Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental and no slanderous intent is implied.
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CHARACTER LIST --------------
Jared Exley -- Uncle Leon Exley -- Guardian of 13 year old Jared Davy - Was Jared's partner, Diane's best friend Dirk Tobias Matthews - Jared's partner
Peter Barrington -- Steven's cousin and partner in the law firm
CJ -- Jared's grandson / adopted son Christopher Matthews -- Jared's adopted son Mason -- Jared's grandson -- Myles and Ed's adopted son Myles -- Peter's 19 year old son, Ed -- Myles' lover Mikey -- CJ's twin
Mary Gibson -- Matriarch of the family Steven Gibson -- Mary's husband Paul Gibson -- Mary's son and chief of police Jake Gibson-- Mary's youngest son and police officer Dr. Darren Cartwright -- Jake's partner and Jared's doctor.
Judge James Haroldson -- Mary's brother Jennie -- Mary's sister Diane Gibson -- Mary's sister -Exley HR Director - Steven's ex-wife. Kathy -- Diane's partner Stacy --Diane and Steven's daughter. Tracy -- Peter's secretary
Sheila Miranda Easby -- Jared's Aunt William Webster -- Jared's Grandfather John McNicolls -- Sheila's adopted son
Mavis Pratt -- Stephen's wife Bryan Patterson -- Exley and Webster Chief Operating Officer Natalie Walters -- Exley and Webster Finance and Controls Director' Peggy Maycroft -- Opera singer
Cody James - Overseer and ranch operation manager Ella-Mae James -- Cody's wife -- Davy's friend.
Aunty Barb - President of the United States Margaret Williams Jefferson -- Barb's mother Uncle Colin Williams -- Barb' own Uncle Leo Barb Jr -- Barbs adopted daughter Tyler Charles (Chuck) -- Barbs adopted son Devon Ray (Ray) - Barbs adopted son Peter Jenkins - Barbs adopted son Nathan Jenkins - Barbs adopted son
Carl Davidson -- Jared's security Sean Pearson -- Jared's security Mike Pearson -- Jared's security Agent Steele -- Barbs security Mike Winters-- CJ Security Dave1 Potts -- CJ Security
Martin Jefferson - Barb's friend Tony Jefferson -- Martin's brother Gabriel Knight -- Attorney at the village
There are various other ancillary characters, such as the Pratt family that do not play a major part in the story and so are not listed above.
MOONSIDE MANOR
Chapter 13 -- The Truth.
We decided not to celebrate Christmas this year even though it was our first together. Somehow out of respect for Barb we didn't even decorate the house. We did have a tree and it was left bare to show that something was missing. At the foot of the tree were the portraits that CJ had taken and the beautiful painting that Chris had completed for Barb's Christmas present.
We went to midnight mass as a family and everyone joined us. Even though it was not the closest we decided to try St James Cathedral. The priest recognised CJ and Chris and approached with a huge smile and a hug. "We have the warriors of youth before us. Young man I am in awe at you and what you have achieved." Then he paused, "We are so sorry for the loss. Kyle my partner and I watched as you carried yourself with so much dignity over those sad days."
"Are you Father Vincent?" CJ asked.
We all just looked at him. "Yes I am and I am so pleased to meet you at last. Little Petey speaks nonstop about his friend from school. He may be only six, but you went out of your way to make him feel happy when he was feeling miserable."
At that moment we heard "Come one dad, I have to get there I can hear his voice!" As we looked there was a little boy with a white stick dragging a George Clooney look alike.
I looked at the Father, "I'm sorry I wasn't aware."
"Don't worry, Petey does not let it faze him and he has a special class in school to teach him everything he needs to know. Kyle and I saved him off the streets. He was living out of bins. It was because of that he turned blind. He caught a nasty bug that nearly killed him. It nearly killed us as well worrying about the little fella."
"Pete, where am I now?" CJ asked as he moved away towards the door behind everyone clearly playing with the little guy.
Pete stood and looked around and sniffed, "I'd know you anywhere" and he walked right through everyone and up to CJ and hugged him. "CJ will you sing for daddy tonight...? I love `O Holy Night' ... will you please?" CJ looked at Dirk and me knowing we wanted a simple family night, but for Pete we nodded.
