Note: With this chapter, the story begins to overlap events of Mallory's wedding, first described in "The Long Way Home" This chapter stands alone, but if you'd like to see more of Mallory's wedding day, check out Long Way Home chapters 1 and 16.

Following June

The St Regis Astor Ballroom, Washington, DC

Abbey watched as the wait staff readied platters of appetizers. Drinks were flowing and the conversation was loud and boisterous. The room buzzed with excitement, as wedding guests anticipated Mallory and Scott's entrance into the room.

With all of its formality, the wedding itself had been sentimental. Scott's brother had stood up as best man. Mallory's best friend stood in as maid of honor. And, there wasn't a dry eye in the church as the young couple took their vows. She'd often glanced over at Leo, as he held her hand, and periodically wiped at the corner of his eye.

However, now the tone shifted, as everyone arrived at the reception. Mallory and Scott had been upstairs getting pictures taken while cocktails were served. But, soon guests were ushered into the ballroom, and they found their seats, ready to watch the stunning couple arrive. Liz and Doug, Ellie and Vic (aka Fruit Fly guy), Zoe and Charlie, as well as Josh and Donna all joined Leo and Abbey at their table while the band played background music.

But, soon, the master of ceremonies stopped the music, getting ready to make the announcement everyone had been waiting for.

Abbey reached for Leo's hand.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome for the first time as husband and wife, Mallory O'Brien and Scott Finn!"

Everyone cheered and clapped as the stunning couple entered the room and moved to their seats. Scott dutifully held the chair for Mallory and when the couple was seated, the wedding guests took their cue from the master of ceremonies.

"And, now, I'd like to turn this over to the father of the bride and our host this evening, Leo McGarry, for our first toast…"

Abbey was startled. She'd forgotten Leo would need to make a toast. He'd said absolutely nothing about it and hopefully, he wasn't surprised. However, Leo squeezed her hand as he stood up and took the offered wireless microphone. But, as he took hold of the champagne flute, Abbey's chest felt like it was about to explode. They couldn't rely on the wait staff to replace Leo's champagne with something non-alcoholic. And, Leo had a lot on his mind at the moment. This could be an epic mistake.

Abbey softly touched Leo's wrist, met his eyes, and glanced at the champagne flute.

Leo caught the movement, paused a second, and acknowledged it gratefully.

The room was quiet, as he cleared his throat.

"We're glad you're with us as we celebrate Mallory and Scott. On behalf of Mallory's mother, Jenny, her husband, Howard, and Abbey and I, please accept our gratitude. It's great to be here with you all."

Leo observed the young couple, pride showing his eyes, and continued.

"Marriages, like births, mark a new beginning... The day we drove home from the hospital after Mallory was born… It was a new beginning for Jenny and me. And, to be parents of a daughter seemed a bit overwhelming but anticipation for her life helped us overcome our fears. More than anything, I wanted to be a father worthy of such a daughter."

Abbey relaxed, clearly, Leo was not surprised and every bit equal to the moment. In fact, she had a feeling she might hear Leo speak more than he had in days. She settled in and found herself looking forward to every word.

"Today, we stand at another new beginning as we toast Mallory and Scott. They may also be feeling a little overwhelmed at it all, but those feelings will melt away as they anticipate their new life together. From that first day, I often wondered who Mallory might marry. If you'll excuse a father's protectiveness, Jenny would tell you I made a list as we held our daughter for the first time…"

There were soft chuckles across the room, as Leo looked over to Jenny and she nodded.

"Superhuman strength made the list at the beginning... I've kind of backed off on that…"

Laughs emerged a bit louder.

"But, all of the stuff you might expect; He'd have to be honest and hard-working. He'd have to know how to fight for her. He'd have to put her first - always first. But, there would be some specific survival traits; He'd definitely have to have the ability to forgive because we McGarry's need a bit of patience. A killer sense of humor, because after all that forgiveness, laughter needs to come next…"

Leo offered an aside, "Just remember, Scott, when she's right and you're wrong, admit it. But when you're right and she's wrong, you know what to do, my man, right?"

Scott smiled at his new father-in-law, happy to be in on the joke, while Mallory rolled her eyes and shook her head. Abbey looked close and saw the sentimental tears in her eyes. The rest of the room voiced their amusement.

"But, I digress," Leo continued, his tone changing, laden with affection. "Back to the list...

"This future husband needed to be an excellent dancer because our daughter should dance often in her lifetime. And, he should have a sense of adventure, because Mal should have those experiences with not only a husband or a partner - but a best friend, by her side."

With this last statement, Leo briefly caught Abbey's eye, and she felt the tears well up - that bit was for her as well.

He cleared his throat and briefly lightened the moment.

