Chapter One-One-One: How Long

“The president?”

Daniel asks,

"I left the white house, so I don’t really know how he is, but I’d say he has high blood pressure; hell, I can bet on it.”

I smile at Daniel’s answer.

"He is too busy trying to save his campaign to focus on anything else, but you must be happy that the protests around Lawson HQ have stopped."

"I am, thank you, Daniel.”

"For what? This was the plan."

He says with a shrug as he begins to pull out of the embrace.

"For hanging on."

I say, and instead of pulling away firmly, I feel his fingers twitch on the flesh of my back.

"Let's get inside, it's cold."

He says, with a slight cough.

**

After a serving of hot cocoa and a play session between 'Uncle Dad' and the kids, we settled in the living room, which was already littered with Christmas decorations.

It’s evening now, and the fireplace is on instead of the AC.

"And... he...is big."

Marigold explains Matteo’s height to Daniel by standing on her tippy toes.

"Like a big, scary dinosaur! Rawr!"

Luca adds with a