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Chapter 17
Athenodora let the couple sleep until five am before she had to come calling. "I'm sorry for waking you so early, but Riley is here with Pamela waiting to break down the early press reaction to the news, and Garrett mentioned that Edward would be on duty when the shift changed."
"That's fine, Teeny. Give me fifteen or twenty minutes, and see if you can get me a bagel or something in the meantime?"
"Sure. I'll be back in a few."
Once the door was closed, Edward stretched beside her. "A bagel isn't going to be enough to get you through to lunch."
"No, but it will get me through my first few meetings. I need to get ready. I'll see you downstairs in a bit."
"Give 'em hell."
Bella smiled at Edward's sleepy instructions and went to get dressed for her day. She did her makeup with the precision of someone who did it quickly and, at times, more than once a day. But it meant she was in the Oval Office sooner, so she could begin her meetings.
"How does it look?" Isabella asked, walking into the room.
"Better than we thought. Once everything went live, CNN released their footage and that only seemed to sway things in your favor. John Caius and a few other Republican members of Congress are making the rounds on various shows, but from everything so far the public seems to be happy for you. And Edward's profile is through the roof. It seems the female population doesn't blame you at all for doing your best Whitney Houston impersonation with your real life Kevin Costner," Riley explained.
"Anything to worry about?"
"Ultra conservatives will trot out the old 'family values' line, but this isn't the plot of The American President. Considering all the scandals involving extra-marital affairs, a single adult in a consensual, committed relationship shouldn't even be on the radar. But they'll make a big deal out of it because they can."
"So what you're saying is we're actually okay at the moment?"
Pamela nodded. "We are. Mr. Ateara has asked for you to really show your face on the campaign trail in the coming months. He's mapped out the stops all the way to the election for our office's consideration. It seems the time has come for you to take center stage."
"We knew it was coming. Has my detail been briefed on these stops?"
"Not yet," Pamela admitted. "Normally, I would have brought it to Agent Masen, but I don't know what changed yesterday, so I wasn't sure who I should notify."
"I'll take care of it. I believe I have a meeting about the upcoming changes with my details, so I can provide that information to them when we sit down. Is there anything else we need to go over?"
"A timetable for the wedding should be on the agenda sooner rather than later," Riley added.
"The wedding won't happen before the election, so that isn't an immediate concern. Let's make it through the next few days, then I'll start to think about that."
"You don't want to have the wedding this fall?" Pamela asked.
"No. I want to have time to plan it when I'm not also trying to win re-election. I know some things will need to be nailed down soon, but I think it will look worse if we rush the wedding after having to break the news of the relationship because of CNN."
"I have to agree with you there, Ma'am," Riley replied.
"If we have nothing else to discuss, why don't we move on with the tasks at hand? I have a Cabinet meeting I need to get to."
Both women stood and exited ahead of Isabella, who moved on to her next meeting. Isabella entered and was greeted warmly by the members of her Cabinet. After she assured them that she was all right and they offered their congratulations, they got on with the work of governing.
This was how the next few days would go. She spent as much time reassuring the people around her that everything was fine. Samuel took the campaign stop list from her and worked with Edward and Garrett to make plans for them. Edward spent time with Samuel when he wasn't on duty, bringing him up to speed on what was required of him as a team leader.
May came and went with more pressure on the couple to begin to make some plans for their wedding. Everyone had an opinion and shared it freely. Should Edward wear his dress uniform as a veteran? Would planning on having the wedding in the White House be too much of a statement of confidence, considering her opponent might not host her wedding if she were to lose?
She spent more time in discussion on those details than she did doing her job. She was ready to scream. Isabella wanted to focus on her fiancé's upcoming birthday, or her campaign, but instead she was constantly bombarded with people asking her questions. Athenodora had filled the Queen's Bedroom with dresses Bella really needed to begin to sort through at least, but it was another topic everyone would have an opinion on.
Bella had hoped that her Cabinet meeting would be a distraction, but once again, they asked how the wedding plans were going as the meeting drew to a close. Even Jasper Whitlock, the Secretary of Defense, chimed in. She'd always thought that as a man in his fifties, he'd be the last to join the chat.
With the last opinion voiced, Isabella stared down at her folio as the members of her Cabinet filed out. She was frustrated that her wedding was a topic of discussion even in this room, where it was the job of these people to inform her on the sectors of her government they were in charge of day-to-day.
Or worse, their opinions on her wedding plans.
"Madam President, are you all right?"
The sound of Rosalie Hale's voice caught her attention. Her eyes lifted to the Secretary of Homeland Security, confused by the question. "Of course, Rosalie. Why would you ask?"
"Your hands are balled into fists like you're looking for a fight."
Bella looked down at her hands and loosened the grip, feeling how tight she'd been clenching. "Just frustrated, that's all. Given who I am, my wedding is all anyone can talk about, and everyone has an opinion. I understand that, but I just wish mine held some real weight."
