Greg Smith and I stood in the empty conference room, shocked at the unfair decision that had just been handed down.
He touched my shoulder. “We can appeal.”
“You don’t understand,” I groaned. “This is like being released from the army with a dishonorable discharge. I can’t believe this is happening.”
I sat on the wooden table. It was cold and hard, like my heart. After giving my all on this detail and even saving the protectee’s life, my superiors didn’t believe me or support me.
Greg’s eyes suddenly lit up. “I’ll be right back,” he said. “There’s something I want to go check on.”
He left me alone in the quiet room, but that was fine with me. I had nothing to say to anybody.
A few minutes later, the door opened and Agent Hold came in. I smiled when I noticed his mustache was finally growing in. I remember that he had always wanted to look older, and I had suggested that he try growing a mustache. I was happy to see that the new look was working.
“How are you doing?” he said as he walked up to me.
“I’m okay,” I lied.
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I just got the word that they denied you permission to come back. I miss you. I’ve been an agent for five years and you’re the best partner I’ve ever had.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me,” I said, taking a deep breath to keep myself from crying.
“I want you to know that none of us on the team thinks this is right, including Agent Moss. It’s totally unfair, and we realize it could easily happen to any of us.”
Hearing him say that blew me away. I wasn’t officially one of them, but after Hold’s comment, I guess I was. It felt good to know that others were willing to do something for my cause. The coldness within me started to warm up. Maybe God was moving the mountain after all.
“We want to help,” he said.
“I really don’t know what you can do,” I told him. “No one has been able to find any evidence to prove that tape was altered.”
His face brightened. “I heard you had a private investigator who found some evidence that cleared you in the murder case. What about getting back in touch with that guy? I mean, if the tape was altered, there’s probably a production company that has to know about it. Maybe that investigator of yours can trace the origin of the tape.”
“You know, that’s worth a try.” I got up quickly and headed toward the exit.
“Where are you going?” Ryan asked.
“You gave me an idea.”
I burst out of the conference room door and ran smack into my attorney. “Sorry.”
“No problem,” he said. “I was hoping to bump into you, just not literally.” He chuckled. “I’ve got a call for you on my cell phone.” He handed me the phone.
“Hey, baby,” I heard Sebastian’s sexy voice say. “I just heard. I figured you’d be pretty down, so I wanted to call you right away.”
“Listen,” I said, glossing over his attempt to comfort me, “I’m going to follow up on a lead my colleague came up with.”
“I have some ideas, too.”
“Don’t worry about me. You just take care of your campaign.”
“I’ll check on you tonight then, baby. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I told him.
The next day I contacted the private investigator’s office and we went over all the information he had uncovered so I could decide what to do next. Glenn O’Malley was a short, balding man in his fifties who wore wrinkled suits and bow ties. He was so pleased to be able to work on such a high-profile case, he offered to work for me pro bono.
Together we called every newspaper that had written about me previously and told them my side of the story. The articles they published generated so much public interest that the agency reluctantly decided to give me another hearing.
Days later, sitting again in front of the committee, I hoped Mr. O’Malley could clear my name. Greg was still my lawyer, and to me he seemed confident. Agent Barrington frowned at O’Malley. Since he was on the other side, anything that irritated him was a good thing for me. A few reporters and FBI agents I liked from my D.C. office were in the room as well, sitting behind me. The three men and two women who helped to make up the committee with the head prosecutor were checkin’ me out.
The head of the Secret Service investigative committee, also known as the presiding officer, said, “We understand you have some information that could clear Ms. Ware of the charges against her.”
“Yes, sir, I do,” O’Malley replied.
“Then let’s hear it.”
He reached into his inside coat pocket and pulled out a cassette tape. “This is a copy of the video recording that made Ms. Ware appear guilty of taking a bribe to set up Reverend Stokes.”
The men and women on the committee nodded.
“I took it to five different production companies and asked them to analyze the film. They all came back with the same report.” He leaned down and opened the tattered briefcase on the floor beside him. He pulled a folder full of documents out of it, waving the folder in the air. “That tape was altered. It was so well done that most people viewing the tape would never see it. But minute computer alterations were found.”
