Coming to you live from TFMU, here's the next chapter! it is so good getting to spend time with everyone here.

Chapter 18

From the moment her first decision was made, a lot of things fell into place.

Alice personally went to Washington National Cathedral and spoke with the person in charge of booking events. What they'd thought would be hard-fought turned out to be far easier than anyone would have guessed. Within forty-five minutes of walking in, Alice had booked the cathedral for May 5, 2029. It meant there were eleven months to plan everything. Bella didn't have the time or the freedom of movement to take all the appointments she would need to.

With that thought in mind, Alice did some searching and found a few candidates to become the President's wedding planner. After a round of background checks and security clearances, three were scheduled for meetings with the President and the future First Gentleman.

The first, Ester Trujillo, was far too conservative in her ideas for either of their liking. She'd also balked at having the reception in the cathedral, even though it was regularly done. She spent most of the meeting pushing for the White House to be the venue for the reception. She was escorted out and Bella shook her head dismissively to Alice.

The second candidate, Kyla Jansen, might have been a good fit, but they would never know. While she was a respected wedding planner, she froze in the room with the First Couple and could barely get out her pitch. In the end, she was led out and her name was also crossed off the list.

The third possible planner came in with a rolling cart filled with thin binders of possibilities. Dawn Grulla didn't come in with a ready-made plan, but instead had themes and ideas from the countless weddings she'd handled in the past. She asked questions and was engaging as she jotted notes, showing she was interested in what had already been decided or discussed. Something about her clicked for Bella and she scheduled a meeting with her for later in the week so they could discuss details.

"Does that mean I have the job?" Dawn asked, cautiously.

"Yes. You're the only candidate I would even consider working on our wedding," Isabella told her.

"Thank you, Madam President, Sir. I promise this will be the wedding of your dreams."

"Have a good day, Dawn," Edward said as he walked her to the door. Once it was closed, he turned back. "Am I needed for anything else at the moment?"

"No. Did you have a meeting planned?" Bella asked as she glanced at her phone.

"Not a meeting, per se, but I'm having lunch with Secretary Cullen. He offered to assist with my transition from being an agent to a member of the administration."

Bella beamed at that. "Carlisle is the perfect person to help with that. Give him my best."

"I will, Love." With a quick kiss and a wave to Alice, Edward left for his lunch plans.

"He's taking things in stride," Alice said as she looked over her notes.

"Edward's always been adaptive, which is why he's so good at his job." Bella paused for a moment and looked closely at her friend. "How have you been doing recently?"

"Fine," Alice responded dismissively.

"Mary Alice Brandon, don't make me pull rank on you. I'm asking how my best friend is doing."

Alice sighed and set down her tablet. "I just got my latest blood work back. My numbers are better than expected, but still not good enough for my doctors to consider the transplant. It's frustrating. I'm tired of being sick. And if I'm really honest, I'm tired of wearing a wig. I'd like to have my real hair in your wedding photos."

"Do they have a timeline?" Bella asked.

"Three more treatments, then another check. I will have my blood work done in late August. If everything is good, then we can go forward with the procedure."

"Edward has studied all the literature and met with the transplant doctor, so he's ready whenever you're in need."

"I'll never be able to repay him for doing this. It will give me the fighting chance I need," Alice said, choked up by the emotions the topic brought out of her.

"I have one more thing, then I'd like to move on to a happier topic."

"What's that?" Alice asked.

"The president of the Republic of Ireland will be making a State visit to the US in December."

"So, there's a State Dinner to plan on top of everything else?" Alice's question was a valid one; it was a lot of work.

"Yes, but I think having someone solely focused on the wedding will allow the Social Secretary to gather everything needed for this event."

Alice nodded, taking notes. "Elise Worth is good at her job, but not having to split her time will make it easier. As for your other plans for later this month, I got everything cleared with a certain protective detail team leader."

"Garrett was able to handle it?"

Alice nodded with a smirk. "Yes, the restaurant will reserve a private table and they've got security planned."

"That's great. I think we both need this night."

"And so does the campaign."

Bella rolled her eyes. Everything was seen in terms of what it would mean for the campaign, she knew that. But she wanted Edward's birthday dinner to be something special.

The two weeks that passed were a mix of campaigning, preliminary discussions about the State Dinner and her wedding, and actual governing. But when the morning of June twentieth dawned, nothing else mattered. Bella had been planning, and tonight she'd be able to give Edward a gift they'd both wanted.

Edward knew she had plans, but the fact that he'd been left out of them annoyed him to no end. Not even Garrett telling him that he'd been the one to oversee things had calmed him down.

But at the end of her workday, when Bella came down the stairs in an A-line draped chiffon dress with a band of fabric wrapped around her waist to give the dress a defined shape, all other thoughts left his head. The dress was a green-blue that went so well with her coloring. His eyes drifted down to her nude heels and back up to the combs pushing the hair off her face.

"You look stunning, my love," Edward murmured into her ear.

"Thank you. And happy birthday. Are you ready to head out?"

"I am, though I would feel better if I knew where we were going."

"Garrett has everything all in hand. Can you just enjoy your fortieth birthday?"

"If it was anyone other than him, I'm not sure I could."

"Your birthday gift got special clearance from the party and the administration. Can we please get to the part of the night where I give it to you?" Bella pleaded. "I'm excited to be out on your arm."

"This transition is a little hard on me. I'm feeling it today more than most."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart."

They walked out to the Beast and climbed inside. Edward was watching the movement of the car until he saw the other cars parked outside Ocean Prime.

