by T N Lowe
“Sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Walsh called. The press conference is about to start,” Bryan tells us.
“Thank you, Bryan,” Patrick says taking my hand and leading me into the family room to watch the conference. Sitting on the couch Patrick pulls me to sit next to him, Bryan and Billy sit on opposite ends of the sectional sofa as Patrick turns the TV on.
Carrick is standing behind a podium, “Good morning everyone and thank you for coming on such short notice. Mr. Walsh will make a brief statement and will not be taking questions afterward.” Carrick steps aside letting Samuel step behind the podium.
“Good morning, as most of you have heard I have a daughter. Her mother and I dated while she was in law school and I was working at a law office near Harvard. After she graduated law school, we both accepted jobs in Washington D.C. We lived together for a year. When our relationship ended, she did not tell me she was pregnant before she moved to Maine. Recently she passed away that is when I learned she had a daughter. I reached out to her and informed her I maybe her father. And as you all read on in the Washington Post, she is my daughter. Now we are trying to get to know each other and make up for lost time. We ask you to give us privacy at this time. Thank you.”
The crowd of reporters goes crazy shouting questions all at once. Carrick steps up the podium again thanking everyone for attending and reminding them to vote before walking back into the campaign office.
Chapter Fourteen
Saturday afternoon Billy escorts Rylie to the condo. Tossing a garment bag onto the couch, she runs into Patrick’s arms then moves to hug me whispering, “Who’s the new hottie and is he single?”
“His name is Billy, and I have no idea,” I whisper back pulling out of her hug to breathe.
“What are you making us for lunch,” Rylie asks Patrick.
“Lena ordered pizza,” Patrick says sticking his tongue out at her.
“Can Billy join us?” Rylie asks eyeing him standing in the corner.
“I’m sorry ma’am, but I have to work with Bryan and the other security detail for the party tonight. Enjoy your lunch,” Billy says exiting the room to answer the intercom returning a few moments later with our pizza.
“Thank you, “I tell him taking the pizza from him. Setting the pizza box on the coffee table I get paper plates from the kitchen. Handing a plate to Patrick and Rylie we dig into the pizza.
“So, what’s new and exciting in your little bubble of the world?” Rylie asks me in between bites.
I snort, “Haven’t you seen the news?” I retort.
“Well, yeah I saw all that. Is there anything else new?”
“Other than finding out Samuel Walsh is my long lost father? No that is the only new drama in my life.”
“What about you, brother dearest?”
“Nothing here,” Patrick says focusing on the TV.
“Oh, Mom asked me to tell you Thanksgiving dinner is at three, but she expects both of you to be there by one. I’m sure she’ll remind you again tonight.”
After the three of us polish off the pizza, Rylie and I leave Patrick to get ready for the party tonight. I sit on the bed while Rylie sorts through my closet, “You need something elegant, but also stands out.” Reaching to the back of my closet she pulls out an Elie Saab red sleeveless bustier embellished tulle evening gown. “This is perfect,” Rylie says laying it on the bed.
After we have both showered and dressed Rylie rejoins me in the master bedroom to help me do something with my hair. “Do you have any ideas on what you would like done with your hair?” Rylie asks.
“Carte blanche,” I reply.
Rylie digs around for bobbie pins, comb, and a curling iron before she pushes me into a chair. “You have such beautiful long hair; I know just what to do.” She pulls one section up at a time and pins it to make my long hair cascade down my back. When every hair is where she wants it Rylie curls my long raven locks into spiral curls. Once my hair is just the way she wants it she sprays enough hairspray to put a small hole in the ozone. “Perfect,” Ryle declares. “Take a look,” she says pointing her chin at the mirror.
“Wow, Rylie this is amazing! Thank you for all your help,” I say pulling her into a hug.
“Easy,” she laughs. “Don’t ruin all my hard work.” Pulling free from my embrace Rylie says, “Let’s go find my brother and introduce you to the world.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Bryan drives the limo; Billy sits in the front while Patrick, Rylie, and I sit in the back. “This is the first time I’ve ever ridden in a limo,” I say.