The crowd started whispering. The committee members leaned forward with anticipation.
O’Malley made eye contact with each member of the committee. “None of the production companies could decipher exactly what had been done to the tape, but knowing it was altered spurred me on to find out.”
Agent Barrington objected, asking the presiding officer where Mr. O’Malley’s statements were leading. The presiding officer told the prosecutor to stop interrupting.
Glenn O’Malley smiled. “I contacted several more production companies and finally found the one that worked on the tape. At first the owner would not admit he’d altered it, of course. Until I told him that I saw the company’s hidden trademark. Then he sang like a bird.”
A few snickers of glee came from supporters behind me. The presiding officer gave them a stern look.
“I told this man,” O’Malley continued, “that if he didn’t cooperate, I was going to call the detective involved in the case and have him come by with a search warrant to look at all of their tapes. The owner then told me that one of his former employees had altered the tape and had been fired for it. I convinced him to give me the former employee’s name, home address, and phone number.”
Mr. O’Malley paused for dramatic effect, then continued. “That former employee, a young man named Kurt James, denied altering the tape. When I told him the owner of the production company was willing to testify against him in court, Kurt confessed that he was paid a large sum of money to alter the tape. Here is his bank statement showing the deposit.”
The committee members started whispering to each other.
“I have Kurt James’s signed and certified testimony,” O’Malley said, pulling a document out of his file folder and handing it to the presiding officer. “He admits that Skip Bambino gave him some video footage and told him to doctor it so it would incriminate Miss Ware. If necessary, the committee can contact Mr. James at the address given in the statement to confirm its validity.”
When the officer presenting charges chose not to question Mr. O’Malley, the presiding officer told him that he could step down from the witness stand. My lawyer then stood and addressed the committee.
“In light of this new evidence,” Greg said, “I am appealing to the committee to reinstate Agent Christian Ware.”
The presiding officer dismissed the committee, and they all filed out of the room. For the next ten minutes, Greg and I discussed the possible outcome of these proceedings. He thought I’d get off. I wasn’t too confident. My heart wanted to believe him, but my brain dared not.
When the committee came back, my hands were sweaty. All of them stood as the presiding officer said, “We need more time to deliberate.”
My head dropped. I wanted this to be over. I was totally stressed out.
I tried to call Sebastian, hoping his voice would calm my nerves. But I couldn’t locate him, so I called Eden. She wasn’t home, either. So I sat back in my seat, tapping my feet in a nervous rhythm.
Greg saw I was uneasy. “You’re going to be fine.”
After two hours, the committee finally came back into the courtroom. I rose to my feet and so did the few other folks who had stayed.
The spokesman stood and faced me. “We do not feel that this new evidence is sufficient to overturn Agent Ware’s suspension,” he pronounced.
I put my hands over my face and started weeping. Lord, I cried out. What happened? I thought You were with me!
Immediately, God spoke to my troubled mind. I am here, My child. And I am in control. Not your lawyer. Not your investigator. Not you. Trust Me.
I felt like a load had been lifted off my chest. I inhaled, lifted my head, and dried my eyes with my sleeves. I’m so sorry, Lord, I confessed from my heart.
Just as I did, the doors swung open. I turned back and saw Sebastian striding in.
“I’ve got more evidence,” he announced, holding a brown envelope in his hand.
I sat on the edge of my seat.
Greg went to the presiding officer and got special privilege to allow Sebastian to present material. I sat back and held my breath as my guy walked before the committee.
“I was dating this lady at the time of the alleged incident with my father, and I know beyond a doubt that she is not guilty of the charges against her. I also respect my father, so I had a hard time believing that he would stoop to destroying her life in order to get ahead. So I decided to come right out and ask him what was happening.”
The conference room crowd began their side discussions. Sebastian pulled a small tape recorder out of his coat pocket and set it on the railing in front of him. The oversized room became silent.
Sebastian said, “This is a recording of our telephone conversation last night.”
Agent Barrington stood up. “Objection. Inadmissible. You can’t tape without the person’s knowledge.”
