"I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self respect. And it's these things I'd believe in, even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn't all she should be. I love her and it is the beginning of everything." ― F. Scott Fitzgerald

August 1967 - Ireland, Ashford Castle

True to her word, Abbey was awarded an M.D. from Harvard before she became Mrs. Jed Bartlet. Three months to the day of the commencement ceremony, she and Jed were married in a private ceremony at St. Peters Catholic Church. It was the church at which she had attended her first mass as a small child, and the sentiment lent well to the occasion. The subsequent formal reception was held at Abbey's family home, where over five-hundred family members and friends attended in celebration of the union. Needless to say, by the time Abbey's parents had waved off the final party-revellers, the twelve-bedroomed house looked as if an earthquake had struck; reminiscent of the first scenes featured in Vincent Minelli's 'Father of the Bride'.

"Abbey." Jed awakened, mildly disappointed his wife wasn't wrapped in his arms when he did. He sat up in the bed, in the midst of yawn, as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes to discover Abbey by the bay window that overlooked the picturesque lake, which swamped the majestic hotel.

"That's Mrs. Bartlet to you," she playfully reprimanded him.

"Mrs. Bartlet," her husband repeated, elated. The haze of dawn illuminated her with a warm radiance and Jed hummed, appreciatively. He could wake up to the vision of her for an eternity. It astonished him that, as Abbey stood before him, she looked even more beautiful than she had done when she walked down the aisle. The ivory ensemble had been one of simple sophistication but she had looked like a movie star.

She played with the diamond that decorated her left hand, content. "It's so beautiful here." Abbey admired the peaceful property, with a shake of her head, incredulous. The world famous hotel would be their base for the 3-week honeymoon they embarked upon, curtesy of Jed's parents. It was more reminiscent of the palaces described in her childhood fairytales than real life. The 350-acre estate was a haven of tranquility, and with all its medieval renaissance decor, looked as if it had been conjured in the fantastically wild dream of a child.

"Room service."

Abbey immediately skipped across the room to answer the call, "I ordered breakfast already." Jed perched, awkwardly. With only the bedsheets to preserve his nudity, he remained perfectly still, while an expansive tray of continental breakfast items were rolled into the room. "Thank you, Al." Abbey noted the name pinned to his uniform and flashed a sweet smile to ensure his swift exit.

"You want to share our first breakfast as husband and wife in bed?" Jed double-checked, perfectly content with the idea, and Abbey shone him an expression indicative that it was exactly what she wanted. She plucked a strawberry from the array of fruit provided and sucked on it, seductively. His body instantly responded. Their first sexual encounter as newlyweds had been as exquisite as their first time, if not better. She bewitched him, left him entranced and completely at her mercy. He worshipped her like a Goddess, and theirs was a mutual devotion.

Abbey poured two flutes of the finest Dom Pérignon halfway stirred with freshly-squeezed orange juice that had been de-pulped. "Well, I have a surprise for you." Curiosity suspended Jed and he studied her with intent, while she delved into her suitcase and retrieved the small black box. She delivered the present to his lap, "Open it, Jed." He slowly sipped the Mimosa and followed her command, to discover a key attached to an adornment that declared 'New Home' on it.

He raised the key in the air and frowned, "I don't understand." It had been a mutual decision, between himself, his parents and Abbey that they would one day move onto the farm in New Hampshire. The property was to be inherited, father-to-son, and had been passed on for centuries. While the likes of New York and Boston were more Abbey's speed, she had happily consented to a life in New Hampshire.

She anticipated his bewilderment. She had originally planned to inform him on their travels to Ireland but they had succumbed to the exhaustion and slept for the majority of the journey across the Atlantic. "That key is to our apartment in London."

It wasn't her words but the simplicity of her tone that fazed Jed most. "Our apartment?"

"Look, I know that we decided I would start my residency while you completed your final year at LSE but it wouldn't make much sense to be apart for the first year as a married couple, would it? It's only 12 months, so I decided to defer my residency and live with you in London."

"Abbey -"

His speechlessness pleased Abbey and she beamed at him. Jed reflected the smile. He loved the way her nose wrinkled when she smiled, almost as much as he loved the way her left eye narrowed to the point of closure whenever she was furious with him. It was those mannerisms that he had fallen in love with. "My parents helped out with the downpayment and the apartment is available for us to move in, as soon as we're ready."

Jed could hardly believe what he had heard. "But, what will you do in London?"

"Oh, I'm sure I'll find a way to keep busy. I could volunteer or look into research." There were various routes open to her and Abbey was confident she would make the year of deferral count, whether it be for personal or professional development. "Worst comes to worst, I could learn how to bake." She quipped, but was somewhat serious in her hope to become a little more domestic, since she was a married woman. "What's important is that we won't be apart. We can celebrate our first Christmas as married couple in London, countdown to the New Year in front of Big Ben. As soon as you have your doctorate, we can fly back and make the farm our home in New Hampshire."

The way in which she so perfectly described the future led Jed to realise that she had it in mind, for quite some time. He crawled across the bed and pulled her into his arms. "You're wonderful, you know that?" It was quite a sacrifice, on her part.

She blithely replied, "I do, but it's always nice to hear someone say it."

"I love you." His amorous kiss manoeuvred her back into the bed with him, their bodies clinched as they made love once more.