Lady in Red Pt. 03 Ch. 07

"I never did apologize for that stunt," laughed Steve. "I was out of patience and I was worried you'd annoy Ted and Paula so much they'd tell you to leave. It was an act of desperation. I promised Clive I'd try to keep you in line, but I had no idea just how difficult that would be."

"Don't ever feel bad about that," insisted Jordan. "I've told that story to the kids so many times they know it by heart. Have you noticed how well they behave for you?"

"So that's it?" chuckled Steve before turning serious. "I haven't told you enough how much I value your friendship. You've never blinked an eye at any suggestions we make for spending Lady in Red money. You've supported Gwen like a sister and Charlie's one of the best guys I've ever met."

"I think you know that I feel we're more than friends, Steve. You and Gwen pretty much saved me, and you gave Charlie the opportunity to develop and flourish as a musician and artist," replied Jordan. "There's nothing we wouldn't do for you and Gwen and we know you'd both do anything for us. It's a great feeling."

The next evening saw Lady in Red climb onto a stage in La Plaza Mayor. The plaza was packed full and the three-story buildings around the square had people in every window and spilling over on every balcony. Gwen was accompanied by Queen Letizia as she walked to the front of the stage. The roar of the crowd was deafening, even as everyone dropped to a knee in respect for the Queens before them. Gwen curtsied to Queen Letizia. The crowd returned to its feet the same time Gwen did. As Queen Letizia left the stage, Charlie signaled the band to begin.

It was Lady in Red's first trip to Spain and they made it a memorable night for the citizens of Madrid. Gwen, Jordan, and Kathy had performed so much together they were able to anticipate each other's moves as they danced and sang flawlessly to the enthusiastic fans. All the acts were well received, but it was becoming apparent to the entire band that when the three beautiful women were front and center singing and dancing, the fans were the most vocal and exuberant.

The next morning Madrid was still basking in the afterglow of one of the best evenings in its long history. Newspapers and the internet contained little else. The Queen of Spain and the Queen of Peace being so warmly welcomed by the huge crowd was the favorite story for the morning papers, especially in Spain.

Shortly before noon, Air Force One left Madrid with Havana, Cuba as the next destination. Gwen and Steve were warmly welcomed by the brother of the former dictator and current President of Cuba. Gwen was noticeably less enthusiastic in her greetings. She had a laundry list of issues she felt needed frank discussion and didn't want the world to think she was overly chummy with the Cuban government.

That distancing did not apply to the people of Cuba who lined the streets and cheered loudly as President Hammer's motorcade passed by on the way to its hotel. Because of the time gained when chasing the sun west, it was still early afternoon when Gwen and her entourage finished settling in.

"We're going to the beach," declared Steve. "You need to relax and I know how much you enjoy the sand and sea. Everyone's getting ready and we'll be leaving within the hour. All the kids are really looking forward to it."

Once again the world press was treated to reporting on the President of the United States as she enjoyed the beach in a red bikini. Gwen's breasts were beginning to swell with her pregnancy, although her trim stomach gave no indication of the new life growing within.

"Does my top look too small?" asked Gwen as the clan began unpacking their chairs and kids' toys.

"Allow me to answer that question, Madam President," volunteered Billy Marsh. "If you're asking if your swimsuit top is too small, the answer is a definite 'no'. If you're asking if the parts you have stuffed into your top are too small, the answer is an even more resounding 'no'! You're the sexiest president we've ever had!"

"That's my husband," quipped Charlotte. "He just told the President of the United States that her boobs looked great. It's a good thing he isn't a government employee. He'd be brought up on sexual misconduct charges a couple of times a day."

"Actually, it's always nice to get one of Billy's sexist compliments," admitted Gwen as she stepped up to Billy and hugged him. "Most of the guys try to act cool and collected around us women, but Billy doesn't hold anything back. I could tell by the way his eyes were shining he thought I looked pretty good. Thanks Billy!"

"My pleasure," grinned Billy as he looked around. "I'll keep doing my best to let all of you ladies know how great you look in your swim suits. If I appear to be staring, I'm just showing my appreciation. Think of me as a full-time morale booster."

