The President's Daughter

Chapter 2

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

There was a ripple of applause through out the DC streets. Millions of people had shown up for the Inauguration of Steven Ryan, they filled the space immediately in front of the Capitol Building steps and branched out for what seemed like miles. It was an unseasonably warm January day, a light mist hung above the ground and the sun broke through the thin clouds to warm the air to about 45 degrees.

Annie Ryan smiled proudly with white teeth and olive green eyes, her sleek, shoulder length, brown hair motionless in the windless morning. Annie's arm, covered in a pale pink coat, brushed against her father's back gently. She was crammed with other government officials on the small stage that had been set up on the Capitol steps, forcing her nearer and nearer to her father as he was sworn in.

Lizzie Ryan had a solemn, small smile on her face as she held the same bible that John F. Kennedy took his oath of office on 13 inaugurations previously. Annie had witnessed her mother almost crumble due to how nervous she was for her husband to be sworn in; but it didn't show one bit. Lizzie looked beautiful as always.

The officiating justice made a few final remarks before Annie's father took the podium for the first time as President of the U.S. Annie took a seat next to her mother and settled in to listen to her father's inauguration speech.

Annie crossed her bare ankles and wrapped her thumbs together nervously. It was odd to have millions of eyes on her- not to mention the viewers watching the inauguration on TV. She had grown up in a fairly average way, more wealthy than the average family and a father highly involved in politics, but she still had gone to a private school in Connecticut and worked at a small restaurant in her home town. Of course, things would be changing as the daughter of the president. Annie's room had been packed up and her things were being placed into her new room in the White House private residence. She had been forced to quit her job, and would now be attending a new school in DC. It was private and had worked with the secret service in the past to protect the children of former president's children.

Annie was aware of applause around her, and she quickly joined in. She followed her mother and father from the stage on the Capitol steps indoors, where they were finally given a break from the loud rumblings of the crowd.

"Congratulations, dad," Annie said with a smile.

Steven looked at her with a glimmer in his eyes. "I couldn't have done it without you."

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"Wow," Annie breathed, absentmindedly peeling off her coat to reveal a tan dress that flared out at her waist. She breathed in air that smelled slightly of paint and took in the amazing sight of the White House private residence.

Moving crews had worked hard from the time that the former president left the historic mansion, through long Inauguration Day celebrations, in order to have the house ready for the new first family. Steven, Lizzie, and Annie each had requests for colors and furniture for each of the rooms of the residence, and they had all been fulfilled beyond their expectations.

The decor was sleek and modern, with splashes of historic pieces. Lizzie had personally chosen art work from the national archives to be displayed in the living areas. Annie ventured alone to her own room, the East room.

The room had housed other notable inhabitants, such as Caroline Kennedy and Chelsea Clinton. For Annie, the room had been painted a pale gray. A large, ornate, wooden bed frame from the Truman presidency had been for with a new mattress and white linens and place beneath the two windows of the room. Annie had also chosen other pieces of furniture from past presidencies, giving her room a feeling of historical importance. The only items she had brought in on her own we're stacks and stacks of books, a small television, clothes that filled the walk in closet as well as a Kennedy-era dresser, and some other personal items.

Annie's favorite part of the room was what hung on the walls. Black frames containing a multitude of photos scattered the walls. Some were of her own family and friends, but others represented the history of her new home. One photo was taken during a renovation of the White House in the 1800s. Another showed Grace Coolidge hosting a tea party for women in pearls and a more conservative flapper dresses. Eleanor Roosevelt's silhouette went for a mid morning walk along the flower beds. Jacqueline Kennedy looked strong and elegant with a stylish bouffant at a state dinner, and also laughed gleefully while sitting next to husband on a sailboat. Nancy Reagan embraced the president as they danced at a state dinner. The photos made Annie feel almost overwhelmed. It was all real now, she was living in the White House.