Series: Snapshots of the Past

Story: The London Years

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Previously: Abbey remembered how things began to change after Elizabeth's first cold

Summary: Abbey's unhappiness about Jed's new schedule is overshadowed by a curious Liz. A new couple intrigues Abbey.

AN: The present is July 1970. Abbey's flashbacks give a glimpse into their first three years in London

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December 1968

Jed sat on the couch holding Elizabeth tightly on his lap and pointing towards the television set. "Look, Honey. You see the astronauts?"

Elizabeth muttered incoherent syllables back to him. It was clearly not the word "astronaut," but with a look of accomplishment plastered on her face, Jed knew she thought she was contributing somewhat to the discussion.

Abbey stood next to them, folding the clothes she had just washed. "She has no idea what you're saying."

"Sure she does." Jed picked Liz up and straddled her over his shoulders. Liz's hands rested on the top of his head and her familiar baby sounds let him know she was perfectly comfortable. "She's going to be an astronaut when she grows up." Jed raised his eyebrows and glared up at her. "Aren't you, Baby?"

"She's going to be whatever SHE wants to be. No pressure."

"Is that why you bought her a munchkin medical set for Christmas?" He lowered the baby back onto his lap.

"It's educational."

"She's not even a year old."

"It's never too early to learn."

"Exactly my point. Look at the TV, Lizzie. Those men just orbited around the moon ten times." Jed carried Liz over to the television and turned up the volume to hear the news announcer. "Abbey, listen."

"Jed, I listened to the report already, today, and on Christmas when it actually happened. I read the article in this morning's paper. Has something changed?"

He sat Elizabeth down on the floor then stood up to help Abbey. "I can't believe you're not more excited about space technology."

"I am excited! And as soon as they walk on the moon, I'll stick my head out the window and cheer."

"It's the first manned lunar fly-around and return and you're mocking this?"

"No, Sweetie. I'm mocking you." She grabbed the half-folded shirt he was holding. "You're hopeless," she teased as she carried the clothes to the bedroom and returned, holding up a form for Jed's inspection. "Jed? It's your schedule for next semester."

"Yeah, what about it?" he asked, his eyes still glued to the television set.

Abbey examined the paper more carefully. "It doesn't leave much free time."

"It's a very structured program, Abbey."

"We hardly see you as it is."

Jed approached her and took the schedule from her hand. "There's nothing I can do. It's my last semester of full coursework. I have to start my dissertation."

"And you still have to teach."

"We knew it was going to be hard."

"I just thought we were going to do this together."

"We are."

"No, we're really not. You're doing your thing and I'm doing mine."

"Are you overwhelmed caring for Elizabeth? Do you need some help?"

"I need you."

"Hon, if I could be here with you all day, every day, I would. It's just not possible."

"What about Lizzie? She's growing up so fast and you're missing it. She's going to start walking soon."

Jed had buried that guilt pretty deep, but it all came back to the surface with Abbey's words. "What do you want me to say?"

"Nothing." She abandoned the laundry and walked into the kitchen.

She picked up a wash cloth and began to wash off the kitchen counter and to him, it was obvious her new chore was simply an excuse to leave him - and their conversation - hanging.

"Abbey, I feel like you're mad at me for something I have no control over."

"I'm not mad at you."

"It doesn't seem like it."

Abbey slapped the towel onto the counter. "What can I do to reassure you?"

"Talking to me in a civil tone would be a start." His voice was a bit harsher than it had been and she sensed he was beginning to get upset.

Unaware that Elizabeth was crawling dangerously close to the Christmas tree, Abbey continued. "This is a civil tone. If you'd like an angry tone so that you can tell the difference, I'd be happy to oblige."

Before Jed could reply, he caught a glimpse of Elizabeth extending her hand and yanking the string of lights spiraling the tree. He leapt into action, shouting her name and scooping her up off the ground. Abbey ran to his side and put a gentle hand on Liz's back as he cradled her shaking body in his arms.

"I'm sorry, Sweetheart," Jed said, trying to wipe her tiny tears.

Liz turned herself towards her mother and reached out her hands. Abbey grabbed her from Jed's hold.

"It's okay, Lizzie." Elizabeth buried her face in Abbey's shoulder. "I know you just wanted to get a closer look. Christmas trees are fun, aren't they?" Abbey tried to pull her away to look at her face, but Liz kept her eyes covered with little fists. "They've got all kinds of sparkly ornaments and garland and bright colored lights that turn on and off. That's why I love them too."

Abbey smiled at Jed, but noticed his weak attempt at a counter-smile. She watched him walk back over to the couch where he plopped himself onto a cushion and stared at the television. She approached him, extending her arms to present him with the baby.

He reluctantly took Liz. "What?"

"I just thought you might want to hold her."

"She's mad at me."

His voice trembled and she could see some of his parental insecurities resurfacing. "She's not mad at you. You just scared her." She took a deep breath before she continued. "Go ahead and do that thing you do where you throw her up and spin her around and make her laugh."

"The thing that makes you threaten to kill me?"

"Yeah, that's the one."

"Really?"

Jed held Liz a few inches from his body. He was ready to bounce her up into the air when he noticed the look of pure terror on Abbey's face. He relaxed Liz's body on his own, her chin nuzzled against his shoulder, and began gently patting her back instead until he was able to calm her. With one hand on Liz, he extended his other to welcome Abbey into the embrace.

"This is much better," Abbey whispered as she lifted her head to kiss Jed on the cheek.

The intruding sound of a ringing phone interrupted the family hug. Abbey ducked her head under Jed's arm and reached for the phone while Jed held Liz face-down above his head.

"That's my girl," he said as soon as she began laughing. "You're not mad at Daddy, are you?"

"Jed?" Abbey called. "It's a classmate of yours - Lila?"

Jed brought Liz down and handed her to Abbey. He covered the phone with his hand and whispered to his wife. "What's the date today?"

"The 28th."

He clinched his eyes and curled up his fist. "Abbey, I forgot to tell you something. Last week, I invited Lila and her husband Tom over for dinner."

"When?"

"Tonight."

Abbey took Liz and gestured for him to answer his call. She put the baby in the play pen and continued to fold the clothes which were now sprawled out over the sofa.

"What time will they be here?" she asked when he hung up the receiver.

"A couple of hours."

"Then I guess you have to get to the store if you expect me to have time to cook anything edible."

She wasn't angry. He didn't have the time to analyze her mood, but he knew she wasn't angry. He was pleasantly surprised and with another kiss, he was out the door. "I'll be back in a flash," he promised.

And he was. By the time Jed returned, Abbey had straightened up the apartment and prepared the kitchen for the cooking that lay ahead. Husband and wife stood side by side to complete the task.

When Tom and Lila arrived a short time later, the tension that dominated their earlier mood was gone. "Abbey, Jed tells me constantly how much you two were made for one another. Just by looking at you, I can tell he wasn't exaggerating," Lila remarked.

Abbey wrapped her arm around Jed's waist and rested her head on his shoulder. "That's very kind. Thank you," she replied. "So, Tom, what do you do?"

"I'm a theater performer and right now, a teacher at the Royal Academy. Once Lila gets her degree, we're going back to New York." He stood behind his wife and kept his hands on her shoulder. She turned her head slightly to face him and he leaned down to give her a soft kiss.

It was a night of introductions and for Abbey, first impressions were paramount. There were many similarities between Tom and Lila and her and Jed and it was comforting for her to know another couple who embodied the same love and passion. She knew right away that this first impression would stay with her for some time to come.

TBC