“Keep me in the loop if you hear anything later,” Sam said.

“Will do.”

“This is the best birth control in the history of birth control,” Sam’s beloved partner, Freddie Cruz, said when he joined them with his wife, Elin.

“Hush, Freddie,” Elin said. “This is what Christmas is all about—the magic.”

“That’s right.” Sam watched Aubrey show off the doll Sam had bought online, hoping it was the one she wanted. Judging by the child’s shout of happiness, she’d gotten it right.

“I can’t believe you pulled off such an epic Christmas morning, Sam,” Elin said. “Although I shouldn’t be surprised. You’re Wonder Woman.”

“Wonder Woman had a ton of help from Celia, Shelby and the White House staff,” Sam said. “They’re the ones who made it happen.”

Speaking of the staff, they appeared on the scene with garbage bags and a hot breakfast they served buffet-style while parents talked their children into putting down their new toys for a minute to have something to eat.

Sam supervised Alden at the buffet, while Eli took care of Aubrey.

They brought plates to the coffee table and sat to eat bacon and pancakes shaped like Santa, along with a side of fruit.

“Is there anything missing, ma’am?” the chief usher, Gideon Lawson, asked.

“Everything is perfect, Gideon. Please pass along our thanks to the staff and send everyone home as soon as you possibly can. We’ll take care of ourselves for the rest of the day.”

Sam had told him they didn’t want the staff fawning over them on a day they should be spending with their own families. Thus the plan for breakfast rather than an elaborate dinner later in the day. With the first family spending Christmas at the White House, most of their Secret Service detail could have some time with their families that day. That was why they’d put off their departure for Camp David until the next morning.

“As you wish, ma’am, but we’ll have a few people here if anything should come up.”

“Thank you for everything, Gideon. It was wonderful to have everyone together.”

“It was our pleasure, ma’am. Merry Christmas.”

“Same to you and your family.”

After breakfast, Sam, Nick, the kids and Skippy posed for the White House photographer for an official family photo that would be released on their POTUS and FLOTUS accounts. The staff had already written messages that would extend Christmas wishes to the country and the world from the president and first lady. It still boggled Sam’s mind to realize that a casual photo of their family would make international news.