Chapter 7
Bella sat in the Lincoln bedroom trying to process the last few hours.
The White House issued a statement that the former First Family would be transitioning out of the White House over the next few days. Sue thanked the nation for their support of her and the children in the wake of Harry's passing and expressed relief that the Vice President's residence was being made available to them during their transition.
That statement seemed to ease the crowd around the Vice President's Residence as trucks went to and fro, but at the moment, the four of them were staying in The Residence in the White House. The number of agents up there was higher than normal as representatives from both teams were there, but Sue and the kids were on the top floor, with only a few belongings left after the rest had been packed up.
Bella sat on the bed, content to let Donut settle in, when there was a knock on the door.
"Ma'am, there's a Mrs. Lawrence here to speak with you."
Bella hopped off her bed and opened the door, grateful to see a woman she'd come to trust over the years. She took in Virna's dark skin and naturally curly hair, envious of how comfortable she had always been in her skin.
"Madam President," Virna addressed her in a tone she knew would annoy her friend and client, happy to see she'd earned an eye roll from the Commander in Chief. "Is this a bad time? I know it is the evening, but I thought it best to make some headway tonight so whoever is allowed to execute my vision can begin soon."
"This is perfect. I need a distraction."
"Are we able to go into the rooms? I know the Clearwaters are still here; I don't want to seem unsympathetic to their situation."
"The kids always had rooms on the top floor, but Sue is staying in a room upstairs. So we have free rein down here."
Bella led her to the Treaty Room so they could use the table to go over ideas.
"All right, I know there are rooms upstairs that are traditionally used as guest rooms for various people, if not for members of the First Family. After seeing the pictures, I thought I would go for a similar idea I have used in your previous homes. So for the right bedrooms, I've pulled paint options and fabrics in the colors and style of the Pacific Northwest, as well as New York. I've got some amazing artwork to use as an anchor in those rooms. Since a lot of them have traditional furniture, I thought we'd leave that as is. Though I do have items to replace what will be taken by the Clearwaters."
Isabella marveled at how, one by one, each design evoked a specific feeling. The contrast of the specific greens, blues, and yellows of Washington to the gray and blue with gold and brick toned accents was striking. But as the majority of the palette was cool colors, it all worked together.
"These are exceptional. I don't have words for how you've made these fit my style, and done it so quickly."
The door opened and Garrett stuck his head in. "Ma'am, Leah wanted to speak with you."
"Let her in. You all just came on shift?" she asked.
"Agent Masen made the call."
"Thank you, Garrett."
"What was all that? Isn't Agent Masen …"
"He was, but now is not the time to discuss that," Bella told her as Leah entered the room. "Leah, did you need something? Or were you just looking for some girl time?"
"I wanted to talk to you, but I didn't know you were busy. I can come back later."
"You don't have to leave. This is my friend Virna, she's an interior designer and she's going to be handling the update to The Residence for me. Did you want to see?"
Leah walked over to the table and looked at the designs that were already laid out. "Wow. How do you make it all work?"
"I draw inspiration from the person I'm designing for and from something I plan on placing in the room. For these rooms, I took artwork, mainly photography I knew Isabella liked, and I started there. Colors and textures that can make each room special. For ones where I'll also be replacing the furniture, I continue that idea into those choices."
"Can I see more?" Leah asked, excited.
"Sure, I was just about to show Ma'am here my designs for the last two rooms upstairs. The Music Room and the Game Room."
"Did you really devote a wall to each of my teams?" Bella immediately picked up the board for the Game Room.
"Yes, I picked a medium gray as a neutral color then found these creative logo designs. I thought we could put various memorabilia for your teams on their respective walls and the massive TV up there would take care of the final wall. Along with the logos and a few things you have for your dad's teams."
"You and your dad rooted for different teams?" Leah asked. She seemed fascinated to learn more about this side of her father's closest work colleague.
"I spent most of the first twelve years of my life in New York. I was raised on the Rangers and the Mets. My father was a devoted Mariners and Seahawks fan. I didn't watch football, so cheering for the Seahawks was something I did by default, but I couldn't go against my boys from Queens, no matter how much he wanted to convert me. And I helped to bring the Kraken to Seattle, so they had to be my Western Conference team."
"Was it hard to still root for your dad's team after he died?" Leah questioned, tracing a pattern on the table.
"I had eighteen years living in Washington with my dad before he passed away. I lost my mom at Seth's age so they were both difficult for different reasons. But at the end of the day, loving what we did together was a way to keep his memory alive. You'll find your own way to navigate the grief. There will be things you'll cling to, and others you'll need to lock away for a while. But those are your choices and no one can fault them. Remember the dad who took you on vacations and read to you. He was the president to everyone, but he was your dad. And that is a special bond."
Bella and Leah were both crying now, and as Bella pushed back from the table, Leah mirrored her movements so they could embrace. After a long moment, they pulled back and looked down at the designs still on the table.
