Campaign Wife

Chapter 1

"Mrs. Callahan, how do you like being in the political sphere?"

Olivia Callahan, Liv to those close to her, glanced at her manicured nails thoughtfully before answering, "I've really been involved in politics since I met my husband, but the presidential race has been quite different."

"Do you like it?" the reporter inquired, his pen poised above his notepad.

"It's exciting and rewarding," Liv said with a nod. "I miss spending time with my husband, but I think eventually our hard work will be worth it."

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Callahan." The reporter from The New York Times shook Liv's hand before she escorted him out the front door of her gorgeous Georgetown townhouse.

Liv closed the gray door gently behind him and sighed, leaning against the pale blue wall of the entrance hall. Her stomach still churned during interviews, even after being a senator's wife for nearly 10 years. Jack Callahan had hired countless aids to help Liv with her interview skills, and they helped her mask her nervousness with elegance, but had been ineffective in erasing the feeling of nervousness that always arose.

Liv straightened a large vase of lilies of the valley on a table before she strode to her small office. She plopped down in her large white armchair and pulled a book from the adjacent shelf. Liv opened to a page and pulled out her signature red pen. She flipped through the glossy pages, circling images of dresses and outfits she liked. Liv had gotten in the habit of examining the style of former First Ladies to inspire herself. She wanted desperately to look the part of a presidents wife to help Jack's campaign the best she could.

The phone on Liv's desk rang, and she leaned to pick it up.

"Olivia Callahan," she said in her soft, somewhat breathy voice.

"Liv!" A familiar voice called cheerily.

"Hi, Jack," Liv said with a grin.

"Listen, I'm running a bit late today in Orlando, but my flight will be in tonight."

Her shoulders slumped a bit, but Liv kept her voice optimistic. "When will you be home?"

"George is thinking midnight," Jack said, referring to his campaign manager. "Don't wait up for me."

"I'll leave dinner for you in the fridge," Liv promised.

"Oh- before I go. I was wondering if you could come with me to New York Thursday. It's important we make a good impression before the primaries, and I think they'll love you there."

Liv smiled to herself. "I'd love to."

"Great. I'll see you in the morning. Love you," Jack said genuinely.

"Love you too." Liv hung up the phone and sighed. She was a bit exhausted, and flying out for the day didn't sound appealing, but it was encouraging to Liv knowing Jack wanted her by his side.

The sound of the front door opening had Liv on her feet. There was the chatter of a little voice and padding of feet.

"Mommy?" A voice called.

Liv peeked into the hallway and grinned at a shining face.

"Hello, little girl!"

"Mommy," the grinning three year old shrieked, running into Liv's arms. Olivia stroked her daughter's curly, light brown hair. It was a mix between Liv's own silky, deep brown hair, and Jack's lighter chestnut shade. Amelia, Em as Liv called her, looked a lot like her mother, with high cheekbones and full lips, but had her father's greenish eyes.

"Did you have fun at the park with Mrs. Smith?" Liv asked, glancing to the older, rosy cheeked woman standing in the hallway.

The nanny nodded. "Amelia was a very good girl."

"Em, what do you say we have dinner, take a bath, and then read a book in my bed?" Liv suggested to her daughter.

"Yes!" Amelia squealed, taking Liv's hand and pulling her towards the kitchen.

The Georgetown home the Callahan family shared got a bit tight at times, it consisted of only two bedrooms and a small office for each adult, and with all of the commotion of the campaign, it was especially cramped. Liv glanced down at her stomach, which protruded ever so slightly between her hips. Baby Callahan number two was due in January, and Liv was secretly hoping it's first bedroom would be in the White House. Of course, the couple wouldn't be announcing her pregnancy for a few more months.

Liv served Em, Mrs. Smith, and herself plates of dinner and set aside a plate for Jack in the fridge. The three ate in the brightly lit dining room, laughing at Em's usual, happy self. Liv was careful not to get a spot of the red spaghetti sauce on her white wrap dress as her mind wandered to the seemingly endless campaign.

The Democratic National Convention was in just 3 weeks, and the official democratic candidate would be announced. Jack had taken victories in key states' primaries, but was in close competition with the other democratic candidate, Edward Thompson. Edward was sixty- 20 years Jack's senior, and had much more experience as a senator than Liv's husband did. But it seemed that the country saw the sort of magical quality Jack possessed, his ability to connect with the voters was unparalleled.

After dinner was finished, Mrs. Smith helped Liv wash the dishes before she waved goodbye and slipped out into the June night. Liv carried Amelia up to the white tiled bathroom and they chatted while the little girl took a bath. Liv was beginning to feel like her daughter was her only source of real company lately, with Jack always away from home.

The two snuggled into Jack and Liv's large bed, and the senator's wife drug a massive wicker basket of children's books from underneath. Amelia's little eyebrows knotted together as she picked one before she settled back on the pillows, waiting for Liv to start reading.

Liv read out loud to Em in her soft voice for only five minutes before the little girl's head nodded, and her breathing deepened. She carefully carried Amelia to her own little bedroom on the opposite side of the house before she returned to her own bed.

Liv was exhausted as she collapsed under the covers. A quick glance at the clock on her dresser told her Jack wouldn't be in for two more hours, and she didn't have the energy to stay awake. Liv fell asleep, hoping that her interview that day would help Jack's efforts to become the president of the United States.

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