A/N: It's been awhile since my last update. This chapter has sat partially finished for weeks. Finishing it was hard because of difficult things going on in my personal life. I do have the rest of the story outlined and I will try my best to post another update soon.
Thank you to everyone who has left me reviews and comments. I do see them and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. It means a lot.
If you haven't read it, there is a new short story called Terrorizing the White House.
Happy Reading!
Dallas, Texas
July 1998
Abbey and Jed walked into their hotel room just after midnight. Jed was severely tempted to just crawl into bed without getting undressed because he was that tired.
"I thought we would never get out of there," Abbey said, switching on the lamp by the bed.
"That makes two of us. I could have sworn we attended a dozen campaign events tonight."
"It was four," She said, sitting down beside him on the bed.
"It felt like more," He grumbled. "I wanted a smoke by the end."
"I'm proud of you for resisting the urge."
Abbey kissed him on the cheek, even though he made a face at the mention of not smoking. He had tried to kick the habit before and failed. Now he was trying to do it again at the worst possible time.
"Is it going to make a difference with what we're trying to do here?" He asked, looking into Abbey's eyes.
"Health is the name of the game, sweetheart. Cutting out smoking for you and keeping alcohol to a minimum for the both of us can only help."
"Cutting out smoking and drinking and marking dates on our calendars for sex isn't exactly what I meant by having fun, Abigail."
"We're not confined to dates on a calendar, Jed." She dropped a kiss on his neck. "Think of those as days for extra special fun."
"I'm up for fun now," Jed replied, gently tilting Abbey's chin up. His lips met hers in a fiery kiss.
"You said you were exhausted in the car," Abbey said, sounding breathless when they parted.
"Second wind," He smirked.
Abbey noticed the twinkle in her husband's eyes and laughed softly, "You're incorrigible."
"Tell me something I don't already know."
Abbey leaned in and kissed him again. Something Jed didn't know was how much he missed his wife. Even though they were together all night, this was the first time they were actually alone. Abbey felt the same way, having arrived from Boston that afternoon after working a 24-hour shift. Sex was normally the last thing on her mind after such a long and exhausting 36 hours. But during a campaign, they had to take these moments when they could get them.
Various pieces of clothing found their way to the bed and the floor. Soon, Jed and Abbey were focused only on each other and paid no mind to the sleep they needed. Jed got lost in the most sensitive parts of Abbey in the most sensitive parts of Abbey. His ministrations elicited moans of pleasure from her. Abbey quickly forgot about work and the campaign and focused on her husband's touch. They were so caught up in each other that neither of them heard the knock on the door, at first.
"Governor?" Josh called.
"Jesus," He muttered, pulling away from Abbey reluctantly. Jed kissed her inner thigh possessively. There was nothing he hated more than being interrupted at this moment.
"Jed, why did you stop?" Abbey asked, her voice approaching a whine.
"Sorry to disturb you," said Sam's voice. "We want to run something by you."
"Oh, for fuck's sake," she whispered.
"Let's give it a minute. They'll go away."
"Is he in there?" Came Toby's voice from the hallway.
"Just go. I swear this is worse than when our kids were little."
Abbey sat up and Jed could see the anger in her eyes mixed with disappointment.
"I'll be right back," He said, reluctantly, and got up, going to grab his pajama bottoms from the top of his suitcase. He put them on and then took his robe from the end of the bed and put it on.
Abbey didn't answer him. Instead, she watched her husband leave the room and wondered if they would ever have an ounce of privacy again. It went with the territory in high-level politics, and Abbey knew she should be used to it by now. But the knowledge was cold comfort as she sat on the bed naked. As she listened to Jed talk to Sam, Josh, and Toby, Abbey decided to put her robe on before disappearing into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
CJ turned the television on in her hotel room the next morning after getting a few hours of sleep. Even though it was her job to keep up on the news, she wasn't particularly looking forward to watching the coverage. CJ expected the news outlets and reporters to ask questions and for stories to come up. But she never expected a fight like this.
