Diplomacy

me?”
    Gertje smiled at him and tilted her head. “You were half way across the world, Jack. It was a private funeral. Anyway, we’re here for you tonight.”
    Jack sighed and rolled his eyes. “You know I hate being the center of attention nowadays.”
    Gertje gave him an understanding smile. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about who will be the center of attention. Not with Lucas and AnnElise around.”
    “I’m glad you’re here tonight. It feels like the family is complete,” Jack added.

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    She blushed. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Jack knew this woman was a true friend, even though they didn’t speak that often and he felt he should remedy that.
    “You were always my big supporter, weren’t you?” he asked, seriously now.
    “One hundred percent, Mr. Ambassador.” She winked at him.
    “Why did you cover up for me with Maria when you knew I was sleeping around behind her back?”
    “Oh, I didn’t cover up for you especially, Jack. I didn’t give her any other story than I would give other people. ‘Mr. Christensen’s in a late meeting. No, I can’t disturb him. I can, however, give him a message afterwards.’ I have to admit I knew that somehow you two were meant for each other.”
    Jack thought she looked like a proud mother when she said this to him.
    “And seeing both of you here tonight, I know I was right.” There was that smug smile again.
    “Yeah, I love him, Gertje, I really do.”
    “Oh, a fool could see that. I know. I knew it then. The way your face lit up whenever I showed him into your office. The fact that he was spending a lot more time with you than was strictly necessary. Even the fact that he took every opportunity to play diplomatic messenger. But I liked him from the moment he walked into the office. He’s a special man, Jack. Like you, he’s good with people, likes to make them feel at ease.
    Doesn’t care whether it’s the President or the doorman. And you have a wonderful daughter too. Perfect mix of the two of you.” Jack shrugged. “That’s nice of you to say, Gertje, but she’s all Lucas’s.”
    “Don’t believe it for a second, Jack. She may look like him, but I definitely see your hand in her upbringing. She’s shyer than Lucas, a little more of a thinker. Smart kid, too, she knows what she’s talking about. She explained your PhD thesis to me. Not bad for an eight year old, right?” Jack smiled at her, not quite believing what she’d just told him.
    “You’re joking, right?”

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    “No, no, she told me you always ran everything by her. She’s an ambassador in the making, I think, and she’d be damn good at it!”
    “Oh please, heaven forbid,” Jack laughed as he hugged her again.
    At that moment, Lucas walked in and Gertje made her excuses.
    “Listen, I better leave you two and go back to the living room.” Gertje kissed Jack on the cheek, then winked at Lucas and kissed him, too, before walking out.
    “It’s good to see her, Luke, that was a nice surprise,” Jack told Lucas as he put his arm around his lover.
    “Well, absolutely everyone is here. Stacey looks like she’s about to pop any moment now. Sean came, too! He brought future wife number four, I think. She’s nice, I talked to her, and she’s younger than me.” Lucas rolled his eyes, making Jack chuckle.
    “Oh, and Mark brought a petite red head by the name of Zanna.
    Don’t think we’ve met her before.”
    “Well, it’s not like we see Mark every week,” Jack answered quietly, enjoying how excited Lucas was about tonight.
    “Before I forget, Liz asked me if we could look after her boys next week. I told her no problem, I think she’s going to elope with Mr. Brazil.”
    “Well, he’s a much nicer guy than Mr. Italy, who kept her running in circles all those years,” Jack added.
    “Yeah, I told her they never leave their wives.”
    “I did.”
    Lucas sighed contently. He looked at Jack and then kissed him firmly on the lips. “Don’t know what my life would have been like if you hadn’t.”
    “You would have found someone else. I’m sure you would have been happy.”
    Lucas shook his head. “Not like this, you and I were meant for each other.”
    Jack felt all warm inside. “Well, I’ve never regretted my decision.”
    “Good!” Lucas quipped as he smiled widely, “because Maria’s here, too!”

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    Jack inhaled deeply, raising his eyebrows.