The day before soft opening - Bartlet Presidential Library

Few things could stun Abbey Bartlet into silence.

The mural, greeting library visitors was extraordinary, exuding gravitas and reverence. Depicting Jed's inauguration speech, and the man himself, it had been created by Noah Whittier, New Hampshire's young Artist Laureate. The work was impressionistic and might be otherwise considered an ethereal paragon. However, the images were grounded in rugged New England blues, reds, light browns, and greens, evocative of the region's oceans, forests, beaches, and foliage.

The afternoon sun lit the wall, the words and image of Jed at the podium, taking Abbey's breath away. It was unique, innovative, and inspirational - completely Jed. A perfect tone to set for those entering Jed's library for the first time. Briefly, she glanced over at Leo, but he was clearly lost in memories of his friend as he gazed at the mural.

Josh and Donna's voices were hushed, as they led Leo and Abbey through the library foyer. The couple had a chance to shepherd many of these projects to the end, in Leo and Abbey's absence. And, Abbey smiled at them both, fighting back moisture in her eyes, as she considered the love they must have had for Jed to wrap up these exhibits and experiences in the open parts of the library. As they stepped into the amphitheater, she heard Jed's first state of the union in surround sound, images from his first ninety days fading in and out of view. Artifacts from the Barlet White House lined the hallways, including the handprint flag, which hung outside Jed's office. It had been so long since Abbey viewed it.

She didn't trust herself to speak. The former First Lady could only reach for Leo's hand, knowing he was likely fighting back strong feelings and not wanting them to show. Leo had seen more of the Library as it took shape. He'd poured over designs with the curator, fundraised tirelessly, and though the full opening of the Library was still months away, the parts of the facility that would open to the public tomorrow were filled with detail. However, much of the installation had been finished in the last month - just as the Qumar mess occurred. The reality of it all had to be hitting Leo hard. Plus, he was barely on his feet. As they turned each corner, Leo's face was paler, but his eyes shined brighter.

Finally, they made their way into a reception area, Abbey sat down, knowing Leo would follow. This was the object - to get him to take a rest. He still hadn't made it a full afternoon or morning on his feet. And, if today's walkthrough was reaching for Leo, tomorrow night's opening was guaranteed to be a staggering proposition. They would be surrounded by donors, politicians at both the national and state levels, friends and family. Normally, he would be on his feet all night, quietly orchestrating and greeting guests. Leo would want them all to be caught up in the vision of the library, as well as the tribute to the man. And, that was exactly what Abbey wanted as well. She just didn't want Leo to set himself back in the process.

Josh and Donna sat across from them. Abbey smiled inwardly. The younger man, whether he knew it or not, was waiting for Leo's affirmation of a job well done. A responsibility was carried out with love and admiration for the President, as well as Abbey and Leo. Despite his own recovery and with Donna by his side, Josh brought the planned projects to fruition for the soft opening and the result was unforgettable. There would be more spaces to finish as the library project tracked toward the full opening on July 4th. Still, Josh had helped the team not only meet but overwhelmingly exceed expectations.

The two couples were quiet, letting the moment sink in.

"Looks good, Josh," Leo finally broke the silence. "Donna, you guys really brought it home."

Abbey detected a catch in Leo's voice. It could have come from pushing himself physically, but she suspected it emanated from managing his emotions. In his understated way, he had said it all and it was enough.

"The design was everything," Donna interjected, modestly deflecting from what was surely hard work on their part. "The artists and curators were amazing. Where did you find them?"

Abbey spoke up, "I think the project inspired many talented people to come forward. People wanted to remember him - his leadership. The library is providing a conduit for that."

She took Leo's hand, but he was clearly lost in thought. As much as Abbey contended with waves of missing Jed and always would, Leo was often dealing with his own grief just below the surface. The two of them had challenged and supported each other, in turn, making each of them better men from the very beginning. From the moment Abbey met Jed, he'd told her of his best friend, Leo. And, once a wedding was on this horizon, Jed was so disappointed Leo would be unable to stand up as his Best Man. By that point, Leo was six months into his deployment in Vietnam…

March 1967

"Hon, you have a letter on your dresser," Abbey called out as Jed came in from class. "Looks like it's from Leo."

