AN: And now to meet the family...

Chapter 3

During the entire three-hour plane ride, Abbey incessantly coached Jed about all the things a boyfriend of four months should know about his girlfriend and her family. Much to Abbey's surprise, Jed already knew most of it.

"I do listen when you talk," he told her with a teasing smile.

Abbey had to press her lips together to keep from grinning too widely. As it was, her cheeks started to feel hot. From there, she started telling him all the things she liked and didn't like in a relationship so he would be sure to play the part of boyfriend properly.

Even after the plane landed in Boston while they waited for their baggage, she kept coming up with things to tell him. "Oh and please don't ever take food from my plate without asking. It drives me nuts."

"Abbey, I think you're going a little overboard," he suggested.

She ignored him, lost in her verbal train of thought. "And we won't have any public displays of affection. That would be awkward, and we can just say it's out of respect for my family or propriety or some crap like that, so I don't have to tell you how I like to hold hands or the fact that I hate having my shoulders massaged or that I like to get all snuggled up on the couch while watching television." She turned to him with a kind smile. "We won't be doing any of that, don't worry. We're still us."

"But your entire family thinks I've been buying you dinner and taking you dancing every Friday since the semester started, instead of just arguing with you in the library," he replied with a smirk.

Abbey nodded. "Exactly. I want this to go as painlessly as possible. I know my dad and my grandmother will love you. My sister probably won't speak to you at all. And my mother…well…you're smart. You can think on your feet."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jed asked, a line of worry etching itself into his forehead.

Abbey sighed. "I'm sorry in advance. Just know that her insanity is the reason we're doing this. And it should all be fine. I hope." They carried their suitcases out of the terminal to where Abbey's father was waiting outside in the station wagon. "Oh, and Jed?" she added as the Barrington family car came into view.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for this." She gave him a grateful smile before turning to her father. She hurried over to him and dropped her cases so she could give him a big hug.

Jed stood awkwardly by, unsure of what to do. A feeling he was sure to have for the next ten days he spent with the Barringtons.

"Hello, ducky! How was your flight?" Abbey's father asked, hugging his daughter tight.

"Just fine, Daddy." She let go and turned to Jed. "This is Jed Bartlet. Jed, this is my father, Dr. James Barrington."

"It's very nice to meet you, Dr. Barrington," Jed said politely, extending his hand for a firm handshake.

"I've heard wonderful things about you, Jed. It's nice to finally meet the boy Abbey won't stop talking about," Dr. Barrington replied with a kind smile. "We can talk later. It's freezing. Let's get going."

Jed and Dr. Barrington loaded the cases into the car. On the drive to the Barrington home, Abbey pointed out various landmarks from her childhood, all covered in snow. Jed enjoyed every minute of it. Abbey was just so excited to share her life experiences with him.

Finally, they arrived at a very nondescript but pleasant-looking gray two-story house. It had a large willow tree in the front yard, which was surrounded by a white picket fence. All of a sudden, a heavy-set elderly woman came rushing out.

"Abigail!"

Abbey let out a low growl. "Hi, Gram!" She allowed herself to be enveloped in polyester-covered arms.

Dr. Barrington explained to Jed, "That's my mother. She's a bit exuberant. She was a chorus girl in New York when my father met her. I don't think she's ever quite understood that there isn't a lit stage wherever she walks."

Jed chuckled, but he changed his tune rather quickly. Abbey's grandmother had noticed him.

"You must be the boyfriend!" She wrapped Jed in a big hug as well. "Oh yes, you'll fit nicely."

"I'm sorry?" Jed asked, trying his best to be polite.

"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. Roberta Barrington. I've made you a sweater. I wasn't quite sure of your size, but it should be perfect, I think. Let me see." She proceeded to pull him into her embrace again, this time measuring his shoulders and arms and waist with her hands.

"Hey, Mom? It's about to start snowing again. Let's get inside, okay?" Dr. Barrington suggested, coming to Jed's rescue.

Abbey went over to the car to help Jed with the luggage. She grimaced at him. "I'm sorry."

"Your grandmother seems nice," he replied, his brow furrowed as he lifted Abbey's suitcase from the back of the car.

"You are a saint."

"Abbey," he warned.

She rolled her eyes. "Blasphemy. Sorry. Though you're gonna have to let that go a little bit."

"I can't. I'm training to be a-"

"My boyfriend. You're my boyfriend and you're majoring in American Studies and you want to be a history teacher. Remember?" she corrected.

"Right. Yeah."

They walked into the house, just as snowflakes began to stick to their hair. Abbey was immediately accosted once more, this time by her dreaded mother.

"Oh there you are, dear! Outside having some private time with your gentleman?" While the words were addressing Abbey, Mrs. Barrington's eyes were trained on Jed, and he was suddenly exceedingly uncomfortable.

"Hello, Mrs. Barrington. It's very nice to meet you," Jed said for not the first and not the last time that day.

Abbey glared at her mother but said nothing. This was the beginning. She took a deep breath and said a silent prayer for strength and luck. "Hi, Mom. This is Jed. Jed, this is my mother, Louise Barrington."

"Let me look at you," Mrs. Barrington said, eyed Jed up and down. "You're better looking than I expected," she said with an air of surprise.

Jed did his best to hide his own surprise at her words. Had he understood that correctly? Had Abbey's own mother really said such a rude thing to her daughter? About Abbey Barrington, who could get any man in the world if she wanted?

"Mom, let me show Jed the guest room so he can put his things down and relax a little. You've got all week to get to know him." She had a strained smile on her face.

"Oh yes, of course. You two go freshen up. We're having cocktails in half an hour," Mrs. Barrington informed them.

Abbey nodded and quickly ushered Jed up the stairs.

"Is she always like that?" Jed asked as delicately as he could.

"Yes." Abbey didn't elaborate.

Jed took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was going to be a very long ten days.