Page 20 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“If you need to talk about any of this, you know where we are, right?” Nick asked Scotty.

“I know where you are. The whole world knows where you are.” He ran his fingers through Skippy’s silky hair as she slept next to him. “Are we still having our Christmas party?”

“I suppose we will, but we’ll keep it low-key out of respect for the victims and their families,” Nick said.

“You’re good at this being-president thing,” Scotty said.

“I’m glad you think so.”

“Duh, everyone thinks so.”

“Well, no, not everyone,” Nick said. “I have plenty of people who are picking apart everything I do and say.”

Scotty shrugged. “That’s politics for you. Most people think you’re awesome, and by the way, I was thinking about that bet we made about you being president in four years and have decided you owe me a hundred bucks, because it happened even sooner than I said.”

Sam lost it laughing, appreciating the levity Scotty brought to their lives at times like this when they badly needed it. “He’s got you there, Dad.”

“You’re supposed to be on my side at all times,” Nick reminded her.

“I am, except for when I’m on his.”

“Best mom ever,” Scotty said.

Hearing him say those words, Sam felt like she’d been hit straight in the heart with the sharpest of arrows. “Surely that can’t possibly be true.”

“It’s true. You’re tied for first with my other mom.”

“I’m very honored to be tied for first with her and to get to be your mom.” Sam kissed the top of his head and stood before she made a fool of herself sobbing all over him. She’d yearned for so long to be a mother. Although it hadn’t happened the way she’d thought it would, she wouldn’t trade being this boy’s mother for anything in the world. “Sleep tight. I love you, and I’ll make sure you get your C-note from Dad.” Standing in the doorway, she waited for Nick.

“Love you, too.”

“We’ll see you in the morning,” Nick said, giving Scotty a fist bump.

“Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think I could go with you guys when you go to see the families of the people who died?”

“That might be a lot for you to handle,” he said.

“I’d be okay. I’ve been through some stuff of my own. I understand what they’re going through.”

“I suppose you do, but I honestly think this might be too much for you,” Nick said. “Hell, it’ll be too much for us.”

“It’s very nice of you to offer to go, though,” Sam said, dreading that trip with every fiber of her being even though she knew they had to do it. After recently losing her father, her emotions were still raw, but she’d never let Nick do that trip alone. “We’ll see you in the morning.”

“Don’t stay up too late,” Nick added. “Love you.”

“Love you guys, too.”

When they went into their suite of rooms at the end of the same hallway that housed the Lincoln Bedroom and closed the door, Sam retrieved the monitor that kept tabs on the twins in their bedroom and put it on the table in the sitting room. “I need a drink so badly after this day.”

“Right there with you.”

“Can we turn on the TV to see the latest?”

“Yeah, I suppose we should be keeping an eye on it.”

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