When the pill took affect, she was happy that she'd been able to sleep through the night without her ankle waking her up. She considered being able to go an extra 5 hours without morphine was the first real sign that her ankle was starting to heal. A coughing fit moments later, left her lower back tingling and her throat feeling raw. It hurt to swallow and she moaned into her pillow.
"No, I refuse to get sick on top of everything else. Go away right now germs or I swear..."
She was interrupted by Killer who gave her a meow that said "Shut up you loon and let me sleep"
Another fit of coughing ensued and Mara knew she had better make it to the bathroom quickly because she would be retching due to the force of her cough. Ten minutes later, her spine was still hurting, as she rinsed the bitter taste of bile out of her mouth. She checked the time and called Leslie at the office.
"It's me, I need you to get me into see the GP we forwarded my file to. I've just started a sinus infection and I need an antibiotic."
"The office might not be open at eight, I'm putting you on hold."
Leslie looked at the schedule she had just printed for Mara and sighed, another day was shot to hell before Mara even arrived. A receptionist picked up the phone and Leslie argued with her until she got fed up.
"Look you can either squeeze her in, or I can call the First Lady who will get the Secret Service to descend on your office and speak to Dr. Horton in person. You've got five seconds to decide."
"Hold please." The annoyed receptionist spoke to the Doctor and came back on the line a minute later. "Dr. Horton's last appointment is at 5:40, He will look after Miss Whitford afterwards. Please make sure she is here by 5:50 since the Doctor would like to get home to his family."
"No problem and thank you ever so much for your full cooperation from the get go." Leslie replied sarcastically.
"Mara, the Doctor will stick around to see you. You've got an appointment at 5:45."
"Thanks Leslie, see what you can do about my schedule until late afternoon. I'm going back to bed after I down some Tylenol with codeine to stop this infernal coughing."
"I'll figure something out, get some rest and you need to be here around 2:30."
Mara was under the covers again in five minutes.
Meanwhile, Leslie rebooked appointments and knew she'd have to adjust the Ambassadors schedule for the remainder of the week. It was easier to fix the schedule a few days in advance, rather than waiting for Mara to call in Friday morning, when she decided she still needed her rest.
It took her an hour to juggle the schedule around and warn those who chose not to rebook, that it was highly likely their appointment would be canceled. Leslie loved her job and with Mara as a boss it was never boring. Leslie cleared everything off Mara's desk that wasn't urgent and set about summarizing them. Mara wouldn't blindly sign anything but she was very good at rapidly scanning documents.
*************
"Sam, Mara obviously didn't see you this morning or she wouldn't have let you out of the house."
"Ginger?"
"Sam, you look worse than yesterday and I swear I've never seen you drink so much coffee."
"Ginger, if you're not going to be part of the solution, don't make yourself part of the problem."
"OK, now you are really scaring me, you sound like one of those idiotic guru people. Have you eaten breakfast?"
"No and I'm not really hungry."
"Too bad, I'm getting you something to eat and I'm going to watch you eat it."
"Ginger!"
"Sam, I could ask Dr. Bartlet to stop by if you'd prefer."
"Ginger, remind me to fire you later."
"I know you love me." Ginger laughed as she left his office.
Sam knew that Mara hadn't figured out that he'd been sleeping on Toby's couch the last two nights. There had been no irate phone calls or appearances, literally dragging him away from the office. He also knew that he'd be left alone, as long as, Ginger or Donna didn't find him asleep on the couch. He'd become very adept at focussing on work to avoid his personal life until he met and fell in love with Mara. He loved her with all his heart, but she mothered him, made him share his feelings and bullied him into sharing when he didn't want to. I'll deal with my Father when I feel like it, just would not be an acceptable answer to her. So his back hurt and he was tired, but the longer he worked, the less room his Father's betrayal had to fester in his brain.
He ate the scrambled eggs, toast and fruit salad Ginger placed in front of him quickly, so she'd leave him alone. He still had five pardon requests to go through and figured he'd have just enough time to get them done by Friday. He was surprised Mara hadn't called him around lunch time, yet that gave him a chance to dodge the bullet a little longer. When his cell phone rang a little after six he knew it was Mara.
