Chapter 27
I finished the half-Windsor knot of my charcoal tie and slid my arms through the matching suit jacket.
Picking up my phone and putting it into my pocket, I checked my watch and made sure we were on time.
I didn’t want anything to go wrong today.
This was Adelaide’s day, and she had worked so hard for this moment.
I looked to my lovely fiancée waiting at the door of our suite in a navy-blue monochromatic business suit and nude heels. Her hair laid in effortless waves around her face, and I could smell her signature scent, a mixture of fresh fruit and warm vanilla.
She stared off into space and worried her lower lip between her teeth. Even though she had assured me she was ready for the meeting and I knew she was going to absolutely kill it, she had been fretting for the last few days.
“Hey,” I said as I approached her. I reached out and rubbed her upper arms with my palms. “Stop worrying. It’s all going to work out.”
“You say that, but we don’t know for sure. What if I missed something and they decide to cut the program after all?”
“I know why you’re concerned, but I have seen your notes.
I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in hell that you have forgotten anything in your planning.
And I promise, the Council members do care about our people; I don’t think you’re going to have to work very hard to bring them around.
” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into my chest. “I also know how hard it is to say no to you. They don’t stand a chance. ”
I felt her let out a small laugh. She pulled back and brushed her hands over her blouse. “We should get going. I want to get there early.”
We made our way down the grand staircase and found Vanessa and Skylar waiting for us in the foyer. Vanessa turned as she heard us approach.
“Vanessa, your cane is gorgeous! Is it new?” Adelaide exclaimed.
Today Vanessa had swapped her wheelchair for a cane, a beautiful wooden piece that was hand-carved with chamomile flowers down the body and up onto the handle.
Vanessa held it up, a grin overtaking her face.
“Thank you! Yes, Tadashi found it for me! He even found matching earrings, which I love,” she said, pushing her hair aside to show off the delicate flowers hanging from her earlobes.
“He spoke to the Queen Mother and asked her for some recommendations on where she gets her canes. As he put it, ‘Mobility aid, but make it fashion.’”
Adelaide laughed. “That does sound like Dash.”
“Everything is set and we’re ready,” Vanessa added as she tucked her phone into her bag.
“Okay, let's do this.” I smiled and laced my hand through Adelaide’s.
We pulled up outside the House of Lords.
The weathered stone shone as the early May sun peeked through the clouds.
Paparazzi lined the walkway and their cameras began to flash as we exited the car.
I intertwined my fingers with Adelaide's and tried to shield her from the camera flashes as much as I could.
Entering the building, we followed a side corridor to a small room at the back of the Council’s chambers, where we would be joined by the people Adelaide had asked to testify today.
Adelaide and I both stopped short when we found Knox and Birdie waiting in the room.
“Oh, hi!” Adelaide greeted, as surprised as I was to see them. “What are you doing here?”
Birdie rose as Knox strode toward us, clasping me in a hug. “We’re family, Adelaide. We’re here to support you! We know how important today is for you.”
Adelaide hugged Birdie, murmuring her thanks.
A few moments later, a knock on the door preceded Veronica and Skylar escorting a small group inside. Tadashi and his mum were at the front, the pride evident on Ms. Hayakawa’s face.
A little girl with long black braids who I guessed to be about six years old darted to Adelaide and wrapped herself around her waist.
“Ms. Levy!” the little girl exclaimed. “I’ve missed you so much!”
Adelaide squatted down so she was eye-to-eye with the child. “I’ve missed you too, Sienna! How has school been?”
“It’s fun. I can read whole books now! But Mrs. Dowdy doesn’t sing the days of the week like you do.” Sienna stuck her bottom lip out, her hands perched on her hips.
Adelaide’s mouth twisted as she suppressed a smile. “Well, that’s a bummer. But you know what? I bet Mrs. Dowdy does some fun things that I didn’t do, right?”
I watched as the girl sifted through her thoughts about her new teacher.
“She does wear some fun outfits, and she always has snacks in her desk if we’re hungry. And sometimes at break time she will play four square with us!”
