July 3rd

"Where is my father and what have you done with him?"

Mallory's teasing voice filled the air, and Abbey turned around to find Leo's daughter standing behind her. Accompanying Mallory was a handsome thirtyish man with blond hair and light eyes.

"Mal!"

Abbey pulled the young woman into a hug while eyeing the somewhat new boyfriend up and down.

"Let me introduce you to Scott!"

Mallory warmly returned the hug, obviously anxious for the two to meet.

"Mrs. Barlet, it is truly an honor."

Scott offered his hand, which Abbey promptly shook. 'Scott' was a little intimidated by the First Lady… First Widow… Presidential Farm aura. Abbey would fix that quickly.

"Lovely to meet you, Scott. First of all, let's dispense with the 'Mrs. Barlet' and 'honor' crap," Abbey laughed. "I've known Mallory since she was just a gleam in her father's eye. And, you are to enjoy yourself tonight. Please call me Abbey."

The young man promptly nodded, and Abbey truly wanted him to be at ease. He'd need to be to deal with Mallory's father.

"I'm serious, Abbey," Mallory said, looking over at her father, fast asleep on an Adirondack lounge chair. His boots and work clothes denoted a busy day outside. "Not too long ago, Dad would be slumming, if he wore a Brooks Brothers suit. Now, he's in Carhartt cargo pants? He has been replaced by a pod person..."

Abbey took her by the arm and led her over to the fire pit, where Leo was sacked out. "That's a New Hampshire business suit, honey."

"And, napping?" Mallory whispered, keeping her voice low.

"Well, he's been outside all day, stringing these lights and putting the flags back up. There was a big storm that came through here yesterday, and everything had to come down. Today's a vacation day for the crew," the older woman explained. "It's okay, hon, he'll want to wake up and see you."

Abbey leaned over and gently rubbed Leo's shoulder. "Hey, sleepyhead, you'll never guess what the storm blew in…"

Leo stretched, blinked up at Abbey, and then over at his red-headed offspring. A broad smile overtook his still drowsy features, as he swung his boot-laded feet onto the ground. He stood up and quickly pulled Mallory into a hug.

"Hey, kid!" Leo greeted, clearly delighted. "This is a great surprise!"

Still embracing his daughter, Leo caught Abbey's eye. As surreptitiously as possible, Abbey nodded slightly toward the boyfriend, trying to clue Leo into the young man's presence.

"Dad, I want you to meet Scott," Mallory pulled away, as she felt her father stiffen protectively.

Abbey could have sworn Leo looked like the farm golden retriever when an errant squirrel dared to be anywhere nearby - he was alert, focused, and primed for a lethal chase. Leo left his arm around her daughter's shoulders, keeping her close to him, while he reached out to shake the young man's hand.

"Nice to meet you," Leo said with a diplomatically impassive expression.

Scott gulped and manfully shook Leo's hand, "Mr. McGarry, I've looked forward to meeting you."

Abbey noted Leo did not ask the young man to call him by his first name.

Leo nodded, in acknowledgement, and then turned his attention back to his daughter.

"How long ya here for, Mal?" A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as Leo looked at her.

"Just tonight and tomorrow," Mallory answered, "Abbey said Liz, Ellie, and Zoe were coming and asked if we could make a quick trip."

Abbey recalled their capital July 4ths had been large, audacious affairs, attended by thousands of people. Jed would preside over the festivities; the national concert, events at the White House, and fireworks. In contrast, on the Bartlet farm this year, there would be the crew and their families, as well as the daughters, associated grandchildren, and significant others, bringing the total to about fifty for a relatively small barbeque tomorrow. Abbey couldn't stomach anything broader. And, the farm crew families would know to give her a little space this year. Still, it would be wonderful to see them and how their children had grown.

Leo nodded, back to eyeing Scott up and down.

Abbey decided it was time to save the young man.

"Why don't you two go bring your things into the house and get settled?"

Mallory kissed her father on the cheek and took Scott's hand, leading him up to the house. Leo's eyes followed them.

As the couple retreated out of ear-shot, Abbey lightly smacked Leo on the arm, "Would you stop?"

"Whaddya' mean?"

"You're looking at that young man like you're ready to have him investigated by the FBI or interrogated or both…"

"And, what's wrong with that?" Leo replied innocently.

Abbey took Leo's arm and led him back to the firepit.

"Sit down and stand down, Leo," Abbey took to a lounge chair, and Leo sat down on the chair next to her.

