by Harte, C. J.
After the ceremony, she rode over to the wedding reception in one of the limos reserved for the First Family.
“A year ago I would have gotten angry with anyone who even joked about my shaking hands with Thompson. Now, I’m in his limo, at his son’s wedding.” Her father laughed. “I can’t wait until I can tell everyone. I noticed the Wyoming delegation quite wide-eyed when we were placed close to the First Family.”
“Darling, I think you have new status in Wyoming.” Her mother patted his arm.
He looked at her and smiled. “Fitting retribution. Just need to survive long enough.”
“Well, Dad, does this mean you’re getting back into politics?”
“Hell, no!” He turned toward Jordan. “Sorry, Jordan, for the language.”
“It’s nothing I haven’t heard from Drew many times.” She squeezed Drew’s hand. “Thank you for being so patient with me and my family,” Jordan said.
The limo stopped and they exited into the underground garage of the hotel hosting the wedding reception. Jordan held tight to Drew’s hand. Drew was so proud of her. The large reception hall was set for over six hundred. Drew and her parents were guided to their table near the front. Her father was enjoying the Wyoming politicians who were coming up to him, plying him with drinks, trying to figure out how he had gained such favored status.
“I must say I’m enjoying this,” her father said. “Folks who didn’t want to talk to me four years ago suddenly want to do lunch when we’re back in Wyoming.”
Drew smiled. Maybe things will work out after all.
Jordan walked over and took Drew’s hand. “Come on. Jack and Sandra are arriving and there will be a reception line. You are standing next to me.”
“Jordan, do you think that’s a good idea? People are going to ask questions. They will want to know who I am.”
Jordan smiled. “I’ll tell them you are my wonderful, amazing partner. If they still don’t get it, I’ll tell them you are my lover and life partner, and next year, we’re getting married.”
Drew smiled. “You’re the amazing one. You’ve come a long way.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you.” Jordan became serious. “I love you, Drew Hamilton. For the first time, I feel like I can do anything. I’ve discovered something more important than being the First Daughter. That’s being your lover. First, last, and always.”
Drew stood in line next to Jordan. The first guests were starting down the line. The bride’s parents, the bride, the groom, the President and the First Lady, Jordan and Drew. Drew had given up on normal.
The first guests had reached Jordan’s parents. They spoke briefly and then turned to Jordan. “This is our daughter, Jordan, and her partner, Dr. Drew Hamilton.”
Drew shook hands with the guests. Okay, so life could get weirder. Then she remembered she and her parents were having lunch at the White House tomorrow.
*
Conversation had been cordial. Drew couldn’t wait for the dessert to be served and they could leave. She really wanted to get back to her residency, the ranch, and some semblance of sanity.
“Jordan looks wonderful. Thank you for taking such good care of her.” Marcia Thompson reached for Jordan’s hand. “I don’t think I’ve seen her so happy.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Drew answered. “I love her.”
Jordan leaned into Drew’s embrace and whispered. “Well, my first love may be my last love, but there may be five little loves in between.”
“Five?” Drew said, surprised at how loud she had spoken.
“Five what?” the president asked.
Jordan turned red. There would be plenty of time to explain. She squeezed Drew’s knee. “Sorry, sir, just thinking out loud. Just something we were talking about doing.”
“Can we just get through the first one?” Drew said in a voice she hoped couldn’t be overheard.
“First what?” her father asked.
“Drew, of course,” Jordan said. “She’s my first and only love.”
In front of both of our parents, Jordan said that. Too much information. Drew gave up. Life with Jordan would never be normal. It didn’t matter because she loved Jordan and Jordan loved her. She would just accept the weirdness. What could be better?
The End
About the Author
C. J. Harte was born in New York but has lived many places, courtesy of living in a military family. Her college education was completed in Florida, where she quickly became involved in labor union organizing, civil and women’s rights, as well as LGBT issues. She worked in education and health care, which allowed her to continue her activism.
Writing has always been a passion. She sees words as magical. She wrote her first poem in elementary school, her first play in high school, and had her first poem published in college. C.J. is the author of two novels, several short stories, poetry, and is co-lyricist for the LGBT musical Am I Blue? a tale of a young boy dealing with his identity.
Today, C.J. lives in beautiful Wyoming with her two curious dogs and tries to write in spite of their occasional comments and additions to the story. When not writing or working, she is still working for human rights.
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The Road to Her by KE Payne. Sparks fly when actress Holly Croft, star of UK soap Portobello Road, meets her new on-screen love interest, the enigmatic and sexy Elise Manford. (978-1-60282-887-2)
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