Chapter 12
After resting for two days, Abbey was going stir crazy. The holidays were coming and nothing had been done. Shopping, wrapping, cooking, decorating. Everything hit at once.
Thanks goodness for her parents. They arrived on December 20th and planned to stay until after the first of the year. The only problem was her father. As an obstetrician himself, he wanted to hover over Abbey and know every little thing that was going on. Finally, they came to an understanding.
"Dad, I'm okay. I haven't had any problems since the wreck. I'm just tired."
"But I worry."
Abbey smiled. "Dad, Jed worries enough for all of us. I'm really fine. But I'll make you a promise."
"What?"
"If you'll quit worrying so much, I'll promise that I'll let you know if I have any problems. Deal?"
"Deal. Promise, cross your heart?"
"Yes Dad. Cross my heart." Abbey leaned over and gave her father a kiss. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you too, Abigail."
Abbey understood where he was coming from. Both Jed's mother and her parents had missed all of her first pregnancy so this one was very special to them. Abbey was just grateful for the help.
Between the Christmas preparations, taking care of Lizzie, her expanding abdomen, and dragging the cast around, exhaustion was a constant companion. By Christmas Eve, she was having stronger Braxton Hicks contractions than she had had with Liz.
'I don't have time for this right now,' Abbey thought. She had to keep going or else Jed wouldn't believe her when she told him she was fine. Flopping into bed each night and instantly falling asleep did little to ease her husband's constant worry that she was working too hard. It was just so much harder having a child to care for while pregnant.
Christmas Eve found the family at midnight mass. Afterwards, Jed carried a sleeping Liz up to her room and gently laid his daughter down. Pulling up the covers, he leaned down and gave her a goodnight kiss.
"Sleep tight, sweet Liz. Mommy and Daddy love you very much."
He left the room quietly and pulled the door almost shut. He then turned to go to his bedroom, to share a quiet moment with Abbey, like they always did on Christmas Eve after Mass. But this night found Abbey already sound asleep, with one hand unconsciously placed over her expanding abdomen.
After changing clothes, he too crawled into bed. He leaned over and kissed their child. "Daddy and Mommy love you too, Baby Bartlet." His eyes then traveled up to his wife's face. Quiet. Calm. Sweet. If ever an angel was on earth, then Abigail Anne Bartlet was one. And he had her. He gently kissed her lips. "I love you so much Abigail. And I'm so glad you're here to share my life. Merry Christmas."
He then slid down under the covers and spread his arm to encompass all that was his world. He slept deeply, knowing that his world tonight, especially tonight, was peaceful and bright.