Madam President

by by T. Novan

  David grinned indulgently. Being in love suited Dev. "Liza said you aren't gonna make her take one of those hideous dogs." He threw the pillow back, hitting Dev right in the head, earning a glare as the President used a hand to straighten the shock of hair that was now covering her eyes.

  "Go away!" she hissed. "I only have a few minutes, and I'm already nearly two hours late. Although Lauren probably gave up on this call ages ago."

  "Awwwww..." David stuck out his lower lip. "Do you want to be alone so you can lie on the bed and coo and ‘ahhh' like a love-struck teenager?"

  "No," Dev defended. "I'm going to sit up straight and do my best to look irresistible. Michael made sure this place had video link capability before we booked it. I hate being stuck without it."

  David rolled his eyes, then took on a more serious expression. "Listen, Dev, I know how much you want to talk to Lauren, but we're due at the Governor's mansion in fifteen minutes, and it's a thirty-five minute drive."

  Dev glared at her friend and began manually entering her security access codes and dialing Lauren's number. She was calling Lauren. She needed to hear her voice. To see her smile. For once, the rest of the world could just wait. "Tell me, David, what is the Governor of Georgia gonna do to me if I'm late? Throw a rotten peach at me?"

  David opened his mouth to speak, and Dev held up her hand, forestalling any further comment. "If you don't give me five minutes alone, to speak with Lauren in peace, I'm going to march across this room and snap your scrawny neck."

  "Scrawny!"

  "David," Dev groaned. "Out! Or you're getting two of Grem's puppies!"

  David's eyes went round, and he threw his hands up in defeat. "No need to be cruel. I'll just call the Governor and let him know we're running a little behind schedule." He didn't wait for an answer; instead, he hightailed it out of the room just as the sound of the ringing phone in Lauren's room filled the suite.

  * * *

  Lauren's head jerked up at the sound of the phone. "Jesus," she gasped, surprised by the interruption in her viewing pleasure.

  Angela Pickard smiled broadly. "You're doing wonderfully. I just know you are," she encouraged in a singsong voice. "And now it's time to move forward. Chapter Four: Multiple Orgasms - Making The Dream a Reality."

  The writer jumped off the bed and began hunting for the remote control. Not finding it immediately, she headed for her videodisc player. She opened the entertainment center door and pressed the ‘off' button just as her phone rang for the second time. Nothing happened. She pressed it again. Still nothing. "Shit!" Lauren jammed her finger down hard on the button. She heard a light clicking sound as the button broke off and fell into the machine itself. Lauren blinked at the hole in the front of the machine then began cursing like a sailor called home early from leave. Her eyes frantically searched the machine for a volume control button, but she realized belatedly that the only volume control was on the remote.

  Lauren screamed in frustration. The phone rang a third time.

  "I'm coming!" Lauren called out uselessly as she tore at the covers of the bed looking for the remote.

  Another ring.

  "Coming!"

  "Oh, yes, baby!" Francine threw her head back in ecstasy as the video's host, Angela, slid her hands up the brunette's naked body and began messaging ample breasts.

  "I meant me. I can hear that you're coming," Lauren growled. She jammed the ‘off' button again, grunting with abject frustration when nothing happened, and the phone rang a fifth time. She tried to lift out the disc player to yank the plug, but it was bolted to the cabinet, and she couldn't fit her hand behind it to reach the cord. Not wanting to miss Dev's call, Lauren finally began calling out her access codes as she darted to the side of the cabinet and tried to reach behind it for the power cord. With any other phone she could just answer. But not in the White House.

  The phone dutifully processed Lauren's numbers and instantly said, in a clear, warm voice, "Video conference requested."

  Lauren stretched out to reach the plug, but her fingertips could only graze its edge.

  "Yes! Oh, Angela! Yes, give it to me! I want it!" Francine screamed.

  Lauren's eyes widened when she heard the words. She pushed away from the cherry wood cabinet and desperately instructed the phone, "No. No video conference. Audio only. No! No! NO!" But it was too late, and Dev began to materialize in front of her.

  Lauren whirled around, and her jaw dropped at the vivid, three-dimensional image of the two women, now both naked, kissing deeply, and touching each other intimately. For a moment she just stared, mouth agape, until the phone snapped her out of her haze.

  Angela pulled away from her partner and looked directly at Lauren. "I recommend direct stimulation."

  "Oh, yes," Francine purred happily.

  "Uh, Lauren?"

  The blonde spun around at the very familiar voice and found herself looking right into confused, blue eyes. "Hi, Devlyn," she squeaked, giving the President a weak wave.

  A well-shaped eyebrow crawled up Dev's forehead and stayed there. "I know we've been taking things slowly-"

  "Again! Again! Again!" Francine screamed at the top of her lungs, while Angela calmly described exactly what she was doing to earn such an enthusiastic response from her lover.

  Lauren covered her face with her hands. "Sweet Jesus, just take me know," she mumbled into her palms. "Please. Right now. This very second."

  Dev continued undaunted. "But, sweetheart, was it really necessary to start without me? I'm hurt," she teased, recognizing the slightly distorted scene before her as a video playing in the background. A very interesting video. Who knew Lauren was so naughty?

