Series: Snapshots of the Past

Story: The Anniversary Waltz

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Previously: It was up to Jed to reassure Abbey after she learned that Millie and Steve were divorcing

Summary: The Bartlets enjoy a little family time; Abbey reaches out to Liz

- - -

"Lizzie, eat your breakfast."

With schedules running wild, having breakfast as a family had become a rare treat in the Bartlet household. And this was a rare morning. A day off for Abbey, no school for Liz, and a late class for Jed had transformed the early morning rush into a peaceful gathering around the table, complete with the banter that was reminiscent of the days before previous commitments conspired to keep chairs empty.

Today, every seat was filled. With one tiny exception.

As usual, Ellie had squirmed and whined until she was allowed to sit in her mother's lap instead of her high chair. Not quite as independent as her older sister, the toddler had already developed a tight bond with Abbey.

"Eat your breakfast," Jed repeated.

Her plate pushed aside, Liz was flipping through her padfolio, a red pen in hand. "I have to put in all of Mommy's hours first."

Her big smile prevented Jed from pressing the issue. Abbey was right. Giving Lizzie the opportunity to manage her schedule had alleviated the tension between mother and daughter. Of course, the fact that the planner was sheltered in a beautiful burgundy leather padfolio embossed with her initials didn't hurt either.

"Daddy, can I have ice skates?"

"Ice skates?"

"I wanna be just like Miss Derry."

"What, pray tell, is a Miss Dairy?"

"Miss Derry, as in the city queen," Abbey replied. "I let her stay up to watch the Miss New Hampshire Pageant last night."

"And Miss Derry danced, just like I do, except it was on ice."

"On ice? Right there in the auditorium in the middle of May?" It was said with skepticism so obvious that Abbey shot him a glare.

"Synthetic ice."

"Yeah, synetic ice."

Jed laughed as he always did when she tried to emulate her mother and sound out those big words. "Syn-thet-ic."

Ignoring his correction, she continued. "So can I have them?"

"We'll talk about it later."

"Why can't we talk about it now?"

"Eat your breakfast." This time it was Abbey who was giving the order.

"Your mom's a beauty queen, you know."

Lizzie looked to her father excitedly. "Really?!?!"

"No. I was a runner up."

"She's a queen," Jed whispered to Liz.

"Can I be a queen?"

"You already are," Abbey responded. "Now eat your breakfast."

She dropped her pen to take a small bite of her banana pancakes, but her eyes never actually left the calendar, a testament to the pride she took in being her mother's assistant.

Noticing her cheerful disposition fading quickly, Jed became concerned. "What's the matter?"

"Mommy has to work on Friday."

"I won't miss it. I promise," Abbey reassured.

"But you work until six. The recital's at seven."

"Lizzie, I'll be there. We already bought the tickets. I'm going to be in the front row clapping so loud, you won't miss me."

She wasn't convinced. "It's my first recital."

"Hey," Jed interrupted. "She said she'll be there. No reason to be upset, okay?"

Husband and wife exchanged a grateful, yet cautious glance. Abbey would never intentionally break a promise, but no one knew better than Jed that unpredictability was as much part of her career as her stethoscope. Lizzie had learned this too and, in recent months, it had shaken her confidence, planting the smallest seed of bitterness in her heart.

"Here, Lizbeth." Sensing Lizzie's displeasure, the littlest peacemaker, Ellie, extended her hand across the table to hand her sister a few kernels of her cereal.

"Thanks, Ellie."

Reluctant to end the roundtable conversation, Jed slowly pushed back his chair and raised his plate. "Unfortunately, I need to go to work."

"Leave the dishes," Abbey instructed. "I'll get them when the girls are finished."

After kissing Liz and Ellie, he walked to the door with his arm wrapped around Abbey. "You are, you know."

"I am what?"

"A beauty queen. You're my beauty queen. And don't ever forget it."

"Get out of here," she teased as she kissed him goodbye. Glued to the blinds, she watched him drive away before turning to her daughters. "Okay, he's gone. Are you ready?"

Lizzie lowered the arm on the record player to start the music. Abbey took Ellie's hand and stood behind her elder daughter, attentively watching her feet.

"You want me to show you everything?" Liz asked.

"Everything Daddy taught you. Don't leave anything out."

"Okay."

"And remember, both of you, not a word to your father."

The girls had become good at this. They enjoyed it. It was fun to help one parent surprise the other, especially for Lizzie. The playfulness between Mom and Dad, that at one time dominated the house, had become virtually nonexistent because of their hectic schedules. But now it almost felt like old times.

Almost.

There was still some residual strain in the family unit, thanks to the lack of quality time between them. But learning to adjust had become the motto.

Many nights, when Jed was grading papers and Abbey was working late, Lizzie would lock herself in her room, independently preparing to dazzle an audience filled with parents, friends, and relatives. Because of her outgoing personality and natural talent, she was given a starring role in her ballet school's production to the music from Peter Tchaikovsky's Children's Album. For weeks, she rehearsed for the recital in private, allowing only one person a sneak peek - her biggest fan, Ellie.

- - -

Moments before the show began on Friday night, she ran her fingers over the edge of the curtains to catch a quick glimpse at her parents. But what she saw instead broke her heart into a million pieces. Ellie sat on Jed's lap, playfully jerking on her grandmother's hair as her grandfather browsed the program book. Next to him was an empty seat, presumably one saved for her mother.

Her head hung low, disappointment visible in her body language as she turned from the stage. Suddenly, her sadness was washed away by an overwhelming feeling joy when she realized a familiar face was quickly approaching.

"MOMMY!"

"Hey, Baby Doll." Abbey took a second to take in the sight in front of her. Never had she seen Liz looking so mature and so confident. "You look so beautiful. I told you you already are a queen."

"Thank you," she replied sweetly.

"You're missing something though."

"Wha..." Lizzie wrinkled her brows as she stared down at her crimson-colored tutu, pink stockings, and ballet slippers.

She looked back up when Abbey handed her a black velvet box. Opening the top, she took out a small silver bun barrette sculpted in the shape of a crown.

"Turn around and I'll put it in your hair."

Barely containing her gratitude, Lizzie hopped slightly as Abbey twirled the clip into her chestnut tresses. "I love it!"

"Are you nervous?" she asked, turning her back around to face her as she dusted the lint off her spaghetti straps.

"No," Lizzie answered initially. "A little," she added then.

"Don't be. You've got a good luck charm now."

"Are you gonna clap for me?"

"Louder than anyone else. And afterwards, we're all going out for ice cream."

"Can we have ice cream now and skip the show?"

"I don't think so," Abbey responded with a chuckle. "Good luck."

"You're supposed to say break a leg."

"Knowing you, you'll pick that very moment to take it literally and actually listen to me for once. So let's just stick with good luck."

Abbey blew her a kiss just before disappearing behind the set. With a smile, Lizzie brushed her fingers over the barrette once more. This one was a special gift, not bought because she was late or because she wanted her daughter's forgiveness. This one was bought simply because her mother loved her.

It was a good luck charm in the truest sense of the phrase. It went a long way in bridging the gap between Abbey and Elizabeth.

TBC