"Jenny would say this is not a comprehensive telling of the list. But, I'm sure everyone would like to eat and get out on the dance floor."

Guests chuckled again. Clearly, the toast was going over well.

"So, I'll close with the most important item. Most of all, he would need the capacity to love her as fiercely as she loves him. To have faith in her and be worthy of hers...

Scott, you are that man. You are all that and more than a young father could pray for, holding a new little girl. Someday, you might even know how that feels. And, I'm beyond proud our baby girl grew up to choose so wisely...

Welcome to our family, Scott.

I love you, Mal.

Congratulations as you both take on the best adventure this life has to offer."

With that, everyone toasted the bride and groom, while Leo raised his champagne flute. However, no one was the wiser as he deftly placed it down on the table without drinking from it. Abbey quickly tested it and found Leo's drink had, in fact, been replaced with sparkling cider. But, they were better safe than sorry. And, as he kissed her cheek, clearly Leo thought so too.

With the conclusion of Leo's sweet toast, the best man and the maid of honor followed with their own, telling stories, clearly teasing the couple and wishing them well. Leo and Abbey drank to each of the speeches, but as they wore on, Abbey found her mind wandering.

June 1973

"Hey, Abbey, it's Leo!" Jed's voice called from downstairs.

Abbey had just settled Lizzie down to sleep. Traffic was heavy outside their Cambridge apartment. Horns had woken the toddler up, which interrupted her studying. She had an exam at the end of the week. But, she hadn't minded the extra time with Lizzie. Harvard was taking up way too much of her time these days. Jed got to see more of their daughter than she did presently.

Still, Jed's excitement at hearing from his friend was palpable. He usually kept his voice down around a sleeping Lizzie. Something had happened…

"Abbey, get on the other line!"

Lizzie had just gotten off to sleep. But, if this kept up, it wouldn't be for long.

She softly closed Lizzie's door and made it to the upstairs phone extension.

"Leo? Everything okay?" Abbey asked, wondering what in the world everyone was so excited about.

"Hey Abbey," Leo's signature low rumble answered. "Yeah, everything's good."

"Tell her, Leo!" Jed clearly was impatient with his friend's typically laconic approach.

"Tell me what?" Abbey broke in, now getting more than a little intrigued.

"So… a thing happened…" Their friend began, but before he could continue, a newborn's cry sounded in the background. And, Leo's voice turned tender, "It's okay, kiddo, shhh… I've got you."

"Leo!" Now, Abbey was shouting, and she heard Jed laughing with joy downstairs.

"Yeah, Miss Mallory O'Brien McGarry came a little early. We were out at Jack Sullivan's beach house in the Hamptons, and Jenny went into labor. We almost had her on the Long Island Expressway. But, she's good and Jenny's good… She's small, but the doctors say she'll catch up… 5 pounds, 12 ounces..."

Abbey listened to the sheer contentment in their friend's voice. He sounded exhausted but happier than she'd ever heard him.

"She's a knock-out. Red hair, just like her mother... " Leo went on.

Abbey didn't need to be at the hospital with Leo to know, a young Miss Mallory O'Brien McGarry had already entranced her father, wrapping him around her tiny fingers. And, as Jed enthusiastically congratulated him, and Abbey added her own, she was struck by how far Leo had come in only a few years since his return from the war. They'd been so worried about him.

But, now Leo had two women in his life, and he deeply loved both of them. Something told her, a young Miss McGarry was just what he needed.

Present Day - Later that evening

Somewhere over Connecticut

Mallory and Scott were off on their honeymoon, and Abbey was grateful to have boarded a chartered private jet back to Manchester. They'd all danced the night away and she yawned, not knowing what time it was. It had to be late. Leo was still in his tux, and she, in her gown. But, it was a short flight up to Manchester. They'd be home to the farm in half an hour and settling down to sleep soon after.

Somehow, she didn't think Leo would be getting up to take an early morning walk with Scout as he dozed next to her.

"Quite an evening…" Abbey reflected, leaning her head against Leo's shoulder.

"Yeah," he answered groggily.

"She really looked beautiful."

"Yeah. She looked happy," Leo yawned and then winked at her. "And, I guess he's okay too…"

"Yeah," Abbey smiled, snuggling into his chest. "Scott's okay too."

"I'm a highly blessed man," he answered, kissing the top of her head.

"Love you, honey. You did good," Abbey acknowledged.

They dozed for twenty minutes or so until the plane landed at Manchester Airport. Secret service limos met them on the tarmac, and before Abbey knew it she was cuddled up close to him in their own bed.

It had been a great day indeed. Now, it would be all hands on deck for the next big event - the July 4th full opening of the Barlet Presidential Library. But, even Abbey couldn't hold onto that thought as she fell off into a deep sleep, Leo having given in minutes before.