The firepit was lit, and the sun was beginning to set. Abbey heard the grandkids off in the background, playing lawn games and spreading out their picnic blankets. Ellie was cooking hot dogs and handing them out. It was a bittersweet holiday for the family. And, Abbey now incorporated Leo and Mallory into that definition. All were aware that this was the first time they had come together in any sort of organized fashion since the funeral six months ago. The casualness of the event, the intimacy of the farm, and the warmth of the New Hampshire summer night struck the right tone for healing, trying to find some sort of new routine - although it was still hard to believe anything could be normal again.

"Oh… to be young and in love…" Abbey sighed, looking over at Leo. "She's here to get your approval."

Leo raised his eyebrows.

"Just give him a chance," She urged.

Leo shifted in his lounge chair uncomfortably, looking into the fire.

"Do you remember asking Jenny's father for permission?" Abbey attempted to appeal to Leo's naturally empathetic nature.

However, her friend straightened up. "She just met him!"

"Well, you and I both know it's been a few months," Abbey teased. "She's got that look in her eye… He does too… 'Mr. McGarry'…"

Shaking his head, Leo looked wistfully over at the house.

"Marriage can be a rough road. You start with all the best intentions,.. love each other fiercely…" Leo reflected with no small bit of sentiment, "… you're young, you can't believe anything can come between ya… work to make sure nothing comes between you… Life throws things at you… and somehow you persevere and still make that decision to love each other, every day."

"Why would you not want that for Mallory?" Abbey asked, somewhat surprised.

"I want to make sure no one ever leaves her alone," Leo replied, staring at the fire. "Whoever it is, he has to stick..."

Abbey sighed. Leaving had not been Jed's choice, but would she have gone on this journey with him, if she knew it would hurt so much to lose him? There would be no Liz, Ellie, or Zoe, and years of extraordinary memories. Jed had been one of a kind. How lucky she'd been. Leo and Mallory were part of the mix too - much more than friends - members of the family.

"Do you know what I miss most?" She asked, feeling some courage welling up.

It had been so hard to talk about all of this. But, the fire crackled. Under the cover of night, it felt safe. She could share what was on her heart with a dear friend. And, the night would keep that secret.

Leo looked over at her, the firelight flickering on her face.

"I miss the way Jed just would brush by me and take my hand, squeeze my shoulder or even kiss me on the forehead… It was a sense of his presence, you know?"

If Leo was surprised she didn't talk about Jed's intellect, or his leadership, or passion for knowledge, he didn't show it.

"What do you miss the most, Leo?" Abbey ventured.

Leo sat up a bit, almost as though he was trying to physically shake off the question.

"Abbey, I didn't lose my wife. She left me. She needed something else," he replied.

He had always painted Jenny in the best light, regardless of how much her leaving had hurt him. Leo took the blame and would never say an unkind word - a true gentleman. True, Leo would keep his feelings to himself, even if he was bitter with Jenny, out of respect for Mallory. But, the only thing he had ever expressed was sadness and support for her.

"It's not a lot different, Leo. Did you want your marriage to end?" Abbey assured.

"No," Leo answered without hesitation.

"Then, what do you miss the most?" She pressed.

Leo paused and appeared to soften, considering her question. Maybe he was up to talking about it, as the night provided cover.

"I miss the little things," He finally said. "I miss talking with her about Mallory... I miss feeling like I was home the minute I saw her, no matter where we were… I miss hearing her talk before we went to sleep..."

Abbey nodded. She felt a bit braver.

"I miss the promise of a future together… Even if we didn't know what we were going to do with it - we'd do it together," Abbey reflected, taking a sip from a glass of wine.

"Yeah…" Leo concurred. Then, he turned to her. "Abbey, why are you asking me about this?"

Sipping her wine, Abbey met his eyes, took a breath, and plunged ahead, "I want to know how you got through it?"

Leo smiled sadly. Abbey remembered how it took two weeks for him to even tell Jed about it. No one thought Leo and Jenny would break up. They had clearly loved each other very much. His wedding ring still sat prominently on his finger, several years after Jenny remarried.

"I might be the wrong person to ask," Leo chuckled as if reading her thoughts. "But, I do know that I had you and Jed… and Mal… that made it easier."

Abbey reached over and squeezed his hand. "Well, I have the girls, and you, and Mallory ... and maybe …" she paused, with a twinkle in her eye, "Maybe, I have Scott too…"

Leo threw his head back and closed his eyes, muttering, "Yeah, what's his name… God help me..."