V - Leader of the Free World
The evening sun set down as the candles were burning in the Navy Mess Room in the West Wing. The large room consisted of many circular tables, though the group only took up four of them. In one of the empty tables sat the stock pot filled with chicken soup.
Lori laid her head on her hands as she placed a spoon into her mouth. It was cold, but the group didn't care. It was delicious compared to any of the cold food they ate. She looked at a table ahead, finding Carol glaring at her. She was drinking a cup of tea as her eyes continued to judge the leader.
Lori then looked at Becky, who was sitting next to Carol. They glanced at each other before looking away. Lori then caught Vonda staring at her, though the red-headed girl quickly looked away.
Loud slurping noises coming from Lana filled the tense air as Carol finally looked away, shaking her head. The awkward silence couldn't get more awkward than this.
The lamps on the side of the walls turned on as the group stepped foot inside the stair landing of the second floor of the residential building. Jeffrey held a book with the interior blueprints of the White House, along with modern pictures of the rooms. He flipped pages and looked around, as the group observed the chairs and tables in the center hall.
"To our right are three rooms," said Jeffrey, looking into the book. "Each room should hold two people. The Master Bedroom, which is where the President and the First Lady slept, is the second to last door straight ahead."
Lori turned around and looked at the group.
"Anyone wanna take that room?"
The group remained silent, some of the members with smiling faces. Lori tilted her head in confusion.
"Looks like no one's saying it, but are you kidding?" said Lincoln. "The Master Bedroom! It's fit for a leader. It's obvious you should take it!"
"And Bobby too!" said Clyde.
"Well…" said Lori as she shrugged, "if you insist, then alright! I guess I'll sleep where Michelle slept!"
The group scattered as they looked inside the rooms, Jeffrey carrying the book around.
"This is the West Bedroom, two separate beds," said Jeffrey.
"Let's take it, Uncle Jeff," said Preston.
Jeffrey nodded as he turned around, looking into a room with a smaller bed, though wide enough for two people.
"Well, this is kinda obvious," said David, looking at Lana and Lily.
Lana and Lily walked inside the room, finding a mirror, soft blankets, and carpeting. Lily ran up the bed and jumped into it, feeling the fluffy mattress. She closed her eyes and smiled.
Jeffrey returned to the stair landing, looking ahead at the East Sitting Hall.
"To the left is the Queens' Bedroom," said Jeffrey. "Royal guests loved to sleep there."
Luna and Sam came out of the room, holding hands. They smiled at the group.
"Bed's comfortable," said Luna. "And uh, is it okay to call dibs?"
"No," said Luan, causing Luna to frown. "Just kidding! Hahaha…!"
"Sure, take the room," said Jeffrey. "There are a lot more rooms upstairs. Now, to our right is… well, I think the room already decided who it is for. After all, it shares your namesake, Lincoln."
"No way, the Lincoln bedroom!" said Clyde.
Lincoln walked inside, placing his backpack to the floor. He stretched out his arms before looking at Clyde.
"How about we also call it the Clincoln McLoud Room?" said Lincoln.
"I'd love that!" said Clyde, walking inside the room.
The group walked away from the room, with Jeffrey leading them upstairs. He continued showing the rooms to the survivors. David sat on a chair in his own room. George dismantled his pistol and placed the parts on the table of his room. Hana sat in her bed, looking at an art painting while Kotaro sat in the other bed, faced the other way. Carol looked out the window from her bed and Becky's, looking at the moon hovering in the distance while Jace laid in his own bed in the same room. Ronnie Anne washed her hands in the bathroom of her room, while Lynn and Vonda placed their bow and arrows next to their bed in the same room. Lisa looked into the mirror, tears rolling out her eyes as she remained alone in her room. The running water turned off as Luan came out of the bathroom, drying her hair. She walked inside her dimly lit room with a drenched yellow shirt.
"Did you shower with your clothes on?" smiled Benny.
"No, smart guy," giggled Luan. "I forgot to take a towel, so I used my shirt. I'm not that wet, right?"
Benny rubbed his fingers down on her wet hair strands, leaning close to Luan's lips. He kissed her as they closed the door.