Greg said to the committee, “Please allow the witness to speak. He’ll explain.”
“Make it quick, please,” the presiding officer said to Sebastian before he spoke to Agent Barrington. “Overruled—we need to get at the truth here.”
“The tape is legal. At the beginning I let my father know that I was taping him. As the conversation goes on, you’ll hear that my father is so upset, he is not even thinking about a tape.”
He pushed Play. As the tape spun, I heard Sebastian’s voice. “Dad, why are you letting Christian go down for something she didn’t do? You said yourself she was a great protector. She was almost blown to pieces trying to save your life.”
“You’re right, son,” Reverend Stokes’s voice said clearly. “But I figured the Agency would give her job back after she was cleared of the murder charges. When that didn’t happen, I realized that this case was keeping my name in the national media and even portrayed me in a positive light. Voters feel bad that I was framed. So members of my campaign staff convinced me to implicate her.”
“You’ve been tailing my girlfriend.”
“Of course, son—actually, it was your mom’s idea and I supported it. You’re a political figure. We had to make sure this agent girl had nothing in her past to kill your future.”
“And when you found nothing damaging about her, you had the video altered and created something to promote your presidential hopes.”
“Yes and no, son. Listen, I pissed off the wrong people, and when I agreed to get back in their good graces they said they could fix the mess they put me in and asked for the tape and they changed a few things.”
“They…who is they?” Sebastian said, sounding upset.
“Never mind all that—I’ve learned the hard way that to win in politics you must play dirty. I’m sorry,” Reverend Stokes said without regret. “It wasn’t personal. Your girlfriend just could help me with my business. She’ll be cleared.”
“How? Have you sent a letter to the Agency telling them all this?”
“Have you lost your mind?” Stokes’s booming voice maxed out the volume level on the recorder. “I can’t publicly admit my involvement in all this.”
“You could have gotten her killed, being connected to those goons.”
Reverend Stokes said, “I knew nothing about what else they had planned, and that’s why I have to carefully pull myself away from them. You understand, son—they’re dangerous people, and I told Agent Ware she should take the fall for this or I couldn’t control what might happen.”
The room was silent. Sebastian clicked the Stop button on the tape recorder.
Sebastian stared at the committee. “That should be enough to clear Christian Ware of all allegations of campaign fraud.”
“Can we have a copy of that tape?” asked the presiding officer.
Sebastian took the small tape out of the recorder and handed it to him. “I have the original in a safe place,” he added.
The committee went off to deliberate again. Sebastian, Greg, and I walked out into the busy hallway. We talked about the possible outcome. Sebastian guided me to a bench away from everyone, where he kissed me and told me that God would make everything all right. We then joined hands and prayed that God would allow the committee to see the truth.
Greg motioned for Sebastian and me minutes later, when the committee came back. Once again, I stood and faced the presiding officer. “We are pleased to report that Agent Ware is cleared of any accusations of wrongdoing and her Federal Agent status will be reinstated. However, because of this case we have no choice but to relieve Agent Ware of her temp Secret Service position. We cannot have her protecting a man who set her up.”
I jumped up, shouted, and hugged Sebastian. Then I hugged Greg and thanked him for doing such a great job.
After lots of hugging and screaming, people finally started filing out of the conference room. When everyone else had left, I turned to Sebastian. “You just proved that your father lied so that I would be reinstated as a Federal Agent. What will you tell your father when this information gets out? How will this affect your relationship with him?”
He didn’t answer, but just held me tight.
Lord, I prayed, I hope the price he paid doesn’t end up being too high.
I felt lighter than an air balloon. Outside the conference room, many reporters tried talking to me. Agent Barrington came over to me first.
Since the Agency knew I could sue them for slander and unfair termination, they tried to appease me by having Agent Barrington tell me that I would be paid for the time I was suspended, and even though I wasn’t going to be protecting Cool Falcon, they’d love to forward me to another detail. In addition, I could take more time off with pay, plus a bonus, and start working again at the beginning of the new year, in the Secret Service or FBI.
Sebastian pulled me over to the bench where we’d prayed earlier. “I need another favor.”
“Anything.”
