Lady in Red Pt. 02 Ch. 14

"But why would you do this for her if you're not asking for anything in return?" demanded a suspicious Dan. "We're both having a little trouble accepting this turn of events. No one's ever done anything like this to help us."

"I understand you're skepticism, but we like to invest in the future, and Cheryl certainly has a bright future. Just speak with our representative and listen with an open mind," urged Steve. "May I have one last dance with your daughter before I return her to her friends?"

"We just need to remind her to be careful and stay out of trouble. Her class is staying the evening and touring the city tomorrow. We're taking the bus back tonight," stated Betty. "I want you to know that we're extremely proud of you and Gwen. You've made Sparta a household name, and it's a good one. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us and for being so kind to Cheryl, and I'm sorry if I seemed overly suspicious."

Steve danced one more song with Cheryl before he returned her to her friends. They had been talking with Gwen, but it was obvious that they all were well aware that Steve was dancing with their classmate. Steve introduced her to Gwen when they rejoined the group.

"Gwen, this is Cheryl Baxter. Cheryl, this lady is Gwen Anderson," introduced Steve as he watched the two women standing together.

"Hello, Cheryl. No matter where we go, Steve always finds the most beautiful girl in the room. He's a great dancer, isn't he?" smiled Gwen as she took Steve's arm and squeezed it tightly to her chest.

"He's amazing," agreed Cheryl. "I know I'm not beautiful, but thanks for saying that. I can't tell you how much I admire you and all of the things you've accomplished. You were amazing today when you rescued that Bill Hardy."

"Thank you for the compliment, but what are you saying about not being beautiful? Steve, did you forget to mention to Cheryl how pretty you thought she was? That's not like you."

Steve had been watching Gwen and Cheryl interact. He couldn't help but think how much Cheryl reminded him of Gwen when he first met her. "I told her that she reminded me of you, and I can't compliment a woman any more than that."

"That's a compliment for me," responded Gwen as she studied the girl more closely. "I can see some similarities, but you think that she reminds you of me, when we first met?"

"I was wondering if you or Steve would see that," chimed in Ms. Walker. "I've noticed it from the first day I had her in class. When Steve picked her out to dance with him, I knew he saw it, too. It's not just her looks, but her demeanor and attitude. You were very shy and unassuming in high school, at least before you teamed up with Steve to become the successful woman you are today."

The other kids were listening to the conversation quite closely. It was obvious that they were seeing Cheryl in a new light. At that moment, Ashley hurried up to speak to Gwen.

"President Hanson has just arrived! He's looking for you and Steve," reported Ashley with excitement and pride.

"Excuse me, everyone," apologized Gwen as she took Steve's hand. "I can't be rude to the President. Thanks so much for coming and good luck in the future!"

President Hanson had several of the more important members of government standing near him when Gwen and Steve approached. Steve chuckled to himself as Gwen simply brushed past the fawning politicos and warmly embraced President Hanson. Hanson grinned at Steve as he wrapped his arms around Gwen while Steve stood at attention and saluted.

"It isn't my fault! She's hugging me," pointed out President Hanson as he pretended to be worried about Steve's reaction. "Gwen, I watched you and Steve on TV this afternoon. You constantly amaze me. You're great examples for the youth of the country. Actually, you're great examples for all of us."

Once President Hanson indicated to Steve that he could be 'at ease', Steve smiled and shook the hand of Mrs. Hanson. As he did so, he detected the relief on the faces of both the president and his wife. Much had been written and reported about the lack of government control over the rogue element of the CIA. Many reporters wondered how it would affect Gwen and Steve's close relationship with the president. Gwen's hug gave the president the answer he sought.

That's when Gwen noticed the man standing to the right of the president. "You came! I'm so happy you took the time. I want to thank you again for loaning me your overcoat this afternoon. That was very gentlemanly."

"Most of the members of the Supreme Court are gentlemen, unless they're ladies," offered President Hanson. "Perhaps you didn't recognize Justice James Hamilton? He witnessed your heroics in person this afternoon."

"It's good to meet you, Sir!" blurted Gwen as she stepped up to Justice Hamilton and hugged him warmly. "It was a very nice thing you did for me today and I really do appreciate it."

