Then she starts the climb up the rest of the stairs.
The Capitol Building, Jason, 2014
We were escorted into this small sitting room twenty minutes ago. I'm so tired. I wish I knew more about what's going on. I mean I am well aware that the US government has some skeletons in its closet. But, my mom coming back from the dead wasn't on my bingo card. I'm scared that it's too good to be true, people don't get their moms back form the dead. And what if it's not mom, but some clone used by the CIA.
But then, the door is opened and Stevie is hugging this woman, who could be any one. But maybe not.
The Capitol Building, Elizabeth, 2014
"Mommy!" There is less than a second between walking into the small office that my kids sought safety in and Stevie throwing herself in my arms. I wrap one arm around her and reach out for Allison and Jason with the other one. Before I know it I am holding both of my daughters, as my son sits staring with tears streaming down his face. I know he doesn't remember me, he couldn't possibly.
"Jason, it's okay." I tell him. He takes one slow step towards me and then he too is suddenly in this impromptu but beautiful team McCord group hug.
"I missed you all so much." I look up at Henry, who is balancing a kid on both hips, and reality dawns again. The total happiness of this moment, slightly dulled by all of the pain that is still yet to come. But right now, I can just hold my kids for a little while.
The reunion doesn't last nearly long enough, as there is knocking on the door, and Blake enters.
"Agent McCord, I'm sorry ma'am, but the Impeachment Committee is ready for you." Blake says. I nod at him. Before exiting I take one more look at my family, and the strength I was looking for earlier is gained. I'm not scared of this.
The White House, Russell, 2014
His face doesn't leave the TV screen. He watches seemingly patient as the Speaker of the House delivers a twenty-five minute speech detailing the case that will be built for impeachment. Holt lays out the plan for impeachment, gives a summary of the evidence, and promises the American people that Justice will be done. She ends by sating the names of the representatives assigned to the impeachment committee and announces that the first witness will testify before that committee in 2 hours in a nationally televised hearing.
Once her speech is complete, Conrad picks up his desk phone. His face turns redder and redder with every passing ring. He slams the phone down at the voicemail notification.
"Well, if you want something done right, I guess you have to do it yourself." I watch as he calls the motorcade.
I pull my cellphone out of my pocket, falling back on the last possible resort I can think of to save this woman.
The Capitol Building, Elizabeth, 2014
They gave me ten minutes in the bathroom, to change my clothes and fix my hair and makeup. I take a final look in the mirror.
"You can do this Elizabeth." I remind myself. I can do this, for me, for my family and even for my country.
The cameras waste no time in flashing when I walk into the hearing room. I keep my head high and put all of my focus into putting one foot in front of the other.
I get to the table, and place a steady hand on the Bible and raise the other. The oath is read out by the clerk and I respond accordingly. I am asked to state my name for the record.
"Elizabeth Anne Adams McCord." I smile, God did that feel good to say.