Gwen wasn't leaving us, she was just moving up, taking Vanessa's job as head of the community center project while she came over to Patrick's staff as press secretary. The old campaigner had finally found her niche, that was for sure. Meanwhile, Nick the new assistant smiled again as the crowd quieted. "Again, thank you. The speeches are more or less done for the day, and my boss as you know likes to keep things not so stuffy, so I'm just going to say, please welcome to the party, our city's new Mayor and First Lady, Patrick and Tabby McCaffery!"
The crowd broke out into raucous applause while Patrick's music, a lighter remix of the old Nolan Batman film themes (he'd picked that because of my Hans Zimmer appreciation), played over the loudspeakers. Patrick was also nearly as fit as he had been when the three of us had taken down the Latin Kings, his face still youthful, his scars from his battles hidden. He'd had a few losses over the years, including that first campaign for Deputy Mayor, but had come back stronger than ever each time.
Tabby, for her part, was heart stoppingly beautiful, and even Mark hummed his appreciation. "How does she do it?" he asked. "Seriously, we saw her just this morning, looking like normal Tabby, and now....."
"Now she looks like an A-list Hollywood celebrity?" I remarked. "Who knows? I'm just glad she's in our lives still."
"Kind of hard not to be, isn't it?" Mark asked with a slight grin as another couple followed Patrick and Tabby onto the stage. "Andrea looks nervous."
"She takes after you," I said. "Never has enjoyed the spotlight. Much better in the dark."
Mark patted my hand. Patrick took the microphone and smiled. "Thank you everyone. I wouldn't be here without all of your support, but I'd like to give special thanks again to my family. First of all to my lovely wife Tabby, who inspires me every day to reach beyond myself and find new light in the world. To my son Carter and his fiancée Andrea, who I've known since she was born, thank you for being here. And finally, while she couldn't be here tonight, my daughter Barbara, who is off in Europe studying at university. Without your help, I wouldn't be here tonight. I'd also like to thank everyone who helped us reach this goal. I only hope I can continue to uphold the dreams that you've placed in my trust."
The crowd applauded again, and the music started up, with the first dance being the exclusive dance of Patrick and Tabby. They had chosen "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera, and it was beautiful played on violin, the crowd applauding a final time before the party swung back to normal. Patrick and Tabby made their way over, Patrick embracing Mark as soon as he could. "Sorry I couldn't say you too."
"It's okay, we know," Mark said, as Tabby hugged me too. "Hey, did you see? Shawn Northrup stopped by to offer his congratulations. He said he'll talk to you in the office Monday."
Patrick chuckled and nodded. For twenty years, the two had butted heads, agreeing while disagreeing, consistent rivals even as Patrick's star shined while Shawn's waned. He still was on the city council, but was never going to grow bigger than that. "Yes, we exchanged handshakes. I'm sure he has something up his sleeve. After all, he is Shawn."
Carter and Andrea came over, their arms around each other. Their wedding was in a month, and the two of them were crazy in love. With his father's green eyes and his mother's rich auburn hair, it was a shame Carter didn't let it grow longer, he was perhaps even more handsome than Mark and Patrick. Andrea, whose hair had darkened some to be halfway in between Mark's sandy blonde and my brown, was obviously happy. They had grown up together, and it had just seemed natural that they were to fall in love, even though the stories of how they figured that out can be a whole other epic in itself.
"I can't wait for this to be over," Carter said. Standing six foot three, he was even taller than his father, and I was glad that Andrea had ended up closer to Mark's height than mine at just over five eleven. "I'm practically itching to get out of this monkey suit."
"Oh, I don't know honey," Tabby said, adjusting the bow tie of her son's tuxedo. "I think you look rather dashing. Don't you agree Andi?"
"You know it, Aunt Tabs," Andrea said. "Come on Carter, let's show them what we can do on the dance floor, our parents can't have all the fun. By the way, Mom, where's Riley? I can't find him anywhere."
"Your little brother is probably still talking to Scarlett, the staff member I introduced him to," I replied. "I'll tell you all about it later if he gives me a chance."
"Okay," Andrea said knowingly. Riley had a well deserved reputation as a playboy, he took after his Aunt Tabby so much, but I had a hunch that Andrea's dismissal of this latest girl might be a bit premature. There was something in Riley's eyes that said he might be different this time.
Mark looked at me with a raised eyebrow, and I patted my husband's arm. "He's fine. She reminds me of me twenty years ago."
"That worries me more than assures me," Tabby joked, and we all laughed, enjoying the party.
* * *