“Next time we go out I’ll rent a limo and show you just how much fun riding in a limo can be,” Patrick says. “By the way, you look amazing. I’m only sorry Rylie is here to ruin all my plans.”
“Hey, I heard that,” Rylie quips.
When we turn on to Samuel’s street, we see the press lining both sides of the street. Even though the windows have dark tinting and I don’t think they can see us they still take pictures of the car. “Don’t worry they can’t see us in here and Samuel has assured me there will be no press there tonight,” Patrick tells me placing a soft kiss on my forehead.
I nod watching the photographers trip over themselves trying to take pictures of a limo that could hold any number of people; Samuel is a popular and powerful man that is friends with a number of famous and powerful people. The gate leading to Samuel’s private drive swings open allowing us entry, Bryan quickly drives through it leaving the press to continue to speculate who is attending tonight’s function.
Bryan stops at the front door; Elmer opens my door and assists me out of the limo stepping to the side allowing Rylie to exit, then Patrick. Elmer leads us into a formal living room where we find Samuel enjoying a cocktail pacing in front of a small bar cart. When he turns to pace towards us, he stops and does a double take, “Good you’re here. I thought for a moment you wouldn’t come,” Samuel says.
“Why would you think that?” I ask as he kisses my cheek and looks me over.
“You look amazing,” Samuel tells me. Looking to Patrick, he says, “You’re going to have your work cut out for you tonight keeping other suitors away from her.”
“Does that mean you have come to terms with me dating your daughter?”
“At least you’re the devil I know,” Samuel says not really saying one way or the other if he approves or not.
“So, why did you think we wouldn’t come tonight?” I ask again.
“Because of how crazy the press has been. I’m sure you saw them when you drove up the street.”
“We did, don’t those people have a life?” Rylie says joining the conversation.
“Rylie Love, is that you all grown up? You look beautiful. And you’re right those people have no life.”
“Thank you, Samuel. Oh, and Mom wanted to invite you to Thanksgiving on Thursday. She wasn’t sure if she would get the chance to ask you over tonight.”
“I would love to. Thank you for thinking of me. Would anyone like a drink before guests begin to arrive?”
“I would love one,” I answer hoping it will break some of my jitters.
Pulling me tight into his side Patrick whispers, “Nerves?” into my hair pressing a soft kiss on the top of my head.
Feeling his strong arms around my waist and his muscular chest holding me up my worries start to melt away, “a little,” I answer. The closest thing to a party like this I’ve ever been to was prom. And I don’t think that prepared me much for how tonight is going to be.”
“No, probably not, but Samuel or I will be with you all night,” Patrick answers rubbing his hand up and down my back.
After disappearing to god knows where Elmer joins us, “Sir, may we begin with tonight’s itinerary?” He asks Samuel.
“Yes, please. If everyone will take a seat, Elmer will regale us all with tonight’s itinerary.
We all sit, and Elmer begins, “The receiving line will begin at six when the guests arrive, the band will play softly in the ba
ckground while the guests mingle. At seven, everyone will be asked to take their seats, at seven-thirty dinner will be served. At nine the father-daughter dance will begin after which everyone will be asked to join in the dance.”
“Thank you, Elmer,” Samuel answers.
“Um, I’m not a great dancer,” I say worried.
“Don’t worry I’m a great dancer you just have to follow my lead,” Samuel says with a smile.
♦ ♦ ♦
At a quarter to six, Elmer escorts us to the backyard where a tent the size of a medium house is set up with tables, a large dance floor including a stage where a small band is setting up. “Miss. Miller, Mr. Love, will you please join Mr. Walsh here. Miss. Love your table is front and center if you would please take your seat.”
Our first guests arrive, and to my pleasure, they are Patrick’s family; the perfect way to ease me into the reception line, seeing as I’ve never seen or been in one before and have no idea what I’m doing. “Quinn, Brianna,” Samuel bellows. “It’s great to see you again, you already know my daughter and your son,” he says laughing at his own joke.
