Chapter 14
She rested a minute, leaning against the cool, tile wall while she gathered her strength. She couldn't afford to fall apart quite yet. Drying her tears, Abbey returned to the family room, where she informed the rest of them how Jed was. Now they waited again.
By two am everybody was falling asleep where they sat. Abbey and Leo persuaded the two girls to go back to the White House to rest. Then they each lay down on the sofas and tried to get some rest.
Abbey's sleep was restless. She kept hearing Jed call to her, but she couldn't see him.
Finally about five, Abbey got up to check. Leo was still asleep so she quietly left the room and made her way down the hall.
Nodding to the agent posted outside the door, she entered the ICU, and went over to the cubicle where Jed's bed was. However, he was not alone. Dr. Martin and two nurses were by his bed, attempting to do something with his dressing.
"Is there something wrong?"
The professionals turned with surprise. They looked at Abbey and then continued to do whatever they were doing. Finally Abbey realized that the dressing was saturated with blood.
"He's hemorrhaging," her voice just a whisper from the shock.
"Yes, ma'am. I was just coming to tell you that we have to take him back to surgery. We need to find the source of this blood and get it stopped."
Immediately, Jed's bed was wheeled out of his cubicle and out the door, Ron right behind him.
Abbey didn't have any time to say goodbye. She stood frozen in place until Dr. Martin gently took her elbow and guided her back to the family room. "If you will excuse me…"
Abbey remained there until the door opened and Leo almost walked into her.
"Abbey, what's wrong?" One look into her eyes, and he knew it wasn't good.
"He's dying, Leo. He's dying."