They ate breakfast in bed in the nude feeding each other the small pieces of fried dough with powdered sugar, known as beignets, and sipping coffee that had cooled to lukewarm while they had been enjoying themselves on the carpet, after which they strolled hand and hand down the streets of the French Quarter. In the daytime it was easier to see the charm of the place rather than the seamy decadence the night brought. The mixture of French, Spanish and Caribbean influences gave it a character all of it's own. The air was still hot and steamy and their clothes stuck to their bodies but both were dressed better for it today. Abbey wore a simple floral tank styled dress that just reached her knees. Her tanned legs were bare and she wore a pair of sandals. She wore her hair up off her neck and had tucked one of the flowers Jed had brought her that morning into the twist. Jed wore a pair of khaki shorts and the deep blue golf shirt he had been wearing in the morning. The air was still redolent with the smell of brewing coffee and in the distance they could hear riverboat calliope music.

It was a Secret Service nightmare to have them out wandering around. It didn't happen often, but when it did everyone was tense and on guard. The saving grace of the situation was that since the heat was so stifling at the end of August it was not a big tourist time, and the tourists who were there didn't generally come out until much later. The first couple did create a stir, but it could have been so much worse.

"Okay, here we are, first stop on my list." Abbey stopped in front of a boutique.

"We're not shopping for clothes or shoes right?" Jed asked. He was not a shopper, unless it was for books or antique things, and Abbey could spend hours just shopping for shoes alone.

'Okay, if you don't want to stop, we won't." She started to tug him along. He looked up just as they were passing the storefront that advertised all kinds of different Victorian corsets in the window and gazed further up at the name. Trashy Diva's. He HAD to like a store with a name like that.

"It's okay" he assured her. "We can go in."

"No, I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do. You said you didn't want to shop for clothes."

"I didn't say I wouldn't shop for UNDER clothes. You know that's one of my favorite things to do. Let's go." He took her arm and almost yanked her into the store so that Abbey was laughing by the time they made it inside. In actuality the name of the store was deceiving, it was not the bondage-style, G-string kind of place one might expect to find in the quarter. Diva's specialized in Victorian style corsets, sexy lingerie and nightclothes, as well as dresses from the Victorian era to modern day, along with shoes and jewelry. Excited, but not surprised by the presidential visit, as at the First Lady's request the service had been in to scope out her boutique the previous day, Evangeline Brasseur came forward with an extended hand to introduce herself.

"Evangeline," Jed nodded. Evie knew the President would make a comment about the Longfellow poem she had been named for. Most people did. She did not expect him to know the poem by heart.

"Ye who believe in affection that hopes, and endures, and is patient, Ye who believe in the beauty and strength of woman's devotion, List to the mournful tradition still sung by the pines of the forest; List to a Tale of Love in Acadie, home of the happy."

"You'll have to excuse my husband," Abbey tugged at his arm knowing he would recite the entire poem if she didn't step in. "He likes to show off at times."

"I'm impressed" Evie smiled. "Please feel free to browse and if I can help you with anything just ask. I've locked the doors behind you so you have complete privacy." She gave a quick little knowing wink to Abbey who returned it with a grateful woman to woman smile. No woman wanted the whole world knowing what she liked to wear under her clothes.

Like a kid in a candy store, Jed of course immediately headed for the corsets and negligees, while Abbey began to peruse through the dresses. She had barely started to pull a few out for a second look when he came back to her.

"What about this one?" He lifted a tiny corset for her examination.

"Uh, would you like me to be able to breathe?" She eyed it skeptically.

"Do you have to?" He asked, with a boyish sigh of disappointment.

"What do you think about this dress?" She ignored his asinine comment and turned to him with a simple black cocktail dress that reminded him of Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"; slim fitting, low cut, and bared shoulders. He nodded his approval, but his mind was obviously elsewhere and he went back to his lingerie. He had only been gone for few minutes before he returned with another sexy corset.

"How do you like this one?"

"You're like a dog with a bone. You aren't going to stop until I agree to buy one, are you?"

"You don't like them?"

Abbey rolled her eyes, swearing her husband was about to start pouting. " I like them just fine, but it's just too darn hot down here to play Scarlett O'Hara."

"How about if I buy it for you now and you wear it for me under your Inaugural ballgown, it'll be damn cold by then."

Abbey flashed him a saucy smile. "You're getting a little cocky, aren't you Mr. President? You haven't won anything yet."

"Yeah, well with this as incentive…" he dangled the garment in front of her. "I'll be sure to try even harder."

