Jed entered the solarium still buttoning up his shirt. Abbey was already seated with a big plate of pancakes, eggs, and fresh fruit. It still gave Jed a start to see his small wife consuming these huge meals when toast, fruit, and coffee was her usual choice.

"The lumberjack breakfast again, dear?" He asked, leaning down to kiss her cheek before sitting down himself.

"Jed, I am eating for three. Not one, not two, THREE," she said logically.

Jed cringed as she poured catsup on her pancakes but he had long since learned to keep his mouth shut about her peculiar food cravings.

"So, what is on your agenda today?" He asked, spearing himself a couple of pancakes off the platter.

"I have a doctor's appointment."

"Just a routine exam?" He asked.

"Mmmhmm," she responded neglecting to inform him she would also be having another ultrasound. She knew he wouldn't be able to go with her and therefore he would just worry all day. She was also hoping to get a really good picture and surprise him with it.

"Jed," she looked at him across the table, "I want to go home."

"To New Hampshire?" He asked, surprised.

"Yes."

"Now?"

"No, for Christmas, like we always do."

"I thought Mia said no flying."

"She didn't say I couldn't drive."

"Abbey, that is ridiculous. You are not driving to New Hampshire."

"You're right, Jed. I am not allowed to drive anywhere. But I can be driven. I thought I'd go up with Zoey and Ellie, and you could meet us up there."

"I don't like it Abbey. You'll be so far from here, from your doctor. Out in the middle of nowhere."

"Jed, I will hardly be in the middle of nowhere. I will be driving up the Eastern Seaboard with Secret Service agents who can whisk me to the best hospitals in the United States. I'm going to ask Mia about it today. If she says it is too dangerous, I won't do it. But, hopefully if I am still not dilating, she will let me go. I just want to get away from the circus around here and relax for a little while with our family."

"I understand that, but promise me that if Mia says no, the answer is no."

"Yes Jed, I promise."

Both of them looked up as there was a knock on the door and Leo poked his head in.

"Come in, Leo," Abbey called out. "Would you like some breakfast?"

"No thanks," he looked at Abbey's plate with wide eyes. "Abbey, THAT is disgusting," he grimaced.

"You shouldn't make comments until you try it Leo. Want a bite?" She asked.

"I think I'll pass. How can you stand that?" He looked at Jed.

"Hey," Jed put his hands up, "as long as I don't have to eat it, she's free to come up with whatever disgusting food combination she wants."

"The next time one of you carries a baby, let me know, and we'll see what kind of food you crave."

She placed her hands on each arm of the chair and pushed herself up to her feet. Leo was surprised yet again at how small Abbey seemed, he was so used to her in her high heels. But now, as she stood before him, barefooted with her belly protruding, she just seemed too fragile to be carrying such a heavy burden. It made him feel very protective of her.

"How are you feeling, honey?" He asked.

"Leo, did you just call my wife honey?" Jed asked.

"Yes, I did, sir. Your wife is making me feel very paternal right now."

"I think it was very sweet, Leo," she said and kissed his cheek. "I am fine but I do need to go and get ready for my doctor's appointment so I will leave you boys to run the country. Bye." She began to walk out of the room.

"Abbey," Jed said stopping her, "come see me or call me when you get back. Let me know how everything went."

"I will, Jed," and she turned to leave.

"She wants to go home to New Hampshire for Christmas," Jed said to Leo. "I swear it is never a dull moment with my wife."

"Do you think that is really a good idea?" Leo asked, concerned.

"I would if there were an easy way to get her there. She wants to drive up with Zoey and Ellie, like Thelma and Louise or something."

"Mr. President, a mother, two daughters, and a whole slew of secret service agents hardly make a Thelma and Louise trip."

"OK, it was a bad analogy, but you get my point. It's hard for her here Leo. Every time she steps out of the White House, the press are all over her. They want every detail of her pregnancy. What she is eating, what she is wearing, and, most of all, they want pictures, lots and lots of pictures. She can't even speak about issues that are important to her because all people want to ask her about are the babies."

"They're excited," Leo said, "there hasn't been a baby in the White House in 40 years. There are millions of people for whom this is the first. They are sharing this with you two."

"I know, Leo. But it also makes it very hard on Abbey. I mean if, God forbid, anything goes wrong, she is going to feel like she let the whole country down on top of everything else."

"I thought everything was going OK," Leo frowned.

"It is. She hasn't dilated at all which is a miracle considering she is carrying twins. She'd go stir crazy on bed rest. Believe me, been there, done that. But neither of us is going to feel really safe until two healthy babies are crying in our arms."

***

Jed sat in meeting after meeting feeling his throat growing scratchier and scratchier. Damn, he thought to himself, not now. He couldn't be bogged down by an attack now. Leo watched Jed's cough worsen as the day went on.

"Mr. President, I think you should go and rest in the residence. You're getting a cold."

"Thank you Dr. McGarry," Jed said sarcastically.

"I'm serious. You should take some cold medicine and rest. You won't be any good to anyone if....," his voice faded off uncomfortably.

"If...If...," Jed prodded him. "You can say it Leo."

"If you have a full blown relapse, sir. Not to mention Abbey will kick my ass if I don't send you for medical attention."

"So that's it, you're afraid of my wife, Leo."