“Come back to Atlanta with me.”
“Why?”
“Well, since you are on vacation and I’m trying to win this campaign, I thought that you could come with me on the campaign trail so we could spend some time together.”
“If you’re sure that’s what you want, I’m there.”
“I’m sure.”
“Can we visit my mom first?” I asked.
“Oh, I think it’s about time I met your mother,” he said with a smile.
My mom welcomed Sebastian warmly, and thanked him about a million times for sticking his neck out for me.
“Mrs. Ware, I love your daughter,” he said, holding my hands as we sat close on the living room couch. “I didn’t do anything heroic.”
My mom just looked at me and smiled.
“I apologize for whisking her back and forth between D.C. and Atlanta,” Sebastian continued. “I know you haven’t seen much of your daughter lately.”
Mom grabbed his hand. “My dear young man, you didn’t exactly twist her arm. Don’t let her fool you. She likes being whisked about.”
We all laughed.
“You’re good for my daughter,” Mom said. “Since your father is ‘The Reverend Stokes,’ I’ve watched you since you were a little boy. But I never would have thought I’d see you two getting married someday.”
She squeezed him with a bear hug. He peered up at me and blushed.
As our plane took off, Sebastian sat beside me in silence. He seemed deeply burdened. I took his hand and squeezed it tight. We were having such a great time with my mom, and all of a sudden he’d turned sullen. What was wrong?
Finally he opened up and simply said, “I can’t believe what lengths my dad would go to, to become president. Could anyone stoop lower?”
“I’m sorry—really I am. I hate that you have to go through this with your family.”
He didn’t say a word, just squeezed my hand back and offered one of his smooth smiles.
Lord, I need You to help me support Sebastian. Thank You for putting our relationship back on track. Our relationship has had its ups and downs, but because of You, we were able to choose the right path and commit to doing things the right way, which is Your way. Now I want to help him through whatever lies ahead for him. Please help me do that. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Sebastian leaned his head on my shoulder. “The election is next week. I’m still behind the two Democratic front-runners in the polls, so I probably won’t win. It’s a long shot, I know. Maybe that just sounds crazy.”
“No, it doesn’t,” I assured him. “You’re the best candidate, and Georgia needs you.” I rubbed his cheek with the hand that wasn’t holding his. “Besides, with God all things are possible.”
“Yeah, I know,” he said, giving me a half smile. “But my dad has always wanted to become the first black president. I hope I haven’t ruined his chances.”
“Shhh,” I said, lifting his chin. I kissed him gently on the lips. “If it’s God’s will, it will happen. The Lord doesn’t want us to worry about tomorrow. We got through today victoriously. Let’s just relax while we can and rest in the knowledge that God can do anything. Except fail.”
Sebastian lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it. “Thanks for seeing me through this.”
“You’re welcome. Now let’s get some sleep.” He rested his head on my shoulder and within minutes started snoring quietly. I drifted off to sleep, believing that nothing bad could come to Sebastian and me that we couldn’t work out. With the help of our Lord, of course.
When the plane landed in Atlanta, reporters were waiting for us at the gate.
“How did they find out when we were arriving?” Sebastian whispered.
I shrugged, gritting my teeth in disgust, wondering whether they were for me or against me.
Sebastian grabbed my hand and we briskly started walking away from the reporters before they spotted us.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“To my parents’. I need to talk to my dad.”
“Why don’t you take me to your sister’s place first,” I suggested.
“I want you with me. This whole thing involves you, and he needs to apologize.”
“I’ll feel uncomfortable. Plus, an apology isn’t necessary,” I assured him.
“Yes, it is.” Determination set his face like stone. “We just got back in town, and his campaign workers have already started calling me. I need to see him face-to-face.”
“Sebastian, I know that you want to clear the air with your father, but I think it’s too soon. I would love for the two of you to discuss the situation and mend whatever damage has been done to your relationship, but please give him a few days to digest the information.”
“I understand that you care about me and my relationship with my father, but this is something that I need to do now with you by my side.”
