Lady in Red Pt. 03 Ch. 08

Naomi, Jared and Steve graciously agreed to the request. Steve noticed that the few diners in attendance had their phones out and were taking pictures and videos as well. Within a few minutes, groups of people were walking in the door and being escorted to empty tables. It was obvious that the existing patrons had texted or phoned them so they could come and see Naomi, Jared and Steve. As soon as the new dinner guests were seated, they too had their phones and cameras trained on the famous trio.

Carl returned to their table as they were being served their entrees. "Mr. Hammer, if the other guests are bothering you with their cameras and phones, I can find a more secluded section for you. I apologize for any inconvenience you may be experiencing."

"I think we can handle it," replied Naomi before Steve could respond. "The food is excellent, and everyone's being pretty respectful. We'll be fine where we are."

"Thank you so much," beamed the relieved owner. "Business has picked up in just the few minutes you've been here. Your dinners are on the house tonight."

"Sir, I appreciate your kindness, but we always pay for our meals," countered Steve. "We'll be much more likely to return that way."

There was a small stage against one wall with an old piano sitting on it. While not overly large, it appeared the restaurant could be utilized for small parties. Once Steve and his friends had finished their meals and paid the tab, Steve walked over to the piano and sat down.

Conversation stopped, and the room became eerily quiet. Steve smiled to those watching him. Then he began playing the piano. After a few bars, he started singing 'I Can't Help Falling in Love with You', and the diners once again had their phones and cameras out to record the performance. Steve continued to play and sing for over an hour. By the time he thanked everyone for coming and announced he was finished for the evening, the restaurant was packed. Carl had called in his nephew Jim to help bus the tables, as the staff had become extremely busy.

As Steve was preparing to leave with Jared and Naomi, who had spent much of the evening signing autographs, Carl led an attractive and very pregnant Italian woman over to meet him.

"Steve, this is my wife, Anna. She still does most of the food preparation. We use only her recipes," stated her husband proudly. "She insisted on meeting the three of you. She's a huge fan of your movies."

"I watched you on TV when you fought that awful Butcher to rescue Gwen," revealed the woman, once she'd given Steve a big hug. "That's how a man should care for his woman. I only hope that men around the world took notice of how a real man treats his lady.

"Your presence here tonight was a shot in the arm for our business. We cannot thank you enough. Not many famous athletes, or actors, would take the time to help a struggling business."

"You just keep making that great food, and people will be flocking to your door," predicted Steve with a smile. "I hope to bring Gwen here for dinner when she has some free time. I think you'll like her."

"You think?" laughed Anna. "She's only the most beautiful, successful woman in the world. I just hope Carl doesn't make a fool of himself. He's one of her biggest fans."

It was three nights later when Gwen and Steve walked into the restaurant to be greeted by the same lovely young hostess.

"We have reservations for four. The name is Hammer," began Gwen before the hostess interrupted her.

"Don't worry, I know who you are! Everyone does! We have your table ready. I'll take you there and then I have to get Anna. She told me to let her know as soon as you came in."

"Things look a little busier tonight," observed Steve.

"We've been doing much better since you were kind enough to dine here. Just being known as a place Steve Hammer likes to eat has been a huge help," pointed out the hostess. "People are finding out how good the food is here, plus they keep hoping to see you. Look how everyone is already taking pictures of you tonight."

Anna Dobish arrived at their table less than a minute later. She carried a small plate of appetizers which she placed on the table before giving Steve a warm hug. Then she turned to Gwen and curtsied.

"Gwen, this is Anna Dobish," introduced Steve. "Anna, this is my wife, Gwen."

"It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Hammer! I have seen all your movies and have all your music. I watched your wedding on TV, and I cried through most of it. It was beautiful!" babbled Anna.

"Please call me Gwen," managed Gwen just before she heard several gasps from the other diners.

"It sounds like Jordan and Charlie have arrived. Please stay and meet them," insisted Gwen when Anna began to leave. Soon Jordan and Gwen were chatting with Anna like they were long-lost friends. Finally, Anna excused herself to return to the kitchen.

