Chapter 49

Leo quickly walked back though the two connecting doors to find Jed lying on the sofa, trying to read a report. He spotted Leo and motioned him over. "Forget something?"

"No, sir."

"Well, what can I get for you?"

"Nothing, sir."

"Leo?" Jed sat up, unsure what was occurring. Just before he asked what was going on, the phone on his desk rang. He walked over to it and smiled. "It's Liz. Maybe she has some good news."

Leo walked over to the desk and waited. He watched as Jed picked up the phone and smiled. "Hi Liz. How are things out there?"

Leo could see the smile leave his face and a frown replace it.

"What?!"

Jed paused while Liz replied.

"Are they sure?"

Jed stood quietly as Liz talked.

"How long?"

Jed looked at Leo as Liz answered.

"One more thing, and tell me the truth. Is your mother going to live?"

Jed bowed his head as he listened to the answers that his daughter didn't have.

"I understand. Yes, we're coming, but later tonight. I've scheduled a family mass with Father Mark and we're leaving after that."

"What time?" Jed looked at Leo's face and shrugged his shoulders. Leo mouthed back an answer and Jed gave it to Liz. "We should be there around 2 am your time."

"Okay. Liz, call me back every hour. News or no news. I have to know what's going on. Do you understand me?"

"Be strong sweetheart. I'll be there as soon as I can. I love you too. Bye."

Jed hung up the phone and sat down. He motioned to the phone. "You knew what was coming, didn't you? That's why you came back."

"Yeah. Jenny called me first and suggested I might want to be in here with you." Leo fully expected Jed to explode. Instead, his reaction stunned him.

"Thanks for being here, Leo. You can't know how much I appreciate it."

Although tears wanted to form in his eyes, Leo stopped them. He had never heard Jed Bartlet in 40 years of friendship express those deep feelings. But he wasn't about to get emotional. He had to remain strong in case the unthinkable occurred. "Thank you. Sir, she'll be okay. She has to be."

"I only hope so, Leo. I only hope so."