The Modern Mrs. Claus

Chapter eight- July 4th

I was hyperventilating.

"Calm down Diana," Soothed Jonah, "it's only the president of the United States, we met her yesterday, she's a nice woman, remember?"

"Only??"

Jonah put an arm over my shoulders. "Listen hon, after this I'll take you out to dinner, kay? Just get through this one silly speech and we'll be fine."

I kissed his cheek. "Thanks Jonah, I'm going up soon, I should get in my chair." Jonah smiled and prodded me forward.

"And now, I present a woman who has not given up, who has gotten through a hard break and would not stop, even when things seem hopeless... I present to you... Diana Jackson!"

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"Oh god that was scary," I breathed on the way to some fancy restaurant Jonah booked. "You did great, don't worry about it Diana!"

I just shook my head, "I'm getting annoyed at this whole 'Modern Mrs. Clause' thing, we know we'll have a billion presents by december, why do we have to keep making speeches?"

Jonah slugged me on the shoulder. "Because we don't exactly know if we'll have as many presents as you say! We still have a long way to go!"

"We're halfway through!" I protested.

"Yes, but we still need to stay on our toes, I bet that seagull foundation man is still out to get you!" Jonah laughed, I frowned at him. "All he did was call a few days ago asking for a donation!"

"He's out to get you!" Jonah laughed again. I stuck my tongue out at him. "Whatever you say, buckaroo!"

He kissed me and wrapped his arm around my waist. I lay my head on his shoulder, "I am just so so so so soooo stressed about this whole thing! I'm supposed to write a speech by tomorrow morning for some auto-car-thingymabob." I sighed. "This is just too much!" 

Jonah took my hand. "We're almost to the restaurant. When we get there, I want you to forget everything that you have to do tomorrow, or the next day, or the next, and enjoy the dinner. Then when we get back to the hotel, you're going to get on your computer and write up the best speech the world has ever known, then you're going to go to bed!"

I smiled at him, "sounds like a plan."

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"I HATE PUTTING STUFF OFF UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!" I cried. "How does this sound Jonah: I am Diana from the Modern Mrs. Clause foundtation and I- No, that's not right! Arrrrgh!!"

Jonah came racing out of the bathroom in his boxers, "Diana calm down! Just take a few deep breaths, eat a little more chocolate, and get down onto this, want me to make you some coffee??

I nodded in thanks, "sure, thanks Jonah. I think this speech will be short and sweet, how does that sound?"

Jonah smiled. "Sounds perfect babe."

I glared at him. "Do not call me a baby pig!  It's so weird!"

Jonah laughed. "I know, I was just kidding with ya!" He went back into the bathroom. I stared at the mocking screen of my computer. "This is so stupid, why is this any different from any other speech I've made?"

After several minutes fuming and talking to myself, I finally got down to writing a pretty good speech.

But when I could've sworm it only took five minutes, I looked at the clock by the desk, it read: 12:31 am. Jonah was in bed asleep, and I had to wake up at 6.

Ugh. I can't believe that's how I spent my night on independence day.