His first thought is Jill.
-I need a moment. - he says as he stands up, - I need to call my wife. - he tells to the team before leaving the conference room on AF1.
He rings Jill while he enters his private office and waits desperately for her to pick up the phone.
-C'mon Jilly! Babe, answer to me. Pick up the phone, please. - he voices his thoughts with every beep of the phone call.
He knows she feels heartbroken by the news because it happened in what she considers her temple, a school, and 19 innocent children lost their lives, and 2 teachers.
Teachers...Jill...teacher...
For a second his mind plays a trick on him and he pictures Jill, the teacher, sheltering little children to safety while a monster unleashes fire on them. He shudders at the thought. Thankfully at that precise time she picks up the phone, and her whispered "Joe" is like a balm to his soul.
-Jilly, baby, thank god you picked up the phone. - he says while he hears a sob escaping her.
He wishes there was something he could say to make her feel better, to make it better.
-Baby, I know...-he is at a loss of words. - I immediately thought of you.
-I feel so small, Joe. I'm so heartbroken, so so so angry. This needs to stop. Now!
-I know, babe. I wish I could promise you that I alone can change this...I wish I could promise it to all of them.
-Those little angels, Joe. Their parents, their families. The children who lost their mother...
They both feel devastated and powerless. This tragedy is weighting them both down.
-I wish you were here, holding me. - she says while taking a deep breath. It's like now that she is listening to his voice she can finally breathe, and it hits her how much she needs him, there with her.
-I am coming to you, baby. I cannot wait to hold you in my arms.
-I need you! I need you here with me, to regain my strength, so we can go and be there for them.
-Together, baby. Gotta go back with the team now, but I am on my way home to you. I love you.
-I'll be at the balcony waiting for you. I love you, Joe! Bye.
-Bye, Jilly!
~~~
As soon as he is out of Marine One, his eyes immediately search for her at the balcony. And there she is, the love of his life.
While they communicate with their eyes from afar, the President feels small, sad and defeated, while the First Lady at the sight of him feels stronger and full of hope.
Because in the course of their life together, in good and in bad times, one thing has always stayed the same: she has always had Joe.
And when they finally embrace each other, she feels hope and strength filling her heart again, and she clings to that, to HIM.