As we walked past a magazine stand, I saw our picture on the front page of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. One side had a picture of Sebastian and me hugging at my courtroom trial. Beside that shot was a photo of Reverend Stokes, looking like his life was over. The headline read, SON CHOOSES FLESH OVER BLOOD. I pointed it out to Sebastian. “That explains why those reporters were waiting for us at the gate when we arrived.”
When we pulled into his parents’ driveway, I suddenly felt cold all over. My hands started trembling. With everything I’d been through, I should have been able to handle this, but I simply couldn’t calm down.
Sebastian grabbed my hands and gave me a kiss. “It’s gonna be okay.” He helped me out of the car and walked me to the front door of the mansion.
A housekeeper I’d never seen opened the door before Sebastian had a chance to knock. She frowned at him, and turned her nose up at me.
“Sadie, I missed you,” he said to the gray-haired black woman who looked to be in her sixties. “How are you feeling?”
She smiled at him slightly, seemingly happy that he cared. “The cancer is in remission. I needed to get back to work. Almost a year off from this family, and you all have torn each other apart.”
She looked at him with disapproval. Though I was sorry she’d been ill, I was almost sure I wasn’t her favorite person. Being at the Stokes mansion had been hard enough, taking the mean stares from his mother. Two women hatin’ on me would have been too much to bear.
“Don’t give me that look,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.
“I hope she’s worth it,” the housekeeper said with a sly smile. “Your momma’s been fillin’ me in.”
“Sadie,” Sebastian said with a grin, “she’s worth it and then some.”
“Your father is in the library and your mother isn’t here,” she informed us.
As we entered the room, Reverend Stokes was sitting at his desk, reading a legal document. When he saw us, he glared.
“How could you do this to me?” Stokes bellowed, slapping the desk.
“That’s what I came here to ask you.”
Reverend Stokes stood and started pacing around the room. “Why didn’t you destroy that tape of our conversation once things escalated?” he yelled. “You’ve probably ruined me.
“We could have made it to the White House,” Reverend Stokes continued ranting. “I was at the top of the polls as of last week. Then you had to go and do this. If my own son calls me a liar, how is the rest of the country supposed to believe me?”
“I asked you to come clean, Dad,” Sebastian said, “but you refused.”
“After I won the election, I was planning to have her cleared.”
“You never mentioned that to me,” Sebastian said. “Dad, if you have to destroy someone else in order to achieve your goals, there’s no point in pursuing them. If the only way to get the presidency is to throw your morals out the window—”
“I could have won,” Reverend Stokes moaned. “I could have won.”
“You still might, if people vote for what you’ve accomplished and what you want to do for this country.”
“I’m doomed,” Stokes said, looking at his son with disgust.
I grabbed Sebastian’s arm and tugged him toward the door. He hesitated.
“Come on,” I said softly. “Talking isn’t doing any good.”
Father and son stood there for a few minutes, staring each other down. Then Sebastian turned and left the room, his shoulders slumped. I shot Stokes a withering look, then followed my man out of the house.
As we drove to Savannah’s apartment, Sebastian didn’t say anything. He just stared at the road.
When we got there, she wasn’t home. We found a note on the fridge, though. “Chris,” it said, “help yourself to anything. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow.”
I was kind of glad she wasn’t there. Sebastian needed to let out what was pent-up inside him. I grabbed his hand and started praying aloud in the kitchen.
“Heavenly Father,” I said, “we’re so sorry if anything we’ve done in this situation with Reverend Stokes was wrong. It seems the relationship between a father and son has been irreversibly broken. Your Word says that You will come through for us when we need You. And we really need You to help us out right now. Please be with Sebastian’s parents. Only You can work this out. Sebastian and his dad both need to be at their best right now. Amen.”
We opened our eyes and I held him in my arms. As we embraced, I knew God was going to work all this out for the good. So I rested my head on Sebastian’s chest and enjoyed the moment.
On Halloween night, I dressed up as Tina Turner. I wore a leather skirt and ankle boots that laced up in the front. For a finishing touch, I wore a large afro wig.
When Sebastian came to his sister’s house to pick me up, his mouth dropped open. After he finally composed himself, he placed a corsage on my wrist, then kissed me sweetly on my cheek. “You look ravishing!”
