Chapter 31

Sentencing day finally arrived.

Abbey got out of bed to a quiet house. She had asked Zoey to stay in town with Liz and meet her at the courthouse this morning. The last thing her daughters needed to see was their mother's fear about the day's outcome.

"What does one wear going to prison?" Abbey cynically asked herself. She searched through her closet and finally put on a red pantsuit. She might be going to prison, but she was still a proud woman and would dress accordingly. The only concession she made was to slip on flats.

Looking one more time at her bedroom, hers and Jed's bedroom, she made her way slowly down the stairs. She walked around the house one last time. It would be closed until she returned or one of the girls wanted to live in it. As she walked, she touched family portraits and the hundreds of mementos that she and Jed had gathered over a lifetime. A lifetime that was now going in a completely, unexpected direction.

Automatically reaching for her purse, she started toward the door, like thousands of times before. As she placed her hand on the knob, the realization came that, in prison, a purse was not needed. And the contents of a purse was irrelevant. With a small laugh, she placed her purse on the chest by the door and turned to exit. With no further look back, she closed the farmhouse door for the last time and went down the steps, toward the waiting Suburban.

Toward a different life. Toward the unknown.

As Abbey and Pat made their way up the courthouse steps, the press continued to yell out questions.

"Will you wear designer prison clothes?"

"Is orange your favorite color?"

"Greed got you here."

"You murdered a great man."

Abbey held her head high and faced forward.

Pat lightly took Abbey's hand and squeezed it. "Ignore those jackasses, Abbey. Ignore them. They're just looking for a picture."

Abbey nodded and kept walking. Walking to her final judgment.

The cameras were still present and capturing every action in the courtroom. The gallery was packed again with press and a few spectators. Liz and Zoey sat in their usual place behind the defense table, with Millie and Robert by their side.

CJ had also arrived to assist in any manner she could. She had talked to the President's former staff members about the verdict and they had been as shocked as CJ. They all knew the deep, abiding love Abbey had for Jed and to think that she had 'murdered' her husband for any reason was beyond anybody's comprehension.

Whatever the sentence, all knew Abbey would serve some time in prison. Pat had talked to the family a few days ago and warned them it probably would be the minimum of ten years because of Abbey's clean record and her outstanding public service. Liz and Zoey were very upset at the thought of their mom going to prison, but there would be no bail while Pat was appealing the conviction.

They hoped that the judge would be lenient. But only the judge knew what he was going to do. All was quiet as he entered the room and took his place on the bench.

"Mrs. Bartlet, do you wish to speak prior to me pronouncing sentence?"

"Yes your Honor."

Abbey stood and faced the judge. She placed her shaking hands on the table, hoping the firm surface would help to calm her.

"I loved my husband and still do. There is no way I would intentionally set out to murder him. He was in horrible pain and now he's at peace. May God forgive me for what I have done."

"Very well." Judge Adams cleared his throat and looked directly at the former First Lady of the United States.

"Abigail Bartlet, you've been convicted of second degree murder in the death of your husband. Professionally, I have no leniency in the sentence I am about to impose. Personally, I agree with what you did and would only hope someone would do the same for me. Abigail Bartlet, I sentence you to ten years without parole in the New Hampshire State Prison for Women. You will serve the complete sentence in custody. Court adjourned."

Judge Adams gaveled the session to an end and left the courtroom.

Abbey remained standing, still in shock.

'What did the judge just say? Ten years in prison?'

That was not totally registering in her brain.

"Abbey, are you okay?" Finally Pat's voice came through her mental confusion.

"I don't, don't know. Did I hear the judge correctly?"

"Yes, Abbey you did. Ten years without parole."

Concerned over her client's pale skin and trembling body, Pat continued, "Abbey, maybe you had better sit down. You're not well, and this is a shock to your system."

Before Abbey could sit, the court officer came over with handcuffs.

"Ma'am, please turn around and place your hands behind your back."

Pat was livid. "Can't you do this in a less public place? Please, not in front of the cameras."

"I'm sorry. It's the rules."

"I want to say goodbye to my children."

"No ma'am. Rules prevent any contact between a convicted defendant and anyone else."

Turning to her attorney, Abbey pleaded her case. "Pat? I just want to say goodbye."

"You can't Abbey. It's the rules."

The court officer shifted her feet. "Ma'am, turn around now or I will be forced to call the other deputies for assistance."

Looking at the woman, Abbey knew her time was up. Reluctantly, Abbey did as she was told. The cold metal snapped across her wrists and the metal clink locked her future. The deputy took her arm and turned her toward the door which led to the jail.

Abbey turned her head back and quickly took one last look at her family. Liz and Zoey stood looking at her, tears running down their cheeks. Millie and Robert held them tight. By the time she reached the door, the last vision of her current life stood gathered in a small group, watching her.

The whole world watched as well. The whole world saw just how far the former First Lady had fallen.

Now Abbey would have to suffer the consequences. A new life awaited her behind the closed doors.

THE END

Sequel: "Fallen"