Gwen then noticed Mrs. Hamilton smiling broadly, so she immediately hugged her. "Mrs. Hamilton, thanks so much for helping to shield me while Steve helped me put my dress back on. I must have looked a sight!"

"My Dear, you were truly a sight, and one that my husband is not going to soon forget. All of the other men present were rather upset when James offered you his overcoat. You were an absolute vision," praised the older woman.

Gwen chatted briefly with Justice Hamilton and his wife before they excused themselves to speak with a Senator. Gwen turned back to President and Mrs. Hanson.

"Could you both come with me?" asked Gwen. She then took the president and first lady by their hands and led them toward the contingent from Sparta. She stopped by the group from her high school first.

"Mr. President and Mrs. Hanson, these are students from our high school in Sparta," indicated Gwen as she began introducing President and Mrs. Hanson to the kids. Steve was amazed that Gwen was able to remember all of the names after hearing them just a few minutes earlier.

It was quite evident that the students were awe struck by meeting President Hanson. They flashed big grins even while they shook Hanson's hand nervously. Once all of the students had met the president, Gwen took him and his wife over to meet the folks from her home town.

William Patterson was practically stuttering as he whispered to Ted and Paula. "Gwen's leading President Hanson and his wife around like school kids! She's in total control of the situation without seeming rude or pushy. Look how pleased the Hansons are to meet her constituents. Now look at the other politicians watching her. They're stunned. They wish they'd been able to introduce the president to their voters. Your daughter is polite but confident, and people respond to her. There are no limits for that girl!"

The Sparta contingent beamed with pride as their freshman representative introduced them to President Hanson. It simply solidified their already very positive feelings for Gwen. Then Gwen led the first couple over to her group of personal friends to introduce them.

"Gwen, people are often judged by the friends they keep," observed President Hanson as he looked over Gwen's personal entourage after being introduced. "You have the most impressive group of friends I've ever encountered. These young men are accomplished and very capable, while these ladies are beautiful and extremely intelligent. You certainly attract good people, starting with your Lieutenant Hammer. You already have Washington eating out of your hand, and this is only your first day in office!"

Gwen was beaming with pride at the president's words when she noticed Ashley hurry toward the entrance of the large room. Looking ahead to Ashley's apparent destination, Gwen saw the same poorly dressed man that had assisted her from the frigid river earlier in the day. It appeared that the man had a small child with him and that hotel security was barring his entrance. Gwen quickly excused herself and headed after Ashley.

"You need to allow this man inside right now!" demanded Ashley as she hurried to confront the two security men. "He and this child are most certainly welcome! Step aside and let them enter."

"Ma'am, the President is here. There's no way we're letting homeless people into the same room. You handle the politics and we'll take care of the panhandlers," assured the bigger of the two men as he took Ashley's arm and tried to lead her away from the confrontation.

"Remove your hand from Ashley, immediately!" demanded Gwen as she took in the scene in a glance. "You're on very thin ice, and if you persist, you'll find yourself looking for a new job."

"I'm just following instructions," insisted the man as his hand remained on Ashley's arm. "She was interfering with the security of President Hanson, as well as your own safety, Ms. Anderson. That man and the kid can't be allowed into an event like this. It wouldn't be long and we'd have all sorts of trash trying to get in. You ladies need to go back to socializing and let us decide who's allowed in and who isn't."

Before Gwen was able to reply, Steve pressed up very close to the man and spoke in a very low, forceful manner. The big security man turned a sickly pale as he released Ashley's arm and hastily left the room.

Gwen simply looked into Steve's poker face briefly before smiling at him. "You sure have a way with words. I've noticed that whenever you talk all low and raspy-like, men seem to decide to leave the area in a hurry. Come on with me to welcome this man!"

As soon as Ashley had been released by the burly security man, she rushed to catch the man with the child before he was lost from sight as he headed back toward the exit.

"Sir! Please come in! I apologize for that unfortunate reception. It didn't reflect Gwen Anderson's methods, or attitude," managed Ashley as she took the man's hand and then reached down with her other hand to the child. The little girl looked at her hand, then at her father's hand being grasped by Ashley, and placed her hand inside Ashley's.

