Chapter 19

Angela

Two weeks later

"You're looking very presidential this morning, Madam President," Doyle said.

Blake rolled his eyes. "Why are you even still here?"

Doyle winked. "I have nothing else to do right now."

Angela had an hour before the press conference that would change the world. She knew this would be one of those pivotal historical moments that changed everything.

Blake, Doyle, Tristan, and Angela sat in the Oval Office, brainstorming any last-minute details they hadn't thought of yet. Victoria, who started the week before, sat at a side table.

Since returning from Arkansas, Angela spent every waking moment strategizing how to approach her legislation and exposing supernaturals to the world. She also spent time getting her re-election campaign started.

Mariah and Robert walked into the office. Robert stayed by the door, and Mariah sat beside Angela on the couch. She took Angela's hand and squeezed. "Are you sure about this? We can just announce your intent to run again."

"I am sure about this. It's the right thing to do. Senator Chadwick is already leaps and bounds ahead of us."

"Are you concerned supernaturals will see what you're doing as only a plot to gain votes?" Mariah said.

"I am hoping to get the supernatural vote. But I would do this regardless. It's the right thing to do. They are just as much a part of this country as you and I, and they deserve to be seen as such."

"I'm anxious it's not going to turn out the way you hope it will," Mariah said.

"It might not, but I know what needs to be done."

Mariah and Robert exchanged a knowing glance. The tension in the room doubled.

Angela turned her head between them. "What? What's going on?"

Mariah stood, walked to the desk, and leaned on the front of it. "I'm not sure how to tell you this."

Angela's stomach squeezed, and her heartbeat increased. "What don't you know how to tell me?"

Mariah twisted her mouth as if thinking.

"Mariah, you can tell me anything. You know that."

Mariah gave her a small, closed-mouth smile. "I'm not sure you'll want to hear this." She inhaled, held her breath briefly, and released it slowly. "The Democratic Committee has approached me. They want me to run against you."

Angela's breath caught in her throat. "Excuse me?" She got off the couch and stood in front of Mariah. "That's ludicrous. I'm sure you told them that."

Mariah would not look Angela in the eyes.

"You told them that was ludicrous, didn't you? There's never been a real challenger for a president who wanted to run again."

Mariah pushed off the desk. "You have to understand, Angela. Your public approval rating is so low you may never recover. No one is expecting you to win."

"Even you?" Angela crossed her arms over her chest.

"You have to understand. I want to support you, but I must consider my career. If you lose this election, it will make it much harder for me to run the next time. I will always be saddled with your legacy."

Angela threw her hands up in the air and scoffed. "Well, you had no trouble being saddled with my legacy when it landed you a job in the White House."

Mariah reached for Angela's arm, but Angela twisted out of the way. "I admire your dedication to what you believe is the right thing. But Angela, this isn't the right thing."

Angela held up a finger before Mariah could continue. "That's Madam President to you."

Mariah gave Robert a pleading look. "I told you she wouldn't understand."

"Understand? What am I supposed to understand? We were a team, and now, what?"

Robert held out his hand for Mariah. She joined him, and they walked to the door. "I didn't have to tell you like this. I could have just waited for you to find out like everyone else will."

Angela turned her back, but over her shoulder, she said, "When are you announcing your candidacy?"

Mariah stopped and faced Angela. "Tomorrow. I figured I owed you that courtesy."

Angela spun around. "I expect your resignation on my desk before you make that announcement."

"Excuse me? You can't just expect me to resign. There's no protocol for that."

"Well, then I'll come up with some."

Mariah clicked her tongue, turned her back on Angela, and walked out the door.

Blake walked up behind Angela and put his hands on her shoulders. She twisted and stepped away.

"Madam President," a voice came from the door, "is now a good time? We had an appointment." Senator Kenneth McCann stepped through the door as Mariah and Robert left.

Tristan met the Senator and shook his hand. "Yes, we did. Thank you for coming."

Angela counted to ten in her head, inhaled and exhaled slowly, and then gave Kenneth a large politician smile. She walked over to him with her hand outstretched. "Yes, Kenneth, thank you. We have a lot to talk about before the press conference."

"Yes, we do. Let me start by asking you to call me Ken or Kenny. Kenneth is my father."

Angela smiled and nodded once. "Of course." She held out her hand, and Victoria came over with a notebook.

Victoria had proved just as good as Penny, but Angela missed Penny. Penny seemed to read her mind, knowing what she needed before she did. Maybe Victoria would develop that skill after they'd been together longer.

Angela handed Ken the notebook. "I know Tristan summarized the bill when you talked, but this is the bill and all the research to justify it."

