Page 92 of Accepted Precedent
Evie hands Grace to Kristin, then makes her way to me as Finn insists, “It’ll all be legal, and I’ll be able to keep the public record sealed. The world can’t know—at least not for a few years. We won’t even tell Ileah or Jaclyn. We especially can’t tell Alex. For a man who was in politics for years, he has the worst poker face.”
As Evelyn approaches, Finn claps me on the back, then walks over to Andrew and Kristin. Not caring that I’ll smear Evie’s crimson lipstick, I grip the front of her throat and kiss her with abandon. Wrapping my other arm around her, I pull her close, but she winces, “Careful, I just gave birth a few days ago.”
“Sorry, angel. Is this really what I think it is?”
“You put this ring on my finger.” She holds up her hand to show it off. “It’s time you make good on your promises and marry me, Mick.”
Her lipstick doesn’t budge as I swipe my thumb along her bottom lip. “I should’ve married you the day I slipped that ring on.”
“We should’ve done a lot of things.” Evelyn slides her hand into mine, interlacing our fingers. “It’s going to be a rough couple of years, but I didn’t want to go another day without being your wife.”
“Come on! We have maybe five minutes before I have to change a diaper,” Kristin shouts.
Andrew, Finn, and Kristin take a seat on the folding chairs facing the priest. Evie moves her hand to the crook of my elbow and beams, “So, is that a yes?”
“You didn’t ask a question, love. But there’s no reality that I’d ever say no to you.”
Chapter 40
Evelyn
TWO YEARS LATER
Two of my dearest friends are about to do the impossible—attempt a two-woman, two-party ticket. If that isn’t smashing the patriarchy, I don’t know what is.
Ileah’s on stage with Mickey, ready for their big announcement. Mick keeps stealing glances, and every time his eyes meet mine, my stomach swoops. He’s every bit as handsome as he was more than a decade ago when we met.
While Andrew and I made our divorce public, it would look bad on everyone involved if I announced that Mickey and I are together. Kristin insists when the time is right, we’ll start by staging dates and eventually an engagement. I wish I could shout to the world that the beautiful man on the stage is my husband, but too much hangs in the balance. I need to trust the process—no matter how much I hate it.
Between running one of the biggest lobbying firms in the nation and raising my adorable but chaotic children, I’m exhausted. Andrew is only able to help me part-time, and while Mickey is very involved, he’s been busy with preparing Jaclyn for her presidential run. With no nap in my future, and less than aminute before their announcement, I chug my energy drink and toss the can in the trash. My friends deserve me fully alert and present.
“Good morning, Dover!” Mickey begins, waiting for the cheers to fade before continuing, “Over the past few years, it has been my pleasure to work as Senator Vasileiou’s campaign manager. We promised the announcement of the century, and are streaming live with Senator Taylor.” He gestures to the large television broadcasting Jaclyn at a podium. “Senator Taylor, would you like to do the honors?”
“Thank you, Mr. Gallagher,” Jaclyn begins. “My husband, Christopher, and I moved to Houston when his brother Alexander left us three years ago—almost to the day. That same night, we lost Senator Tim McKinnon. I’d like to ask that we take a moment of silence—or if you are a person of faith, a prayer—to remember the amazing men they were.”
I bow my head, and Grace and Brandon start babbling to each other. “Shh, we have to be quiet,” I whisper.
“Sorry, Mommy,” they reply in unison, lowering their heads to mirror everyone around us.
After a minute, Jaclyn continues, “Thank you.” We all lift our gaze to her. “It’s been my privilege to represent Texas in his place, but it is with deep gratitude and some regret that I will not be seeking reelection.” Murmurs ripple through the Dover crowd. “I will not be seeking reelection, because I’ll be running for President of the United States.”
Cheers erupt here and in Houston, and when they die down, Jaclyn’s smile widens. “We’re here to make history. To break glass ceilings. To show the country—and the world—thatcollaboration isn’t just possible, it’s necessary. Which is why I’ve asked the most capable politician I know to be my running mate. I’m a Republican, and she is a Democrat, so yes—we’ll have our disagreements.” She winks as we all laugh. “But Ileah is the right choice to help lead this country forward with me. It is my pleasure to announce Delaware's own Senator Vasileiou as my right-hand woman in my upcoming presidential campaign.”
Finn joins Ileah on stage and Mickey hands her the microphone. “Thank you all for coming out tonight. It’s been an honor and a privilege to represent the great state of Delaware in the wake of Tim’s death. Jaclyn and I never set out to run for office—we were called to serve. I’ve known Senator Taylor for most of my life, and despite standing on opposite sides of the aisle, we have far more in common than not.” She pauses for a moment before continuing, “This country has been divided for far too long. All anyone wants is a chance to fulfill the promise our founders of this country gave us—the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That is what we’re fighting for.”
She looks up adoringly at Finn as Grace tugs on my sweater. “Mommy, are they in love?”
“Yes, sweetheart. Very much so.”
“Like Uncle Mickey loves you?”
“I, uh…” While we planned on having this conversation with the twins when they were older, I’m tired of lying to them. They’ve never seen us kissing or hugging, but Grace feels emotions so deeply. It doesn’t surprise me that she’s caught onto it, even if she’s only two. “You know what? Yes, just like Uncle Mickey loves me.”
Ileah continues her speech, and I couldn’t be more proud of my dear friend. When the applause dies down, she adds, “I do have one more announcement to make about one of the most important people in my life, Finn Gallagher. Most people don’t know our story, and it’s about time we share it. The papers said we began dating about six months ago, but what the world never bothered to do was a deep dive into our dating lives.” She smiles brightly as she tells Finn, “If they had, they would’ve known I fell in love with you over ten years ago. It wasn’t our time—we drifted apart—and then I met my late husband. When he died, I was broken, but you put me back together. And while I will always love Tim, you are the love of my life.”
He whispers something to her. She nods, pulls away from the mic, then suddenly drops down to one knee. “Finn, will you marry me?”
She offers a ring, and Finn doesn’t hesitate to slip it on his finger. He brings her back to her feet and kisses her, smiling against her lips. Brandon covers his eyes, making me chuckle.
