Lord John Marbury came prancing towards them as they descended from the airplane. Abbey began laughing the moment she heard her name—only Lord John could say it that way. He walked towards her, arms wide open.
"You look…fantastic!" He shouted.
"Thank you! You're looking quite snazzy yourself there, John," Abbey replied.
"Why, thank you, love. You've done something to yourself. What is it? You certainly haven't gotten any taller. Though you may have gotten shorter…"
"It's the hair."
"You cut it."
"And colored it."
"Ah! So you did. Looks wonderful. Suits you."
"Jed hates it," Abbey said, turning to look at her thus far ignored husband.
"I don't hate it! I just..don't prefer it."
"Ah. Mr. President," John said, shaking his head.
"You're looking well, John."
"I should say so. And you're looking very…tired yourself."
"Thanks, John. Quite the charmer are you," Jed replied.
"You don't have to tell me twice. Right, Abigail?"
"There's a not a man on this earth more charming than you, John," Abbey replied, graciously.
"So I thought. Come now! To the limo."
Once they were settled on the limo, Abbey asked, "You didn't bring your fiancee with you, John?"
"No, no. She's quite tied up with last minute wedding preparations. She sends you her regards."
"Has she…mentioned us at all?" Jed questioned.
"Besides the initial shock when I told her the President of the United States would be attending, I don't think so, no."
"Hmm."
"Why do you ask?"
"Oh. No reason. Don't worry about it." Abbey smiled.
"As you wish. So. Staying at the Palace, are we?"
"Mmm, yes, Jed booked us a room there," Abbey replied, laughing.
"Did he? Excellent. Her Majesty must preparing for your arrival as we speak."
"Yes, I'm sure she's putting little chocolates on our pillows and getting us clean towels," Jed said.
"What an image," Abbey commented.
"Now. I would just like to go over the details with you quickly," John said.
"By all means."
"The ceremony will be held Saturday afternoon, at Westminster Abbey. The reception will be held at the Palace, in the garden. And Mr. President, I'd be honored if you would attend the bachelor party tomorrow evening."
"Bachelor party?"
"Well, what fun is getting married if you can't have a bachelor party first?" John asked.
"You have a point there. Will there be alcohol?"
"Naturally."
"Music?"
"But of course."
"Strippers?"
"Without question."
"I'm in!"
"Jed!" Abbey exclaimed.
"Fear not, fair Abigail, I'll keep my eye on him for you," John replied.
"Please John," Jed said, with a laugh. "The only person your eyes will be on is the stripper."
"I don't deny it."
"I'm not entirely comfortable with all of this."
"Don't worry, it's all in good taste, I assure you," John told her.
"Strippers are in good taste?"
"These aren't just any strippers, you see. They have class."
"Uh huh. Jed, I'm going to give Ron very strict instructions about this party. You get within three feet of that stripper and he's going to shoot her, understand?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Jed said.
"Good. Carry on."
After they arrived at Buckingham Palace, Lord John Marbury accompanied the President and First Lady of the United States to have afternoon tea with the Queen of England.
"Your Majesty, I cannot express my thanks enough for allowing us to stay with you here at the Palace," Abbey said.
"Oh, it's my pleasure, Abigail," the Queen replied, taking a sip from her tea cup.
Jed and Abbey watched with amusement as she raised her pinky finger while she drank.
"John, will the Prime Minister be attending the ceremony?" The Queen asked.
"I believe he will be, yes."
"That will be nice. My son tells me that he and Camilla will be attending as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What about your children, Mr. President?" The Queen questioned.
"Oh, they stayed behind this time."
"Pity. I was so looking forward to meeting them."
"The feeling is certainly mutual, Your Majesty. We did, however, bring along Leo McGarry's daughter, Mallory O'Brien. She's absolutely dying to meet you," Jed explained.
"Ah, Leo McGarry. How is he?"
"Doing well, Your Majesty. Thank you."
"Who is your new Chief of Staff?"
"Claudia Jean Cregg."
"Oh, yes. I met her last time, did I not?"
"You did, Your Majesty."
"Where's Patricia this afternoon, John?" The Queen asked.
Patricia. Jed and Abbey looked at each other. Patricia.
"Last minute preparations, of course. You know Patty," John replied, with a shrug.
"Yes, quite the little worry wart, that one."
"Indeed," Lord John agreed.
"How does she feel about becoming Lady Marbury on Saturday?" Queen Elizabeth asked.
"I would say she's feeling quite good about it," John said with a laugh.
"I should certainly think so."
"Why, Mr. President. You've turned awfully quiet," John stated.
"What? Oh, I'm sorry. Just thinking."
"I see. You too, Abigail. Quiet as a mouse."
"Uh…just thinking."
"If memory serves, neither of you were quite this quiet on your last visit," the Queen observed.
"They certainly were not, Your Majesty," Lord John agreed.
"I'm sorry…John, did you say Patricia?" Jed asked.
"Patricia? Yes. What of her?"
"She's your fiancee?" Abbey questioned.
"She is."
"Patricia Wendice?"
"Yes! What of her!"
"Nothing," Abbey replied, quickly.
"Mr. President?"
"Nothing."
"Hmm. Peculiar," Lord John mused.
"Peculiar indeed," Abbey whispered to herself.
