Adjustment
Abbey:
She wakes feeling achy. Jed is already gone, just once she wishes they could wake up together wrapped up together feeling the breathing occur as one. She knows now that each day could be harder than the one before it. She pulls on a robe and makes her way to the bathroom where she takes her painkillers. She then walks down the stairs stopping short when she sees Jed making pancakes.
He's wearing an apron and she smiles softly, "Jed?"
He spins around with a boyish smile on his face, "Abbey."
He kisses her gently and leads her to a seat, "food?"
She doesn't have the heart to say no and she knows he counts on that. "I'll clean up," she says, "go to work." It's like the old days for them.
"C.J will be ready for us at one," he doesn't meet her eyes.
"Jed, you didn't tell me first?"
"Abbey, we need her to know, I need it so I can spend more time with you."
She struggles between anger that it takes cancer for them to spend time together and gratefulness that he's realizing how much she needs him now.
Later that afternoon:
Jed:
He enters with Abbey wondering how to say it, but she beats him to the punch.
"C.J, I've got cancer," his wife is direct, too much so for him.
His Chief of Staff tenses but somehow maintains her composure.
"C.J, we haven't told anyone yet, we'd appreciate if you could hold off for a few days until the girls all know." Abbey is also composed; she is factual, and careful.
"Yes ma'am, you have my word." C.J has been a good friend to them; she is both loyal and tactful. "C.J, I don't need to tell you how important it is that Jed and I tell them…" Abbey is nervous, otherwise she would have moved on. "Mrs. Bartlet, Abbey, I will not discuss this with anyone until you give me the clear go-ahead." God bless this beautiful woman, she is a true friend. Abbey suddenly seems tired, "Jed, I'm going back to the residence and inviting the girls down for the weekend." I nod, "I'll be up later," she stands kissing me on the head and walks out slowly. I turn my attention to C.J.
CJ's POV:
My
friend, the First Lady of the Untied States, is dying. I can tell
from her expression that this is going to be a long road. I focus on
the President, "Sir, how you are doing?" He can't be doing well
at all, the thought of him without Abbey is foreign to me. "I've
been better C.J, you?" I don't know what to say. "C.J, if you
have any questions, come to me, in the meantime we really do
appreciate your discretion." I nod, "of course sir, it's the
least I could do." "I understand you'd like to tell others,
right now Stanley is available if you'd like to talk to him." I
hesitate, "he's the one who worked with Josh?" The President
nods, "he will be in D.C until this Monday, here's his number."
I take the card, "Thank you sir." He stands, "I'll be ready
for a briefing in about a half an hour." So the work continues,
endless, flowing unchecked.
Liz's POV:
The
phone is ringing, my son is playing catch in the house, my daughter
is playing the piano and my husband is shouting into his cell phone.
"Annie, stop playing, Doug lower your voice," I pick up the phone.
It's my dad, "hi daddy, what's up?"
"Lizzie, we'd like you to bring the kids and Doug to D.C this weekend."
"Dad, we really can't do this on such short notice."
"Lizzie," his voice is strained.
"Okay Dad, one minute."
"Doug," my husband looks up irritated, "Something's going on with my mom and dad, I or we, have to go see them."
He nods, "Okay Lizzie."
So now we're on our way.
Zoey's POV:
My
cell phone is ringing, juggling my coffee and my shopping bag I pause
by the door of the limo and the driver opens the door, the caller id
says "Dad."
"Hi daddy," I hope I don't sound as awful as I feel, no need to let him know about everything through the phone line.
"Are you alright honey, you sound tired," my dad is the master at keeping up with his girls.
"What's up," I wait.
"Zoe, you need to
come home for the weekend," his voice sounds so tired.
"Daddy,
what's wrong?" I hate that tone of voice from my dad, he sounds
weak.
"See you Friday," he pauses, "I love you honey."
"Love you too dad," I can't get my mind to stop racing.
Ellie's POV:
I'm sitting with my hands on my growing belly and my husband picks up the phone, "Yes sir, she's here."
"Hi dad," I take the phone.
"Ellie, sweetie," my dad suddenly seems like he's choked up.
"What's wrong?" God I hate that sound of my dad crying, only once.
"Honey you need to come out this weekend," he sounds broken.
"Daddy, what happened, are you worse, is the MS…" I don't get a chance to finish.
"I'll see you Friday," he hangs up on me. I guess I understand, but I'm still nervous, still fearful. Something is wrong.
Abbey's POV:
Jed
hangs up, Ellie has been contacted. "They'll all be here," he
takes me in his arms. I relish his strength. "I didn't think
you'd ever have the chance of leaving me, I always thought I'd
leave you," his voice is gentle. "I thought the same," I admit
it.
