We're getting to see a bit more of the world here, and more of Bella's history. Hope you enjoy and see you in two weeks!

Chapter 8

Bella made it through the second and third day of the State Funeral. It was the nation's time to mourn, and her time to work. She would do that. For Harry. For herself.

Garrett's Bravo Team had switched off and she was surprised by the frequency of their changes. The only thing she knew for sure about the job of being on a protective detail was that the hours were predictable. Sometimes, they'd work twelve hours, sometimes a team would stay with her for a day, then the next morning she would wake up having missed their shift change.

The Residence was organized chaos as they followed Virna's designs down to the smallest details. Donut had taken to following her through the halls and into the offices. She'd compiled the pictures of Donut that had been requested and given them to Alice to pass on to the staffer in charge of her social media.

She sat through meetings and briefings and noted the pertinent details, but felt her resolve crumbling. She needed to scream, yell, or throw something, but none were options at the moment.

It was a rare moment alone when her intercom buzzed with another visitor.

"Secretary Cullen, Ma'am."

"Let him in," Isabella responded.

She watched as he walked in and Edward followed inside, motioning for Marcus to step out. He seemed grateful for the break, likely needing to use the restroom. When Carlisle chose the sofas instead of the chair across from her desk, she knew this would be a difficult discussion.

She stood and sat across from him, their eyes meeting after a moment.

"The pictures at Arlington were lovely. The picture of a devoted widow," Carlisle said.

"I didn't earn that title," Bella reminded him.

"Not according to Rebecca Finau."

Bella's eyes went wide at the mention of Jacob's older sister. "Someone reached out to Jacob's sister?"

"She actually contacted a local radio station in Hawaii, who had her on. There's a video of the interview." Carlisle held out his tablet to show her a frozen image of a woman she hadn't seen in years.

Bella tapped the button on the screen to start the video.

"Today we're joined by Rebecca Finau. She's the wife of professional surfer Solomon Finau, and older sister to Jacob Black, the man whose grave President Swan was seen visiting yesterday after taking part in the procession to bring Former President Harold Clearwater's casket to the Capitol Building. Rebecca, thank you for contacting us to give your point of view on yesterday's events."

"Thank you for having me, Sig. Normally I'm just listening to your morning show while getting my kids ready for school. Being in the studio is quite exciting. But on the topic you've brought up, when I got the call about the photo from my twin sister Rachel, I had to speak out."

"How did you first meet President Swan?" Sig began the interview easily.

"Through my younger brother, Jacob. He met her when she was working at the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs in Olympia, Washington. He went there on behalf of our father, who was the chief of the Quileute Tribe at the time. She assisted him with an issue and then after a while, they began seeing one another."

"Was it a serious relationship?" Sig questioned.

"My brother was serious about three things: his military service, our tribe, and Bella Swan. And she was just as devoted to him. They were engaged when he was killed in action. It had been a long engagement because Jacob had wanted the time to plan something special. I think she would have been happy to have had a courthouse wedding if it meant they were married. She was devastated when he died."

"And your family chose to have him buried in Washington DC as opposed to locally? Or was that the wish of President Swan?"

"Jacob had wanted it. He'd made his wishes well known and the Army had it all on file. President Swan–sorry, that's still amazing to think she's the president–she made sure Jacob's wishes were honored. At the time, my father was upset, but he came to understand why Jacob wanted the honor if he could receive it."

"Are you surprised that she would choose such a public moment to visit him?"

"Her entire life is public now. I think she needed a little bit of something familiar with all the change she must be experiencing. Jacob used to tell her she'd be president one day if she kept working at it. I'd like to think she was telling him the day had come. There isn't an insincere or disingenuous bone in her body. She was as present with her friends as she was with the elders of our tribe. President Swan has survived unimaginable tragedy in her life, and I believe what was captured in that moment was her taking a moment for herself before she responded to what the days to come will bring with the grace that all who really know her know she is capable of."

"Have you been in touch with President Swan recently?"

