The day had dawned sunny and calm, without a hint of the tumultuous weather that had been experienced the previous day. A crowd had gathered around the Medical Center hoping for a glimpse of the President and his children. The press was anxious to see how the President looked. The pictures that had been taken of him the night before when he was leaving the hospital were that of an exhausted, grizzled, emotionally drained man and many were left to wonder if the First Lady wasn't in worse shape than they were being told.

The crowd was not disappointed; as it did not take long for the smaller than usual presidential motorcade to make its way to the hospital. As soon as a clean-shaven, more rested President got out of the car and started up the stairs holding a flower-laden child's hand in each of his, chaos erupted. Cameras flashed, bright lights from the TV crews were aimed at them, and reporters were shoving each other out of the way to get closer to the ropes that barricaded them and screaming questions toward the threesome.

"NICHOLAS, LOOK THIS WAY!"

"AISLINN SHOW US THE FLOWERS YOU BROUGHT FOR YOUR MOTHER!"

Both children were startled; they were usually only in front of the press in controlled environments. Neither was used to the frenzy of the paparazzi, or the excitement of the crowd. Jed felt Aislinn move in closer to him, clutching tightly to his pants and burying her face into his leg. Nicholas simply stopped in his tracks and stared at the screaming reporters with a deer in the headlights look.

"Guys, you're scaring my kids," Jed scowled at them. "Can you tone it down a bit, please." It wasn't a question it was a forceful demand. He lifted a child up on to each hip and made his way quickly to the hospital entrance, anxious to get them away from that madness.

Just outside Abbey's room he set them down so that he could poke his head in the door. She was sleeping, but the book that lay across her chest and the fact that her glasses were still on led him to believe that she was simply dozing.

"Abbey?"

"Mmm…" Abbey opened her eyes and smiled when she saw Jed in the doorway. "What're you doing way over there? I'm not contagious."

"You tired?"

"A little, why?"

"Well, I did have a couple little visitors for you but if you're too tired…" he started to shut the door.

"Don't you dare, Jed. You bring them in here."

Jed grinned broadly and opened the door allowing their two little ones to race into the room at full speed.

"Mummy!" They shouted. Before Jed could stop him, Nicholas had catapulted himself against Abbey's bed, jarring her and causing her to groan in pain.

"Nicky, stop." Jed grabbed the boy by the back of his pants and pulled him off the bed he was trying to climb up onto.

"It's okay, Jed." Abbey held her hand over her bandaged incision and winced. "He doesn't understand."

Jed kneeled down in front of his two solemn eyed children. "You two need to be careful with Mommy. Her belly hurts so don't go jumping up and down around her."

'Put them up with me." Abbey held her arms out.

"Abbey" Jed warned.

"It's okay, really. They'll be fine."

Jed set a child on each side of Abbey on the bed, careful not to jar her with the movement. Nicholas twisted in her arms and thrust his bouquet in her face. "Fowers" He told her.

"I see that. They're beautiful, Nicholas. Thank you."

"Me too." Not to be outdone Aislinn placed her flowers on Abbey's chest.

"Yours are beautiful too, little miss me too. Jed, could you…"

Jed nodded and took the flowers from her to place them in water.

"Daddy fowers" Nicholas pointed.

Abbey turned to see the dozen yellow roses Jed was putting in the vase next to the ones the kids brought. Yellow roses were her favorite "cheering up" flower. She should have known that Jed would remember that but it still did her heart good to see that he did. "Yes, I see daddy's flowers. You all did a wonderful job picking them out and they're already making me feel better." She kissed the top of Nicky's wheat blond head, inhaling deeply the scent of Johnson's baby shampoo. "You smell so good," she told him. "I've missed you guys so much."

"Daddy pooed." Nicholas told her.

"Daddy pooed?" Abbey flashed a funny look at Jed and he burst into laughter.

"He means I shampooed his hair. The three of us took a nice bath this morning after Miss. Aislinn had a little accident in the bed."

"Accident?" she frowned, looking down at Aislinn who was playing with the strings on her hospital gown.

"I was a little tired when I got home last night. I guess I didn't put her diaper on well. We all slept together and she peed all over us."

Abbey laughed but the sharp pain that stabbed through her with her laughter caused her to gasp and double over.

"Mama hoot?" Nicholas asked her. She could see the uncertainty in those big blue eyes and knew he had to be remembering the way she had been at cottage.