Rosalie took the seat to Isabella's right. "Look, I know our relationship is almost completely professional, but would you like to hear my opinion?"
"Everyone else has weighed in, you might as well have your turn." Isabella gestured for her to go on.
"Yes, this is a historic moment, and an opportunity for a lot of political mingling. But first and foremost, it is your wedding. A decade from now, the pictures from that night will be hanging on the walls of a very different house. So make sure you and Edward are happy above all else."
"I don't even know how to do that at this point," Bella admitted.
"Do you have any pressing meetings?"
"No. They're expecting me to make some hard decisions on wedding plans, so it was built into my schedule."
"Good. Do you need to go to the Oval Office before retiring to the Residence?"
"No," Bella said warily.
"Then let's go."
Rosalie opened the door and motioned for Isabella to go first. "Madam President."
"Phoenix is moving," Garrett radioed as they maneuvered through the West Wing and up to the Residence.
When they reached the main hallway, Rosalie turned to the men behind them. "Gentlemen, we'll need a wide berth for the time being. We have a wedding to plan."
The team looked to Isabella, who confirmed Rosalie's words. "We'll be fine. You can take more relaxed positions."
Isabella steered them towards the Queen's Bedroom, where all the dresses were currently stored. Rosalie stopped at the racks filled with wedding attire to the brim.
"Will someone get pissed if I move them?" Rosalie asked.
"No. They're all labeled, so they can wind up back in the correct garment bag to be returned to the correct designer or store."
"Okay, now close your eyes. Forget that you're the President and that everyone has an opinion on what you should wear. Tell me what you like."
Bella closed her eyes and took a deep breath. For the first time, someone seemed to truly care about her desires. "I want a ball gown."
"Why?"
Isabella opened her eyes from where she was standing beside the bed and Rosalie sighed.
"I'm not questioning your choice. I'm asking so I have a better idea of what kind of ball gown you want. Now, sit on the bed, close your eyes, and start talking."
"I wear suits and pencil skirts every day at work. It is a necessary evil of the job. I don't want a formfitting dress on my wedding day. I want to swish around like a goddamn princess. And I don't want to have to sacrifice detail for size. Everyone keeps saying I need something that's either a statement in the adornments or the size. But why can't I have something with lace and volume?"
"There's absolutely no reason," Rosalie agreed. "Now, where is the ceremony and reception happening?"
"That's another fight," Isabella admitted.
"Why?"
"Because they feel it should be held at the White House. But I won't know if that is possible until November. John Caius certainly won't host my wedding if he wins."
"Forget about that windbag. What do you want?"
"The National Cathedral."
"For the ceremony?"
Bella shook her head. "Both. They do a beautiful job with receptions."
"Then lock it in. Your venue is decided."
"Is this the same way you handle Homeland Security?" Bella questioned.
"Yes. They don't take kindly to women in our positions. When I have meetings with someone from the Department of Defense, the men at the Pentagon either side-eye me, or will gladly listen, because they figure I have to know what I'm talking about to have this position. It also doesn't hurt that the Secretary of Defense and I work so well together, and the men all respect Jasper Whitlock's opinion. Your poll numbers are strong, and as sad as it is, people see the threat against you as politically motivated so people on the fence seem to be leaning Democrat."
The rustling continued until, finally, Rosalie tapped Isabella's shoulder. "Open your eyes."
Bella looked at the singled out rack in awe. With one or two exceptions, they were all much closer to what she wanted. "I need to change into my bridal undergarments, then you'll help me?"
"Absolutely."
Isabella changed and returned to the bedroom to slip into a mermaid style dress. It was beautiful, but not at all what she wanted.
Rosalie took one look at her reflection and smiled. "I assumed that you may have rejected this silhouette without trying it because of your desire to not wear a sheath type dress, but I wanted to make sure you were truly not a fan, since there are a lot of variations of this style."
"Definitely not. I feel like I might fall over." Bella giggled.
"Then onto the next one."
After each dress, Rosalie asked what Bella liked most and least about the dress and used that to narrow the field. After a half dozen dresses, Isabella had just been buttoned into the dress when Rosalie's phone chimed with an alert. Three tones in quick succession, repeated three times, and then a pause before it began again. Rosalie typed out a quick message and set the phone back down.
"Personal phone?"
"Yeah. I normally have it powered off when I'm in the West Wing, but I didn't think I'd be here this late."
"If you need to go …"
"No. I'm enjoying this. And it is nice to get to know you better. Just had to let my boyfriend know I won't be by until later."
"As long as you're sure."
Rosalie smiled and turned back to the President. "I'm sure. Now, what about this one?"
"I like the shape, but I wish it was fuller. And I'm not sure about how much lace is on the sleeves. Or that the neckline goes straight across my chest."