"Hello"
"Hey, I don't know what time you are leaving there but I suggest you get your own dinner and try not to wake me up."
"Mar, you don't sound too good."
"I feel like crap, I got a stupid sinus infection this morning. I just picked up my antibiotic and I'm heading straight to bed."
"I'm sorry you feel bad. You really should eat something though."
"I'll think about it. You forgot to feed Killer this morning."
"Umm yeah, Mar, I've still got a ton of work to do. I probably won't make it home at all tonight. It might be a good thing since there is no chance I can wake you up."
"Sam, you need your sleep, especially since I've been giving you my germs the last few days. If I feel like crap, you'll feel like death since your system is run down."
(So hiding out here has been a good thing) "I can crash on Toby's couch, don't worry about me. Get some sleep Mara."
"Sam, I'm too tired to argue with you. We've been ships passing in the night the last few days and I'm not amused. I'm asleep when you get home and your gone before I wake up. It's summer Sam, you shouldn't be this busy."
"I hate to break this to you Sweetie but the Federal Government doesn't stop running because you want it to."
"We'll see about that." Mara laughed before she started coughing again.
Sam listened to her hack for a good five minutes, just long enough to make him feel really guilty, when she came back on the line.
"I'm home, I need some water, I hope you come home."
With that, Mara hung up her cell phone leaving Sam to ponder her words. He looked at the 3 remaining pardons on his desk and knew that he couldn't have them all ready for the President in the morning if he went home. He also knew that he'd probably get a few hours of sleep on Toby's couch instead of a restless night listening to Mara cough up a lung all night long. He started reviewing the third case when a disturbing thought entered his mind. How many times had his father told his Mom that he wouldn't be home because of work and then left to go see her. Sam knew in his case it wasn't a lie, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was failing as a husband. He knew it was under extremely different circumstances but Mara tossed her career aside to be by his bedside after the accident. The conversation he had with Anna started replaying in his head.
He'd taken Anna out for her birthday just before the wedding while Mara was spending a few days in Toronto. Their chit chat had turned into Anna telling Sam that she thought they made a cute couple until the accident. She went on to tell Sam that as much as she adored Mara, she was amazed at how selfless she became when he was sick. For the first time he fully understood why Abbey was so concerned for Mara's well being. Anna had described Mara as the living dead until he came out of the coma. That information didn't shock him as much as hearing how exhausted and frazzled Mara looked when she popped by the house . He listened to Anna tell him that she walked into their bedroom a few times to find Mara sobbing on the bed because she felt so useless and exhausted and that she couldn't fall apart in front of him because he had so much more to deal with. Anna had told him, that the depth of Mara's love for him took her breath away and that she knew that their upcoming marriage would last. Sam knew what he had to do. He picked up the phone and hoped Ainsley hadn't left for dinner yet.
"Hello"
"Hi Ains, are you busy?"
"Oh geez Sam, I was just going to grab dinner and take a bit of work home with me. What do you need?"
"I need three pardon files finished by the morning."
"Sam, you really need to learn how to budget your time more effectively. I'm on my way up."
"I could manage my time perfectly Ainsley, if there were 30 hours in a day." He muttered.
Ainsley was surprised to see Sam's door closed and knocked once before entering. She had heard from the rumour mill that Sam had swapped personalities with Toby this week. However, she wasn't, prepared to see Sam looking almost as pale as he did the first time she visited him in the hospital.
"Sam, I want Chinese, you know what to order. Now throw in a six pack of Fresca, let me use your office and give me the three files."
"I've been working one file for about two hours now, so how about I finish it and you...."
"Oh my Gawd, Sam, look at this." Ainsley proclaimed.
Sam got up quickly and went over to see what she was pointing at in Toby's office. As soon as his attention was diverted Ainsley sat in his chair and threw her arms across all the files on his desk.
"What the hell did you see?"
"Nothing but that's a mighty fine derrière you have there Samuel."
Sam blushed and turned around to find Ainsley sitting in his chair with a smug little grin on her face.
"Hayes, get out of my chair."
"It's mine now, get out of my office and let me get to work. You can use Ginger's phone to place my order."
"Ainsley!"
"Sam, I'm serious you looked better when you were recovering, go home now or I'm disturbing the First Lady."
