The Reluctant First Lady (17 page)

Now he felt guilty that he hadn’t picked up the phone when she called. He needed to get a grip on his jealousy. It was unfair and unwarranted. He dialed her number and after one ring heard Ashley pick up.

“Hi, there. Sorry I missed your call. Sounds like the fund-raiser went well. Are you feeling a letdown?”

“Absolutely not. I’m thankful it’s over. It went well, and I’m pretty sure we topped last year’s revenues. I’m exhausted, but it’s a good exhausted if there is such a thing. I’m looking forward to my visit with you and having some time with our kids. Plus, there’s this very special event I’m attending that’s a tradition after a president has been elected. At least, I’ve been told it’s special, but then my sources aren’t all that reliable,” Ashley teased. “I’m planning to fly to Washington on December fourteenth and will return a few days after the inauguration.”

“Honey, that’s great. I’m looking forward to having you here, if only for a few weeks. It’s been hectic with all of the meetings and prep for the transition. Between meeting with potential cabinet members and dealing with the many issues of our country, there’s never any time to relax, but then I knew that going into this job. Did you see the announcement about the director of protocol on television?”

“I did. It seemed to go well; it looked like your camp had all the contingencies under control. Have you had a lot of fallout from the announcement? You know I don’t follow the polls; how did you fare?”

“The press is all over the map about my announcement. It’s a new concept, a change from past practice, and it takes a lot of time for most people to adjust to change. The majority are still having trouble understanding why you rejected a role that every other president’s wife has accepted. The politicians who are in my camp think creating the new position was a good idea, given your decision. The staunch conservatives will never understand the position you’ve taken and are pretty sure you’re on a fast train to hell. Overall, the poll numbers don’t look all that different.

“Honey, after the holidays I need to start organizing and packing my things for my move to the White House. Will you help me while you’re here? I’d love for you to take a look at the residence and make it as homey as possible. It will be my home for the next four years, and like it or not, when you and the kids visit, it’ll be your home too.”

“Of course I’ll help you. Plus, I’ll be there to help organize things after the move. I know the residence is a lovely place. Mrs. Nelson was kind enough to send me pictures of the various rooms and floor plans. Although personally, I wouldn’t want to live at the same place where I work. I’ll try to make it a comfortable place for you to hang your hat even if it’s usually a baseball cap. And, you’re absolutely right, when the kids and I visit, we’ll be staying there, too, so it needs to feel homey.

“As far as the White House being our home, the place that always feels the most like home to me is our California house. I look forward to the time when we both retire and move back there permanently.”

Michael said, “Do you believe either of us will ever be able to retire? Somehow I find that hard to imagine.”

“I don’t think of it in terms of retirement as much as I think about us shifting gears and doing something different. I think whatever we do we’ll always be involved in something. It’s having the choice to be involved or not that appeals to me.”

“Yeah, that appeals to me, too. And, we’ll live in the same state and the same house at the same time. You don’t think it will ruin our marriage, do you?” Michael teased.

“Oh, I think we’ll be able to manage. We’ve managed so far.”

“I’m really looking forward to you being here, far more than you know,” Michael confessed.

“And, I’m looking forward to being there. Try not to work yourself into the ground. I’ll see you in about a week. Goodnight, honey. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Ash.”

After hanging up, Ashley realized Michael hadn’t said a word about the picture in the newspaper. She was sure he’d seen it. He was either still too furious to talk about it or had decided to chalk it up to being part of her job. She wished she felt more comfortable talking about things like the damn picture openly. They were both trying to act as normal as possible, but the strain was always there just under the surface.

24

Michael stood before the Chief Justice with his hand placed on his father’s Bible. The words he was about to speak had been spoken many times before, and he was quite certain that every man who had stood in this place before him and took the oath of office did so with pure and sincere intentions. He repeated the oath after the Chief Justice’s words.

“I, Michael Taylor, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the president of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.”

It was such a short, simple statement yet one that would forever change his life and the history of a nation. He was humbled by the ceremony and fought against the emotions that swelled in his throat and threatened to choke him. He felt the weight for the leadership of the country shift from the current president to himself. The responsibility for the greatest nation on earth now lay in his hands.

His senses were heightened; he could smell Ashley’s perfume; he could hear Jeremy and Juliette whispering. He knew his family was proud of him and had faith in his ability to carry the heavy charge just placed on his shoulders.

Michael shook hands with the Chief Justice and turned to kiss Ashley and hug each of the twins before he moved to stand before the podium to deliver his inaugural address.

“Vice President Hughes, Chief Justice Campbell, President Nelson, Vice President McClain, my family, distinguished guests, and all of our nation’s citizens both here and abroad, you have just witnessed a ceremony that has been conducted for over two hundred years. Our nation is unparalleled in its ability to transfer successfully the seat of leadership from one leader to the next in a peaceful fashion, and as such we share a tradition of continuity.

“We live in the greatest nation on earth. No other nation can claim the ethnic diversity we enjoy in the United States. Our very differences give us our strength. We are a country composed of people from every other country on earth, yet we stand as a testimony to the world that people from diverse backgrounds, religions, and philosophies can live together in peace, prosperity, and hard times and still have the capacity to achieve great things. Dr. Martin Luther King saw this vision, this rainbow coalition, and knew it for what it was and could be. Our differences bind rather than divide us.

“A great nation such as ours demands the highest standards for its government. We must shine our light brightly into the night sky so our message of unity can stand as a witness for others. We are a civilization who will not be broken by hardships that come our way, for it is when Americans are challenged that they show the strength of character they truly possess.

