Jed had felt the slight strain in his marriage in the weeks after Abbey's return from Seattle. She refused to discuss any more of her concerns with him and was instead concentrating on planning the christening. He had wanted to talk to her about the possibility of his running again. To get it all in the open. But, whenever he broached the subject, Abbey would brush him off. According to her, it was never the right time to talk about it.

For Abbey, it was a time of frantically avoiding the conversation her husband wanted so badly to have. She knew he wanted to discuss running again but as far as she was concerned there wasn't any discussion to be had. He had made her a deal. End of discussion. She knew in her heart that if they had that conversation, she would be the one to shut the door in his face. She would be the one to tell him no, he could not run again and she was terrified that he would never forgive her for that.

***

"CJ," Abbey said while sitting in the press secretary's office, "I understand the public wants pictures and information about Aislinn and Nicholas, but I don't want this christening turned into some kind of circus with media people tripping over one another trying to get a shot of one of the babies fussing or spitting up on the President."

"I understand where you're coming from. I can impress upon them the importance of this religious sacrament, but, we will need to come up with a way to satisfy everyone."

"Well, I don't want any video cameras inside. But, we could have one pool reporter in the church. I'd prefer Danny, if you can get him. Anyway, whomever it is can take pictures at the end of the service."

"That sounds fair but all the major magazines are clamoring for exclusives of a photo layout here at the White House. 'People' has been pushing me hard."

"Give it to 'People'. I mean, a baby's christening is hardly hard news."

"It is when it is the President's children."

"I know," Abbey said, eyes downcast. "I don't mean to be a hard ass about this but it's just so hard to know where to draw the line. How to fill the public's insatiable curiosity and yet not exploit my children."

"I wouldn't worry too much about it. You've done a great job with the girls."

"We've tried really hard. But it's always a struggle." CJ didn't have a clue that the worried look on Abbey's face came from thinking about her husband and the fact that he hadn't ruled out running again. That she could have six more years of trying to shield her children.

"I really wouldn't worry," CJ said, placing a hand on Abbey's shoulder. "I have watched you and the President for a few years now and I think you guys are great parents. It was one of the things that struck me about you two when I first met you. People as devoted to raising their children properly had to be good people. I was right on the money on that one."

****

Abbey stepped into the nursery in a sleeveless, slim fitting pistachio colored dress and matching heels. She was snapping a bracelet on her slender wrist.

"You look very pretty on this gorgeous spring morning," Jed said, kissing her cheek.

"You're in a really good mood this morning," she smiled while adjusting his tie.

"Yes, I am," he watched her move from him to begin to search through the two diaper bags. "Abbey, you've checked those ten times."

"I just want to make sure we have everything."

"We have everything. Don't be so nervous."

"Jed, this isn't our small intimate gathering of family and friends back home at Holy Trinity."

"They'll do fine," he assured her, watching while she began to slip the white silk christening gown he had worn as a baby over Nicholas' head. Aislinn was already dressed in Abbey's. There was a light tap on the door.

"Mr. President, Mrs. Bartlet," CJ said, "the staff from 'People' are here. Are you ready?"

"We're ready. Let's go girls," Jed called out to his older daughters as he and Abbey departed the nursery.

Jed and Abbey entered the sitting room with the rest of the Bartlet family, including the babies' sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and godparents filing in behind for the photo layout.

***

CJ sat in the front pew holding Aislinn in her beautiful white satin and lace gown. She looked like an angel sleeping so peacefully. Since Father Cavanaugh had baptised all the previous Bartlet babies, the President had made a special request that he be a part of the service for his new daughter and son. Now CJ listened to him explain what was expected of the godparents, all the while praying Aislinn would stay asleep. She was still not entirely comfortable in this maternal role and didn't know what she would do should the baby start to cry. She answered affirmatively along with Toby, Elizabeth, and Jay when asked if they were willing to accept this responsibility. She then held Aislinn out toward the priest so he could anoint her forehead while making the sign of the cross, after which, she, Toby, Jed, and Abbey followed suit.