"You're very wet," said Benny.
"I'm not the only one," said Luan.
She kissed him back, shoving him to the bed. She sat on top of him and smiled as she reached into her pocket.
"Look what I found in the bathroom," said Luan, blushing.
She held out a condom packet. She bit the wrapper off as Benny pulled down his jeans. As she began applying protection on Benny, she looked at him in the eyes.
"Are you ready?" asked Luan, biting her lips softly.
"Oh yeah," said Benny. "You're gonna go from laughing at my jokes to moaning at my strokes."
Luan burst into laughter as she tossed away her jeans.
"That's a good one!" said Luan. "Please be gentle, though."
Benny nodded as he and Luan went back to making out. He felt her body rock against him faster and faster.
"Luan!" chuckled Benny. "You're not being gentle!"
Luan giggled as she continued to rock back and forth. She pulled out the blanket and covered the couple. In the distance, a roamer looked at the dim lights in the White House window and began to jog towards it, passed by a tent marked with a large symbol on the canvas. It was an X.
-One Day Later-
"It lacks specific supplies," said Lisa. "Equipment is in remarkable condition, however."
Her eyes moving around, Lori nodded and smiled. The large room had a bunch of metal machinery, glass containers, barrels of chemicals in closets, and cups of chemicals in cabinets. There were FEMA and CDC hazmat suits on racks.
"This is great," said Lori. "Even after everything that happened yesterday, you're still going to try?"
"Of course. It's my contribution to the group."
Lori crouched and looked at Lisa straight at her eyes, placing her hand on her sister's shoulder.
"I know you're still thinking about her," said Lori. "You're so intelligent. You calculated the risks. You took the safe route. You chose logic over emotion. I don't want to say it's the wrong decision, but you should also consider the fact that the safe route won't always bring the best results."
"If I were to relive that moment again, I would try to save Zoey," said Lisa.
"We all face different kinds of dilemmas," said Lori. "Some are more difficult than others. You had good intentions. I'm not gonna punish you for that. There does come consequences for your actions, but they're not gonna be coming from me. You will feel regret. But you don't have to go through it alone. You can always talk to me."
Lisa closed her eyes and hugged Lori as she smiled.
A knock on the door prompted Lori to turn around and release Lisa. She opened the door and found Becky and Vonda. She walked outside and closed the door.
"What is it?" asked Lori.
"We came here to help you with the whole punishment thing," said Becky.
Lori groaned.
"N-No, wait, hear us out," said Vonda.
"We should make some areas off-limit to Lisa and Lana," suggested Becky. "Keep them in the middle building and never allow them to enter the West Wing or East Wing. Well, except the lab. Lisa has to work on the cure. I don't want to see her wandering outta there without one of us knowin'–"
"Hey, Becky, stop," said Lori.
"It's a good idea," said Becky.
"Yeah, we're not exiling them," said Vonda.
"That's house arrest," said Lori. "We're not doing that to them. They're not criminals."
"Dude, they did some pretty bad stuff. I don't really feel safe around them."
"They're not innocent," said Becky.
"Are you?" asked Lori. "I'm serious, Becky. Don't act like we're all law-abiding people. We're not saints. We did things that we regret and we'll continue to do them. But we do them with the group in mind, for their benefit."
Becky crossed her arms and scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Of course you're not punishing them," she said.
"Oh, then you want me to punish you?" asked Lori. "You think I didn't notice the way you killed that cook yesterday?"
"She was screaming, she was going to alert–"
"I know, that's why I told you to fucking knock her out. Your intentions were for the benefit of the group. That's why you're not punished. And that's why I won't punish Lisa and Lana."
Becky nodded and walked away, before facing Lori.
"I understand what you're saying. I'm pissed, but not at you. But Carol? You gotta make her understand."
Becky then walked away. Vonda looked at Lori.
"I hope you made the right choice," said Vonda.
"I hope so too," said Lori as she walked back inside the lab.
A few pigeons flew across the White House as Lincoln looked outside the window of the Solarium. The door opened and Kotaro let himself in.