Rebecca laughed. "No. We lost our father early in the pandemic, and she sent a beautiful arrangement to the funeral home and made a donation to the tribe's Move to Higher Ground Fund in my brother's and father's names. She also sent my sister and me cards to express her condolences. Other than that, a Christmas card and an occasional email is the most we exchange after all these years and with so much distance between us."

"Well, thank you again, Rebecca, for that very personal view of President Swan, and for allowing us to record video for the site."

"Thank you for having me, Sig."

The recording ended just before the DJ sent it off to commercial. Bella stared at the image, moved beyond words that a woman who was nearly her sister-in-law half a lifetime ago had gone out of her way to defend her.

"That clip has gone viral. All the news outlets have picked it up. Your approval numbers just got a nice boost."

Bella stood, beginning to pace. "I didn't do it for a bump in my approval numbers or to create a nice photo op. Rebecca was right. Jacob and I used to talk about me being president and I needed to tell him I'd made it."

Carlisle shook his head sadly. "I didn't mean to sound like that was the reason behind it. But it had a nice byproduct. Now, I know this is entirely too soon, but you may want to consider selecting a Vice President. Lock in your right hand."

"In case I'm next?"

"No," Carlisle said, shocked that she thought he would go there. "So you have someone to handle the Hill. You know exactly how much work goes into the job. It would help if you weren't trying to do it all alone."

"I had a thought on that. I know Alice wanted a list, but Senator McCarty is my choice. He has what I lack as far as a résumé: military service, ties to the South, he's far more devout in his religion than I am, and he has the proper genitalia."

"I think you're right to make a decisive choice. I would contact the Senator so he's aware of your plans and have Alice begin the vetting process."

"Then, if you'll excuse me, I have a phone call to make."

"Ma'am?" Edward asked from his spot on the wall.

"Yes, Agent Masen?"

"It seems there's a question in The Residence. If you have a few moments, you could see what they need and make the call from upstairs."

"That works for me. Carlisle, we'll speak tomorrow."

"Have a pleasant evening, Bella. And if you can, stop reading the articles online for long enough to relax tonight."

Isabella packed her briefcase and after a nod to Edward, he radioed their departure. "Phoenix is on the move."

They made it to the Residenceand Bella found a nervous-looking young man standing in the main hallway. "Were you the person who needed to speak with me?"

"Yes, Ma'am. There was a question about the placement of a mirror that came with the dresser. We attempted to contact Mrs. Lawrence, but she wasn't answering."

"She traveled to personally pick up a few pieces of artwork for the other rooms. Show me the issue and I'm sure we can figure it out."

Edward followed along as the pair walked into the President's Master Bedroom. It was stunning. Painted a deep blue with silver accents, some artwork had been in Bella's bedroom at her former home, and some new items filled out the space. The reason for concern seemed to be a large round mirror that was supposed to be mounted to the dresser.

"I'm not sure I know what the issue is. The dresser will support it."

"It was just that it is directly across from the bed. We weren't sure how you'd feel about that."

"The dresser is on the opposite wall. I won't even notice it most of the time."

"Okay, we'll have it hung immediately, then. Your aide had us move your personal items out of the Lincoln Bedroom so you could fully settle in down here. Donut's things were also moved into the Dressing Room so he'll be able to get into his routine."

"The room turned out beautifully. Thank you for all your hard work. I'm going to just grab something out of the Dressing Room, then I'll get out of your way."

"Everything is set up in the gym upstairs, Ma'am," Edward supplied.

"Thank you."

She quickly collected some workout clothes and a pair of sneakers and went to the bathroom next to the gym to change. She was surprised to see Edward inside when she returned.

"I think I'll be fine in here, Agent Masen."

"I was wondering if you wanted to take out some of that frustration. I can get the pads for you to practice your kickboxing."

