July 17th, 1987
"I want to come!"
"Jed, you're not coming with us," Abbey replied, firmly.
She was standing in front of the mirror in the master bathroom applying her makeup. He was leaning on the sink directly beside her.
"Why the hell not?"
"You have NEVER asked to come shopping with me before. Why is it so important to you now?"
"Because all of you are going and I feel left out."
"Why don't you call Leo and go to a movie or something?"
"Because he's not my boyfriend, Abbey."
"Well, that's a relief," she laughed.
"It's Saturday and I want to spend the day with my wife and kids. Is that so wrong?"
"We'll only be gone a few hours, Jed."
"That's a few hours I could be spending with you."
"You're not coming. That's it and that's final."
"But you look so incredibly beautiful, darling," Jed said, smiling innocently.
"When has flattery ever worked on me?"
"I can think of a few times…"
"Now is not gonna be one of them."
"Damn."
"I am taking the girls shopping, and that's that."
"You're also taking my credit card. I should get to be a part of that joyous experience," Jed protested.
"I'm only taking your card because I maxed mine out buying furniture for the bedroom of YOUR baby."
"Touché."
"I thought so."
"Please?"
"No!"
"Come on, Abbey!"
"Tell you what. Tonight…I'm all yours."
Jed looked at her suspiciously.
"All mine?"
"That would be what I said, yes."
"100 mine?"
"If that's what it takes to get you off my back right now," she replied.
"All night?"
"Yes, Jed. All goddamn night. Are you done now?"
"Nope. All night, huh? No interruptions?"
"I'll lock the bedroom door and throw away the key."
"What if there's a fire?"
Abbey sighed, holding back her laughter. She didn't want him to see he was getting to her.
"We'll burn to death."
"Tornado?"
"We'll end up in Kansas."
He grinned.
"There's no place like home."
"Do you have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore too?" She asked, sarcastically.
"That's what they say."
"Okay, I'm gonna round up the girls and head out now."
"But tonight…"
"Come hell, high water, fire, tornados, or green witches on broomsticks, you will have me all to yourself."
"No pun intended, I'm sure."
She rolled her eyes, gave him a kiss, then walked out the door.
"Hey, Mom, what about this?" Ellie asked, holding up a pair of jeans.
"You don't want jeans now, El. It's the middle of summer."
"For school though."
"Save it for when we go school shopping."
"Fine." She put the jeans back on the rack.
"Mommy, can I get this Kermit shirt?" Zoey asked.
"Is it your size?"
"I think so."
"Try it on, then we'll talk."
"Kay!" Zoey ran off to the dressing rooms.
"Hey, Mom, check this out. Wouldn't this look great on you?" Liz asked, holding up green knee-length skirt.
"When did green become my color, Liz?"
"Gotcha." She put it back.
"Liz, look at this shirt. We gotta get you this," Ellie said.
Liz walked over and looked at it. It was a t-shirt that said 'Yes, this IS my kid.'
"Shut up, Ellie."
"I'm serious! Get it."
"You get it, loser."
"Fine, I will."
"Eleanor Emily Bartlet, you are not getting that shirt," Abbey chimed in.
"But, Mom!"
"Put it back, Ellie."
Ellie groaned and did as she was told.
"Ooooh, Mom, come over here!" Liz called, with a squeal.
Abbey walked over. Liz was holding a short, slinky halter dress.
"Wow."
"This'll get Dad's blood flowing," Liz said, with one eyebrow raised.
"Honey, your father's blood is always flowing. He doesn't need any help"
"Ew. Mom!"
"Sorry. But you walked right into that one."
"I guess. Are you gonna get it?"
"Mmm, red's not really my color…"
"Mom, are you KIDDING? Red's your BEST color!" Liz exclaimed.
"You think?"
"I think!"
"Okay, give it to me."
"MOMMY!" Zoey called, running over to them. "It fits!"
"Good. Keep looking around."
"Hey. Question," Liz said to Abbey as they fingered through the clothes on the rack.
"Yep."
"What was the purpose of taking us shopping?"
"Are you complaining?" Abbey questioned.
"No! Definitely not. But it was just pretty, ya know, random."
"You want the truth?"
"Yeah…"
"Your father's been driving me nuts," Abbey admitted.
"What's he doing now?"
"He's just been really…clingy since the whole New York thing. It's as if he's expecting me to run away again and never come back. He never lets me out of his sight anymore."
"You're lucky," Liz said, looking away.
"What? Why would you say that?"
"At least the father of your children wants you."
"Elizabeth."
"It's true! Ben wants nothing to do with me, or the baby. Dad wants you. He wants the baby. You should be grateful he loves you enough to be clingy. I haven't even seen Ben in over a month."
"I know, hon, but didn't you tell me that you didn't want to be with Ben anyway?" Abbey inquired.
"Yeah, but it'd be nice if he at least gave a shit about me."
"Language, Elizabeth."
"I'm sorry, it just…it pisses me off."
"I know it does."
"Mom!" Ellie shouted.
"Shh, Ellie, lower your voice," Abbey said, walking over to her daughter. "What's going on?"
"Zoey locked herself in the dressing room by accident and I can't get her out."
Abbey sighed.
"It never ends."