Gwen and Steve came upon them as Ashley led them into the ballroom. "Thanks, Ashley. Steve, this man was a tremendous help this afternoon. I had pulled Hardy to shore and a policeman took him from me, but my feet were numb. I couldn't feel the ground under my feet. This gentleman was up to his chest in water when he took my arm and escorted me back to shore. Once the water was ankle deep, all sorts of chivalrous guys rushed out to help me."

"Sir, anyone that helps Gwen does me a favor," stated Steve as he put his hand out and shook with the other man. "I don't forget them. I'm Steve Hammer. I haven't heard your name."

"It's Richard Drake," responded the shabbily dressed man as he shook hands and grinned at Steve. "You don't have to tell me who you are. Everyone knows you and Ms. Anderson, as well as your friends."

"Who is this lovely little girl?" asked Gwen as she squatted down to the same level as the young girl.

"I'm Ingrid. Mom died last year," responded the small, thin blonde girl as she looked from Gwen to Ashley. "She was pretty, like you and this lady. Daddy said we could come here and see some famous people and get something to eat."

"Ingrid!" sputtered her embarrassed father. "You don't tell people things like that!"

"Well, Sweetheart, you sure came to the right place!" insisted Ashley as she scooped the girl up. "We'll go over to the buffet and get something to eat. Do you like chicken, steak, potatoes, any vegetables?"

Gwen noticed Richard Drake's discomfort and decided to try to set him at ease. She took him by the hand and started after Ashley. "Come with me and we'll get something to eat. Then I want you to tell me how you came to be at the river this afternoon and how you realized I needed help. I thought I covered it up quite well."

Steve simply smiled and shook his head as everyone in the room watched Gwen as she graciously welcomed the poorly dressed man to her affair. She had just been speaking to the President of the United States and now she was warmly chatting with a man obviously in need.

"Isn't that the man that helped Gwen out of the river this afternoon?" asked Becky as she stood with the Andersons and watched her sister fawn over the small child while Gwen was extremely attentive to the girl's father.

"You're right! I have to thank him," announced Paula as she started over to Gwen, followed by Lisa, Kate, and several friends.

"Thank you for helping my daughter out of the river today!" praised Paula as she gave the surprised man a hug. If Paula's hug caught him off guard, he was soon totally flabbergasted as one beautiful woman after another gave him a warm hug and a sincere 'thank you' for helping Gwen.

Ms. Walker was speaking to the students from her school as they watched the interaction between the ragged looking man and Gwen's entourage. "That's why Gwen was elected to Congress and why she has so many important people here at her celebration. Every person is important to her. All lives matter. I overheard that he's the man that helped her out of the river after she saved Bill Hardy's life. He was on TV for a short while as he helped her ashore, but I had forgotten what he looked like, but not Gwen. She'll make certain that the man knows just how much she appreciates his assistance."

"Oh, my God!" mumbled one of the senior boys as his jaw dropped when a stunning blonde woman entered the room and made her way toward Steve.

"Steve! It's so good to see you. I just arrived in time to see you and Gwen on the TV monitors in the airport. You're such a brave man. You're a true American hero!" praised Nadiya Misko as she kissed Steve soundly on the lips before hugging him tightly. "Gwen is in politics now? I don't know how she does it all. I'll be going to the premier tomorrow night, even though I wasn't able to appear in the movie.

"You're always on the news in Ukraine. The hospital looks magnificent. I'm told it should be open by the spring. Will you be coming to Kiev for the grand opening?" asked the beautiful blonde while photographers circled the couple, snapping pictures.

"Yes, we'll be there!" responded Gwen as she tugged Nadiya from Steve's arms and warmly embraced her. "I hear that your dad has a lot of influence with the government these days. I'm so glad that cooler, wiser heads are prevailing."

"Father will be so glad to hear that you feel that way. He still speaks of that night in Moscow when you danced with him, twice! My mother just smiles and reminds him that Steve was very attentive to her as well.

"The hospital has been a godsend already. The construction brought many jobs to our city and when it opens, there will be many people with steady employment, not to mention all of the sick and injured children that will be treated and cured. I have to thank Jordan and Charlie, too. You four are heroes in Kiev and all of the Ukraine," gushed Nadiya as she remained close to Gwen.

"Come and visit President Hanson for a minute," invited Gwen as she took the blonde woman's hand and led her toward Hanson. Nadiya quickly grabbed Steve's hand with her free one and the trio made their way to where President Hanson and his wife were seated.