“You don’t look too bad yourself, handsome,” I said, admiring his black tux, 1800s-style.
“Just think,” I said. “Our ancestors were slaves during the time these outfits were popular. But tonight we’re going to party with white folks, eat what they eat, use the same rest rooms. You’ll even be giving a candidate’s speech. Black people sure have come a long way. Our great-great-grandmothers would be proud, don’t you think?”
“I know they would be.” Sebastian stroked my cheek with the back of his hand.
“I could just stay here all night with you.”
“That would get us into a lot of trouble,” he teased.
“You’re right. We’d better get going.”
As we opened the door, Savannah walked in with a handsome, muscular young guy, light-skinned like the Stokes family. This must be the destitute boyfriend Mrs. Stokes doesn’t approve of.
Sebastian introduced me to Bruce, referring to me as “the love of my life.” My heart melted.
“You guys look so cute,” Savannah said. “I’ve got to get my camera.”
Bruce watched Savannah leave the room with a fondness in his eyes that no money could ever buy.
Savannah came back and snapped a couple of pictures of us. I felt like I was going to my senior prom.
“What are you two planning to do tonight?” Sebastian asked.
“Just stay home, answer the door for trick-or-treaters, and watch TV,” Savannah answered.
“Well, don’t have too much fun,” her big brother said with a grin. Then we hopped into his car.
“Will there be a lot of reporters there?” I asked as Sebastian drove down the road.
“I expect so,” he said with a glum face.
After the valet took the car, we walked toward the entrance of the building. Several reporters took pictures of us.
The ballroom had red-brick walls and old wooden beams. The lighting was dim and the decorations gaily spooky. People mingled at the bar, danced, and sat at long, rectangular tables.
Sebastian guided me to our table near the stage. I was told by a sweet lady sitting next to me that we would be eating a buffet-style breakfast at midnight. Since it was early evening, I nibbled on the snacks in front of me.
From the moment we were seated, people came up to Sebastian to say hello and discuss politics.
The governor of Georgia complimented me on how lovely I looked. Then he asked if he could borrow Sebastian. I nodded gracefully. Sebastian kissed me on the cheek, then headed to the governor’s table.
I noticed several agents follow the two men discreetly, all camouflaged in Halloween costumes that made them blend in with the crowd. But I could tell they were watching Sebastian like a hawk.
Actually, when I looked closer, I saw Agent Sawyer. He was now guarding Governor James. He was dressed as a turkey and it fit him so well. He didn’t even acknowledge me. Not that we were ever chummy, but he could have said something. I wondered why he had changed details.
I then wondered how everyone else was doing. When I was at Sebastian’s house, I didn’t see any agents I knew. My detail unit was on vacation. I really missed my job, though. I couldn’t wait to go back to work. I wanted to saunter up to one of them and say, “If you need a break, come get me.”
I watched a couple of agents move in closer to the governor. Sebastian saw them, too. His shoulders tightened.
When Sebastian came back to the table, I asked, “What was that all about?”
Sebastian gritted his teeth. “The governor asked me to withdraw from the race.”
“Why would he want you to do that?”
“He says the scandal with my dad is making me a joke, so I should bow out. All I’d be doing is taking votes away from the two front-runners, he said. The governor said I didn’t have a chance of winning, anyway.”
“He said that?”
“Not in so many words. He offered me a job as a cabinet member if I withdraw my candidacy.”
“What did you tell him?” I asked, practically holding my breath.
Before he could answer, the event coordinator came to the table and told Sebastian it was time for his speech.
“Guess you’ll find out when I tell the rest of these people,” he said.
Sebastian strolled up to the platform, where he was announced and welcomed.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he said calmly, leaning against the podium. “Thank you for inviting me tonight.” He looked out across the crowd of listeners. “Over the course of my candidacy, many people have asked me why I want to be lieutenant governor. I’ve always answered that I want to help the people. My father always taught me that politicians have a huge responsibility to govern and protect the rest of us. And I used to think, I want to be one of those politicians someday. My goal is to make sure that everyone in this great state of Georgia, rich or poor, has the chance to succeed. I want folks to know that the government works for them. If I am elected, I don’t want it to happen because people did me political favors that I had to pay back after I got into office. And I wouldn’t want to try to ruin people to get there.”