"Of course I will."
"Thank you Mr Exley-Gibson I know he looked at you for a reply." Petey said.
Father Vincent just laughed. "He may be blind, but he senses more than most."
I noticed at that time that both CJ and Pete were standing by the door looking around. "You can sense it can't you Petey?" CJ said.
"CJ I can hear some whimpering, but not sure where it is coming from." He stepped down the steps. "That way CJ" We followed and I took the hand of little Petey while Dirk went ahead with CJ.
"Sir it's injured and may hurt him. Don't let him go near it."
"Dirk did you hear that?" He made CJ pull back to me and went on alone.
"Hey there little fella..." There lay man's best friend, beaten and left to die. It was a beautiful chocolate coloured Labrador, with doleful eyes. He was whining, obviously in pain. "Are you going to let me look at you?" He went straight up to it and softly petted the animal. "Myles run to the car and get my bag. This little guy is far too gone to help we need him to visit Jesus tonight CJ."
In a blink of an eye CJ was at his side. The animal must have had children around and he looked at CJ and licked him. "It's OK... Do you trust me?" The dog just licked him and then whimpered. CJ Looked at Dirk and nodded his head. "You go to sleep boy. You are such a good boy..." and he was gone. We all looked on amazed at this young boy and the talents that he continued to display.
"Uncle Paul there is a family in danger without this dog the children will suffer and maybe die tonight." In the crowd that had gathered a lady gasped and said, "I think that might be Bobby Jo's dog. Over on Raccine number 217." With that Paul told us to go into the service and he called for backup.
We loved the church and the members. The service was simple and beautiful. As Father Vince was announcing that those who wanted could step forward for the blessing or communion, CJ stepped forward and without any music he sang O Holy Night'. It was breathtaking. He followed that with Silent Night', but sung it in Hebrew which he had learnt in the choir in England. He ended as people were sitting down at the stroke of midnight singing with the organ `Hark the Herald Angels sing'. We were in awe and he was loving every minute of it. Before he sat down, he approached Father Vince knelt on one knee and the father offered a blessing whilst laying his hand on his head.
Once he came and sat down everyone was standing and clapping like there was no tomorrow. Little Petey ran to him and hugged him then when CJ sat Petey plonked himself on CJ's knee and hugged him again. As the church emptied the congregation made their way first to CJ to thank him for the singing and then Father Vince.
It was a quiet and almost subdued Christmas. We each shared gifts we just did not feel like we should be celebrating. Once it was the 28th the build up to the elections started and we were surprised that Martin Jefferson was the person standing for Barb's party.
"Mike, who are the people with Martin Jefferson...?" CJ was just staring at the TV screen. We could tell something was seriously wrong.
"They're his mother, father and younger brother. It's Senator Jefferson and his family."
"Yes I know, Senator William Blake Jefferson and his wife Cheryl Watson Jefferson. He was married before though wasn't he?"
We all just looked at him. "Yes he was to a Margaret Williams Jefferson and they had a daughter. Margaret and the daughter were killed while the Senator was in Washington. In fact you knew Margaret's brother Colin Williams."
We were all looking at CJ. "Were they killed though? What was the daughter's name and how old was she when she died?"
"She was seven and I think her name was ..." He stopped. Looked at the picture of Barb and just said, "Oh My God! Why has no one seen it before? Dave call in all the favours that we have, we have to see Matthew. We have to see him NOW before the election."
"On it mate. With that Dave walked out.
Myles looked at me, "What am I missing dad? I don't understand."
CJ looked at everyone and said, "Thirty-five years ago there was a massacre at the Senator's mansion in Kentucky. Not too far away from where Uncle Colin grew up. Colin's family name was Williams, his kid sister was Margaret Williams the wife of Senator Jefferson. Their seven your old daughter was called Barbara."
We gasped and just looked at each other suddenly realising what CJ already knew, "When the police arrived at the mansion the little girl was missing and only the wife's body was recovered. Within a month after the funerals the Senator re-married a very heavily pregnant Cheryl Watson his current wife."
