"Oh, I'm sure I can think of plenty more you could add to that list given the chance," Abbey said, one eyebrow raised.
"Please God, don't let her go on," Josh whispered, eyes closed.
"I think I'm gonna be sick," Ellie said.
"Hey, what did you think your mother and I did up here alone all the time?" Jed asked, amused.
"Anything but that!" Liz exclaimed.
"We like to pretend you read aloud or play chess," Zoey said.
"Nah, Leo's my chess buddy," the President replied.
They looked over at Leo, whose eyes were glued to the screen, his jaw hanging wide open, in shock.
"God, I'd love to see Jackie Kennedy talk like this!" Jay commented.
"Well, to tell you the truth, I probably shouldn't be talking like this either," Abbey admitted.
"Damn right!" Josh shouted.
"Josh," Leo said, again.
"Are you gonna be in trouble for this? Time out at the White House?"
"More or less," Abbey answered. "They'll just lock me in the Residence for the next six months with no food or water, until I look like Charles Manson."
"Well," Sam sighed. "The First Lady has officially succeeded in getting herself on the Mansons' hit list. We might want to double her detail."
"Who's the drama queen now?" Mallory said.
"You guys are worse than me and Amy," Josh said.
"In the words of Liz, can it, the both of ya," Jed hissed.
"So, let's talk about your husband's reelection campaign," Jay suggested.
"Yes! Please!" Sam exclaimed.
"God, please, just this once…" Josh said, looking up.
"All right. Ask away," Abbey encouraged.
"Now I know there was some controversary regarding the campaign and the President's health."
"Let me tell you something, Jay," Abbey said, crossing her legs casually. "I would physically hurt myself before I let my husband run for president again if I didn't think he was capable, despite the MS."
"Great, now the First Lady is self-destructive," Josh said, sighing.
"Shut up, Josh, she's finally saying something substantial. Don't talk over it!" Sam said.
"There is no doubt in my mind that he is more than capable of continuing his incredible run as president. As we told the press, my husband's type of MS is relapsing-remitting, which does not hinder him in any way from doing his job well."
"You're the doctor! Speaking of which. How are you doing? I mean, without your medical license."
"Ouch," CJ said, quietly.
"That's gotta hurt," Liz whispered.
"I'm going to assume that you meant no ill will with that last comment, Jay," Abbey said, laughing.
Jay suddenly looked flustered.
"No, no. Of course I didn't…"
"I believe you. But um, I've been doing all right. I'm kept plenty busy at the White House, you know. I don't just sit around in the Residence twiddling my thumbs all day. I'm in the Middle East, I'm in Argentina, I'm throwing big, fancy soirees, and I'm campaigning. Don't get me wrong. I'm a doctor without a license. It's not easy. Medicine has been my life for so long. And it still is. Nothing's changed, I haven't lost my passion. I'm just…taking a break," Abbey explained.
"Are you planning to practice again after your stay in the White House is over?"
"At the moment, yes. That's the plan. But things in my life are liable to change at the drop of a hat so…it could be a different story by then."
"Meanwhile, there's another doctor in the family, isn't there? Your daughter Ellie?" Jay questioned.
Zoey, Liz, and Mallory squealed excitedly at the mention of her name on national television and threw popcorn at Ellie, who laughed self-deprecatingly.
"Almost. She's finishing up med school."
"That's great. Congratulations."
"Congratulate Ellie," Abbey told him.
"Well, congratulations, Ellie!" Jay said into the camera.
Zoey, Mallory, and Liz screamed like starstruck teenagers. Everyone gave her a quick applause, a whistle and a hoot. Ellie blushed.
"We're very proud of her," Abbey said, then turned to the camera.
"I love you, sweetheart!" She blew Ellie a kiss.
Ellie blew a kiss back to the TV, which prompted a chorus of "Awww"'s from everyone else. Jed smiled with pride at the current of adoration passing between two of the most important people in his whole life.
"That was sweet," Mallory commented.
"Looks like Mrs. B hath redeemed herself," Sam added.
"It certainly looks that way," Leo agreed.
"Let's hope things continue like this," Toby said.