The Heart Page 35

  A stunned Carolyn looked from Tracy to JD, then back to Tracy. “Well,” she thought for a minute as she tapped her well-manicured finger against her chin. “It has to be something Presidential, maybe William or Benjamin?”

  “William,” JD stated. “I don’t want my son to be called Ben.”

  “Okay William it is,” Carolyn smiled.

  “William Albert Harrison,” Tracy smiled down at the child wrapped in her arms. “Welcome to our family.”

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  The hospital suite was surrounded by Secret Service agents outside, but filled with family and friends celebrating the birth of the nation’s first family’s son. JD sat near the bed with William wrapped in his blanket asleep, as he surveyed the room. Life just couldn’t get any better. He looked over at the bed and smiled at the woman who made it all worth living. He could tell she was exhausted, yet she continued to smile at everyone as they talked about the wedding and the birth.

  It was time to bring the celebration to an end. “You know life is strange.” Everyone stopped talking and turned to him. “Man, look at us—the boys from the neighborhood made good. Brian, you are the man. None of us ever thought you would settle down with one woman. And look at you—married with three kids. Caitlyn, I don’t know how you do it, but, God bless you for putting up with him and Cynthia.” The group laughed. “Speaking of mouths.”

  “Hey that’s my wife you’re talking about,” Samuel protested.

  “Gee, thanks a lot honey,” Cynthia smirked.

  “You know I love you.”

  “I’m glad you do,” JD joked as he rocked his son. “There were a few times I was ready to kill her. Now I know she loves Tracy as much as I do. So I guess I’ll keep her. For no other reason than to decorate that big house we live in now.”

  “That’s a good idea honey,” A half asleep Tracy patted him on the arm. “Keep Roz too.”

  “Hell I’ll keep Roz before Cynthia.”

  “That’s right,” Roz smiled up at her husband Marco. “He knows we’ll always be around to feed him.”

  “This is true. Wherever we go, you are cooking. I’m happy to see you two about to join the world of parenthood—finally. Doug, you and Karen may want to jump in at some point.”

  “Not with that crazy David about to be released,” Ashley stated with a huff. “Babe can’t Vernon put another charge on him or something to keep him in prison?,” she asked her husband.

  James looked at JD. The two wondered when their wives were going to realize that they cannot produce miracles at will. He turned to those eyes he loved so much. “I’m sure we can work something out.”

  Ashley kissed him. “I know you will.”

  JD laughed. “Still can’t say no to her can you?” He looked at Gavin and Carolyn. “Don’t give up on having another child. I don’t care what the doctors say, God controls this world.”

  “Carolyn you may be a pain in the ass, but you’re a good pain in the ass.” Cynthia smiled.

  “Thank you, I think,” Carolyn looked at Gavin with a frown.

  “Hey, I’m grateful you two are in the same room and not fighting,” Gavin teased.

  “Wow, remember that,” Brian laughed. “She whipped your ass Carolyn.”

  “She got one lucky punch,” Carolyn countered.

  “No,” Jackie shook her head. “She did whip your ass.”

  “Black and blue for weeks.” Calvin hugged his wife as he laughed.

  “Through all the joys and pains, we are all standing in this room together as a family.” Tracy said as she looked up JD with tears in her eyes. “I now have a family.”

  JD bent over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “All thanks to that propensity for violence.” He smiled, as the two remembered the very first conversation they ever shared. JD turned to the people in the room. “It’s been a hell of a journey and we owe it to all of you—The Harrison family and friends.”

  “I think that’s our cue to leave,” Brian said as they all stood. “Get some rest. Tomorrow’s another day.”

  “Well see everyone in the morning,” JD replied as the family left the suite.

  When the last person walked out an agent stepped in. “Will you be staying the night Mr. President?”

  “Yes,” JD replied.

  “Secure the area,” the agent spoke into his earpiece as he closed the door.

  “I can’t get used to that Mr. President,” Tracy mumbled as JD placed the baby in his bassinet. He kicked off his shoes and climbed in the bed beside her. After gathering her in his arms he sighed. “It takes a little getting used to. You can just call me your commander in chief when we make love.”

  “Who say’s we are ever making love again?” Tracy looked up at him. JD simply raised an eyebrow. Tracy sucked her teeth, “Alright I know I’m always the one that can’t last a week.”

  JD chuckled as he held her tight. “I wish my father could see me and Ash now.”

  “I think he would be pleased.” Tracy scooted closer to her husband and snuggled in. She was ready for the peaceful sleep that awaited her.

  “You move any closer and we are going to start on number six.”

  “Oh no,” she looked up at him. “I did one through five. Number six is on you.”

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Hours later the press was having a field day with the news of the birth of a child in the White House. Carolyn and Gavin were center stage, doing interview after interview describing the scene. Pearl could not have put a better twist on the events if she tried. Therefore, the White House gave one simple statement. “William Albert Harrison was born at 12:16 in the Blue Room with his father and aunt assisting Dr. Theodore Prentiss. We promised you a different White House. Between President Harrison selecting Governor Jeremiah McClintock, a Republican as his Vice-President and today bringing a new life into this world inside the White House, I’d say the promise has been delivered. As he said, it’s time for a truly United America.”

  Al clicked off the monitor as he pulled Ryan’s naked body closer to him. “It was a perfect wedding.” She smiled against his chest.

  “Until Tracy’s water broke,” Al laughed “I don’t think I’ve ever seen JD so pissed.”

  “Yeah,” she laughed, “Especially after he realized all the women conspired with Tracy.”

  “You were one of them.”

  “Hey she’s my sister now. She asked me to keep a secret and I did.”

  “You’re good at keeping secrets aren’t you?”

  Ryan raised her head. “Are you upset with me again?”

  Al kissed the tip of her nose. “No. You’ve had Tracy’s back for a long time now. You two have a strong bond that neither JD nor I will ever break. And that’s okay.” He squeezed her a little tighter. “Now, I can relax. My life has come full circle. Tracy is the woman she was meant to be.”

  “My father said you really are a remarkable man. You literally guided the life of the President of the United States. Only a man that strong was worthy of his daughter.”

  Al looked down at his wife, “Your father said that?”

  She looked up into his light brown eyes and smiled, “Yes, he did. Know what else he said?”

  “What?”

  “He said, you better treat me right or he’ll kick your butt again.”

  They both laughed. “That was the most informative fight I’ve ever had. I know this; he loves you deeply and regrets not being there for you.”

  “I know that now. But we have a little ways to go. Just like you and Monique.”

  “Monique is a grown woman. If something is going on with her, it’s up to her to tell me. I accept that now.”

  “I’m happy to hear you say that,” she threw her thigh over his leg and straddled him. “Where do you suppose they are?”

  “Who?”

  “Monique and Joshua.”

  “Monique—no telling. Joshua is somewhere blowing up somebody’s country. But I know where they are not,” he said as he rolled her onto he
r back.

  “Where’s that?” she asked with a gleam in her eyes.

  Al placed kisses down her stomach until he reached the essence of her. “You know, every woman has a differ sense of sexuality. You, my queen, have a unique mixture of, cool, tough and fun.” He gently spread her inner lips with his fingers and blew. “Joshua, if you’re up there get the hell out of the way. I’m coming in.”

  Ryan laughed until he plunged deep inside of her. Then she moaned with pleasure. “Al Day, you are the man that controls my heart.”