Chapter 1
"Sir, it's time to go." Leo closed the door to give the First Couple their last few minutes of privacy. Plans were in place to transfer the First Lady to a reconfigured Air Force One for the trip back to Washington. The Presidential bedroom had been changed into a flying hospital room and Dr. Walls would accompany her until Abbey was securely ensconced in her hospital room in Washington. Even though she would be taken directly to George Washington Hospital upon arrival as they had the best rehabilitation facility for her types of injuries, finally Jed and Abbey would be in the same city.
Jed squeezed his wife's hand one more time. "This won't be easy."
"I know. But it has to be done. I want to go home."
"Now, when we get to the airport, the plane will be in a hanger shut off from the press so your transfer will be private. I don't want you to have any additional stress that having pictures of you taken when you're this sick."
Abbey smiled as she rubbed her bandaged covered head. "Why? You don't like the latest hairstyles?"
"You know what I'm talking about. The press thinks you're beautiful and I don't want to give them a chance to have a different opinion."
"You don't think I'm beautiful now?"
"No! No! That's not what I meant." A smiled broke through his face when he realized Abbey was teasing him. "Do you know how much I love you?"
Abbey nodded. "Yes, I do. And I'm so sorry that I have caused you and the girls all this pain."
"Abbey, I have forgiven you. Now, let's go. The girls are already at the plane and I know they're as anxious as I am to have you home again."
"Yeah, let's go."
Jed opened the door and motioned to the waiting hospital staff. He nodded to Dr. Walls as well as Dr. Parks, the hospital's Chief of Staff. "Let's go."
He stepped aside as the stretcher was rolled in. He could tell Abbey was in pain by her grimaces as she was carefully transferred from the bed. But she didn't cry out and let the techs do their job. Secured on the stretcher, she smiled at her audience. "I just want to say thank you for everything everyone here has done for me. Your kindness and your skill means a great deal to me and my family and it will never be forgotten."
As the stretcher rolled out of the room, a small procession followed. She was taken to a waiting ambulance and loaded aboard. Although Jed had not agreed with the plans, Ron had insisted that he ride in the limousine behind the ambulance. So he reluctantly entered the car with Leo and settled in for the trip to the airport. All that mattered now was getting Abbey on the plane and back to Washington.