Page 84 of Fighting for Julia
The ceremony resumed without any more unnerving interruptions. When Father Dominguez pronounced them husband and wife, Miguel claimed Julia’s mouth in a hot kiss and dipped her, much to the audience’s delight. A photographer took the obligatory round of photos while the guests headed to the reception being held at the Waldorf-Astoria Monarch Beach Resort seven miles south in Dana Point. Miguel and Julia werealso spending their brief honeymoon there but planned to take a romantic trip in December, after the election was over.
Due to March being an off season for weddings, they were able to reserve the Avalon Ballroom on the fifth floor of the resort for their reception. Of course, it hadn’t hurt that the Secretary of State Barbara Washburn herself was the one inquiring about using the facility. Miguel and Julia made their grand entrance after the bridal party amid clapping and cheering. They took their places at the decorated head table, and the toasts began. As Miguel’s best man, Justice not only had the guests laughing but damn near brought them to tears, too. Afterward, the DJ opened the buffet table where event staff hovered nearby.
While getting drinks at the cash bar, Miguel confronted Trey about Nash Carter’s unexpected involvement with the Jalisco motorcycle gang. “What the hell were you thinking, Trey, by dropping Carter undercover into a drug cartel?”
Trey reached for his shot of whiskey, and they moved out of the line. “Actually, Miguel, as soon as Nash heard about the Andersons’ escape from the mental hospital, he showed up at Quantico and offered to help. When we realized the siblings were headed to Mexico, it wasn’t too difficult to place him with the Jalisco cartel. They’re relatively new to the game and not too careful yet. Nash even tried to rescue you and Julia in Tijuana. It went somewhat awry, didn’t it? Who knew you and Julia would fight to protect Alfredo and Juan? You almost killed Nash, by the way.”
“Jesus, Trey. We had Julia’s cell phone. You couldn’t have given us a heads up?”
“He wouldn’t let us. But don’t worry about him. Agents will be getting him out of Mexico within the next twenty-four hours. He’s free in more ways than one.”
Thirty minutes later, Miguel and Julia moved onto the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. He’d chosen “A la Nanita Nana.” As the music began, tears sprang into Julia’s eyes.
“Oh, Miguel, you couldn’t have chosen a more perfect song. I think that night I knew I could fall in love with you.”
He placed a tender kiss on her lips. “Your tears that night broke my heart. All I wanted to do was kiss them away.” One slipped down her cheek, and he caught it with his lips. “Have I told you that you are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen? You steal my breath.”
Julia’s mouth curved into a lovely smile. “Thank you, Miguel.” She brushed a piece of lint off his shoulder. “And you were right. In your tux, you’re even sexier than James Bond.”
“I told you so,” he bragged with uncharacteristic pride.
She laughed and brought his head down to meet her upturned mouth.
ENDINGS AND NEW BEGINNINGS
In the months that followed,the Laguna Beach friends celebrated the birth of Owen and Savannah’s, and Luca and Mallory’s first babies. Both men hated to be away from their new family, but the election was drawing near. The bid for the presidency had been a clean one on both sides of the political aisle. Barbara refused to run negative ads about her opponent or slander him in any way. When he tried to throw mud at her during their debates, it didn’t stick, and he was shamed into stopping his smear campaign. Barbara also refused to accept money from special interest groups whose agendas were suspicious. This gained her favor in the public’s eye.
Election Day proceeded smoothly, due in large part to the precedents set by President Brown’s leadership during the past eight years. The Washburn campaign gathered in the conference room at a swanky hotel in Washington, D.C., to watch the election results. As the numbers came in, they remained cautiously hopeful that Barbara’s dream would come to fruition.
By midnight, newscasters were calling the election. For the first time in America’s history, a woman became the leader of the free world. Many tears were shed that night among dreams and fears realized, and dreams and fears yet to come.
The following morning everyone met at the Washburns’ home in Alexandria. Suspiciously absent was Brendan McAdams. Barbara had fired him after he’d betrayed her trust so deeply. After sharing breakfast in the family’s dining room, they carried cups of coffee into the spacious living room. Decisions had to be made.
Barbara gazed at the Laguna Beach friends. “I think you know what I’m going to request of you, Justice. To continue to be my security detail during the next four years.”
Justice, Luca, Owen, Hutch, Tawny, and Miguel glanced at each other. They communicated without words and nodded at Justice to speak for them.
“Madam President-Elect, it would be an honor to serve you. But our homes, our families, and our lives are in Laguna Beach. Owen and Savannah will be moving back now that she’s almost finished medical school. I want to continue as Chief of Police until my time comes to an end. However, I will personally select your Secret Service agents and thoroughly vet and train them myself.”
Though disappointed, Barbara understood their decision. “I knew that’s where your hearts lay.” She eyed Julia who sat next to Miguel, holding his hand. “I suppose you’re transferring to L.A.?”
“Yes, Mom. It’s already been approved.”
“Well, then, there’s only one thing left to say. Thank you, everyone. Thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made this year. And if you ever need anything from me in the future, don’t hesitate to ask.”
As the group broke up, ready to head to the airport, Barbara and Greg pulled Miguel and Julia aside.
“Take care of our daughter,” Greg implored, tears filling his eyes. “From the moment we first saw her and held her in our arms, we loved her.”
Pure, unadulterated love burned in Miguel’s heart and in his eyes. “Yes, sir. I felt exactly the same way.”
