“Never.” He laid his lips on hers and dug his fingers into her hips, tugging her closer as he kissed her.

“Oh my God, you guys,” Scotty said as he came to the doorway and covered his eyes. “There’s a child in the house.”

They broke apart, laughing at the disgust they heard in their newly minted teenager’s tone. He’d turned thirteen four days before Nick turned thirty-seven, and their combined birthday celebration had given them something to focus on while the media storm swirled around them.

“That ‘child’ is a teenager now, and he needs to grow up and knock on the door,” Nick said.

“The door was open. There ought to be rules!”

“Speaking of rules, did you brush your teeth?” Sam asked him.

“I’m going to do it because I forgot to, but don’t start that again. I’ll be right back.”

“How does he forget to brush his teeth?” Sam asked. “That’s so gross.”

“He’s thirteen. He can’t help it. Gross is in his DNA.”

“Is it a circus outside?” she asked with trepidation as she pictured a street lined with satellite trucks and cameras trying to catch a glimpse of them leaving for the capitol.

“The Secret Service is handling it.”

“My dad would like to see us before we go. How do we do that?”

“I figured you’d want to stop by there, so I’ve got a plan. Are you ready?”

Sam downed the last of the coffee he’d brought her. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

* * *

Nick relied on the help of several of the Secret Service agents who’d been assigned to his detail to exit their townhouse through the back door and head to Skip’s via the alley they shared behind the houses. He ushered Sam and Scotty in ahead of him.

Celia, who was reading the paper at the table, looked up with surprise when they came in. “Oh, don’t you all look so nice! I want a picture!”

Though they were short on time, they removed their coats and posed for Celia. “I’m so excited. I can’t believe this is happening in our family.”

“Neither can we,” Sam said dryly, making the others laugh. “Is Dad awake?”

“He is. He’s watching the news, so go on in.”

They’d managed to bring Skip home after his surgery with the help of round-the-clock nurses who were assisting Celia as he recovered.

“What’s this I see?” Skip asked as they went into his bedroom in what had once been the dining room. “Could it be our nation’s second family? You’re all they’re talking about this morning, Nick. Or should I say, Mr. Vice President?”

“Nick is fine.”

The right side of Skip’s face lifted into a big smile.