“Each of us has a choice every day to make a difference, whether at home, at work, in our community, or in the world. We can choose to extend kindness and civility to others, to reach out to those who need our help and support, and thereby to live in peace and harmony with our fellow man. I believe Americans will always choose the high road and extend a helping hand to those in need. We recognize the truth in the saying ‘Except by the grace of God, there go I.’

“I have pledged to keep my promises. They were not empty rhetoric or campaign slogans to get your vote. I stand behind the words I’ve spoken. We will take care of our sick and elderly. Healthcare, ample food, and financial security are the rights of every American. The elderly should not have to worry about whether a system they have contributed to their entire lives will disappear. A wise society recognizes the treasure of information, advice, and wisdom that lie within our parents and grandparents and should act as advocates on their behalf.

“We will provide the best education system possible for our children, for they are our future citizens and leaders. Our job is see that all children, no matter their background, reach their full potential and to assist them in becoming seekers of knowledge. It’s never as easy as saying the words, but the job can be done.

“I will fight lawlessness and misconduct wherever I find it, whether in the form of unethical business practices, senseless violence, drug warfare, or threats of terrorism. We will search out the perpetrators of hate crimes, and with every means available to us, we will hold the lawbreakers accountable for their actions. It must be clear that, while I seek peace, I will fiercely defend our freedoms and our way of life.

“A prosperous nation needs to be prosperous for all of its citizens, not just a few. We have much to do in the area of creating jobs and stimulating our economy. However, we will continue to labor until the job is done, and the people who want to work will be given that opportunity.

“Throughout my campaign, I referred to the silent majority and challenged them to stand up and be heard, and they didn’t disappoint me. More people voted in this election than in any previous election in history. All ages and ethnic groups took up the challenge and decided to have a greater influence on their government and their country. Now, we must work together. We must be strong advocates for America. It is our job to assure the survival of freedom in this global community in which we all live.

“We are the keepers of our inalienable rights as passed down to us by the authors of the Declaration of Independence. Our job is to pass these freedoms and traditions on to our children. We must maintain their heritage so they can carry the torch after us. We hold their future in our hands, and we must gently carry it until we can lay it down for them to pick up. We are all part of history, and history will judge how well we did our job, how well we preserved our planet, society, and our children’s heritage.

“God bless you, and God bless America.”

There was no turning back from his role in history. Now it begins. Relatively few men in the history of the United States had been charged with similar duties and powers.

He turned and grasped Ashley’s hand and, with fingers intertwined, raised their arms together as they stood before all of those gathered to witness history in the making. The applause was enthusiastic and heartfelt. Both he and Ashley turned to include Jeremy and Juliette. They wanted them to share in this moment. Their family had always been close, and Michael felt his victory belonged to them all.

Arm in arm, Michael and Ashley, accompanied by the Secret Service, walked up Pennsylvania Avenue to their new residence. Michael leaned over to Ashley and said, “I wish my dad could have lived to see this.”

Ashley responded, “He did see it, Michael. He simply has a higher vantage point than most of us. He’d be as proud of you as the rest of us are.”

He looked over at his wife; she was absolutely luminous. She radiated charm and grace. If only she’d recognize the good she could do if she took her rightful place as the First Lady.

Her energy, drive, and passion could achieve such impressive things.

It had been wonderful having her with him these past few weeks. She’d been terrific at handling all of the events associated with the transition and pre-inaugural activities. She’d accompanied him to all of the scheduled events and never complained about the hectic and demanding itinerary. She was charming to all she met, drawing them in with her winning smile and keen sense of humor. It was easy to forget that she didn’t intend to stay by his side and share in his journey.

Many designers had approached her about designs for dresses for tonight’s balls; she rejected each of them politely. She summed them up to Michael: “Too fitted, too formal, too restricting.” Ashley had found many new designers in SoHo she liked. Ultimately she had purchased a dress from one of their shops. It was a floor-length dress done in swirling shades of purple, with a fitted halter top that left her back fully exposed. She liked it; it was simple, and she felt comfortable in it.

Her picture was already appearing in fashion magazines, usually under negative titles for the clothes she chose to wear. She was heralded as eccentric. Fashion experts claimed she seemed to choose clothes as an expression of her moods, and she had a penchant for clothes and designs from various ethnic backgrounds. Michael realized he didn’t really notice what she wore anymore; he was so used to her style. But the press, accustomed to seeing past First Ladies in very traditional dresses and suits, didn’t quite know what to make of Ashley.

As the Taylor family entered the residence at the White House for the first time, there were no quips or trivial conversations. Reality had descended and left its mark on each member of their family. What they’d discussed for weeks in the abstract was now a reality. Glibness had been replaced with reverence as the historical aura of the rooms vibrated with the vital force of the previous generations that had stood there before them.

“Kind of a heady experience, regardless of where you stand politically, huh?” Jeremy interjected his thoughts into the silence.

“No kidding,” Juliette agreed. “When you think of all the presidents and their families who’ve lived here, it really humbles you. I like the way you’ve made it seem like home, Mom. I noticed you had Dad’s old chair sent here from California. What’s he going to sit on when he goes home? He’ll roam the house like an old dog who can’t find the bone he’s buried.”

Ashley laughed, “I’ll have to go on a scouting trip to find an exact duplicate of the chair, complete with broken springs. Otherwise, it’s true, he won’t know where to light, or if he does, he’ll complain.

“Are you two planning to attend any of the balls?” Ashley asked.

Jeremy responded, “Yes, we were planning to go to one or two. We want the full meal deal while we’re here. Fortunately we don’t have to attend them all like you do. We’ll probably pick out a couple that appeal to us and spend the majority of our time there.”