Lady in Red Pt. 03 Ch. 05

"Agnes, please come with me and translate for everyone," requested Gwen as she gently handed Lena to Hanna and walked toward the small platform. Once on the small stage, she took Agnes' hand and tugged her over to stand nearby as she spoke.

"Thank you all. We greatly appreciate the reception we received today," began Gwen. "Many of you appear to believe that my friends and I gave a great deal and received very little in return. That would be an incorrect assumption. You were the victims of a horrible tragedy, yet you gave us so much, and I thank you for it."

Gwen paused occasionally to allow Agnes to translate her words into Hungarian. "You have given me faith; faith in my fellow man, and faith in a greater plan for us all. You've shown me courage, strength, and compassion. I will leave here a better person than I was when I arrived, and for that I thank all of you.

"We grieve for those wonderful souls we lost that terrible day, but we celebrate their lives and their love. They will never be forgotten, even as this small town rebuilds and becomes stronger and more vibrant than ever. Improving your town, your lives, and your relationships will be your living testimonial to your loved ones."

Like everything involving Gwen, the press relentlessly covered her return to the earthquake ravaged town. Morning news programs back in the states showed her embracing the disheveled earthquake victims as she offered words of encouragement. There was some speculation about the small blonde girl that clung to Gwen as she greeted people. It was obvious to the viewers that Gwen cared deeply for the youngster that had been identified as the girl that had shared the danger of being trapped underground with Steve and Saint. Of course, at that time no one watching could ever guess the tremendous effect the small girl would have on the future of mankind.

After saying a long goodbye to the townspeople, Gwen, Steve, and their friends returned to Budapest. Steve and Naomi had practically demanded that everyone take the time to enjoy a dinner cruise on the Danube since they had such pleasant memories of the cruise they took years earlier, when they had accompanied Senators Chatham and Mason to Hungary.

"You were right to insist we do this!" agreed Gwen once they were underway. "The city is so beautiful at night. Look at how the bridges are lit so wonderfully. You're such a romantic!"

Steve grinned at Gwen's praise before pulling her close and kissing her. "Do you two mind?" chided Kate. "You've already put Gwen in a family way. Maybe you should give her a rest until the tour is over."

"Speak for yourself, Kate!" retorted Gwen. "I want Steve to make love to me in every city we visit. As you just pointed out, he can't get into any further trouble now that I'm already pregnant, so we might as well make the most of the opportunity."

"Madam President, did you just tell us that you plan to have hot monkey sex in every city we visit?" asked Charlotte, doing her best to appear shocked.

"Yes, I guess I did, although not in those rather crude terms," agreed Gwen with a grin. "Is enjoying sex with one's husband un-presidential or something?"

"It may be without precedent, but I haven't found anything in the Constitution that makes it a crime," admitted Kate. "But then, we've never had a pregnant president before. This is new territory. I wonder if your son will need security clearance before he's permitted to enter the world."

Early the next morning, Gwen, with Steve at her side, faced the press in the ballroom of her hotel before the scheduled flight to Kiev. "Madam President! Can you tell us when your baby is due?" asked the first reporter Gwen selected.

"Not really. I haven't done the math, but any of you can figure it out. I'm four days pregnant, so it's roughly nine months from four days ago," replied Gwen with a smile.

"It's impossible to determine that you're pregnant that soon after conception!" declared a male reporter from a major network. "You certainly wouldn't know the baby's gender that fast!"

Gwen then pointed to Amber Stahl, and to Amber's credit, she understood exactly what to say. "Madam President, congratulations on your pregnancy. Can you tell us what made you decide to move the rescue operation from the collapsed building Saint and Steve had entered to the old church, coincidentally named Saint Stephen?"

"It was simply something I knew to be necessary to save the lives of those people trapped, including Steve and Saint. I can't really offer you an explanation that will appear logical and reasonable," responded Gwen.

"You didn't answer my question about how you could know that you're pregnant so soon," objected the network reporter from a moment earlier.

