Abbey lay nestled in her warm bed. Something had awakened her, but for once it wasn't the shrill cry of one her newborns wanting their mother. It was the sound of her husband's voice murmuring softly.

"Mmmm, what?" She asked sleepily. She rolled over and reached out a hand to her husband's side of the bed, he wasn't there. She squinted at the clock on the nightstand and saw that it was almost midnight. She smiled realizing that voice was coming from her husband in the nursery, via the baby monitor. Jed was usually coming back from the Oval Office just as the twins were waking up for their midnight feeding. Abbey laid back and listened.

"So, beautiful, you woke up before your brother tonight, did you?...That doesn't happen too often...Look at that… what a BIG yawn for such a tiny girl...OK, enough cuddling with Daddy, let's get you out of this wet diaper and you'll feel much better...You know, Aislinn, tomorrow is your big day. Your first official pictures with me, mommy and your brother...Are you going to be a big girl and not cry?...I think you will...You're daddy's big girl, aren't you?..You're the President's daughter so we can't have you throwing any tantrums now, can we?..No we can’t….I don't want you to worry, sweetheart. I’m not going to let your brother overshadow you just because he is the first Bartlet boy. You're just as loved and just as important and you’ve already got your daddy wrapped around that tiny finger of yours, don’t you?....Well, you’re working pretty hard there but you do know that you aren't going to get anything out of my finger, don't you? We need to get you into your Mom for that..."

Abbey smiled as her daughter finally realized she wasn't going to get what she wanted from sucking her father's finger and let out a loud cry of anger.

"Sssh...it's OK," Jed continued. "Let's just get your brother and I'll bring you both in to your mother."

Abbey was awake and sitting up when Jed entered with two crying infants and a bottle tucked under his chin.

"I forget," he said. “Which one nursed at midnight last night?"

"Nicholas," Abbey said, unbuttoning her nightgown. Jed handed Aislinn to her, stripped down to his boxers, and settled back in the bed with Nicholas. Aislinn nursed at her mother's breast, while Nicholas drank from the bottle in his father's arms. Abbey laid her head on Jed's shoulder. This was one of her favorite times of the day. A time when she felt at complete peace with the world.

"Ow," Jed gasped a little while later. Abbey looked down to see that Nicholas had grasped Jed's chest hair in his tiny fist and was pulling. She smiled watching Jed gently pry open his son's fist. "Like mother, like son," he said with a grin.

"I guess you'll have to keep your shirt on next time," Abbey said.

"I thought you didn't like me to sleep with my shirt on," he said lifting a brow lasciviously, causing Abbey to laugh. He knew how much she liked to snuggle up to his naked chest and run her fingernails through his chest hair.

"Yeah well, I think you can safely keep it on for a couple more weeks."

Jed looked down at his daughter who had fallen asleep at Abbey's breast with a trickle of milk running down her chin. He took the cloth he was using to burp Nicholas and wiped the milk away causing her to let go of the nipple.

"A couple more weeks huh," he sighed, and Abbey nodded, stroking his cheek with a resigned sigh of her own.

Three hours later Abbey was awakened out of a deep sleep by the shrill crying on the monitor. She felt Jed begin stir.

"Go back to sleep babe," she murmured rubbing his shoulder. She rolled out of bed heading for the doorway without fully opening her eyes.

"Shit!" she exclaimed as she banged her toe against the nightstand.

"Abbey?" Jed muttered tiredly.

"I'm OK, go back to sleep," she stumbled down the hall to the nursery still half asleep. Now it was Jed's turn to listen to the monitor.

"OK, OK, Mommy's here...ssh...don't wake your daddy...he has to be up early to run the country...I know that doesn't impress you much now, but someday it will...Ssh...come on, mommy’s ready, you just latch right on…there you go, sweetie...you were just hungry again, weren't you?...I don't blame you...I'd be hungry too if all I got to eat was milk."

Jed could hear creaking now and knew Abbey was nursing the baby in the rocking chair. She always gave the twins their 2:30 feeding in the nursery so he could get some sleep. He smiled as he heard her humming and then she began to sing softly to them.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away."

It was his secret how much he enjoyed listening to her beautiful, loving voice late at night like this and how it lulled him back to sleep with a smile on his face.

***

The next morning CJ entered the Oval Office to see the President and First Lady dressed casually, each with a baby in their arms.

"Sir, I thought Annie Leibovitz was taking the first official pictures of all of you today."

"She already did. After taking some in the residence, she decided she wanted some shots in the Oval Office."

"Well, I was just dropping off the guest list for the party for the President of Pakistan."

"Party?" Abbey asked.

"Yes. Will you be attending, Mrs. Bartlet?"

"Why wasn't I told about a party?" She turned to Jed. "You never mentioned a party."

"I didn't think you would be up to going," Jed said simply.

"And whatever possessed you to think that?" Abbey asked, slightly exasperated with her husband.

