Chapter 18

It was almost as cold in Washinton as it was in Moscow as Air Force Two landed at Andrews. Gabrielle requested no press on the tarmac. She was pushed into a waiting limo by Secret Service agents armed with automatic weapons. The car was filled these agents and a leader from each party. With the incapacacitation of the President, they were taking no chances that this was some plot by cutting off the head of the government.

"Thompson had a stroke along with his heart attack," Ted Morton said as they settled in. He was Speaker of the House. Gabrielle barely felt the limo moving as it sped across the runway. "He is as good as dead," Ted continued.

"We've arranged for you to be sworn in by Justice Hay as soon as we get to the White House. If you're up to it, we can go over some important items that have been kept from you due to security reasons. Each one will be explained to you by the heads of their departments...

"Send them home," Gabrielle ordered. "After the swearing in, I want to go home. I haven't gotten enough rest. Tomorrow everyone will meet at Camp David and we'll go through all of this. It can wait for a day. Are you sure the President won't recover?"

"Not unless God steps in," a man she didn't recognize spoke out.

"Have you given any thought of a number two?" Ray Smith asked right after the swearing in. She was now President Gabrielle Cunningham. She called her brothers telling them to quit their jobs or take leaves of absence, and get here as soon as possible. She was more than willing to put up with their jests if they could do what she needed for them to do.

"Any suggestions?"

"How about my state governor. Marcus Clarke. He's a good one."

"Write it down, I got dozens of things on my mind. Put down both his good and bad points. I want to know all about what I am getting. I like you very much, Ray but I don't want anyone from the Senate on my ticket. I want a man or woman whose had gubernatorial experience. The Presidency is like a state only a thousand times larger. I want one of those who have experience like that."

"No offense taken," Ray pecked her on the cheek.

"Does the nation know yet."

"The Media knew about it almost as fast as we did," Senator Rawley (D) ND told her. "They must have some good leaks in Thompson's bunch."

"We'll take care of the leaks later on," Gabrielle said. "Lets all do what we can to work on the immediate problems. I understand that we have several messages from many heads of state."

"Many is an understatement," one of the secretaries piped in. "Everyone's calling to give condolences to our nation for the loss of our leader."

"Okay girls, call them back at five minute intervals and I'll take all the calls. Damn, I thought they'd give us some slack the first day."

"This is just the start, Gaby," Chris said.

Back at the Vice-President's residence, Gabrielle and Chris lay in bed both being quiet. She snuggled up to him just staring ahead in the dark. Chris was not sleeping because he snored like a pregnant hypo when he slept. Gabrielle couldn't rest herself unless he was sounding in her ear. That told her all is well.

"I'm going to microwave me a glass of milk, want some?" Gabrielle asked.

"Might as well, Gaby. It isn't everyday that a guy sleeps with the President of the United States then has a glass of milk served from her." he followed her to the kitchen. She wore one of her silky ass high Victoria's Secret teddys. She looked like a teenager from the rear. Except for a few wrinkles about her eyes, she still possessed youth that women her age would die for.

"You know, I always took pride in my young looks but this job is going to make me an old lady in a wheelchair in a care center by the time this year is up."

"Gaby, I fell in love the first time I laid eyes on you. It hasn't diminished one bit since that night," he took hold of her.

"Oh Chris, how am I going to do this?" she broke into tears. "I look back to the time those old bats called me in to run for the seat of in the House, I never imagined it all coming to this. If I did, I would have said no."

"We can't always control our destiny, Gaby. You would have said yes even if you could have looked into the future and see how it ended."

Gabrielle only shrugged, taking a sip of her warm milk. It was always nature's sleeping pill for her. They stayed up until dawn. She had the Secret Service call the people she had to see, and tell them to meet with her at two in the afternoon. The milk did the trick and she slept until eleven.

That night President Cunningham, the first female President in history, gave a speech to the nation. She called for calm and told the country that they were in good hands and that the government was still in good shape. It lasted only fifteen minutes but it flooded the White House with a 20-1 favorable. After the speech and a few minutes of chatting, Chris and Gabrielle, along with a dozen Secret Service Agents went home but stopping at Flackies their favorite hot dog stand. The Cunninghams bought everything for everyone. Gabrielle made out the check which was never cashed as the owner framed the check. Gabrielle allowed a picture to be taken between her and the owner.

They all sat in the living room eating quietly. Only the sounds of crunching raw onions and pickels could be heard. The guards outside stood at alert as those inside were filling their bellies and winding down. Gabrielle was almost completely hidden sitting between Ray Smith and her husband. She nibbled on her hot dog and a few fries downing it a large coke. Her lips made slurping sounds as she took long drinks. When she spoke to the nation she felt like her mouth was full of cotton. She amazed herself that she got through the speech.