CJ let everything sink in. "Colin was the Governor of the State and always thought that Barbara never remembered anything. She didn't until she was ran for government and then she recognised her father's face. Over some time all of her memories came back. She was devastated by what she remembered. Even though they lived in Kentucky the Senator lived in Washington and always had an excuse not to return home."
CJ looked around and continued, "They knew that he had a mistress. What could they do against him and he looked after them well. That is until they learnt that the mistress was pregnant. It was when they heard that the tart was expecting a boy that the wife became worried. She made a will leaving everything to Barbara. She also made sure that it stated in the event that the child did not survive the mother that everything should be left to Colin. He argued, but for Barbara's sake agreed to the plan. Margaret begged him to look after Barbara if what she feared happened."
Dirk looked at CJ, "How do you know this son?"
"Aunty Barb left an envelope for me with an envelope for Matthew in it as well. All of this was written, but it was a letter that was from her mother, not Barb. Anyway to continue... Within the week the Senator's mansion was attacked when security was, should we say elsewhere...? When the police arrived they found Margaret dead, shot in the head, but there was no sign of any daughter." There was an audible gasp.
CJ nodded and continued, "When Colin heard that no child was found he searched for her until he found her..." CJ sobbed, "... She had been raped and was almost dead...Left near a river by the people who murdered her mother. The man who organised and paid for it was her father Senator Jefferson himself. Colin knew that the Senator had told them that they could do what they wanted to `The Girl'. She had always been an inconvenience and he had never seen her in the seven years of her life."
We sat in silence for some time, and then he continued. "You know it wasn't hard for a Governor to adopt a homeless child, but as she grew memories are funny things."
He coughed, "Once she qualified as a lawyer, she researched the will of Margaret Williams Jefferson and was shocked by what she read. As Colin had done, now she feared for her life and was sure that something would happen. She kept the envelopes. One was to her which she never opened until just before she died. The other was to Colin. When she was elected to the House of Representatives she watched her father and then saw Matthew. Hell she had even been in the same school as him and definitely the same law firm. Now she knew for certain she was happy in that knowledge, especially when she was nominated to ran for President beating her own father."
Dave walked back in and all was set. CJ closed by saying, "She was happy, she truly was and even though they were never brother and sister Martin was her best friend. When she knew she was dying she asked me to do this and now looking at that smug bastard, I can understand."
CJ took out the card that Martin had given him and asked if we could visit with him as we had found something in the President's things that she wanted him to have before the elections. Martin invited us to Kentucky and asked us to stay until after the elections travelling with him to Washington with him if he was successful.
CJ told him we would be there the next day. So Dirk, all the kids and I with our security prepared to travel to Kentucky on the private plane that Dave had arranged for us. Steven and Mary insisted on coming with us, but everyone else wanted a quite New Years.
As we landed in Kentucky, Martin was waiting for our plane and as everyone got off he asked to talk to CJ and myself so we headed back for privacy. "OK guys the more I have thought about this the more I feel that something is wrong. What's going on?"
CJ related what Barb had shared with him and gave him the envelope that Barb had written. He just sat there and cried as he read the letter. Eventually he broke down and asked if I would read it for him so that he could take it in.
My Dearest Martin,
If you are reading this then I am no longer and you are running for President. It's strange as I always thought that you should have been president anyway.
Know that what I have asked CJ to tell you I have known for several years as my memories started to return some time ago. I remember that night quite vividly and the man who shot my mother. I will leave you to put two and two together, but he was our father. His parting words to the men with him were, "You can have all the fun you want with her just make sure she's dead when you are finished."
If it were not for my mother's brother then I would be dead, but he searched and found me and persuaded your father that he was adopting a little girl that was homeless and was calling her Barbara after the little girl they had both lost. This was easy as my father had never seen me. For seven years he avoided me and then when he had killed my mother he totally ignored me.
I now leave it with you to do that which we know is right, but know this if he does become Vice President with you I will ruin you both and all of the businesses that you have. CJ has everything in place.
Do not trust your mother as it was she that shouted for him to kill my mother.
Martin I fear for your safety and that of our brother as well. Mike knows all.