Abbey laughed; she loved that Jed was feeling so optimistic about the election. "Okay, fine," she relented. "But that means that you'll have to wear the black silk boxers that I bought for you. You know, the ones that you said were for 'pansies'."

"Deal." He stuck his hand out.

By the time they had finished they had quite a pile of purchases. Along with his corset, Jed had chosen for her a silk charmeuse and lace negligee in deep wine red that was lined in black lace. Abbey had decided on the China silk black dress, a 1920's cream colored flapper style dress that would be perfect for the Halloween Ball at the Romanian embassy, and a crimson red Jean Harlow dress that gathered at the bust and fell to cling to her every curve. She had grabbed the Harlow dress on a whim, her lips curving in an evil little smile when she thought of how much she would enjoy wearing it to the next Senators wives tea. The more miffed that those old biddies got about her clothing the more daring she decided to be. She had also purchased a pair of Adriana Caras slip on slingbacks to wear with the black dress and large gold turn of the century hair clips for Elizabeth, Annie, Ellie, Zoey and CJ.

Rather than exiting with all of their parcels, Evie had agreed to send them privately to the Place D'Armes and Abbey and Jed were able to continue on unencumbered.

At Johnny Donnels gallery they purchased a couple of beautiful original photo's of the "Vieux Carre" as the French Quarter was also known, and at the "Louisiana Music Factory" Jed browsed for CD's by Duke Wellington, Billie Holiday, B.B King and Louis Armstrong, while Abbey checked out the Cajun section, pulling out a couple of "Beausoleil" CD's. As at Diva's their purchases were charged and sent to their hotel.

As they continued along down Pirates Alley they bought a bag of pralines and munched on the sweet candy as they made their way to the "Faulkner House Bookstore", named so because William Faulkner had lived and written in that exact location. While Jed surveyed the great selection of local and southern authors, purchasing an original signed copy of Faulkner's literary masterpiece, "The Sound and the Fury", Abbey went to the back of the store hoping to find the perfect gift for Jed. She was not disappointed; in fact she was positively delighted with her find and couldn't wait to give it to him at the small party she had planned for the following night. After "Faulkner House" they strolled over to the "Maple Street Bookstore". Lunch was almost upon them and the smell of frying onions had joined the rich smell of coffee and bacon that had accompanied them all morning.

The owner of "Maple Street", Rhonda Kellogg Faust, was known by name to both Abbey and Jed for she was well known advocate for the antiracism group Erace. She was also a talker, a veritable font of information about the history of New Orleans. After chatting with her for a while they made their way toward the back where there was a huge children's bookstore. On the way to the back Abbey was stopped by a small display of books entitled "Your Leo." It was on the end of a section dealing with Horoscopes and Zodiac signs. She immediately stopped and picked it up.

"Ah, come on, Abbey, you don't believe in that mumbo jumbo crap, do you?" Jed was forced to stop behind her in the narrow aisle.

"I dunno, Jed. This sounds an awful lot like you. Listen to this. "The Leo is the most dominant, extrovert of all the zodiacal characters. In grandeur of manner, splendor of bearing, and magnanimity of personality, they are the monarchs among humans as the lion is the king of beasts. Family is extremely important to the Leo. They love children as they themselves have a childlike kind of charm. They are ambitious, courageous, and dominant. Strong willed, positive, and self-confident. Born leaders they are most effective when in a position of command, their personal magnetism and innate courtesy of mind bringing out the best of loyalty from subordinates. Leonians think and act bigger than others would normally dare, the ambitiousness of their schemes and idealism sometimes daunt their followers although their practical hardheadedness and ability to go straight to the heart of any problem reassures those who depend on them. Leonians thrive on adversity. On the whole they are powers for good, for they are strongly idealistic, humane and beneficent. They have a powerful intelligence and are of a broad philosophical, sometimes religious, turn of mind. Those who are devout may become very obstinate in upholding traditional beliefs that others may regard as out-of-date. In professional life they do well at any vocation where there is room at the top. As politicians they are content with nothing less than the most powerful positions in government…" She paused for a moment looking up at him with a lifted brow.

"I guess I should have read this before I Okayed your decision to run for the state senate. I had no idea that it was simply being born under this sign that made you unable to stop."

Jed smirked at her. "Continue on."

"Let's see. In your relationships with others you are open, sincere, genuine and trusting. Outgoing, spontaneously warm hearted, never lacking in kindliness, Leos are more disillusioned than the average if let down by those they trust. They have a strong sex drive and their relationships with the opposite sex are often intensely sexual. Beware, if a Leo does not connect with a person that shares his or her powerful sex drive, their love of pleasure may induce them to stray, however, upon finding the right passionate match they will be faithful for life."