"Yeah, sweetie, it hurts all right, but I'm going to be just fine."

Nicholas leaned down and placed a kiss where her IV needle entered her hand assuming that was where she hurt.

Abbey gazed over at Jed. "He is so cute" she mouthed over their son's head. Jed nodded his agreement with a paternal smile of pride.

"Lolly, Mummy?" Aislinn held out the sticky purple lollipop one of the nurses had given her. Dutifully Abbey took a lick.

"That's a really good lollipop, Aislinn. Thank you for sharing."

"Gape" Aislinn tried to sit up to give her mother another taste but only proceeded to get it stuck in Abbey's hair.

"Yes, it is grape." Abbey tried to reach up to take the lollipop from her hair but Jed saw her wince.

"Abbey, wait." He leaned over and gently began to pry the strands of hair off the lollipop. "Okay, you two little hooligans. Let's get down and give mommy a break." He lifted children off the bed and handed them the diaper bag that held their toys. While they contentedly began to play on the floor, Jed sat on the edge of the bed.

"So, how did you get them in here anyway? The way I remember it kids aren't allowed up here."

"Yeah, well, I'm a pretty important guy. I have a little pull."

"A little pull, huh?" She reached out a hand to run her fingers over the fine golden hair of his forearm.

"Being the President does have its perks at times."

"Well, whatever strings you had to pull, I'm glad you did." Her eyes fell on the two children who were playing so quietly on the floor, the sun spilling through the window onto their shiny blond heads. " Thank you for bringing them, Mr. President."

"Anything to see you smile, pretty lady." He lifted her hand to his lips.

"Good morning, Mrs. Bartlet." Dr. Stewart came sweeping in the room. "How are you feeling today?'

"A little more human, I think."

"Well, that's good. I'm going to examine your incision then take another blood test to make sure the antibiotics are fighting the infection. If all goes well, you should be able to leave tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow?" Jed faced him with astonishment. It was only yesterday that she had been on death's door.

"Yes. In fact as soon as I finish my examination, how would you like to take a stroll with your husband?"

"A stroll. How the hell can she go for a stroll? She just had major surgery for crying out loud. It hurts her just to laugh. She shouldn't be out of bed walking around."

"Jed," Abbey grabbed his wrist. "Don't go off the deep end here. I have to get up and walk around. The sooner I do, the faster I'll heal."

Dr. Stewart nodded his head at Abbey in agreement while Jed drew his hand through his hair with exasperation. "You doctors always stick together, don't you?" He grumbled.

"It's part of the oath," Abbey grinned.

As Dr. Stewart had requested, when the examination was over Abbey slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed. She stopped to take a few deep breaths and Jed bent over to grab her elbow and help lift her to her feet. She gave a soft cry of pain and hunched over, her arms curling protectively around her midriff as she was lifted onto her feet. Jed cringed at the cry and the tears that pooled in her eyes and held her tightly to his side.

"Ah, dammit, Abbey. I think you should lay back down. You're not ready for this, babe."

"I'm okay…I'm okay, just give me a minute." She inhaled deeply. "Oh, shit, Jed, this hurts."

Aislinn and Nicholas turned from where they were playing on the floor to stare at their mother with awe. She never used that word in front of them. She could see Nicholas open his mouth to mimic her.

Abbey pointed a stern finger at them, realizing her mistake. "Don't either of you DARE use that word." She admonished, then turned to Jed and Dr. Stewart "Why is it the swear words that they always want to mimic?"

"Probably because they get a rise out of us," Dr.Stewart grinned. "How are you doing, you feeling okay?"

"I feel like when I had my C-section. Like if I stand up straight my sutures will rip and everything will come falling out."

"That's a pleasant picture," Jed groaned.

Dr. Stewart laughed. "Well, you don't have to worry about that happening, I promise. I put your sutures in nice and tight. Just take it easy and slow." Abbey began to move forward. She was still very shaky and she was leaning heavily on Jed and hanging on desperately to the IV pole she had to drag along with her. She had barely made it across the room, still protectively hunching over, when her parents entered. Michael O' Neill stopped in his tracks, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched Abbey trying to walk. Devoid of make up, her hair hanging straight and loose as she padded barefoot across the room wearing only a hospital gown, she looked terribly young and fragile and vulnerable. His heart beat erratically when he thought of how close he had come to losing her; even Beth didn't know how close they had come. He hadn't wanted to worry her.