"You know, she doesn't scare me that much any more." Sam tossed back.
"Then you won't mind if I give her a little call to let her know you are going home."
"Dirty Republican."
"Oh I know you secretly wish you could be one of us. Order my food now Sam!"
"I'd rather listen to the President talk about every word in the dictionary for the rest of my life than stoop so low as to become a Republican."
"That's what they all say, now I'm serious Sam order my food and get out of here or do I need to call Mark and get Capital Beat to film this?"
"Hayes, remember I'm the only person in this administration who tolerates you." Sam bantered back.
Ainsley choose to ignore Sam and started counting down from ten and giving Sam the evil eye. He finally picked up his phone, called the Chinese restaurant and placed Ainsley's order. She handed him his briefcase, asked if he'd leave his suit jacket on the back of the chair, in case she got cold later and dismissed him with a wave of the hand.
"You have provided me with some entertainment now leave me."
Sam headed toward the door, his back slightly hunched over and Ainsley thought he looked like a lost puppy. Since he wasn't moving all that quickly, she got up and tapped him on the shoulder. As soon as he turned around, she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him in for a hug. She was pleasantly surprised that he didn't pull away immediately.
"Sam, what's bothering you, I'll let you stay, if you want to talk for a bit."
"There is nothing you can do Ains, there is nothing anyone can do. It's just...."
"It's just what Sam?" She asked softly still hugging him.
"My Mom called me the other night in tears to tell me that my Father has been having an affair for 28 years and......"
"Oh Sam, I'm so sorry. I bet you'd rather go back to your worst day of physio instead of having to deal with this."
"Yeah, I knew there was only so long Melissa could inflict pain on me."
"Exactly, I won't pretend I know how you are feeling but I know how I'd feel. Not all the pastries in the world could console me for quite some time. Go home Sam and let Mara take care of you, she's really good at it when you let her."
Sam slowly pulled out of the embrace and smiled sadly at Ainsley before leaving a soft kiss on her forehead. He turned at the door and smiled softly, melting Ainsley's heart.
"You know Hayes...."
"I know, I know, for a leggy, blonde, Republican sex kitten...."
Sam chuckled, "Hayes, would you let me finish a sentence just this once? I was going to say that other than Mara you are the only person that I don't mind losing a debate to. Thanks Ains."
"That's what friends are for Samuel, night."
"Night."
Sam arranged for a car to take Anisley home when she left and sat down on the East Wing steps to wait for the Limo to arrive. He put his briefcase over his knees and put his head and arms down on it.. He was so tired that he didn't hear Abbey calling his name or notice her sit down beside him. She finally had to nudge his knee with his own to get his attention. Sam looked up and attempted a smile.
"Nice try Sam, you look wiped."
"I am."
"I had the kitchen make Mara some chicken soup. Pour some in to a mug for each of you and make sure Mara finished hers."
"Thanks Abbey."
"I was talking to her earlier, I forgot how violently she coughs. Sam, make sure she fully understands that if she wants to take Tylenol with codeine, she can't take her morphine. She can take 3 Tylenols every six hours."
"Kay."
"Sam, it's Cheese day tomorrow, I'm sure Margaret could give your assignments to Josh. Ainsley said you only have two more pardons left and she agreed to finish them. Sleep in for a change and call Margaret around noon. Consider it a directive from the First Lady's Office." Abbey added with a don't mess with me grin.
"Yes Ma'am."
Abbey reached over and ruffled the back of Sam's hair. "I'm going to go back inside, so you don't have to tax your brain too much coming up with one or two word answers. Good night Sam."
Sam chuckled softly and waved good bye to Abbey as the car pulled in to the East Wing Colonnade. The chicken soup went straight into the fridge and it took every ounce of strength he had to make it up the stairs to bed. He was so tired he didn't bother hanging up his clothes, leaving them in a pile on Mara's fainting couch. He felt for Killer before sliding into bed. He'd just dozed off when Mara started coughing. He rolled over and began rubbing her spine until she finely stopped coughing.
"You're home."
"Ainsley agreed to do the last two pardons for me. You don't sound stuffy."
"I feel like a sack of dirty that has been run over by a big rig."
