"You know Abbey," Jane grumbled, lying back in her chair. "I didn't need to spend hundreds of dollars to have somebody put dirt on my face."

"It's called a mudpack, Jane," Abbey stated. Her own skin was tingling from the seaweed mask and the apricot moisturizer that was being applied to her face. While the cream was being gently massaged into her skin, another person worked painting her toenails and a manicurist was filing her fingernails. She felt totally and completely pampered. She knew that some people believed this was the treatment the First Lady received everyday, but the truth of the matter was that she usually did her own hair and make up unless she was going to be on TV or at a State Dinner.

"Dirt, mud, it's the same thing. What's next on the agenda anyway?"

"We move on to waxing before our massages," CJ said, while picking out the polish color she wanted for her toes.

"What exactly are we waxing?" Jane asked with trepidation.

"Legs, underarms, and bikini," Abbey smiled, knowing what kind of response she would draw.

"You've got to be kidding me," Jane groaned. "You're the one who wears bikinis, YOU get a bikini wax."

"I intend to," Abbey said calmly. "Now come on Jane, you paid for the whole buff and polish, you may as well get your money's worth."

"I can't believe I paid for this torture, and moreover, I can't believe that you guys are enjoying all of this."

"Well, I agree the waxing is not exactly on my list of fun things to do, but everything else is pure heaven."

"Girls," Jane shook her head sarcastically and CJ and Abbey burst into laughter.

****

Abbey entered the sauna wearing a lavender scented towel. Her whole body was so relaxed from her massage it felt as if she were floating. Jenny and CJ were already seated, soaking up the heat.

"Was that massage not the most heavenly thing you have ever been through?" She asked.

"I am so relaxed right now I can barely keep my eyes open," Jenny said, leaning her head back against the wall.

"Oh, by the way you two, if Jed should ask, little old Mr. Woo was a 6 foot 4 inch Scandinavian named Sven."

"Should we ask why?" Jenny grinned.

"Let's just say, it might make him work a little harder tonight."

"Abbey," Jenny burst into laughter, "you are so bad."

"I need a man," CJ sighed, tucking her knees up under her chin.

"What?" Both Abbey and Jenny turned to look at her.

"I need a goddamn man. Here I am all waxed and primed. I look good, I smell good, and I'm so relaxed I could melt into the floor. And what good is that going to do me? There is no special someone out there for me tonight. Do you know how long it has been since I have had sex?"

"How long?" Abbey asked.

"That was a rhetorical question," CJ glared. "But, let's just say I didn't score 4 out of 5 stars on an adventurous sex survey."

"I'm not going to apologize for having a healthy sex life," Abbey sniffed and took a sip from her lemon-flavored water. "A sex life that actually USED to be private, until my husband became President. I like sex, so sue me."

"I like sex too. I'm just not getting any," CJ lamented. "Do you know how hard it is first of all to meet a man on the schedule that I have? Then, if I meet a man, do you know how hard it is to keep him from being intimidated by my job? And, if I miraculously find a man that isn't intimidated, do you know how hard it is to keep him with the hours I work?"

"I'm sure it is," Jenny said. "That job is one of the main reasons I divorced Leo."

"And it's why I'll never have a real relationship until I am out of this job. I love my work, but a part of me also wants a husband and babies. Sometimes when I look at you and the President with Aislinn and Nicholas, I want to make a baby so badly I ache."

"Well, the making part is fun but just remember that they go in a lot easier than they come out," Abbey smiled ruefully.

"So I heard," CJ laughed.

"What did you hear?" Abbey asked puzzled.

"The waiting area was right outside the birthing room. When the nurses would open the door, we could hear some of what was going on in there. I have to say it was kind of fun watching the guys squirm. Anyway, I could hear the President telling you to stop tensing up and try to relax, to which you responded, and I quote, 'The next time you try to pass a bowling ball out your butt, you can lecture me on tensing up.'"

"Oh that's a good one," Abbey grinned with pride. "I never remember half of what I said when I was in labor. But, CJ, if that is the way you really feel, why did you want Jed to run for re-election so badly?"

"Because in spite of it all, this is the most exciting, most important work I will ever do. But that doesn't mean I don't have needs."

"OK, CJ. If you want a man, I'm going to find you a man."

"Oh, this is too much," CJ groaned. "The First Lady is going to be my pimp."

"I didn't say I was going to hire you an escort," Abbey rolled her eyes, "I know plenty of single attractive men. Who knows, you may get lucky." Both leaned their heads back against the wall, feeling the sweat pour from their bodies releasing all those horrible toxins. But, while CJ was still reeling over the idea that the First Lady was hatching a plan to get her laid, Abbey's own thoughts were more on the romantic side of things.