Ken tucked the notebook under his arm. "I never thought I'd see the day supernaturals would receive citizenship."

"It's a big day for sure. I know the proud people of California will be happy they elected you."

"Yes, Ma'am. I plan on presenting this during tomorrow's session. Have you done much exploring to see who will be in favor of this? I mean, what are the chances this will pass?"

"Oh, I'm sure it won't pass the first time, at least not as it's written today. This is just the first step. It's such an unknown thing that there will need to be a lot of debate and education."

"I understand," Ken said.

"Ken, I want to make sure you completely understand what this means. It could be political suicide."

"Oh, I'm well aware, but it's the right thing."

"Are you ready to expose your supernatural abilities?" Angela moved to sit behind her desk and pointed to an empty chair, indicating Ken should sit.

"I am. I'm not sure how my constituents will take me as a lion, but at least it will be in the open."

"And if they don't accept you?" Tristan walked over to the side table and poured a glass of water. "Water?" he asked Ken.

"Yes, thank you," Ken said. He waited until Tristan handed him the glass of water before he answered. "If they don't accept me, then they don't accept me."

Angela smiled at the man. "You're either very stupid or very brave."

Ken chuckled. "With all due respect, Madam President, you're the brave one. I'm not sure anyone who sat in that chair before you would have had the guts to do what you're doing. Regarding being stupid or brave, I've found that sometimes those two ideas are the same."

Angela stepped her fingers under her chin. "You aren't wrong."

Victoria stepped close to Angela. "Excuse me, Madam President, but your next appointment is due at any moment."

Ken stood from his chair.

Angela waved him down. "You should stay. It'll be good for you to be in this next meeting."

Tristan opened the door, stepped out, and returned, followed by a Marine in dress uniform.

Angela stood, and the man stopped, straightened, and saluted her. Angela saluted him: "Sergeant Major Ronald Connor, it's a pleasure to meet you in person.

Ronald put his hat under his arm. "Yes, Ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm very honored."

"I still remember the first time I saw your picture. That was the day that changed everything."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Angela nodded to Tristan. He picked up a box from the coffee table and handed it to Ronald. "This watch will allow you to shift back to your human form with everything on your body before you shift. We're about to shock the American people more than anyone has without adding nudity to it.

Ronald took the box, handed his hat to Tristan, and put on the watch. "I heard about these but didn't believe they existed.

"Did my assistant explain the sequence of events?"

Ronald nodded to Virginia. "She told me that I was to walk up with you. You would introduce me, I would shift, and then shift back."

"That's about it. The mother in me needs to know that you will be okay after you do this. Are you prepared for the consequences?"

He took his hat back from Tristan. "Yes, Ma'am. I've served this country in every other capacity, and it will be my honor to serve in this capacity."

"Well, okay. It looks like everything is set. We just need to do this."

Angela met Blake's eyes. If she ever needed encouragement, it was this moment. She had spent two hours the night before explaining this to her parents. They handled it better than she thought they would. Her mother reminded her about her grandmother. That helped a lot, but they weren"t as understanding when she told them about Blake. They were very concerned about her safety. She kept telling them she was safer with Blake than she was every time she went to a public speaking event. In the end, they agreed to think about it and not pass judgment until they learned more about supernaturals and met Blake.

Benji was excited about being able to tell people he knew a dragon and all the exciting creatures he saw when he was rescued. He told Angela he would make sure to tell Grandma and Grandpa all the good things about Blake. It was at that minute when she realized he was indeed becoming a young adult, and Oliver would be so proud of him if he were still alive. It almost made her cry.

Blake flashed her one of his brilliant smiles. "You've got this. It's a good thing, and we're all behind you." He stepped over and embraced her.

Knock, knock.

"Come on in," Angela said to the closed door.

Penny walked into the office, walked over to her, and handed her a piece of cream-color paper. "Excuse me, Madam President, but the Vice-President just gave me this and I'm not sure what to make of it."

I resign.

That's all Mariah typed; there was no explanation or personal narrative, just two words. It was dated to the next day. Angela handed it to Blake. "Well, it's short and to the point, I guess."

"How are you going to handle this?"

"Well, for the moment, I'm going to ignore it. It's just too much right now." She told Penny, "I need you to look into the process of handling the resignation and replacement for a vice president."

Penny's eyes went wide, and she swallowed hard. "Um, uh, okay. Yes, Madam President."

Victoria said, "It's time to go, Madam President. The press secretary is ready to introduce you."

Angela's chest tightened, and a bead of sweat trickled down her back.