"Sir, you remember Nadiya Misko, don't you?" asked Gwen. "Her father is very influential in Ukraine politics and government. She's very active herself, although she tries to use the 'dumb blonde' routine quite often."

"Of course!" replied President Hanson as he shook the blonde beauty's hand. "Your father has been a very stabilizing influence in the government. Steve will be going to Hungary later in the month. Maybe he'll be able to stop in Kiev and meet with your father?"

"Steve might come to Kiev? I am certain that my father will see him," promised Nadiya. "I will personally take him home so Papa will have no choice!"

"I'm not sure that Steve will be available for that particular trip," interrupted Gwen with a smile. "He's promised to straighten out his sock drawer and that may be the week he'll be undertaking that task."

"What?" asked a visibly upset Nadiya. "He was socks to worry about and cannot come to Kiev?"

"I think Gwen may be teasing you," opined President Hanson with a grin. "It's my guess that you appeared a bit too eager to welcome Steve to your country, so she's asserting her influence with Steve."

"That was a joke? I appeared too eager to welcome Steve?" laughed Nadiya. "Gwen is so jealous. I steal her boyfriend all the time. She's used to it. Besides, when he is ordered by his President, he cannot disobey so that he can do things to his socks. If you ordered him to be especially nice to important Ukraine girl, he would have to follow your orders, would he not?"

"I'm not even going to comment on that," laughed Hanson. "It looks like you'll be collecting combat pay, Lieutenant Hammer. I'll be interested in hearing how your trip goes. We want to maintain good relations with all of our friends in Eastern Europe."

"There, Gwen. You heard your president. He wants Steve to have good relations with Eastern European friend. That would be me, and it will be very good!" asserted Nadiya as she possessively pulled Steve's arm to her ample chest.

For her part, Gwen simply stared at Steve until he pried Nadiya's hands off his arm and moved closer to Gwen.

"Hero is afraid of girl in red dress?" asked Nadiya as she arched her eyebrows and acted surprised. "What have you done to this man? He is under a spell or something. We still have practicing witches in Ukraine. We will have one remove the spell this woman has cast upon the poor man."

"I'm afraid that spell is stronger than any magic you may be able to find," stated Steve confidently. "Besides, if I'm happy with the spell, why would you want to remove it?"

"Have you not looked into a mirror?" questioned Nadiya. "You are strong, handsome, brave, wealthy, kind, and loyal. That's the ideal man, in any country. Gwen is very selfish."

Many people were watching the byplay between Gwen, Nadiya, Steve and President Hanson. They could almost guess what was being said by the way Steve removed himself from Nadiya's strong grip and moved closer to Gwen as President Hanson and his wife laughed quite heartily.

"Look how comfortable Steve and Gwen are with the President of the United States!" proudly pointed out Ms. Walker to her students. "You're seeing history tonight. I'm sure you all watched the movie that Gwen starred in about the making of a queen. Now you're seeing it in real life. The most influential and powerful politicians and leaders in the country are here this evening, paying tribute to a rising star. They can see the influence that Gwen and Steve have, and they're trying to curry their favor. The face of politics in this city is about to change."

Paula, Ted, and the rest of Gwen's family and friends watched the interaction between President Hanson, Nadiya, Gwen, and Steve with equal amounts of pride and amazement.

"Sis is joking with President Hanson, and he's laughing!" exclaimed Kate to the others. "This isn't something rookies in Congress usually do, I'm sure. Steve and Gwen are becoming totally awesome. They have the ear of every important person in the country. Oops! It looks like I should have said every important person in the world!"

As Kate had been speaking, Vlad Novokov had entered the ballroom with Anna Chekov. They briefly looked around until one of their security people pointed to Steve and Gwen still chatting with President Hanson and his wife. The couple made their way across the floor toward Gwen and Steve.

Steve broke into a big smile as he shook hands with Vlad and then hugged Anna. "Vlad! It's great to see you! Thanks so much for coming to our little celebration. Anna, you look stunning.

"President Hanson, Mrs. Hanson, this is Vlad Novokov and his beautiful fiancé, Anna Checkov," managed Steve as the two men shook hands. "This lovely lady next to me is Nadiya Misko."