The doors to the hospital opened and the sound of camera shutters clicking filled the air. The service had cordoned the press and well wishers far from the hospital exit but it didn't stop them from snapping pictures and shouting questions. It had been almost two weeks since anyone had seen the President save for a few photos released by the White House to quell the ridiculous rumors.

Jed had vowed to walk out of the hospital and that was exactly what he was going to do. He got up stiffly from his wheelchair and slowly proceeded on using his crutches for support. He stood tall outside the hospital and waved to the press and crowd. Abbey knew he would not allow himself to falter. He walked slowly to the corner of the hospital still covered with cards, notes and gifts. There was a microphone set up there for him to speak.

"First of all, I want to thank everyone who sent notes, cards, flowers and gifts. Your support has been greatly appreciated. I also want to thank everyone who prayed for me and for my family and I want you to know that I am strong and I am back on my feet. I'm ready to go back to work for America. Again, Abigail and I thank you all for your support over the past couple weeks. God bless you all."

Then, with Abbey by his side, he began to walk toward the awaiting limo. It came out of nowhere. He felt again the surprise at being punched hard twice, heard people screaming, felt his legs give way as if he were a rag doll. He felt someone physically throw him into the limo and then he could feel the searing, burning pain in his chest and belly. Zoey. Zoey. Was she hurt? No, she was sitting looking at him with horror telling him she was fine. But he wasn't. He knew that now. He couldn't breathe, it felt like he was drowning. He could feel something warm spilling over his chest and looked down with surprise to see his life's blood pouring from his body. My God, somebody had shot him. He was losing consciousness and he fought that. Suddenly he was scared. He was getting cold, he couldn't move his limbs. He was dying and he wasn't ready to die. Abbey. He needed Abbey. He couldn't die without seeing her one last time. Oh God, he wanted Abbey. He was so cold.

Abbey saw Jed stiffen as he sat in the limo, saw him close his eyes, saw the strain on his face, and saw the beads of perspiration on his forehead.

"Jed. What's wrong? Are you in pain? I knew I should have made you use the wheelchair."

"I'm not in pain Abigail," he said tightly.

"What is it then? You are as white as a sheet."

"It's nothing. I'm fine Abbey, let it go." Abbey took his hand, felt the tremors, and suddenly she knew. "It's the limo, isn't it?" she asked, stroking the back of his hand.

"Christ, Abbey. The last time I was in a limo, I was thrown in. My body was torn apart with bullets and I could feel all the blood flowing from me. I could feel my life draining away. I could actually feel my body shutting down. And after realizing that Zoey was OK, all I wanted was to be in your arms. I was so scared, Abbey. All I wanted was one more chance to say I loved you and to say good-bye. God Abbey, I knew I was dying and I didn't want to die without you with me."

"Oh Jed, I'm so sorry I wasn't with you," she was crying now. "More than anything I wish I'd been with you. I replay that night over and over and I'm just so sorry."

"Abbey, don't. I don't blame you for not being there. I thank God every day that you weren't. You would have followed me over to the crowd. You might have been shot too. You might have been killed. I couldn't have taken that. No Abbey, I thank God you weren't there."

"I know, but I can't help but wish I'd been there when you needed me, when you were calling my name," she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I know baby," he stroked her hair. "But you were there when I needed you. Every time I woke up scared or disoriented in that hospital, you were always there. When I needed you the most, you were there."

Jed stepped out of the limo at the White House to thunderous applause. Not only was his family and senior staff present but all the White House staff, his cabinet, the Vice President, all leading Democrats, and even a few high ranking Republicans. The members of the Supreme court were all accounted for as well to welcome back the Executive to the Executive branch. Abbey had chosen this entrance because there were only a few stairs for Jed to climb.

Jed waved to the crowd with a grin and proceeded to slowly climb the stairs. Abbey could feel the tension in Jed's arm, could see the strain on his face. She knew how painful this walk was to him but his pride would not allow anyone but her to see this.

At the top of the stairs Jed waded through the crowd on his crutches. He finally got to his senior staff who welcomed him home with pats on the back and true joy. These were the people who had seen the bullets rip through his body, the people who had waited in the hospital comforting his daughters while he was in surgery. These were the people who were not just happy to have their President back but happy to have their friend home. But, one person was missing. Jed tried not to show his hurt that Leo was nowhere to be seen.

"There is cake inside, Mr. President," Mrs. Landingham said.

"Why don't we all go in?" Abbey had suggested once they had dutifully posed for the press.

Inside was a huge banner reading 'Welcome back Mr. President' but Mrs. Landingham's cake read, 'Welcome home Josiah'.

"Before I cut that cake," Jed said, "I have something I need to do." He walked down the hall alone. Had he ever taken walking easily without pain for granted? He opened the door to the Oval Office and saw Leo standing by his desk.

"Welcome home, Mr. President," Leo grinned. "Ready to get back to work?"

"Damn straight," Jed laughed. "I thought you might be in here. Leave it to you not to give me a minute to settle back in."

"Do you want a minute?"

"No way. Leo, I do want to thank you for everything you did for Abbey and for me during this whole mess."

