Behind Enemy Lines

Chapter 8 : Inauguration Day (Part 2)

United States Capitol, Washington DC

When the President's motorcade reached the Capitol Building I can see the crowd cheer as I followed behind in my own motorcade as Vice President. When we emerged from our respective limousines we now hear the full volume of their cheers. President Reagan smiled at the crowd and waved at them while I smiled as well. We were then escorted to the west front of the building facing the National Mall by the Secret Service and stood side by side one another at the right side as a long staircase separates the seats. Chief Justice Brandon Jackson arrives a few minutes later and looked at me once he is ready. "Please step forward Madam Vice President." he said. I gently tugged at Bruce's sleeve even though he knows that he has to stand beside me as I take the oath of office. "Please place your left hand on the bible." he instructed. "And repeat after me." the chief Justice added once I placed my hand on the holy book while Bruce held it. "I Isabella Reagan,"

"I, Isabella Reagan,"

"do solemnly swear,"

"do solemnly swear," 

"that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States,"

"that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United Sates,"

"against all enemies, foreign and domestic;"

"against all enemies, foreign and domestic;" 

"that I will bare true faith and allegiance to the same;"

"that I will bare true faith and allegiance to the same;"

"that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;"

"that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;"

"and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."

"and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."

"So help me God."

"So help me God." I finished.

"Congratulations." the chief Justice said with a beaming smile. As we shook hands the attendees and the public clapped. I stepped back but Bruce was the only one who had to return as my father stepped forward for his turn to take his oath of office and I held the bible for him. "Please place your left hand on the bible." he did so and the chief Justice tells him to repeat after him after raising his right hand. "I, Jeffery Christian Reagan,"

"I, Jeffery Christian Reagan," he begun while having a similar smile as mine. 

"do solemnly swear,"

"do solemnly swear,"

"that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States,"

"that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States,"

"and will to the best of my Ability,"

"and will to the best of my Ability,"

"preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

"preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

"So help me God."

"So help me God." he finished. 

"Congratulations." the chief Justice said. Once again the crowd cheered and both the President and the chief justice shook hands. Then the President took his place at the podium to deliver his inauguration speech.

South Lawn, the White House

Night falls as the small, intimate inauguration party begins in the White House. Several large tests were set up at the lawn, decorated with soft, twinkling white lights. Instead of throwing a large ball like his predecessors once did President Reagan opted for a more private setting. Only family and friends are invited to attend. Brian and our uncles attended this party along side with Christian and Camilla, marking this the first time they met in person. James Mattis also came as a guest, wearing a black tie, a contrast to my uncles, who wore their army dress uniforms based on their service branches. I opted a flowing sapphire gown for the occasion and a pair of white heels adorned with crystals at the tip. The party starts at seven and the schedule only included meals and drinks. 

As we dined several guests at our table couldn't help but notice the wedding rings worn by Bruce and me on our fingers. My uncles and Brian did not attend my wedding in the London outskirts held by Uncle Roland as well as Luke and Kate's family. Both Andrew Barrowman and Timothy Brock attended the party as our friends and not as Secret Service agents. After dinner President Reagan and I took a walk not far from the party scene. "Got a call from the Department of State." he said.

"Is it something bad?" I asked. 

"Our embassy in Caracas. A militia group took over and took all the personnel hostage."

"The name?"

"The Voice of the People." he said. 

"That group again." I muttered.

"What's wrong?" he asked me.

"I was held hostage before once, just like what is now happening in Caracas." I said. "Part of an undercover mission in Venezuela."