Chapter 18

Ellie, Liz and Zoey were all gathered in Abbey's hospital room waiting for the State of the Union speech to begin. The hospital had graciously rolled in a sixty-five-inch tv for her and her daughters to view the speech instead of having to view it on the standard patient tv attached above the wall across from the bed. Abbey guessed being a VIP did have some perks. It wouldn't be the same as being there in person but given the circumstances, it would do.

Jed had called twice since he had left and Abbey could tell he was nervous. Because of her, he hadn't had his normal practice sessions, but she doubted that it would affect his presentation. She knew that her husband was a natural born speaker and shouldn't have any trouble giving a great speech. He had given her a brief look at the draft before he left and even with his scribbled notes, Toby and Sam had, as usual, written a beautiful speech. It was long, but then what State of the Union wasn't.

The clock rolled to nine pm and the networks opened with a brief commentary. Then the famous words were heard: "Mr. Speaker, The President of the United States." The doors to the House Chamber opened and the next image was President Josiah Bartlet, her husband, entering with a broad smile and shaking hands as he made his way down the aisle. It always gave Abbey a thrill to see him this way, whether in person or on TV.

"Doesn't he look good?" Ellie boasted.

"Yes, he does," Abbey replied. 'Yes, he sure does. Doesn't look at all like he just spent some stressful days up here worrying about me,' she thought.

They watched in silence as he climbed the steps to the podium and nodded to the Vice-President and the Speaker of the House. Abbey knew she had made the right decision to make him go back. The nation needed to see their President and realize that their First Lady was well enough for the President to leave her.

With the applause, the speech lasted over an hour and a half. Abbey became very tired, but didn't let her daughters know just how tired. But she was really glad that they left immediately afterward. They kissed their mother good night, and said they would be back in the morning. She gave them a smile and told them she loved them.

As soon as they left, she rang for the nurse. The nurse came in with her night medications and asked her if there was anything she needed.

"Yes, I'm having some chest pain. It's more an ache, but it's the first time since the cath. Just thought you needed to know."

"Yes, ma'am." The nurse took her vital signs and made a note. "I'll be right back."

"Okay."

About that time, the phone rang. She knew that it was Jed, probably calling from the limo on the way back to the White House.

"What did you think?"

"It was a great speech, Jed. You did great."

"Kind of long, but did you hear all that applause? I swear Toby and Sam hit a home run."

"They sure did."

"Now, don't forget our little bet. Ten questions on the speech when I get back tomorrow. Leo thinks we can leave about ten so I should be there by noon."

"I'm looking forward to seeing you. Listen, I'm tired. It's way past my bedtime. Do you mind us cutting this short?"

"Of course not. I love you Abbey and I can't wait to get back to you."

"I can't wait either, Jed. I love you, Babe. See you tomorrow."

"Okay. Bye."

They each hung up, knowing that their love for each other was true.

The nurse came back in, this time accompanied by Dr. Scott.

Abbey was surprised that she was still in the hospital. "What are you still doing here?"

"Seeing other patients. You are not my only patient."

"Well, I thought I was."

Both physicians laughed.

"Now, tell me about this ache you're having."

"Well, it started about thirty minutes ago and I didn't want to scare my daughters and it wasn't getting any worse, so I kept it to myself. After they left and the nurse came in, I told her."

"Abbey, you know better than to keep something like that quiet."

"I just didn't want to alarm them,"

"Okay. Describe this ache to me."

"It's in the center of my chest, not radiating. At least for now. I would say 5 out 10. It's been increasing in intensity slightly over the last ten minutes."

"And you say this is the first time you've had it since the cath?"

"Yes."

"Your blood pressure is elevated. What have you been doing tonight? Oh, that's right. The State of the Union speech. How did that go?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary except I wasn't there. Jed did a great job as usual."

"All right. Let me listen." Dr. Scott took out her stethoscope and listened for a few seconds. "I can't hear anything abnormal. Let's run an EKG and see if there's anything there."

"Okay."

A few minutes later both physicians were reviewing Abbey's EKG tape. Abbey saw it just before Dr. Scott saw it. They looked at each other in shock.

"I'm having another heart attack."

"Yes, you are."