The restaurant was filled to capacity by the time the friends finished their meal. Jordan and Gwen couldn't praise the quality of the food and the service enough. Carl visited their table once they finished dessert and was delighted with the praise offered by these two beautiful and famous women.

"I could be wrong, but it looks like everyone is waiting for something," observed Charlie. "Could it be they're hoping Steve will sing again?"

"Everyone's heard him wail already. It's about time Gwen and I gave these folks something easier on the ear," joked Jordan. "Let's go do a few songs. I think these people are fans, and they're hoping we'll play something for them."

Steve and Charlie sat back as Jordan played the piano and joined with Gwen in entertaining the room for over an hour. The tables and bar became filled to capacity, and Carl was forced to turn some eager fans away.

Charlie had been studying the layout as he and Steve listened to their ladies singing. "There's an empty building that shares a wall with this restaurant. These people should buy it and expand into it."

"As I understand it, they're still struggling to get on their feet," replied Steve. "I'm pretty sure they won't be able to afford it anytime soon."

"Then maybe we should look into buying it as an investment. This restaurant's going to take off, and the property next door will increase its value. We could lease it to Carl, so he could expand his business. He'll need the room, especially if Gwen and Jordan stop in to sing now and then. With great food and some pretty good entertainment, this place is going to do very well," surmised Charlie.

Lady in Red Productions negotiated for the purchase of the building adjoining the restaurant a few days later, and proceeded to completely remodel it. Carl and Anna had been flabbergasted when Jordan and Gwen approached them about leasing the newly reconditioned building. Carl had flatly stated they would never be able to afford it, and it was a waste of time even to think about it. He refused to consider the possibility.

"Men!" exclaimed Gwen. "Anna, come next door with Jordan and me. We'll discuss terms while we show you how great the place looks."

An hour later Jordan and Gwen returned with a beaming Anna, who hugged Carl before telling him, "Jordan and Gwen made me an offer I couldn't refuse, and a horse didn't even need to die. They're our friends and they won't let us fail, so stop worrying.

"Look how many football players and fans come here now. People stop in all the time hoping to catch Jordan, Gwen, Charlie or Steve singing. It's okay to accept some help from people that love you, and whom you love in return," reasoned Anna. "We've been blessed."

Anna's Place became the unofficial Redskins' restaurant before the season was halfway over. Pictures of athletes and other famous customers adorned several walls. Lady in Red had a dedicated wall of photos all to itself. Weddings and other social events were now commonplace and the restaurant thrived.

Now Gwen had returned as President of the United States, as well as the Queen of Peace! As always, her Warrior husband was at her side, facilitating and protecting her in every way possible.

Once they were finished with their meal, Gwen gave a nod to Jordan. The two famous women stood and walked across the room to step onto a small stage. Jordan sat behind the new baby grand piano, while Gwen stood next to her. Everyone in the restaurant went silent as Jordan began playing one of Gwen's many hits.

For the next couple of hours, tourists and locals alike were treated to an incredible evening of music as Jordan and Gwen were joined by Charlie and Steve to play old favorites and try out some new material as well. When they finally wrapped up their impromptu performance, the restaurant was being monitored by the fire department to ensure the number of people in the building didn't exceed the legal limit. The sidewalk in front was packed with people hoping to catch sight of the foursome. The crowd had spilled over into the street, which was finally closed off by the police, since they couldn't safely keep it open to vehicular traffic.

Gwen and Steve spent the night in the White House, very aware that it could well be the last time they would do so during Gwen's administration. If they ever stayed with Vince and Cindy, they would be relegated to a guest bedroom.

The next morning was a brilliant, warm late summer day. As impossible as it seemed, more people had arrived in the city for the concert. The streets were so jammed with people that many side streets had to be closed and only police, fire, and official government vehicles were allowed to, very carefully, navigate the crowded main thoroughfares. Two hours before the concert was scheduled to begin, the police and the Secret Service escorted President and Steve Hammer, along with their other band members, to the small trailer set up near the stage.

