She slapped her phone closed. “Did you update the kids and my family?”

“All set. The hospital is being overrun by flowers for you.”

“Seriously? People are sending me flowers?”

“Hundreds of arrangements arrived after we posted the news. I told them to bring us the cards so we can acknowledge the gifts as well as a few of the arrangements to brighten up your room and then distribute the rest to other patients.”

“Wow. That’s really nice.”

“My first lady is beloved.”

“No, our president is beloved, and his wife benefits by association.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, sweetheart. People admire you for you. Nothing to do with me.”

“Whatever you say, Mr. President. Do I have to write thank-you notes?”

Smiling, he curled his hand around hers. “We have people who can help us with that.”

“Thank God.”

A female doctor entered the room. Sam recognized her from before but couldn’t recall her name.

“Thurston,” Nick whispered.

“How do you do that?”

“Samantha superpower.”

Sam tightened her grip on his hand. “How’d it go, Doc?”

“Very well. It was a routine surgery.”

“For you, maybe.”

The doctor laughed. “You’re young and strong, and I expect you’ll bounce back very quickly from this, unlike our older patients who sometimes never regain complete mobility. The most important thing is to follow the directions I’ll give you and those of the PT, who’ll be in to see you tomorrow. That’s when the fun really begins.”

“Can’t wait. Can I sit up a little?”

“Sure.” She raised the bed slightly, enough to keep Sam from being flat on her back.

“What are the things squeezing my legs?”

“Compression stockings to keep you from developing blood clots.”

Blood clots! Did the fun ever end in this place? “Well, that’s good, I guess. Am I allowed to eat? I’m starving.”

“We ordered dinner for you, and it should arrive as soon as we get you up to your room.”

“That’s good. Thanks. When can I go home? We have an elevator at our place, so that’s good, right?”

“That’s very good.” She smiled at how Sam referred to the White House. “Let’s see how you are in a day or two. It’s going to depend on how quickly PT can get you mobile on crutches or a walker.”

“A walker… Jeez, this just gets even better.”

“Most of my patients hate the crutches and love the walker.”

“And how old are they? Thirty-six or seventy-six?”

“Mostly the latter,” the doctor said, smiling.

“I rest my case.”

“We’ll send you home with a raised toilet seat, too,” Thurston said, grinning.

“My husband will leave me if you turn me into an old lady.”

“He’s not going anywhere, and you know it,” Nick said.

“You two are as lovely as you seem in the media.”

“I’m lovely.” Nick grinned at Sam. “She’s a bear.”