"Abbey gave me a big pot of soup, it's in the fridge I knew you wouldn't want it now. She wants me to make it clear that if you take Tylenol....."
"I know, I can't take my morphine." Mara rolled over and looked at Sam. "Sam, you look like I feel, maybe you should sleep in the guest room."
"Don't worry about it, I get to go in late. You are bound to fall asleep sometime."
"You would have slept better on Toby's couch."
(No kidding) "I thought you wanted me to come home?"
"I did, you know how sucky I get when I'm sick. I just feel sorry for you."
Sam pulled her into his arms. "In sickness and health, remember."
"I love you." Mara said before sneezing into his chest.
Sam chuckled, "Say it don't spray it, now go to sleep my germ infested, mucus filled, fire breathing dragon."
Mara smiled into Sam's chest and quickly fell back to sleep. Sam brushed her hair back from her face and found himself wondering why his Father would just toss away the love of a good woman.
Leo had told him earlier that his Father had had affairs. He was still trying to figure out why Leo shared that information with him. Was it to let Sam know he understood what he was feeling? Did he want Sam to be assured that the sins of the Father do not become the sins of the son? He remembered a conversation with Mallory once when Sam had taken Leo's side and said well at least he wasn't having an affair. Mallory had countered by saying her Dad's mistress was politics and Jed's Presidency. Mallory had once complimented him by saying :he was just like Leo. He had aspired to be more like him. Now he was coming to realize, that he didn't want to be like Leo. There was many things he admired about Leo but Sam vowed that he'd never let anything become more important to him than his wife and children. Ainsley was right, he did need to manage his time better, he needed to spend more time at home.
Providence kept Mara's next coughing attack at bay until 6 am, giving them both a decent nights sleep. Sam had to move Killer to the center of the bed to get his legs free. He dashed down to the kitchen, left food out for Killer and poured himself a large mug of coffee. He could hear hacking from upstairs and brought Mara a bottle of extra strength Tylenol with codeine.
"Kill me, kill me now." Mara muttered before flopping back on the bed.
"I believe Josh volunteered for that job."
"Then get him over here because it hurts to yawn."
"Go gargle with salt water and take your Tylenol."
"Shouldn't you be on your way to work?"
"Nah, Abbey got to me last night. I'm suppose to spend the morning looking after you and then call Margaret to see if I need to come in at all."
"Then call Josh and hold me while we wait for him."
"Cute, I'm going to make you some breakfast, you need to keep your strength up."
Mara groaned and hid under the covers while Sam went downstairs to figure out a throat friendly breakfast. Killer followed him downstairs and rubbed against his leg until Sam finally gave in and petted him with his foot. Sam figured, he'd eat whatever Mara left and made her scrambled eggs, grabbed a raspberry yogurt and poured them both a mug of Abbey's chicken soup that he warmed in the microwave.
"Sam, I can't eat all of this."
"I'll finish the leftovers, drink your soup."
"Milk products are a bad idea when I'm a phlegm factory."
"Fine, I'll eat the bacteria then." Sam made a face and quickly ate the yogurt. Mara loved it but he barely tolerated it.
Mara picked at the eggs barely eating half of them before passing the plate to Sam. She finished her soup and commented that she could have some more of it, knowing that Sam would fetch it for her. Sam brought her another mug full and sat up in bed, smiling as she curled up resting her head on his lap.
"Sam..."
(Oh great here it comes) "What?"
"I believe you owe me a weekend in Williamsburgh."
"Yes and I believe you owe me a death by chocolate cake."
"How about we go the last weekend in July and I'll make you the cake the following weekend."
"How about you make me the cake the weekend before we go."
"Deal, are you going to have to work tomorrow?"
"Probably for a few hours, especially if I don't go in today."
"Oh, Sam don't think I've forgotten that we are going to have a little conversation. I just want to have the strength to listen to you."
"Doesn't matter to me." Sam mumbled.
"Of course not, you'd prefer we never had the conversation."
"Finish your soup and go back to sleep Bu."
"Bu? You never call me Bu."
"It seems appropriate since you are an infectious mess."
Mara went into a monologue about not teasing her when she felt sick but half way through it she was snoring softly and Sam managed to get out from underneath her and went into the study. He called Ainsley and thanked her again for finishing the pardons. She told him that she handed them to the President fifteen minutes ago and was on her way to the East Wing to see the First Lady.
