Chapter 3: long time no see

Sam's POV:

I'm back with my family at least that's what it feels like. I have missed them so much. Josh and Donna are standing together arm in arm grinning, did I miss something?

"How are you doing?" I direct the question towards all three of them.

Abbey smiles and says in her cheerful way, "oh well Sam you know, life goes on, Jed's in the office, but he'll be so happy to see you. Excuse me," she turns.

"Ma'am," I nod politely. "So you two slipped away for the day?"

I am so happy to see them, Josh grins, "Someone we managed to convince the Congressmen that it was necessary." "

I believe it was I who suggested that we accept the invitation because it would look good." I can tell from Donna's response she's growing into her new role.

"Is the Congressman here?" I'd like to meet him.

Josh nods, "He's coming with Helen, they'll be here in about fifteen minutes, and he had to meet with Leo about something." I don't pry, today is not the day for politics. However as I look around I begin to recognize people, "Wow."

"I know, they went all out," Josh said.

"Spanky!" I freeze, oh my, this is going to be fun.

I turn and see CJ walking towards me, goodness that woman is stunning.

She embraces me, "it's so good to see you again Sam. We've missed you here stirring up trouble."

"I've missed you too CJ," I can feel the grin threatening to explode off my face.

"Let's get some seats," Donna suggests.

As we head over to some empty ones in the front I lower my voice and ask CJ, "Have you heard from Toby?" Her face tightens, "Josh had a bit of a conversation with him a while ago, but other than that no we haven't. We're not allowed to until the investigation is finished." I nod feeling sad that I've lost touch with him. Will arrives with a blonde haired woman, wow, she's beautiful. "Sam," CJ whispers warningly.

Right right, "Sam Seaborne," I extend my hand.

"Kate Harper," she smiles.

"Will," he shakes my hand. "It's good to see you Sam," he looks pretty good. Who else haven't I seen, oh Zoey, Liz, and Leo.

"Hey kid," speak of the devil, no one could mistake him for anyone else. I turn around and embrace the man I always thought of as my dad.

"Hey Leo, you're looking well." Josh had called me after his heart attack and I'd kept in touch with Josh about his health ever since. It was a relief to see him looking so happy. "Josh?" The ever growing group turns to see Liz, her family, and Zoey making their way towards us. Zoey gets more sophisticated every time I see her. Goodness. She embraces all of us, I love weddings, and this is why people marry. We grouped in two rows and continued our yakking.

Jed's POV:

Well the troops won't make a move for another hour that gives me just time to marry my daughter, and make it through the receiving line before I have to go head off world war III. I make my way towards the door. Just then it opens and there's my wife.

"Abbey," I smile tiredly at her.

"Are you okay?" She always did get straight to the point.

"Things are dicey," I can't explain more.

She nods understandingly, "everyone seems to be here, the Congressman and his wife just arrived, Sam is here, and the girls are all dressed up and ready."

My whole family, my extended family too, they are all here. "Toby," it comes out before I realize it.

Abbey's eyes study me, "Jed?" I know she is worried about my health, I think I'm ok.

Abbey's POV:

Ever since Zoey's kidnapping he's been hiding a little from me, granted things are back to normal, but every now and then I sense he isn't open with me.

"Damn it Jed," the words spill out and his head jerks up. "Answer me!"

"Abbey," his voice cracks. I put my arms around my husband wishing I could ease his pain. His life is spinning right now, and he's only one man, he's human.

"Jed, it's okay, it'll be ok, I'm here," I know these words will sink it eventually. How does he do this? How does he marry off his daughter, an emotional thing for any father, prevent a war and pretend that he's ok. He's not, this thing with Toby; well we've never talked about it. It was over, done and yesterday's news very quickly. That was the point for the rest of the world, but not for me. I wanted to hear Jed regret, hear him bemoan the loss of his friend, but there was nothing but silence. Until now he hasn't talked to me. I can feel his pain; I know the betrayal is there, but mostly not having his friend anymore. "Jed, we need to go, can you do this?" He straightens up and I wipe the tears from his eyes desperately trying to convey with mine that things will be okay, I won't let him down. He plants a gentle kiss on my forehead and puts on his jacket.

"Let's go," he makes his way to Ellie's room and I make my way towards the tent where all of our loved ones and a few hundred more have gathered.

Ellie's POV:

I'm standing here waiting, eight minutes, I know people have gathered, they're not milling around anymore. I've heard that Sam is here, that's good. However Toby is not and I guess that's to be expected. There's no way he could come and I'm sure my father wishes never to lay eyes on him again. Just then the door opens and my dad is standing there. His eyes are slightly red and damp and I can't tell why.

"Daddy?" I never call him that, I can see the guilt in his eyes.

"Are you ready beautiful?" "What happened?" he has to tell me. But he doesn't, he remains silent. My eyes plead with him, but I receive nothing.

"Eleanor, you know some things can't be talked about."

"Russia and China," that's all I respond.

"There are some difficulties, but I'm sure we'll work it out," he doesn't say anything else. "Are they going to war?" I'm asking the leader of the free world.

"Not while I have a breath left in my body," my dad sounds determined and tired.

I let it rest, "have you heard anything from Toby?"

He doesn't answer that either, instead he holds out his arm and I take it. Some things I guess are just better left alone.