Jordan caught Kate and Naomi's hands and pulled both ladies close before asking, "Billy, what about us? Do our tops look okay? You're the man we turn to when we need a frank assessment of our hotness."

"Jordan, you're smokin' hot, and Naomi and Kate have got to be the best looking not quite yet cabinet members ever," replied Billy as he made no bones about running his eyes salaciously over the three women's upper bodies.

"I should have used you as a character reference when those Senators were asking me those tough questions," laughed Naomi.

"He'd sing your praises, but I don't think those old senators would like hearing what he was singing about," offered Charlotte. "Bust size isn't supposed to be a qualification for high office."

"And that's the problem with government, in my opinion, although things have been improving a lot since Gwen became president," noted Billy. "If Naomi and Kate gain approval, I'll be able to sell tickets to Gwen's cabinet meetings."

"I don't know if I could stand a steady diet of Billy's inappropriate comments, but they do serve a purpose," admitted Kate. "Now we know what all the pervs think when they look at us."

"If you mean 'men' when you use the word 'pervs', you're right," chuckled Chip as he pulled Kate close. "You ladies are hot and my wife is the hottest of them all."

"I sure would have told those Senators a few things," insisted Billy in a suddenly serious tone. "Naomi and Kate are two of the best nominees those idiots have ever had appear in front of them. You're both real smart and have Gwen's complete confidence. They have to be morons not to see how capable you both are."

"Wow, Billy! I wasn't expecting a serious compliment, but I appreciate it," replied Naomi.

"I would've also told them you both have some seriously nice..."

"You were doing so well for a moment there," interrupted Charlotte. "That's exactly why you won't be used as a character witness for any woman, anyplace, anytime. You have a one-track mind."

Gwen and Steve always enjoyed the bantering when they were with their friends. It helped them both relax and enjoy being around people who weren't trying to get something from them.

The press once again remained a distance from the First Family and their friends as they enjoyed the beautiful beach. Steve was walking along the water's edge with Gwen when there was a sudden scream and an obvious disturbance from the area ahead where the general public was allowed.

Steve and Gwen watched as a young woman carrying an infant was stopped by security as she frantically tried to get past them to reach Gwen. She was screaming loudly about her baby, but the Cuban security team refused to allow her to pass.

"Come on! That woman's baby is having a problem! We need to see if we can help," exclaimed Gwen as she suddenly broke into a run toward the frantic woman. Gwen's Secret Service agents suddenly had to scramble to remain close to their charge.

"Give me the baby!" insisted Gwen as soon as she reached the distraught mother.

As Gwen spoke to the woman, Steve used his limited Spanish to tell the Cuban security staff to allow Gwen access to the mother and child.

The crying woman immediately handed her infant daughter to Gwen. Steve was appalled at the color of the child's face. It appeared swollen and had a very obvious purple hue. He knew the child was near death, if not dead already.

Gwen calmly checked the infant's airway to determine if she was breathing and then opened the baby's mouth to look inside. She then brought the baby's mouth to her own and gently squeezed her tiny nose closed as she forced a breath into her mouth. Gwen had quickly determined that the child's airway was obstructed!

Immediately dropping to her knees, Gwen laid the unresponsive baby down with her left hand under its little back in the sand. She placed two fingers on the infant's sternum and began rapid compressions. Once she counted thirty compressions, Gwen opened the little girl's mouth and looked inside. Gwen then gently placed her pinkie into the child's mouth and swept a small object onto the beach. She again attempted to breathe for the infant. Successful, Gwen gave the little girl another breath.

Hundreds of people stood in total silence as they watched Gwen working to save the child's life. Gwen felt for a brachial pulse and determined there was none. Remaining calm, she once again placed two fingers on the child's sternum and began compressions. On the tenth compression, Gwen felt the infant move! She placed her face down near the child and felt its breath on her cheek. As Gwen raised her head to observe the baby, it began to cry!

The infant's mother stopped her sobbing and spoke in rapid Spanish. Steve was having difficulty understanding the woman, but he could see the relief and love in her eyes as Gwen carefully handed the crying baby back to her mother.

