Virus-72 Hours to Live Read Online Free PDF Page A

was a tiny five-year-old. She had tight
brown curls on her head; just like her Mother. Her personality was
a beautiful blend of both parents. Her smile was infectious and her
giggle would draw a full laugh out of the hardest politicians.
    "Honey, I'm glad we can say good-bye before
we head off for Europe," Abby said as she took Beth from his arms
and they moved to the two couches in front of the fireplace.
    "So am I, I'm going to miss you guys. I'm
stuck here doing all of the boring stuff and you're getting another
grand tour of all of the fun places in Europe. You know I'll be
miserable until you get back."
    "Fun places?" his son asked. "We'll be stuck
going on tours with the big shots and eating with all of the weird
people and their kids. I don't want to go, I want to stay here and
go to Donny's party this weekend."
    "Sorry champ, but your mother needs you to
help with Beth and, please be nice to all of those weird kids you
mention." Dave kept his arms crossed and stood beside the
fireplace.
    "Daddy, I don't want him taking care of me,
I'm a big girl," said Beth as she glared at her brother.
    "Honey, we know you're our big girl and we
know that you can take care of yourself," Abby reassured her
daughter with a hug.
    "I'm going to miss you the most," Arnold
whispered in his wife's ear.
    "You better be good...and needy when I get
back," she whispered.
    A louder knock on the other door got their
attention. "Come in, Judy," the president said knowing it was his
secretary knocking.
    The door swung open and Judy said in her
gentle but forceful voice," I'm sorry sir, but the press are
waiting for the first lady's departure. Her motorcade is all set to
go to Andrews."
    "Thanks, Judy; tell everyone she's on her
way."
    "Yes, sir."
    "I love you, fly safe."
    Arnold and Abby smiled at each other. They
looked closely in each other's eyes, knowing that they would miss
each other and the days would be long.
    "I love you too; don't do anything to
congress you'll regret."
    "Don't worry, if I do; I'll try to leave no
evidence."
    They smiled and hugged and the president
gave his daughter a big hug and kiss. When he put her on the
ground, he feigned a quick tickle, which caused Beth to laugh while
trying to get away. As Dave walked by, the president grabbed him
and gave him a hug, even though he didn't attempt a hug back.
    Abby and Arnold had been married just over
28 years. They met while in college and the attraction was
immediate and long lasting. They were married within six months and
finished college, both of them working and helping each other.
After college, they wanted children, but the demands of careers
took them in different directions. Arnold started up a small
computer software company, Abby focused on corporate law, and both
careers grew rapidly. After the company was successful and Arnold
had won his first term in the Senate, they realized they weren't
getting any younger. If they wanted children, 'the clock' was
ticking. Abby gave birth to Dave the next year. Five years later,
Beth was born.
    The president walked beside his wife, Beth
ran ahead and they knew Dave was dragging behind them. They walked
out of the office to the lawn and stood where their social
secretary positioned them. Pictures of the first lady's European
trip were a painful necessity. The session was brief except for the
effort getting Beth to stand still and forcing Dave not to look
like he was in pain. President Arnold gave his family another quick
farewell. He watched Abby, and the kids escorted to the limo and
they left for Andrews AFB. The limousine was driven by one of the
few mobile units serving the White House. Security didn't like the
fully automated cars because they always wanted a computer under
their control driving the limousines. The auto-cars were controlled
by programming from the car manufacturer, but the mobile units were
controlled by software security had control over. Besides, security
could put a hat on the mobile unit and it looked