Sam heard the door open an hour later and went downstairs to say hello to Anna.
"Sam, what are you doing here after nine on a Friday?"
"I have the morning off. Mara is still in bed."
"She's still feeling horrible, the poor dear. Here's the mail, I'll clean down here and put the laundry in and then go. Do you want me to make her lunch?"
"No thanks Anna, she's got soup in the fridge and I might even still be here. I'm going to go out for a walk. I'll be back in an hour."
Sam returned an hour and a half later munching on a lemon filled Krispy Kreme donut wondering how Mara could think there was a better donut on the planet. She dismissed Krispy Kreme as too sweet and no where near the perfection of a Tim Horton's donut. She liked their custom blended chocolate milk but Sam didn't want to give her any milk products. He poured himself another mug of coffee and brought the mail up to Mara. He'd never actually changed his address so Donna always brought his mail into work with her.
He heard Mara coughing as he reached the landing and called out to her. She was in the middle of a coughing fit and glared at him as he entered the room as if it was some how his fault. He rolled his eyes and tossed the mail into her lap before heading to the shower. Fifteen minutes later Sam found Mara waltzing around the room with a big grin on her face. The cast hindered her usual graceful glide but he had to smile. She wrapped her arms around Sam and ordered him to dance with her.
"Mar, did you mix your Tylenol with morphine?"
"No, Didn't you notice one particular piece of mail?"
"No."
"I've been invited to the Austrian Embassy's Vienna Woods Waltz. It's the 20th of August which means I'll be out of this cast and ready for dancing shoes. I have to find the perfect dress that moves."
"Oh geez that's the night Josh and I do our annual wing night."
"Oh, you are so going with me Sam. We are going to dance the night away. Besides, it's white tie and tails. You look so hot in them."
"You know I hate getting all dressed up with a passion."
"Funny, you don't seem to mind my reaction to you when you are all dressed up."
"Mar, I'm a man, I don't care why I'm getting sex, just that I'm getting it."
Mara swatted him on the arm and spun away from him. She started coughing again, spent some time swearing at her throat and the evil germs that dared to mess with her, before crawling back in to bed.
"Wow Mara, I really admire that attempt to get out of bed and face the day." Sam cracked.
"You are so not getting sex for a week when I'm better."
"It was a joke!"
"Well I didn't find it funny."
"How about I go get you some more soup and paint your toe nails with that chrome pink polish. I'll even assume the role of your social secretary and get these invitations into your calendar and send them off to Leslie."
"It would be a prudent, political strategy to demonstrate your nations fervent desire to remain on friendly terms with me."
"Yes your dictatorship, would you care for anything else?"
"Some apple juice would be nice."
Sam returned to the bedroom a few minutes later with an extra large mug of soup and a bottle of water. He placed everything on her bedside table and grabbed her computer and booted it up.
"Sorry no apple juice."
"You're just on your way to get me some though aren't you?"
"Actually, I was not, on my way to fetch you some apple juice. I made an executive decision and substituted water for the hitter too absent apple juice. Water is better to keep you hydrated anyway."
"But I want apple juice!"
"I can ask Anna to pick up a can and bring it tomorrow."
"I want it now, go get me it!"
"Mara, you sound like a spoiled rotten six year old."
"I don't care, I want apple juice"
"Then I suggest you get dressed and go get some."
"Samuel Norman Seaborn." Mara hissed.
"Mara Seaborn, do not give me that look. I'm not refusing you cough syrup or antibiotics, I'm simply not dashing out to buy you apple juice."
The phone rang and stopped Mara from her rant. She picked the phone up scowling at her husband.
"Hello"
"Hi Sweetie, how are you feeling?"
"Abbey, I'd feel a lot better if I had some apple juice but Sam refuses to go buy me some. You know I never thought Sam would be so mean to me when I was sick."
Sam rolled his eyes and went back to fiddling with Mara's computer.
Abbey chuckled, "My lunch appointment was canceled so I was going to stop by and check on you but I don't want to interrupt the Great Apple Juice War."
"Could you bring me some more soup, it's really good."