  "Oh, Angela! Another one?" Francine squealed delightedly at the prospect. "But I can't." A pause. "Ohhhhhh... I can! I can!"

  Dev's second eyebrow joined its twin. "Hurt, but impressed. Very impressed."

  Lauren opened her fingers and peeked out at Devlyn, who was wearing a bemused grin. She dragged her fingers up into her hair, forming an interesting, Mohawk-like hairstyle. "I can't make it stop, Devlyn!"

  "You lost the clicker again, didn't you?" Dev asked knowingly.

  "Again, Angela? No, I can't." She was nearly sobbing.

  "Francine, love, you can, baby. I know you can."

  "Yes!" Francine screamed again. "I can!"

  Lauren could only whimper and pray a lightning bolt would miraculously strike her directly in the forehead and put a stop to this wretched, endless torture.

  Dev shook her head and chuckled. The color of her friend's face was a sight to behold, the vivid, red tint making Lauren's pale eyebrows appear nearly white. "Did you try the night stand?"

  Gray eyes scanned it. "Not there."

  "The bed?"

  A shake of the head. "Already tried that."

  Both women suddenly glanced down when they heard the pitter-patter of tiny, scampering feet. "The puglies!" they shouted in unison. And, sure enough, a remote/chew toy was lying on the floor, under the bed.

  Lauren retrieved it with a mumbled prayer of thanks. And, with a quick press of the button, Angela and Francine disappeared.

  Dev smirked at her blushing friend. God, she's pretty. "So, Lauren-"

  "Don't ask."

  "But-"

  "If you love me, you'll drop it."

  Devlyn began to pout. "Pleeeeeeeeease." She batted long eyelashes.

  Throwing her hands in the air, Lauren looked up beseechingly and spoke to a cream-colored, plaster ceiling. "What exactly did I do to deserve this?"

  Friday, September 3rd

  "Grandma! Grandpa!" Ashley screeched. The little girl flung herself at Frank Marlowe, winding her arms and legs around him like a vine that had attached itself to a tall tree. He leaned down and scrubbed his soft beard against Ashley's cheeks, laughing as she squirmed and giggled with delight

  His gaze dropped to Chris and Aaron. "Hi, boys." The white-haired man continued to torment his granddaughter as he spoke to his grandsons. "We've missed y
ou. You're growing like da-"

  A sharp glance from Janet silenced him.

  "Like weeds," he finished sheepishly.

  "We missed you too!" Aaron chimed in from his position in his grandmother's embrace.

  Christopher nodded his head wildly, agreeing with his brother Aaron as he waited impatiently for an open spot with a grandparent.

  Janet Marlowe extended her free arm, and Chris joined his brother.

  Letting go of Ashley, Frank looked up and smiled at Lauren, who was standing quietly in the wings, enjoying the family reunion. "Nice to see you again, Lauren," he drawled slowly, his eyes twinkling at the young woman.

  "Same here." She turned to Janet. I will not think about the book she sent. I will not! "Did you have a nice flight?" She began nervously tugging at her glasses.

  Janet just rolled her eyes. "Well, come here! I talked to Dev on the phone before this horrible bombing mess. You can't pretend you're not a couple anymore," she announced firmly. She shot Lauren a look when the writer started to protest. "And that means I get a hug."

  Lauren laughed and happily joined Christopher and Aaron in giving Janet a good squeeze.

  Amy and Emma hovered in the background, and the nanny directed the porters carrying the Marlowes' luggage to take it to the Lincoln bedroom. "Well, now," Frank boomed, once everyone had said hello, "Devil's going to be sorry she missed this, but how's about we get McDonald's for lunch?"

  The children cheered, and Emma laughed and picked up the phone, already knowing what everyone's orders would be. They were the only household in America that had a hotline to the local McDonald's.

  Janet looked around the room, slowly shaking her head. She still couldn't believe her little girl was President. Sometimes it was truly incomprehensible. She watched fondly as the boys tugged their grandpa by the hand back to their room to show him their latest drawings. Ashley was hot on Frank's heels, exacting his promise to go to her room next and see the Barbie that grandma had sent her, and the new hairdo, much improved, she'd graced her with.

  The room quickly emptied, leaving just Lauren and Janet. The younger woman stood by somewhat awkwardly. Dev wasn't due back to the White House for several more days, and Lauren was dying to use this time to get to know her parents better. Dev loved them, and she knew it would be important to the President that she establish at least some sort of relationship with them. She rocked back and forth on her heels, suddenly a little nervous. She hadn't exactly had raving success with her own parents. "Well, I guess I'll leave you-"

  "Good Lord, get over here and say hello. I don't bite, dear. Despite what Frank might say after a few beers."

  Lauren giggled, then made a face when the comment fully registered. Ewww.... "No offense," she mumbled, taking a seat next to Janet on the sofa. "But let's not go there."

  "You're thinking ‘ewww', aren't you?" Janet accused. "I can tell." She looked mortified. "I'm not that old!"

  "Oh, no," Lauren quickly corrected. Uh oh. "It's not that." Her head swayed back and forth as she searched for the right words. "It's just... just... Good grief! You're somebody's mother!"

