Though six months pregnant, Julie and Heidi were not allowing that to stop them from looking chic when they met the president. Wearing matching black silk tunics with a woven brocade accent combined with ample mommy breasts, Wyatt commented that they made pregnancy sexy which, of course, delighted both of them. Claire, who had lost all the baby weight from Ariane, felt particularly sexy and a little randy and took the opportunity to show off a little and wore a long House of L'otarie cobalt blue gown with, of course, plenty of appropriate French cleavage. She intended to wear high heels until Julie commented that the president stood only 5’6” and it might be considered impolite to tower too high over her.
Claire agreed and changed into a pair of flats. But after Julie left the room, Claire stopped and engaged her libido a moment. Grinning, she took off her mommy underwear and tossed them on the bed. Au natural suited her just fine tonight. Gretchen, however, wore a dark blue pinstriped pant suit to give her an air of authority.
President Bennett took a few steps on Wyatt’s arm and stopped to look around. “I think I know now why you have such high ceilings.”
“The high ceilings are mostly for our daughters—Sara, Anna, and Helen,” said Wyatt, “so they don’t bump into things chasing each other.”
President Bennett suddenly realized something else. “This living room is a lot bigger than the whole house appears from the outside,” she said in amazement.
“I was wondering how long it would take for you to notice,” said Wyatt with a smile. “We use E-Technology. You are currently standing in another dimension.”
“How is this possible?” marveled President Bennett, gazing upward at the five-story high ceiling.
“I don’t understand the science,” said Wyatt. “I just know that it works.”
Wyatt motioned to the group waiting by the windows. Gretchen stood in front, with Julie, Heidi, and Claire behind, and in the back of them stood Dieter, Raelene, Thomas, Jeremy, Konrad, and Bambi.
Wyatt motioned towards Gretchen.
“Madame President,” said Wyatt. “I would like you to meet my wife and Co-Ambassador to Earth, Gretchen Z.”
Gretchen held out her hand, and President Bennett shook it.
President Bennett gasped while Wyatt put his arm around Gretchen and watched.
“Where are we?” asked the president as she twirled around, astonished at everything she saw. “Are we in another dimension?”
“No, someplace else,” said Gretchen. “We brought you here so you could get some perspective.”
President Bennett turned to Gretchen and Wyatt. “Isn’t this rude to your other guests?”
“Not really,” said Gretchen. “In the time that we are here, less than a fraction of a second will have passed in your world.”
She pointed. “The house over there is where Wyatt and I live.”
The air President Bennett breathed felt crisp and wonderful. “Can we come back here again sometime?”
“Of course,” replied Gretchen with a wry smile, “It’s inevitable.”
The scenery faded away, and President Bennett took a moment to gather herself.
Before Gretchen was able to introduce her, Julie stood and held out her hand.
“Hi, I’m Julie. Please excuse me for sitting when you arrived but”—Julie rubbed her abdomen—“I’m a little preoccupied.”
President Bennett shook and held her hand. “I was at your Paris concert eleven years ago,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to meet you.”
President Bennett looked down at Julie’s stomach and then back up at Julie. “Do you know whether it’s going to be a girl or a boy?”
Julie smiled. “Wyatt likes daughters and guess what?” Julie felt her tummy. “Her name is going to be Zoey.”
“So, mon amie, you two have chosen a name,” said Claire. She hugged Julie. “That is so wonderful!”
While Claire hugged Julie, Heidi stood and introduced herself to President Bennett.
“Do you know the sex of your baby?” asked President Bennett after shaking. “Let me guess, a girl.”
Heidi smiled. “Of course, her name is going to be Léa—Léa Z-Morgen. And she’s going to kick ass!”
President Bennett smiled back at Heidi. “I bet she will.”
The president turned towards Claire.
“This is Claire L’otarie,” said Gretchen, motioning with her hand.
Claire didn’t wait and unexpectantly kissed the president on both cheeks.
