Loving the Candidate (Capitol Affairs #2) (23 page)

“Watch it, weasel. You’d better be right or I’ll kick your ass tonight. When do we have to be over at the school?”

“You have about an hour. What the hell have you been doing all morning? You should have been dressed.”

Alex looked at me and I smiled.

“Oh right, I forgot. Another day with Alex Conrad. This poor woman doesn’t need you sweating and humping her in the state she’s in.” Mark said, sipping coffee and getting my toast out of the toaster.

“Shut up. If I win tonight, I’ll be humping you, so be prepared.”

“Perfect. Do it on live television, though, so America can see what type of guy they’ve elected as president.”

Before we knew it, we were being whisked to the school to cast our votes. I’d had to pick out an outfit befitting the perfect president’s wife. I chose a tent, more or less, pink with a matching jacket and Louboutin shoes. His advisors had told Alex to dress like a regular guy. Instead of a suit, he’d chosen his favorite black blazer with a white shirt under it and khaki pants. The outfit he’d worn the first night I had sex with him. That seemed like a million years ago. That night was what brought us to where we were. Things at that time had been so much simpler. The SUV pulled into our driveway to transport us to the local high school, the same high school where Stella had decided to kill herself.

Reporters lined our street and driveway. They ran up to the car to ask questions. Mark told Alex to roll down his window and tell them something. He did, and the car stopped for a minute.

“Where are you headed this morning, Senator? Are you nervous? How are you feeling, Mrs. Conrad?

“My wife and I are headed to vote. We want to get an early start.” Alex waved and smiled.

“Are you nervous? The polls are showing your opponent is catching up to you.”

“No, we aren’t nervous. America will come through. Thank you. I need to get moving. Go vote, everyone.” He waved again. I waved also, and the window came up and we sped down the street.

Cameras were clicking and flashing in our faces as we walked in the school to cast our votes. The same questions were being asked as we made our way inside.

“We plan on staying close to home today. Prudence and the baby are my main concern.”

We each entered our private voting station. I could not fully comprehend the magnitude of what was happening until I saw the ballot box and my husband’s name with a circle by it. This was happening. He was going to be the next president of the United States and I was going to be the new first lady. I felt faint as I took my pencil and circled the box next to his name. I felt the heat rising in my body up to my face and my heart started to race. The baby must have sensed it as well because he kicked me and moved around. I needed to get air. I finished voting and met Alex outside the small booth. He smiled ear-to-ear but sensed something was wrong. He quickly grabbed me by the waist and held me to him. That was what I needed, but I also needed air.

“I need to get out of here,” I whispered to him.

“Are you okay, baby?” he asked

“Yes, it’s a lot right now. The baby is moving around.”

I didn’t need to say anymore. He motioned for Mark, and the car was pulled up and we both rushed inside. I cracked my window to get the fresh air I desperately needed.

“What was that all about, Prudence?” Alex asked once we were in the privacy of the car.

“It all hit me when I saw your name on the ballot. It was so official when I saw it on the piece of paper with a circle by your name. I can’t believe it,” I said as I buried my face into his neck.

He held me close to him and rubbed my stomach. “Settle down, baby. It is all good. This time tomorrow you could be the first lady, that’s not a lot of pressure.” He laughed.

His smile calmed my nerves as it always did. “That’s not funny. What if something happens, Alex? What if something comes out and it all is taken away from us?

“What would come out? That thing we talked about is long gone and forgotten. It’s a done deal.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, looking in his eyes for reassurance.

“What is this about? Did someone say something to you?”

“No, I’m just paranoid, Alex. Things are going way too good, that’s all. The baby is causing me to be overly anxious.”

“Well, stop it. Everything is good. I want you to go home and rest. We have a big night tonight and I don’t want you stressed out. It’s not good for you or the baby.”

“I will. The caterers should be there at lunchtime. I have a ton of food coming for everyone and the family is coming in. I don’t know how I’m going to rest.”

“You will, and I will see to it. We hired people to do this for us. You have no need to worry.” He kissed my head. Mark had us back home in no time. I started to calm down when we were inside our home. It was comforting to be there, and I was feeling better.