"I love the idea for the dining room. My dad wanted the colors of the mountains back home, a mix of red rocks and the Black Hills mountains. The cool colors will be a nice change."
Virna smiled. "You, my dear, sound like an artist at heart."
"Oh, I don't know about all that. I don't even know what I want to major in," Leah told her
"Keep your options open. And if you ever decide to go into design, I think we could find you an internship once you're ready. I'm always looking for new talent at my firm."
From there, the design of the Master Suite, the West Sitting Room, the Yellow Oval Room, and the Treaty Room were reviewed. Bella could see where these were tweaked versions of designs Virna had used previously in other residences she'd designed for Bella, but instead of being annoyed as some might, she appreciated the comfort the familiarity would bring. There were some pieces that had been in storage, as well as ones from her current home, which would replace items that didn't fit with the style they were going for, and in the end, it would be beautiful.
With Bella's approval of the design, Virna was shown out, her file now waiting to be given to Athenodora when she made the trip with Bella's outfit for the next morning.
By ten that night, the design instructions were in the hands of the staff that would begin carrying them out the following morning while everyone was participating in the procession from the White House to the Capitol Building. Athenodora promised to arrive early to assist Bella and she was once again curled up in her temporary bed, hoping tomorrow would be a better day.
The morning dawned and Isabella took her time getting ready. She wore a black dress that was stately but still age appropriate, low heels, and modest jewelry. The sound of foot traffic in the hallway alerted her to the number of agents there. She poked her head outside and saw Garrett speaking with Samuel just off to the side.
"Garrett, were you able to handle my request?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I contacted Captain Stefan and he made the arrangements. Once the procession is done and you and the former First Family depart, we will make the trip."
"The timing of it won't make it difficult for them?"
"No. They've actually closed the road due to construction, but they're not working today due to the State Funeral, so they agreed to allow you time to visit. Between the men Captain Stefan arranged and our own, you will be safe during your time there."
"Thank you, for making the arrangements on such short notice. I wasn't sure if it would happen this soon."
"The timing actually worked in our favor. Athenodora had the floral arrangement you requested made up and they're ready to be put in the back of your vehicle so they're available to you."
"Then it would seem we're ready."
Bella stepped out and saw the former First Family descend the stairs. A few bags were packed and being carried by staff down to their own vehicle.
Sue turned to Bella with a tremulous smile. "It would appear to be time."
The four of them walked to the North Portico where the casket was already loaded onto the caisson. With an army of agents, members of the military, and other dignitaries that had been selected as pallbearers, the procession began.
They followed the caisson and military horse, draped in a traditional native blanket under the saddle, the boots in the stirrups facing the wrong way, to represent the last look back of the fallen leader on his men.
Once they got onto the public streets, the crowds could be seen and heard as they walked the slow pace to the Capitol.
Halfway through the procession, the military flyover with the missing man broke up the somber silence. Bella, who was walking beside Leah, offered her hand to the young woman who reminded her so much of herself in that moment, trying to be strong when she felt anything but.
When the Capitol Building came into view, the honorary pallbearers took their places and walked beside the casket while eight members of the armed forces actually carried the casket up the stairs and into the Rotunda.
The bier, first used by Abraham Lincoln, sat ready for its latest charge and once Harry's coffin was in place, the men stood back and saluted him.
Sue and their children were first to publicly visit him, followed by Isabella, and his pallbearers. With the ceremony complete, Bella was escorted to one side entrance while the Clearwaters stepped outside to welcome those waiting to pay their respects.
The motorcade was in position and Bella entered with Garrett and Toshiro in the front, with the other members of the two details split between the other vehicles.
The nearly five-mile drive to Arlington National Cemetery was uneventful. The presence of the military was clear once they entered the closed-off area.
The car pulled up along a row Bella knew all too well. Just as she expected, she heard Carmen's shutter clicks on her digital camera in the absence of all other sound. It would be documented, and released to remind people why their new President was unmarried. It was not by choice.
Her steps were sure as she walked down the pristinely kept gravesites until she reached the one she was looking for.
Sergeant Jacob Black
January 14, 1990 - February 22, 2015
Bella placed the flowers in the already prepared vase and ran her hand against the smooth stone. Her tears fell for a moment as she thought of how often he promised she would get to this place.
"I made it, Jake. It wasn't how either of us envisioned it, or wanted it to happen, but I'm here. I know you're still watching my six, and that makes me feel better. Because you would move heaven and earth for me."
Bella took another few moments to talk to the first man she'd ever loved, then stood and locked eyes with the last man she'd felt that way about. She could tell by the set of his jaw that he was fighting back his own feelings, but she couldn't give in to her need to seek him out, even in her anger at his choice.
She needed to be strong now.
The nation demanded it of her.