by T N Lowe
Now it’s late October, Billy and Bryan are driving us home. However, we are not going to the condo. “Where are we going?” I ask Patrick.
‘It’s a surprise,” he answers with a huge grin.
“Patrick,” I whine. “I’m tired, and I want to go home.”
“I know princess just placate me this one time, we are almost there.”
We drive for about twenty minutes until we’re in McLean, Virginia parked outside a house that looks like it popped out of a fairy tale. “Whose home is this? I ask as Billy helps me out of the car.
“Ours,” Patrick answers wrapping his arms around my waist.
“What?”
“I bought this house for us. I want a big house to fill with kids,” he tells me.
“This is our house?”
“Yes,” Patrick says worry filling his voice. “Do you like it?”
“What’s not to like, it looks like a mega cottage you would find in Sleeping Beauty. I love it,” I say peppering his face in kisses. “I only wish we decided together.”
“When I saw this place online, I knew it was the perfect house for my princess and I had to have it. But there were already three offers, and I had to move fast. I also wanted to surprise you with it.”
“You are forgiven this one time, don’t do it again,” I warn. “Now can we go inside?”
“Lead the way,” Patrick holds his hand out.
The house has everything I never knew I wanted. Entering through the front door, you enter a small foyer which leads you into a formal sitting room with a wall of windows showcasing the backyard and pool and a little reading nook. The sitting area opens into a chef’s kitchen with attached formal dining room. On the other side of the house is an informal family room with walk out deck and library. The upstairs has nine bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and two sitting areas. The backyard has an outdoor kitchen, pergola, lap pool, and a small yard butted against a forest.
“This is a huge house for just the two of us,” I tell Patrick as we walk through the house.
“It won’t always be just the two of us,” he responds.
“Yes, but we could have waited till we needed more space. The condo was perfect for now.”
“Yes, but soon I will be in charge and will be expected to host foreign dignitaries and parties,” Patrick explains.
“Oh, I didn’t think of that.”
Patrick takes my hand leading me outside to the garage, “We have a six-car garage with an apartment above.”
I shake my head and curl into Patrick’s side, “This is all too much.”
“No this is how princesses should live,” Patrick tells me kissing me on the forehead.
Two Weeks Later- Election Day
Samuel, his supporters, his staff, Patrick and I are at the W hotel listening to the election results. It’s early evening, and so far Samuel is in the lead with over fifty perfect of the reported votes, but California and Texas have not reported yet, so it is still anyone’s race.
As Patrick works the room talking to business partners, the election staff, and members of The Family who are also here to support Samuel, I sit in the corner resting. We found out last week I am six weeks pregnant, and it’s been taking its toll on my energy. Patrick and I have told no one yet; we plan to tell everyone after the results have been read. Samuel takes the seat next to me, “Thank you for coming.”
“Like I would be anywhere else tonight.”
“I know,” he says with a laugh. “Are you feeling okay, you’re looking a little green.”
“Yeah, my stomach has been a little off lately, but it will pass shortly.”
“Do you need anything? I can send someone out to get you crackers or ginger ale.”
“Thank you, but it will pass in a few minutes. I might need to eat.”
“You know that is a good idea we’ve been here for hours with only finger foods. Why don’t we go the restaurant for an early dinner,” Samuel offers.
“Good idea, let’s get my husband first.”
After dinner, we make our way back to the ballroom in time for the polls in central time to close. The preliminary results show Samuel has won seventy perfect of the results. His opponent has to win California to win. In another hour we will know who will be our next President.
Samuel is on pins and needles waiting for the results. Quinn, Brianna, Dylan, Rylie, Liam, and Hui arrive to support Samuel, but he is still nervous. I look at Patrick and say, “It’s time, we have to take his mind off the results, or he’s going to drive himself crazy or give himself a heart attack.” Patrick nods in answer and helps me from my chair.