"Sir, you never asked me a question. You simply stated that I couldn't possibly know that I'm pregnant with a son. I see no point in responding to a random statement. You've already determined that I'm either lying, totally mistaken, or making a really wild guess," observed Gwen calmly. "I won't accept any questions from you."

The entire press pool went very silent as they considered President Hammer's response to the belligerence of their fellow reporter. She was normally very cordial and considerate, but the reporter had all but called her either a liar or a fool. They had many other subjects to broach, so from that point forward no one questioned why Gwen felt she was pregnant.

"Madam President, congratulations on your pregnancy," began a tall thin man from a Budapest paper who had quickly determined that Amber Stahl had the correct approach by being conciliatory on the issue. "Your first ever concert in Budapest drew an audience estimated at a million and a half people. Was the size and enthusiasm of the crowd a surprise, and how do you like Budapest?"

"Let me begin by stating that I simply love this beautiful and ancient city. I'm so glad we made it part of our world tour. I'll cherish the memories of this visit the rest of my life. I was very much surprised at the size of the crowd that attended our concert. The energy they brought to the performance was incredible. My grandmother was born in Hungary, so I have more than a little Hungarian blood coursing through my veins.

"I feel like I've been welcomed home by the people of this great country. I'm honored and humbled by the reception my family and friends have received here. I wish to thank President Áder for his warm reception, as well as being so kind as to invite us. The people of this great country have made me feel very welcome, to the extent of making me and my family citizens. I hope to build on that, and further improve the already cordial relations the United States has with Hungary."

"Your tour, and especially the response by you and your Lady in Red company to the earthquake, has been covered extensively by the media back in the United States. Opinion polls show that the American public supports your actions in almost unbelievable percentages," prefaced a woman from a major American network. "Do you expect Congress to be more amenable to approving your cabinet choices, considering the strong grassroots support you're receiving?"

"I have no expectations regarding Congress," replied Gwen tersely.

"Are you concerned about having your cabinet selections approved?" followed up the lady reporter.

"Make no mistake, I do want my appointments approved, but I'll not be wasting any time trying to placate and mollify a fickle Congress. They are the ones that approached me about becoming vice president. My wealth and position were never even mentioned when both houses voted to approve my appointment as Vice President. Nothing has changed, except for the attitude of many of our elected representatives.

"I've never campaigned for any office in my life. I accepted the vice presidency because I felt it would help our country get past a possible constitutional crisis. I am now President of the United States, but I am not a politician and I refuse to become one. I'm extremely honored to serve my country, but I will not waste one minute of my time trying to convince the legislative branch of government to do the right thing for our great nation. They are, for the most part, driven by personal and party agendas. I have no interest in pursuing either."

"Madam President, congratulations on your pregnancy," began another network reporter. "Your relationship with many members of Congress has been contentious almost from the first day you assumed the presidency. Can you explain why that has come about?"

"I hardly think that an explanation is necessary," replied Gwen immediately. "Many members of Congress feel that their role in government is to promote themselves and their party. They do so at the expense of our nation and its citizens. However long I serve as president, I will always do what I feel is best for the United States. That radical approach seems to cause more than a little consternation in Washington."

"Madam President, did you realize that you were pregnant that evening you spent kneeling and praying for your husband and son's safe return?" asked a reporter from another Hungarian paper. "Can you describe what your thoughts were that night?"

"Yes, I knew I was carrying Steve's son even then. My thoughts centered on the safe return of Saint and Steve and how much I loved them. I came to love my friends, relatives, and the Hungarian people even more as they worked together tirelessly to stabilize that old church and free the victims trapped beneath, even though they had no real reason other than my assertion to believe anyone was even in it. That act of faith was a tremendous source of comfort for me. I am humbled to have such friends. I have seen firsthand how men and women of courage and honor conduct themselves, which is yet another reason I have so little concern for the opinions and actions of Congress."

"You still haven't explained how you could know you're pregnant with a son!" broke in the belligerent reporter that had so recently been rebuffed by Gwen.