"Oh, wow, it's been a while. I was getting nervous. I was going to call his mother this week…"

Abbey noted the smile on her soon-to-be husband's face, as she worked on grading. She'd been able to accelerate through many of her undergraduate courses at Harvard, so she could move out to South Bend while Jed finished up. She'd been able to pick up a Teaching Assistant role for the Spring semester. The family was largely unaware she'd taken up residence at Jed's off-campus apartment, as they geared up for their June wedding.

"Where's he based now?"

"He's still at the large Air Force Base in Thailand," Jed replied, distracted he tore into the letter. "At least, last he wrote…"

Abbey knew Jed was concerned about the frequency of Leo's letters. At first, they'd come regularly, full of stories about the planes and people on base Leo was serving with. He'd shared stories of pilots he'd admired, planes that shouldn't still fly - but did anyway, baseball games in the jungle heat. He'd written about Jenny and what she was up to. They hadn't formalized anything. But, according to Jed, if Jenny was still there for him when he got home, Leo would waste no time getting married. He was head over heels for her. And, vice versa. But, the letters grew shorter and less frequent.

It has been over six weeks since they heard anything from him.

Jed had kept up writing every week anyway. He'd heard how important it was for military personnel to hear from family and friends when deployed. It was an unpopular war at home, but the animosity showed toward returning servicemen sickened both, Abbey and Jed, especially with Leo over there. He'd keep up the writing, however much Leo could respond.

One night, Jed had shared his fear that Leo's letter-writing had been impacted by something else. His friend had a tendency to emotionally shut down. Just what was Leo seeing over there? Was it so bad he couldn't share it in a letter? Was it so bad there was nothing good to write about?

Abbey watched Jed open the envelope and a small slip of paper fell to the floor.

When Jed picked it up, he saw a check for $500, accompanied by a short note.

"Hey Guys, If I could, you know I'd be there for your wedding. Hope to be home sometime next year and congratulate you in person. Use this to get started in London. Not surprised Jed got into the London School of Economics. Glad it's not the Vatican - Thanks for that, Abbey! Take good care of each other. All the best, Leo"

Five hundred dollars would pay their rent in their London flat for the upcoming academic year. It was an extremely generous gift. Clearly, Leo didn't have anything to spend his money on over there. Still, he could have put it in the bank. Jed estimated it was his increased combat zone pay for the year. He knew Leo had been sending a sizable amount home to help his mother and sisters as well.

As Jed and Abbey stared at the check, they couldn't miss the timing or the hasty note accompanying it. The gift had been sent months ahead of the wedding, almost to be sure it got there. Despite Leo's assurances of congratulating them in person, both Abbey and Jed knew something had changed for him.

Leo wasn't expecting to come home.

Present Day

Abbey shivered.

On that day, they'd realized how limited Leo's life expectancy was as a Vietnam fighter pilot. She and Jed had been caught up in their idyllic world, opportunities emerging and a wedding in the offing. The gravitas of Leo's wedding present was something they never forgot. And, when Leo made it home, battered but alive, Jed vowed to live up to it. Certainly, the love and friendship between the two men reflected in the library for anyone who knew either of them.

Squeezing Leo's hand, Abbey said quietly, "I think it's time we headed back."

Leo looked up, shaken out of his own memories, and met Josh's eyes.

"Thanks, Kid," he said sincerely, his eyes suspiciously bright with unshed tears.

"Anytime, Boss," Josh quickly replied, getting up and taking his mentor's arm. Leo was fading fast, but with a little help, he'd make it back to the car.

With a little help, Abbey reflected upon taking Leo's other arm, it was amazing how far they had all come.