The food was being delivered and the family and friends were starting to trickle in. Everyone ate and toasted before preparing to head over to headquarters. I was able to lie down for an hour and it helped. I panicked over my dress for the night, and hoped I’d picked out the right color for the evening. I was also having strange pains, and the baby was more active. I called Veena upstairs to my room and told her what was going on.

“Wow, that is one big stomach. You didn’t look like that last week.”

“Thanks. You are a gem. I’m a moose.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. That is the one thing big on you besides your massive boobs.”

“Oh yeah, get a load of these feet I have to stuff into my high heels. I look like a circus freak, Veena.”

I felt a pain and flinched. “I’m having strange pains, like contractions, but it can’t be. The baby’s not due for three more weeks.”

“How often are you having them?” She asked as she touched my stomach.

“Oh, about one an hour. The baby is moving around, too, Veena. I don’t know if he senses my anxiety or what.”

“He might. But you may be in labor. We should tell Alex.”

“No, absolutely not. We are not telling him until I’m in full dead-on labor. I’m not ruining this night with baby business that’s probably nothing.”

“I don’t like this. If it gets worse, we are telling him. Now, what are you wearing tonight?”

I pointed to the dress and shoes by my closet door. I had no idea how I was going to shove my feet in those heels. Alex came up and wanted to see what we were doing. He had to get changed soon as well.

“What going on, ladies?” he asked.

Veena looked at me and I replied, “We’re deciding if this dress is right for tonight. My feet are huge and I don’t know if they’re going to fit in those shoes, Alex. I may need to wear flip-flops. How would that look tonight if I did that?

“No one is going to notice what shoes you have on when they see how beautiful you are.” He kissed me and touched my stomach. The baby moved, sensing Alex.

“Wow, he’s moving. Is this normal?”

“He’s sensing my anxiety, I suppose, Alex. It’s making him anxious too.”

“Alex, she’s having pains. We need to watch her because she may be in labor,” blurted Veena.

I wanted to punch her for opening her mouth.

“Veena, shut up. I’m fine. Alex, I’m fine. They’re Braxton-Hicks contractions. Now, stop this, both of you.”

“Well, I don’t like it, and I want a call in to Doctor Flinch, ASAP. I will have Mark keep him on standby. If he has to be with us all evening, he will be. Veena, go down and tell Mark to call him for me, please.”

Veena left Alex and me alone and he dressed quickly. He was breathtaking in his suit. The evening promised to be like no other in our life.

“Alex, you are being ridiculous. I’m fine. I don’t want you worrying about this for one second. This is your night and nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to take that away from you.”

“You are why this is my night and nothing is going to happen to you or our baby. Humor me, Prudence, and let me have the doctor with us tonight. I’ll feel so much better.” He helped me get my dress up over my stomach and he zipped the back for me. “There is no one I would rather share this ride with tonight. Do you have any idea how much you mean to me? How much I adore you?”

“I do. I feel it every day. You are my everything, Alex. I’m proud of you and how hard you’ve fought to get where you are. How hard you fought for us, and never once let them get to you. I’m the luckiest woman in the world.” I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a kiss.

“Are you ready to go get this thing?” he asked, letting his hands graze my breasts. The slightest touch from him made me tingle.

“I’m ready, baby. Let’s go get it.”

Chapter 27

The campaign party center was a big to-do. A caravan of people followed us from the house. All the guys had played a round of basketball before we headed over, and everyone was feeling pretty good. It was early and no results were in, but we all had a good feeling about what was set to happen. I still felt pain but pushed it back to enjoy what was about to be the biggest night of my life. Mark had phoned Doctor Flinch, and he was on his way over. The doctor was more than excited to be a part of such a historic night. I’d arranged for Alex’s party to meet at the Blue Basil banquet area, the hottest spot around, and it was fitting that he should accept the presidency there.

