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- They met at a gala in Boston.
- Ethan was receiving an award for outstanding work in the community and MC was a political figure there networking before hoping to run for office.
- Her and her PA introduced themselves to everyone they could in the short three hour window. One individual that would not accept an introductory pitch was Ethan Ramsey.
- In her skin tight green dress, MC sauntered over to him bruiting in the corner.
- Everything about this mystery woman had Ethan intrigued; he was a man after all.
- She grabbed two flutes of champagne off a passing waiter’s tray, her sights set on charming the man senseless.
- “You look like you could use a refill.”
Ethan sighed, rubbing his forehead, “I could use something stronger.”
“What’s your poison?”
“It’s not on hand, I’ve already inquired.” - They spent their time together bonding over liquor and their reasons for being at the event. MC danced around the subject of being politically involved until she sussed him out fully.
- They bonded over his cynical view and her drive to help every one. Both of them selfless in their own ways.
- They became friends. Close friends. But with politics and her being a badass female figure, they could not date openly.
- Ethan had a thing for strong, challenging, whirlwind women.
- MC makes it to office and hires Ethan as an advisor.
- He pushed back and adamantly refused.
- That was until she gave him his own task force and vowed to keep her cabinet full of the most knowledgeable and least politically minded people she knew.
- How could he pass on being part of this legacy?
- They spend time together in and out of the office. Lots of late nights consulting on Ethan’s task force.
- One night, they let time slip away from them in the West Wing. So MC invited him back to her apartment for late-night pancakes and finish what they were working on.
- The two had breakfast at 1am and fell asleep adjacent on the L-shaped couch.
- Ever since that night, they found her quarters preferable to the composed showrooms of the White House. Within these walls they could simply be two people.
- Ethan had been staying over every so often, with and without intentions. After a while, he was given clearance to come and go as he pleased, the Secret Service sworn to protect their secret.
- Six months after that first night, Ethan conclusively forced his ethical thoughts aside and kissed her unprompted in the middle of her chef’s kitchen as they debated the perfect amount of time needed for delectable golden dollars.
- MC had the weight of the nation on her shoulders and was thankful for the distraction Ethan provided.
- No one spoke of the affair. Some members of staff even found their flirtations endearing. Other’s enjoyed the inevitable drama that would befall the unwed pair, watching them balance power and a country. Everyone pretended not to hear their moans and musing through the ancient wooden doors.
- As MC’s term proceeded, she was increasingly busy. Doing state visits around the world for weeks and months at a time. Understandably, Ethan couldn’t join.
- They were able to keep up their late-night antics into her second year of presidency.
- But once Ethan’s imitative went into action they lost all precedent to continue seeing one another as often.
- The first single-woman president couldn’t have her term scandalized by an affair story. As far as the American public was concerned, MC was married to the country and could find no greater love than the US of A.
- The last time they woke up in one another’s arms wasn’t intended to be the last time.
- It was the morning after the White House Christmas Gala.
- MC’s Press Secretary stormed into her apartment in a huff.
- Someone had seen MC and Ethan leave together and rumors were circulating. She was going to squash the rumors and the two of them had to end whatever they were doing.
- Her press secretary’s exact chide was: “Be like every other lonely middle aged woman and get yourself a vibrator.”
- Both Ethan and MC’s eyes went wide.
- This was never about just sex between them.
- They’d always had sexual tension, but even more respect and adoration for one another eclipsing the carnal desire.
- They were given an hour before Ethan was to be covertly escorted off the premises.
- Ethan changed into a new set of clothes he kept at her place, and began packing things into a duffle the secretary left for him.
- MC wrapped herself in her robe and watched her heart break right in front of her.
- “What do you want to do?”
“There’s nothing we can do, MC. They’ll use any sort of scandal to try and impeach you. You’re doing too much good to be tarnished that way.”
“So…”
“We knew what this was when we started.”
“And what’s that?”
“Complicated.” - She sat there toying with the idea of of keeping both Ethan and her position. She ran over every possible scenario as quickly as she could. She wanted to tell him to stay, she needed him. She’d never felt peace until she was wrapped in his arms.
