Chapter 14
CJ had traded the photo op at the airbase in Mexico for the privacy of the family at the service.
Liz was adamant that her life was private, and these deaths were to be private as well. This was a family with deep grief and she didn't want it shown around the world.
The Senior Staff attended in respect to the President and First Lady. Because the Bartlet and Weston family had many local friends, space was at a premium in the church. The First Lady was in a wheelchair sitting next to the pew with Liz and Annie. The President sat next to Annie with Zoey and Ellie completing the row.
"Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them."
With these words echoing from the mass, the family left for the cemetery. On the way, no one spoke. At the cemetery, Liz and Annie kissed both coffins and each placed a white rose on each coffin. It was at this point, Jed finally started to cry. He had been strong since the news came about Doug's death, but he had finally realized how devastating this would be to Liz, Annie, and the rest of the Bartlet family.
Liz wanted them to come by the house afterwards, but Jed knew that Abbey had reached her limits.
Before they pulled away from Liz's house, Jed asked Abbey, "Do you want to go to the farm, or go back to the White House?"
"Where are you going?"
"I have to get back to Washington, but you can stay at the farm. We can arrange for someone to help you and then you can be here for Liz."
There was really no choice for Abbey. "I want to be with you. Always."
Jed leaned over to Abbey and softly sealed that promise with a kiss. Their family had been shaken and they needed strength to carry on. And that strength could only come from each other.
Till death do they part.
THE END