Chapter 10
The first thing was to pull Dr. Hackett aside. "Did you tell Jed's doctor about his problem?" She didn't want to say the words in case others overheard.
"Yes, ma'am. Dr. Martin has been told about everything. They'll take the precautions they need to."
"Thanks. Jed can't face this major surgery without those precautions."
"Ma'am?"
Abbey turned. "Yes?"
"I have the President's wedding ring."
Abbey looked down at the gold band Hackett was handing to her. It had never been off his finger as far as she knew. Holding it in her hand made her finally realize this was not somebody else's surgery, a surgery she could disassociate from. It was family. It was her husband. It was her soul mate in that operating room.
"Thanks." She tried to keep her voice calm, even though she was shaking inside.
"One more thing."
Abbey looked at the Chief White House physician, trying to push back the tears that threatened to fall. "Yes?"
"He asked Ron to tell you that he loves you."
With those words Abbey's knees weakened and if Hackett hadn't reached out for her, she would have ended up on the floor.
But reality finally stepped in. She had to stay strong. She had to be strong for everyone else.
Squaring her shoulders, she regained her balance and headed down the hall. She was the only thing she had control over at the moment. The rest had to be left to the trained staff and a Higher Power.
Abbey returned to the seventh floor to find a tearful Zoey. "Mom, is Dad okay?"
"Honey, he's gone to surgery. During the cath, they found five places in the heart vessels that were closed off and they decided surgery was the best option. It'll be hours before we know the outcome."
"Mom, I'm scared."
Hugging Zoey, Abbey knew that feeling. "Yes, hon. Now I have to call your sisters. Why don't you go over there and find something to eat? It's going to be a long night."
After calling Ellie and Liz, Abbey called the White House.
"Leo, have you been brought up to date?"
"Yeah. Is it as serious as I think?"
"Yes. That many vessels blocked and his fresh heart attack will not make the surgery any easier. The doctors have their work cut out for them."
"Do you want me there?"
"Leo, I really do. The girls lean on me, but I need support right now. Do you mind?"
"Not at all. I have to get the Vice-President sworn in but I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Thanks."
Within an hour Ellie had come down from Baltimore, but Liz couldn't get there until tomorrow. Abbey promised her that she would keep her informed about her father.
Leo had arrived and was sitting next to Abbey. She was holding his hands while she was in deep thought about what was happening in surgery. She knew how serious it was and how dangerous it could be for him. A recent heart attack and then extensive surgery on top of that. She knew if Jed made it, his recovery would take a long time. Then add in his multiple sclerosis on top of that and the odds were not in his favor.
Leo saw Abbey tear up. He squeezed her hands. "He'll be okay, Abbey. He just has to be."
Abbey looked into Leo's eyes and knew then that she had to come clean with him. She had to tell him about the secret that she and Jed had kept hidden for at least the past seven years. Jed's best friend and Chief of Staff had to be told the truth.
"Girls, why don't you go get some air? I'll stay here with Leo in case there's some news."
Reluctantly, the girls agreed. Abbey was relieved. Maybe privacy would make this revelation a little easier for Leo to take. But she doubted it. It would be a shock, no matter how it was delivered.