Bella looked at him and realized part of what had her so frustrated with him. Despite everything, he was still there. She was angry he'd chosen his job over her, but she would have done the same. He was a military man; he'd followed orders for half his life. When his Director told him what his options were, he chose the one he could live with. He put up with every angry look, every slammed door, and every time she rubbed his nose in his choice. But she saw what it was costing him. All she wanted was his arms.

"Okay."

Bella watched as he put the mitt-like pads on his hands and held them out for her to strike. At first she was tentative in her kicks and punches, but as she got into the rhythm, she let loose. She didn't know when it happened exactly, but the tears began to fall and she missed the pad, kicking Edward in the side.

His only acknowledgement was a grunt and a readjustment of his stance, but that was enough to send Bella spiraling.

"I'm sorry." Her face crumpled and she turned to run for the door, but Edward caught her just as the sobs began.

"Let it out, I have you."

She turned into his embrace and let out everything she was feeling, inhaling his familiar scent. The sound of the sparring pads hitting the floor registered just before she felt his hands, cool to the touch, holding her close as he rubbed soothing circles on her back.

This was what she missed. And what she was afraid she would never get back.

"Tell me to quit, Bella. Say the word and I'll do it," he whispered against her hair.

She heard how he meant it now, not how she'd taken it a few days ago. It wasn't thrown at her like an accusation that her job was more important than his. He was telling her that the only duty greater than the one he felt to his job, was the one he felt to her.

"I can't take that away from you."

"I'm trying to end this, Bella. Every waking moment is spent trying to make you safe so I can make my way back to you."

"I know."

A knock on the door interrupted their moment.

"Ma'am?" Athenodora's voice called from the hallway.

"Just a moment," Bella hollered back.

Their eyes met and Edward offered her his handkerchief. "She'll understand."

After a moment to compose herself in the bathroom, Bella stepped into the hallway.

"I apologize, but there's someone from the FBI here to speak with you."

"Where?" Isabella asked.

"The Treaty Room."

"Lead the way."

After a brief walk, inside Isabella found two agents seated at the conference table. Both men stood at her entrance and Edward took his position against the wall.

"I apologize for the wait. I was finishing up a workout."

The first agent spoke. "No apologies necessary, Ma'am. We wanted to speak to you about the investigation into the death of former President Clearwater."

"Is this a formal questioning?"

The second was quick to shake his head. "No, Madam President. Agent Trent and I are here to update you."

"And you are?"

"Agent Jackson, Ma'am."

"Well, let's sit down and get the briefing underway."

Bella listened as they told her all the facts they were willing to divulge. Many Bella knew from Edward, but she reacted appropriately. The detail that surprised her was the fact that they were going public.

"We have questioned Alec Wentworth. Whatever he knows, he's being tight-lipped about it. We're aware he was let go from the Secret Service so he doesn't pose an immediate danger, but we'll continue to monitor him as we investigate further. Waylon Jeffries has given us someone to put this on publicly to make those involved think he took those secrets with him. We plan to withhold certain details, but the American people deserve to know this was an assassination."

"Of course. I trust your judgment on this," Isabella told him. "Have you identified any more threats?"

Agent Trent answered. "Nothing beyond the normal chatter. We've been in contact with the Secret Service as we pass intel back and forth, but your name hasn't come up."

"Neither did Harry's until it was too late," she reminded them.

The room was silent for a moment before Agent Jackson spoke. "We won't take up any more of your time."

Once the men were gone, Bella turned to Edward. "How closely did they dig into me?"

"Enough to ask about our relationship. But since I was upfront about it with Fitzwilliam and I had been the agent in charge of finding the internal threat, I was cleared quickly. My finances don't support the kind of payoff involved."

"They were that thorough?"

"You want them to be that thorough. The fact that Wentworth is stonewalling them is concerning, though."

"You don't believe that Waylon was just trying to share the blame?"

"No. Whoever paid him off knew exactly how to get to him. We don't know if this is a bigger plot or some nutjob who didn't like that a progressive thinking non-white man was in power. But hopefully if it is something bigger, they'll slip up once they believe they got away with it."

"That's a big hope."