Chapter 6
Chapter 6
The Residence
Dinner had been a lively affair Delores for her part was subdued thinking of her earlier conversation. She was torn, wanting to spend time with her nephew and family but knew the work they did here was important. Not only was she genuinely fond of and Proud of Jed but his children had been a mix of nieces/granddaughters that she never thought she would have. “Delores?”
Pulled out of her reverie she Saw Abbey and Zoe sitting across from her “Yes dears?”
“Jed Told us about his conversation with you today.” Abigail Bartlet stated “He also told us your response and were wondering if we might weigh in on it and add some perspective.”
“He sent you to ambush me you mean” The older woman smiled when they both looked guilty “Don’t look so glum. I welcome your perspective. I just don’t like forcing my presence on Harry and his family.”
“You honestly believe he or Samantha would not want you around?” Zoey asked incredulously “I saw him hug you the day they came for the meeting Prince William and I were coming to talk with father before the queen and her guard left. Auntie since I was very young, I have had the honor of you always being there. From what I Understand Harry your real nephew had very little of that in his life until recently. I am not saying I want you to leave. I would feel selfish asking you to stay.”
Zoey’s words hit her like a brick was she being selfish and putting her desire to serve Jed while he was president, was she afraid that Harry had possibly outgrown his need for her given that he had a burgeoning family, or was she comfortable with her life and just did not want to change. She came to a decision and Hugged Zoey then in turn abbey. “Thank you, Zoey it means the world, that you give me advice when I did not know I was struggling.”
“I don’t deserve the credit.” Zoey replied “Besides I think if you go to Colorado, I may go to school out there. Get away from all this. Maybe you could board a freshmen college student?”
“While that was not part of the Plan, I had in mind Zoey” Her father broke in “I am sorry I could not help but over hear that perhaps someone had a change of heart?”
“I have been mulling it over.” Delores answered quietly “I was going to stay on until the midterms. However, a certain young lady is very persuasive. I Do not know what I will do with myself out in Colorado. I do not think there are many secretary positions.”
“Well as luck would have it My youngest has decided to do her undergrad at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.” Jed Sad with a smile “Delores why don’t you do what Zoey is doing take a couple college courses in things that interest you. I doubt you will have to worry about money.”
“Now Jed you know while I have some money, I can’t just squander it …” She was silenced as Jed looked at abbey who pulled out a folder “When you left with me to get into politics. I did not ever want for you to ever worry about money so over the years I set up a trust for you to augment any retirement you have. Ellie and Elizabeth have contributed it to it as well. While you are not Bill Gates wealthy you can afford to live more than comfortably.”
“We like your nephew, his wife, and his team. Jack is an old dear friend and as I understand it Murray and Daniel have no family” Abbey commented “Maybe you can convince them to join us for holidays.” Abbey then handed her the folder motioning for her to open and to her surprise Jed was right while she was not rich like Bill gates’ she would be more than comfortable. she glanced at the next page and frowned for years she thought she had been employed by the political machines as he had been governor then president Her retirement plans for those would slim at best but here was a retirement package that surprised her “Josiah Bartlet, what did you do?”
“When my father died, I decided to put the Bartlett fortune to work” Jed said with a smile “Even though you did not know it you were the head of HR. You remember several times a year I would interview young people for internships?”
When Delores nodded “since most internships are without pay particularly in the public sector the Bartlet foundation offers a stipend the interns can live off. Charlie is the beneficiary of foundation though he does not know it yet.”
“I seem to financially stable and perhaps college would be a good idea” She admitted “I will talk to Harry and Samantha in the morning. However, I would like to stay on until the end of the year. You realize you will have to hire another secretary.”
“I was going to promote from within” Jed explained a serious expression on his face “if you were to promote from within who would you choose?”
“Donna Moss” she replied promptly “it would allow her and josh to date and maybe stop the revolving door of women that seem to flow around Josh. It will prevent him from accidentally stifling her career. I strongly suggest you also give her time to complete her schooling. If you must know ask Josh about dr. freeride.”
“You know Josh is going to be a pain without Donna to be his filter.” Leo spoke up having been watching the verbal tennis match “Who are we going to replace her with?”
“Ask Donna she will be able to find someone” Delores said looking around at her family “There are a lot of secretaries in the pool if Josh pushes, they will snap back. Donna loves him and he loves her they just don’t know it yet. Now if it is all the same to you it is time I got home.”
“We had rooms made up for You, Charlie, and his sister as tomorrow is Saturday we will invite Our secretary of Magic, Harry and his wife for dinner and then arrange for their transportation to Andrews Sunday for their flight to Colorado.” Jed responded an authority in his voice that she immediately knew was presidential. “I sent a one of my other body men with Ginger to your house to pick up a few changes of clothes.”
