[(photo of Oliver)]

"So as of now Thatcher Hayes is leading in the polls by 32% of the vote", Rebecca stated.

All the head directors of the campaign sat at the big table in the conference room. Lucille and Alexis sat on a couch near the back wall just listening in.

"What are Thatcher's people doing that we aren't?", Theresa asked.

"Have you seen the video of his speech in Dallas?", Joseph asked. "I gotta admit it was pretty good. He's focusing on stricter gun control laws. His poll numbers basically shot up after that."

"Joseph this is Texas and something Texas loves more than anything is hunting", Rebecca stated plainly. "There's gotta be something else."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to face the doors of the conference room as they crept open. They all stood up. Alexis and Lucille looked at each other, confused, but followed suit.

"Good morning sir", everyone at the table said in unison. They all watched as he strode over to the head of the table.

It was Oliver Reed, in the flesh. The first thing Lucille noticed about him was his gray eyes. They were so intense.

"Good morning everyone. I apologize for being late", he said as he took his seat. "What are we discussing today?"

Lucille felt a tugging at her sleeve. It was Alexis motioning for her to sit. She was the only one still standing. She hurriedly took her seat.

"We were actually just talking about what we can do to improve the poll numbers", Rebecca informed. She passed him a few papers.

"Well this isn't good", he muttered.

"Joseph was just telling us about a speech Hayes did in Dallas on gun control but I don't think his poll numbers are up for the sole reason that he wants stricter laws on guns", Theresa said.

"Go on", he said still going through the papers.

She continued. "I think it may have been the speech itself. Maybe we need a stronger communications team."

"What do you mean by that?", Jancy questioned. "If there's a weak spot in this campaign it definitely isn't in the communications department."

Without much thought forth, Lucille stood from her seat. "I don't mean to butt in but I don't think it's his speeches that got his numbers up. It's the places where he gives them that matters."

Rebecca stood up. "Lucille you are out of line, this is a chairpersons meeting."

She turned to Jancy. "Why are they even in here?"

Before Jancy could respond, Oliver did. "Rebecca take your seat and calm down."

Oliver turned to look at Lucille.

"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to overstep or anything."

"Who are you?", he asked bluntly.

"I'm Lucille. I'm with the communications team", she said speaking slowly, afraid of stammering over words.

"I'd like to hear more of what you have to say."

All eyes were on her.

"Well I was just saying that it's not the speech that matters. In fact his speeches actually suck", she said frankly. "The only thing that matters is that the speech was given at a conference in Dallas for at risk youth. He also recited the speech once again at a function for people who lost loved ones due to gun violence. You can understand that at these places a speech about gun control would be very respected. It's the audience that matters, sir."

He smiled at her. "Thank you Lucille."

Lucille gave him a curt nod before taking her seat.

"How is it that this 20 year old knows what the problem is and you don't?", Oliver asked his campaign team, annoyance noticeable in his tone.

Although he was wrong about Lucille's age, he did have a point. These people were being paid good money to ensure that he won this election and they weren't doing a very good job.

Rebecca spoke up, "Well--" She was cut short.

"Lucille join us here at the table."

Lucille's eyes widened. "What?", she asked hesitantly. She was nothing more than a social media coordinator to put it nicely.

"I'd like to hear more of what you have to say. Do you have any ideas that could possibly turn these poll numbers around?", he asked gesturing to the papers in front of him.

Lucille stood up, ignoring the distasteful looks she was receiving from Rebecca. She took the vacant seat next to Jancy, who smiled at her. Lucille was definitely making her department look good.

"So, from my understanding, one of the things you want to focus on when you're elected is lowering the state's abortion rates. Is that correct?"

He nodded, rubbing his chin.

"Well this Saturday is the annual convention for the Texas Catholic Conference. It's being held at the George Brown convention center. If I'm right, no one hates abortion more than a catholic. If you give a pro-life speech at that convention in front of thousands of catholics, your poll numbers will increase greatly."

Everyone waited in anticipation for a response from him. He was rubbing his chin looking down at the table then suddenly, he stood up.

"Rebecca, you do whatever you need to do to get me an opening at that convention", he demanded.

"Yes sir", she answered as she stood up rushing out of the conference room.

"Jancy, Lucille, and.. you", he said pointing to Alexis. "Stay put. We have work to do. Everyone else is dismissed."

Theresa, Joseph, and everyone else trailed out of the room with their heads hung low.

So much for the communications team being the weak spot in the campaign huh?

Alexis took a seat across from Lucille. "So awesome", she mouthed.

Oliver began to speak. "So Jancy how do you suppose we go forth with this plan?"

Jancy turned to me then back to him. "Well since this was Lucille's idea, how about we let her decide."

For Lucille, this day just kept getting better and better. She sat up in her seat, and began speaking.

"You start the speech off by, of course, introducing yourself, stating your reason for being there, that you're running for governor, etc."

An hour later, and they were all still coming up with a blueprint of his speech. No writing going on, just throwing things into the air.

"And at the end of your speech, your wife walks out with your son and joins you center stage. You give her a kiss on the cheek and do the joint hand raise together like the Obamas and walk off stage holding hands."

"I love that", Jancy stated. Alexis nodded eagerly in agreement.

"Lucille you seem a little overqualified for the position you're working", Oliver stated. "Is there something you're hiding?"

Lucille smiled. "I just have a knick for these things, sir. When it comes to politics, perception is everything."