"… The latest issue of Scope Magazine, which hit newsstands today, features an interview with Dr. Steven Bennet. He asserts that he had a short affair with First Lady Abigail Bartlet, and it produced the first couple's fourth child, Felicity. The allegations of an affair come on the heels of months-long speculation that the Bartlet's' marriage is under strain. A statement issued by the First Lady's Chief of Staff Donatella Moss denies Dr. Bennet's claims:
"The First Lady is thankful for the support and good wishes of the nation as she recovers from surgery and the birth of her daughter. Any allegations of an affair or an improper relationship with Dr. Bennet are patently false. They operate on the assumption that the First Lady and the President are somehow unhappy in their marriage when that could not be further from the truth. Their only wish is to spend time with their family and new baby in peace."
Putting the TV on mute, CJ considered what she just listened to and thought the statement was a fairly good one. It wouldn't stop the questions or continued probing into this story. But it was a good start that pushed back against the narrative Scope Magazine was selling. She needed time to figure out what to do next. Her phone buzzed on the table next to the chair she sat in. CJ answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey CJ, it's Sam."
"Oh hi, Sam. What can I do for you? Do you have a question about the briefing?"
"No. Danny Concannon was just here. He said he tried to call you back, but you didn't answer."
"We didn't leave the farm until late last night. Did he have anything for me?"
"Yes, he did," Sam replied and then paused. "CJ, he gave me an entire list of dates and locations where Dr. Bartlet was spotted, going in and out of hotels. She used fake names, didn't always wear her wedding ring, and never stayed more than a night."
"I wasn't expecting something so thorough."
"I got the impression that Danny did a lot of work piecing this information together. "
"Which means it's only a matter of time until other reporters figure it out," CJ sighed, "The last thing I want to do is pry even further. Toby and I learned more than we have the right to know last night. It turns out that Alex is Jane Doe."
"Oh. That would explain why Dr. Bartlet didn't want the Harper Avery to begin with."
"Sam, if you get a question about anything related to it or to the procedure itself at the briefing, refer the reporter to the Harper Avery Foundation. Dr. Bartlet hasn't said anything about her involvement to Alex, and I don't think she plans to as long as her niece is under the care of a cardiologist."
"Understood. I'll hold the line until you come back."
"Thanks. I was hoping to be back by Monday. But I may have to set up a TV interview at the farm."
"The two-week moratorium isn't holding up very well, is it?"
"No. The President isn't thrilled about the idea of introducing Felicity early. He said he would talk it over with Dr. Bartlet, and that's all I can hope for. The more digging the press does, the more likely it is that some kind of private family issue ends up going public."
"If that happens, Mitchum Huntzberger is going to learn what happens when information involving a minor goes public."
"Given his track record with the nurse at the hospital, I doubt he gives a damn. But we'll see. Good luck at the briefing. Lean on Carol and the press aides if you need anything."
"I will. I don't envy the conversation you're going to have with Dr. Bartlet."
"That makes two of us."
Back at the house, Jed sat in his study talking to Leo. Donna just left to meet with CJ and Toby. They were supposed to be working on the next steps for the Scope story. But he encouraged them to take a break and enjoy breakfast together, if only for a couple of hours. This situation with the press showed no signs of slowing down. With the tour coming up and the regular business of the White House in constant motion, Jed knew he needed to pace his staff. Otherwise, his first-year staff turnover would be incredibly high.
"How bad is it, Leo?"
"Not as bad as you think. All the news networks have done is to add this guy into the analysis and speculation they've run through ever since your announcement to Congress."
"Except Abbey is in the middle, and that's what I want to change."
"CJ, Toby, and Donna are doing that. The statement Donna issued was very forceful."
"Yes, it was. Between the two of you, we'll get through this storm personally and politically," Jed said confidently and then sighed. "I knew once we announced the birth that it wouldn't be easy. But it was supposed to be about pictures and whether we're hiring a nanny or who we'll choose to be Felicity's godparents. Not this. Abbey is already going through hell without this asshole piling on."
"Is she having more complications from surgery?"
"No, thankfully. She's just taking it slow. The emotional part of her recovery is another story. Abbey broke down yesterday morning because she couldn't find the baby, and I took her on a walk. It was bad."