After President Bennett made her way through the introductions, Wyatt and the other males excused themselves.
“Where are they going?” asked President Bennett, watching them walk away.
“Wyatt thinks of himself first and foremost as husband and a father,” said Gretchen proudly, “so he is going to the nursery. He gave our nannies the night off and he is taking their place. He’ll join us later after the children are all asleep.”
President Bennett, envious of the women’s marital relationship, sighed as she watched Wyatt disappear up the steps.
“Besides,” said Gretchen, whispering in the president’s ear, “I think Herr General enjoys playing with his children more than all this diplomatic stuff.”
“The rest of them are getting dinner ready for not only us,” said Heidi, watching President Bennett for a reaction, “but also for the twenty secret service agents hiding outside in the woods.”
Embarrassed, President Bennett didn’t know what to say. Claire put her arm around the president. “It’s ok, mon amie,” she reassured President Bennett. “Wyatt said it would happen. It was as predictable as he and I in the back of late-night bus in Budapest in the moonlight.”
The room along with a puzzled President Bennett and Leslie stared at Claire. Julie interrupted their confusion.
“How about we all sit in the living room,” said Julie, motioning downstairs. “I am getting a little tired.”
“House,” ordered Julie, “provide furniture in the living room according to instruction P.”
Two extra couches appeared along with several comfy chairs and everyone sat around in a circle.
Claire wagged a finger in the air. “First rule of the night is that no one talks shop.”
Everyone agreed.
“Well, if we’re not going to talk shop,” said President Bennett, “then I insist everyone call me Mallory.”
Everyone smiled and again agreed.
Erin appeared at the edge of the group and plopped herself on the carpet, kawump!
–Have I missed anything?
“You’re just in time,” said Gretchen.
Mallory stood and walked to Erin. She stopped in front of her. “I’m sorry for the earlier misunderstanding.”
She scratched Erin behind the ears. Erin sighed.
–I’d vote for her.
“You’ve made a friend,” said Gretchen.
In the South Corridor
John Thumper walked authoritatively along the long corridor on the south side of La Belle Aurore, flanked by Romeo and Juliet. Every minute or so he would stop at a room and look inside. When he found nothing suspicious, he moved on.
“What are you looking for?” asked Juliet. “Weapons?”
“Maybe,” replied Agent Thumper, stopping at another room and looking inside. “Where do you keep them?”
“Except for what’s on our collars we don’t keep any weapons in the house,” said Romeo. “It’s unnecessary.”
John stopped and glared at Romeo. “Why do you two get weapons and I don’t?”
“Because,” said Romeo, “we understand our environment and you don’t! Earlier, if you had had a gun you would have tried to shoot Erin or worse, missed and hit a pregnant woman or somebody else. Until you adjust, you are dangerous!”
John grumbled and resumed walking.
“John, why don’t you like us?” asked Romeo curiously as he trotted next to the agent. “Is it because you think we’re smarter than you?”
John grumbled.
“Is it because you think we’re prettier than you?” asked Juliet, giggling.
John grumbled
Romeo jumped out in front of John. “Or is it because you think we’re just a couple of dumb mangy flea-bitten mutts, and you can’t get your simple two-dimensional mind around it?”
The secret service agent stared contemptuously at Romeo and pointed at a set of double doors next to the trio.
“What’s in there?” he asked gruffly.
“That’s the gym,” said Romeo, exchanging mischievous glances with Juliet. “Care to have a look?”
Without saying a word, Agent Thumper burst through the double doors. He had angrily strode twenty feet before suddenly realizing in a panic that above and around him stood a gym, but the floor had disappeared. While his feet knew that he had something solid underneath, his mind panicked in terror as it fell onto the jagged rocks of the shoreline a hundred feet below him. Unable to move, John froze, while a cold sweet dribbled the length of his neck. Unknown to everyone, including his boss, John Thumper had acrophobia—a fear of heights. Normally when a situation came on gradually, for example, when he flew on Air Force One, he could adapt and control the fear. But suddenly like this, it overwhelmed his senses, paralyzing him.
