Mayor McMillan kept smiling brilliantly for the cameras as she clacked her black heels over to the waiting limo, making sure her voting public got their fill. At the door she paused for a moment to lean over and whisper to her assistant, an eager recent college grad called Kimi, "reschedule my meeting with the new airport commission for tomorrow. Today's running long and I will not be missing dinner with my wife tonight." Sarah loved her job, and she was damned good at it, but quality time with Tiff was even more important to the leader of Lakeview.
The bubbly Japanese-American girl nodded quickly while tapping rapidly on her work cell, "absolutely, Madame Mayor, I'll let them know right away. Also Ms. Duncan's office called to let you know they're very happy with the opening, your mothers wanted to remind you and Dr. McMillan that your presence is requested for the quarterly board meeting of McMillan industries, and I took the liberty of having an intern run your dry cleaning by the mansion."
The girl's boss gave her a playful wink, "what would I do with out you, Kimi? Let my mom's know we'd like to have brunch with them before the meeting, and check in with Esme if there are any updates from the state office before you head out, okay?"
As Sarah got into the car with one final wave to the crowd, Kimi gave a quick nod and a "Yes, Madame Mayor," before the door closed behind her, instantly quieting the roar of the crowd.
"If that girl gets any more high strung, I'll start worrying about her keeling over from an early heart attack," a woman sitting across from the mayor quipped. Sarah gave a wry look to Amber Levine, her longtime campaign manager and chief of staff. Like Sarah, Amber was very young looking for her role, seeming every inch a 20 something knockout even if she didn't quite measure up to her boss in that department. Today she wore a soft green sweater over a collared white button up, and a pair of nice olive slacks, her shoulder length glossy chestnut hair currently tied back in a pony tail and a smirk on her red lips. Through a funny 'coincidence' most of the mayor's senior staff consisted of singularly stunning women, and despite not being nearly as dressed up as the mayor herself, Amber's curves were impossible to hide.
"There's nothing wrong with being dedicated to your job," Sarah shot back, taking a moment to unbutton her magenta blazer, and reach below her matching pink chiffon blouse to readjust the strap of the lacy bra holding up her glorious melons. Teenage Sarah in the reality Arnold would have remembered was already pushing a d-cup, and the young adult version currently acting as mayor was solidly a double d, nearly an e. "You could learn a thing or two from her," she added sticking her tongue out at her old friend.
"Sure, sure," Amber agreed while scrolling through her own digital notes. The playful brunette quickly switched into work mode, "the tower opening is giving you a big boost in numbers, not that you really needed it, but it's nice regardless. More importantly, it's getting you press outside the city, within the expanding perimeter of course, but that's getting further every day. We should be right where we want to be to announce for governor in nine months, provided Melissa's projections of the field expansion are correct."
"They are," Sarah said confidently, "Tiffy's been double checking the math. With the new broadcast location, everything should be find on that front. Speaking of the tower, will we have the second Duncan donation cleared soon?" Alongside her own family company, Duncan Technologies was one of the McMillan campaign's major donors.
Amber bit her lip before smiling, "No worries there, Jamie says her accountants will have it finalized by the end of next week. You know Duncan Tech are solidly behind you."
Sarah raised an eyebrow, "are you telling me this as my chief of staff, or as Miss Duncan's girlfriend?"
Ms. Levine rolled her eyes, "as your chief of staff obviously. I love Jamie but my first loyalty will always be to you, boss."
Mayor McMillan chuckled, "I know, darling, I'm just teasing you." Then after a moment she grew a bit more serious as the landscape of Lakeview whizzed past the limo's windows. "I wanted to let you know; Karyn told me Arnold Leeson got back to town last night and made a bit of a scene over at his residence from Before. It's probably just a hiccup with integration, or unrelated to crossing the barrier. According to the write up he had a longtime crush on Barbara regardless, so it was probably just-"
Amber held up a hand, "I'm going to stop you right there boss. If he becomes a problem, or even a second Devries, I trust Sheriff Black to handle him and Doctor McMillan to sort out any of the kinks."
The blonde cocked her head to the side, "well of course; I just thought this might be a bit more personal for you, so I wanted you in the loop."
Amber smiled softly, and leaned forward to squeeze her friend's hand, "and I appreciate that Sarah, I really do. But Arnold Leeson's not my father, hell he's not even 'Kyla's' father. I've got two wonderful mothers, my dream job, an indescribably fantastic lover, and a chance to change the world. I'm good."
Sarah squeezed back before smiling and adding teasingly, "you forgot to mention your amazing boss there."