"Well, that's me all right," he grinned. "I sound like the perfect guy."

"I thought you didn't believe in this mumbo jumbo."

"You've convinced me. It's me to a tee."

"Before you go getting all full of yourself, as Leo's are inclined to do. Let's see about these negative Leo traits as well. Arrogance, pride, stubbornness, bragging, dominating, demanding of loved ones, hastiness of temper…hmmm… I guess this really does sound like you."

Jed narrowed his eyes at her and moved into the aisle to grab a small book and read her the title. " 'Your Aries Girl'. Let's see what we can find out about you, shall we?" He started to read from the book. "Your Aries girl is adventurous and energetic, independent and courageous, enthusiastic and confident, dynamic and quick witted. She may have a touch of red in her hair and a few freckles on her nose. She is a fire sign so if you choose an Aries girl get ready for a life of passion and volatility." He looked up at Abbey with a grin. "Ooh, babe, this book has you NAILED."

"Let me see that." She made a grab for the book, but Jed held it out of reach and continued reading. "Your Aries girl may have an independent streak a mile wide but she is not a loner. She is an ambitious free spirit who will reach for the stars but she will want and expect you to be there for her when things come crashing down around her. Arians are courageous leaders with a genuine concern for those that they command. They do not use their subordinates to obtain their own objectives. Your Aries girl may be headstrong and argumentative, but much as her sign is the Ram, she has a little lamb inside her as well, a soft side that at times would rather give in without resistance than continually butt horns. She is patient and trusting and openly affectionate. In personal relationships Arians are frank, direct and candid, and make enthusiastic and generous friends. When an Aries girl loves you it will be with all of her heart and she will expect nothing less from you. She does not do things in half measure, with her it's all or nothing. As is the case with most fire signs, Aries girls are liable to have high sex drives and they make for passionate and creative lovers." He looked up at her with a wiggle of his eyebrows. "I guess we match up pretty good in the sex drive department."

"Yeah, like we didn't know that already. Come on let's go check out the kids books."

"No wait. I want you to hear this part. “Arians are highly devoted to their children, even to the point of laying down their own lives so that they might live. You will not find a more defensive and loving parent in all the zodiac."

Abbey was silent for a moment, digesting that little bit of information, surprised at the tears that stung her eyes. She turned away from him.

"You're missing them." He touched her shoulder gently. It was a statement, not a question.

"I know it's only been a couple of days, but sometimes I feel so guilty leaving them behind."

"I know you do. I do too at times. But we needed this, Abs, just you and me, concentrating on just you and me."

Abbey smiled, " I know." She had always taken as much care to nurture her marriage as she did her children, it was one of the main reasons it had stayed so strong over the years. "Now come on, let's go nuts buying our children's forgiveness for being apart from them."

When they left the children's section over a half-hour later, Abbey's arms were filled with big gorgeous picture books and Jed carried two small stuffed Paddington bears that he just HAD to purchase for the twins.

While Abbey stood at the counter waiting for the books to be rung up, Jed wandered next door to "Mignon Faget's Boutique". It was a jewelry store run by an artist who specialized in custom designed jewelry.

"I'd like to buy my wife a gift," he told the designer. "A reminder of our stay here."

"Do you have anything in mind?"

"Well, she loves necklaces. I just wanted something indicative of our time here, maybe a small crescent since New Orleans is the Crescent City, nothing too ornate.

"Why don't we go with something light and delicate, something to remember the lacy iron balconies of the French Quarter. I could do something in maybe sterling filigree with a triple chain. The top chain would be very thin, worn like a choker and would have very tiny silver crescents all around it. The next chain would be a little longer and have only two crescents; they would be a bit larger than the ones all along the choker. The bottom chain would fall lower with just one slightly larger crescent, how low would you like it to fall?

Jed placed a finger to the spot just above where it would dip into his wife's cleavage. "About here?" He asked, he was obviously a bit unsure of himself having never designed jewelry before.

"That will be perfect. I could add gemstones to them, whatever you like." Her hands had quickly drawn up a design for him to see and Jed knew it would be perfect.

"I'm not sure about which gemstones to choose."

Mignon pulled out a long black velvet swatch lined with gemstones of all colors, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, but it was the amber stone that caught his eye. Not quite as flashy as the other stones, but almost the exact color of his wife's russet hair.

