Chapter 14
As Dr. Wilson deflated and removed the President's ET tube, Jed coughed and gagged slightly as the tube was pulled. Abbey stood by the other side of the bed and stroked Jed's arm, giving him comfort during the uncomfortable procedure. "Easy, Jed. Just let them work. It'll be over in a minute."
Shortly, he was breathing on his own. His heart rate, having spiked during the procedure, returned to a more normal rate.
Dr. Wilson and the tech left the room, leaving Abbey truly alone with him for the first time in a couple of days. As Dr. Wilson had told Abbey earlier, the isolation precautions had been discontinued as Jed responded to the antiviral medication and the antibiotics cleared up his pneumonia.
Moving his hair out of the way, Abbey leaned down to kiss his forehead. She then placed a brief kiss on his lips. It felt so good to have the contact with him reestablished.
She sat down beside him and began to watch his struggle to regain consciousness. First, his legs moved back and forth across the sheets. Then his head started to turn from side to side.
"Come on, Jed. You can do it. You can wake up." She continued to stroke his arm, letting him know he wasn't alone.
She watched as he struggled to open his eyes, his eyes seemingly glued shut after being closed for so long.
Finally, his eyes opened, seeking the only person he wanted to see.
"Hi, Babe. About time you rejoined us." Abbey tried to smile through her tears.
Mouthing 'hello' Jed closed his eyes again. But this time it was only seconds before they opened again.
A weak smile crossed his face as he saw the hazel green eyes of his only love. "I love you," came out as a whisper.
"I love you too, Jed. You're getting better. Just rest right now. I'll be here when you wake up. I promise."
Jed just nodded and closed his eyes again, this time falling into a more normal sleep pattern.
Tears of relief now cascaded down Abbey's face.
Finally some good news. Finally, Jed would be okay.
As she watched her husband sleep, she gave thanks to God for pulling Jed through the toughest battle of his life. With the MS it was scary, but at least they both knew what to expect. But this flu was different. Nobody could tell with certainty what was going to happen. And that was the hardest part...allowing an unknown agent to invade his body and her powerless to make any difference.
Abbey sat by his side for a couple of hours before deciding to get something to eat.
Leaning over, she gave him another brief kiss and turned to leave. "I love you, Jed. I'm so glad you're getting better. I'll be back soon."
With her agents following her, she made her way back to the Presidential Suite.
After getting word that their father was conscious and improving, the girls had gone back to the Residence to take a shower and get some solid rest. But that was fine with Abbey. She didn't want anyone around right now. She had to release her tears in private.
She took a quick shower and ate a small sandwich.
Every bone in her body ached from fatigue and the hours spent sitting in a chair both inside and outside Jed's room. But the wait had been worth it. Jed would be okay. That was all she cared about.