He is CJ's security and can make sure that you are all safe as will Jake.
I trust you with the future of America, but know that I have evidence that CJ will release if nothing else is done and it will ruin your parents.
I hate to lay this on to you, but now I have no other option ...
Your Sister
Barb. x
Martin was clearly sobbing now and asked for time alone with CJ. Mike insisted on staying with him and by the time they came out of the plane they had a plan in place to ruin his mother and father. "Jared you may not believe this, but I am so ashamed of my family. I now only have Tony my little brother and CJ as family.
"Wrong Martin, CJ would kill me if you were not part of our family now ... We seem to take in a lot of strays!" they all laughed.
"Well if you will let us I want to be part of your family once we disown my own. I've called Tony and we're meeting him from school. He'll help us as he and dad don't get on. Come on everyone let the games begin. Mike make sure that the police receive the evidence that Barb gave to CJ. I want these bastards by the balls."
He was right about Tony. He was keen to see his father fall and that they should pay for what they did to Barb. "Do you think Gramps knows?"
Martin thought, "You know how upright he is about standing up for truth. I don't think that he's involved."
Tony's next comment shocked us all. "Then let's take the bastards down on the TV show tonight. We were all due to be there anyway and there is an open forum question time." I liked his way of thinking.
We were all sat in the audience with Tony and Gramps or Edward Jefferson as he was known. Soon the warm up man came in and just before the show began we were told that only those who had been chosen could put their hands up to ask a question.
It had been going alright and Martin was sat there with his parents, when he stood and started working the audience. Suddenly Tony put his hand up and Martin went straight to him. "I'd like to know if Dad or mom ever knew a woman called Margaret Williams. I believe her married name was Jefferson. Just that they never talk about her" Gramps just watched his son.
"Yes you must know that I did as you're asking the question. So you must know that I was married to her before your mother."
CJ put his hand up and spoke next, "Is it true that you had a daughter?"
Gramps head shot up, "No he never had a daughter."
Jefferson was starting to sweat and he looked at his father as he said, "Yes we did, Barbara." He just starred at his father.
Gramps was visibly shaking as he sobbed. "Why? How could you?"
CJ continued. "Can you tell us what happened to them?"
"They were shot." He said coldly.
"People of the nation you have all seen me and heard me I would like you to hear a letter Margaret Jefferson wrote to her brother a week before she was murdered." As agreed I stood and read the emotional letter from Margaret to Colin. CJ stood again, "Were you keeping a mistress as well as a wife sir?"
"No not at all we were living as man and wife by then." The bimbo stated.
"So he was a bigamist." Martin jumped in and attacked his father who looked shell shocked.
"No we got married after the bitch was shot." Martin's mother snapped.
"Mom! What do you mean after the bitch was shot and how do you know about it all?" His mother just stammered a little and then went quiet.
CJ took up the reins again and looked at Senator Jefferson, "Sir did you know that the little girl didn't die?" Gramps just looked up and smiled.
"What do you mean she must have done they took her with them."
"Who did dad...?" Tony shouted, "...and how would you know unless of course you were there?"
Martin spoke, "Your wife knew that you were going to have her shot... Sorry my mistake. You wife knew the type of person that you were and that she was at risk so she saw her brother. When she did she asked him to protect your daughter. Ladies and Gentlemen of America the caring Congressman that he would like us all to believe. This is the caring Congressman that never once saw his daughter in seven years.
Martin paused, "Never once spent Christmas with her and her mother and never even bought her a birthday present. This wonderful leader of our country! I spit on people like you! He never even knew what his daughter looked like. He never spent any time with her. He stayed in Washington and spent time with his whore!"
"Watch your tongue young man I might be a whore but I'm..." As she realised what she had said everyone in the audience was laughing.
Jefferson just glared at her and then looked at his son, "You're wrong, I saw her go she must be dead."
Again Martin spoke, "No sir she was not and the question is still how could you see her go? Ladies and Gentlemen of America we have a tape recording of the little girl speaking as she remembers seeing him for the first and only time. As this person is now dead it is legally admissible as evidence." Martin had the TV show load the tape and play it through the studio so everyone could hear.
