Chapter 14

In the next three years both daughters were married off. They found good matches and the Cunninghams liked them both. Sometimes they acted like her brothers going through their reckless stage but to Gabrielle it brought back the nostalgia of her earlier life. Matt, the oldest and worst of the bunch, became less tolerable of Hal and Mike, their girls' husbands.

Chris, on the other hand, was just happy to get rid of the girls. Ninety percent of the calls after ten pm were for either of them. Gabrielle had to get two private phones. One to the bedroom and the other to her home office. Chris had to buy a cellphone that was to Gabrielle only. As both girls moved out, their phones were disconnected.

"I'd like to have a word with you, Senator Cunningham," President Thompson whispered in her ear as the select members of congress gathered in the Oval Office for their weekly briefing.

"Yes, Mr. President," Gabrielle nodded.

"Hang back after the meeting is over."

As everyone was settled with their coffee, tea, or soft drink. Orville Thompson called the meeting to order. Most of it was politics as usual interspersed with a few issues and what legislation was on a priority schedule and those that were not. The meeting lasted about an hour and it took the Chief of Staff to escort the contingent out. He must have known that Gabrielle was on the President's list to stay after because he pretended not to notice her.

"Gabrielle," the tall man leaned back in his chair and drawled. "What are you doing for the next two years?"

"Serving out my term then probably let someone else have my seat. Chris and me have promised each other to take a long trip around the world. See things we always wanted to see."

"I've got a major headache," he said.

"From what I feel, it isn't pain. What is the problem?"

"Woodhouse!"

"The vice-president?"

"I've told him to have his resignation on my desk by this evening."

"Oh shit ... ooops excuse me," Gabrielle felt like a bold of lightning shot through her. "What did he do?"

"I want to you to keep this quiet for a few hours. I'm going on national television tonight to announce his removal from office."

"I know when to keep my mouth shut except when my husbands lips are on mine," she tried to lighten things up.

Thompson chuckled. "The FBI has uncovered evidence that my running mate had been taking bribes from the time he was a governor of Vermont and now he is sneaking women into the White House for a few snorts of cocaine and then ... well you can guess the rest."

"What do I have to do in all of this?"

"I want you for my number two. Be the vice-president. This will only be for the rest of this term and if you so choose, just walk away from here and go on your trip."

"I don't know what to say," Gabrielle had hot flashes running through her. Not unlike the ones she felt when she was going through menopause a few years back. "I'd have to discuss this with Chris."

"I talked to him this morning, I had to get your worst half's okay to consult with you. He said it is totally up to you. I need someone who is squeaky clean and nothing scandalous in your life."

"He's had his way with me bent over the desk in my office," she said, then regretted it.

"That don't count. He's your husband. You two can screw each other at any time and almost any where," Orville laughed. "My wife and me have had a quick one once in a while right here in the office. Only she prefers to be on top."

"I don't know."

"Have you ever had any affairs with other men after your marriage."

"Chris is the only one, period."

"And no bribes? No sneak gifts from the lobbyists."

Gabrielle laughed. "My husband is one of the richest men in Washington. What do I need someone else's money for? He gives me anything I want. I am a very spoiled woman."

"Have your talk with him. I'll call you tonight at ten. If you agree, I'll set up the secret service for you then present you to the press at a noon luncheon with many of our top party officials."

"Mr. President, I've never gone to college," she played her last trump card.

"Neither did Truman," Thompson got up, the Chief of Staff walked right in. "You don't need a sheepskin to get where you want. Only the will to do it. I want you as my number two."

"Don't blame me," Chris gave her that shit eaten grin that she loved so much. "I didn't know until I got the call at the office. Somehow they put that call on a secure line."

"Take me to dinner," she sighed, clicking her seatbelt. "Mario's! That'll give us enough noise so we won't be overheard. The louder, the better."

"You're the boss," Chris chuckled.

"I have all the confidence in you that you didn't know beforehand. However, if I ever learn you had any part in this fiasco I'll castrate you in your sleep. You'll wake up and see all the blood, kick back the blankets, see your balls separate from your body, and scream like that man did in that old movie with horse's head in his bed."

"The Godfather! A real classic."

After dinner which was so noisy that they couldn't understand each other. So they ate their sizzling steaks actually enjoying the food while not chatting. At home, Gabrielle did her strip act having Chris pick up after her. By the time he walked into the bedroom she was naked, with her legs spread, and arms stretched out as far as they could go.