"Hey, man, you alright?" asked Kotaro.
"Not really," said Lincoln. "You and my dad talked a lot back in Houlton, right?"
"Yeah," said Kotaro. "Why?"
"What does he think about killing?" asked Lincoln. "I guess what I really wanna know– to be specific– is how he would feel about me killing our enemies."
"Can't say he wouldn't be surprised. He wasn't upset when he found out that Lynn and Luna got their hands dirty before. But you? I don't mean any offense, but you don't come off as the tough type."
"Well, none taken. You're just being honest."
"He wouldn't be mad, if that's what you're wondering. In fact, I think he'd be glad. He'd be glad that his son will do whatever it takes to protect his family. You should take pride in that, man."
"I know you mean well, Kotaro, but I think I'd believe it more if I heard it coming from my dad instead."
"I miss him too, kid," said Kotaro, patting Lincoln softly. "Keep your head up. Brighter days ahead."
Kotaro walked out of the Solarium.
Meanwhile, Becky stormed inside the Game Room and found David playing pool and Jace throwing darts. She took a deep breath as she paced around.
"What's up, Becky?" asked Jace.
"Nothing, I'm fine," she said. "What are you doing?"
"Waiting for Preston," said Jace. "I'm practicing my aim in the meantime."
Jace tossed his three darts, one landing on the bullseye and the two others landing near it. He pumped up his fists as Becky raised her eyebrows.
"Hey, let me try," she said.
Jace grabbed the three darts from the board and handed them to Becky.
"You ever thrown darts before?" asked Jace.
Becky tossed the darts with immense strength, two of the darts hitting the walls and one landing on the edge of the board. She huffed and puffed as Jace looked at Becky worriedly.
"No," said Becky.
"Well, damn," gulped Jace. "You didn't have to throw it that hard."
"Just releasing my anger," said Becky before giving Jace a soft smile. "You have really nice aim by the way."
"Thanks," said Jace as Becky walked away.
The sun began to set down as Lori looked out the window in the Oval Office. Her eyes looked weary as Bobby walked inside the office. She turned around and walked to him, grabbing his hands as the sun shone on the side of their faces.
"It's a beautiful view outside, right?" said Bobby.
"Yeah," said Lori. "Too bad we stopped people from seeing it anymore."
Bobby frowned as Lori looked at the sun.
"I changed, Bobby. I'm not the same girl you met three years ago. I'm more hardened. Capable of taking people's lives. Brutally. And I almost don't feel bad. And then there's you. You haven't changed a bit. You're still that sweet, sensitive guy with a good heart. You still trust people. You're still capable of caring."
Lori looked away from the sun. She looked at Bobby.
"Do you still love me?"
Bobby looked into Lori's eyes and smiled before he closed his eyes and kissed her, holding her face softly. He released his lips, holding Lori's face closely.
"I do," said Bobby.
Lori smiled and hugged Bobby as she cried softly. The sun continued to shine on the couple.
-One Month Later-
The large freezer was opened as Lincoln and Vonda reached their hands at a tray inside it. They each grabbed one of the sides and carried it out of the freezer as Vonda kicked it back with her flats. Her magenta dress moved with her along the kitchen as she helped Lincoln carry the cake. They left the kitchen, with Lincoln's dress shoes moving up the stairs. He kicked open the door to the East Room, his orange buttoned shirt and khakis unstained. He looked around the room, seeing white table cloths and lilacs and folded napkins around tables in the side of the room near the entrance. But no chairs. They were all in the back of the room, facing the altar, where the curtains were open. Many of the group members, whom were all wearing dresses, buttoned shirts, suits, or ties, were chattering among each other as Bobby paced around in a tuxedo that he found in the closet room upstairs.
"Lil' nervous?" asked Ronnie Anne.
"Yeah, a bit," said Bobby. "Where's Luna? It's about to be noon!"
"I don't know, probably getting dressed up. She prob' hates wearing dresses as much as I do."
"It's a good thing there were a bunch of clothes our size," said Preston, wearing a suit. "Definitely feels like a real wedding."
