September 1st

Jackie's bedroom

It was another day where the First Couple had to travel. The night before, Caroline and John had been flown to Hammersmith Farm. Jackie felt Jack sliding into bed beside her, the next morning. She laughed and rolled over. She kissed him. "Good morning" Jack grinned after they broke apart. "Good morning" Jackie yawned.

They kissed until Jack smiled. "What?" Jackie looked confused.

"Nothing, it's just you look beautiful" Jack stroked his wife's hand. She beamed. She was so happy.

Marine One

Jackie that morning made a risky choice and put on her pink Chanel suit but would change into a dress on the flight up.  She didn't care anyway, it was only for ten minutes. 

On the helicopter, she got into a summer dress before joining Jack on the sofa. 

Marine One private rooms

Jackie sat down beside her husband and he pulled her in for a hug. He had a serious look on his face and he knew now was the time to tell her. "Jackie?" Jack asked. Jackie looked up worried. "What is it bunny?" Jackie asked cautiously. Jack looked like he might cry but he didn't want to cry. He found it took shocking, there was no emotion. 

"Well, since Teddy nearly died, I have been arranging for secret locations and shelters be prepared in case you and the kids need to evacuate if a gunman is seen near the White House" Jack explained. Jackie remembered in October 1962. Jack planned to send her away during that crisis. But she focused on the present. 

"Me and children? Aren't you forgetting yourself?" Jackie took her husband's hand. Jack shook his head. "I'll stay behind. They've got a secure area under the West Wing sub-basement for me. In case of any attack" Jack this time had no expression but a look of fear, right across his face. Jackie knew Jack was terrified when she remained at the White House but this time, she really meant it. 

"I'm not leaving you Jack!" Jackie protested, a tear running down her cheek. "I want to stay with you. I'm not going to some shelter to be worried sick in case you're shot!" Jackie cried. Jack hugged her. "Jackie, we all have to do things we don't want to" Jack tried to explain to her but she sobbed uncontrollably. 

"NO!" Jackie screamed. 

"I don't want to go!" Jackie continued to cry. "If you die, I die with you!" Jackie sobbed as she clasped her husband's hands. "Not miles away, unaware of what has happened" Jackie stood up and turned her back. Before sitting down again. Those words touched Jack. His heart ached with the pain of love. 

He nodded. "Okay then kid" Jack insisted. Jackie looked up. Shocked and surprised, she breathed a sigh of relief as Jack told her she could stay. She this time cried tears of happiness. Suddenly there, was a sigh from Jackie before she ran to Jack and kissed him full on the mouth. Jack embraced her in his arms, never wanting it to end. 

When they finally did, with their arms still around one another, Jackie hugged her husband. "Oh thank you!" She smiled this time, the biggest smile Jack had ever seen and he grinned back. "Oh thank you Jack!". 

Then they made a promise, that if the White House was attacked, when they were in residence, they would survive the shooting together or they would die, holding hands.