Chapter 20
20
Greer
Time seems to pass at warp speed once Grant announces he’s running as an Independent. We travel the country, going somewhere new every five days. We campaign. We meet the people. And at the end of the night, we fall into bed together. I’ve never been this happy before, and yet I still don’t know how to tell Grant that I love him.
Two months after our wedding, we meet with a doctor in Dallas, who, again, confirms that I’m pregnant.
“You’re about twelve weeks along now, give or take. How have you been feeling?”
Which means we conceived either on the plane or in Vegas.
“Good. My breasts have been a bit tender, and I’ve had some morning sickness, but nothing too bad.”
“All normal symptoms, but if the morning sickness becomes too much, we can give you something for it.”
Grant asks, “Is it safe for my wife to be traveling with me?”
“Perfectly safe. We don’t worry about air travel until week thirty-six.”
Grant exhales. He’s been so paranoid that something is going to happen. I take his hand, giving it a small squeeze.
“See? Nothing to worry about.”
I can tell he’s not satisfied with my response, but it’s the truth. We have nothing to worry about.
In the SUV, I turn to Grant when I realize we’re driving in the opposite direction of our hotel.
“Where are we going?”
Grant says, “I know we haven’t talked about it, but I wanted to show you something.”
We drive to the gated community that Hannah and Brooks live in, but drive past their street, coming to a stop in front of a massive white brick house.
“Where are we?”
“Home, if you like it.”
“What does that mean?”
“Brooks told me the house was for sale, and I thought it might be nice to be near friends. The area is safe, and the schools are great, but if you don’t want to live in Texas, we can find another place.”
He bought us a house? My eyes water. Damn hormones!
“Grant, this is incredible. Can we look inside?”
“We can do anything we want. We own it.”
I laugh. “You sure got lucky. What if I hated it?”
“Owning property is never a bad investment. Come on, Mrs. Carter. Let’s go look at our house.”
Hannah’s house is pretty impressive, but this one is twice as big. The first floor has an open floor plan, where you can see the living room from the kitchen with no obstructions. There are two studies—one for each of us, a laundry room, powder room, and a walk-in pantry that has me dreaming of cooking my next meal. The second floor has five guest rooms and a primary room that’s bigger than my first apartment. I look into the room next to the primary suite. It's perfect for the nursery.
I spin to Grant. “This is amazing, Grant.”
“You truly like it?”
“I love it.” I kiss him and add, “And I can’t wait to christen it.”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “The furniture will be here tomorrow.”
“You ordered furniture without me?”
“I spoke to the interior designer you’ve used in your last two places and felt confident she would pick out things that you’d like.”
“God, you’re perfect,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“You may be the only one who thinks that of me, but I’ll take it.”
His phone rings, ruining the moment, and we both groan.
“They can wait.” I laugh as he tosses his phone, pulling me close. “Now. Where were we?”
And so I show him exactly where we were.
A week later, I stand in the living room of my newly furnished house. Hannah is at my side, looking around in awe.
“How is this possible?”
“My husband gets all the credit.”
“Greer, your house is lovely.” She wags her finger at me. “But you’re not going to get off that easy. I heard you were there when the big phone call took place.”
“I was.”
“I’m so jealous! I wanted to listen in, but this morning sickness is keeping me in the bathroom in the evenings.” She pauses. “Does that mean you’re going to the meeting next month?”
I huff out a laugh. “I wish.”
We sit on the couch and Hannah turns to me.
“You know, I wish I could be there, too. If the vote doesn’t go the way we want it to, maybe that’s something to consider?”
“What do you mean?”
“I know others have to feel the same way. If the men won’t see it our way, then we’ll have to show them.”
I smile. “I like the way you think.”
“How has everything else been going?”
We still haven’t told anyone I’m pregnant, so I say, “Good.”
“Are you looking for a job or just basking in your wedded matrimony, like the Brotherhood thinks we should?”
That makes both of us laugh.
I say, “I’m not looking for a job because we’ve been so busy with the campaign. I have been thinking about what I want to do when we win, though.”
“When you win? I like the manifestation.”
I snort. “I figure it can’t hurt.”
“So what do you want to do when you win the White House?”
“The First Lady is expected to have a cause. With HYPE, there were a lot of things I was passionate about, but I don’t feel like anything ever came out of those projects.”
