Chapter 48

"That's all I know, girls. Liz and Jenny will call us back when they have some more news."

Zoey and Ellie sat silent, too stunned for words. Jed took one hand of each into his. "Your mother is relatively young and strong. Her health was good before all this and we have to believe she will come though this without any problems. We have to pray that she'll recover completely."

"Dad, can we go out there? We should have gone a couple of days ago." Zoey was already mentally preparing her life so she could leave. "School's not important now. We need to be with Mom."

Ellie nodded. "If she dies…"

"She's not going to die, Ellie. She just can't." Zoey screamed.

Ellie knew better. There was only so much a body can take. And she knew from the reports her father had shared that her mother's body had taken a lot. She started again. "If she dies, I want the chance to see her one last time."

Jed hung his head. "Ellie, we're not thinking that way. We can't. I don't know when I can go, but I'll talk to Leo. Can you both make arrangements to go at a moment's notice?"

"Yes."

"Yes. I need to go back to Baltimore and pick up some different clothes but after that I can be ready. I'll call my professors and explain the situation. I can't see why they won't let me go."

"Great. Also girls, I want Father Mark to hold a special family mass to pray for your mother's recovery. He has been so good to us since we've been in Washington. I'll call him in a few minutes and see if we can do it tonight. And then maybe I can get away long enough to fly to Seattle. I'm with you, Ellie. I have to be with her, no matter what."

He took both girls in a group hug. "We'll make it. Just keep praying that your mom does too."

They sat that way for a few minutes, not talking, just getting strength from each other. Finally they broke apart and went their separate ways. Jed to the Oval, Ellie to make arrangements to go back to Baltimore, and Zoey sought solace with the only person she wanted—Charlie.

Two hours later Leo had just returned from the Oval Office when his cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Leo, its Jenny. I have some news."

"Has Liz called Jed yet?"

"No. I persuaded her that I needed to call you first and then you could be in the room with him when he took her call."

Leo sat down hard. "God, Jenny, is the news that bad? What did the doctor say about Abbey?"

"It's not good. They did the CT scan and found something unexpected. The anti-coagulant medicine they've been giving Abbey over the past few days has caused her to bleed into her brain. She's formed a hematoma and they are going to have to go in and remove it."

"Brain surgery? God, Jenny when will this all end?"

"I don't know, Leo. I just don't know."

"Now you see why I wanted you with Jed when Liz told him?"

"Yeah. Jenny, when will they do the surgery?"

"They're prepping her now. Dr. Anderson, head of the Neurosurgery Department here, will be doing the surgery."

"I understand. Will she hold up, I mean will she live?"

Jenny paused before answering Leo's question. "Nobody knows. She's a strong woman and anybody less would have died but it's really touch and go. Even if she makes through the operation, we'll have no idea of any brain damage until she wakes up."

"How is Liz taking this?"

"Well, like mother like daughter. She's strong and tough but this is almost too much. When will Jed be able to get here?"

"We were making plans just a few minutes ago. They have requested a special mass for Abbey and after that is over, we'll head to Andrews. But it will be at least 2 or 3 am your time before we arrive. And the surgery will be over by then."

"Yeah." Jenny paused for a moment. "Well, how long before you can get to the President?"

"Give me a couple of minutes then ring the White House. I'll be there for him. This won't be easy."

"I know. That's why I thought he should have you there when he hears the news."

"Thanks, Jenny. I'll see you in a few hours. Hang in there."

"I will, Leo. Bye."

"Bye."