"Sure, put Sam on the line and I'll see you in about an hour."
Mara held out the phone to Sam glaring at him the entire time.
"Hi Abbey, could you tell me where I'd find the medicinal merits of Apple Juice and their use in fighting sinus infections?"
"She's driving you nuts Sam?"
"Oh yeah."
"I guess you aren't too happy I forced you to take the day off."
"Let's just say I was much more productive at work."
"I'll bring some apple juice with me. Sam, she turns into a petulant child when she's sick. You've just got to learn to deal with it."
"Yeah, I'll go into work for a couple of hours and clean up Josh's mess, Abbey."
"Sam, I'll let you get away with this today. Don't count on me as a regular ally. The sisterhood and my fourth daughter will always take precedence over my secret boyfriend."
Sam chuckled, "Yes Mrs. Robinson."
Abbey started laughing. "Sam, you're incorrigible. You can come in to the office when I arrive."
"Thank you Ma'am."
Sam handed the phone back to Mara and went back to fiddling with her personal calendar entering the invitations she accepted, their weekend in Williamsburgh and the potential week of Jenna's visit. He rubbed Mara's back when she started a coughing fit and then left to make himself some lunch. He made a cheese sandwich with a fresh baguette and had a bowl of soup. He brought Mara another mug of soup and was surprised when she mumbled a thank you. He got dressed for work and sat in the study reading for pleasure until he heard Abbey at the door.
She was one of four people who had the key and security codes to get into the house. She was expected but still announced her presence.
"We're upstairs Abbey." Sam called out getting out of his comfortable chair.
He stood at the bedroom door and cleared his throat until Mara looked up at him.
"I've got to go in for a few hours, hope you feel better and I'll give you a call before I leave."
"Kay." Mara said softly and he knew that was as close as she was going to get to an apology.
Sam turned his back to walk away and smiled at Abbey who was heading towards him.
"Sam." Mara called
"Yeah?" He asked turning to face her.
"I luv you, you big meanie."
(She's impossible, but I just can't stay mad at her for very long.) "I love you too, you pain in the ass."
"Ricky, go to work. Lucy stop your hair brain schemes." Abbey cracked.
"You think I'm Lucy? I think I'd be better as Samantha."
"Abbey as Endora? Works for me." Sam called out as he was making his way down the hall.
"Derwood, go before I turn you into a toad."
Mara attempted to cackle but it turned into a coughing fit instead. Abbey sat down on the bed and rubbed Mara's spine until she finally stopped coughing.
"Mara would you stop smoking." Abbey teased.
"Holy cow, could you imagine me if I ever smoked?"
"I swear you are going to cough up a lung one of these days."
"You keep telling me that it's medically impossible."
"Yes, but if anyone was to ever make bizarre medical history it would be you Mara. When was the last time you were tested for TB?"
"Last April when I couldn't shake that cough and ended up getting Bronchitis..."
"That turned into walking pneumonia because you didn't listen to your doctor Missy."
"Yeah, just my luck you were visiting me that week. You make nurse Rachett look like a puppy dog Abbey."
"Mara, you mess with your health and you die. It's that simple, so excuse me for not wanting those I love to die on me."
"I know and I love you for it even though Dr. Bartlet is a very scary lady." Mara said with a grin.
"I'm going to get us both some soup and I want you to eat a sandwich. "
"Sure, but Abbey don't you have to get back?"
"I've decided to play hooky. I'm just going to give Lily a call."
Abbey made them both a ham and cheese sandwich and then called Lily.
"Hello Ma'am."
"Lily, Mara's not feeling very good, she needs some TLC, cancel the rest of my afternoon."
"Ma'am with all due respect, the exhibit has been on the schedule for two months. Mara is a big girl she can take care of herself."
"Lily, if you recall, I never wanted to go to see this exhibit in the first place. Cancel it."
"What shall I say Ma'am?" Lilly asked trying to control her temper.
"Tell them that one of my daughters is under the weather and that unfortunately today my role as Mother supersedes my role as First Lady."
"Yes Ma'am."
Lily let the exhibit's host know that the First Lady was not going to be there, notified the Secret Service and let CJ know what was going on in case there was any questions. She took a long swig of her coffee and went in search of Sam.