The Next morning
Samantha Ofenkil awoke snuggled into Harry’s Chest. She could feel Samantha Potter wrapped around her and she luxuriated in the feeling of being wanted as more than an object for sex. Then she felt a butterfly kiss on her neck and felt a kiss on her forehead. which caused her to look up and saw that Harry was sleeping his face relaxed belying the boy that he was as opposed to the man he normally projected. She wanted to kiss him very badly but she liked both Potters and was unsure if she should risk her burgeoning relationship with them. So, she was surprised when Harry’s lips found hers and suddenly it became a hard to think when she heard a whisper in her ear. “Are you still interested in seeing where this goes?” she then melted into harry running her hands through his untamed mane. And felt her body being explored by both potters.
Harry felt lips and they did not feel like his wife’s which caused him to open his eyes and seeing who he was kissing he looked alarmed his eyes trying to find Samantha… oh wait he was Kissing Samantha ‘I am doomed not even married a week and I am cheating on my wife.’
“Harry Stop hogging our girlfriend.” He Heard his wife say ‘what did they talk about before I got back to the room last night’ he thought to himself as he disengaged their mouths and capture a spot just below Samantha’s ear on her neck While rolling her toward his wife who captured the young politicians lips she smiled at her husband’s shocked expression and broke off the kiss.
“Samantha, we need to explain it to him.” Sam suggested quietly “If I know my husband even half as well as I think I do he is probably thinking this counts as infidelity” Harry nodded somewhat dumbly “Harry, Last night that Gentlemen who came to our table. Inferred that Samantha was chasing my skirt as it were.”
“He implied that I prefer women over men after I broke up with him while we were still in our apprenticeships.” Alexandra whispered “I don’t love people based on their gender; I love them because they fit into the vast puzzle that is my soul. Since I met you the day of your exams and any time, I have spent with you has made my day better, brighter, and easier.”
Harry sucked in a breath at the woman’s declaration and looked at his wife his curiosity apparent “It’s not infidelity if we welcome her into our life together.” Harry’s mind ground to complete halt as he thought coming home from a mission with Sam and having Samantha at home with their children. His thought expanded of its own volition showing their life together
“Okay it is apparent you both discussed this at before I came back to the room.” Harry said softly rolling toward embrace the ladies again “Love, if this is something you wish for us to pursue together than I am always going defer to your wisdom. I just don’t want anything to hurt any of us.” He asked His wife
“I understand, We have a lot to discuss” Samantha Potter smiled “Its still early lets go back to bed for a while.” She said looking at the clock It can wait til breakfast.
9:00 AM EST
This time Harry had been the one in the middle still wrapped around Samanth Ofenkil when a phone started ringing Samanth blearily opened an eye hearing its ring she answered. At that exact moment hairs hands wandered to her breast “Hello Mrs. Landingham” she held the phone away for her mouth and hissed “Harry Stop playing with my breasts the President is on the line” Unfortunately for her she did not realize how sensitive her telephone was.
Delores Landingham had been looking forward to this call she had made the decision to go to Colorado to be closer to her remaining family and look after Zoe. When she heard the whispered request she smiled and thought of how much fun this just became “Madame Secretary am I to understand that my great nephew has his hands on you in a very intimate place.”
Embarrassed and knowing she was busted she answered honestly “Yes.”
Well that was easy “Does Samantha know?”
“Why don’t you ask her yourself” the lady said annoyed by the mirth she could here in the older ladies voice “Samantha, It’s Harry’s Aunt she wants to know if you know that Harry is being intimate with me?”
Samantha who had been watching her husbands hand work reached out a hand “Hi Auntie, Yes I know and yes it was a mutual decision between the three of us.” She paused sent a stinging hex at Harry’s calf “Yes we can be there by one. No we do not need a driver we have a rental which we were planning on dropping off at the airport tomorrow morning and grabbing a cab to Andrews.” She paused again “Very well then we will be in the lobby in half an hour”
“What was the stinging hex for” Harry asked looking at the two ladies who were getting ready by the moment when Sam held out the phone “Your aunt is on the phone and she knows.”
Harry looked confused “Well yeah she knows we are married that’s not exactly a surprise.” Samanth Ofenkil grabbed harry’s cheeks turning him to her and gave him a soft kiss
“Dear on she knows about the three of us” she looked at his face as the realization dawned on him
“Oh…”Hi Auntie how are you today” he said innocently catching both girls off guard
“Hello nephew I understand you have an issue with wandering hands. Treat those ladies right or I will have words with you” The aged woman threatened “I wanted to discuss something with you before you all came here. How would you feel if I retired and moved out to Colorado to be closer to you and your family.”
“I would like that a lot. I think we all would like that a lot. Do you want us to find a house big enough for everyone or would you prefer to find your own ?” Harry asked the excitement evident in his eyes and his voice.”