Sebastian locked eyes with me for a moment, then continued to pan the crowd. “I figured I would do it the right way, God’s way, or not do it at all. I’d want to earn the people’s trust. I’d make them glad they chose me to serve.”
While Sebastian was speaking, I looked at the faces of the people. Every eye in the room was on my man.
“I recently found myself in a position where I had to choose between family and a lie, and the truth. It was an extremely difficult decision. But I believe I made the right choice.”
He looked across the room at me, and it was as though he was standing next to me, looking deeply into my eyes. “Having passed that test, I have the confidence to believe that I can be a great leader. I’m not going to compromise my dignity for anybody. In fact,” he said with a barely perceptible glance at the governor, “I was asked tonight to resign from the race for lieutenant governor.”
People gasped.
“If I had any doubt that I could serve the people of Georgia well, I would have withdrawn my name from the race. But I believe God has called me to do this. Whether I win or lose, I’m standing for something with my campaign—integrity.”
The room erupted with applause. When the crowd calmed down, he continued. “There has been too much bullying and corruption and self-centeredness in our state. I want to get back to the dream I had as a little boy. In two days you will all be going to the polls to vote. I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I promise you my name will be on the ballot.”
He received a standing ovation. I sprang to my feet and joined in the applause. My only regret was that I didn’t live in Georgia, so I couldn’t vote for this amazing man.
When he came back to our table, I hugged him tight, the crowd still cheering.
Election day was crazy. Calls came in constantly from all over the state, including reports of the poll results in various counties. Reporters from television stations, magazines, and newspapers were calling to get interviews.
Sebastian granted a few interviews, then returned to campaign headquarters. Together we prayed that whatever the outcome, God would get the glory. He was still a long-shot since he had just been involved in a national scandal. But he wanted this, and he wanted it badly.
He paced the large ballroom, passing by his campaign staff and friends. We were all watching the election results on TV. His assistant and the campaign manager and other supporters and staff members wandered in and out. I stood in a corner and prayed all day. I hoped my presence was helping him get through this.
Every now and then he’d glance at me with those warm eyes that said things his mouth couldn’t because we were in a public place. I could tell that my being there for him relieved some of his anxiety.
I tried calling my mom but just got the answering machine. I called Eden. Same thing. As I began leaving a message for her, she picked up and started sobbing hysterically.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, trying to sound calm.
“The doctor just told us we can’t have children because I have endometriosis.”
“What’s endometriosis?”
“It’s a condition in which tissue resembling the uterine lining is growing in my abdomen.”
“Oh, Eden, I’m so sorry,” I said.
“Don’t be—it’s not anyone’s fault. It just happens sometimes.”
“Can’t they do surgery or something to allow you to have children?”
“No, there’s no cure—only treatment.”
Everyone around me erupted into loud cheering.
“What’s going on?” I hollered with my mouth away from the phone.
“The preliminary polls came out,” replied one of the campaign workers. “The margin’s a lot tighter than anyone predicted. We’re only down by three hundred votes, and the African-American precincts aren’t even in yet!”
Sebastian rushed over to me, his face radiating joy. He picked me up and twirled me around, kissing my cheek. “I might have a real shot,” he cried, not even seeing the phone in my hand.
I was happy for him, but devastated for Eden. When Sebastian took off, I put the phone back to my ear. “I’m back now. Sorry about that.”
“Sounds like there’s good stuff going on over there.”
“Yeah, there is. But what about you?”
“Oh, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. God knows what He’s doing.”
I was shocked by Eden’s statement but glad she was trying to deal with the situation. “I love you,” I told her.
“I love you, too,” she said.
After hanging up, I hurried over to the TV to join the others. More votes were coming in for Sebastian. His numbers were going up rapidly. With forty-five percent of the votes in, the independent candidate dropped off the charts. I grabbed Sebastian’s hand.