All the jostling and touching of her forehead caused Aislinn to wake up and begin to squirm in CJ's arms. Oh baby, go back to sleep, CJ thought nervously. But, Aislinn began to whimper softly and she was making little sucking motions with her lips. CJ looked to her left to Toby for guidance, but he merely shrugged, not knowing what to do. She then turned to her right to see the President holding Nicholas. The baby was sucking on his father's pinkie finger. Jed caught her watching him and winked at her . CJ tentatively placed her pinkie on Aislinn's lips. The baby girl surprised her by latching right on and sucking hard. Abbey had begun digging in the diaper bag for a pacifier when she heard her daughter fussing, but instead smiled when she saw CJ had learned from Jed the trick to keeping a baby quiet.

Toward the end of the service, Father Cavanaugh called the parents and godparents forward to circle the baptismal font. Abbey held Aislinn over the font with CJ and Toby supporting the baby's back and Father Cavanaugh began to pour the holy water over her head.

"I baptise thee Aislinn Faith in nomini et patris, et fili, et spiritis sancti." Aislinn whimpered softly but didn't cry. Abbey held her to her shoulder, comforting her and they stepped aside so Jed, Elizabeth, and Jay could move forward and everything was repeated with Nicholas. Jed smiled watching his son's face scrunch up to let out a loud wail but he thwarted the outburst by holding him close to his chest and murmuring softly to him.

When the mass was over, pictures were taken by the alter and at the font before everyone returned to the White House for a brunch.

***

The party was in full swing when Ellie approached her parents holding the hand of a very polished and preppy looking young man.

"Mom, Dad," she smiled, "there's someone I'd like you to meet. This is Davis Hunter. Davis, my parents, Jed and Abbey Bartlet.

"Hello Davis. It's nice to meet you," Abbey said warmly while shaking his hand.

"It's nice to meet you too, ma'am. I can certainly see where Ellie gets her beauty." Abbey elbowed Jed seeing her husband begin to roll his eyes.

"You go to school with Ellie?" Jed asked.

"Yes sir. We're in the same year."

"Then you are aware of how important it is to spend your time studying?"

"Daddy," Ellie sighed.

"No, he's right, Ellie," Davis said. "It is important. Don't worry sir. I'm not distracting Ellie from her studies." Abbey was shaking her head with amusement but wasn't able to finish listening to her husband give Ellie's boyfriend the third degree when she heard Nicholas wailing.

"I believe that call is for me," she said. "It was nice to meet you Davis. We'll have to make plans to have you and Ellie over for dinner sometime soon," then she turned and went to take her crying son from his grandmother.

***

A little while later Jed found Abbey in the nursery rocking Nicholas while she nursed him. He kissed the top of her head and sat across from her.

"I don't like him, Abbey."

"Who?" Abbey asked stroking her son's head.

"Davis Hunter," he said as if the man's name was a dreaded disease.

"Jed," she laughed, "I'd be surprised if you did."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Look at what you put Jay through before you realized he really loved Liz. And look at how you talk to poor Charlie when it comes to Zoey and he."

"That is just fatherly concern. I have to keep these guys on their toes. I want them to always worry about the wrath of Josiah Bartlet should they hurt one of my girls."

"The wrath of Josiah," Abbey bit back a smile. "I'll have to remember that one, it sounds almost biblical. I have visions of locusts swarming over these men."

"They'll have to worry about more than a few measly grasshoppers if they hurt one of my babies. But, this guy is different, Abbey. He was way too obsequious."

"Jed, the poor guy was at the White House meeting his girlfriend's father who happens to be the President of the United States. Of course he was obsequious."

"And what about that line about Ellie getting her beauty from her mother..."

"So you don't think Ellie gets her beauty from her mother?" Abbey raised her eyebrow.

"That's not what I meant. I just meant the line was so predictable."

"Jed, for heaven's sake, give the poor kid a break," she lifted Nicholas to her shoulder to burp him.

"Ok, I'll let it drop for now. But, I want you to remember we had this conversation and I said Davis Hunter gives off bad vibes."