"'Cause it is a real wedding," said Vonda. "Well, the cake's done!"
Lynn patted Vonda as she licked her lips.
"You did a hell of a job, Vee," said Lynn. "Cake looks damn delicious."
"Thanks, but your brother did most of the work. Thank him too."
"Yeah, like I'll ever thank that dork."
Lynn snickered before calling across the room.
"Hey, Stinkoln! Nice cake!"
Lincoln scoffed. Bobby groaned as he walked away, leaving the East Room. Lynn walked up to the cake and reaching to grab a bit of frosting before Lincoln smacked her hand away. He shook his head.
"Rude," said Lynn.
In the left row of seats, Jace approached a lonely Lana, sitting next to her. His hair was gelled back behind his ears. Lana's hair seemed oily as always, even more so that she was not wearing her red cap.
"What's wrong?" asked Jace.
Lana rubbed her arms as she looked up at Jace. She looked down.
"I'm scared. I wanna feel happy 'cause my sister's about to get married and we're gonna eat all this good food, but… I can't enjoy it 'cause I'm scared."
"Why are you scared?"
"Well, there are people are scared of me. Remember when I was scared of Weber? We were both terrified of each other but I killed him. That's what I'm afraid of. The redheaded gals may not do anything to me, but what about Carol or Hana? If they think I'm dangerous, they won't hesitate to… to…"
"Don't worry about it," said Jace, wrapping his arms around Lana. "They're like the only ones that aren't here. But I'm here for you. I'm gonna do whatever it takes to make sure you're safe. You're like a sister to me, Lana. I want to protect you and keep you safe. If anyone wants to get to you… well, they gotta get through me."
Lana smiled.
"Weber was a weird kid," said Jace. "I was suspicious of him myself too. I don't really like weirdos. Don't tell Hana, though."
Lana giggled.
"I do miss my pets," said Jace. "A lot. Something definitely wasn't okay with Weber– no offense to him. But we'll get new ones. Right?"
Lana nodded. Jace rubbed her head as he stood up.
Meanwhile, in a dark room, moaning and kissing and other sounds of love filled the air as "Careless Whisper" played in the CD player on the desk next to the bed.
"Yeah, you like that, right?" huffed Luna.
"Oh, Luna!" giggled Sam.
They kissed each other softly as the bed continued to rock back and forth slightly. Sam grabbed Luna's arms and tossed her down at the bottom as she climbed on top of Luna. She bit her lip as she continued to grip Luna's wrists against the bed. She leaned close to her lover's face before the door opened, the light coming from the hallway shining on the couple.
Luna gasped as Sam yelped. Bobby screamed as he closed the door.
"Ah!" exclaimed Sam as she covered herself with a blanket. "Shit!"
Bobby caught his breath as he placed his face against the door.
"Are you guys–? Luna, it's about to be noon!" he exclaimed.
"I know, I know!" exclaimed Luna from behind the door. "I'm sorry!"
"You guys have to get dressed now!"
"Yeah, we're getting dressed now, dude! Just give us a few minutes!"
"Ah, man!" whispered Bobby to himself as he walked away.
Bobby walked up to the altar and stood for a few minutes, looking at the clock, nervously tapping his foot. Lincoln, who was Bobby's best man, gave him a handkerchief to wipe his sweat off.
"Thanks, man," said Bobby.
Lincoln nodded. Luan stood across Bobby below the altar, wearing a yellow dress and holding a bouquet of flowers. She called out to Bobby.
"Just relax," said Luan. "Lori's not known for being punctual."
Becky entered the East Room.
"She's coming in a minute," she stated.
Bobby gulped as he looked at the grand piano in the corner of the room. Suddenly, Luna ran inside the East Room, fixing her choker and purple heels. She grabbed a hair clip and moved her hair away from her face and behind her left ear before placing the clip to secure it. She grabbed the handkerchief from Bobby's hands and wiped it across her face before tossing it away, finally taking a seat near the piano.
Sam followed her and ran across the aisle to her seat with her sneakers, tying her messy hair back into a ponytail. She dusted off her teal dress and sat down, taking a large breath of relief. Her eyes observed Luna's hands flipping piano sheets.