The whole country heard Steven state "This is Steven Gibson acting on behalf of Barbara Williams Jenkins as she wishes to make a statement about her life. This is legally binding and is being witnessed by a notary and a transcript is being taken. Please continue Barbara, when you are ready.
There was a moments silence and then we heard, "I saw my father for the time that night as he raised the gun and pointed it at my mother. `Why couldn't she have been a boy ... boys become Presidents not girls' and he shot her in the head. She slumped back, dead..."
The tape was paused and rewound as Jefferson shouted, "What is this that was Madam President's voice...! Noooooo!" He slumped in his chair.
"Yes it is the voice of the greatest President of the modern age and the first Lady President of America" Stated Martin.
The tape started again, "I screamed and it was as if he looked right through me. `Do what you want with her, but end it by making sure she's dead.' Bitterness and hate dripped from him. I was tortured and raped repeatedly for several days and then left to die. My mother's brother, Uncle Colin, had promised her he would look after me and when he found that I was missing he searched for days looking for me. He even paid private investigators to search. The envelope with the letter A is reports that the private investigator made to my uncle of his findings. Being a lawyer myself I know that a prosecutor will find that information very interesting.
We looked around and the tape continued, "Uncle Colin found me near death on the banks of a river. Somehow I had found strength to pull myself out of the water. Colin rushed me to hospital, and after several operations to save my life I survived. The result of the operations was that I would never be able to have children of my own. Uncle Colin adopted me and my father never knew that the homeless kid called after his daughter so an uncle could remember his favourite niece was in fact his own daughter because he'd never seen me before."
Martin continued, "It was years later when Barbara now a successful lawyer investigated Uncle Colin's dead sister's will that had never been read that she found that she had left every penny to the little girl, every penny that he..." He pointed to his father, "...embezzled to serve his own greed. You always wondered why Colin never allowed you to see the will. Margaret Williams Jefferson your wife that you killed because as your wife wrote, `He always wanted a boy so that he would become President and he would reap the glory'."
Martin paused and looked at his family, "The little girl that you thought dead married and her husband was killed in Iraq. Then to get back at you she ran for President at the same time that you did and she won. She beat you at your own game and to make it even better it was a landslide victory. She thrashed her own father. Barbara Williams Jefferson Jenkins became the greatest President this country has had in a long time. The greatest lady that I have ever known..."
"Don't say that, what about your mother?"
Martin looked at his parents, "Sir, I have no mother you are living with a cheap whore! As I was saying the greatest lady I have ever met and from the day we met my best and always will remain my best friend."
CJ stood, "What did you do? You killed her mother and had her killed because little girls never become Presidents do they sir?"
Tony pointed to his mother and said, "The baby that the whore was pregnant with when you shot your first wife was Martin. Barbara Jenkins best friend in life and in death because I am going to see you and mother dearest put to the chair for double murders." Martin just cried and Tony jumped over all of the crowds to get to him. Tony hugged him.
His mother looked up, "You cannot do that I never knew any of this."
Tony looked at the floor manager and shouted, "Play the tape."
It was Barb' voice again. "I was sat on the stairs when daddy dearest shot my mother and then I noticed that she had been shot not only in the head but also in the heart. Twice and the woman I was to find out was Cheryl Watson was stood with a smoking gun in her hand. When Jefferson aimed the gun at me she whispered something in his ear and that was when he let the men that were with him have me. It is no use going after those men as they have already been killed. Like him they were both Senators. To make sure they kept quiet daddy dearest had them silenced at a later date. You may wonder how I know all of this as my memory was totally lost. When Uncle Colin entered the Senate and we moved to Washington I saw daddy that first time and it was like I was stabbed in the heart as I remembered everything."
Martin spoke again, "Ladies and Gentlemen of America I stand before you in the hope that I can carry on Barbara's great work and part of that is to say to the police that you have been handed all of the evidence that you need to arrest Senator William Blake Jefferson and Cheryl Watson Jefferson for the murder of Margaret Williams Jefferson and attempted murder of the then Barbara Jefferson. Add to those the charge of child abandonment and hate crimes and anything else that you can make fit. Take these murderers away." The audience was stunned into silence.