By 3 PM, when the show was scheduled to begin, Washington DC was a sea of humanity. There were no vacant spots, no saved spaces, no possible vantage points not already being occupied. The mass of people extended as far as the eye could see in every direction. As the band climbed the steps to the stage, a thunderous roar swept across the entire city. Many people still inside office buildings would later insist they'd felt their building shake, so loud and long was the reception for the President and her fellow performers.

Gwen flashed a huge smile and waved with both arms as she strode purposely to the front of the stage. The immediate cessation of sound was unlike anything anyone had ever experienced before. The incredible tumult of moments before made the sudden silence feel far more intense than would normally be the case.

Hundreds of thousands of people dropped to a knee and bowed, as Gwen waved to fans in every direction. The huge screens showed Gwen's beautiful smile as she fought back tears.

"Your Queen asks you all to stand!" was all Gwen managed to say as she motioned for everyone to take their feet. Her request was heard clearly across the silent masses, as fans began returning to a standing position.

Gwen had to wait through a few minutes of adulation before the cheering and applause settled down enough for her to continue.

"I ask that all of you join me for a minute of silence in memory of the two thousand nine hundred and ninety six innocent victims who died, and the more than six thousand who were injured, both civilians and first responders, because of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Please also remember all those brave souls who have since been injured or killed in defense of our liberty, and our way of life!"

The huge crowd was very respectful as Gwen stood silently with Steve and the other performers for a full minute. Then Gwen and Jordan moved to the front and sang the National Anthem to the receptive crowd.

Gwen then announced to the once again roaring crowd, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please enjoy the final performance of the We Come in Peace, World Tour!"

News organizations constantly panned their cameras over the city to give viewers a feeling for the size of the crowd that had descended on Washington, DC. Experienced reporters described how they had never seen anything that could even remotely compare to the sheer volume of people in the nation's capital to see and listen to President Hammer and her fellow performers.

The mood was festive and there was very little trouble, especially for such an unprecedented crowd. Counter-sided trailers bearing the Lady in Red logo were parked conspicuously here and there on many streets and avenues. Millions of bottles of free water and snacks were passed out. Portable toilets were lined up along streets in every direction. The music was exceptional, and the party carried on into the evening.

When Gwen was joined by Jordan and Kathy Perrine to perform 'Hate Myself for Loving You', over a million voices joined in singing to express their pleasure. The three beautiful women gyrated seductively as they sang and danced while Charlie and Steve played their guitars behind them. As it had been in every city on the tour, the song was a huge crowd favorite. Charlie signaled for the group to repeat it immediately, much to the approval of the cheering masses.

Because it was their last concert and there were so many people in attendance, Lady in Red played long into the evening. Gwen and Steve sang every hit they'd ever recorded. Jordan had released more hits than any other living performer, and she and Charlie sang them all for the huge crowd. Katy Perrine had enjoyed a great deal of success during the previous two years, and she belted out her ballads and love songs for the crowd. She and Steve joined to sing "The Flight to Rome", which happened to be the current number one song in the country. Jack Timberline was also well received when he performed his hits. The sun was setting in the nation's capital as the epic final performance of the 'We Come in Peace World Tour' came to an end. It took several more hours for the traffic to resume, as much of the city's sidewalks and streets were clogged as pedestrians worked their way back to their cars, buses, trains, hotels, and homes.

The internet and news organizations posted dozens of photos of the huge turnout for the performance. The National Park Service reported it was unable to even estimate how many people had been in attendance for the concert, but they felt safe in stating that well over a million and half people had been in Washington for the concert. The numbers totally eclipsed any crowd size ever previously reported for an event of any kind in Washington.

It was constantly mentioned that 'Queen's Ransom' was a huge blockbuster, easily breaking all previous movie attendance records. It was estimated that it would take in over a billion dollars worldwide on the opening three-day weekend. The reviews were stellar, and the word of mouth was extremely favorable. Many fans reported viewing it two or three times.