We arrived to applause from people already lining up outside and inside. The place was insane, and as soon as Alex and I walked in, his campaign song began playing. He held my hand tighter and we walked in to be with all the people who had worked so hard to get us where we were. We walked along a line of people into the building, thanking everyone. Mark had televisions brought into the banquet area and every news channel was playing. The news so far was that it was a close race and to close to call yet. We heard that Indiana closed, and they were for the opponent. By seven, we had New Hampshire, Vermont, and of course, his home state of Virginia. It was then that the pain increased. It grew more intense, and began to scare me. I texted Veena to come and find me. She made her way to me, and we went into the ladies’ room.

“Veena, it’s getting worse. I can’t stand it,” I said, as tears welled in my eyes.

“Did you tell Doctor Flinch?” she asked. She grabbed my hand, pulling me close to her.

“No, I think I’d better. I’m getting a little worried. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe it, Veena.” I tried to fix my smeared makeup as I inspected my reflection in the mirror.

“I’m going to go get him. Beulah is here too. I’ll get her. I want you to stay put. Do you hear me? Wait for us.”

“Okay. I’ll be right here. Please don’t tell Alex yet,” I said, shaking and worrying something bad was happening to me and the baby. None of the classes or books I’d read described what I was feeling. My pregnancy had been perfect the whole time we were on the campaign trail.

A television in the ladies’ room showed Alex taking even more of the key states as the polls started to close. Pretty soon the news would declare the winner, and I wanted to be out there with him when they did.

“Prudence?”

“Yes, over here, Doctor Flinch.” I sat next to the television. The pain had traveled to my back and the baby who normally moved around like crazy, was still.

“What’s going on, Prudence? No bullshit, I need to know. This could be serious,” the doctor said, and put his hand on my stomach. Beulah stormed in, her eyes red as though she’d been crying.

“Prudence, what’s wrong?” She came over to me and grabbed my hand.

“I’m in a lot of pain. It’s getting worse. I thought it was Braxton-Hicks contractions, but this is scaring me a bit.” I looked into the doctor’s eyes, hoping everything was normal and that all of this was part of my pregnancy.

It was too close to call, the news anchor announced. The election was even tighter than they had anticipated. Veena came in and shut the door. Thankfully, no one else came with her. I didn’t want anyone to see or for word to get out that I was in labor, or in distress of any kind.

“Hey, Doc. How is she?”

“Did you tell Alex, Veena?”

“No, I didn’t see him or Mark. There’re so many people, you wouldn’t believe it. I brought you a bottle of water from the kitchen.”

‘Thanks, Veena.” I took a sip of the cool water.

It was eight p.m., and the polls had closed in our major states. I also needed to be with my husband out there. He was going to get upset and come looking for me.

We won Pennsylvania and Texas.

The news reporter was right; it was a close election.

Doctor Flinch used a blood pressure cuff on me and held the stethoscope to my stomach.

“The baby’s heartbeat seems a little slow for my liking, Prudence. We need to get you to a hospital.”

“Come on, Doctor Flinch. I don’t want to go yet.”

“I don’t want to drag this out much longer. Prudence, what’s wrong?”

At that moment, I felt a gush of fluid come out and the pain in my stomach intensified.

I figured my water had broken.

“Oh my God,” Veena and Beulah yelled in unison. Veena ran out of the bathroom and left me with Doctor Flinch as he called the hospital.

“I need an ambulance at the Blue Basil. Please pull around the back. Yes, it is for Senator Conrad’s wife. She is thirty-three weeks pregnant. I believe it is placental abruption. Yes, this is to be kept as quiet as possible. Thanks. Okay.”

“What’s wrong, Doctor Flinch?” I felt lightheaded and shaky. He took off his suit coat and wrapped it around me. A woman, whose face I could not make out, took off her fur coat and stood next to Beulah.

The news anchor came back on and said, “We can now declare a winner in tonight’s election… ” The door swung open, and I heard Alex’s voice calling my name.

“CNN can confirm, we have a winner. Alex Conrad is the new president of the United States.” I heard Wolf Blitzer in the distance on the television, and I could hear the people outside the bathroom yelling and screaming in celebration.

“Prudence, I’m here. I’m right here.”

“No, Alex. Go out there. Go. I’ll be fine. Please. You won. You did it, baby.” I felt weak and very sleepy.