Jed sat on the bed watching Abbey's staff packing her things. With every item packed, he couldn't help but feel she was one step further away from him. Abbey was not in tune with Jed's melancholy mood, as she was too busy checking things off her list as they were packed.

"You know," Jed said finally, not able to remain quiet any longer, "I still don't like this."

"Jed please," Abbey said, "your objections have been duly noted and overruled. I'm sorry you aren't comfortable with this but I am going. You just need to deal with that."

"I would feel much better if I were going with you."

"Well babe, you know I would too, but that just isn't feasible. It will only be a few days until you can join us."

"Hey guys," Zoey said entering the bedroom. "You ready to go Mom?"

"Just about, hon," she stood, glancing around the room. "OK Jed, we're off. Are you all set with your medication?"

"Yes doc. You have been gone before, Abbey, and I managed to stay alive," he said sarcastically.

"I know. It's just been so long since I've gone on a trip it feels strange. Well, I guess that is everything," she folded her list. "Bye baby," she reached out a hand to touch Jed's cheek and kissed him softly.

"Abbey, be careful, please," he said seriously.

"I will, Jed," she squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"You two take care of your Mom. Don't let her overdo it," he said, bending to kiss her swollen belly.

"Bye Daddy," Zoey said, moving to accept his hug.

"Bye sweetheart," Jed kissed her cheek, then whispered into her ear, "listen, keep an eye on your mother for me. If anything at all happens call me. Anytime."

"I will Dad," she smiled indulgently, "but don't worry, everything will be fine."

***

The car carrying Abbey and Zoey stopped at Johns Hopkins to pick Ellie up.

"This trip would be perfect if we didn't have all the little spies with us," Ellie grumbled as she dropped into the back seat with her mother and sister.

"Eleanor, please don't start," Abbey said. "First of all, they are not here to spy on us, they are here to protect us. Just remember one of those so-called spies put his life on the line to save your father. Ron stepped between the gunman and your Dad and had his hand shattered by a bullet. Who knows what might have happened if it wasn't for him."

"I'm sorry Mom," Ellie said contritely, "it's just so hard sometimes."

"I know it is," Abbey squeezed her hand. "It's hard on all of us, but who ever said everything would be easy. You have had some great opportunities as the President's daughter and you just have to take the bad with the good."

As she spoke Abbey felt a tightening start in her back and wrap around her belly like a big rubber band tightening. It wasn't a painful contraction, but it was a contraction. She sighed and ran a soothing hand over her belly.

"Mom?" Zoey asked worried. "Is something wrong?"

"No, Zoey, I'm fine."

"No, you're not Mom," Ellie said, looking worriedly at Zoey. "Something just happened. What was it?"

"Don't go getting all upset you two. I just had a contraction..."

"Oh my God," Zoey panicked. "We have to get you to a hospital. Oh God, Dad is going to have a fit. He was right, he said...."

"Zoey," Abbey took her arm, "calm down honey. It was just a Braxton Hicks contraction, not a real labor contraction."

"Whats the difference?" Zoey asked, her voice still shaky.

"Braxton Hicks are like practice contractions, right?" Ellie said.

"Yes. They are very erratic and they don't really hurt, it is more of like a tightening. They happen throughout pregnancy. Believe me, I can tell the difference."

Despite Abbey's reassurance, both Zoey and Ellie were on edge, sure that at any minute their mother would go into labor. The only thing breaking the tension was Abbey's frequent bathroom breaks. The babies were so heavy on her bladder it seemed she had to stop every half hour, and her daughters got a kick out of the huge production this caused. Three black cars would enter the rest area. The service would have to go in and make sure everything was clear before Abbey was allowed to enter. When she would return to the car, the girls would invariably giggling at the scene this caused.

"I'm glad you two find this so humorous," Abbey grumbled, "just wait until it is your turn to go through this. Of course, that won't be until you are successful, married doctors in your 30's," she teased.

"Now you're starting to sound like Dad," Zoey grinned.

Speaking of their father, as the cars zipped down the New Jersey turnpike, Zoey's cell phone rang.

"Hello," Zoey answered.

"Hi Zo."

"What's up, Dad?"

"Just calling to see how everything is going."

"It's going OK except that Mom has to stop at every rest stop along the way." Jed laughed on the other end, well aware of Abbey's bathroom needs. His laughter stopped with Zoey's next words. "Mom did have a contraction a little while ago."

"WHAT!" Jed exclaimed. "Christ, I knew this was a bad idea. Are you on your way to the hospital? Where the hell are you?"

"Jed," Abbey said, ripping the phone out of Zoey's hand and glaring at her youngest daughter.

"Abbey! Are you all right? How bad..."

"Jed, stop. It's nothing. It was just a Braxton Hicks contraction. I've had them before today, I will have them again."

"Are you absolutely sure it was a Braxton Hicks?"

"Yes Jed, I'm positive. There wasn't any pain, just the tightening. Zoey shouldn't have even said anything."

"Don't be mad at her Abs. She is under orders to tell me ANYTHING that happens."

"This was nothing Jed, trust me. I'm not going to hide anything from you."

"I do trust you." Abbey knew he was running his hand through his hair the way he always did when he was frustrated.

"You need to get off the phone babe. I hear Charlie in the back trying to get your attention."

"Charlie can wait."

"Jed, everything is fine. Go back to work. I love you. Good-bye."

"Love you too babe. You call me if anything else happens. Bye."

Abbey handed the phone back to Zoey and Ellie turned to her younger sister.

"Zoey, why did you tell him that?" She seethed. "MOM told you it was nothing."

"Well DAD asked me to tell him ANYTHING that happened on the trip. He..."