"Menstrual cramps, Abigail?" he shook his head.

"Dad" Abbey groaned. "It was an honest mistake."

"You should have paid more attention to your body, to your symptoms. That pain in your lower quo…"

"Michael you hush," Beth slapped his arm lightly and moved forward to kiss her daughters cheek. "I seem to remember a time when a certain doctor, who shall remain nameless, was completely convinced that he merely had a common cold, when in actuality he had pneumonia. You're all alike, you doctors, you make the worst patients." Both Michael and Abbey had the good sense to look sheepish. Beth took Abbey's chin in her hand and lifted her face to examine her critically. " Abigail, you 're looking a little peaked."

"I just had surgery, Mom. I'm supposed to look peaked."

"I mean just from when we entered the room. You've gotten awfully pale. I think you better lay back down."

"I think I should too." Suddenly Abbey felt weary beyond belief. Just walking around the room had exhausted her and she realized it was going to take a while to build her strength back up. Jed helped her back into bed and he and her mother began tucking her in and plumping her pillows, while Michael sat back on the chair, both his grandchildren clamoring to climb up into his lap. For one of the few times in her life, Abbey relaxed back and allowed them to fuss over her. She knew that when her kids were sick she always felt better when she was able to do something for them and that was all Jed and her mother were doing. She also knew that when she wasn't feeling quite so out of sorts and so weak that their attentiveness would begin to drive her crazy, but for right now it felt pretty nice.

The brief walk and all the excitement of the morning had pretty much done Abbey in, so while she went back to sleep, her parents made the quick trip back to the hotel with Jed and the twins so the children could have their lunch and a quick nap before heading back for another visit later in the afternoon when the rest of their children had arrived.

****

Abbey awoke slowly to the sounds of whispering voices and opened her eyes to see four red-gold heads peering down on her and making comments as to the general state of her well being.

"She looks really pale." That was Zoey.

"I can't believe that she didn't diagnose herself sooner." Ellie the intern had to add her two cents.

"You know Mom. She gets after us with every little sniffle but she thinks SHE'S invincible." Liz sat on the edge of the bed.

"I always thought she was too," Annie added, tears choking her voice.

"Will you four quick talking about me like I'm not here." Abbey opened her eyes and Jed had to hold Annie back before she gave Abbey the enthusiastic hug he saw coming.

"Gentle" he said, softly. "She's still pretty sore."

Abbey watched Annie hesitate, uncertain how to proceed. "Give me a hug, love." Abbey stretched out her arms and Annie laid her head softly against Abbey's chest.

"I was so scared for you," the tears were flowing freely now and the girls and Jed's eyes began to burn as well. " I was watching a movie on TV when they had a special report to say that Marine One had gone down."

"Oh, sweetie. I'm sorry you had to hear about it that way, but you know I don't even remember the crash. You'll have to ask your granddad about that. He's the one who ended up with the bump on the head."

"Because he didn't put his seatbelt on so he could cover you and protect you from the crash. I know, CJ told me."

Abbey looked over Annie's head at Jed with wide, questioning eyes. He hadn't told her that part of the story. "We'll talk about this later" she mouthed over Annie's head. Jed looked down at the floor sheepishly, knowing he would have to come clean.

Oblivious to the silent communication going on between her grandparents, Annie continued on. "Gramps called us and said you were going to be okay but I was watching CNN all day and they had all these doctors on saying how dangerous a burst appendix is and that you could die."

"Well, you should know by now, Annabel Lee, that your grandfather is always right. At least in his own little world."

That caused Annie to laugh and broke the emotion of the moment.

****

"Thank God it's summer," Abbey said. Her voice was muffled because Jed was helping her dress to go home and was in the process of slipping the casual lavender sundress that she had requested he bring from Windy Point, over her head.

"Why?" he asked, as he started to button up the tiny buttons on the back of the dress.

"Because I can go bare legged. I can't imagine having to put pantyhose on." Her stomach was still very tender and sore. Abbey could hear him muttering and cursing under his breath as he tried to work the small buttons through the holes with his very masculine fingers. "Trouble?" she asked.

'Just a bit. I may be an expert on getting you UNDRESSED but dressing you is an entirely different story."

"That's because when you undress me, depending on your frustration level, you just rip whatever I'm wearing off my body."