"Are these all Christina Perri songs?" Luna whispered to herself. "Not even in alphabetical order. Ah. Here it is."
Luna quickly read over the piano notes as she continued whispering to herself. She then placed it on top of the piano as she heard the door open. She placed her fingers on the piano and then began to play a solo piano cover of "A Thousand Years." Lily pranced through the aisle, tossing petals around. She smiled as she took her seat.
David wore a gray tuxedo as he walked the bride down the aisle. Her sleeveless trumpet dress moved gracefully along the carpet. She kept her bouquet of white roses close to her chest below her pearl necklace. Her blue eyelids and dark eyelashes blinked as her blue eyes looked at her groom, who was wiping a tear from his eyes. Her glossy lips smiled as she passed by her family and friends. Lynn, Lana, Lisa, Lily, Ronnie Anne, and Clyde stood up on one of the rows of chairs. Becky, George, Kotaro, Sam, Benny, Jace, Preston, and Vonda stood up in the other rows of chairs. Luan, the maid of honor, and Lincoln, the best man, were radiating with joy as the bride approached the altar. David then let go of the bride before standing over his own seat.
Lori stood on the altar, passing the bouquet to Luan, as she kept her eyes locked on Bobby. She held the groom's hands as her their eyes twinkled. Jeffrey opened up a book and stood near the center of the altar as Luna grabbed a harp and began to play "Canon in D."
"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Lori Loud and Bobby Santiago in marriage. Today, as they join in marriage, they also create a new bond and new sense of family– one that will undoubtedly include all who are present here today."
As Preston continued talking, Carol slowly opened the door to the East Room, wearing her purple tank top and jeans. She looked around, not caring how underdressed she was. The scent of fresh food and flowers caused her to stick around in the room, as she walked to the corner of the room. She placed her head against the wall as she watched Jeffrey speak.
"Seek from within yourselves, the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things that you must, and the wisdom to know the difference. Live each day, one day at a time, enjoying your time together, one moment at a time. Seek the wisdom of experience, learning all that you can from each other. Accept hardships as the building blocks of experience, realizing that accepting both the good and bad are simply a part of being alive. Strive to make as many things right as is humanly possible in your life together– that you may be reasonably happy in the life you share from this day forward."
Lori glanced at Carol, smiling. Carol tried looking away, but she couldn't hold it back. She smiled softly too.
"Do you, Bobby Santiago, take Lori Loud to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?"
Bobby placed the ring in Lori's finger.
"I do."
Jeffrey turned towards Lori.
"Do you, Lori Loud, take Bobby Santiago to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward until death do you part?"
Lori placed a ring in Bobby's finger. In the blink of an eye, her mind raced with the memories of her soulmate always being there for her, through the best of times and the worst of times.
"I do."
Jeffrey closed the book.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss."
Lori and Bobby leaned close and kissed each other as the group cheered. Carol placed her hands inside her pockets and smiled before leaving taking a seat by the bar table.
The dim lights surrounded the room. Luna sat by her drums, holding her sticks while Sam now sat by the piano with a microphone next to her. She then began to sing as she played the piano melody to "Arms" from the sheet music filled with Christina Perri songs.
"I never thought that you would be the one to hold my heart…"
Lori and Bobby cut the first slice of cake together, laughing while they did it. They placed the slice on their plate and began to eat it together.
"But you came around and you knocked me off the ground from the start…"
Lori threw the bouquet of flowers, which Luna and Sam caught at the same time, both young women blushing.
"You put your arms around me and I believe that it's easier for you to let me go…"
The newlyweds danced on the floor slowly together. They looked at each other's eyes before Lori placed her head on Bobby's shoulders.
"You put your arms around me and I'm home…"
The group members joined the newlyweds on the dance floor, moving around. Lincoln and Clyde were moving around wackily, embarrassing some of the others.
"How many times will you let me change my mind and turn around?"
Lincoln tapped Ronnie Anne's shoulders and reached out his hands. She raised her eyebrows, hesitantly grabbing his hands. She smiled as she began dancing slowly with him.