“Yes, I think we do,” Quinn says laughing with him.
“Did Rylie get a chance to ask you over for Thanksgiving dinner?” Brianna asks.
“Yes, she did. Thank you for the invitation, and I would love to come. What time would you like me?”
“Dinner is at three so any time before then,” Brianna says with a smile.
“Perfect. I’ll see you later in the night. And may I add you look wonderful Brianna,” Samuel adds with a kiss on her cheek.
“You are always the charmer, Samuel,” Brianna says moving to shake my hand. “Lena, you look, wow. That dress was made for you.”
I blush at her compliment, “Thank you, Brianna, you look gorgeous as well.
Quinn stands behind Brianna, “She’s right Lena, my son is a very lucky man,” he says escorting his wife to where Rylie is waiting for them.
As I turn my attention back to Samuel, he is talking to an older man and the very young women on his arm. Leaning to Patrick I ask, “That’s not what we look like, is it? I mean there’s an age gap, but people don’t think I’m your daughter do they?”
Patrick swallows his laughter, “No we look nothing like that. His date has to be at least twenty years younger than him.”
“Thank god or I was going to have to rethink our whole relationship. I don’t want people to think I only want you for your money when really it’s your skills in the bedroom that keep me coming back,” I giggle.
“Good to know,” Patrick whispers.
Turning my attention back to Samuel, just as he says, “May I introduce my daughter, Lena Miller-Walsh and her boyfriend, Patrick Love.” When the hell did my last name become hyphenated? I don’t remember agreeing to that. I’m about to ask when I remember, now is not the time or the place.
Holding out my hand the man brings it to his lips, “Pleased to meet you, this is my date, Tiffany Green.”
“Very nice to meet you both,” I reply with a bright smile while discreetly trying to wipe his old man germs on the back of my gown. As the couple moves to their table, I look to the next guest and my jaw drops. “Is that who I think it is?” I whisper to Patrick.
“Yes, I think so.”
“He won an Oscar last year. Samuel knows him?”
“I’m guessing so seeing as he’s here.”
“Mr. Washington it’s an honor to meet you I’m a huge fan,” I gush.
“It’s always nice to meet a fan. I’ll send your father tickets to my next premier.”
“Thank you. That would be awesome.”
After shaking hands with all three hundred and twenty guests, Elmer steps on the stage asking everyone to please take their seats, must be seven.
“We better find our seats before Elmer finds us,” Samuel whispers. We move down the aisle to the main table as servers enter the tent carrying several plates of salad. Setting the plates on the tables, they scurry back to the kitchen to bring out more food. A server brings our salads topped with walnuts and cranberries with a light vinaigrette dressing. It’s festive and delicious. Soon after our table has cleared our plates, a server comes to take the dirty plates then states the main course will be out soon and asks if we would like anything else to drink. I ask for a glass of wine, needing something to help with the jitters for the upcoming dance. Within two minutes the server is back with my wine while another server comes carrying the main course of lamb shank with walnuts and pomegranate served over polenta. “This is great, Samuel. For once someone hired a caterer who wants to feed us and not poison us with bad cooking,” Patrick teases Samuel.
“I know I hate attending these things when they feed you crap you can’t eat. Like that shit at my announcement dinner, what the hell was that? I asked the driver to stop by Potbelly on the way home.”
“I’ll have to get their card before we leave tonight,” Patrick says.
I can only eat half of my portion pushing the rest of away leaving just enough room for dessert, which is a perfectly made chocolate soufflé with homemade whip cream. Once the plates have been cleared and the band begins to play again, Elmer takes the stage, “At this time we would like to invite Mr. Walsh and his daughter to share the first dance.”
