Chapter Seventeen #3
Per their earlier conversation, Terry left the room but kept the office door open to avoid any hint of impropriety.
Nick hated having to think that way, but he didn’t know her and still wasn’t sure he trusted her.
“Have a seat.” Nick gestured to the sofa next to the chair he settled into.
“Please help yourself to the refreshments.”
She leaned forward to pour herself a cup of the coffee one of the butlers had brought in earlier. “Thank you.”
“The cookies are to die for,” Nick said. “I’ve had to limit myself to one a day.”
“I remember how good they were the last time I was here.” She smiled and chose one of the sugar cookies, placing it on a napkin. “I’m sure you could get away with two.”
“I’m afraid to risk getting addicted. The White House staff takes very good care of us.”
“It has to be such a huge adjustment for you and your family.”
“That’s for sure, but we’re settling in and figuring out how to find our way around. This place is so much bigger than it appears from the outside.”
“I liked what you said after the shooting,” she said between bites of the sugar cookie. “It was the right tone and the right time to raise the topic—again—of some sort of reasonable gun control.”
“That was unscripted and came directly from the father in me who can’t imagine what those families must be feeling today.”
“It’s unfathomable.”
“Indeed. I’m sure you’re wondering why I asked you to come in again on short notice.”
“The question did cross my mind,” she said with a small smile that made her brown eyes sparkle.
“I’m still in need of a vice president, and I was hoping you might still be interested.”
“I’d be honored, but I thought you’d settled on Senator Sanford.”
“I’ll admit she was my first choice, but she’s more interested in the opening at State.”
“Ah, I see, although I’m surprised she’d pass up the opportunity to be the first female vice president.”
“I believe she feels she could be more effective as secretary of State, and that’s probably true.
Having served as vice president, I can attest to the lack of a clear role and how challenging that can be.
However, as I mentioned in our first meeting, I’d like my vice president to be a true partner in governing.
After just a few weeks in office, it’s clear to me that I need serious help to manage everything that comes my way on any given day.
I’m not looking for a vice president to relegate to the cheap seats.
I want someone willing to get their hands dirty with real work. ”
“That appeals to me very much, Mr. President. I’ve become accustomed to keeping a frantically busy schedule between my work and my children. I’m afraid I’d be terribly bored without a real role to play in your administration.”
“That’s good to know. Again, I have to ask if you and your children are prepared to move to the VP residence on the grounds of the Naval Observatory and to accommodate the intrusiveness of Secret Service protection.”
“After you had me in the first time, I had a long talk with my kids about what would change if I were chosen for this position. While they had some concerns about privacy and safety, they agreed it would be worth the sacrifice for me to have this historic opportunity.”
“In that case, I’m pleased to formally offer you the position, pending the approval of Congress, of course.”
“I accept with profound gratitude for your faith in me. I promise you’ll never regret asking me.”
Nick stood to indicate the meeting was over.
“I appreciate you coming in and look forward to working with you.” After they shook hands again, he added, “Terry will be in touch in the morning about making it official later in the day tomorrow with a press event in the East Room to announce you as our nominee. You’re welcome to bring anyone you wish to invite.
Terry can help with that. We’ll put your nomination before Congress after the holiday recess. ”
“My parents will be thrilled beyond measure.”
He walked her to the door. “I look forward to meeting them and your children.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you then.”
As he watched her leave, he hoped he’d made a good decision. It’d been important to him to elevate a woman into the vice presidency for the first time and to open the door in the near future to the possibility of a female president.
He was back at the Resolute desk, gathering what he needed to take upstairs with him to review after dinner with the family, when his BlackBerry buzzed with a text from Andy.
Good news. We got a judge to issue a gag order on all parties involved in the custody case, and it was extended to include all members of Cleo’s immediate family.
Tell Eli his secrets are safe. I’ve also requested an emergency hearing to dispose of this matter before the holidays. Waiting to hear. Fingers crossed.
Thank you SO MUCH, Andy. Eli will be so relieved, and we are, too. Keep us posted.
You got it.
Nick forwarded Andy’s text to Sam and Eli. Good news!
Thank God, Eli responded.
What he said, Sam added.
Terry appeared at the door to the Oval Office. “We’ve got a report of shots fired in the Gulf of Suez, Mr. President. You’re needed in the Situation Room.”
Nick sighed as he realized he might not get to see the kids before bed. So much for the advantages of working from home, but he felt a whole lot lighter after getting Andy’s text.