"Please allow me to handle this, Madam President," responded Steve, stepping to the microphones. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, President Hammer has to prepare for her flight to Kiev, so she must terminate this session. However, I'm already packed and ready to travel. If Mr. Kingston would care to remain behind, I'll be quite happy to pursue this discussion with him."

The aggressive reporter turned a bright red as a scowl crossed his face. Unable to meet Steve's eyes, he turned and hurried from the now silent room.

"Madam President, thank you for your time. Remind us never to imply that you're not forthcoming and truthful," chuckled Amber Stahl. "Kingston's desire for the truth wasn't strong enough to motivate him to pursue a one on one with your husband."

"Thank you, Amber. I thought Steve was quite generous with that offer. I'm sure he'd have found the proper response for Mr. Kingston's rude behavior," chuckled Gwen as she gave Steve a brief kiss on the lips before taking his hand and leading him from the room.

Air Force One landed in Kiev two hours later. The Ukrainian people were extremely proud that President Hammer had included Kiev on her world tour. She and her husband had always treated Ukraine very well. The state of the art hospital Lady in Red had built and funded was the pride of Kiev and all of Ukraine. People from across Europe and beyond traveled to Kiev to receive the best possible health care, often at no charge to the patient. The facility had already expanded once, and more wings were said to be in the planning stage.

As the motorcade wound slowly through the streets of Kiev, Ukrainians lined the sidewalks, waving and cheering their welcome for President and Steve Hammer, along with the other owners of Lady in Red. The city was already feeling the effects of thousands of travelers entering the city in anticipation of the concert to be performed in Independence Square the following evening.

The state dinner that night was a gala affair. Steve and Gwen made certain that Nadiya and Hans received a great deal of their attention. Nadiya's father had retired from government service, but Nadiya herself was extremely well known and popular in her homeland. The fact that she had been a strong personal friend of President Hammer for many years increased her prestige and popularity.

Steve was of the opinion that in the future, under the right circumstances, Nadiya could attain the position of Prime Minister, and eventually President. Her father had been held in high esteem in Ukrainian politics and had developed many lasting friendships among government officials. That possibility was only enhanced as Nadiya and Hans were constantly seen chatting and laughing with the Hammers and their close friends and relatives. It was apparent to all that they had an easy and warm relationship with the Americans. In Kiev, and the entire Ukraine, that friendship was a source of great pride. Nadiya's star was still rising. Gwen and Steve both realized the advantages of having strong allies in governments around the globe and felt that Nadiya would be one of the best.

"I remember that night in Paris many years ago when that skier thought he would steal Gwen from you," recalled Nadiya as she and Steve enjoyed a dance. "He had no chance but was way too full of himself to realize it. No real woman would give you up for a fool like him, and Gwen is the smartest woman I have ever met. I do wonder if that fellow had managed to entice Gwen if I would have had a chance with you."

"You're an extremely intelligent, beautiful woman," began Steve before Nadiya interrupted.

"But, you're so in love with Gwen that you can't even imagine any scenario where you are not with her," finished Nadiya. "Naomi and Jordan are two very dear friends and we talk. They said you told them both the same thing when they asked you similar questions years ago. That loyalty of yours may be your strongest trait. You are a man of honor and totally devoted to your wife. That devotion has played no small part in carrying her to the Presidency of the United States. Your support and friendship has lifted me higher than I ever dreamed, and it could boost my career to even greater heights. You already know that I will never forget or forsake my American friends. I understand why you are so good to me and I truly appreciate it."

"Gwen didn't need any help from me to get where she is. You never did, either," replied Steve sincerely.

"And that is another trait women find so appealing," laughed Nadiya. "You are very modest and always downplay your role in the lives of those you love. Your modesty is refreshing in this jaded world.

"Gwen did have a little help to become an expectant mother again, didn't she? It's very uplifting to see the love you have for each other. But now that I know about the old blind woman, I realize that fate had plans for you two from the beginning. That little girl, Lena, is adorable and Saint already demonstrates the same strengths of character his father possesses. Your family is going to be very interesting to watch over the next decade or so."