"How about that one on the large crescent," he pointed to the stone with its glittering shine of red, gold and brown. Then, maybe diamonds on the other ones. Abbey loves diamonds." He was too embarrassed to tell the artist that he had just read in his wife's zodiac chart that the diamond was her starstone and by wearing the precious stone it would keep her filled with beauty and charm.

"I think it's a good choice. The diamonds will glitter around her neck and the amber will be just a tad less predictable."

"Well, that's my wife, unpredictable. How soon do you think it will be finished?"

"How soon do you need it?" Mignon knew she would drop everything to make a custom made necklace for the First Lady.

"I'd like to give it to her before we part ways again. That will be in St.Louis by the end of the week."

"No problem. Just have somebody contact me with where you are staying and I'll send it to you."

"Jed? What are you doing in here?"

Jed jumped at the sound of his wife's voice and turned to see her in the doorway with their packages from next door. Mignon discreetly slid the paper with the design under the counter.

"Uh…I was looking for a brooch for my mother's birthday." His hand reached out for the first thing he saw. Abbey approached her brow furrowing.

"Jed, somehow I don't think that your mother would appreciate a snake with a ruby red eye. It isn't exactly her style now, is it?"

Jed looked sheepish. "I guess not."

Abbey turned to Mignon with a tolerant smile. "This is why I do all the jewelry shopping for the women in the family," she told her.

Mignon nodding thinking that the First Lady was going to be in for a delightful surprise when she was given the necklace her husband had personally designed for her.

****

Hungry from all their shopping, the first couple stopped to have lunch at "Bayona" an elegant little restaurant situated in a converted Creole cottage. They were seated on the back patio, their table nestled in the shade where they were able to kick back and relax, sharing a bottle of wine and dining on the specialty of the house, marinated grilled Gulf shrimp.

As afternoon descended over them, along with the absolutely stifling rising temperature, they decided to return to the hotel and hide out, completely understanding why people that lived in warmer climes generally took siesta's in the afternoon. They also came to understand just why there was such a different pace down here. Service was slower, albeit friendly, and less pushy. It was as if the heat sapped the people down here of any energy to expend by trying to rush things. Used to the more brisk efficiency of the northeast, it took the couple some getting used to at first. But, once they gave themselves over to this more laid back lifestyle they found themselves enjoying listening to a shopkeeper tell them of the ghost that inhabited his establishment, or a waitress who spilled out her entire life story before their meal had even arrived. There was a reason that New Orleans was referred to as the "Big Easy" and they were certainly discovering that today.

Back at the hotel they changed into their swimsuits and made their way down to the pool that was in their private courtyard. After a dip to cool off, they relaxed back in lounge chairs under the Magnolia and Crepe Myrtle Trees with their newly acquired books from their shopping spree. They sipped mint juleps and listened to the gurgling of the fountain and the faint sound of jazz emanating from a just waking up Jackson Square.

"Isn't it nice just to be lazy?" Abbey asked. She stretched out her arm to spread a bit more sunscreen on her fair Irish skin.

"Hold on, I'll get that." Jed set his julep aside and moved to his wife's lounge chair where he took the sunscreen, rubbed it between his hands and began running them over her bare skin. There was a lot of bare skin to cover. The bright black and coral string bikini didn't leave much to the imagination. Abbey watched his hands quickly depart her less interesting arm and move to her belly where he began to gently smooth in the sunscreen in sensuous, ever increasing circles.

Abbey loved his masculine tanned hands, the square blunt tipped fingers that could drive her insane with pleasure, the fine golden hair that grew on the back and caught the sunlight, the slightly rough palms that caused her to swallow convulsively as she fought the arousal that threatened.

"I… already did my stomach, Jed." The little hitch in her voice told him that his ministrations were having the desired effect on her.

"That's okay, I can do it better."

Abbey grinned at that overwhelming understatement. He certainly could do it better. She lay back enjoying the feel of his hands over her body and sucked in her breath sharply when his fingers ever so lightly brushed over the mound between her thighs. Jed felt her belly tighten in response, knew that she was very aroused. His fingers moved to the curve of her hip and began untying the string there.

"Jed, STOP!" Abbey panicked, sitting up, her eyes frantically searching for the agents she'd seen milling about that morning.

"Aw, come on, you were getting into it. I know you were."

"Too much so it would seem."

Jed's finger teased her, running along the edge of her bikini bottom, felt her fighting her thighs natural inclination to part for him. "You know you waaaant it." His sing song voice taunted her.

"Yeah, dammit, I do, but not here."

"Well then let's go take one of those afternoon siesta's"

TBC...