Everyone begins to clap encouraging us to the dance floor all the while my legs feel like jelly and I’m scared my chocolate soufflé will make a re-appearance. Samuel holds his hand out of me to take, “They're playing our song,” he tells me with a smile. Taking his hand, I let him lead me to the dance floor looking over my shoulder I see Patrick smiling at me, telling me without words that it will be okay. When we reach the middle of the floor Samuel places a hand on my waist and keeps my other hand in his. “I promise I won’t let you fall,” he says before leading us in a waltz.
Samuel spins and twirls across the large dance floor making me giggle, “You are pretty good at this,” I tell him.
“Thanks. I wish I could have been there when you were a girl to teach you how to dance. There is so much of your life I missed, and I don’t know how to make it up to you or if I should be mad at your mother,” Samuel confesses.
“I feel the same way. There were so many times growing up I wished I had a father to be there for me like the other kids. After twenty-five years I now have one, and I don’t know how to feel about that or how to bridge this gap we have.”
Samuel is silent as he continues to lead us in the dance, “I-um-I talked to a friend of mine who is a psychologist. She said these feelings are normal. She warned me not to try and force a relationship with you.”
A loud un-lady like snort escapes me, “And this isn’t your way of trying to force a relationship?”
“No, this is my way of keeping you safe. By announcing you to this world, they will help keep you safe from the media and other dangers in the world. If or when Patrick proposes he would have done the same thing, I just beat him to the punch.”
“You make it sound like the boogeyman is out there to get us,” I say more than a little scared at the thought someone might be after us.
“I didn’t mean to scare you, but yes there are people out there who would use you to hurt Patrick and me. The people here tonight are friends of mine and will keep you safe.”
When the song ends, I kiss Samuel on the cheek, “Thank you for being understanding and helping to keep me safe.”
Mr. Washington comes to stand next to Samuel, “Mr. Walsh, may I dance with your daughter?”
“You may, just keep your hands to yourself or her boyfriend may not be so nice,” Samuel warns before placing my hand in Mr. Washington’s.
Placing his hand on my waist Mr. Washington says, “You look beautiful tonight. Your boyfriend is a very lucky man.”
“Thank you. But I think I’m the lucky one Patrick is a generous man. I’m lucky he stumbled into my life.”
“It sounds like you are both lucky to have each other.”
“We ar
e,” Patrick says from behind Mr. Washington. “May I cut in?”
“Of course,” Mr. Washington says giving my hand to Patrick.
Patrick pulls me in close wrapping his arms around my waist. “Careful Mr. Love people may talk about your inappropriate behavior.”
“Let them talk, I love my girlfriend, and I want everyone to know it.”
“That is the right answer,” I tease kissing him quickly on the lips. He may not care if people talk, but I don’t want to risk embarrassing Samuel at his own party.
“May I cut in?” The older man with the young date asks from beside us.
Placing my hand in the older man’s Patrick tells him, “Remember, she’s mine. So, don’t get any ideas.”
The older man laughs, “No worries.” The man spins me around the dance floor a few times, but he is not nearly as good of a dancer as Samuel or Patrick. He tries to engage me in conversation, but something about him makes me feel uncomfortable. I’m polite but only provide him with short answers. When the song is over another man asks to dance. But that is when I notice, they never ask me to dance, they ask the man I’m with to dance to which my hand is passed. My guess is, it is some weird old world custom followed by rich people, but as they say, when in Rome.
My next partner is a worse dancer than I am, constantly off the beat and stepping on my toes. Dylan finally takes mercy on me cutting in after five long minutes. “Thank you. I don’t think I could have taken much more of that.”
“No problem. Patrick would have stepped in, but a business connection has him cornered.”
“I have to ask because I’m curious why am I dancing with everyone here?”
“It’s an old-world tradition at a coming out party. Traditionally a coming out party happens when a girl turns sixteen, back it the day it was her parent's way of showing her off to potential husbands. Since we don’t do that anymore, it’s more like a fancy sweet sixteen party. But in your case, it’s a welcome to the family kind of party.”
“So this is my fancy sweet sixteen, nine years late?”