Affairs of State(48)

“Well, we have a surprise for you, President Morrow.”

He lifted a brow. “I’m not sure how many more surprises I can take. It’s been quite a year for them.”

Barbara stood and peered off into the darkness beyond the studio lights, and both Ariella and her father instinctively stood as well. “It wasn’t easy to convince her, but I’m happy to tell you that Eleanor is here with us tonight.”

Ariella gasped. She tried to make out her mother’s face but it was too hard to see. She glanced at Ted Morrow, but he simply looked shocked. At last she made out Liam Crowe, the head of ANS, walking toward them with Eleanor on his arm. Her hair was carefully coiffed, and she wore a simple burgundy dress, and looked young and pretty, and very, very nervous.

Her eyes were riveted on Ted Morrow like she’d seen a ghost.

“Ellie.” The president breathed her name like a prayer. “It’s really you.”

Blinking, she walked into the glare of the lights. “Hello, Ted.” Her voice was tiny, barely audible. He enveloped her in the same bear hug he’d greeted Ariella with, but there was something…tentative about the way he held her.

Stage hands quietly appeared with a chair for her to sit on, next to Ariella, who she greeted nervously.

Barbara leaned toward Ted. “I have to tell you that Eleanor approached us. She had heard of the special from Ariella, and she decided it was time to face you and tell her side of the story.”

Ted stared at Eleanor in a daze as if he couldn’t believe she was really here.

“Ariella and I met in London.” She spoke quietly. “Meeting her meant so much to me. I don’t suppose I realized how much I gave up until I saw her beautiful face and talked with her. After that I knew I had to face you again, too, Ted.”

“I never knew what happened to you. I pestered your mother for years but she never told me. She said you’d gone to live abroad.”

“It was true. I met my husband, married him and moved to Ireland all within a year of giving birth to Ariella. It seemed easier for everyone if I just disappeared.”

“It wasn’t easier for me,” Ted protested. “Why didn’t you tell me? You know I’d have married you.”

She looked at him in silence, her lip trembling. “I knew that’s what you’d do. That you’d give up your dreams to do the right thing. I couldn’t let you do that.”

“Ellie.” Tears filled his eyes. “Maybe there were other things that were more important to me than building a big career.”

“I’m so sorry.” Eleanor’s voice was higher. She was beginning to look as if she regretted coming. Ariella grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Looking back I can see I made a terrible mistake. I was in a panic. My family said that the scandal of an unwed pregnancy would ruin your prospects. It was a different time. I was young and stupid and alone. I didn’t know what to do and I followed bad advice.”

“The important thing is that we’re all here today.” Ted Morrow’s voice sounded presidential for the first time since he’d come on set. “We’ve all done things we’d do differently if we had the chance to do them over again. Instead of looking back and saying ‘if only,’ I suggest that we embrace the present.”

“Well said,” chimed in Barbara. “And we here at ANS are thrilled to be a part of bringing you all together again.”

* * *

After the taping, they filed into the green room. Ariella felt shell-shocked. They’d all watched an edited montage of childhood photographs and background interviews and answered a few more questions. She was relieved it was over but also anxious to make sure she didn’t miss the opportunity to get to know her father and mother better.

Ted and Eleanor stood together, awkwardly silent, staring at each other. She wondered if she should say something to break the ice, but then she wondered if it wasn’t ice but something far warmer and maybe she should stay out of the way.

“You haven’t changed at all.” The president’s usually commanding voice sounded gruff with emotion.

“You, either. Though the gray at your temples makes you look more distinguished.” Eleanor’s eyes sparkled. “I wasn’t at all surprised to learn that you were running for president. I even obtained an absentee ballot for the first time so I could vote for you.”

Ted laughed. “It was a close race. I’m glad of the help.” He looked like he wanted to say so much more. He took her hands. “I know you did what you thought was best.” He spoke softly, as if they were all alone, though Ariella stood only a few feet away and production staff moved in the background.