Blake squeezed her hand and leaned down to her ear. "I believe in you, Angela. I always have."

She stepped back and smiled.

He pointed down to her neck. "Besides, you're wearing your power pearls. A woman in pearls is a warrior in disguise."

Everyone stood when she walked inside the press room.

She stood behind the podium and told everyone to sit. "I want to thank everyone for attending this special press conference." She studied the audience and almost changed her mind. Every chair was full, and reporters lined the back and side walls two deep.

Her eyes focused on Blake. He smiled and slowly nodded his head. She faced the reporters and started.

"Over the last several months, there have been a lot of rumors about me and my personal life. I'm here to put all that to rest." She held out her hand to Blake. Everyone in the room turned to him, but he ignored all of them and smiled at Angela, giving her the strength to keep going. "I'd like to introduce all of you to Mr. Sullivan, my fiancé."

The reporters turned their heads so fast that Angela heard several neck joints crack.

"As you know, my husband, Oliver, died a while ago. I did not set out to replace him or fall in love again. I didn't think it was possible. But Mr. Sullivan showed me it was."

Almost all of the reporters held up their hands.

Angela continued. "Please hold your questions until the end because I'm sure there will be a lot today. Rest assured. I will try to answer all of them." She took a drink of water. "As I was saying, Oliver and I had a special connection, and I never thought I'd find that with anyone else. Mr. Sullivan and I do not have the same or even a better connection. It is different. I had the privilege of spending many years with an incredible man, the love of my life. But as many of you know, sometimes a lifetime isn't even enough. Now, I have been blessed with another opportunity. We have not set a date, and we are in no hurry. Woodrow Wilson was the last president to marry while in office. This will surely be new territory, and I hope all of you will wish us many happy years."

She held out her hand to the side, and Ronald stepped closer.

"I want to introduce you to Sergeant Major Ronald Connor. He is a decorated officer in the Marine Corps. He has served this country in many political campaigns, earning numerous awards and recognitions." She nodded to Ronald, and he handed her his hat. "Ronald has a secret. And it's that secret that I want to share with you today. For years, we've watched TV shows and movies or read books that talked about fantastical, supernatural creatures. I'm here today to tell you that supernatural creatures exist."

The reporters fired questions at her so fast she couldn't understand them.

She nodded once to Ronald, and he shifted into his wolf form. The room went quiet, and nobody moved. Angela reached down and rubbed Ronald's head as if he were a family pet and not as if he were a four-foot-tall black wolf with fangs. After two minutes, Ronald shifted back to his human form.

Angela nodded to Ken, who stepped up next to Angela. Ronald took his hat back and walked back to Blake. Angela couldn't help but notice the reporters leaned as far away as they could and still remained in their seats. She may have just painted a giant target on Ronald's back. It was unsettling to think she might hurt innocent people in this battle. But in every war, good people had to make sacrifices, and sometimes they didn't make it.

"I'm sure you all know Kenneth McCann, Senator from California. Senator McCann and I are working on legislation he plans to introduce tomorrow. We intend that all supernaturals in this country be granted American citizenship regardless of their species. They deserve all the rights and protections you and I have."

Again, the room went still.

"Now, I know I've shared a lot with you today. I'm sure this is a history-making event, and I hope that one day we will all look back at this day as an incredible moment we were able to share."

The reporters were going crazy.

Angela held out her hands. "I do have one more thing to announce. I want to officially announce my intention of running for re-election." She took a deep breath. "Okay, now I'll take any questions."

She took a drink of water and scanned the sea of faces, hoping for a friendly one who would persecute her. There were none that she trusted.

I might as well hit this head-on.

She pointed to a female reporter in the front row. "Stephanie, you can go first."

Stephanie stood and pointed to her phone. "Madam President, do you have any comments or explanation as to why Madam Vice President Coolidge is calling for you to discharge your power as president under the Twenty-fifth Amendment?"

Angela's body went cold.

That bitch.

She needed to stall until she could find out some information. Penny and Tristan were sitting together, reading something on Penny's tablet.

"Um, excuse me, Stephanie. Would you mind repeating the question?"

Stephanie gave her a wicked smile. Angela felt like a canary watching a cat sharpen its claws.

"Of course, Madam President. Right now, Madam Vice-President Coolidge is on the Senate floor arguing to enact the Twenty-fifth amendment, claiming you are delusional and unfit to execute your duties of your office."

Angela had tried to plan for everything. She never thought Mariah would stab her in the back. It was the one scenario she didn't even know how to prepare for.

She met Blake's eyes. What the hell was she going to do now?