Abbey was taken to surgery about 2:30. Jed and his three daughters, along with Leo and CJ waited in the reserved rooms for word from Dr. Scott. True to her word, Dr, Scott knocked on the door at approximately 3:45.

"Mr. President?"

Jed jumped up from the chair he had been sitting in. "How is she? How did it go?"

"It went well. No problems. Your wife is back in ICU and stable. Her vital signs are strong."

Liz, Ellie and Zoey all hugged their father at the same time. All were relieved that their mother had made it through the procedure without any problem. Leo and CJ smiled and breathed sighs of relief.

"When can we see her?"

"Please give the staff a few more minutes to get her settled. And then two at a time for just a few minutes. I've discontinued the sedation, but she still needs her rest. And," looking at the two non-family members in the room, "I think that your two friends could see her briefly as well."

"Thank you, Dr. Scott." Leo responded. It had been hard on both him and CJ to be so close to their friend, but not able to see her.

"Thank you, Dr. Scott. I'm sure we'll see you later."

"Yes, Mr. President. I'll see you later on rounds."

After the family had had their time with Abbey, Leo and CJ made their way down the hall to Abbey's cubicle in ICU. They both took note of all the monitors and wires and IVs, but all they really saw was a pale First Lady who looked like she had really been through hell. Which she had. They only hoped she was on the other side of it now.

Leo took one side of the bed and CJ the other. "Abbey, can you hear me? It's Leo and CJ."

Abbey's eyelids fluttered open. Finally focusing, she turned her head both directions and smiled. "Hi," she said softly. "I look like hell, I'm sure."

"You look fine, Ma'am," CJ responded.

"That's a nice lie, CJ."

"Abbey, you look beautiful to me."

"Leo, you always had a way with words."

All three people smiled, although Abbey's was only a half-smile.

"Leo, I want you to be sure Jed gives the speech, he has to." Her eyes closed but quickly reopened. She was going to fight this fatigue. She had to get Leo to agree to take Jed back to Washington.

"I'm trying, Abbey. But he's stubborn."

"I know he is. But he has to give the speech tomorrow. The nation needs to hear from him. I can't have him stay here with me. Will feel guilty. Afterward, he can come back." Abbey was fighting to stay awake but was losing the battle.

Abbey had closed her eyes. But just as Leo and CJ thought she had drifted back to sleep, her eyes opened again. "Promise me Leo. Take him back. I don't why I have this feeling, but he has to go back. The girls will stay with me. The doctor has told me that I'm getting better. He'll be gone less than twenty-four hours. Please, please promise me."

Leo placed his hand on her arm. "I promise you, Abbey. Now relax and get some sleep." She nodded and closed her eyes. In no time, her breathing became even and her body relaxed as healing sleep overtook her one more time. Leo looked at CJ and shrugged his shoulders. "Now, how do I keep that promise?"