"Damn straight," he grinned, "aren't you?"

"Of course. I guess I will go take some cold medicine and take a cat nap and then I'll be back."

"Good."

"Hold down the fort."

"I will."

****

When Abbey returned from the doctor's she was surprised and frightened to see Jed laying asleep on the couch. He never slept during the day unless...unless...Oh please no, not now. She moved toward him and placed a hand on his forehead. He was warm but he wasn't burning up.

"Jed...baby?" He awoke and immediately began to cough. Deep chest coughs.

"Dammit Jed, how long haven't you felt well?" She asked while going to get her medical bag.

"Not long."

"Josiah, I am your doctor. Don't lie to me."

"I guess my throat has been sore since last night."

"You guess," she said, shaking her head while putting the thermometer in his ear. Her disapproval was very apparent. "Why didn't you tell me last night?"

"I didn't want to worry you. You have enough on your plate. It was just a scratchy throat."

"Jed, I'm your doctor as well as your wife. This isn't going to work if you keep hiding things from me. You need to tell me when you feel sick." She looked at the thermometer.

"What is it?" He asked apprehensively and Abbey's heart melted at his tone. He didn't want to be sick. He hated being sick. God she hated this damn disease. Hated what it did to her husband.

"It's not that bad, hon," she said softly, "99.9." She began to check his pulse and other vital signs. "It's just a chest cold right now but I want to get that fever down." She handed him two ibuprofen tablets which he swallowed. "Did you already take some cold medicine?"

"Yes doc. I took some Robitussin about 2 hours ago. So, can I go back to work now?"

"No. Not until that fever comes down."

"Abbey..."

"Jed, I don't want to take a chance. Do you?"

"I guess not," he sighed and she began to lead him over to the bed and tucked him in. "Lay with me."

"Jed, I have to..."

"Just until I fall asleep. Please, baby," he pleaded with those earnest blue eyes that never failed to tug her heartstrings.

"Oh OK," she smiled. "You sure do know how to get what you want." She climbed into bed next to him and pulled his head against her chest so she could stroke his hair. She knew he was scared. He was trying to cover it but he was as scared of a relapse as she was.

"Everything go OK at the doctor's?" He asked.

"Yes. Everything is looking good. Mia said I can go to New Hampshire. She said if I were any other patient she would have said no but I have the Secret Service who can get me where I need to be in minutes."

"So I guess it is Christmas in New Hampshire."

"It looks that way. She also gave me the name of a Lamaze coach who is going to come here to work with us."

"Abbey, we don't need a Lamaze instructor. We've done Lamaze class before."

"Not for more years than I care to remember. Things change."

"Breathing doesn't change, Abigail."

"Techniques change and improve. We both need a refresher and so will my alternate coach."

"What do you mean alternate?" He said insulted. "I will be your coach, Abigail."

"Yes, and what if you have to go on def-con 4 or have a national emergency to deal with? We can't absolutely count on the fact that you will be available."

"I hadn't thought of that," he said, sounding deflated.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. Chances are you'll be there. It's just a precaution."

"So, who is this alternate coach?"

"Zoey wanted to be but I don't know if she's quite ready for that. I would like her to give us grandkids someday."

"Maybe she would be so traumatized it would keep her from ever having sex," Jed said wishfully.

"Dream on, Daddy," Abbey laughed. "Anyway I just don't think it is a good idea, especially after Rosslyn." Abbey knew just how sensitive her youngest daughter had become about her parents' health. "Ellie could handle it but she is too busy with school and, of course, Liz is too far away."

"What about Millie? She's already been with you before."

"You have her jetting all over the country. No, I am going to ask either my mother or Jane."

"I guess either of them would be good. Your mother has always been around to help us with every birth."

"I think she is feeling a little left out this time. I always needed her to come help with me or the girls, and now I have this huge staff at my beck and call."

"You could choose my mother. She'd piss you off so much you would push those kids right out," he laughed, and the laughter brought on a coughing fit. Abbey handed him a glass of water.

"OK, enough talk Mr. Comedy. You close your eyes and get some sleep."

"Abbey..."

"Sssh...go to sleep babe," she kissed his cheek and smoothed his hair back from his forehead soothingly.

Once he was asleep Abbey lumbered to her feet and moved to the couch to look at paint chips for the nursery she was designing in an adjoining bedroom. She hadn't been at it very long when Leo arrived.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"I'm going to have the nursery painted while we're in New Hampshire. So, what do you think, primary colors or pastels?"

"I'm no decorator, Abbey," he smiled. "You look tired. How is he?"

"Don't look so worried, Leo," she touched his cheek. "It's just a chest cold. His temp was only 99.9 and I've already gotten it back to normal with some ibuprofen. I still want to keep an eye on him but I think we are in the clear this time."

"That's a relief," Leo said, more visibly relaxed. "You do know how lucky he is to have you, don't you? You are a very special lady, Abigail Bartlet."

"Thank you, Leo," Abbey said, moved by the words of this man of few words. "I'd have to say I am pretty lucky myself."

"Yeah," he agreed with a nod.

"Of course, you do know he is going to make us old before our time," she smiled.

"I am already old before my time, Abbey," Leo grinned squeezing her hand in camaraderie.

TBC...