Washington, D.C.
"I'm thinking roses, Leo. What about you?" Jed asked.
The President was pacing back and forth in the Oval Office, trying to decide what to send to his wife. In two days, he would be traveling to London to win her back. He had a plan, and was certain that nothing was going to hold him back. But prior to his trip in England, he wanted to send her something as a sort preamble for his arrival. A hint that he would soon be coming to sweep her off her feet.
"I don't know. They're classic, but also cliché," Leo replied.
"You're right. But they're romantic. The ultimate symbol of romance."
"Maybe send her roses along with something else."
"Yes! Candy?"
Leo grimaced and shook his head.
"You want to send a doctor some sugar? That's like sending a dentist a pack of bubble gum."
"Right. Well, what then?"
"Send her a gift. A book, maybe."
"A book?" Jed asked, in disbelief. "See, this is why you're divorced"
"Jewelry then?"
"Jewelry! Capitol idea! As they say in England."
He grinned. Leo rolled his eyes in return.
"Diamonds or pearls?"
"On Abbey?"
"Yeah," Jed replied.
"Hmm. Well, didn't you get her pearls for Zoey's graduation?"
"Right. I guess diamonds it is."
"Mr. President, actually, I think maybe you might want to hold off on the jewelry. You don't want thousands of dollars to be your preamble. Save the jewelry to give to her yourself when you get to London. For now, send her the roses and maybe just…write her a letter?" Leo suggested.
"A love letter. Yes. She likes it when I use words."
"As does the rest of the country."
London, England
"I don't know what to wear!" Zoey shouted, loud enough so that her voice carried into her mother's connecting suite.
"Oh, Zoey, just put something on!"
"Well, what are you wearing?"
"I'm wearing the dark blue dress from Harrod's," Abbey replied.
"The one with the low neckline?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"Lord John's going to jump you, Mom," Zoey said.
Abbey laughed.
"That'll be nothing new."
"You're such a tease," Zoey laughed.
"Actually, I should probably wear a shawl or something. God only knows what John will be tempted to do without your father standing beside me."
"I'm not sure I wanna stick around to see that."
"I'm not sure I do either," Abbey agreed.
"I think I'm gonna wear the purple strapless. What do you think?"
"Ooh, that one looks fantastic on you. Wear it."
"Okay!"
Zoey ran back into her room and closed the door. Abbey finished touching up her makeup, then walked over and sat down at the desk beside her bed. She picked up the phone, and dialed.
Washington, D.C.
Amy Gardner sat in her office in the East Wing, watching C.J.'s press conference on her T.V. The truth was, since the First Lady had left for Europe, she hadn't had much to do. She kept her staff organized, wrestled with the president's staff, and spent most of the time on the phone refusing invitations on Mrs. Bartlet's behalf. Abbey usually contacted her once a day, but there was never much to say. Amy informed her about the latest events in Washington, and Abbey spoke of the various museums and landmarks she and Zoey had visited that day. Compared to her first day working as FLOTUS CoS, this was absolutely snooze-worthy.
"Hey."
Josh Lyman appeared in the doorway of her office, startling her. She dropped her feet off of her desk and turned her swivel chair to face him.
"Hey, J."
"What are you…doing?"
"Watching C.J.'s press conference," Amy replied, matter-of-factly.
"Oh. You wanna go down to the Mess and get something to eat?"
Amy tried to keep herself from jumping at the offer. Finally, something to put an end to her boredom.
"Oh, um, I guess," Amy replied, blandly.
Amy stood up, then sat back down the moment she heard the phone ring
"Amy Gardner."
"Amy, it's me."
"Just one second, Mrs. Bartlet."
She covered the receiver with her hand and looked at Josh. Immediately catching her drift, he quickly faded from view.
"Sorry about that. How are you?"
"Fine, Amy, how are you?"
"I'm great, thank you."
"Anything new?" Abbey asked.
"Not…really."
"No?"
"It's been pretty…quiet around here lately."
"Even in the West Wing?"
"Yeah. They've been having some problems with the new speaker, but nothing they won't overcome."
"Haffley?" Abbey inquired.
"Yes, ma'am. Other than that, there hasn't been toom much. But I imagine things will pick up again soon," Amy replied. "How's London?"
"Wonderful. Listen, I just wanted to let you know, in case the word gets out, I'm going to a party tonight. It's being thrown by Lord John Marbury. You remember him?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"He's throwing it in our honor. I doubt there'll be many notable faces there, nothing to make a fuss about, but just in case, I wanted to make sure you were in the know."
"Okay. Anything else I should know?" Amy asked.
Abbey hesitated before answering.
"Uh…no. Nothing."
"All right. Well, I'll let you get to that party."
"Okay. Thanks, Amy."
"Thank you, ma'am."
With that, Amy hung up the phone, then leaned back in her chair and threw her legs on top of her desk again. She unmuted the T.V. and listened as C.J. continued to brief the press.
"Yes, the First Lady is safe and sound in London, enjoying herself. She and Zoey are spending some much-needed quality time together, and that's all I have to report. Now, as for Speaker Haffley's remark…"
C.J. voice faded as Amy's thoughts began to drift, wondering of Lord Marbury's party this evening was really going to be nothing to fuss about.