"It sure is", Oliver responded. "I'll meet with you all again tomorrow to go over the final draft of the speech."

He stood up from his seat but before exiting, he turned back around.

"Lucille, good job today. I hope to see this much hard work and enthusiasm for the rest of your time working for me."

"Thank you, sir", she said smiling so hard she thought her cheeks would split.

She and Alexis walked back over to the couch to retrieve their work bags with their laptops. When they turned back around, they saw Jancy standing up, gathering her things.

"You two better get started on that speech if you plan on getting out of here by dinner time", she stated plainly.

Both girls looked at each other.

"Jancy what are you talking about?", Alexis asked. "Writing speeches is mainly your job."

"You can thank Lucille", she said smiling devilishly at her.

A confused expression crept onto Lucille's face. "I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?"

"Next time you try and upstage me in front of him, you won't enjoy working for me."

"I don't work for you, Jancy. I work for Oliver Reed."

"Finish that speech. I want it perfect and I want a final copy emailed to me by 10."

Jancy exited the conference room leaving Lucille pissed off beyond belief. She apologized to Alexis for having to stay late but Alexis reassured her that Jancy was just being bitter.

"She's just mad that you do her job better than she does. You started talking and the first thought that came to my mind was 'Lucille is the real life Olivia Pope.'"

Lucille laughed. "Thanks Lex."

"It's a quarter to 4", Lucille informed looking down at her watch. "How about we show this bitch and get it to her by 6."

They both opened their laptops. Alexis did the research while Lucille began drafting out the speech, inserting statistics and other findings along the way. After proofing and editing, it was 6:20.

"Not too bad", Lucille cheered, giving Alexis a high five. "Let me email it to her and we can get out of here."

She was about to send it to her but right before she did, she decided to be.. insubordinate.

Lucille deleted Jancy's email address from the send line and replaced it with Oliver Reed's.

* *

When Lucille opened the door to her apartment, she was happy to see Aaron on the sofa waiting for her. She walked in, shutting the door, and was surprised to see her nanna standing over the stove.

She turned back to Aaron. He mouthed 'sorry'.

"Lucille it don't look like you been cooking much. This stove look brand new."

"Hi nanna", she greeted, forcing a smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Nanna Sarah walked into the living room.

"Girl don't come in here with that fake stuff. I came over here to see why you haven't been to church or bible study in weeks."

Lucille sat down on the couch next to Aaron.

"Well nanna I've been busy with the new job but I promise I'll be there this Sunday."

"Hadn't been for God you wouldn't have that job."

"I know", she answered.

"Now get in this kitchen and help me cook supper", nanna said walking back into the kitchen. "I don't know how you keep a man when you got him eating fast food every night."

Lucille turned to Aaron before getting up.

"That's not all he's eating every night", she whispered. Aaron grinned as his girlfriend walked off into the kitchen.

Lucille dug into her food as soon as nanna was finished saying grace, which lasted a remarkable 13 minutes, believe it or not. They were eating her favorite meal. Chicken with rice and gravy and green beans.

The entire dinner consisted of nanna asking them about their jobs and telling them why attending church is good for their relationship. Oh and then she asked Aaron when he was planning on proposing. To be exact she asked:

"So Aaron, will I be alive to see my grand baby walk down the isle?"

Lucille nearly choked on her green beans.

"Nanna!", she shouted.

Aaron laughed. At the tender age of 65, Lucille's grandmother still had the same sense of humor she'd had since she was a little girl.

Aaron reached for Lucille's hand over the dinner table. "I have every intention of marrying your grand daughter, Ms. Sarah."

"Aw, I love you", Lucille said before leaning over to kiss him.

"Well I guess it's time for me to go", nanna said before standing up. "Lucille I expect to see you at church on Sunday. And you too Aaron."

"Yes nanna", Lucille said walking her to the door. "I love you, see you Sunday."

She shut the door. "Thank God." She walked into the dining room to help Aaron clean up but he told her he'd take care of everything.

Lucille went into their bedroom and took off her shoes. She walked into the bathroom and stripped out of her clothes. She stepped into the shower and turned it on, standing directly under the shower head. She shut her eyes.

The only thing on her mind at the moment was what Oliver would think of the speech. She couldn't wait to rub it in Jancy's face.

Her eyes shot open as she felt a cool breeze wander into the shower.

"Want some company?"

She nodded and extended her hand. Aaron took it and got into the shower behind her. He pulled her body into his.

"You seem tense", he whispered. "Is everything okay?"

"Just work. Nothing I can't handle", she answered turning towards him.

She kissed him tenderly.

"I love you, Lucille", he whispered against her lips.

"I love you too", she said before pressing her lips into his.

His hands roamed down the length of her body as their kissing escalated.

After their steamy shower, they dried off and got dressed for bed. Aaron had fallen asleep right when he laid down. Lucille smiled to herself realizing she must've tired him out.

Before she turned the lamp off on the night stand, she picked up her phone to check her email one last time before bed. She deleted all the spam and junk mail and placed it down. Just as she did, her phone dinged.

She picked it back up and opened the email app. It was him. She pressed on the email.

I love the speech. We'll meet tomorrow and talk about any changes that need to be made. Thank you, Lucille.

She smiled. Take that Jancy.

She placed her phone on the nightstand, turned the lamp off, and cozied into Aaron. He stirred in his sleep before wrapping a protective arm around her waist.

Lucille dozed off immediately, knowing she had a big day ahead of herself tomorrow.