After Abbey had been transferred from the cath lab and settled in a step-down room down the hall from ICU, the two doctors sat down and reviewed Abbey's case.
"It's three am. We have bad news to tell the family. One of whom is the President of the United States. Our responsibility is to keep the family informed and there's no doubt that we will tell them. The issue is when and how. Do we let them get some sleep and then call then around six am and hope Abbey is still with us or do we call them now and have them rush here? And by rushing here, that means the daughters drive here in the middle of the night on snowy roads and the President activates his whole team and airplane, however long that takes, to get him here. The daughters will probably be okay if they take their time, or we can send the police after them so they don't have to drive themselves. When they get here, all they can do is sit around and worry. You know a little about what the logistics will be to get the President here from Washington. But I believe there will be a huge number of people involved. Am I correct?"
"That's right. But Francis, they have a right to know how critical Abbey is. I know you agree with me. This is a hell of a dilemma. I'm not too worried yet about her heart function, although that sucks. But that aneurysm could rupture at any time. Did you not see it the during the first cath?"
Francis shook her head. "No. I guess I was too worried about opening her blockages. And as you know, aneurysms are known to be silent killers. It was just a fluke that you saw it tonight."
They sat in silence for a few more minutes as the choices swirled in their brain. Finally, both came to the same decision.
Bob spoke first. "Okay, let me call the Manchester police and explain what's going on. They'll send two cars, one to the farmhouse, and one to Liz Westin's house, and wake them up. The officer will tell the daughters that there is an emergency here at the hospital and to get dressed and the officer will drive them here. They will be asked not to call their father as we will handle that chore here. Agreed?"
"Agreed. Now, what about the President?"
"Yeah. Well, I have the Chief of Staff's number. I prefer calling Mr. McGarry and telling him everything, and then he can wake the President. They have such a close relationship that I think the President will handle it better coming from him."
"Better?"
"Well. it's all relative. In no way is it going to be easy for the Chief of Staff or the President. But I can get an idea when they will be up here. I'm sure the President will want to talk with one of us, so please have your phone available in case you get a call from the White House."
"Of course."
"And Francis? Pray that Abbey lives long enough for the President to get here. I really don't want be the one to tell him she died before he got here to say goodbye."
"I agree."
Bob went to the physician's lounge and dialed Leo's private number. He allowed it to ring several times knowing the man had probably been asleep only a couple of hours.
"Hello," Leo answered groggily.
"Mr. McGarry, sorry to bother you, but this Dr. Nolan in Manchester. There's been a problem with Mrs. Bartlet." With those words, Leo was wide awake.
"What's wrong?"
Bob went into great detail and didn't hold back. "So, I called you first instead of the President because I know how close you two are. I figured you would want to tell him yourself. Liz, Ellie and Zoey are already on their way over here. I'm having the police drive them because the roads are so slick."
"Thank you for that. Do you have any idea how long she has?"
"It is very difficult to say. Her heart is so damaged, especially with this latest attack. But the aneurysm is what I'm most concerned about. And there is no way of knowing about that. It could rupture at any point or stay like it is for hours. Medical science just can't give an exact answer when dealing with this type of problem."
"I understand."
"We will be available at any point because I know the President will want to talk with us. And of course, once his daughters get here, he's certainly will want to talk with them."
"Of course." Leo was already mentally going through a checklist of the things he needed to start doing to get Jed to Manchester as soon as possible.
"I appreciate your call, Bob. I'll let you know the details when I do. Of course, the first thing I have to do is get to the President and tell him. This will be very hard on him."
"Yes, sir. I know how close they are."
"You got that right."
"Well, I have to go. His daughters will be here any time. Please call me at any time if there's anything I can do. And Mr. McGarry, I'm so sorry. Abbey is a great friend and has been an incredible colleague through the years."
"Thank you, Bob. I know you and Dr. Scott have done everything possible. I'll see you sometime later today. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."