****

After a soothing cool bath of rose petals and lavender and a rubdown with moisturizing lemon verbena and apricot, Abbey's face was made up and the hair stylist began to remove the hot curlers from her hair.

"I have to say I feel like some kind of concubine or harem girl being prepared for the sheik or something," Mallory laughed.

"You're reading too many romance novels," Abbey smiled at her goddaughter. But, secretly she felt the same way. Only she was being prepared for the President of the United States, not a Sheik. That deeply feminine thought filled her with anticipation for the evening ahead. Her body had been indulged in sensuality all day and later tonight, when all their guests were gone, she longed for the moment when Jed would fulfill the desires that made her blood run heavy with need.

"What do you think?" Annie asked, parading in with an upswept hairdo and her face expertly made up. Abbey stared at her unable to believe this was her sweet 13 year-old granddaughter.

"You're beautiful, honey. But, you look like you are 18 years old," she sighed.

"I know," Annie smiled with glee. "Maybe Sam will dance with me tonight."

"Maybe he will," Abbey conceded, "but Annie, Sam is much to old for you. You know that, don't you?"

"I know he thinks I'm a kid."

"You are a kid. Well, young woman. You're 13 and Sam is in his 30's. I don't want you to be hurt if he sees you that way. You should be looking at boys closer to your own age."

"Boys my own age are so immature."

"They are, aren't they?" Abbey grinned with her own memories of 13 year old boys. "But don't worry, give them a chance and they'll catch up." She smiled wistfully as Annie walked away to show her mother her hairdo, hoping that her innocent girlish crush on Sam would not break her heart.

"How are you wearing your hair, Mom?" Ellie asked as the last of Abbey's hot rollers were taken out and her hair fell in waves and curls.

"Down," Abbey answered softly, remembering the husky tone in Jed's voice when he told her to wear it down. "Your father likes it down."

****

Jed was singing away in the shower when Abbey returned to their bedroom to begin dressing for the party. She pulled the Dior dress she had fallen in love with and purchased months ago out of the closet. As First Lady, she chose to wear mainly American designers, but for her private anniversary party where she was simply Abbey Bartlet, she would wear whatever she pleased. She padded barefoot over to the bathroom, where the shower was no longer running and poked her head into the steamy room. Jed was standing in front of the mirror, a towel around his waist, wet hair slicked back, and his jaw covered in shaving cream.

"Just wanted to let you know I'm home," she said, and before he could say a word, she had slammed the door closed before the damp steam ruined her hair. He finished shaving and splashed some aftershave on before leaving the bathroom. He stopped and stood in the doorway taking in the vision that was his wife. She was standing at her vanity table wrapping a gift, wearing a satiny dress of the iciest, palest peach. The color of the dress only served to play up the warmth of her lightly tanned skin and her deep auburn hair that fell in waves and curls to her bare shoulders. The sleek dress with its thin spaghetti straps, long slit up the side, and deep V in the back, was the perfect choice for a romantic summer night dancing under the moon. Jed's memory went back to that first night when he had picked her up for a date and she had answered the door looking so pretty that it took his breath away and how he had quoted Lord Byron to her. The quote came back to him quite easily and he moved to her, placing his lips to her bare shoulder.

"There be none of Beauty's daughters With a magic like thee; And like music on the waters Is thy sweet voice to me"

Abbey turned in his arms, smiling up at him, touched that he had remembered that moment. His hands began to move up and down her arms and he sighed.

"It's not fair," he said. "You look incredible and you smell incredible, just how am I supposed to keep my hands to myself all night?"

"Because if you are a good boy, there will be a reward later."

"How about a little reward now?" He grinned boyishly as he ran his fingers along the long slit up her thigh. His thoughts were on how easy it would be since she was not wearing pantyhose.

"No," she said firmly. "This hair and make up cost a fortune. I don't want to wreck it."

"What if I promise not to muss your hair?"

"It's not you I'm worried about," she smiled and he gave her a wide grin as they both knew how she liked to drag fingers through her hair when the pleasure was intense. "Besides, we have a whole bunch of people who are coming here early to give us our gifts."

"It's not like they can start without us," he sulked, "we're the guests of honor. This is just like our wedding reception. I wanted to get the hell out of there and get you into bed."

"Who'd have thought that all these years later, you'd still be trying to get me into bed faster?" She teased.

"Ah hell Abbey, I knew I'd never get enough of you."

"And you think I don't feel the same?" She ran her fingers over his smooth clean-shaven jaw ,their eyes locked. A knock on their bedroom door brought them back to their senses.

"Yes?" Jed called out and Beth stuck her head in.

"Your senior staff friends are here. I'm going to put out some hors d'oevres."