Adelaide smiled warmly, squeezing Sienna’s small hands. “See? That sounds like a lot of fun. Speaking of snacks, would you and your family like to get some refreshments?”
“Yes, please!” Sienna answered enthusiastically.
I loved watching Adelaide with her former students. I didn’t get to witness this side of her often enough, but she was so attentive during her conversations with them, making them feel special in a way that adults often forgot to do with small children.
As everyone helped themselves to tea, coffee, and pastries, I made my way around the room, introducing myself. I made sure to remember each person’s name and asked Skylar to get their contact information from Vanessa so we could send thank-you baskets for giving us their time today.
I observed as Adelaide stood in the corner talking to Dash and his mother. I didn’t miss the way that Adelaide held her hand over her lower stomach and fidgeted with her jacket sleeves, pushing them up like she was hot.
Glancing at my watch, I noted that we had about fifteen minutes before we would make our way to the Council’s chambers.
I sidled up to Adelaide, placing a hand on her lower back. “Everything all right?” I asked quietly.
“Yeah.” She cleared her throat. “I think the nerves are just getting to me. And so many people in this room has made it a bit stuffy, don’t you think?”
“I agree. Do you want to step out into the hallway and get some air?”
She met my gaze and smiled. “You’re amazing, you know that? But it’s just nerves. I’ll be okay.”
I placed a quick kiss on her temple and went to grab myself a cup of tea.
We entered the Council chambers, and I escorted Adelaide to the front row of the viewing gallery.
I kissed her on the cheek and made sure she was settled before exiting the room again.
By tradition, the Council members would file in, standing by their seats until I entered and took my own place at the front of the chamber next to the head councilwoman.
I noted a handful of journalists in the press gallery, though the bulk of the media were required to remain outside.
A few minutes later, the Council entered and I followed, taking stock of the two rows of Council members flanking me before nodding and taking my seat.
The Council members followed suit, and for a moment the chamber was filled with the rustling of papers as the members arranged their notes in front of them.
Head Councilwoman Banks spoke, bringing the room to silence again.
“Members of the Council of Lords, thank you for being here today. Today’s agenda includes a vote on the marriage law, which has been previously discussed.
Prior to that, we will be hearing from Ms. Adelaide Levy regarding the free meal programs in our public schools.
Before Ms. Levy takes the floor, are there any additional agenda items to add to the docket? ”
After a moment of silence, Head Councilwoman Banks nodded to Adelaide. “Ms. Levy, the floor is yours.”
Adelaide rose, one hand over her abdomen while the other clutched her notes, and approached the wooden podium in the center of the room. After a moment, she began.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for allowing me to speak to you today regarding a topic that is very close to my heart. I am going to start by sharing some background on the universal free meal program currently offered to the public-school students here in Wexstone, after which I will be joined by some individuals who have benefitted from this program and would like to share their experiences with you.”
Adelaide continued speaking, giving a comprehensive history of the program, including data on how many students had participated.
She cited studies on the benefits of universal free lunch programs, emphasizing the improvements in student performance in school, improved test scores, and reduction in suspensions among certain students.
She spoke calmly and with authority, tying every fact she shared back to the ways in which it would benefit Wexstone as a whole.
She innately knew how to speak the Council’s language, no doubt thanks to her experience dealing with school administrators throughout her career.
I couldn’t help but think that if she had never pursued teaching, she would have made a brilliant attorney.
Soon, Adelaide introduced the rest of the speakers.
“I can share facts and figures with you all day, but ultimately, this is a program that benefits the families in our communities, so it seems only right that you should hear directly from some of these individuals today.”
Adelaide returned to her seat, making room for Dash and Ms. Hayakawa at the podium.
They each spoke briefly on their financial situation after they moved to Wexstone, particularly while Ms. Hayakawa was pursuing her nursing degree, and how many times the program had kept a young Tadashi from going to bed hungry.
Next, Sienna’s parents shared about the number of times they had been forced to choose between paying utility bills or buying new shoes for their four children.
Knowing that their kids would get two balanced meals at school each day and healthy lunches throughout holiday breaks freed up funds for them to pay for other necessities.