The man Tony called Gramps looked up and asked the officer to hold for a moment. "Why? You had everything?"
Jefferson was silent his head hung low, but Cheryl looked at her father in law and said, "She had all of the money. It was never about the government. It was money. All he has ever loved is money and status. Now he has it as his son will be President."
"I am no longer his son as I have officially legally disowned him and filed to change my name to the family that Barbara loved. Martin Colin Exley- Gibson." CJ and Chris walked forward and took his hand. "I fully intend to practice law and I fully intend to adopt my own children. I no longer have parents and just for daddy dear I am no longer standing for President."
Tony stepped up to him, "I too am following his example and will be known as Anthony Colin Exley-Gibson and fully intend on being part of this wonderful family."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of America I was fully intending on standing for government office, but now find that I cannot as it will only be serving an evil mans dreams. I stand down and look to the country to heal these wounds." The audience stood and applauded.
Gramps continued, "Try getting an attorney to represent you son if you can as all of your accounts have been frozen as the funds in them are rightfully Barbara's, so belong to her heirs. The money was their mothers as Margaret left everything to Barbara.
"The house where you live was the house of Senator Ezekiel Williams and was built for him. He was Margaret's great grandfather the greatest man this country has ever known in recent times. Again that too was left by Colin to Barbara NOT to you. It never was yours. All of your things will be removed as soon they return to it and it will be put to good use.
"You sir will be homeless. Now I Samuel A Jefferson, former Senator of Kentucky officially disown you and all monies that would go to you will now go to Martin and Tony. Barbara and Colin have looked after her side of the family and her heirs, now I look after Martin and Tony and disown you completely.
"The House in Kentucky will become Tony's and the house in Illinois will be Martin's everything else will be split equally, with the exception of Milner's Art Gallery and Antiques as I know CJ and Chris are exceptional in Art and I wish to leave this already established fine arts house to them as my way of saying thank you. I am so ashamed of you...Arghhhhhh!" He fell clutching his heart.
Mike jumped into action to try to help Gramps and Dave called an ambulance. Soon the EMTs had arrived and I promised that we would drive Martin and Tony to the hospital to be with him. The police had already taken the Jeffersons away broken and alone. We would never see them again and the only time Martin and Tony did was when they attended their executions.
When we got to the hospital we were too late as Gramps had had another massive heart Attack in the ambulance and was pronounced dead on arrival. Martin called the police to tell his father and the cold hearted bastard never even asked for permission to attend the funeral.
It was a hard few days for Tony and Martin and we stayed with them through out to make sure that they were well looked after. During this time Barbara's party were elected again and the man that was elected Martin assured me was a good man, a staunch supporter of Barb.
The day after the elections he called Martin to ask how he was doing and to ask him to stand with CJ and Chris as the `Special Envoys for Youth" in congress. I thought that was a fantastic idea and we finally had something to celebrate.
We were soon attending Gramps' funeral and CJ once again stood and sang for the family. I wondered how he knew so many words to the difference song because this time he sang the theme to the Bodyguard' movie I will always love you', followed by `Ave Maria'.
It was two days later when we were called to the lawyer's to have the will read. He had been true to his word as the day of the TV show he had totally cut of Jefferson and his Wife and the will was split as he had wished. CJ if he had not already been very wealthy was fast becoming one of the richest people in America and he was only nine years old.
Life fell into a routine and we were all soon back at either work or school. Life was settling down nicely. It turned out that Gramps house was only on the other side of the Moonside Manor Estate. So we decided to join our lands and the mansion which he shared with Tony soon became part of the Moonside Estate and we called that house `The Dower house'. When post arrived it was redirected by the house keeper to the respective properties.
CJ had been asked if he would sing at the inauguration of the new president. We asked Martin if he would like to attend with CJ. Mike and Dave insisted that they would be their security and would arrange everything. He admitted that he would like to attend.
So it was decided that they would attend the March 4th service together. As this was an exceptional election as there was no outgoing president it could not take place of the 20th January as had been the tradition instead they opted for the 4th March which was the day when the original constitution first took effect.
