Author's Note: Set shortly after Bartlet History 11, Fathers and Daughters (found on my author page).
Games
Abbey was ready to kill him. That smug look on his face was enough to drive her crazy. That, coupled with her frustration with herself, was leading her dangerously close to murder.
Jed looked at her with a smirk. "Having fun, honey?"
She didn't respond. She only glared at him.
He chuckled to himself as he turned his attention back to the board. "This pawn looks a little lonely. Maybe I'll take it over here to join all his little friends," he mused, gesturing to the growing collection of black pieces he'd already removed from the board. "But no, I'll let that soldier fight another day. Instead, I think I'll do this." With one swift movement, he moved his rook to take her exposed bishop. "Check."
"GOD DAMMIT!"
Jed knew he shouldn't laugh but he couldn't help it. She was getting so worked up. "Come on now, it's only check. The game isn't over yet."
Abbey stared daggers at her husband for a long moment. But he was right. It wasn't over yet. She still had a chance. She examined the chessboard in front of her. She'd only captured a few of his pieces. It took a minute, but she found his mistake of hubris. With her own confident smile, she moved her knight to capture his rook that had threatened her king. "Ha. Take that."
He sighed. "Damn. I was afraid you'd do that."
"Worried?"
"I'll admit it, yes. I am a little worried. Worried how this loss is going to affect my over-confident wife."
"Huh?"
Before Abbey knew what was happening, Jed's queen moved to capture her knight. "Checkmate."
Abbey let out a screech and swatted about eight pieces off the board before flopping back onto the couch. The noise must have woken the baby. She started crying in the other room. It took Abbey another moment before she stood up.
"Want to play again?" Jed suggested.
"I can't. I have to check on the baby."
"What, you scared I'll kick your ass again?" he taunted.
She picked up one of the fallen pieces from the floor and threw it at him. "Set up the board again, and we'll see how I feel after I feed Liz," she answered resignedly.
Jed began to laugh. "Thanks, babe."
Abbey just shook her head and muttered, "I really hate that it's his birthday."