"It sounds like you need more than two weeks."
"We do. I want to take Abbey and Felicity somewhere private for a few days before we leave on the tour. No announcements. No press. It'll be the trade-off for having to do this interview or whatever CJ and Donna end up planning to introduce Felicity."
"I know you wanted more time."
"Yeah, we did. But Toby is right. The longer we wait to introduce Felicity, the more room we give the press to speculate about our daughter, and it has to end."
"The way you decide to go about it is completely up to you and Abbey. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. It's your family at the end of the day, and the press doesn't get to decide how it happens."
"Thanks, Leo. I'll keep that in mind."
Good. Let us steer the ship for a while. Go spend time with Abbey and the baby."
Not having to be told twice, Jed finished his call with Leo and went in search of his wife and daughter.
An unhappy silence hung in the air just down the hall in the kitchen. Sandra, Emily, and Alex were alone together eating breakfast.
"I'm going to take this up to Abbey," Emily said, indicating the breakfast tray on the counter.
Sandra looked up from the newspaper she was reading, the front of which featured a picture of Abbey walking across the lawn towards Marine One. The headline above it read, "First Lady Accused of Affair." Her lips were pressed in a thin line, and she looked angry. But her tone of voice didn't indicate she was mad.
"Fine," Sandra said simply. The one-word answer was loaded.
"I'll take it up," Alex offered, rising from the table before her mother had the chance to ask why she was picking at her breakfast. Seeing that headline took any desire to eat away.
"Give Abbey the tray and don't bother her about anything, understood? If she is asleep, just leave the tray by the bed."
Emily handed her daughter the tray, and Alex noticed the stern look on her mother's face. She knew better than to protest.
"Yes, mom."
Alex took the tray upstairs and felt thankful to get away. Emily was still mad that she was missing a day of school just to be here. She walked up the hallway quietly and through the partially open master bedroom door.
"Well, this is a nice surprise. Good morning, Alex," Abbey said, sitting up in bed.
"Good morning, Aunt Abbey."
Alex walked over to her side of the bed and placed the tray on Abbey's lap before kissing her on the cheek. Her gaze drifted to a sleeping Felicity beside Abbey and the sensor peeking out from under the blanket on the baby's foot. Concern flickered across her face, but she said nothing.
"Can I get you anything else?"
"I'd like to know what you're thinking."
"I'm not thinking about anything."
Jed entered the room and his eyes lit up, "What are the two of you plotting?" He asked with interest.
"Nothing," Alex replied, flashing him a quick smile as she came around the bed. "Enjoy your breakfast, Aunt Abbey."
"Arrêt, Alexandra. Qu'est-ce qui préoccupe votre esprit?"
Abbey and Jed watched Alex stop in her tracks and take a seat on the arm of the oversized chair by their bed. Her nose wrinkled slightly in distaste at being called by her full name in a tone that Emily used often.
"I may not speak French," Jed acknowledged, taking a seat on his side of the bed. "But I did hear something about being preoccupied. What's up?"
"There isn't anything wrong with Felicity's heart, is there?" Alex asked. She had an unmistakably pensive look in her eyes.
"No, sweetheart. Nothing is wrong with Felicity's heart. She is wearing that sensor because her doctors want to make sure nothing is going on," Abbey replied.
"The doctors don't know why Felicity was hospitalized," Jed added.
"It must be scary to not know."
"The feeling is similar to how I imagine your mother felt last night when you didn't tell her you changed your appointment." He clarified, giving her a pointed look.
"I know I probably should have gone—-"
"But you were scared that your cardiologist would say going to say you need another surgery," Abbey finished. "It's okay, Alex. "
Pushing back her cardiology appointment didn't surprise Abbey in the least. The odds that Alex needed another surgery grew more likely each year since the initial procedure was completed when she was little. A second surgery would address any functional problems that developed as Alex moved into adulthood. Those problems had yet to show up, and Abbey could only imagine how difficult it must be for Alex to live with. The trilling of a cell phone interrupted Alex's reply. She calmly reached into her pants pocket and silenced the phone. But not before a resigned expression crossed her face. Jed and Abbey exchanged glances.