"Because Abigail," he said, getting a little testy, "last week when I asked you if you wanted to attend the luncheon for the heads of the auto industry you looked at me as if I had two heads. Then you said, and I quote, 'Jed, I'm getting four hours of sleep a night so I’m a walking zombie, my breasts leak, my stitches still bother me, and I smell like spit up, why on EARTH would I want to go to a luncheon?'"

"Jed..." Abbey said glancing at CJ, who was trying not to look amused. "That was a luncheon for automakers for God's sake. Even if I hadn't felt like that, I would have come up with some excuse not to go. THIS is a party. I have spent four weeks in the company of two demanding babies. It will be nice to be in the company of adults again."

"You do realize we don't have a nanny yet," he said reminding his wife that she was procrastinating in this area.

"Yes, I am aware of that," Abbey said tightly, not wanting to get into that argument again. She knew it had to be done but had been putting it off as long as possible. "I'll see if Zoey can babysit."

"Sir," Charlie said entering the room, "it's time for your meeting."

"Thanks Charlie," Jed started to hand Aislinn back to Abbey, who was already holding Nicholas.

"Can I help?" CJ asked.

"Do you have time to carry her back to the residence for me?" Abbey asked.

"Yes," CJ smiled, accepting the baby from Jed who then had to leave the room.

"Before we go, let's sit down for a minute CJ," Abbey said, sitting down on the couch.

"Uh...OK. Is there a problem, ma'am?"

"Not a problem. Just a question. Now I am going to ask you something and, if it is something you are not comfortable with or if it is too much to ask, just tell me and there won't be any hard feelings. You are not under any obligation to do this just because you work for my husband."

"This sounds serious," CJ said, looking from the sleeping baby in her arms to Abbey.

"Jed and I are starting to plan the babies' christening and we've been discussing godparents. We'd like you to be our daughter's godmother."

"Oh...Mrs.Bartlet...I don't know what to say," CJ said flustered. "You really want me?"

"Yes. I've tried to pick strong, caring women to be godmothers to all my daughters. A good role model they can look up to and I can't think of anyone who fits that description more than you. And of course Jed thinks the world of you."

"Thank you ma'am," CJ said obviously moved. "I'm honored you both have chosen me."

"Then you'll do it?"

"Yes, of course I'll do it," CJ looked back down at the sweet innocent baby in her arms. Her goddaughter. She would always have a connection to this child and the Bartlets, long after they were out of the White House. She would be the godmother to the daughter of the President of the United States. She was touched and moved that Jed and Abbey thought so highly of her, as she knew how important this role was to them, and how carefully they chose the people who would influence their children's lives. "Can I ask you a question, Abbey?"

"Of course."

"Do all babies smell this good?"

"At times," Abbey laughed, having expected a more serious question. "But now that you are going to be a godmother, I'll have to teach you how to change a diaper and that might change your mind a bit."

"The President has been boasting to reporters that he does his fair share of changing diapers. Is that an accurate quote?"

"Well I don't know about his fair share," Abbey smiled, "but, yes, he does change diapers. Did you think I would allow anything less?"

"I guess not," she grinned and then began to laugh.

"What?" Abbey asked.

"I’m just trying to picture the President of the United States changing a diaper while on the phone with Yasser Arafat or someone."

"Well, he was a father long before he became the leader of the free world. CJ, can you tell me where you put that list for the party?"

"Sure," CJ said, rising to grab it from Jed's desk and handing it to her.

Abbey slipped her glasses on and began to peruse the list intently.

"Can I ask what you are looking for?"

"Just checking to see if someone I met in Pakistan was invited." Some chauvinistic, throw back to the middle ages creep, she thought, flashing back to her visit to Pakistan a while back. While the majority of the people had been very kind and tried to make her visit a pleasant one, there was one military General who had been very condescending of her, her career, and American women in general. Unfortunately for her, it had been while they were dancing that he had chosen to make his remarks. He also held her closer than was proper, yet she couldn't break away for fear of making a scene. But, he had made one foolish mistake. He had forgotten that she was the First Lady and, as such, had protection. So, when he had tried to kiss her and she had struggled against him, her agent Anita had discreetly but firmly broken up the clinch and let him know he would not be allowed to do anything against the First Lady's wishes. Abbey had seen how furious he was to be thwarted by two women but he hadn't dare voice his disapproval. Once home she had told Jed about the encounter, leaving out the part about the pass and her agent breaking it up. Telling him would have served no purpose but to upset him and make him wary of every trip she made.

Abbey sighed with relief when she finished reading the list and had not seen a listing for any Generals. She knew Jed and his staff were in tense negotiations with Pakistan over the use of their country to thwart terrorism. She didn't need the tension of fighting this guy off added into the mix.

****

"Mom, are you almost ready?" Zoey asked, entering the bathroom. "Dad's having a cow out there."

"Tell him I'll be out in a minute," Abbey said. "This is my first public appearance in months and I want to look good."

"Mom, you would look good in a gunnysack but I'll go tell him and then I'll check on the babies."

