Series: Snapshots of the Past
Story: The Anniversary Waltz
Chapter 7
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Previously: Jed and Abbey hired nanny Paige to care for Ellie and Lizzie
Summary: Jed secretly draws the girls into his plan to surprise Abbey; Jed's first day at the State House ends badly
AN: Once Upon A December is a © Disney song, lyrics by Deana Carter. We're picturing the version that can be found on some ballroom dancing CDs. It's a bit more upbeat and "waltzy."
- - -
February 1977
Jed lowered his hands to grasp Elizabeth's palm evenly. He smiled at her as their hands clasped with their fingers threaded and closed around one another. Her left hand gripped his waist and his right rested squarely on her shoulders.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Uh huh." A smile radiated from within her, a clear indication that even though they hadn't even started, she was having a good time.
"Go for it," he instructed with a turn to Amy, who lowered the arm on the turntable.
Dancing bears,
Painted wings
Things I almost remember
And a song someone sings
Once upon a December
The music played harmoniously, guitars and mandolins joining to exquisitely execute the backdrop to the childlike vocals as he led Liz around the living room in the Viennese Waltz. One natural turn, rotating to the right, then to the left, then changing direction just before he lifted her up as she nearly tripped between his feet.
With another spin, he lowered her to the ground and traded Liz for Amy in one flawless motion, usually achieved only by experienced dancers. The young girl looked up at him, curiosity shining through. Jed had gone over the basics with Liz, but it was obvious that Amy had never danced before. He put her at ease with a reassuring fatherly smile, and helped her onto his feet, supporting her with his hands as they flounced around the makeshift dance floor.
Someone holds me safe and warm
Horses prance through a silver storm
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory
He glided back towards the starting point and spun a giggling Amy under his hand and onto the sofa just in time to turn his attention to Ellie. The toddler sat on the floor completely entranced in what was happening. He hoisted her up and twirled her into the air with a firm grip just under her arms. Her soft, strawberry blond curls hugged her cheeks, and when she looked down at her father adoringly, a big smile and twinkling blue-green eyes captivated his emotions.
Far away, long ago
Glowing dim as an ember
Things my heart
Used to know
Once upon a December
As Jed continued to whirl around the room with Ellie, Liz placed her hands on Amy's shoulder. Amy mimicked the moves Liz demonstrated in an effort to teach her what she knew.
Far away, long ago
Glowing dim an as ember
Things my heart
Used to know
Things it yearns to remember
And a song
Someone sings...
"She's coming!" And with the shine of headlights glaring through the window, Liz's voice cut through the music.
Jed lowered Ellie into his arms and Amy hustled to turn off the music before running to take her seat opposite Jed at the table.
"Not a word," he said as he looked at the two eight-year-olds. "That goes for you too, Goldilocks. You keep your mouth shut."
"Okay," Ellie replied with a girlish laugh.
Abbey's entrance was met with feigned surprise. Amy and Liz shared a seat as partners teaming up to outwit Jed at chess. Ellie squirmed and reached out for her mother almost immediately.
"Jed, really. Are you making them play?" she asked, taking Ellie into her arms.
"They're enjoying it."
"Hmm, I think you're enjoying it a lot more than they are."
"We're all having fun. Aren't we, girls?"
Amy nodded, but Lizzie never missed an opportunity. "We'll have more fun if you take us out for ice cream!"
"That's what I thought," Abbey chuckled. "Tell you what, girls. We'll call Mrs. Gardner and if she says Amy can spend the night, I'll take you out for lunch and a movie tomorrow."
"Me too," Ellie interrupted.
She tweaked Ellie's nose in a gesture that was always sure to make her laugh. "And I'll take you to Circus Towne, my little Princess."
"Can we go see Star Wars?" Lizzie asked.
"We'll see."
"She means yes," Jed whispered to the girls.
Abbey threw him a cautious glare, but conceded to his interpretation of her words. Working as much as she had had opened the door for an enormous amount of guilt and the remorse that weighed down her conscience made her susceptible to manipulation from her two daughters.
Things were no better for Jed, especially now. He was about to embark on a journey of public service, representing the Ninth District in the state legislature. It would have its ups and downs, the most notable liability being the time he'd need to commit to serving his constituents at the expense of quality time with his family.
But he was prepared. In fact, ready and organized, he had prepared himself for almost everything.
Almost.
That night, his own excitement was mirrored in Abbey. A spark of passion dominated her voice and the bright light that shined inside him reflected in her eyes. She was proud. There was no denying that. His accomplishments soaring over his goals, he was like a child ready to take on the world, a hero poised for greatness, a man willing to discard his demons, not in favor of ambition, but out of a sense of duty.
But that resolve was tested almost immediately.
Jed walked onto the floor of the New Hampshire House the next morning full of energy and focus. This was what democracy was all about. This is what drew his family to politics, what motivated his great ancestor Dr. Josiah Bartlett to sign his name to a document that guaranteed freedom from colonial masters and prevailed as a cherished symbol of liberty.
It was a true calling, not for the ill-willed, but for the committed and competent members of society who are dedicated to the concept of giving back to their communities and leaving a mark, shadowed with the desire to help others, on a world that sometimes exchanges compassion and assistance for, what some would call, superficial gain.
But something strange was happening. Jed scanned the floor, puzzled by the empty chairs. There were a few colleagues who showed up, most of them dawning the same look of fire that was evident in him that morning. But as the minutes passed on, a couple of them left, now appearing as deflated as he did.
It was his nemesis, Elliot Roush, who was plagued with the burden of explaining the obvious to the freshman lawmakers. In state politics, it isn't dedication to the discussion of ideas that drives some of its members. And in a state like New Hampshire, where legislating is a part-time job, not a professional career, many representatives find a way to bridge the gap between public service and personal ambition only when a vote is riding on their attendance.
The cold hard truth was a bitter pill to swallow for Jed, a man who had pinned his hopes of making a difference on the foundation of the legislative process.
By day's end, he was somber and moody, no longer intrigued by the principles that led him to the hallowed chamber. Now he was dwarfed by the decorative landscape and concrete pillars of the once-admired and treasured structure of the State House.
So this is why so many people are disillusioned with politics and politicians, he surmised. It wasn't that politicians were dishonest. It was that some of them just didn't care enough to be honest.
When the phone rang back in Hanover, Abbey sprang from her seat. She had waited all day to hear Jed's voice as he enthusiastically recalled the events of his first official day as a representative. She hoped he would carry the same tone he had the day he was sworn into office, that elated inflection consumed with a passionate undercurrent that caused him to catch his breath every so often.
But he didn't.
Instead of the jovial attitude she expected, she was greeted with a sadder, more refined Jed, a Jed so obviously disenchanted by his new post that he admitted he regretted ever entering the election in the first place.
She was worried. She hadn't heard him so depressed in a very long time and the natural concern that took over prompted her to ask him to stay in Concord that night. Jed was never at his best when he was angry or upset. His attention would waver and his emotions, which always guided him, would become a catalyst for disaster.
Of course, stubborn and opinionated, Jed didn't listen. He made the 65-mile trek without incident - until the last few seconds. His judgment clouded and his vision blurred, he turned into his driveway at full speed, coming to a crashing halt as the front of his car dented the garage door.
TBC