Chapter 5
Jed was lifted off the stretcher and placed on the bed.
Abbey stepped forward and pulled the covers around him. She was grateful he was finally sleeping. And without tears. He would need his strength for what lay ahead.
Stroking his hair back, Abbey took Jed's hand in hers. "You'll do fine. No matter what we'll face this together." She leaned over and kissed his forehead. "I love you Jed."
She crawled up in the bed, snuggling next to her sleeping husband. 'To hell with hospital rules' were her last thoughts as she quickly fell asleep herself.
Time passed while the First Couple finally slept, undisturbed by tears and fears.
Knock!
Abbey woke, realizing that someone was entering the room. Dr. Hasbert walked in accompanied by the neurologist.
Quickly standing back on the floor, she shook Jed's shoulders, rousing him out of his slumber. "Hon, the doctors are here with the results of your tests."
Slowly opening his eyes, he saw the two doctors come over to the edge of the bed. He then realized that Abbey was holding his hand as she gave him a quick squeeze.
Trying to gather strength for the anticipated diagnosis, he asked, "What did you find?"
"Mr. President, this is Dr. Benson, he's head of Neurology here and I asked him to join me on the case."
"Yes, how are you Dr. Benson? What did you find?"
Abbey squeezed Jed's hand one more time.
"Sir, I think we have isolated the problem. It's not a relapse of your Multiple Sclerosis as feared. The MRI was negative for any additional plaques so I am confident to say your collapse earlier is not MS related."
"Oh thank God!" The words escaped from Abbey's mouth without thinking.
Abbey turned to see Jed's reaction and was almost blinded by his smile. "Abbey, it's not, it not…."
"No Jed. It's not." Neither could say the 'word' that they both feared the most. But now they wouldn't have to. Not yet anyway.
Abbey squeezed Jed's hand one more time. "Then what is it?"
"A pinched nerve in your back is what we believe is causing the problem."
"A pinched nerve? That's all?" Abbey's was incredulous. "But, I mean he couldn't feel his legs."
"Yes, ma'am. It is a severe pinched nerve but with bed rest and appropriate physical therapy the President should be able to resume his normal activities in a few weeks."
"But why wasn't he in pain? A pinched nerve usually creates a lot of pain."
"Yes, ma'am. Usually it does. But with the stress the President has had over this past few weeks, his adrenaline blocked the pain. And apparently it didn't get critical until last night."
Turning back to Jed, she leaned down and planted a kiss on his lips.
Tears, pent up for so long began to flow down her face. He would be okay. In time, he would get strong again. She would see to that. They could leave Washington in one piece. He could return to Manchester the same way he left eight long years ago.
Walking tall.
Walking proud.
But most importantly, walking.
THE END