"Why do they have to make the damn buttons so small?"

Jed was still struggling with the buttons on his wife's dress when Dr. Stewart entered.

"All ready to go home, Abbey?"

"All set."

"I've got your prescriptions filled for the antibiotics and the pain medication."

"Did you decide on the codeine laced Tylenol?" She asked.

"Yes, it's a little stronger than the Tylenol Three, but shouldn't make you too loopy. Don't be afraid to take your pain meds."

"She will," Jed assured him confidently.

"I do want to see you continue to walk around and keep moving but I also want you to rest and NO heavy lifting."

"What would constitute as heavy?" She asked.

"She won't be lifting ANYTHING, don't worry." Jed disregarded her question drawing an irritated glare from his wife.

"I'm sure that everything will be fine but if you have any abdominal pain that is different from what you're experiencing now, if your sutures become inflamed, or if you develop a fever I want you to come right back in. Those are all signs that the antibiotics are not working on the infection. Now, I'm going to send you back with a private nurse and she…"

"Wait a minute. Nobody said anything about a private nurse," Jed stopped him.

"Sir, Mrs. Bartlet is going to need somebody there to care for her."

"That's what I'M here for," he insisted.

"But what if something happens, what if a crisis comes up and you can't be there?"

"Then I'll be there," Beth said, entering the room.

"Mom, I can't ask you to come nurse me back to health." Abbey protested.

"And why ever not? I'm your mother, I've nursed you back to health more times than I can remember."

"I know that but…"

"You better not be just about to say that I'm too old. Abbey, you dropped everything to take care of me last year. If it weren't for you and your father I wouldn't be the person I am right now. I wouldn't be talking and walking as well as I am."

"Mom, you don't OWE me anything. I did it because you're my mother and I love you."

"Exactly, and you're my daughter and I love you. Besides taking care of you and the children will make me feel useful again, that comes in short supply when you're my age."

"Fine, but I don't want you wearing yourself out chasing the twins around. Let Jed do that." She smiled sweetly at her husband. "At least until Isabelle comes back". She turned to face Dr. Stewart. "The Democratic National Convention is just around the corner. How long will I be out of commission?"

"If everything goes well and you take it easy you should be fine in a couple of weeks."

"The convention is in four weeks."

"You should have no problem being properly recuperated by then."

"You're sure," Jed turned to the doctor. " I don't want her pushing herself just for the convention. She can be very stubborn sometimes."

"Jed, I'm standing RIGHT HERE," Abbey said with exasperation.

"Four weeks should be plenty of time, sir." Dr. Stewart smothered a smile and turned to see an orderly enter the room with a wheelchair.

"You're chariot awaits Madame." Jed bent at the waist and ushered her into the chair. Abbey scowled and sat in the chair, her eyes glowering at the silver walker that had come as well. "WHAT is that?" She asked.

"That's a walker to help you…"

"I KNOW what it is, what is it doing in here? I've been up and walking."

"Yeah, around this room and the halls. There's a long walk from the hospital entrance to the street. Dr. Stewart thought it would be easier if you used the walker."

"I'm not using that old lady contraption," she said adamantly.

"Then how will you get to the car? We're going out a side exit, there is no wheelchair ramp."

"I'll use you."

"Me?"

"Yes, I can hang onto your arm just the way I've been doing walking around in here."

Jed's gaze fell on Dr. Stewart who had been standing across the room, trying not to get involved in the conversation.

"I guess it will be alright," he said. "Just make sure that you rest when you get back to the cottage."

"Oh, you can be sure of that, Doc. I haven't gotten to play nursemaid for my wife since, well, since she came home from the hospital with the twins. She's going to get plenty of rest and she is NOT going to lift a pinkie." The last statement was a forceful one aimed at Abbey, not the doctor."

"Are you sure that private nurse isn't still available?" Abbey asked, hopefully. Jed in protective mode was a sight to behold and she knew that within the week she'd be going stir crazy. "Not on you're life, hot pants. I've already applied and gotten the job. You're stuck with me. Now let's hit the road."

Abbey smiled weakly at Dr. Stewart, behind Jed's back. "Thanks a lot" she mouthed.

Dr. Stewart chuckled and watched the President head out through the door pushing his wife's wheelchair. What he wouldn't give to be a fly on the walls of their cottage over the next couple of weeks.

TBC...