Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
~*~
“Green or blue, Kate?”
“Definitely the green, Edward. It matches your eyes,” Kate replied after a quick glance in his direction. Edward wrapped the tie around his neck and began to tie it with fumbling fingers.
“Here, let me,” Kate murmured, grasping the tie ends and quickly tying a Windsor knot.
“Thank you, Kate. I don’t know what I would do without you,” Edward said with a fond kiss on her cheek.
With a light-hearted smile, Kate gave Edward’s arm a comforting squeeze. “It’s going to be a good day today, Edward. I just know it,” she said.
“Thanks, Kate,” Edward said as he walked over to his desk by the bay window. “I only hope America agrees with you.”
As much as he had tried, Edward had managed only a little more than three hours sleep the previous night. He had been restless with worry and fretful over the upcoming day’s outcome. After finishing his final press conference before voting day, he had returned home early and had annoyed Kate to her wit’s end by following her around while she dusted and picked up bits and pieces he had left lying around. She had eventually left him with a quick-heat spaghetti bolognaise and strict instructions to avoid the TV and radio and to get to bed early.
But after she had left the house was too quiet and even with the lights on every room, the night’s darkness enveloped him like a smothering cloak. He made quick work of his spaghetti in silence before pacing through various rooms anxiously. Eventually, he took himself to bed and lay there waiting for sleep to come. When it would not, he imagined the forthcoming day, the possible ways it could play out. He tended to favour dire circumstances; letting his self-confidence take hit after hit as the image of his loss played out across his mind’s eye. He knew it was unhealthy but it was an obsession – he had to see if he could take the pain of failure, he had to prepare himself.
Once, planning the future changes he could make and the ways he could better the world had helped quiet his mind, but not this night. He could not work past the mental barrier that was the ‘if’ of the next day. Finally, his brain exhausted itself of its constant state of worry and allowed him a restless, dreamless sleep.
Picking up a warm breakfast bagel and his briefcase from the kitchen bench, Edward jogged out the front door, calling out a quick ‘see you later’ to Kate. As was schedule, Joe was awaiting Edward’s morning arrival; leaning casually against the silver, government-issue Cadillac.
“Morning, sir,” Joe greeted in his usual cheerful manner.
“Morning, Joe. How’s your wife?”
“Well, the doctor thinks that she’s got a couple of days left. It’s a couple of days too long if you ask her – she’s ready to pop,” Joe replied with a grin as he opened the door for Edward.
Climbing in, Edward smiled. Joe Ribecci had been Edward’s driver and friend ever since he had moved across the country to Washington D.C. and begun his campaign. He had been a stable constant through the emotional, and often frenzied, ups and downs of the political race. Edward had always found comfort in his friendly smile and upbeat nature. After he returned from paternity leave, Edward had plans to arrange for Joe to become his permanent driver, if he was successful today. There it was again; the ever-present ‘if’.
Edward gave one last glance back to his apartment. The refurbished Victorian era double-storey had comforted him and reminded him of home while he had been so far away from his family. His mother had made some slight adjustments but his choice of decor and furnishings had been perfect, she claimed. He had scoffed; he could never be the artist Esme had been, and still was, when it came to house design. Still, the gratification and pride she had bestowed upon him made his heart glad.
As they neared their destination, Edward’s pulse began to climb steadily. His classically trained hands began tapping out a nameless tune across his thigh. Everyone had assured him that he was a shoo-in for the job. The other candidate was untrustworthy and had a generally poor reputation with the public.
Even so, Edward thought worriedly, there have been occurrences, consequences in which a sure thing has turned out to be not so sure after all. After voicing this doubt to his campaign manager, Jasper Whitlock, he had earned himself an upside slap on the back of the head. Edward had quickly learnt to keep his concerns and fears about the result to himself.
But now they repeatedly played on the forefront of his mind as they edged closer and closer to their destination through the Washington traffic. Had he done enough? Was there anything more he should have done or said? Another handshake? Another kiss for a baby’s forehead? Would it be enough?
He attempted a deep, calming breath. It worked momentarily, allowing Jasper’s voice to break through his cloud of confusion. With his deep Southern accent, Jasper’s words of confirmation reverberated through his mind.
Calm down, Edward. Stress is a catching emotion, he would say with authority. Edward drew in another relaxing breath and let it exhale slowly from his lungs. I am calm, he told himself. I am calm.
From his briefcase, Edward’s Blackberry beeped its message tone. After fiddling with the buttons, which were infinitesimally too small for his large hands, he managed to open a message from his brother, Emmett.
Good luck bro, I voted for you ;)
Edward smiled and let the wave of calm and familiarity that Emmett’s text brought wash over him.
Emmett was a man of few words but Edward had learnt to understand the significance of each one. While the other kids at school had little time for Emmett outside of the sporting field, Edward sought Emmett’s view on life, love and most importantly, politics. Emmett’s tell-it-like-it-is attitude helped Edward clear his head in a world that was quite frankly, full of bullshit. As he was typing a short message in reply, Edward was momentarily waylaid by another incoming message. Finally, he managed to send a reply to Emmett and open another message from his mother.
No matter what, your father and I are so proud of you, Edward.
Edward’s heart warmed. His parents had always told their children – Emmett, Alice and himself - that they would support them in whatever career path they chose to pursue. That was not to say that Carlisle wasn’t ecstatic to learn that Edward wanted to follow in his footsteps. When he exceeded Carlisle’s own accomplishments, Edward had been relieved to know that his father’s support was just as strong, if not more so, for his son’s goals and achievements.
“We’re here, sir,” Joe said over his shoulder, interrupting Edward’s reverie.
Glancing wordlessly up at the stone building, Edward swallowed nervously. Seeing Joe’s concerned gaze from the corner of his eye, Edward decided that it was time. It was time to man up. The time for fear had passed. The time for being one amongst the masses was over. It was time to lead, to protect and to honour his country in one of the most powerful ways possible.
Reaching over to clap his hand on Joe’s shoulder, Edward turned on his winning grin. “Thank you, Joe. For everything. Good luck to you and your wife,” he said honestly.
“You too, Edward,” Joe said with an honest smile.
Taking the door handle in one hand and his briefcase in the other, Edward took a deep breath and stepped in to the lion’s pit.
~*~
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