The Ups and Downs of Being President

Chapter 4

The Dining Room, Admiralty House

Jack was sitting beside his wife tucking into the chicken dinner he’d been presented with. “How was your morning?” Jackie asked quietly.

“It was alright, we seemed to agree on a lot.”

“That’s good.”

Jackie noticed he was rather white and his hand was shaking but she didn’t say anything. “So Mrs Kennedy you’re a horse rider?” Harold asked.

“Oh yes Mr Prime Minister.”

“She’s quite good too.” Jack teased, which caused a laugh.

Once the lunch was over the First Couple headed to their car. When Jack sat back in his seat he closed his eyes and sighed wearily. He was alone with his thoughts when he felt Jackie place her hand on his knee. He turned and smiled at her. “Promise me while I’m in Greece you’ll rest.”

“I promise Jackie.”

“Good.”

When they got back to the Radziwill’s they walked into the house and past the press. Jack headed straight up to their room. By the time Jackie got there he was already in the bath.

Jackie poked her head in the door. “You really are in a lot of pain aren’t you?”

Jack sighed. “Yes it’s really bad, it’s horrible.”

“Oh Jack you should have told someone.”

“But this week was so important.” Jack protested.

“I know but your health is also important.”

Jack nodded. “Can you leave me a fresh suit out?”

“Sure.”

Jackie then headed into the bedroom. She got Jack’s suit out before slipping into a cream dress with a matching pillbox hat.

She was looking out of the window when she felt hands on her hips. She turned to find Jack. He was smiling; he leaned down and kissed her passionately. She was struggling to get use to this, he was being so attentive.

He was dressing when Jackie walked in front of him. “Want some help?”

Jack nodded as he looked down at his back brace. Jackie was buckling it when there was a knock at the door. Lee quickly poked her head in. “Just to let you know we need to leave real soon.”

“We’re just coming, we’ll catch you up.”

“Ok.”

Once Jack was ready they headed downstairs to the car. “Jackie while you’re in Greece, Bobby said he’d look after the kids so I could go to Palm Beach and get some rest.”

“Ok are you going by yourself?”

“Oh no Chuck and Hugh said they’d come with me.”

Jackie nodded avoiding his gaze.

“Jacqueline, I’m not going to sleep with anyone.”

“Really Jack? How am I supposed to believe that?” Jackie hissed quietly. “We haven’t slept together in months.”

“Jackie I haven’t slept with anyone but you since John was conceived, I love you and only you.”

“Ok, It’s just…..”

“I understand you have trust issues.”

Jackie smiled before placing a kiss on his cheek. She hoped this side of him would last. When they arrived at the church they headed inside to the christening of Lee’s Daughter.