“Yep.”
We exited the car and headed toward the pub, with the secret service agents trailing quietly behind us.
Just as we had expected, the place was crowded. Immediately upon entering, a huge sign was on display, reading, ‘CONGRATULATIONS, VICE PRESIDENT HARPER.’
I felt like smiling and cringing at the same time. I was somewhat superstitious and didn’t like seeing my father referred to as the Vice President already. There was still a very long time until election day. Nevertheless, I did feel that probability his team winning was pretty high.
Brady took my hand in his, and we entered the pub to an outburst of applause. We actually had become quite famous in our own right, and it was still taking me some time to work out how I felt about that. News cameras across the country had captured perfect footage of Brady and his sign, as well as me jumping into his arms. Now, there was constant speculation about when the wedding bells would be ringing. While I didn’t like the pressure and attention this put on us, Brady didn’t seem to mind. And as for various campaign strategists—they all pretty much thought it made my father’s ticket a shoe-in for the win.
“Everyone loves a good love story to cheer for,” one of the campaign strategists had said when I inquired about whether the attention Brady and I were getting was appropriate for the campaign.
I could see her point, but I also hoped that none of it interfered with my law career, or Brady’s new job; he had just been offered a position at an Embassy downtown in DC.
I guess we would both find out soon enough though.
As for right now, however, it was simply time to celebrate our good fortune and get ready for the long campaign ahead of us. We all knew the real work was just beginning.
We smiled and waved, shaking hands with people who’d come to the bar in support of my father officially making the ticket.
Brady leaned down to whisper into my ear. “There’s your friend.”
I smiled, already knowing exactly who he was referring to. I turned to see Elise pushing through the crowd. Cameras flashed at her as she made her way over to us. We hugged and she kissed both of my cheeks.
That day at my father’s rally, I learned that she had spotted Brady in the crowd holding his sign when she arrived. When I realized that had been the reason for her unusual behavior and the secretive smile she had kept trying to hold back, all I could do was laugh. She had been right about needing a raincheck regarding whether we were going to hang out that night; Brady and I had spent that entire night in a hotel room, eating strawberries and using the whipped cream on each other’s bodies.
After we had told my dad about our relationship, of course.
I had never seen Brady so nervous. As it turned out, my father had already suspected. And luckily, he was fond of Brady, so we were in the clear.
Beaming from ear-to-ear, Elise looked toward Brady and then back to me. “So, do I get an official introduction now?”
I laughed. “Brady, this is Elise. Elise, this is Brady.”
They shook hands. “Nice to meet you,” Brady said. “Officially, that is. I certainly remember you already from that night in Turkey.”
“I bet you do,” Elise said, wiggling her eyebrows. “And you want to thank me, right? Because I’m the one who sent this girl over to you. She was all shy, drooling over you from afar.”
“Elise,” I said.
Brady gave a hearty laugh. “I definitely owe you then! Thank you, a thousand times.”
Elise took a bow. “My pleasure. All I ask is for you to pick a handsome best man for me to walk down the aisle with at your wedding.” She winked, and all I could do was shake my head. “I’ll be back. I’m going to get us some drinks,” she said.
“I never knew politicians had such sassy children,” Brady said with a laugh.
“I guess it’s time for you to get used to it,” I said.
“I’m already used to it.” He stooped down to kiss me, making our crowd of observers cheer some more.
Elise returned with our drinks just as the roar of the crowd reached an almost deafening pitch.
“Your dad is a rock star!” Elise yelled over the crowd.
I nodded, having come to the same conclusion some time ago.
It was astonishing how far he had come, but I suppose it wasn’t too surprising. My father had always been a hard-worker. Plus, he was smart, driven, friendly, caring, and everyone who met him could tell that unlike typical politicians, he genuinely wanted to bring about change for the better. He was the kind of politician that only came around once in a lifetime, and all the top news outlets were already holding non-stop discussions about his chances of actually being President one day. While it all made me nervous, it also made me extremely proud of him.
Security guards from the pub began requesting for guests to clear an area to permit my father room to make an entrance. The crowd began to disperse, clearing a path at the doorway, all the while continuing to cheer.