  Janet was dumbfounded. "And mothers aren't sexual beings?" She snorted and eyed Lauren in disbelief. "Maybe I needed to start you off with a more basic book, dear. I didn't think the cabbage patch theory of conception was popular with young people these days."

  "That's not what I meant, and you know it!" Lauren groaned in embarrassment, but it soon shifted into laughter with Janet joining in. The blonde woman's earlier tension was all but forgotten. It was hard to remain formal or even the slightest bit uncomfortable around Devlyn's brash, uninhibited mother.

  "Just remember, Dev is three somebodies' mother." Janet wriggled her eyebrows, and Lauren saw a flash of Devlyn in the gesture. "And I'll bet you think things about her that make the stuff in chapter eight look tame."

  "Bu... bu..." Lauren sputtered helplessly. Her eyes widened. "You read The Joy of Lesbian Sex before mailing it to me?!"

  Janet waved a dismissive hand in the air. "For research purposes, of course." Then she winked. "Why, if I showed that book to Frank, I'd never get out of bed. Well, you've been married, you know. As a matter of fact, one time..."

  "Oh, my god," Lauren whimpered and covered her ears with her hands. "This is just wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong."

  Janet laughed harder.

  Lauren fixed a hard stare on Dev's mother. "Now I know where your daughter got her evil streak."

  Janet only shrugged. "Frank could have told you that, dear."

  Wednesday, September 8th

  Dev's long strides carried her down the hallway of the White House and towards her family and Lauren. She'd been gone for nearly a month, touring the bombing sites and participating in endless community rallies and meetings with community leaders. The tall woman was so glad to be home, she nearly cried when Air Force One landed at Andrews Air Force Base.

  Her parents and Ashley met Dev in the hallway, where they all shared a round of hearty hugs, and Devlyn endured her mother's scolding over the fact that she'd lost some weight. Weight she didn't need to lose. "I'm okay, Mom. I swear. I've just been busy." Dev smiled indulgently. "You need to get Dottie to send up Devil cookies more often. I haven't had any since Lauren's birthday."

  Dev's eyes scanned the hall, and her brow furrowed. "Speaking of Lauren... where is she? And the boys?" She didn't say it, but Dev was disappointed Lauren hadn't greeted her along with her parents and Ashley. She'd thought about the writer for days on end and was so anxious to see her it was giving her a slight stomachache.

  The small group was silent for a beat, and Dev's demeanor instantly turned wary. She stood up straight, and her alert eyes snapped in the direction of Lauren's and the boys' rooms. "Where are they?"

  "Now, honey, this is nothing to worry about." Frank put his arm around his daughter's shoulders. "They'll be completely fine in a few days."

  The blood instantly drained from Dev's face.

  "Good Lord, Frank! You're scaring her to death. And to think you're a doctor," Janet scolded, fixing her eyes on Dev's face. "They've got the chickenpox, honey. That's all. The first spots showed up yesterday. It's nothing serious; that's why nobody called you."

  Dev closed her eyes and willed her heart to stop pounding. "Chickenpox?" she questioned on a ragged exhale. Wait. Chickenpox? That can't be right. "But I thought nobody got-"

  "You thought we'd beaten those nasty buggers?" Frank answered. He ran a hand over his beard and scratched his chin. "Not so, Devil. Not this strain anyway. It's resistant to the standard vaccination. Now, it's not nearly as common as the old classic was, because it doesn't appear to be quite as contagious. It popped up in isolated spots all over the country a few years ago, and now it seems to be visiting the capital." He snorted. "Apparently, some children at the boys' school have it as well."

  Dev frowned, still not placated. They began walking towards the residence. "But they're okay, right, Dad?" The President held her mother's and daughter's hands as she went, nodding her greeting to several agents who'd remained behind with her family.

  "Absolutely," Frank agreed confidently. "Miserable, but okay."

  "They're spotted like freaks!" Ashley added enthusiastically.

  Dev raised an eyebrow. "And just how did you avoid this, when your brothers and Lauren-"

  "And Emma," Janet added, wincing.

  "Ooo... and Emma," Dev amended, "weren't so lucky?"

  Ashley shrugged one shoulder. "Grandpa said it's a crap shoot. And they stepped right into a big pile of-"

  "Ahem," Frank interrupted. "I'm sure your mama gets the idea." He pretended to be oblivious to the evil glare Dev leveled at him.

  They reached the boys' room first, and Dev had laid her hand on the knob when her private physician stepped out of Lauren's room just down the hall. Blue eyes flicked sideways, and Dev jogged across the carpet, catching the man before he could turn the corner.

  "Hold up, doctor!"

  The doctor straighten
ed and tucked his stethoscope into his coat pocket. "Madam President, welcome back. How's the shoulder?" He reached out to touch the body part in question, but Dev pulled back annoyed. She didn't want to talk about her damned shoulder.

  "How is everyone?"

  "They have the chickenpox, Madam President. I just checked on the boys. They're sleeping and seem to be doing well."

  "And Lauren?" Dev leaned in a little, awaiting his response.