Abbey walked out of the bathroom to see Jed looking irritatedly at his pocket watch.

"Finally," he said without looking up. When he did glance up, his eyes widened. Abbey stood before him in a low cut, crushed velvet black gown with a long slit up the side to mid thigh and three inch heels. Her hair was swept back by black and ivory combs on each side and allowed to fall to her bare shoulders. Diamond earrings completed the outfit. "Wow," was all Jed could say.

"Thank you Jed," Abbey said softly and kissed his cheek. "You haven't looked at me like a woman in months."

"Believe me Abbey, looking at you like a woman is the very least of my problems. I've had months of knowing I can't have you and trying to tell myself that you have just given birth and we still have a couple weeks to go so this is just pure torture."

"I think you'll survive," she smiled, snapping a diamond bracelet on her slender wrist.

"They're still asleep," Zoey said, entering the room.

"I just fed them an hour ago," Abbey said, "so they should sleep for at least a couple more hours. When they wake up, I have bottles of breast milk made up in the fridge. If you need anything at all, I have my beeper on. Nicky will probably..."

"Abigail," Jed said impatiently, "we are still going to be in the same building. Zoey can handle this. Everything will be fine. LET'S GO."

"I can handle this," Zoey assured her with a smile and accepted her parents' kisses to the cheek.

On the way to the party Jed and Abbey made a quick stop in the nursery to check on the twins. They stood side by side in their formal evening wear and watched the babies' tiny bellys rise and fall with each breath. They smiled at each other and Jed took Abbey's hand to lead her downstairs.

***

Abbey was having a great time at the party. It was so nice to be back in circulation, to be back with adults and stimulating conversation. She was standing in a group with Jed when Lord John Marbury approached them with his usual flourish.

"Well, well, WELL, Abigail. We have missed you," he kissed her cheek.

"I've missed you all too," Abbey smiled,

"My GOD, it is absolutely ASTONISHING that it has only been WEEKS since you have given birth. You look simply scrumptious. Good enough to eat, wouldn't you say, Mr. President?"

"Yes, she does," Jed said, slightly amused.

"I must say, motherhood certainly agrees with you Abigail. It only enhances that magnificent figure of yours." Jed glared at him as he saw exactly where John's eyes were focused, his wife's chest. "You look even better now than when I first met you. This beautiful American girl with a body made for sin..."

"John," Jed warned interrupting him, but John ignored him.

"Do you remember that day, Abigail?"

"I certainly do," Abbey smiled. Her mind wandered back to those days when Jed was a student at the London School of Economics and she was a young mother. Jed had taken her to an end of the semester party and was in deep conversation with one of his professors leaving her to fend for herself. That was when John approached her.

"Well, what is a gorgeous creature like you doing standing here alone?" John had asked. "That just won't do. You MUST dance with me."

"All right," she had said, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. "I'm Abigail."

"Lord John Marbury at your service," he bowed formally. She hadn't been able to help giggling. John had always been able to make her laugh. "You're American." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes. Don't you like Americans?"

"Not at the moment. I had the highest GPA in my class until this brash new American showed up."

"Stealing your thunder, is he?"

"You might say that. But, I don't want to talk about school when I have a beautiful woman in my arms. You dance like an angel, you know."

"Thank you," she had smiled, "but..."

"No buts. I simply must get to know you better. MUCH better."

"That is very flattering but you should know that I am married," she pulled away.

"Happily?" He asked.

"Yes," she had said, slightly shocked by the question.

"Very happily," Jed had said, putting a possessive arm around her waist.

"YOU," John had sputtered, then turned to her. "You're married to the brash American?"

"Guilty," Abbey smiled.

"Yes, she is," Jed had said, "and I would appreciate it if you wouldn't hit on my wife again."

"I just don't have any luck at all," John had moped. "Oh well Joshua, you can't be all bad if you have an exquisite wife like Abigail. Let me buy you both a drink and no hard feelings."

"OK," Jed replied, "but it's Josiah."

"That's what I said...Joshua..."

Jed shook his head and Abbey laughed.

That was how it had all started. Lord John and Jed had become friendly rivals in class and, while Jed usually bested him in grades, John got his revenge by being able to get Jed's goat and irritate him at will. He had found early on the easiest way to do it this was by openly ogling his beautiful wife, which was certainly no hardship.

"You still have a body made for sin Abigail," John grinned wickedly, bringing her back to the present and Abbey couldn't help but laugh, especially at the look on her husband's face. Sometimes it was nice to see someone be able to get to Jed the way John did. It kept him on his toes. Then, while she was still smiling and talking, she heard it. That voice.

"Yes, we will negotiate with you but we will NOT allow you to walk all over us."

That voice.

The smile left her lips, the blood draining from her face as she quite simply froze.

"Abbey," Jed nudged her. "Are you alright? You look like you just saw a ghost."

"It's HIM, Jed," she hissed.

"Who?" Jed asked puzzled.

"The General."

TBC...