Meanwhile, back at the White House, Toby and Sam were continuing to put the final touches on the speech. Leo had called and said that the speech was still on and that, if delayed, the decision wouldn't be made until probably the very last minute. Well, it was only forty-eight hours away and in Toby's mind it was already last minute. He understood that the President was under a lot of stress, but this speech was a big deal and the President just couldn't blow it off until the last minute. And he had told Leo just that.

"Goddamn it, Leo. Does the President even realize how close he's cutting it?"

"Toby, I hope you are saying that with respect. The First Lady is critically ill. We still don't know if she will make it or not and you're worried about a speech?"

"Sorry, Leo."

"You had better be. Now, email what you have and if the President has a chance, I'll get him to look over it. But you know he's not really focused on it right now, don't you?"

"Yeah. I said I'm sorry."

"I'll have a decision by tomorrow morning. That's thirty-six hours out. I've talked to the Speaker and the network liaison and they understand the circumstances. They're willing to be flexible. And I think of all people, the President's staff should be the same."

"I SAID I'M SORRY!"

"Goodbye."

Leo understood Toby's frustration. But he had his own problems with the President. Jed had been at the hospital for twenty-four hours straight, unwilling to leave Abbey. He wanted to be there in case she woke up or had any sort of problem. Dr. Scott had told him they were keeping her lightly sedated so it would help her heart muscle heal faster and that would lengthen her sleep periods. But Jed refused to leave and go the farmhouse and get some sleep or even rest. Liz had gone to her house to rest and take care of the grandchildren while Zoey and Ellie had gone to the farmhouse. CJ and Leo had taken hotel rooms in town in order to shower and change into fresh clothes. But Jed remained in the hospital, waiting for something, anything to change.

When Dr. Scott made morning rounds the day before the original State of the Union speech was scheduled, she almost bumped into the President as she left Abbey's room.

"Oh, Mr. President. I was just coming to talk with you."

"Has there been a change?" Jed asked hopefully.

"Yes, Sir. Why don't we step over here so we can talk a little more privately?"

They walked up the hall a little way and gathered tightly in a little cubbyhole.

"Your wife's heart seems to be pumping stronger and I think it's time to take the balloon assist device out. I would like to schedule the surgery as soon as possible. Like early this afternoon. It's not complicated, but has to be done in the OR. It will probably take under an hour. Then we'll bring her back here. I can ease off the sedation. And if she recovers well, I can think about moving her to a regular room tomorrow. How does that sound to you?"

For the first time in a few days, Jed finally had hope that things would get better. "That sounds great. Where do I sign?"

"I thought it would. I'll write the order and the nurse will bring in the paperwork. I'll come up after the surgery and let you know how it went. She won't go to recovery so she'll be right back here afterward."

"Thank you so much, Dr. Scott."

"It's my pleasure, Mr. President."

Jed smiled. Maybe this was the sign he had been praying for. Jed called everybody and they made plans to be there by noon. In the meantime, he went in and sat by her side. It happened to be a time where she was partially awake and smiled when she saw him come in. "Hi," as he leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Hi, yourself. Still here?"

"Yeah. Leo has arranged for some more time. Don't have to leave until tomorrow morning at the latest."

"Are you definitely going? You really should. I'll be fine."

"Abbey, I haven't made up my mind yet. I don't want to leave you. I ran into to Dr. Scott just a minute ago. She said she's going to take that balloon thingy out in a few hours."

"Yeah. She told me too." Fatigue was beginning to takes its toll again.

"She said that if you do well tonight, she'll move you to a room tomorrow. If she does, I promise you I'll go back and give the speech. But then I'm coming straight back. I can work from here as well as from the Oval."

Abbey's eyelids were getting heavier, but she was trying to keep them open a few more seconds. She had something important to tell her husband. "Jed, just promise me you'll go back regardless of how I am. The nation needs to see and hear you. And I need to know you are doing your…" Before she could finish her sentence, the fatigue overwhelmed her and sleep became her best friend once again.

Jed leaned back in the chair, knowing the last word in her sentence was 'job'. That was his problem. The clash between his 'job' and his 'love'. A decision that no one should have to make.

He continued to sit by her bedside. The nurse came in with the consent form for the procedure and Jed signed it. He knew that it meant she was getting stronger and that she was finally on the road to recovery.

"Mr. President?"

"Yes?"

"I also need for you to take her rings."

"What?"

"They are beautiful and obviously expensive. Normally someone would have taken then before the catherization but I guess they were in too big of a hurry so they were just taped to her finger. And since she's been here, we haven't been able to catch any family members. But now that you're here, let me get them off and hand them to you."

She struggled with all of the tape that had been used to secure the rings but eventually got them free and handed them to the President. He signed for them, and the nurse left the room.

Looking at them, Jed remembered Abbey's obvious joy when she first saw them this past Christmas at Camp David. He had been so thrilled at himself for finally doing something unusual. He slid them in his pants pocket, swearing that they soon would be back in their rightful location.