“You have something in mind?”
I nod. “I think I want to focus on offering more resources for children who suffer from physical abuse.”
“That’s a really good idea, Greer.”
“I’m still toying around with the idea, trying to figure out how it will work.” I give her a wry smile. “I know firsthand that it’s a very complicated issue.”
“If I can help, let me know. It’s an issue close to my heart.” She pauses. “My mother and stepfather had no issues raising a hand at me when they felt like it.”
“I’m so sorry.”
She waves her hand. “Don’t be. I’ve learned to heal through therapy, though it might have been nice to have that option available sooner.”
“That’s what I mean.”
“Well, if anyone can figure it out, I believe it’s you.”
“I’m flattered by your faith in me. Grant thinks I can make changes, too.” I exhale. “I hope I don’t let anyone down.”
“It’s kind of funny when you think about it. The Brotherhood is being attacked because of its outdated rules, and yet those same rules are the ones that brought us into our husband’s lives.”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that before. All I can see are the things that need to change.”
“Oh, I wholeheartedly agree. We’ll get them in shape.”
I snort. “Not at the rate everyone is having babies.”
I give her a pointed look and she shrugs as she rubs her rounded stomach.
“It’s worth it, though.”
I’m so tempted to tell her I’m pregnant, but there’s a part of me that’s worried I’ll jinx it.
Instead, I say, “Follow me. You have to see my study. The bookshelves are to die for.”
As I show her around, my phone rings.
I smile at Hannah. “I need to take this.”
She waves her hand. “Don’t mind me. I’ll just be drooling over your bookshelves!”
Stepping into the hallway, I answer my call.
“Hello?”
“Well, that was some vacation you took,” Felicity says with a laugh. “You go to Mexico and come back married to a man I thought you hated until days before you left for said vacation. To top that off, I haven’t heard from you in forever!”
I laugh. “We have a lot to catch up on. What does your schedule look like?”
“I’m free.” She pauses. “I quit HYPE. Turns out Cordelia is taking more donations behind the scene that are…sketchy, to say the least.”
“I’m shocked you quit! How are you feeling?”
“Surprisingly, I’m enjoying myself. Though I do have a request.”
“Oh?”
“I’m hoping the future First Lady, and my good friend, will need someone with my skills on her staff.”
I grin. “Felicity, you know I couldn’t do this without you. In fact, I have some ideas that I’d like to brainstorm on. Can you be in Dallas soon?”
Felicity says, “I can be there tomorrow.”
“Perfect. Text me with your flight information.”
“Will do, future boss.”
I end the call, smiling. With Felicity on my team, anything is possible!
Later that night, Grant and I sit in our living room, watching CNN. The polls are in for the day, and Grant is still leading the Presidential Race, though Walt Ryans is right behind him. The current President and Democratic candidate, President Nelson Wain, is polling quite far in third place.
I shake my head in disbelief. “How is Ryans polling so high?”
“He’s likely getting help behind the scenes.”
“Charles?”
“Maybe, though I doubt Blanc would be foolish enough to openly support him, since the Elite Members have pledged to back me in the election.”
I glance at my husband. He’s looking at the TV, an intense expression on his face.
“Something is bothering you.”
He exhales. “Charles has asked to push the Brotherhood meeting. Says he can’t be there next month because he’ll be out of the country with Aimée.”
“She hasn’t mentioned a trip.”
“I doubt there is a trip, or, if there is one, it’s a solo trip. One where he can meet with some of our international members and try to sway them before the vote.”
“You said Brooks has done a good job of finding supporters in the States. Are you thinking it’s not enough now?”
“I’m not sure.” He meets my gaze. “And that’s what worries me.”
“If the members vote against changing Rule 84, then we’ll try a different approach.” I touch his arm. “Change is going to happen, and you’re going to be the one to lead that change.”
“The face of the revolution,” he murmurs.
“Exactly.” I stand. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“To bed. I’d like to show the future President just how much faith I have in him.”
He stands, too.
“Does this mean you’re going to put your mouth to work?”
I laugh. “Yes, husband. I’ll put my mouth to work because I know you’ll return the favor.”
“Hell yes I will.”
Hand-in-hand, we make our way to our bedroom where we both make good on our word.
And I fall even more in love with Grant Carter.