Chapter 2: One hour

I have one hour, then I will be married. My dad has just left to attend to world affairs. I refuse to even worry, but something big is going on and I'm nervous about that. He looks so tired; thankfully he only has a little time left before he can retire. I remember growing up how hard he worked for causes he believed in, he still does, but now things are more about maintaining some makings of world peace, keeping everyone else happy and getting through the next months. Sometimes I wish he had never ended up in the White House. Actually while I was in med school I often wished that. I stayed away from the family and missed seeing my sisters, but I couldn't stand the thought that my father was the leader of the free world and I felt like a disappointment to him.

I still remember when I was young how my mother would be the one to offset my father's comments. She's here too, helping with last minute preparations. I'm having a White House wedding, my father is lapping it up. I still feel so much better though.

This dress really is beautiful. It is so gaudy, not Ellie Bartlet at all. I like it not being me though, I like feeling different. I examine myself in the mirror. My dad said I looked like an angel, do I really? Am I ready for this life; am I truly ready to be a mom? I mean come on, this is me, Ellie, I'm a doctor, I'm a new bride, what have I gotten myself into? Oh, I hate these thoughts, they're silly. Just then there's another knock on the door. "Come in," I turn.

CJ walks into the room with a smile on her face, "oh don't you look gorgeous."

I've stopped being angry at her for sticking us with Will. He's an okay guy and she clearly had a serious problem on her hands, speaking of which.

"CJ is my dad okay?" I don't need to know details, but will he still be able to give me away.

She smiles, "he'll be back soon, there's a minor thing with China and Russia, your dad is handling some talks."

I turn back towards the mirror forcing the smile to stay where it is. My father is handling some talks between two major powers? That does not help the nerves.

"Sweetie, he'll be back very soon," her voice is reassuring, but for my entire life things of world importance have haunted our relationship. No, the choices that came with this territory have haunted us. I guess there really isn't much difference.

Just then my mom comes bounding in and stops with a huge smile on her face, "oh honey, you do take my breath away."

I manage a smile at her and she eyes me, "has your father been by?"

I nod, "we had a good talk."

"Good," she looks satisfied, "well everything is all set, and it's beautiful."

I turn back to the mirror, "CJ can I talk to you," my mom's tone isn't lost on me; she's my mother after all.

They take their leave smiling as they go but of course there's something they aren't telling me. I suppose that's for my own good, but right now it doesn't seem like it.

Just then mom waltzes back in, "are you all set?"

She looks excited.

"What makes a good marriage; I mean how did you and dad stay together for so long?" The look on her face is one of surprise and then understanding. She sits down on the bed and I stand watching her. "Eleanor, every marriage has its rough spots. You know that." I study her, "but you and dad still love each other, you're still happy."

I'm pleased to see her smile grow as she fondly remembers, "yes Ellie, your dad and I are all of those things." I wait patiently.

"We're soul mates. That isn't explaining much to you. I suppose you could say that we connect on a level deeper than with any other person. I can tell when your father is angry at someone or something by the way he looks at me, or by the way he ties his tie. He can tell when something has hurt me, or when I disapprove of something he does just seeing how I carry myself. We both have strong morals, and we're stubborn, but we've learned how to give." She looks up at me, "does that make sense to you?"

I nod feeling I'm like I'm back in my childhood getting a life lesson.

"I have to go check on the food; we're down to about forty five minutes."

"Mom, will you check on dad, something's going on."

A shadow passes briefly over her face, "it's under control, and you are not to worry." "Mom," I know I'm pleading with her.

"Ellie," she pauses, "I'll be so glad when we're out of the White House," she turns and walks out leaving me to wonder what is going on.

Abbey's POV:
Damn Jed, I love the jackass, but this is too much. First Ellie agrees to a White House wedding, then she agrees to all Jed's guests, a new dress, particular food, and now his job once again is messing with her head. I know my middle daughter very well. I certainly know her better than she thinks I do. This is eating at her, this responsibility, having her father as the president. It's been eating at me for eight years, I'm so proud of him, but I can't wait until this is over. I'm going to have my way with our lives after this and we're leaving Washington and politics. We're going back to the farm. I know Jed is sorry for what this job has done to his family, but I also know that a large part of him thrives on the challenge presented, but he's feeling old. I'm growing older ten times faster watching him struggle to keep it together. I am powerless to stop this; only at the end of his presidency will the slow decay of Jed Bartlet slow. Am I selfish to want more time with him? I don't know how long I have, no one does. He's still healthy, but the last attack scared me, I thought then (again) that it was truer than ever that I would lose him. He's here, still kicking, but I think he knows that he is starting to struggle with weight of the world. I chuckle at my own pathetic humor as I make my way to the food tent. "Mrs. Bartlet," I turn laughing to myself as the famous Josh and Donna walk towards me. Donna is stunning, she's dressed in an elegant knee-length dress, it's a tasteful blue that's both cheerful and yet tame. Her hair is in waves and pulled back just from her face, her make up is flawless and she's beaming. Maybe that's because she's on the arm of Josh who is beaming as well. He cleans up pretty nicely. Neither one of them are in the wedding, they will probably be in Zoey's because she was always closer to them than Ellie was. However Ellie wanted them here and they were able to slip away for the day. "Josh, Donna, it's wonderful to see you," I embrace them.

"Toby asked us to pass on his congratulations." Josh shifts awkwardly.

Of course Toby, another tragedy and an unexplained one at that.

"Thank you Josh, tell Ellie after," I don't want to weigh her mind down with more. He understands.

"JOSH!" We turn as Sam comes dashing through the tent almost colliding with the tray of expensive food, my heart skips a beat. He throws his arms around Josh, and for a split moment, things are exactly as they should be.