Around 6pm that evening, the Bartlets were gathered around the table in the dining room having dinner. Jed had used his time alone at home to cook a full meal for his family, and they were loving it.
"Honey, this steak is…mmm, fabulous!" Abbey said, taking another bite.
"Thank you!"
"Yeah, Dad, this is awesome, really," Liz agreed.
"Mm HMM!" Zoey mumbled, enthusiastically.
"Ellie?"
"It's okay, I guess," Ellie said, pushing her food around with her fork.
"Eleanor, your father was cooking all afternoon for you. What do you say?" Abbey said.
"Thanks, Dad," she said, miserably.
Jed and Abbey exchanged bewildered glances.
"So," Jed began, in an attempt to lighten the mood. "What's on the agenda for tonight?"
"Um, sleeping?" Abbey said.
"You're a real comedian, Abs."
"I try," she smiled sheepishly before taking another bite of her steak.
"Well, I think I'm going to go see a movie with Mallory," Liz said.
"Yeah? Which one?" Jed asked.
"Probably that Diane Keaton one. About the baby."
"Baby Boom!" Zoey cried.
"Yeah, Baby Boom."
"Mommy and I saw that last night," Zoey said, proudly. "Didn't we, Mom?"
"Mmm! We sure did."
"Was it good?" Liz asked.
"Great," Abbey replied.
"The best!" Zoey said.
"Okay, good then. I'm just gonna stay at Mal's tonight, though, okay"
"Fine," Abbey replied, pleasantly.
"Mom, can I stay over April's house tonight?" Ellie said.
"As long as your attitude improves, I don't see why not. Jed?"
"Fine with me," Jed concurred.
"Okay."
"Zoey, what about you? Any hot dates lined up?" Jed asked.
"Ew, Daddy, that's gross."
"You won't think so ten years from now. Mark my words."
"Don't listen to him, Zo," Abbey said. "He talks tough, but underneath he's just dreading the day you bring a boy home."
"On the contrary, I can't wait. It'll give me a chance to test out my new shotgun."
"Mommy!" Zoey cried.
"Jed!" Abbey scolded her husband. "It's okay, baby doll, Daddy doesn't even own a shotgun. He better not at least." She gave him 'the look.'
He put his hands up as a sign of surrender.
"See? No shotgun, baby," Abbey said.
"Um. I'm gonna go Nicole's tonight. And maybe sleep over," Zoey said.
"Are you ASKING, Zoey?" Abbey asked, steadfastly.
"Yes," she said, quietly.
"Well then…"
"Can I please sleep over Nicole's tonight?"
"This one's up to your father, because I'm not driving anywhere tonight," Abbey said.
"But you said Ellie could go to April's!"
"April lives across the street. No driving."
"Daddy, please!"
"Yeah, I'll drive you," Jed said.
"YAY! Thank you!"
"No thanks neccesary. Anything to get you all out of the house for one whole night."
"Thanks, Dad. We feel so loved," Liz said, sarcastically.
"Well, it's rare that your mother and I get any time alone, free from interruption."
"To do WHAT?" Zoey cried.
"What do you THINK, Zoey!" Ellie snapped back.
"Ellie!"
"Hmph." She sat back and sulked.
"Who are you guys kidding anyway?" Liz said. "It doesn't matter whether we're in the house or not, it would take an army to keep the two of you off each other."
Abbey burst out laughing.
"Then be grateful you won't be around tonight," Jed said, winking at Abbey.
"Actually, honey…Jenny's picking me up in an hour. We have to go to Laura Brenninger's wedding shower tonight."
This time, it was Elizabeth who burst out laughing, mainly at the look of sheer disappointment on her father's face that was reminiscent of a child pouting.
"What are you laughing at!"
"You!"
Jed ignored her.
"Abbey, you promised me…"
"I know, I forgot about the shower."
"This was how you justified going shopping without me," Jed protested.
"I know! I'm sorry, it just completely slipped my mind."
Jed sat back in his chair and sulked.
"Well, you and Ellie are a fine pair," Abbey said. "Maybe both of you should stay home tonight and wallow in each other's misery."
Ellie sat up.
"You only say that because you obviously don't care about EITHER of us!" She shouted, then got up and ran out of the room.
"Ellie!" Abbey called. "Jed, would you…"
"Yeah, I'll go."
"Thanks, I have to start getting ready."
"Okay."
"And the dishes…?"
"I'll get them after," Jed offered.
"Thank you."
He got up and went after Ellie.
"Mom, can I be excused?" Zoey asked.
Abbey looked at her sideways.
"Can you be excused? Since when do you have to ask, Zoey?"
"I don't know. They have to ask to be excused at Nicole's house," Zoey explained.
"Well, you know how I feel about that. You can go any time you like."
"Kay." Zoey got up and left Abbey and Liz at the table.
"Is Mallory picking you up?" Abbey asked.
"Yeah, she's taking Uncle Leo's car."
"Okay. Are you gonna need a ride home tomorrow morning?"
"Probably not."
"Okay. Liz?"
"Yeah."
"Has Ellie said anything to you…?"
"I swear to God, Mom, I have no earthly idea what's up with her."
"All right. Go on."
Liz stood, and Abbey sat by herself at the table, ruminating.
TBC.