"Mr. President, this might not be a good time to ask you this, but what about the State of the Union? Do we ask for a delay?"

Jed looked at his Chief of Staff. "How the hell do I know, Leo?"

CJ realized that the conversation that was coming might turn ugly and Zoey didn't need to hear it. "Come on, Zoey. I need some coffee. I bet you can help me find some."

Zoey also caught the look between the two men. "Sure, CJ. I bet we can find some in the cafeteria." The two women left the room, even knowing that there was coffee in the room they were in.

"Mr. President, the speech is in three days and if we need to delay, I need to request it from the Speaker. There is no harm in delaying. I'm sure the nation will understand. The news about the First Lady broke late last night and I'm sure it's all over the networks right now. So just tell me what you want and I'll do it."

Jed just stared at Leo and plopped in the nearest chair. He sat forward and dropped his head into his hands.

"Leo, I don't know what to do. She's just lying there. No response. No nothing. If she wasn't warm, I wouldn't know she was still alive."

"Sir, if I may offer a suggestion. Let's delay the speech for two weeks, And I will cancel everything but the critical items. I will send your regrets to the European Economic Council. I'm quite sure they will understand. And I will ask the Vice-President to step in and do whatever is necessary. You need this personal time with your wife. After a week, we will reassess. I can go back to the White House with CJ and we will take care of business. What do you think?"

Jed looked up at Leo. "Let me think about it. For sure, let's ask for a delay in the speech and cancel the Europe speech. But for everything else, let me have time to think. Okay?"

"Yes, Sir."

Ellie came flying into the room. "Dad! Mom is awake and she wants to talk with you."

Jed stood up. "Leo, don't do anything yet. I'll be back shortly." He almost ran down the hall to Abbey's bed. He had been waiting to talk with her for what seemed like forever. And now, at last, he could.

"Abbey," as he sat down by the bed and grabbed her hand. "I'm here sweetheart. How are you feeling?"

A very weak smile crossed her face. "Hi, yourself. I figured you would come."

"Of course. And I'm going to stay until you get better. You gave us all a scare."

Abbey nodded. "Me too. Sorry." She closed her eyes, trying to regain some strength to continue the conversation.

Jed continued to hold her hand. "Don't try to talk. The doctor said you need to save your strength."

Somewhere in Abbey's brain, Jed's statement finally registered and she opened her eyes. "Staying?"

"Yes. Until you are stronger."

"You can't. Speech. Too important."

"Don't worry about the speech. Leo is going to ask for a delay."

"No. Can't.' She closed her eyes again, but continued to speak. "No. Go back. Speech."

"I can't leave here with you this sick."

"Jed…" Finally, with no strength left, fatigue overwhelmed her and Abbey dropped off to sleep, leaving the discussion unsettled.

Jed released her hand, but stayed at her side for a few more minutes, hoping she would awake, but soon realized that it could be hours before she awoke again.

Reluctantly, he walked back to Leo and CJ. Leo noted his subdued mood when he entered the door, quite a contrast then when he had left.

"Sir, is everything alright?"

"Oh, yes. She was only awake for a few minutes, but I was able to talk with her."

"What did she say? You seem a bit subdued."

Dejected, Jed returned to the chair he had been sitting in a few minutes ago. "Leo, she told me to go back and give the speech. The State of the Union. In spite of everything that has happened to her, she was worried about me missing the State of the Union. I don't know what to do. As you can figure out, I desperately want to stay here with her but if I don't go back then, as she gets better, will the fact that I didn't give the speech on time only upset her and slow her recovery?" Jed shook his head. "I just don't know what to do."

Leo let the silence stand for a minute. Then he replied. "Sir, that's one decision I cannot help you with."

"I know. I'm the only one."

"Sir, maybe this is one decision that you can ask someone else for help with."

Jed raised his head and looked at his Chief of Staff. At his best friend. "Who?"

Leo looked back at him. "God."

"I think so, too."

Jed found the chapel in the hospital and asked his agent to wait outside. He went inside, lit a candle and knelt in the front pew. At a time of extreme confusion and distress over the best course of action, he knew he had to ask for heavenly assistance.

"Lord, please guide me to make the right decision. I have two competing choices but can only choose one. My country needs a President to guide them in the path of freedom and righteousness. My country needs a President to help protect them from evil and others who wish them harm. My country needs a President who will assist them in choosing the right means to improve their lives and those of their loved ones. My country needs a President focused on making the right choices that will help them live their best life. But I am also a man who has a family who need his love and guidance because the woman he loves and they love is unable to do so right now. The family needs his guidance and love so that they may focus on helping heal their mother from this horrible disease that almost took her from us. I am also a part of this woman. I am also a man who loves this woman with all his heart and wants to stay here and be a part of her healing process. To give her all the love and support I can in this difficult time in her life. To give her my strength so she can achieve wellness once again. But Lord, I cannot do both. I cannot be both be a President to the country I love, and a man to the woman I love. I need your help to choose between the two. I give myself to you. Please give me a sign so I can make the right choice. Amen."

Jed prayed for some time before he finally got up and returned to the borrowed suite. Leo took one look at him and quickly realized that, at that moment, no decision had yet been reached. But he was willing to wait. At least the wheels had been set into motion. And he was sure that, at some point soon, Jed would get his answer.