"I can't decide if I'll let you save my life or if I'll drown…"
Sam continued singing and Luna continued drumming.
Becky's green dress moved above the dance floor while Carol's jeans remained trapped to her legs. They both held each other closely as they looked at each, slowly moving across the room.
"Still at mad at Lori?" asked Becky.
"Mad at everything," said Carol. "But I'm still her friend. I have to show up for one of the happiest days of her life."
"Hmm. I get that. But you could leave now. Doesn't seem like you like it so much here."
"Being in the same room as Lisa and Lana? I get any closer to them, my blood boils. Feels like any day now I'm going to explode and do something I might regret."
"You can always talk to me," said Becky.
"I know."
"Not that I don't want you here, but why are you still sticking around? It ain't exactly the best place for your anger," asked Becky. "Liking the food here?"
"Sorta. And I'm here 'cause I hate being alone. I don't know how Hana can deal with it. The loneliness. You know that's one of my worst fears? Being alone. Dying alone? That's bad. Living alone? That's worse."
"I hate being alone too," said Becky.
"Good thing we still got each other. You're one of the reasons I'm still alive. You're a really great friend, Becky. I like how you protect me all me the time. Even when I don't need it."
Becky giggled.
"Well, what can I say? I am a damn good friend."
"Ha. You're a cute one too."
Carol smiled as Becky blushed slightly.
"Carol Pingrey. Don't tell me you came here just to dance and flirt with me."
"Darn, ya caught me!" said Carol before giggling.
Becky and Carol locked eyes as they continued moving along the dance floor.
"I guess I'm the cure to your loneliness?" asked Becky.
Carol's smile turned into a frown. Becky gulped as Carol stopped moving.
"I did not mean it that way," said Becky. "Fuck, I just made things awkward, didn't I?"
"No, no. You didn't say anything wrong. It's just– don't say that word. I hate hearing that word."
"What, loneliness?"
"Cure!" Carol whispered loudly. "I'm sorry, Becky. I gotta go."
Carol walked out of the East Room, leaving Becky alone in the dance floor.
Becky groaned and walked to the bar table. She grabbed a bottle of red wine and filled a glass of it. She began gulping the glass as Lori approached her.
"Hey, did you taste the cake yet?" asked Lori.
"Yeah, it's tasty," said Becky.
"Right?" said Lori. "Lincoln certainly outdid himself!"
"Yeah. Hey, um, how's this wedding feeling like?"
"Like the best day of my life!" said Lori.
"It feels real to you?"
"It is real! I know since there isn't any actual government it may not seem like Bobby and I are married, but who needs a marriage certificate? Oh, I gotta go, Bobby wants to dance again!"
Lori returned to the dance floor as Becky grabbed the wine bottle, pouring herself another cup.
"It isn't real," Becky said to herself. "Whole thing's just an illusion. A distraction."
Becky drank the cup and moved it away as she began to drink from the bottle. She remained alone as the others danced.
Lori and Bobby slowly spun around. As Lori held Bobby's arms, she looked away into empty chairs.
She blinked.
Hector and Rosa sat next to each other, smiling at her. And next to her was Frida and Rita. Then, Lynn Sr. and Carlos. Then, CJ and Lucy. Then, Lola and Carl. Then, Carlota. Then, Leni.
She blinked again. The table was empty.
"Let's go," whispered Bobby. "I'm getting tired, but I got a surprise for you in our bedroom."
Lori looked back at him and slowly nodded. They both ran off to the exit of the East Room, giggling and skipping.
David grinned widely before George nudged him.
"What you so happy for?" asked George.
"It's just… I don't know. Lori's happy. I'm real happy. She's kinda like…"
"The daughter you never had?"
David nodded.
"I get it," said George. "In this world, familial love don't come around that often. They always dwindle. It's no surprise we seek it out in those we trust and care about."
"Right," said David. "I'm gonna get myself a drink."
"And I'm following you," chuckled George.
The men approached the bar table, grabbing a couple bottles of wines while Becky continued drinking hers. It was one of the happiest days ever. But not for everyone.