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," replied Steve. "I feel a tremendous responsibility to see that Saint learns life's lessons and becomes the best he possibly can be. If he's meant for great things, the burden's on me to see that he's prepared."

"I would think that watching and helping you save those people trapped in that earthquake is exactly the sort of thing that instills your values in your son. You worry about it, but just being who you are and doing what you do will ensure that Saint learns the right values. With you as a father, he can do no less."

The next morning began with an emotional breakfast as Vince Rosen, Cindy Quick, Kate, Lisa, Jason, and Naomi, along with Chip and Jared were scheduled to fly back to Washington to appear before various Senate committees.

"Let me see if I have this right," stated Kate. "You want us to tell the truth when we're questioned. Does that pretty well cover it?"

"That may oversimplify it, but not by much," asserted Steve with a grin. "Make no promises except to serve Gwen and your country to the best of your ability. Don't apologize for your success, or your wealth. Stress that you will not be accepting any compensation for your service and that you'll assist Gwen in any way possible, whether you're officially approved or not. Be as courteous and respectful as their behavior merits, but if they attempt to bait you, push back. Keep in mind that they have nothing you need. You aren't dependent on them."

"Yeah!" interjected Jared. "That reminds me of the first few days of training camp in our rookie year. We were almost twenty seven years old, had served in the military as officers, but we were considered rookies. They have a lot of little hazing traditions in pro ball. The Skins had one where rookies carried the duffel bags of the veterans.

"Steve and I were lugging huge bags around for two veterans that were younger than us. They had stuffed some weights in with their clothes just to bust our balls a little. One day we were taking a team bus to a media event and these two guys insisted that we carry their bags, even though they weren't needed and no one else was taking any.

The guy Steve was carrying for, Mad Dog Jones, wasn't content with just busting Steve's chops a little. He began making some pretty inappropriate comments about Gwen and how big her smile would be when she met Mad Dog and he showed her his prized possession. This is where it gets good," laughed Jared as he recalled that day.

"We stepped off the bus lugging these bags of weights when Steve makes like a hammer thrower in a track and field event. He spins around a few times and lets go of the bag. We were all watching in amazement as it cleared the railing and landed in the middle of a small retention pond, scaring away a dozen geese that were calling the pond home.

"Mad Dog got all pissed and yelled at Steve that he had just disrespected him and his property. Steve snarled right back at him that he owed no respect to him, or anyone else that would speak that way about a lady. If he wanted his shit back, he could go diving for it."

"I never heard that story," chuckled Billy. "Mad Dog Jones was a huge defensive end. He was traded to Minnesota the year you guys joined the Skins. He played as a back-up there for a couple years before he was cut."

"That's the guy," agreed Jared. "The entire team, as well as the coaches saw the whole thing. Mad Dog wanted to rip Steve's head off and Steve just stood there, grinning at him with the confidence we're so familiar with. When it came right down to it, Mad Dog just didn't have the nerve to try Steve. He finally turned and walked away. The team owner heard the story from the GM and they traded him later that week.

"I think the coaches were pretty happy about the whole scene. Steve sent a message to every player on the team by tossing Mad Dog's bag into the drink. He was perfectly willing to go along with the silly tricks and games they played on rookies, but no one was ever allowed to disrespect him, or his lady. That little stunt secured his role as team leader. Not many teams have a quarterback that can kick the crap out of everyone on the team. You have to remember this happened just a month or so after he had cleaned the butcher's clock and tossed him into the ocean. The guys were well aware of what Steve was capable of doing."

"Thanks for that tale, Jared. It pretty much sums up Steve's approach to people. He treats everyone with respect until they demonstrate that they don't deserve it. I'll keep that attitude in mind when I'm being grilled by those Senators," stated Lisa.

"Listen, everyone. I know I'm sending you back to Washington where they'll probably insult you, your family, your friends, and your family pet. Try to be as patient and respectful as possible under the conditions you'll be facing. Know that Steve and I love all of you and we'll support you until hell freezes over," added Gwen. "You mean more to us than this job ever will."