"Who called you just now?" Jed asked curiously.
"No one," Alex said, a little too quickly.
"If that was Logan, I hope you're not avoiding him on our account," Abbey said, studying Alex closely.
Normally, Alex was a master of the poker face. Years of etiquette lessons and social engagements taught her to be polite and interested in other people's interests. Her feelings remained under wraps. But when it came to one Logan Huntzberger, Alex wasn't very good at hiding her feelings.
"It's better for all involved if we don't talk."
"Not that I'm sticking up for Logan," Jed began. "But he's not the one responsible for what his father chooses to publish. Don't be too hard on him."
"I know this isn't Logan's fault, Uncle Jed.
"You try because Logan is your friend," Abbey pointed out. "As difficult as this predicament is, Uncle Jed and I will figure it out. The last thing either of us wants is for you to throw away seven years of friendship because of someone else's actions."
"I suppose it is short-sighted," Alex admitted, getting to her feet. "I'll call Logan after breakfast."
"That's what I want to hear. If you happen to run into Charlie downstairs, ask him what kind of donuts he brought back from town."
"Maybe I will."
Alex left the room with her conscience a bit lighter and a little smile on her face. Felicity started to fuss in her cozy baby nest. Jed picked her up gingerly and held her close.
"It's okay, lovebug. Daddy's got you," He soothed and Felicity calmed down. "I forgot how simple things could be without boys involved. They complicate everything."
"True. I can't believe you defended Logan."
"I can't help but feel some solidarity with the boy, Abbey. I may not approve of his behavior as a general matter. But I have some idea of what it's like to fall in love with a Barrington woman, and I don't envy the gauntlet he'll be running."
Abbey gave him an amused smile as she speared a piece of egg with her fork, "I didn't make you work that hard, Jethro."
"Don't call me that," He groused.
"Whose baby are you holding again?"
Jed rubbed Felicity's back gently and kissed her head again. She snuggled into him, wanting to burrow into his chest. He picked up a blanket sitting on the end of the nest and covered her with it, feeling a surge of protectiveness.
"That's the million-dollar question everyone wants to know, Abigail."
Donna walked into a small function room on the ground floor of the Manchester Grand Hotel, where Toby and CJ were staying. The hotel staff set this room up for the President's staff to meet and eat their meals out of sight of the press. Toby and CJ were waiting for her at a table.
"Hey," CJ said as Donna took a seat. "How is the mood at the farm?"
"It was fairly quiet when I left. But Mrs. Barrington did ask me for a copy of Scope this morning. So, I'm sure there's going to be a family discussion at some point."
A waiter came with menus, and they went through the process of deciding what they wanted and ordering breakfast.
"I feel for Dr. Bartlet. This trip is supposed to give her and the President time to spend with their family, and now they have to explain this mess."
"I followed up with her about scheduling a TV interview, and she's not wild about the idea of having a television crew in the house. I'm not sure that Felicity would cooperate for a TV interview as it is."
"Felicity is a baby." Toby pointed out. "The only thing she has to do is look cute."
Their food arrived soon after, and they started eating before continuing their conversation.
"Says the man who hasn't dealt with Felicity when she cries," She replied with a raised eyebrow. "We have to be careful. Dr. Bartlet had a panic attack yesterday morning. I want to avoid doing anything to push her too hard or too fast."
"No one wants to do that, Donna. But the press is going to keep hammering on the President and Dr. Bartlet, especially when Dr. Bennet is making the rounds on TV. We can't keep issuing statements and hope this will blow over."
"Toby is right," CJ said. "It's not going to blow over. I just got a call from Sam and this has the potential to get worse. Sam met with Danny this morning. I called Danny last night to see if he could find out what made other reporters write about an affair. Sam sent me a list of dates and locations where Dr. Bartlet was seen checking in and out of hotels, sometimes without her wedding ring on."
Donna looked at Toby, "Is this why you mentioned the paternity test last night?"
