Happy Holidays to everyone. Whatever you celebrate, or don't, wishing you a wonderful rest of 2023 and start to 2024.
This will be my last update of the year, and as I have no completed chapters banked, the next one will come when I'm able to write it, but I won't have much time before the end of the first week of January. Thanks as always to my team and those of you who support me. We reached a big review milestone, one I've only hit a few times. Thank you for 1000 reviews.
Chapter 26
"Breathe, Bella," Edward whispered as they stood just inside the South Portico.
Emmett was behind them, Rosalie and Henry at his side. Everyone else of importance was already at the Capitol, waiting to take their seats on the Inauguration platform.
"Ma'am, we're ready," Garrett told her.
After a deep breath, she nodded.
"Phoenix and Mihos are on the move," Sam notified the other agents.
"Pegasus and Pan are moving." Emmett's agent said into their earpiece, mobilizing both Emmett and Henry's teams.
They rode the distance between the White House and the Capitol without issue and were soon standing just inside the doors that led to the platform.
The announcer introduced each person one by one as they walked out onto the stage and stood, waiting for Isabella and Edward to finally make their appearance. When the moment came, they stepped out to thunderous applause.
The Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies opened the Ceremony with a speech about the historic election of our nation's first female president. It was a distinction that needed to be made, as her first two years in office were assumed after President Clearwater's death. From that speech, the priest from Washington National Cathedral stood before the crowd to lead them in prayer.
The Presentation of the National Colors by members of the Armed Forces was followed by the National Anthem, performed by Kelly Clarkson. After Ms. Clarkson left the stage, Vice President McCarty and his son, Henry, approached the side of the podium as Isabella took her place across from him.
It was normal for a Justice from the Supreme Court to administer the oath, but Emmett had wanted Isabella to do it, as she was the reason he had the job.
Henry was helped onto a stool so he could hold the Bible his father would swear upon.
Emmett recited the oath clearly and without hesitation. Once it was over, he lifted his son in his arms and kissed Isabella on the cheek as he took his seat.
Zafrina came out to sing, "This Land is Your Land," as the segue between the oaths.
When it was Isabella's moment, Edward stood to hold the Bible for her as the Chief Justice spoke the oath that Isabella repeated back.
"I, Isabella Marie Swan, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God."
The Chairman of the Committee returned to the podium just long enough to introduce Isabella as the President of the United States. Isabella moved to the podium and took a deep breath before she began her speech.
"In August of 2024, I was sitting in my office in Olympia, Washington when my Chief of Staff, the same woman who serves in that capacity within my current Cabinet, told me I had a VIP visitor. I had no idea that I'd made it onto the radar of the Democratic nominee for President of the United States, but apparently, he'd seen something in a Governor with nothing more than aspirations at the time.
"A two-hour conversation ended with a hug that reminded me a great deal of my father, and an offer. 'Be my running mate, Isabella. You may not have been aiming this high this soon, but I need you working beside me.'" Isabella smiled sadly at the memory.
"I was honored that he thought so much of me, but I asked for a little time to consider it. The next day, I called and took him up on his offer.
"Through a tough few months of campaigning, I found a partner and a mentor. And for twenty-eight months, we were a team. I was proud to serve this nation beside him, both here and abroad." She swallowed around the lump in her throat.
"On the morning of April 19, 2027, when I was briefed on his passing and sworn in with the same oath I just pledged, I achieved something I had always dreamed of, though the price was dear. As the ninth Vice President to assume the office of the President after their predecessor died, and the fifth to do so after they were assassinated, I found myself in the job more than a decade before I'd anticipated.
"It didn't diminish my resolve to be what our nation needed and to fulfill the promises Harry and I had made. With threats being levied against me and many people waiting for a woman to fail, it was a tightrope to show the world that I was equal to this task.
"My generation is one who has lived through a century's worth of world events, both horrific and incredible, before we even made it to the age where we could run for this illustrious office. Twenty years ago, an African American man was sworn into this office. Four years ago, a Native American, and today, the first elected female president."
Isabella paused for the thunderous applause.
"We have a long way to go to heal the rifts in our fractured nation, but that starts with recognizing all voices. Listening to others does not diminish your say. America is not a pie; there is time for everyone to speak as long as those words aren't aimed to harm your fellow Americans. Too much blood has been shed for us to continue down that road."
"I'm excited by all the youth we've sent to Washington this election. Long-held offices will now have fresh blood in them as those who have served our nation for decades take a much deserved rest. We will honor their work by continuing to serve the American people, and in doing so, build our own legacy, to be remembered when our time is done."
More applause came from the massive crowd assembled before the stage. After Reba McEntire sang "Amazing Grace" to more cheers, the Head of the Inauguration Committee introduced Billie Anders, the Inaugural Poet. Billie was a few years older than the president with dark red hair and blue eyes, wrapped in a cerulean winter coat, and with the presence of someone born to stand before a crowd.