"Bad vibes?" She laughed, "you're reverting back to your flower child days."

"Are you mocking me, Abigail?"

"Of course not," she said innocently. "Would I mock you? I only want peace man," she lifted her fingers in the peace sign.

"OK, peace for now," Jed laughed and took her hand kissing the palm before turning to walk toward the door. Just as he reached for the knob, the door opened and Annie burst in.

"Gram, Mom wanted me to...oh...sorry...I didn't mean to...," she stuttered, her face turning red with embarrassment at catching Abbey nursing the baby.

"Hey it's OK munchkin," Jed said gently, upon seeing his granddaughter's discomfort. "Why don't you go keep your grandmother company while I go mingle?"

"Umm...I..."

"Yes, come sit by me," Abbey smiled. "I need to catch up on what's going on in your life."

"O...ok."

"Well, I'll leave you ladies to your girl talk," Jed said kissing Annie's cheek before she moved forward to sit across from Abbey. Abbey noticed Annie was very quiet and was watching her with a strange look on her face.

"What is it sweetheart?" She asked.

"Does it hurt? You know...feeding them like that."

"Sometimes," Abbey admitted, "but most of the time it is just very peaceful."

"I wish my Mom would have another baby."

"Maybe she will, now that she has finished getting her Ph.D."

"I hope so. I was thinking that she could have a boy and we could name him Bartlet and call him Bart."

"It sounds like you've done a lot of thinking about this."

"I have. I wish you and Gramps were back home so I could spend more time with the babies."

"I know you do honey. But I did talk to your Mom and she promised to send you down here to spend your school vacation with us. N'Sync is going to be performing at the Kennedy Center and I thought I just might be able to swing us some pretty good tickets," she smiled.

"Really?" Annie's face lit up. "I'd LOVE that."

"I know you would. And then, this summer you'll come spend some time with us in Maine."

"And then it won't be long until you come home," Abbey looked at her young granddaughter sadly, not knowing what to say. Oh Annie, she thought, it may be that simple. "Did my Mom tell you about...you know...that I got my period last week?"

"Yes she did. Congratulations hon. I wanted to thank you for holding off on your celebration so that you could include me."

"Well, Mom said you started the tradition of going out to celebrate so I thought you might want to be a part of it."

"Well, you were definitely right about that."

"You won't tell Grampa, will you?" She asked worriedly, "I'd DIE of embarrassment."

"Oh Annie," Abbey laughed, "your grandfather has a wife and four daughters. He knows all about menstrual cycles. He was the one who took your Aunt Ellie out for her celebration."

"He did?" Annie asked astonished.

"Yes he did. But if you would prefer me not to tell him, honey, I won't."

"No, I guess it's OK then."

"Annie, are you in here?" Liz opened the door.

"Yes Mom."

"Well, Aislinn just woke up and your Aunt Jane is finally ready to give you a chance to hold her now."

"OK," Annie jumped to her feet. Abbey smiled watching the girl scamper out of the room to get her chance to hold the baby.

****

Abbey continued to rock her now sleeping son and stared down at his innocent face. A worried look crossed her face. The conversations with her husband and granddaughter were weighing her down. Annie's innocent expectations that they would be home soon filled her with sadness. And, Jed's comments about Davis had bothered her more than she had let on. He was always a very good judge of character. Was there something about him that had set off Jed's radar? She dismissed the idea as ludicrous. Jed had simply slipped into his over protective father mode. She knew deep down he would never believe anyone could love his girls as much as he did.

"You ARE still in here," Jed said entering the nursery. "You're missing the whole party."

"Sorry, I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"Annie got her period last week."

"She did?" Jed's eyes widened. "My God Abbey, where does the time go?"

"You blink your eyes and they are all grown up," she said looking down at Nicholas and then back up at her husband. Jed stared deep into her eyes and knew that statement was aimed at him. A warning about the conversation they would one day be forced to have. But, not today. Today was a celebration. But, tomorrow, now that was another story.

TBC...