- Ethan compartmentalized the situation. Throwing it in the farthest box he could find. He knew he could never have her completely. He ran through every single way this could end after he kissed her that first time. Every single scenario ended in tragedy.
- Ethan didn’t care. He wanted her in anyway he could.
- And now is was time to amicably end.
- There was no other choice.
- They saw one another at events and meetings about his task force, but they very seldom spoke about other things. It was politics as usual.
- But there was nothing usual about the professional way they regarded one another.
- The years blended together and turned into a second term.
- Ethan’s health care initiative took off and every single American had access to free public health care.
- MC had done so much good for the country in terms of public housing, healthcare, student debts and income gaps.
- During the years, MC remained celabat and Ethan remained devoted to his work.
- It was almost poetic when they bumped into one another at the Easter Dinner her last year in office. Literally. MC walked backwards into Ethan who stood at the side of the bar.
- Ethan had just about been successful in forgetting the way her skin felt warm against him and the way her body seamlessly molded to his. How she was simultaneously his undoing and his saving.
- All of that came rushing back in full force when he caught her from falling over her two left feet.
- “Thank you - Oh, Ethan. Hi.”
“Madame President.” - Their eyes locked and it was all over. The pleasurable electricity taking over, both succumbing to the pent up desire.
- Her hand found his and he led her to the dance floor.
- Ethan and MC began to see one another again. Though they were smarter than to retire to her apartments, they kept under the cover of professionalism. A tender kiss or two could be shared behind closed doors. They wouldn’t take anything farther than that, not with a few months left of term.
- Her very last Christmas Gala was upon them. They spent it close by and subtly matching outfits - he did it just to make her smile.
- That evening, MC made it a point to be the last two in attendance. When everyone who did not work for her Administration had retired for the evening, Ethan and MC wandered to the biggest window.
- They looked out onto the snowing grass and cloudless sky with twinkling stars. Their hands brushing. It was the most privacy they had out in the open in weeks.
- MC complained about her heels digging into her feet and not being able to walk for a few days.
- “Take them off. Who’s going to condemn you for it?”
“Besides you?” - Ethan chuckled and offered his shoulder to lean on.
- They bent down at the same time.
- “I got it,” Ethan held his hand up to stop her, prompting her to hold onto his shoulder and revel in the feeling of a free foot.
“Oh my god, I love you.” - MC was too lost in the freeing sensation to recognize her words. It took a couple of seconds of them standing there still before she realized.
- When she looked down, Ethan’s azure orbs were on her, a playful glimmer in his irises.
- “I -” she stuttered. Not really sure how to recover from this one.
- No political training taught her how to keep from telling her all-but-boyfriend she loved him.
- “I love you too.”
- MC was stunned to silence. A jovial smirk adorned Ethan’s features.
- While she composed herself, he tapped her other leg to free her foot.
- Ethan stood up and suddenly MC was 5 inches shorter - just tall enough to rest her head against his shoulder.
- One of his hands grabbed hers and the other held onto her shoes as they walked in comfortable silence to her apartment.
- She broke the silence: “Really?”
“Really.”
“Since when?”
“Since always.”
“Hm. Me too.” - He tenderly kissed her goodnight just outside her apartment door and handed her her shoes.
“Goodnight, MC.”
“Goodnight, Ethan.” - He leaned in one last time to place a delicate kiss to her cheek. His final words lingering against the shell of her ear: “I love you.”
- She said it back and kissed him again. They pulled away reluctantly, but happily. They only had one month left until she was out of office.
- The day MC left the White House for good was one of the happiest days of her life.
- She did her country proud. She made a difference in the lives of every American. Her Mission was accomplished. There was nothing but positive things in her future.
- And now she was moving to Rhode Island into a secluded home overlooking the water. The perfect place for her to retire this chapter of her life.
- Pulling up to the house, MC spotted her love standing on the stoop with a smile and arms wide open.
- She was finally home.