“What’s the matter, John?” asked Juliet as she danced seemingly in the air around him. “Something bothering you?”
“Oh my,” commented Romeo nonchalantly. “Somebody has carelessly activated the floor’s transparent setting.”
Romeo circled around the disturbed agent. “John, you are going to be seeing a lot of things from now on that are new and different,” said Romeo. “You really need to chill and adjust to the new reality. As soon as you do, you will be able to do your job, and we can build some trust between us.”
“That’s enough,” said Juliet and she ordered, “House…wood floor.”
Beneath John’s feet, a basketball court materialized.
“House…chair,” requested Romeo. A folding chair appeared in front of the agent.
“Sit, John,” urged Juliet, “and catch your breath.”
John sat and took out a handkerchief to wipe the back of his neck. “How did you know?” Agent Thumper asked the pair of canines sitting politely in front of him.
Juliet cocked her head. “We could smell it, but don’t worry,” she assured John sweetly, “we won’t tell anyone. It will be our little secret.”
“Just like the twenty secret service agents you don’t think we know about outside,” said Romeo. “You might want to tell the two approaching on the north side…you know the ones with the clever code names of Barney and Fred to watch their step. The bluff is rather precarious and with the shoes they’re wearing, they’re currently in danger of falling off, and it’s a long way down.”
“And oh,” added Juliet, “if any of them get within forty feet of the house they will have to deal with a very protective grizzly bear, who can’t be hurt with a gun.”
John gulped. “She can’t be hurt with a gun?”
Juliet shook her head. “Nope.”
John made a quick call on his phone. “They’re pulling back fifty meters. Is that far enough?”
Romeo nodded and John confirmed on the phone.
“John, could you do us a favor?” asked Juliet. “We want to give you a souvenir of your visit.”
“Uh…sure,” responded the puzzled agent.
Juliet and Romeo flanked the agent and sat. They looked up. “Now smile and look at the ceiling like we’re doing,” requested Juliet.
John smiled and looked upward.
“Now,” said Julie, lowering her head, “hold out your hand.”
John held out his hand.
>Blue Light<
John stared at his hand holding a picture of himself and Romeo and Juliet.
“The image you are holding was taken from high orbit,” said Juliet. “I hope you like it. It didn’t quite get my good side. I should have turned my head to the right.”
John stared at the picture.
“Hey, John,” interrupted an excited Juliet trying to change the subject, “do you want to see something really cool?”
“Sure,” responded Agent Thumper as he recovered and tried to process the moment.
“House…basketball,” ordered Juliet
In front of John a basketball appeared.
“Now throw it high into the air, John, and watch Romeo,” said Juliet.
John stood and picked up the ball. He held it in front of him for a moment, wondering. He tossed it upwards almost hitting the ceiling. Romeo immediately pivoted. A red beam raced from his collar and the basketball exploded. A small cleaner robot emerged from the wall and scooped up the mess as it flew across the gym.
“So, what do you think?” said Juliet, bouncing with pride. “My brother’s a great shot, isn’t he?”
“He has potential,” conceded John. “But anyone can hit a target as large as a basketball.”
“Then let’s try something a little smaller,” replied a mischievous teasing Juliet. “House…golf ball.”
Juliet picked up the ball in her mouth and plopped it wetly into John’s hand.
“Ok, smartass,” chided Juliet. “You throw this as hard and as fast as you can. If my brother hits it, you have to call me Ms. Gorgeous for the rest of the president’s visit tonight. And if he misses, I have to call you Mr. Wonderful.”
John confidently grinned. “It’s a deal!”
Keiko peeked her head in the gym and sighed in relief. It made her happy to see Agent Thumper and Romeo and Juliet were getting along so well.