"You closed down the restaurant?"

"They were able to get us a private table. Security has been there to ensure everything is set up."

"Okay, this is our first official outing that isn't linked to the campaign. Are you ready?" Edward asked, concerned.

"Yes."

The car pulled up out front and the photographers began snapping pictures over the shoulders of the agents lining the sidewalk from the car to the door of the restaurant. They were quickly escorted back to their table and a waiter approached.

"Madam President, Agent Masen, I'm Jason and I'll be your server today. Your order was pre-placed by the agents just prior to your arrival and is being prepared, but can we get you something to drink?"

"I'll take sparkling water with lime, please," Bella told him.

"The same for me," Edward answered.

"Excellent. I'll be back in a moment."

As soon as the waiter left, Edward reached across the table to link his fingers with Bella's. "I had a few meetings today. Dawn is definitely in her element with wedding planning."

"She is. We're fortunate to have found her. How did your meeting go?"

"She wanted my opinions on some things and she brought up an interesting idea," Edward informed her.

"What was that?"

"How would you feel about Carlisle standing up for us? He and I have spent a lot of time together these last few months and the two of you have been close since you first met. It would also allow you to ask Virna to be a bridesmaid."

"I think it is a great idea, but only if you are okay with it," Bella gushed. She thought it was a great way to incorporate all the people most important to them.

"I more than like it. I feel like Carlisle will be someone we'll only grow closer to in the months and years to come."

"I agree. Did Jackson come to see you?" Bella asked.

"Trent." Edward informed her.

"We'll have to speak about that on the way home. But I'm glad he was able to update you separately."

Jason returned with their drinks and appetizers, temporarily halting their conversation.

In between bites and furtive glances, Edward decided to push his luck. "What's this gift that you had to clear with half of Washington?"

"There was also a poll done."

"You had to poll my birthday gift?" The disbelief was plain on his face.

"It was a big one."

"Should I be afraid?"

Bella's smirk was a touch devious. "I hope not. It's only a change of address."

"What?"

"Move into the White House."

"That polled favorably?"

"This isn't the 1950s, Edward. The American people don't hold to those old traditions, and sixty-three percent of those polled said they thought it was the right thing for you to move in prior to the wedding."

"I thought that would mean like next April," Edward admitted.

"From a security standpoint, it makes sense. You don't have a detail yet, so while you're on site you'll be more protected than at your apartment."

"It is getting more difficult to push through the crowd every morning."

"That's why I pushed for it. You're a sitting duck with your building being discovered. Just because your doormen can keep them from entering doesn't mean someone couldn't ambush you outside. I worry about something happening to you because of me."

"And you really don't think it will hurt the campaign?"

"Not according to 63% of registered voters."

Edward chuckled. "Fine. I'll start working on that on my next day off."

"Speaking of which, has there been any progress on your replacement?"

"Garrett has been doing a lot of vetting this time around. There are a few we like, three men and one woman."

"I'm surprised that it hasn't come up before. There are moments when having a woman on the team is advantageous."

"That was his point of view. We're waiting on a few final checks, then a final decision will be made. They'll be installed on the team by August."

Bella frowned. "I thought you were going to remain on the team for longer?"

"Appearances will ramp up in the last few months of the campaign. If I'm going to donate to Alice at that time, it is easier if I'm already off the detail."

"Makes sense." Bella nodded. She nearly began her next topic when Jason arrived with their dinner.

"Can I get you anything else for now?"

"Another bottle of sparkling water would be great, Jason."

"Of course, Madam President." Jason scurried away, a blush coloring his skin clear to his ears.

"You were about to say something?" Edward urged her to continue once the bottle was dropped off.

"How is Garrett doing?"

"Fine."

"Edward," Bella pressed.

"He's used to dealing with difficult situations. Alice is making progress, even if it is at a slower pace than we'd like, but he's committed."

"I'm glad to hear that. I miss the days when Garrett would drop the special agent persona with me."

"He's going to be the head of both teams soon and you're under threat. The fact that they were smart enough to do what they did the way they did it …" Edward shook his head. "Technology is as terrifying as it is incredible."

"That it is."

They focused on their meal, enjoying the high-end cuisine, even if it meant dozens of hoops to jump through to get it.

Dessert was brought out, and after they devoured Edward's favorite vanilla bean cake with mixed berry compote and thick vanilla frosting, they made their way back out through the kitchen. Once safely in the Beast, and Bella was snuggled next to Edward, happy she'd been able to give him a nice evening out for his birthday, she cleared her throat and asked the one question she'd been dying to ask.

"Large parts of the bomb were 3D printed. Is that how it was able to avoid detection?"

"That is what we're assuming. There was minimal metal, so wanding it wouldn't have registered much since there are screws holding the chair together. There are so many tips coming in, they have to chase down each one."

"I wish they would get lucky and find the right lead. This is troubling to say the least."

Edward gripped her hand. "Everyone is being vigilant, Bella. We aren't looking at this as an isolated incident."

"I know. But I have enough to worry about without wondering who wants me dead," Bella said through a shiver.

"You need to let the agents do their job, and focus on yours. I know that is difficult, but if there's a reason to be concerned, they'll notify you. Plus, your husband will have some insight into when they're being too vigilant for it to be nothing."

"Thank you."

They arrived back at the White House and Edward followed Bella up to the Residence, where they celebrated the last hours of his birthday in private.

A great deal was changing for both of them. The coming months would prove to be eventful.