Toby looked surprised, "You mean, did I suspect Dr. Bartlet was having an affair? Of course not. I wanted to shut down this ridiculous debate and move on."
"CJ, you said Dr. Bartlet talked to you about Felicity's conception," Donna said, looking at her colleague across the table. "What did she tell you?"
"She told me that she was as certain as she could be that it happened on election night. They didn't have very much time alone together before or after that. The dates Danny gave Sam run through the end of October."
"So, in other words, it's plausible that Dr. Bartlet could have cheated the President. You stood up in front of the White House Press Corps last week and chewed out a reporter for suggesting an affair," Toby said, looking over at CJ."
"She was being incredibly disrespectful, if you recall, Toby."
"That might be CJ. But how long do you think it's going to be until another member of the press starts digging into this? Then what?"
"We'll deal with it, Toby."
"We're past dealing with it! This is going to blow up and create a scandal we might never be able to get out from."
"Toby," Donna interjected. "The Bartlets have been married for over 30 years. I have a hard time believing that Dr. Bartlet would cheat on the President. They've waited almost twenty years to have Felicity."
"Wanting a child puts a lot of strain on a marriage, Donna. Add a Presidential campaign on top of it, and then tell me it's unbelievable. Dr. Bartlet could've had an affair with Steven Bennet, and the President has known about it for months. It would explain why he got so upset at the prospect of talking about Felicity's health and his family publicly."
"The President made it clear that his family is off-limits. That was the mandate during the campaign too," CJ pointed out, giving him a concerned look.
"What is that look for?"
CJ hesitated for a moment, "I think this might hit a little close to home for you with Andy," She said finally.
"With Andy?" He repeated and then saw Donna giving him a similar look.
Toby finalized his divorce with his wife, Congresswoman Andy Wyatt, a few months ago. Many factors played into their breakup. But one of the main drivers of it was their years-long journey to have children. He wanted to adopt at the end and Andy didn't. Toby realized then that both women were aware of this fact. Information traveled fast in Washington politics.
"You're right. We'll have to look into this and try to get ahead of it," Donna said. "But carefully. I don't want the President or Dr. Bartlet to think we're prying into their marriage, too."
The breakfast Jed hoped his senior staff would have started with emotions running high and three people operating on little sleep. But eventually, conversations did turn to topics outside of work. For an hour or so, CJ, Donna, and Toby were able to forget the complicated task ahead of them.
Chicago, IL
The American College of Surgeons Congress
Late October 1998
Abbey was shaking. The adrenaline dump her body was going through was the cause of it. She sat on the bed in her hotel room and tried to steady her breathing. Her heart hammered against her ribs and her mind raced as it tried to process what just happened. There was a part of her that couldn't believe it. The ringing of her cell phone brought Abbey out of her thoughts. She calmed herself, figuring that Jed was calling her to see how things were going. Picking up the phone, she pressed answer.
"Hello?"
"Hey Sweet Knees, how is the congress?" Jed asked over the line.
"It's going fine. I just came back up to my room to grab my notes before my presentation this afternoon," Abbey replied, hoping her voice didn't sound shaky. "What are you up to?"
Toby, Sam, and Josh want me to change something in my stump speech for an event later. I don't agree."
"Give yourself time to think about it and then make the decision."
"I suppose I should. Are you okay?" You sound breathless…"
"I'm fine, babe. I just decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator," Abbey said quickly.
"You know you're whipping me on this fitness challenge thing you talked me into."
Abbey laughed. But it was sharper than normal, "I wasn't aware we were keeping score."
"Just thought you should know," Jed said, and then paused. Something didn't seem right with Abbey. He could sense it even over the phone, Abbey, did something happen?"
"No, Jed. Nothing has happened. I promise," She said quickly. "But I have a panel I need to go to. I'll talk to you later. I love you, Jed."
"I love you, too," He said.
Abbey hung up before he could say anything else. The tears came on quick and fast, mingled with guilt. She wasn't sure where it came from. Maybe it had something to do with lying to Jed. But she couldn't tell him the truth, especially not now. No, Abbey would have to keep the secret to herself until enough time had passed for herself and Jed.