CJ called Peggy and asked if she could attend with him and then they could duet together for the nation and at the same time, in a way promote their new album. She simply jumped at the chance and said that she would meet up with them the day before in Washington so that they could practice the music together.
CJ asked that they do Everything I do' the theme song from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and then one of her choice. Peggy thought for a second and then said, "I know it's very British, but he has just vowed to the country so why not do I vow to thee my country'?" CJ was over the moon as he loved that hymn and so it was decided and Peggy would ensure that the music and arrangements were done specially for them and that they would wow the world as they sang together.
On March 2nd they met Peggy at Senator Williams home as they had kept the address and not sold it. Though all trace of Jefferson had been removed and the place had been completely overhauled. It was now a very Exley-Gibson family home and pride of place in the music room was the grand piano that belonged to Barbara's mother.
As Peggy and her people arrived they settled into their rooms for the evening and then rehearsal started the next day. CJ and Peggy knew each other's voices so well that they simply blended together.
As they rested after the rehearsal was over Peggy said, "You know this would be a beautiful place to produce the next album. That music room has fantastic acoustics and I think I would like to call it `At home with CJ'. I really think you have something special. Will you let me do it?"
CJ was bouncing off the walls at the thought and made her call me at the Manor. We laughed and chatted and told her in the end that Martin was an Attorney and could act on behalf of me while they were over there. I did confide in her that I would love it to be a two disc series and that one of the discs be CJ and friends with all profits going to the Uncle Leon Foundation and her chosen children's charities. She simply loved the idea.
Peggy assured CJ that her team would take into consideration all of his time at school. Making sure that they book time when he would be available to do recording. Like him with school she was busy with bookings and would have to make sure that they blended together. Martin assured her that like this time they would all stay at the mansion and that the staff would be on hand to ensure all went well.
The big day finally arrived and the new president sent cars to pick them all up and they were in place well before any one started to arrive. As all of the different people started to take their place, CJ could just sense something was out of place. "Peggy cover for me there's something wrong here and I don't like the look of that one man over there.
She looked and agreed. Without a second thought she stood to stretch and then fainted. Mike in the commotion walked over to the man that CJ had pointed out and sure enough he should not have been there and had a gun loaded and ready to kill.
Martin stepped forward when all was secured, "Who were you after today...The President...Who...?"
"That little brat standing next to you...! Do you know how many lives he's ruined?" We were sat in Moonside Manor and everyone was up on their feet shouting at the television screen in the home theatre. God how we wished we were there, but CJ had insisted that normalcy had to return and we could all watch it at home. He went only with his security and Martin.
CJ laughed. "You mean like you? You mean men that feed off the innocence of youth. Off the innocence of children that can't stand up for themselves. You call yourselves men? You're nothing but animals. Predators of children that can't fight back... Predators of the youth of today, the leaders of tomorrow! Predators of innocence! Until I take my last breath I will fight people like you. My brother was killed because of these so called men. So I will stand up for him and fight for the rights that he had when you `men' of the world stole them from him. When I have been laid in the dust someone else will come and take the challenge and fulfil the legacy. It has always been there and always will be... that of being the Champion for the youth of today."
They did not know, but all of the cameras of the world had been on the activity and had all centred on Martin and CJ. When all went silent, to help break the silence Peggy quickly stood and broke into an acapella rendition of `Hail to the Hero'.
As she started the whole crowd stood and joined in. All of the Military at the same time stood and turned to face CJ and saluted him whilst the song was being sung. He held onto Martin and they both wept. At the end of the song Mike helped them back to their seats and Peggy held CJ's hand, while CJ held Martin's. At home Dirk and I were holding each other's hand so proud of our boy.
As the dignitaries all started to arrive again every one without exception turned and either saluted CJ or went over and shook his hand. Some even kissed him on both cheeks. He was in his element by now. Although Peggy was embarrassed when a few people actually asked if CJ was her son, to which she replied "Sir if he was I would be the proudest mum in the world at this very moment." We were shocked to see the President Elect and the future First Lady bowed their heads to him as they passed.