“Those plans are in the works already my last day at the white house is Two days before Christmas I am supposed to invite you and all your teammates and families back to the white house for Christmas dinner.” She paused and then chuckled “WE will be discussing this over lunch and plan to stay for the night. Now hurry up and grab a shower the car will be there in 30 minutes.”
“Yes Ma’am” Harry said hanging up the phone “merlin’s beard that was embarrassing” he took both women in his arms and kissed them both before apparating into the bathroom and quickly stripping and starting the shower. You ladies joining me?”
Dual answers of “no” lead him to take a five minute very cold shower and quickly dry himself and summon the clothes he was going to wear today.” Harry walked out as the ladies were disrobing and he stopped to admire the view.
The two Samantha’s Saw Harry checking them they looked at each other and looked at him and both asked “See something you like Harry?” Harry could only nod stupidly as they passed into the bathroom and shut the door. 15 minutes later they both came out of the bathroom fully dressed in very Knee length Skater style dresses that accentuated their figures very well. And their makeup was stupendously done.
“I suddenly feel under dressed” Harry mused aloud “You both look exquisite. Please allow me to escort you down the lobby.”
“We still have not really gone shopping for you” Sam said looking him up and down “we should remedy that”
Meanwhile at the White House.
Jed Bartlett listened to the entire conversation and as it continued his face began to turn stormy and when Mrs. Landingham Hung up the phone he snapped “Did I hear what I think I heard?”
Delores Landingham looked at her surrogate son “Yes you did your secretary of magic is involved romantically with the Potters.” pinning him with a look that promised an argument if she was interrupted “She may even one day become Lady Black”
“There are laws against that” Jed spoke softly
“There were once laws that said a black man could not date a white a girl.” A voice said interrupting them they turned and saw it was Charlie “yet 5 minutes ago your daughter Zoe kissed me right outside this office.”
“Never have Daughters Charlie, they will give you grey hairs.” The president said with sigh “I will want some time with them privately so we can assess how this relationship will affect Miss Ofenkil’s duties.”
“Jed I would not be surprised if she resigned and went with them.” Delores said seriously “You did not notice it but they have a connection and I know Harry for all he is has gone through is still adjusting to having Samantha Potter love him. What he needs is the perspective of a father of daughters.”
“Alright Delores” the president said “they will be blushing a lot today.” He said as he walked from the room “Charlie I don’t want to see you kissing my daughter you are both to young to date.”
“Yes, Mr. President “Was all Charlie said in response thankful the president did not threaten him
“Charlie remember the 87th airborne works for me.”
One hour Later
The trio had met their driver in the lobby only to find there were two cars and 3 people one to take care of returning their rental and the second vehicle to pick up the driver. Harry was enjoying the presence of both women although he was still having trouble flinching when he was touched “Janet has a mind healer lined up for you will see first thing next Monday morning.” Sam said looking at Samantha who appeared to be worried “Samantha what is bothering you?”
“The number Delores was calling from was in the residence in the president’s personal study there was a good chance that the president was in the office and Delores had us on speaker.” She faltered a little “And his religious views on marriage and adultery…”
Samantha potter was remembering the election “He is a practicing catholic.”
“Is this likely to cause trouble for you?” Harry asked
Both women read between the lines of what Harry was really asking and the secretary of magic reached out and grabbed his hand “The worst he can do is demand my resignation which means my deputy would step up if anything he is more of a bulldog than me.”
As they pulled up to the portico Harry got out first and held out his hand and took one then the other out of the car offering his arms, he escorted them into the white house.
They were quickly escorted to the residence dining room. Jed was there with Zoe, Charlie and Charlies little sister and Harry’s aunt. “Zoe why don’t you take Charlie and Susan to library and talk for a bit we will call you when lunch is ready.”
“Okay Dad,” She said quietly not sure what was going on Charlie looked the president a cross look on his face “Come on guys.” As the kids left the room Harry felt like he should be going with them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Potter, Secretary Ofenkil we have a problem.” Jed led off choosing his words carefully “Care to take a guess what that problem might be?”
“Jed” Mrs. Landingham cautioned “remember what I said.”
“It is a problem of optics sir” Samantha Ofenkil stated “How wizarding America will react to a secretary having a non-monogamous relation with decorated Military officer and her husband who is a world-renowned hero. With respect it is filled with pitfalls and landmines that I did not originally consider. However, in the short time I have known these two wonderful people and been part of their lives. I have been happier than I can ever remember and if I have to resign my post, I can live with that. I am fairly sure I can get a position with the SGC.”
“Ladies may have a few moments with Mr. Potter.” The president asked and Harry got a sinking feeling. The ladies nodded and each of them touch him on his cheeks and he could see the boy flinch unconsciously when they finally had the room to themselves “Harry I know what my religion says and I know what my heart says. Do you love Samantha… ug that’s going to get awkward quick.”
