Chapter 13

It had been over a week since Jed had left Abbey behind. Frequent phone calls to Ellie and Zoey did nothing to relieve his anguish over the forced separation.

Her injuries were healing, but she was still in a coma. The doctors had all agreed that there was no treatment available. She would just have to come out of this coma on her own.

But today, they would finally be together. Her doctors had said she was able to fly so arrangements had been made to transfer her in an air ambulance to Bethesda's coma unit.

There she would receive excellent care and be closer to her loved ones. Especially her husband. If love could bring her out of her coma, then Jed's undying love would do so.

Jed was waiting when she was brought to her room at Bethesda. He immediately leaned over her and gave her a gentle kiss on her lips. Brushing her hair out of her eyes, he whispered to her, "You're home Abbey. Please wake up. I love you."

But there was no response.

Staying by her side until about 3 am with no response, he finally gave up and returned to the Residence to get some sleep.

Over the next week, he made time every evening to come out and visit her.

But still no response.

Specialists had been brought in but always with the same results. Nothing could be done to wake her up. She had to do it on her own.

It had been almost four weeks since the avalanche. No progress had been seen in the First Lady's neurological condition. She was still unresponsive to any stimulus.

Jed, Zoey and Ellie spent a lot of time by her bedside. Liz had been down twice but each time had to return to New Hampshire. The family were as frustrated as the doctors. Multiple MRIs had not shown any damage that would concern the doctors. It was just going to take time.

Jed had insisted that Abbey be surrounded by familiar items. He sent her pajamas over to the hospital so she would be dressed in familiar clothes. He had taped messages from him and the girls played so she would hear familiar voices even if nobody could be there. If abiding love would wake her, then Jed certainly made that effort.

But still no response.