From cannon balls and musket fire
We forged a nation that promised perfection
But perfection is a dream unachievable
So we struggle towards an unrealistic ideal
Through growth and triumph, war and pain
America stretched her borders and flexed her muscles
Taking a seat at the table on the world's stage
But neglected matters at home
In hopes of saving the world at her own expense
She burned the candle at both ends
And drifted farther from her promise
As the reality proved harder that the dream
So it went unrealized
And America remained unfulfilled
As she filled the cups of others
Like a mother who cares for herself last
Now we find our table filled with conflict
And in need of a mother for our nation
So we turn to one who would care for us as if we were her child
With a calm voice and a firm hand
We see hope again and raise our heads to look forward
To see the beautiful America of a promise long forgotten
Fulfilled at long last
Billie Anders stepped back from the podium and turned to the President and First Gentleman. As much as the applause might have meant, she was more concerned with their reaction. But the luminous smile on Isabella's face was all the reassurance she needed. After hugging the couple and shaking hands as she exited, Billie was replaced at the podium with a pastor from Emmett's Alma Mater for the closing prayer.
The procession of the Retirement of the National Colors was the final moment of ceremony before Isabella and Edward exited the stage followed by Emmett, Henry, and Rosalie.
They didn't have far to go as they entered the Capitol Building for the Signing Ceremony and then to celebrate at the Inaugural Luncheon. After the luncheon they participated in, the Pass in Review of the assembled members of the military, then began the Procession to the White House.
It was mid-afternoon when they arrived. Rosalie was grateful that Isabella had offered to let her change at the White House, so she wouldn't need to fight traffic to be on time for the Inaugural Ball.
Like the party hosted only a month prior, the Ball was a great success, with plenty of photo opportunities and turns on the dance floor. They were entertained by some of their guests taking the microphone.
The black and floral gown that Isabella wore, with the accented lines on her bodice, was commented on during the morning news and talk shows, but Isabella wasn't worried much if one network praised what another railed against. The dress was worn and it was back to the business of governing.
It was on that note that Alice set up an office for Edward's role as First Gentleman. He was still trying to find his footing with his new staff, but he was grateful for their assistance. Alice had interviewed people for Edward's remaining staff vacancies, weeding out the majority before he held the final interviews and chose. To match the new united front between the married couple, Victoria and James Evans were brought in to join the team of speech writers, while Renata Erie joined the press office as Edward's Press Secretary. The instant connection between her and Riley and the rest of the staff bolstered Edward's confidence in the decision.
The most important part of the team was the hardest for Edward to find, but the moment he met Jackson Hartnell, a former Army Captain who shared his passion for helping veterans returning from overseas, he had his Chief of Staff. Jack, as he preferred to be called, was quick to coin the term for Edward's social cause, "Fighting the War at Home."
Edward had seen firsthand how difficult it was to return from active duty with more than just physical scars and not enough help offered for the mental toll war took on the men and women fighting it. He saw it in the VAs and the homeless veterans on the side of the road, unable to acclimate to civilian life after taking up a call few others would. He'd been fortunate in his ability to recover and reacclimate, but for his brothers and sisters, it was difficult at times.
On the other side of the job, showing that it was traditionally the wife's role, Edward's staff included the Social Secretary and the White House Chief Floral Designer, the Executive Chef, and the White House Chief Usher.
The opposing party enjoyed that fact and brought it up when discussing the state of the White House in the press.
It rankled Bella, but Edward just let it roll off his back. "Bella, if that's the worst they have to say about us, they're reaching."
There was barely a moment for him to finish the sentence before the door opened and Alice and Jack were making their way to Isabella's desk.
"We're already working to have this contained, but it's clearly AI," Alice began to explain.
"What is?" Isabella asked.
"This." Jack handed over his tablet.
On it, was a website with photos that were clearly computer generated, as Alice said. The photos were salacious, showing the president with several members of her protective detail, as well as some other agents that worked for members of her administration.
As they scrolled through them, Edward growled at a familiar face. "Why does he keep showing up whenever there's trouble?"
"Who?"
"Royce," Edward growled.
"He hasn't even been in DC since December," Bella said.
"How do you know that?" Edward asked.
"Emmett told me that he had a new agent in the interim. Royce had some kind of family emergency and went back to New York."
"His mother had a stroke," Alice confirmed. "Garrett told me not long after it happened because he gave them the names of a few agents who were nearly chosen for your team."
"Look, I know this isn't real, but John Caius is going to get himself on every conservative news program and rail about family values," Edward said, pacing. "Plus, every guy who has a thing for you is going to add this to their spank bank."
"If a guy was going to do that, this picture isn't the only thing he has saved to his hard drive," Bella reasoned. "And as for Caius, let him. We have the advantage as the injured party. But more importantly, we've been trying since last session to get the AI regulations bill through Congress. This may just give us the push we need."
"How can you be so calm about this?" Edward shouted, exasperated.
"Because that's not me. If someone had taken a photo of us through a telephoto lens, then I'd be angry. That one guy has two penises. How can I take it seriously?"
Jack and Edward looked at the photo in question and Jack tried his best to hold in a laugh. "We should meet with Riley and Renata and get a statement out there."
"Agreed," Alice said. "We'll get back to you if we need you to make a statement, but I think a press conference is best for now."
It was an hour later that Edward and Bella watched Riley deliver her statement as it aired on the news.
"President Swan is disgusted that someone would use this technology to create pornographic depictions of her and the federal agents who serve to protect a number of members of her administration. These men have families and lives outside the oath they took, and this is putting a strain on their lives as well. Whether politically motivated or not, these images are a violation of the current laws against AI creations, but also go to show that those laws do not go far enough. The administration is cooperating with law enforcement to find those responsible and hold them accountable for their actions. We won't be taking questions at this time. Thank you."
Edward turned off the broadcast just as Riley walked away from the podium. "Do you think that will be enough?"
"No, but we'll handle whatever comes of this as it unfolds."