“Yea if I say Samantha, I get both of them looking at me like ‘what’.”
“Harry how long has the relationship with my Secretary of Magic been going on” Jed asked
Harry looked at his watch “13 hours 35minutes and counting. And I still don’t understand how it happened Sam asked Samantha if she was interested in seeing how we work as a trio.”
Jed looked relieved “so you did not approach either woman with a sex crazed fantasy of a threesome.”
“That would be no sir, While I was not virgin at the time of my wedding, I gave my virginity to a dear friend whose husband is sterile. “Harry swore to himself “you did not need to know that, Look the fact that my scarily intelligent wife loves me and married me I would never force or pressure anyone. Growing up my aunt was very clear about how I should treat women.”
“While this opens a can of worms for us, we will deal with it” Jed said to boy “Just one thing from one married man in love to another Remember that relationships take work and communication.”
“Thank you, sir, I am still not used to many things that come with being in a relationship.” Harry murmured as the staff brought food into the dining room “Would you like me to call everyone in?”
“Yes, that would be wonderful Mr. potter” The president said
Harry twirled the elder wand with a flourish and softly said “Expecto Patronum” he then whispered a message and sent a smaller version of prongs shooting off.
The rest of the day was spent in happy conversation with the only exception being that Samantha Ofenkil had tendered resignation advancing her deputy to the post of secretary of magic.
Flightline Andrews Air Force Base next morning 06:45 A.M.
“You both will call me when you get to the house?” Samantha Ofenkil asked she said hugging both of them. “My things will be there in two days; my elves are in the process of readying my manor for hibernation. I will be there the day after I have a meeting with the president, secretary of magic and the Joint chiefs”
“We will call you the moment we land” Harry said pulling her close “But before I go, I have to address something.”
“What is that Mr. Potter” women said in unison
“Well, I have been very careful when addressing both of you.” Harry began carefully trying to gauge their reaction “Do either of you have a nickname that I can call you in polite conversation so that I can discern for myself and for others who I am talking about?
They both replied in unison “Sam” and both winced
“Yeah, that’s not going to work!” Harry said with a smirk “For instance I could go by Harry, James, Potter , Black, Peverell, or Stormbolt. It is just something to think about.”
He said gently Kissing both women before getting on the plane
“Well, you can be Sam” Samantha Ofenkil offered “And I could be Mantha…”
“I could use my unspeakable handle….” Sam said in a low voice “Harry chose it…”
“Well don’t just leave me hanging” Mantha asked “It cannot be that bad”
Sam mumbled a response “I did not catch that.”
“He called me Bombshell…” Sam admitted “it would not have been so bad but he said it front of Jack, Daniel, T’ealc and Janet. From what I understand they are adding a patch to our uniform. Samantha Ofenkil laugh was like tinkling of ethereal bells “it’s not funny”
“It kind of is You are blond bombshell hon,” The now ex-secretary got her laughter under control “I don’t think that is why Harry gave you that name.”
“No, during the summer when we were travelling together waiting for his birthday to roll around” she then blushed “When I was discussing things with him, he said I was like a bombshell going off with amount of information I could tell him. When, Harry gave me my nickname and why Jack added what happened on Simarka.”
“Where you quite literally shifted the way, an entire society treats women” Mantha became suddenly serious “Your nickname is apt and appropriate.”
“But enough about me. What about you? Do you have a nickname?” Samantha Potter asked she always thought because of the other woman’s bearing that the she had some military service in her background.”
“I do” the lady said as she shifted into a dark furred mongoose standing regally in front of Samantha Potter. The one thing Samamtha noted was that the necklace the other woman had been wearing caused an almost Egyptian looking necklace shape on the Mongoose. Before shifting back. “I completed my mastery of transfiguration while in the service.”
“Which unit?” Sam asked suddenly feeling a deeper kinship with the former politician “If you do not mind.”
“5th company, 108th Animagi” she said thinking back upon her time in the service “My unit gave me the nick name of Cleopatra or Cleo for short.”
“Bombshell, Cleo and can we shorten Harry’s to Storm for just you and me” Samantha Potter surmised “I like it” Wrapping Cleo in a hug “We will be waiting for you”
Cleo smiled “I will be with you before you know it” Closing the distance she planted a kiss that made Bombshell weak in the knees. “I will see you in three days. Your plane Awaits my lady got take care of him. I have a meeting in five minutes that promises to take up the morning.”
“Go on then we will call you after we land and Check at the SGC” Samantha Potter murmured giving the woman a hug before boarding the C130.
Samantha Ofenkil Smiled as the plane taxied away She looked around and apparated away she had a meeting to attend.