With a growing sense of the surreal, Nick repeated Riley’s words and became the nation’s forty-ninth vice president. A roar of applause from the joint session drowned out the congratulations offered by the president and chief justice.

The roar got louder when Nick kissed Sam and hugged Scotty and then faced the joint session of Congress as well as his invited guests as they applauded and cheered. For him. For Nick Cappuano from Lowell, Massachusetts, who was now the vice president of the United States. He looked up to the gallery, where Graham and Laine O’Connor were cheering him on.

Graham caught Nick’s eye and pumped his fist in support. On what was an otherwise sad and tragic day for their family, Nick had given them something to celebrate. Also on their feet in the gallery were Nick’s father and stepmother, Sam’s sisters, their spouses and children, Shelby, Freddie, Elin, Christina, Gonzo, Terry, Lindsey, Derek, Andy, Harry and the rest of Nick and Sam’s friends and colleagues.

When the applause finally began to die down, he released his tight hold on Sam’s hand and waited until she and Scotty and the president had taken seats that had been arranged for them off to the side of the podium.

Speaker of the House Claiborne said, “Mr. President, members of the Congress and distinguished guests, I present to you the vice president of the United States.”

During another round of resounding applause, Nick stepped up to the microphone and waited until a hush fell over the crowded room. Here he was, standing in the very spot where the president delivered the annual State of the Union address. Speaking of surreal...

“Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. President Pro Tempore, members of Congress and friends, today we have seen our constitution in action, and it is a proud day for me and my family as well as all of America as we once again show the world why we are the greatest nation on earth.”

During another deafening round of applause, Nick tried to forget how the eyes of the nation—and the world—were on him. “And P.S., Mr. Chief Justice, we really need to stop meeting this way.”

That set off an uproar of laughter and more applause.