"Something a little more sweetheart type neckline?"
"Yes." Bella smiled.
"Okay, let's keep at it."
Bella noticed the smirk Rosalie wore as she got the next dress. She kept her eyes closed until it was laced and buttoned, then opened her eyes and gasped.
"What do you think?"
Bella looked at the lace bodice with a sweetheart neckline that came up and just barely sat on her shoulders, then went down into long sleeves. The lace trailed onto the gauzy tulle material of the skirt. The same detail, a mix of flowers and swirls, began at the hem and came up about a third of the way up. The full skirt stretched behind her into a beautiful train. It was stunning and feminine. Exactly what she wanted.
"It's perfect."
"It is a stunning dress. And your face lit up the moment you opened your eyes. I'm sure you could speak to the designer or the seamstress that makes any alterations to put in the hooks to bustle the train so people won't step on it at the reception."
"How do you know so much about it?" Bella asked Rosalie.
"I worked at a bridal boutique to help pay my way through college. Though it has been ages."
"You haven't lost your touch."
Bella changed out of her dress and hung the winning selection on the front of the rack. As they walked out of the bedroom, Rosalie stopped Bella.
"This is your wedding, Ma'am. Don't let anyone dictate how you should celebrate it." Rosalie placed her arm on Bella's shoulder, offering her the support she needed.
"Thank you, Rosalie. And when we're not in a professional setting, you can call me Bella." Bella smiled at her new friend, hoping they could continue to grow closer.
"You're very welcome, Bella. Now, I have to get going, but if you ever want to talk about something other than Homeland Security, give me a call." Rosalie's statement confirmed Bella's wish.
"I will, Rosalie."
With a new sense of purpose, Bella went through the endless binders and magazines she'd been left to make selections from. Looking through the flowers, she found the perfect combination, and with it, her color scheme.
Edward found her that evening just before dinner, making copious notes.
"Productive day?" he asked, intrigued.
"Very. When Teeny gets here, I'm going to go off with her for a bit, but otherwise, I'm all yours." Bella's smile was radiant.
Edward returned her smile, glad to see she was in a better place. "I like the sound of that. How are the wedding plans going?"
"A lot better after some help from Rosalie."
"The Secretary of Homeland Security?" Edward asked, surprised.
"Yes. She could tell I was upset. In no uncertain terms, she told me to plan my wedding how I wanted it and not to let the opinions of others make my decisions for me."
"That was excellent advice. Anything big decided?" Edward sat beside her, his hand tracing along her arm.
"How do you feel about having the ceremony and reception at the Washington National Cathedral?" Bella asked hopefully.
"That sounds wonderful. It is a beautiful setting, and my mother will be pleased with a church wedding," Edward encouraged.
"Yes. Renee would have loved it. We talked about St. Patrick's being a beautiful place for a wedding in New York." Bella grew wistful at the mention of her mother.
"Have you thought about bridesmaids?"
"Still deciding. Do you have your best man and groomsmen picked out?"
"I want Garrett to be my best man, and Fitzwilliam cleared it. Sam will be leading Alpha Team at that point, so they'll make sure we have enough field agents, not to mention my detail." Edward made a face at the mention of his own protection detail once he became First Gentleman.
"And for groomsmen?"
"Emmett agreed to stand up for me, but if I'm honest, I don't have anyone else I'm particularly close to who isn't an agent. Is there someone you would want in the wedding party?"
"No. But I don't know if Leah will accept. Sue and the kids will be there, but I don't know if she'd want to be in the spotlight."
"You two have been chatting a lot lately. She might surprise you."
"If you're okay with having two people, I'll wait to see what Leah says, but if not, I'm sure Virna would stand up for us."
Edward nodded thoughtfully and Bella could tell the gears were turning in his head.
"Edward, is something else wrong?"
His head snapped in her direction. "No, but I was thinking about something and I wanted to ask your opinion on it."
"Ask away."
"When we first started planning, people in your administration loved the optics of me in my dress mess. I hedged and said maybe just my dress blues, because I didn't know how I felt about it. But now, I'm not completely comfortable with it," he said and then stopped.
"Go on."
"The man I was when I wore that uniform isn't the same one I am today. I chose to leave the service to pursue other things. If I had made it to the point where I'd retired, I might feel better about it. But it feels like wearing it would be more for status and to look good in pictures. The President is marrying a soldier. It cheapens the time I spent in the uniform and the importance of it to those who still wear it."
"Then you won't wear it. And that will be the statement released if necessary. I think your reasoning is sound and will be appreciated by a lot of people. This is our wedding and, as Rosalie told me, we are the ones who need to be happy with the pictures in a decade."
"Thank you for listening to my concerns."
"I'll always listen to your concerns, Edward. We're partners."