"What are friends for?" Leo watched as Jed moved painfully across the room without his crutches to sit at his desk. He leaned back in the chair comfortably.

"Go have some cake Leo," he said, "I'm back now."

"Yes, Mr. President," Leo grinned and left the room.

****

"I knew I'd find you in here," Abbey said upon entering the Oval Office. "You do realize there is a party going on out there for you?"

"Yeah I know. I just needed to get back in here. You know, check the place out. Make sure Hoynes didn't mess up my stuff."

"You mean take control again," Abbey said knowingly. One of the reasons Jed had been such a pain in the ass for the past week was that he felt out of control of his body and his job. She knew how he hated to feel out of control.

"Well, Doug already had to leave with Annie to get her back to school, but Liz and your Mom are taking a flight out tonight so it's now or never, pumpkin."

"OK," Jed sighed, knowing it was time to come clean about the baby. "Should we tell the staff too?"

"I'd rather wait until after the amnio, when we can report everything is fine."

"OK," he said, understanding that need in her.

Abbey returned with their daughters and his family members. Her family had already returned to Massachusetts once Jed was proclaimed out of the woods, but then again, they had already been told the big news.

"Josiah," Emily said sternly, "you are being a rude guest of honor. Everyone is out there waiting for you."

"Well, they will have to wait a little longer," Jed said. "Abbey and I have some news we want to share with you all," he put his arm around Abbey's waist. He nodded down to her, urging her on.

"Well, I know this may be a shock to you all," Abbey continued, "I sure was to us. But…well… we’re going to have a baby… I'm pregnant." There was complete silence as everyone stood in shock.

"Well, I'll have to remember that line the next time I want to shut a room up," Jed joked.

"How did this happen?" Emily asked, stunned.

"The usual way, Mother," Jed said sarcastically.

"I know HOW it happened Josiah," Emily sniffed. "I mean how..."

"Well, it's not like we were actively trying," Abbey said, biting her tongue against giving her original answer which would have been 'it's what happens when you don't use those diaphragms, pills, and condoms you don't want us to use', but she had resolved to get along better with her mother-in-law so her answer was more benign.

"Well I think it's great," Liz said, moving forward to hug both her parents. She was followed by both her sisters and suddenly the room was filled with congratulations. But Abbey noticed how quiet her middle daughter had been about the whole thing, her hug had been merely perfunctory. So, Abbey pulled her aside.

"Ellie, is something wrong?" She asked.

"I just can't understand how you let Dad do this to you. Once you were out of the White House, you were finally going to get to practice medicine without having to worry about taking care of your family too. Heck, maybe Hoynes would have made YOU surgeon general."

"Whoa, wait right there young lady. Your father did not DO this to me. It's not like he said, 'well Abbey after 14 years I think I'd like to give it another try for a son. I’m not going to get into my sex life with your father but I will say that I am the one who initiated everything that brought about this baby."

"You?" Ellie said with wide eyes. "But you're a doctor. You taught ME about contraception."

"Yes, I did. But I am married sweetheart, so throwing caution into the wind was an option, and this is what happens when you get caught. Be warned darlin'. But make no mistake, however this baby came about, your father and I are happy about it. Shocked but happy. And as for Surgeon General, I'm sorry Ellie, but I have no desire for that position. Your Dad is the politician in this family. I just want to go back to New Hampshire to my old life, it was a pretty damn good life."

"Well if you're happy, than I'm happy. Just be careful. Please."

"I will sweetheart," she accepted Ellie's kiss on the cheek.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Jed was approached by his brother.

"Well congratulations big brother" Jon said, shaking Jed's hand. "Before we go home, I just wanted to tell you I'm damn proud of you. I know I didn't say it when you were elected but I am."

"I know, Jon."

"No Jed, I mean about it all. You were the one who stood up to Dad and you paid a hell of a price."

"Yes, well," Jed turned away, clearly uncomfortable with the subject. The only person he ever spoke to on this topic was Abbey. His daughters knew how strict their grandfather had been but he had never let on just what a bastard he really was.

"Well you got the last laugh," Jon continued, "just look at where you are standing. You are a strong man Jed, you will get through all of this just fine."

"Thanks Jon," Jed patted him on the shoulder, the closest they would come in their repressed family to a hug.

As everyone began to filter out of the room to go to the party, Emily took Jed's arm.

"What is it, Mother?" Jed asked, waiting for some tirade about his and Abbey's sexual irresponsibility.

"Josiah...I made a promise to God while you were in surgery. I kept my promise but you were unconscious when I did it so that was cheating. I am not a cheater...I..."

"Mother, what are you trying to say?"

"I'm trying to say that...I love you. I realized when you were in surgery that I have never told you that. But, I do love you and I am very proud of what you have done with your life."

"Well, thank you Mother," Jed said clearly moved by her words. "I love you too." He leaned over awkwardly to kiss her cheek.

"Yes..um..well," she said uncomfortably, "we should go out to your party."

"Yes mother," Jed smiled, wondering what other surprises his homecoming might have in store.

TBC...