They'd taken it in turns all day to watch and care for Ghost.
Afraid to let him out of their sight for fear of what might happen he wasn't alone for a single moment since he and Stephen had arrived at the cottage. Now it was time for bed; for most of them, but not all.
Stephen was fading fast. Yawning openly in the armchair, he'd been nodding off to sleep before dragging himself back to some semblance of wakefulness for the past hour.
At dinner time Gideon had arrived, summoned by the president to sit with Ghost while the three had dinner together in the kitchen.
In spite of everything it was a jovial affair. Stephen was good company and the first couple chatted freely about places they had visited, people they'd met but they were curious about him too and asked insightful questions about his life, about his aspirations. They saw him as an individual not just as the local priest.
Dr. Biden was the perfect hostess, whipping up a delicious, comforting dish seemingly out of nowhere, listening attentively, chatting easily, sharing insights from her students and colleagues and her 'other job', as she referred to her first lady duties.
When Stephen complimented her on the beautiful dinner he noticed how her husband basked in the comment, how he slipped his arm easily around his wife and kissed her temple. He was intrigued by that, he'd seen the president do it occasionally on television after a speech; there was something powerful about the move, something that focused on her alone, on her intellect and her individuality
Joe saw him look.
'Kissing her mind, I call it', he explained as he gently brushed her hair away from her face. 'My Jilly has a prodigious mind, a fierce intellect and insight all wrapped up in a sterling character. She's accomplished and compassionate and practical and kind and gorgeous and I'm just insanely happy that she lets me hang around with her', he declared, his smiling eyes never leaving hers.
Stephen watched her return his gaze with an expression that he could only wish someone might even once in his life turn on him.
Her smile lit up her face and he couldn't help but see the pink blush that crept up her neck and across her cheeks.
'Joe', she admonished her husband bashfully.
But Stephen could see that she was also delighted by his words, and appreciated his acknowledgement.
'You'll have some ice cream, and some apple tart?' the president asked a few moments later and Stephen couldn't help but take the opportunity to tease him.
'So it's true then, all the talk about the love of ice cream?' he asked and Joe's laughter filled the cottage.
'There is a freezer in the White House literally full of ice cream for me', he replied. 'And if I had my way, I'd get through it all in a week. Alas, I do have to exercise some restraint', he said, patting his tummy and he playfully slapped Stephen on the shoulder as he passed to retrieve the treat.
When diner was over and the couple insisted that he stay over he had felt relief flood his body. Terrified by what the night could bring if he was alone with the dog he immediately felt so much better. 'Well, thank you, I will stay then. Hopefully I won't need to call for help', he said and the couple looked at him quizzically.
'You are our guest', Joe said firmly when he finally figured out what Stephen had meant. To him and a Jill there was never a question all day but that Stephen would be staying the night. 'I'm staying up with Ghost and you're getting some rest. I'll pull rank if I have to', he warned with a glint in his eye, when he saw the priest about to interject. 'But honestly I've some work to do anyway and I need to be alone to do it', he said in an even tone.