"She said she knew The Queen would save her baby," reported Charlie who had rushed to the scene along with Jordan and many of their friends. "Her only fear was that the police wouldn't let her reach her Queen in time to give life back to her little girl."

Steve listened to Charlie's translation as he watched Gwen hug the young mother and then kiss her softly on the cheek. He then looked beyond his wife to see hundreds of smiling faces watching the scene closely.

Gwen released the woman and reached for Steve's hand. She then began walking toward the crowd that had gathered to watch as she breathed life back into the child.

As she and Steve approached, the crowd formed a clear path for them and then they began dropping to one knee as she drew near. Gwen released Steve's hand and began reaching out to people on either side of her, touching their heads, faces, and shoulders as she passed. Gwen spoke quietly to many of those kneeling as she slowly made her way between the two rows of adoring Cubans. People scurried ahead so they could kneel in the sand close enough to the path to be touched by the Queen of Peace as she walked past.

Parents with small children held them up to Gwen as she drew close. Gwen would gently accept a child and kiss it on the forehead or cheek and return it to the delighted parents. Everywhere Steve looked, people were flashing huge smiles, and shedding more than a few tears. It was apparent to Steve that Gwen held these people in the palm of her hand. She truly was their Queen!

Steve simply followed his wife in stunned amazement. They had discussed finding new ways to interact with people that would be safe, yet spontaneous. Walking through a crowd of kneeling people in swim suits who had just witnessed Gwen saving one of their own seemed about as safe as he could imagine. The absolute adoration of the Cuban people was obvious to Steve as he followed Gwen closely. He'd touch hands of those that held theirs out to him, but Steve knew it was Gwen's magic that had mesmerized the crowd.

The Secret Service was at a loss as to how to protect their charge without upsetting the locals that had gathered, so they contented themselves with carefully following Steve and the rest of Gwen's entourage as they walked behind Gwen, smiling and shaking hands with people as they stood after Gwen had passed. Public relations weren't their professional forte, but they did their best.

Once Gwen recognized that people had begun running in front and kneeling for a second time, she stopped and turned back to Steve. She took his hand and walked down to the water's edge before turning to stroll back to where Paula, Ted, Will, and Diane were watching over the children. No words were spoken between the couple as Steve placed his arm over his wife's shoulder and drew her close as they made their way along the shoreline.

Paula was staring at Gwen, trying to find words for the emotions she was experiencing. Gwen silently swept Vickie into her arms and lavished hugs and kisses on her daughter, while Saint stood next to his father watching his mother with his sister, knowing it would soon be his turn.

Gwen handed Vickie to Steve and knelt down in front of Saint. He quickly wrapped his arms around his mother's neck and hugged her tightly. Paula moved to wipe her eyes as she saw tears streaming down her daughter's cheeks.

"Saint, I love you and Vickie more than I can ever tell you!" managed Gwen as she kissed her son's cheeks over and over.

Gwen slowly broke her embrace with Saint and turned to Steve as she regained her feet. He handed Vickie back to Paula, reached out for Gwen, pulled her to his chest and kissed away her tears. Then she turned her lips to meet his and passionately kissed her husband.

The press corps was watching the scene closely. Cameras caught every tear that trickled down Gwen's cheeks as she kissed her children and then her husband. Once their lips parted, the couple stood quietly, looking into each other's eyes but seeing far beyond.

"Gwen, are you okay?" asked Paula once Gwen broke eye contact with Steve. "That was the most incredible thing I've ever seen. It looked like you breathed life back into that baby! Then when you walked through the crowd, it was almost Biblical. Those people loved how you touched them like you did."

"It was amazing," agreed Charlie from behind Steve as Jordan moved up to Gwen and embraced her. "They were whispering among themselves about being blessed by their Queen, and how she gave life back to a dead child. Gwen touched their hearts and their souls when she reached out to them as she did."

"The baby had an obstructed airway and had gone into cardiac arrest," explained Gwen as she collected her thoughts. "She was too small and the object was too deep in her throat for me to swipe it out, so I had to administer chest compressions to dislodge it. She was oxygen deprived and her little heart had stopped beating.

