Chapter 2

"Jed, what are you doing?"

They were in the kitchen finishing Abbey's first home cooked meal in months.

He turned toward Abbey with the phone in his hand. "It hasn't rung for four hours. I was just checking to see if there was a dial tone."

Abbey laughed. "You're not in Washington any more. I'm sure by this time Matt and Helen wish that phones had never been invented. Remember our first night, when the phone rang three times between two and five am?"

"Yeah. Leo interrupted our 'celebration' twice before I realized that I had to quit what we were doing to concentrate on affairs of state."

Abbey giggled. "Yeah. That night was the first of many nights that got interrupted. Do you think Leo ever caught on?"

"He was a smart man and many times it was quite obvious I was out of breath for some reason. And he knew I wasn't running a marathon at one am. But God bless him Abbey. Leo never said a word about it. He knew when we were having a 'barbeque' afternoon but he never said a word. Never asked me anything when I came back to the office. If any of the staff asked when I had disappeared to, he always came up with a valid excuse for my absence."

"Yeah. You had some loyal staff. But it's their time now. Time for them to choose another life. I know they'll do well. Just as you'll do well. You have the library to work on and I'm sure you probably got some speeches to make. Most ex-Presidents make more money the first two years out of office then they did total during their Presidency. In fact, if you didn't already have money before you were elected we might be in the poor house by now."

"Well, your spending on the gowns and suits and shoes was enough to drive me to the poorhouse. But I don't begrudge any of it Abbey. I always knew you were going to look great no matter what you were doing. Remember, I received the compliments about how great you looked. Even some men tried to tell me how great you looked. That is before I hit them in the mouth. Besides, the money you spent on the special garments made everything worthwhile. By the way, where are those special garments? Did you leave any behind for Helen?"

"OH PLEASE! Don't give me that picture." They both laughed. "They're on the way from Washington with the rest of our stuff. The truck will get here tomorrow. I have a few upstairs. That should tide you over for at least tonight."

Jed grinned at his wife, his groin already growing tight. "I don't think you'll need any of them tonight." He leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss.

"Only if you need for me to have them, Babe. I don't think I'll need them either but we'll see. Later my dear. Later. Now about your speeches…"

"Yeah, I've accepted ten speeches already over the next few months and they want to pay me over a hundred thousand dollars a pop. Sounds pretty good doesn't it?"

"Jed, you know that I have never wanted the money. Oh, it's nice. But that is not what's important to me." She leaned across the table and placed her hands on each side of his face, pulling him toward her. "You. You're what's important to me." She gave him a gentle kiss and leaned back, allowing her hands to drop gently away.

"Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

"Yes. I believe the last time was just about an hour ago."

"Okay. Then I'll tell you again. I love you Abbey and I'm so glad you've been by my side through this journey. A journey that would have been worthless without you."

"Oh Jed!" as tears formed in her eyes. "I love you too."

TBC