"Thanks, Mom," Abbey said, pulling reluctantly away from Jed, who turned to head toward the closet. "We'll be right down in a few minutes." When the door shut, Abbey turned to see her husband standing on a chair searching on the top shelf of the back of their closet. "What are you doing?"

"Getting your gift," he said.

"What did you do, make a secret panel?"

"I thought about it. I know how you love to snoop."

"I do not snoop," Abbey wrinkled her nose at him.

"And my approval rating is at 80%."

"Well, that IS good news," she grinned and he jumped down off the chair, gift in hand to swat her behind.

"Let's open ours up here in private," he said and Abbey nodded in agreement. "Ladies first," he handed her the gift. Abbey began to dig into the wrapping paper, causing Jed to laugh. She was just like a little kid when it came to gifts. As the gift was revealed, her eyes went wide with astonishment and she gave a little gasp.

"Oh Jed," she sighed, looking at the stunning antique Faberge jewelry box.

"Open it," he smiled. Abbey did so and her eyes filled with tears as the strains of 'Somewhere my Love' the love theme from 'Dr. Zhivago' filled the room. 'Dr.Zhivago' was the movie they had gone to see on their first date.

"This jewelry box is too old to have this song. How did you do it?" She asked.

"I bought the jewelry box when we were in Russia last year and, when I got home, we found a jeweler who made it into a musical jewelry box."

"Well, I love it," she started to place her arms around his shoulders.

"Whoa, there's more in there," he said, stopping her. "Open the bottom tray."

Abbey did so and gasped at the stunning three drop diamond necklace.

"Oh God Jed, you really went all out," she sighed, pulling the necklace out.

"The diamonds represent the past, present, and future," he said, taking it from her. "Will you wear it tonight?"

"Of course," she turned around and lifted her hair so he could fix the clasp. When she turned back around, Jed fingered the gems that lay just under her throat.

"You were made to wear diamonds Abbey," he said.

"It's beautiful," she told him, "you did really good babe." She put a hand behind his neck and pulled his head down so she could give him a soft, gentle kiss before turning to get his gift.

"Now, I don't think I can top you, but here are your gifts." Jed looked puzzled at the big square box and began to unwrap it and then dig inside. The first thing he pulled out was 'Dr.Zhivago' on DVD.

"Looks like we're on the same wavelength," he smiled. "Now, since you got this for me, you have to promise me that some snowy day this winter, we'll curl up together and watch this again. Just the two of us."

"I promise," she said, already looking forward to the day. "Everything in there has something to do with our first date," she informed him. Jed smiled as he pulled out a book. A very old book. Before he opened it, he inhaled the musty old book smell as if it were intoxicating perfume.

"A first edition anthology of Byron's poetry," he said enthusiastically. "And look at this. It's inscribed by him to Claire Clairmont. Where did you find this?"

"It wasn't easy. I had a little help from Lord John. He found it in London."

"What's this?" He asked, pulling out a CD labeled 'I Can't Help Falling in Love With You'. He knew it was the first song they had ever danced to but he was also pretty sure they already owned the Elvis CD of that recording.

"Put it in the CD player," she said. Jed moved forward and slid the disc in. In moments the music began. His smile turned to a look of astonishment, as Elvis's voice did not spring from the speakers. No, it wasn't Elvis at all, it was Abbey!! She smiled, enjoying his reaction and took his outstretched hand to be pulled into his embrace. They slowly swayed together to the music and Abbey placed the palm of her hand against his, singing the last verse of the song softly into his ear.

"Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you" and Jed joined her for the last line "For I can't help falling in love with you." As the music ended Jed pulled slowly away and looked down at Abbey with something akin to awe in his gaze and voice.

"Christ Abbey, I always knew you had a beautiful voice. But, hell, you could be a professional."

"Oh, I don't think so, Jed," she shook her head, "but thanks for thinking that."

"How did you record it?"

"When we were at a fund-raiser in California, I mentioned wanting to do something like this for you and the next thing I knew I had record producers fighting over wanting to help me record it."

"This is so great," he grinned, setting the CD to play again. "Everything was great. The book, the video, the song. The only thing missing is the Chinese food we ate on that first date."

"The night is not over yet. I have a feeling there may be some General Tso's chicken and fried rice somewhere on your menu tonight."

"Have I happened to mention to you this evening that I love you very much?"

"Not yet," she smiled, accepting his light sweet kiss, "but I thought I might hear it at some point tonight."

"And?" He asked questioningly.

"And what?" Her look was one of pure innocence.

"Don't you have something you want to say to me?"

"Oh yeah," she teased, "I happen to love you too. Now, come on, let's go join the party."

TBC...