"It was extremely emotional for me when the baby began breathing on her own as her heart started beating again. The look on the mother's face when I returned her little girl to her was inspirational. Walking through the crowd wasn't anything I gave any thought to. It just seemed like something I should do."

"It was an experience that I never expected to see in my lifetime," stated Lisa as she took her turn hugging Gwen. "The way those people looked at you was so special. They knew you'd save that baby, but when you walked into the crowd, they were in total awe. The legend just continues to grow."

"Let's not get carried away," cautioned Gwen. "Anyone could learn everything I did for that baby in a basic first aid course. I was just glad it worked so well. It made me realize how dear life is and how much I love my kids, my husband, my family, and my friends. I just had to hug Vickie and Saint and hold them in my arms to be certain they were well and they knew how I felt about them."

Gwen spent another half hour with her kids as they played in the sand and built castles. Then Steve nodded toward the press and arched an eyebrow in question. Gwen nodded back and took Steve's hand as the couple walked over to where the press was waiting.

"My Queen," called Amber Stahl as Gwen neared the group. "Was that infant still alive when the mother handed her to you?"

"Her airway was obstructed and her heart had stopped," replied Gwen quickly. "Something had lodged in her throat. I was able to force it back into the baby's mouth with chest compressions, freeing her airway. Once I swept it from her mouth and gave her a couple of breaths, I was able to restart her heart with more compressions. Everyone should learn basic first aid like this. You could save a child, a friend, or a family member."

"My Queen, why did you walk through that crowd of people on the beach?" questioned another woman reporter, addressing Gwen as Queen for the first time.

"It was a spur of the moment thing," responded Gwen. "When I saw them all looking at me, I felt I should interact with them, to reassure them, to let them see that all people are important and all lives matter. They needed to know their Queen and her Warrior will always do their best for them."

"Madam President, you just referred to yourself as their Queen. Are you telling us you're assuming the title of Queen of Peace around the world?" asked a cable news reporter.

"No, I assume nothing. I'm simply acknowledging that many citizens of the world have declared me their Queen. I have decided to accept that responsibility. It's an honor. I'm fine with people who choose not to refer to me as Queen, but I will not deny those that take solace in having a Queen and a Warrior that will fight for them, that will care for them, and will never desert them. That's the burden as well as the privilege that Steve and I have accepted, with the unfaltering support of Lady in Red ownership, along with our friends and family."

"Madam President, when you touched those people and kissed their children, were you playing up to their beliefs that you were their Queen? Were you taking advantage of their less than sophisticated attitudes?" questioned a network reporter.

"You do me, as well as these people, a disservice with that weighted question," replied Gwen. "You imply these people are simple minded, uneducated, and backward and that I would take advantage of them. Your question is based on ignorance and prejudice. I won't dignify it any further."

"Madam President, My Queen, were you aware the mother of that child was told that her baby was dead before she called out to you?" asked a Cuban reporter. "Others in the crowd urged her to carry her to the Queen of Peace so you could restore the infant's life. These people are not stupid. Many are well educated, but all of them believe the baby had actually died, and you brought it back to life. They believe that you performed a miracle!"

"Her little heart had stopped, but I followed my medical training and was able to revive that lovely little girl," responded Gwen. "I'm a doctor. It's what we do."

"Members of Congress may not be overly thrilled by your acceptance of the title of Queen," pointed out a newspaper reporter. "Does that concern you, Madam President?"

"Not at all; they're at liberty to like or dislike whatever they please," replied Gwen with a breezy smile as she again took Steve's hand. "We promised our kids to swim with them a little before we leave, so please excuse us."

The next day was dark and rainy and the weather matched Gwen's mood as she met with the surviving Castro brother. Naomi and Steve had accompanied her to the United States embassy where she was introduced to Raul Castro.

"Let me be frank," began Gwen through an interpreter. "I am ordering all non-essential staff home immediately. I will not put up with the clumsy attempts of your country to eavesdrop on my people, especially when you're making them ill with your efforts. Those diplomats remaining in your country will work out of hotels downtown. They will not be living or working in any one hotel for any prolonged period. I will not subject my people to the dangers posed by living or working in this building.