Getting To Know You
Chapter 15
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Previously: Abbey finally saw a darker side to John Bartlet
Summary: Abbey comforts Jed and thanks her lucky stars for her own father
Shortly after 2 a.m., Jed and Abbey pulled up to her house. To avoid disturbing her parents, they got out of the car and quietly made their way inside.
"Abigail?"
Abbey recognized her father's voice calling out to her just as she shut the front door and turned towards him. "I'm sorry."
"Do you have any idea what time it is? Where have you been?"
Jed slid in between father and daughter. "Sir, it was my fault."
Abbey gently squeezed his arm. "Jed, don't."
"No, Abbey, it was. It was my fault and I'm very sorry Mr. Barrington."
"You kept my daughter out until 2 in the morning and all you can say is that you're sorry?"
"Dad, stop. It wasn't Jed. I was the one driving." Abbey turned to face Jed. "Didn't you need to use the restroom?"
"Abbey."
"Let me handle this, okay? Please." Jed exchanged a glance with his girlfriend, then reluctantly left the room as Abbey spun around towards her father. "I can explain."
James folded his arms in front of him. "Talk fast."
"Jed and his father had a terrible fight. He was upset. He couldn't go back there. I needed to be with him. I needed him to know that I was there for him. I'm sorry. It was inconsiderate of me not to call."
"Yes, it was," James sharply replied before softening his tone slightly to ask the next question. "How is he?"
"Dad, can Jed stay here tonight?"
"Absolutely not."
"Dad, please. You don't understand."
"It's a shame he and his father had a fight, but it's up to him to make things right. It's not our business, Abbey."
"You didn't see what I saw! His father was so cruel to him. He tried to start a fight between me and Jed and when he failed at that, he called Jed a pathetic coward. Dad, I've never seen Jed so upset before. If he goes back there tonight, I'm afraid it will just make things worse. Please. He can sleep in the guest room."
Jed wasn't the only one hurting. The pain on Abbey's face was visible to James. He had never been able to resist her tears and as they welled up in her emerald eyes, he realized this time was no different. "I want you in your own room all night. Understood?"
"I promise."
"I'll go make up the guest room." He paused during his trek upstairs. "Abigail?" It took Abbey a few seconds, but she closed her eyes and turned around. "Next time, you call."
She nodded in relief that he hadn't changed his mind. Of course he hadn't, she whispered to herself. God had blessed her with a father so different than John Bartlet. The tears that clouded her vision were now streaming her cheeks and without hesitation, she ran into her father's arms.
"I love you, Daddy."
James didn't question the sudden show of love. Instead, he adoringly stroked her hair. "I love you too, Sweetheart."
He pulled away from her and began to head up the stairs, passing Jed without a word along the way. The encounter left Jed speechless. His suspicions provoked, he ran towards Abbey.
"What happened?" he asked, alarmed when Abbey began to wipe away her tears. "Abbey, what did he do? He didn't hit you, did he?"
Hit her? Jed had thought James hit her and there was no doubt that Abbey was caught completely off-guard. She arched her brows before she answered. "No, of course not. Where did that come from?"
If only he could take it back, he would have, but he had asked the question without a second thought. Physical violence had been such a hurtful part of his childhood that it was engrained into his instincts. He often made the assumption that other families were just like his.
Unable to tell her why he would think such a thing, he changed the subject. "Why are you crying?"
"I was just grateful that you don't have to go home tonight."
"Of course I do."
"No, Jed." Smiling, Abbey covered his hands with hers. "My Dad said you can stay here."
"Are you serious?"
"He's making up the guest room for you right now."
"He's letting me spend the night? Abbey, your Dad is unbelievable."
"I know." Abbey snuggled into his embrace, holding him tight as her thoughts wandered to the bitter words she heard between Jed and John earlier that evening.
TBC