The ceremony opened with the military bands as could be expected, but then Peggy stood and walked to the choirs and sang with The Battle Hymn of the Republic'. The Master of ceremonies stood and the invocation prayer was introduced. At that point CJ stood and walked over to the microphone and looked out over to the nation and as an American Citizen this little British boy sang My Country Tis of Thee'.
Through Washington and America you could hear people going wild because as he sang the children's choirs from around the nation gradually walked on to the area where he was singing. None cheered louder than his family at Moonside Manor. It was breathtaking.
While the children were there Peggy stepped up to CJ and with the children's choir they sang their first duet `I Vow to thee my Country'. It was absolutely spectacular. After that things got serious and the Vice President was sworn in.
The usual flourishes of music sounded and the President elect stood and with Barbara's bible in hand was sworn into the office of President of the United States of America. We donated the bible and it was to become a tradition that the presidents that supported children's rights most would use Barbara's bible to be sworn in.
After he was sworn in Peggy and CJ stood again and sang `Everything I do' and that prepared the ground for the most soul reaching speech that any President has ever given. At the end of the speech he vowed to follow in Barbara and called Martin and CJ forward.
The President stated, "I am going to start a new tradition and that is to select three people to be envoys to the youth of America and to have their vows taken on the same day that the President takes his vows. Martin Exley- Gibson and CJ Exley-Gibson along with Chris Exley-Gibson, whom I believe is at home with his family at the moment and will sworn into office when he first visits with us." I looked over and Chris was totally shocked and had tears rolling down his face and was being hugged by Myles. "CJ and Martin do you vow to uphold the rights of every child and to stand in their place to make sure that justice and right are always upheld in this fair land."
With tears streaming down his face my little CJ said "I do" Followed by Martin who was also crying.
"People of America know that children of America have champions now. We will work tirelessly to make sure that our children's lives are wholesome in every way." As they went back to sit CJ walked up to the mike and everyone was in a state of shock as this was not expected. Mr President Stood and said "Ladies and Gentlemen please let CJ have time to give his acceptance speech in his own way." He stood there and with no music sang `I dreamed a Dream' from Les Miserable. Peggy was the first one on her feet.
When the applause died down CJ simply said into the cameras "I dreamed a dream like all of the other children who are abused and hated that life would be so different from the hell I was living and look at me. It is. I am here for every one of you. I am not saying that we will change the world and the way men think, but you know what we are going to give it a bloody good try. Children you now have someone to fight for you so people of the world who hate and hurt the young ones ... beware!"
The inauguration carried on in the way all good ones do and at the end CJ was invited with Peggy and Martin to attend as the President's guest at the Luncheon that they would be attending next and then the Inaugural Ball with them.
What shocked CJ the most was when the First Lady asked him and Martin to join them on the parade walk back to the Whitehouse following lunch. They were planning on walking and meeting the public.
As they walked to the entrance CJ stood at the doorway and just felt a chill as there was an odd silence in the crowd. One that you would not expect in a crowd waiting to greet the new President. He walked back and once out of sight got the special agents to close the doors.
Not knowing the right thing to do according to etiquette CJ went up to Martin as he knew that he had to tell someone. Once Martin heard he suggested they approach the First Lady together. CJ told her that he was sure something was wrong and that the President's life was in danger. He could feel a silence outside and when he looked around toward the left side of the crowd he knew there was something there, something that put them all in danger.
She was a great follower of CJ and immediately alerted the special agents requesting K9 be bought in and assess the situation as obviously something had got through the security that should have been in place. As a result of the request K9 were released to search and defend.
CJ was right. Not more than thirty feet away from the Capitol Steps was a sniper with the sole intent on killing the new President. The Presidential party waiting for the area to be cleared was shocked when the President insisted that a podium be set up so that he and CJ could address the nation before the parade.
Once the area was secured the President addressed the nation. He let them know what had just happened and that all was well pointing out that CJ was indeed champion for the children as they had just found out that the First Lady was to have a baby this year. Most probably CJ had just saved her life. The Whitehouse would have a nursery for the first time in years.
That's all for now folks ... In the next chapter we meet Marcy again and find out about Webster construction and why Marcy was on edge. There is great sadness for the President and Jared saves the day but at what cost?
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