Page 115 of The Forever Vault

Cam stopped to stare, seemingly unable to process that information.

“Like, the President as in Diana Gilmore?” I asked.

Woodward nodded as he handed Cam the phone.

“He-hello?”

Hearing her voice must’ve snapped him out of it because he turned on the charm in one second flat.

“Oh, thank you, Madam President. I’m happy to have done it on American soil. The home crowd really helped me through all of it so far.”

I pulled Woodward aside and asked, “Why do you think she’s calling?”

He shrugged. “I know she wanted to be here at the Olympics. Maybe she’s a fan of gymnastics? I really have no idea. I was about to call my wife and the phone rang. Out of habit, I answered and a man said, ‘Please hold for the President.’ I thought it was a joke, but nope, it wasn’t.”

“That’s completely fine. I’d be happy to meet them.”

My attention was drawn back to Cam.

“Thank you for asking. If they’re here, tell them to come on down. It’s my pleasure, Madam President,” Cam paused. “Yes, Luke is here too. I’ll tell him you said that. Hopefully, one day. We’d love to meet you. Thank you, and good luck with being president. I mean, you know what I mean. I’ll remember that, goodbye.”

Cam handed the phone back to Woodward. “Oh my God, I made such a fool out of myself.”

“Oh who cares about that! It was adorable.” I dismissed his concerns. “What did she want?!” I half-screamed, grabbing his shoulders.

“Her kids are here. They wanted to meet us.”

“Really?”

Cam nodded. “I think that’s them.”

I looked where he pointed and sure enough, several men in suits with earpieces, flanking a small group of kids, were making their way down the arena steps. One suited woman was already near the floor, talking to arena security.

“Must be them,” Woodward said, as we all watched them approach. It looked like two teenage boys and two younger girls. I recognized the President’s children right away - her son, Chadwick, was still underage, but he was handsome, and his younger sister, Chloe, had distinctive pink hair.

Chadwick approached Cam first.

“Hi! My mom just texted and said she talked to you. I’m sorry to interrupt your celebration, but I really wanted to meet you.” Chadwick directed his gaze at Cam. “And the team,” he added, though it was clear he liked Cam. He hadn’t even glanced my way, or at Miles, for that matter. I’m Chad. It’s a pleasure to meet you, and congratulations on your two gold medals.”

Cam held out a hand, but Chad had opened his arms at the same time. What could’ve been more awkward, Cam smoothed out by grabbing Chad’s hand and pulling him into a hug.

“I can’t believe I’m taller than you.”

“I can’t believe you just said that!” Chad’s friend hit him on the shoulder.

Cam laughed. “Yeah, most of us are short. We didn’t really have a tall one on the team this year. Ezra’s the tallest, I think.”

“Hey Chad, you gonna hog Cam all night?”

I watched Chad’s eyes roll, before he introduced his sister, Chloe and her friend, Sienna, and then his friend, Aaron.

“Miles, can we get a photo with you?” Chloe asked, much to Sienna’s delight if the squeals were any indication.

Chad got photos with Cam, me, us together, Miles, all three of us, then all of us with Hudson, Noah and Woodward, and almost every other combination possible.

He was extremely confident for a seventeen year old, but I guess if you’re the President’s kid, you’ve dealt with a lot of potentially stressful situations and I assumed you had to grow up quickly.

“Before I go-” Chad glanced at Chloe and Sienna, who were still chatting with Miles and by extension, Hudson, “I just wanted to say that I’m thankful for you being you, that is, out and proud.”