Three intense hours later, the votes were confirmed. Sebastian won with fifty-seven percent of the votes. The crowd went crazy, blowing on party whistles and throwing confetti in the air. Everyone yelled and screamed, celebrating the victory. His acceptance speech was excellent.
A little later we went upstairs to his hotel suite with his press secretary and campaign manager. We all sat down and watched the presidential election on television. It took a little longer to get the presidential votes in. Reverend Stokes lost with only nineteen percent of the vote.
“I’m so proud of you!” I exclaimed.
“I want to call my dad,” he said quietly, obviously torn.
“Then do it,” I suggested.
“What should I say?” he asked, touching the hotel phone.
“God will give you the right words.”
Before he could use the phone, it rang. A campaign worker called to ask him to come back downstairs. As soon as we got downstairs, the press barged up to us. Loyal supporters streamed in behind them, eager to congratulate the new lieutenant governor of the state of Georgia.
Sebastian put on a happy face, but I could tell he was sad because his family couldn’t be there to share in his victory.
During his interview with the reporters, Savannah walked in. Sebastian’s eyes lit up—he ended the interview and hugged his sister.
“Congratulations,” she squealed, giving him a big hug. “You made history. The first black lieutenant governor of Georgia.”
“And the youngest, too,” he added.
“I knew that you could do it,” she said. “Hey, I brought some people with me who want to see you.”
Sebastian followed her gaze. There in the doorway stood his parents. Mrs. Stokes held her arms out. After the briefest moment of hesitation, Sebastian ran into her embrace, and they cried together.
“We’re proud of you, son,” Reverend Stokes said, patting him on the back.
Tears flowed all around the room.
“Speech!” the crowd chanted.
As my man took his rightful place as the center of attention, with his mom and dad on either side of him, I thanked God for bringing them back together.
“You know, God is good,” he said.
Several people shouted, “Amen!”
“He has worked a miracle, done the impossible. No one thought I could be the next lieutenant governor of this state, but it seems like it’s the Lord’s will. Thank you, voters!”
Everyone in the place shouted.
Sebastian thanked everyone who’d helped in his campaign, including every person who had voted for him. Then he gave a passionate description of some of the initial things he was going to do in office. “Integrity at its best, working for the people, produces great results.”
As the crowd cheered again, I saw Sebastian looking around. When they had settled down a little, he continued. “Most of you have been following the romantic adventures between myself and Miss Christian Ware.”
“Where is she?” someone hollered from behind me.
“That’s what I’d like to know,” he said with a chuckle.
Everyone looked around. I raised my hand and waved. Someone nudged me forward and the crowd moved out of my way.
When I reached the platform, Sebastian took me into his arms.
“This lady has captured my heart,” he announced. “She’s given me back something I had lost: belief in myself. She gave me something to fight for. Thanks to her, I know I am where the Lord wants me to be. I could not have won this election if she hadn’t encouraged me.”
The people in the room started shouting and clapping for me.
“You know, I was so sure I’d be defeated tonight that I had planned to do something special with this young lady to take my mind off of my loss.”
Everyone laughed and clapped again.
“But my plans seem even more appropriate now.” He looked deeply into my eyes. “Because the only way I want to be lieutenant governor is if I have this woman by my side as my wife.”
I gasped.
He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small black box. When he opened it, I saw a gorgeous diamond sparkle. “Christian Ware,” he said, kneeling, “will you marry me?”
The crowd held its breath. I was so choked up I couldn’t speak right away. I just stared at that beautiful ring.
He stood, smiling into my eyes. “I know you’ve been on your own for a long time, but I think we make a pretty good team. I don’t want that to end. So I’m asking you to step out in faith. If you say yes, you’ll make me even happier than the voters of Georgia did tonight.”
I couldn’t get the words out of my mouth because I was so choked up and shocked.
Everyone started cheering. Someone called out, “Say yes!” A women hollered, “If you don’t, I will!” Everyone laughed. Several other voices shouted encouragements.
“Go ahead!”
“Do it!”
“Go for it!”
A few people whistled.
It all felt like a dream. Sebastian Stokes had proposed to me! Just thinking about it sent me on a natural high.