"Girls," Abbey said tiredly, "enough with the bickering. Now come on, let's just enjoy the rest of the trip."

****

Abbey rested her head against the cool glass window as she watched the countryside pass her. She felt a yearning come over her as they passed through New York City and she saw the sign reading 'All points New England'. Almost home. The scenery grew more rural the further north they went.

Once in Massachusetts the cars turned off the highway and soon they were in Abbey's hometown of Salem. It wasn't long before they pulled up in front of the big federal style house she grew up in. Abbey hadn't been back to Salem since Jed had been elected and realized how much she had missed visiting her parents at home. Ever since the election, it seemed that everyone had to come to them to visit. Of course, their guests were all thrilled with a stay at the White House, but, when you had to live there, it was nice to get away.

Michael, Beth, and Jane O'Neill greeted them with smiles and hugs.

"My God Abbey, you're huge!" Jane exclaimed.

"Thanks Janey," Abbey said sarcastically, "that's just what every pregnant woman wants to hear."

"Oh cut it out. You know you are gorgeous."

The three of them had planned on spending a couple hours visiting and relaxing. Zoey and Ellie had been immediately coerced by their grandfather into playing a game of Scrabble. Abbey declined to play as she had more important things on her mind.

"I think I'm going to go for a walk and stretch my legs," she said. "Want to join me, Mom? Jane?" Both agreed sensing Abbey wanted to speak with them privately. They put on their heavy winter jackets to combat the December cold. They walked along the harbor with the Secret Service following discreetly behind. The salty wind was sharp off the water and stung Abbey's cheeks.

"You have something on your mind, Abigail?" Beth said bluntly.

"How did you know?" Abbey asked.

"You didn't ask us to come out in 20 degree weather for a walk."

"You're right. I have a big favor to ask one of you. I need a labor coach for the delivery room."

"Isn't Jed going to be there?" Beth asked, surprised. Her son-in-law hadn't missed a birth yet.

"He's planning on it but we need a back up in case an emergency comes up and he can't be there. That is where one of you comes in."

"So we'd get to be there? In the delivery room?" Jane asked, barely able to restrain her excitement.

"Yes. But, before you agree, you should know that you will need to come stay at the White House after the holidays because we just don't know when I will go into labor. My obstetrician is convinced I won't make it to my due date. Not with twins. And we have a Lamaze instructor coming to the White House for a refresher course."

There was nothing Beth would have liked more than to be present at the birth of her grandchildren, but, she had given birth twice, and had been present at Ellie's birth. Jane had never gotten to experience that miracle and this would probably be her one and only chance.

"Do you want to do it, Jane?" Beth asked.

"I would love to," Jane smiled broadly.

"Are you sure?" Abbey asked. "I know you've been here painting for your next gallery exhibit."

"Abbey, I think I can put that on hold to actually stay at the White House," Jane laughed. "I mean come on, it is the chance of a lifetime. And I don't just mean staying at the White House." Jane placed her hand on Abbey's belly and Abbey knew just what her sister meant. It would be her chance to witness the miracle of birth.

"Aunt Jane," Zoey said when they all returned from their walk, "there was a big to-do a while back about Mom doing the Ouiji board. Grandpa said you two used to use it when you were younger. Did you?"

"Yes we did," Jane admitted. "We used to go out onto the widows walk with our friends and conjure up the spirits. This is Salem, everyone does stuff like that."

"Thanks a lot Jane," Abbey said shaking her head. "It took me weeks to squash that rumor. Now I'll never hear the end of it from these two." Ellie and Zoey laughed. "Well girls, it's getting late, I think it is time to go home."

*****

A feeling of peace enveloped Abbey as she saw the big blue 'Bienvenue Au, Welcome to, New Hampshire' sign as they crossed the border. As they drove further north, they passed woods full of green pines, snowy white rolling hills, and glistening rivers, lakes and ponds of ice. It was all so familiar. How many times had she made this commute home from Boston? How many times had she taken this pristine scenery for granted? Never would she do that again. They turned into the driveway of their big colonial farmhouse and Abbey was surprised to see white candles lit in every window, just as if she had been home to decorate for the holidays. Home. She was home.

While the girls got their bags, Abbey moved up the stairs and opened the door to the foyer. She was stunned. She had expected a cold, empty house but was instead confronted by rooms decorated with wreaths, poinsettias, candles, and boughs of holly. A welcoming fire burned brightly in the fireplace.

"Who did all this?" Abbey asked the girls in awe. Zoey and Ellie could hardly contain their smiles at surprising their mother.

"Must have been Santa's elves," Ellie said with a sly smile. But, then Elizabeth and Annie popped out of the kitchen.

"Surprise!" They shouted and moved to give Abbey a hug.

"Did you two do all this?" Abbey asked tugging on one of Annie's braids.

"Yep," Annie said beaming with pride, "It was Grandpa, Aunt Ellie, and Aunt Zoey's idea. Mom and me went up in the attic and took all your decorations down, cause Mom said you couldn't do it this year because of the babies."

"It's beautiful," Abbey said, tears filling her eyes at their thoughtfulness. "I couldn't have done better myself. Thank you so much."

"Well, I haven't put Grandpa's mistletoe up yet, but I'll put it up before he gets here."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much sweetie," Abbey said tongue in cheek, "I think your grandfather's fascination with mistletoe is just about over."

"Dad told us not to get a tree yet either," Liz said, "he wants to go out and cut one down with us when he gets home."

"Heaven help us," Abbey shook her head with a wry grin. "Oh girls, you don't know how good it is to be home. Thank you all so much for all of this. It was quite a welcome home. Now, as soon as your Dad gets here, everything will be perfect."

TBC...