Gwen, Steve, and their friends and family, were having a late dinner in the White House as they listened to the reports of their record-breaking triumphs on the national networks, as well as on cable news.

It was humbling to listen to the interviews the stations aired. A couple holding two kids, with the woman dressed in an Air Force uniform, seemed to get the most air time.

"We have a President who places the welfare of the nation and of the world ahead of personal fame and fortune. The funny thing is, her being that way is exactly what makes her so famous and wealthy. Today's concert, as well as President Hammer's entire world tour, has caused my husband and me to reexamine ourselves, and try to be better parents and citizens."

"I've never been so proud of my president, or my country," proclaimed a crusty looking older man. We've always been a country of high standards and ideals, but we sort of lost our way for a while. President Hammer brought us back home."

An interview on a cable news station with a college-aged girl caused more than a few tears. "I want any daughters I may have to grow up knowing they can become a queen, a successful business woman, a great mother, and President of the United States, all at the same time. President Hammer has made our world a safer, better place. America was so lucky to have had a woman so prepared to lead us through the dark times politicians had created. She's incredible!"

While Vince and Cindy had been with them, everyone had been careful not to mention Steve's belief that Gwen's presidency was about to end. Vince had commented on the House and Senate both meeting in closed sessions, and asked Steve if he was aware of what issues were under debate by Congress.

The press had determined, and reported, that Gwen had returned from her travels with agreements and treaties she had submitted for Congressional approval. These agreements appeared to be very unpopular on Capitol Hill. Most reporters expected both houses would refuse to approve any of the agreements President Hammer had reached with other nations, simply because she had agreed to them without any input from either chamber.

"Congress isn't friendly with this administration, as you well know," replied Steve to Vince's question. "Secret meetings seldom result in a win for democracy, but Congress has its own agenda. I'm sure we'll know more by morning. If there's a tie vote you'll be called in, if that's any consolation."

Vince decided not to press Steve any further and departed for the Number One Observatory Circle with his new bride. He was more interested in enjoying his honeymoon for now, and he decided he'd find out what Congress was meeting about soon enough.

Gwen and Steve followed suit soon after Vince left, and retired for the evening. They were both exhausted from the worry and tension created by the threat of impeachment, as well as the effort of performing for such a long time. They made gentle love and quickly fell into an exhausted sleep.

Gwen was surprised when she woke up to see Steve was still asleep next to her, and it was almost eight AM! She couldn't remember the last time he'd slept that late. She realized he'd tirelessly worked the previous two months trying to protect, defend and facilitate her appearances, and it all must have finally taken its toll. He must need a vacation more than she did. He'd been beside her every public step of the tour, but he'd also constantly worked behind the scenes to ensure a smoother path for his wife. His eyes opened as she leaned over and kissed him.

"You've been so generous to me with your time and energy," praised Gwen. "I want you to know that I understand how hard you worked to make our trip a success. You made certain I'd always be on top of any situation I faced. You're the reason I became President, and you're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"I'm glad to hear it, but would you care to express your gratitude in a more physical manner?" whispered Steve as he took a nipple into his mouth and teased the nub with his lips and tongue.

It was almost nine AM before the happy couple strolled in for breakfast at the inelegantly named White House Mess (because it's run by the Navy), holding hands and smiling. The dark looks on the faces of their friends and family quickly erased their happy demeanor.

"Nero may have fiddled while Rome burned, but he had nothing on you two," wisecracked Kate as she pointed toward the large TV screen. "I went to get you almost an hour ago, but the sounds coming from your room indicated you were 'fiddling around', so I left you alone. But now that you're here, you need to know there's hell to pay this morning!"

Gwen and Steve turned their attention to the television. Amber Stahl was on the air and she was obviously agitated. "To repeat, the Congress of the United States has just removed President Gwen Anderson Hammer from office through impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate!