Posting this two weeks early as a thank you for all the support. I'm up for 9 TwiFic Fandom Awards, including two for this story. Voting opened today and will be open until the 26th. Link to voting can be found in my FB group, AgoodWITCH Writes.

Chapter 9

The funeral had been a beautiful and painful event. Eulogizing her friend and colleague and saying a final goodbye had been a heavy start to her day, especially since she had to face dignitaries and politicians who came to pay their respects.

President Aro Volturi was a welcome sight with his wife by his side. "Are you settling in all right? This is a historic time for your nation, despite the tragedy."

"Yes. I have a wonderful team around me, and a clear vision on how to move forward. The sad thing is we already need to look forward to the next election."

"Well, Italy stands with you, Signora Presidente."

"Grazie mille."

Bella looked up and found Senator McCarty was hanging back, as if he was looking to speak with her. She made her way to his side and they walked up the aisle of the church, both teams of agents close.

"My office was contacted by Ms. Brandon. Am I really your choice?"

"You have an excellent record. I feel we can help each other out of our current predicament."

"What do you think my chances are?"

"Once the vetting is done, I have little doubt they'll confirm you. Even if it is to hold a special election to fill your seat."

"I likely would have lost it anyway, with how much money they're dumping into my opponent."

"Once you're confirmed, I'm going to announce my plan to run in 2028. Most won't be surprised, but I need to make it official."

"I look forward to working beside you again."

"So do I."

Isabella did a bit more glad-handing on her way out of the cathedral, but as soon as they were outside, she was whisked off to the waiting vehicle. She had a lot of work to do and not nearly enough time to do it.

The early days after the funeral were filled with the work to establish Bella's leadership style. The news broke on the assassination of former President Harold Clearwater, and the people, while shocked, accepted that Waylon Jeffries had acted alone.

After a thorough vetting process, Emmett McCarty was now sitting through the second week of his confirmation hearings. Bella watched the proceedings recaps and was sure he would be her Vice President. However, the week and a half of questions was wearing on her, and she wasn't sitting in on it.

Bella could also sense some tension amongst her agents, and while they were professional, it was aggravating. She wanted to ask Edward about it, but felt it wasn't her place.

The head of the DNC had also made time to visit with Isabella to find out what her plans were.

"I have every intention of running. I was simply waiting for the end of the month of mourning to announce my candidacy."

"Excellent. When you are ready to make the announcement, notify us so we can put the full backing of the party behind you."

"No rumblings of someone wanting to oppose me?" Isabella asked.

"You're polling favorably, and since no one was intending to run against Harry, it would be a late start to the campaign. You've already been on the ticket, we just need your Vice President to make it through the vote this week and you can move on with the business of running the country."

"That's our intention. The study on the alternative pipeline locations has given us a favorable option for the new environmental energy bill. We can strike a balance to make alternative energy more accessible, but still appease those who feel it isn't reliable."

"It was a major campaign promise you'll be able to complete if it passes."

"We're determined to get it through."

The beep of her intercom let Bella know it was time to cut this meeting short.

"That is likely Ms. Brandon, here to report on her meeting. Good afternoon."

"Madam President."

The door opened to let Alice in and as soon as they were alone, she began. "They'll begin the confirmation vote tomorrow, but it is just a formality. He's got it in the bag."

"It will be a relief to have him in place."

"I'm sure. Where do you stand with Party leadership?"

"I've got their full support when I announce that I'll be running for my first full term. We agreed to wait out the month as you and I had discussed, but after that, we need to hit the ground running."

"There's a fundraiser that was planned for Harry, which we've kept in a holding pattern. It is scheduled for mid-June. We could announce your plans then use it as your first test at the top of the ticket."

"That was the one in Chicago, correct?"

"Yes."

"Make sure you notify Agent Masen. Someone will need to coordinate with the local field agents for the trip."

"Are things still cold between you?"

"Not like they were when everything first happened, but with the threat still looming, we're in limbo."

"I hate that getting what you wanted is costing you what you love."

"If there's a way for us to be together, Edward will find it."

"Speaking of which, what happened to his face?"

"Something's wrong with his face?" Bella asked.

"Have you not seen him today?" Alice questioned.

"No. He was in a meeting at their HQ when they came on duty."

"When we're done here, I'll send him in."

The women worked through their itinerary and Alice left, sending in Edward.

Bella stood at the sight of the bruise on his cheek. In the relative privacy of the empty Oval Office, she strode to stand in front of him. His eyes looked tired as she reached up and turned his face so she could study the mark.

"What's this?"

"It's just a bruise," he answered.

"I can see that. How did you get it?"

"Samuel and I were training yesterday and he hit me with a rubber bullet."

Bella turned to glare at Samuel who had the good sense to look ashamed from his post against the wall. "Is there a problem I need to address here? Because I won't stand for any issues on my protective details and the tension between you two has been noticeable."

"This was an accident. He was aiming for my shoulder but I moved too fast," Edward told her. "I was wearing protective eyewear, it wasn't a real risk. And everything is resolved now."

"Good." Bella turned to where Samuel was standing against the wall. "No more headshots."

"Understood, Ma'am."

Bella sighed in frustration. "Agent Masen, we'll be moving forward with the fundraiser in Chicago in June. I wanted you to have adequate time to coordinate with the field agents there."

"Thank you."

"It will be close to your birthday. If you wanted to handle that personally so you could visit your mother, I wouldn't be opposed."

"Thank you, Ma'am. I'll discuss it with Director Fitzwilliam."

"You're dismissed, Agent Masen. I've got another hour or two, tops, before I'll be retiring to The Residence."

"Very good, Ma'am."

When those two hours were done, Bella invited Alice to join her for dinner in The Residence.

They sat at the dining room table, her detail all out in the main corridor when Alice asked the question she'd been dying to ask.

"How are things really going with Edward?"

"I'm done being angry at him for things beyond his control. Asking him to stop being on my detail so we can date is the same thing as asking me to step down when I became president. It was always part of the job. We just need to figure out how we can navigate it."

"So the door slamming portion of the breakup is over?"

"Yes. Though every time he calls me 'Ma'am' I want to rip his clothes off."

"I'm sure he feels the same. He's as professional as they come, but those sunglasses hide a lot of looks, I'm sure."

"Quit it."

"What? I wouldn't mind having his friend Garrett bend me over the back of a couch. Those men are hot."

"You always had a thing for blondes."

They dissolved into laughter before focusing back on their meal.

Later that night, when the Residence was quiet, Edward was walking along the main hallway. He heard a heavy thud in the Master Suite and went to check on it. He walked in to see papers scattered on the floor and the door to the Master Bedroom slightly ajar.

A muffled cry had Edward drawing his gun and running into the room. When he switched on the light, instead of an intruder, he found his ex sitting up in bed, her eyes wide and the soft hum of a toy nearby.

"Ma'am, I apologize," he told her, his eyes downcast. "I heard something in the living room and then you—"

"Edward, look at me," she implored.

His eyes met hers, taking in that she was now covered by the sheet. "It was Donut. He's going to make noises in the night, and as for the rest … well, you know that side of me better than anyone."

"I'll return to the hall." Edward holstered his gun and turned off the light. Before she could say anything else he was gone.

"Fuck," she muttered.

The weeks continued to pass. Isabella formally announced she would be running for President and the party rallied behind her. Her energy bill was nearly ready to go before Congress and Emmett was settling into his new role as Vice President. Having him to share the load made things easier, and he was a calming influence.

A week before the fundraiser in Chicago, Edward was cleared to go and coordinate in person for President Swan's first trip. Royce was temporarily on her duty before taking a permanent position on Emmett's detail, much to Bella's annoyance.

Royce made her feel uncomfortable, but she couldn't tell Edward that, because he would have stayed in DC and she knew he needed this time with his mom and to relax.

Two days before Bella was scheduled to fly out to Chicago, Athenodora was helping her pack. They would be there for three days with scheduled events. From the little she had heard from Edward, everything looked good on the ground, protests notwithstanding.

They'd just zipped up the bag when there was a knock on her bedroom door.

"Come in," Bella called out.

The door opened and Garrett stood there looking solemn. "Ma'am, before I tell you this, I need you to know that he's fine."

"Who is? Garrett, if you don't start explaining that statement, I swear—"

"Edward, Ma'am. There was an accident in Chicago."