We ask Quinn, Brianna, and Samuel if they can join us in the hallway for a moment. We are tucked away in a little nook from the hustle and bustle of the ballroom. Patrick starts, “We have something we would like to share with you on this special night.” Placing his hand over my stomach, he says, “We are pregnant, about six weeks.”
Brianna gasps pulling me from Patrick’s side and wraps me in a hug. “Oh my god, this is amazing. I can’t wait to have another grandbaby to spoil.”
Samuel is next hugging me so tight I can’t breathe and kissing me on the cheek, “Congratulations, I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Quinn hugs me, “Congratulations.”
Someone pokes their head out the door, “Samuel we need you, the west coast results are in.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Patrick and I are standing on stage behind Carrick, Samuel’s campaign manager, and friend. “It is my pleasure and honor to welcome President-Elect Samuel Walsh.” The crowd of supporters goes wild as Samuel joins us on stage.
Epilog
Patrick
Tonight is the big night; I become the head of The Family. A priest will perform a short ceremony as Samuel steps down and I take power. Elmer is here to help Lena get the house ready for the party. I asked her if she wanted me to help her around the house, but she insists she can do it on her own. As I walk downstairs, it looks like she has also recruited Bill, Bryan, and some of the other security staff to help her move furniture.
“Princess, what are you doing? You shouldn’t be lifting anything heavy.”
“Stop worrying. I’m not lifting anything, that’s why the guys are here to help,” she shouts back.
“It looks like Elmer has this under control; why don’t you take a break and get ready for the party?”
She looks to Elmer for confirmation; he nods in response, tells her he knows what he’s doing. Kissing him on the cheek, she bounds up the stairs to me. She kisses me lightly, “I’ll be ready before the caterer arrives.”
Father Matthews stands between Samuel and me. “Samuel if you will please repeat after me, I’ve served with dignity and grace, and now it is time to pass the power,” Samuel repeats the words then Father Matthews turns to me. “Please repeat after me; I promise to serve with dignity and grace just as my predecessor and his predecessor did,” I repeat the words. Turning to the guests, Father Matthews announces, “It is my pleasure to announce the new leader, Patrick Love.”
♦ ♦ ♦
After the ceremony, the party is in full swing. My beautiful wife is the perfect hostess making sure everyone is taken care of before having fun herself; she will be the ideal mother. Now she is on the other side of the room while Samuel is introducing me to Gennadi Volkov, the Bratva Pakhan, and his son Maks. “Gennadi would like to bring the Bratva into The Family.”
“You wish to marry in?” I ask Gennadi.
“Yes, my son is of age to marry and start his own family before he takes over for me as Pakhan,” Gennadi explains in his heavily accented English.
Looking across the room at my wife, I spot Shauna at her side. Shauna is a sweet young lady a couple of years younger than Lena, and she reminds me of Lena in a lot of ways. She is the perfect woman to stand at a Pakhan side. Smiling I say, “I have the perfect woman for you.”
Other Books by T.N. Lowe
Saving Ginny
A Secret To Kill For
Coming Soon
Secret Remorse, Secret and Lies Book 3 -2019
Family Secret, Secret and Lies Book 4-2019
Burning Infatuation, Infatuation Series - 2019
Acknowledgements
First I would like to thank my readers, without your support I would have nothing, so thank you. Next I need to thank Christina Williams and Cheryl Lowe for their willingness to be the first to read my ramblings. And big thank you to my family and friends for their unwavering love and support.
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About the Author
T.N. Lowe currently resides in Texas with her husband of twelve years and their two dogs. She grew up traveling the world and lived in living in the Netherlands, Italy, Missouri, Wyoming and Colorado.
TN Lowe used to write short stories while in school but chose to pursue a career in health care. After receiving her degree and working in her chosen field, her life still felt unfulfilled. Returning to her passion, TN Lowe self-published her first Saving Ginny in February 2018 followed by A Secret To Kill For, Secret and Lies Book one in August 2018.