Series: Snapshots of the Past

Story: Crossroads

Chapter 5

Disclaimer: The characters depicted in this story belong to NBC, WB, Aaron Sorkin, and John Wells. We're just borrowing them for some fun :)

Previously: Abbey told Jed about her encounter with Alex and why she filed a formal complaint against him; Alex plotted his defense; Ellie asked her grandmother for advice regarding Zoey

Summary: It's Easter with the Bartlets; Jed and Abbey share their plans for their vow renewal with their loved ones; Abbey gets news about Alex

Easter 1987

The Bartlets were known for elaborate holiday celebrations, a reputation well-earned over the years. Jed loved playing host and enjoyed the chaos and rambunctious spirit that defined family get-togethers; they were a far cry from the formal and stuffy holidays he experienced as a boy when he was forced to play upstairs or sit quietly while the adults engaged. He was determined to raise his girls in an environment that emphasized the importance of family while allowing them all the fun of being children.

That morning, like all the Easters before, he and Abbey fumbled around in the pre-dawn hours and retrieved the eggs the girls had dyed and decorated days earlier to hide in the house and the garden. They then assembled three Easter baskets - one each for Ellie and Zoey and one giant basket for Doug and Liz - and filled them with treats before returning to bed to rest up for the busy day ahead.

Predictably, Zoey was the first one up and with all the energy and exuberance her seven-year-old body could muster, she bounded down the stairs to claim her Easter basket and wait for the rest of the family to rise. She examined it from top to bottom. A solid milk chocolate bunny, peeps, Cadbury creme eggs, and jelly beans all atop a bed of paper grass with a coloring book, colored pencils, and dangling backpack charms tucked in on the sides. She carefully considered pulling on the delicate bow to unwrap the plastic and treat herself to a handful of jelly beans, but Abbey had a rule: no candy until after breakfast and Zoey decided the consequences of disobeying her mother weren't worth the momentary satisfaction. Instead, she rattled around the kitchen and living room in hopes that the obnoxious sounds would wake her parents and sister.

Mission accomplished.

Jed and Abbey were annoyed with the noise, but they couldn't stay mad at their youngest daughter for being excited about a holiday. They sighed under the covers, then grudgingly tossed the covers aside and rose from their bed. Abbey started toward the shower while Jed grabbed his robe and headed downstairs to put a stop to all the racket. He knocked on his middle daughter's door on his way down. Ellie rubbed at her eyes, stretched, yawned, and rolled back over to sleep.

By the time Jed made it to the kitchen, he caught Zoey on the counter, jumping with her arms stretched to reach the top cupboard.

"ZOEY!" he shouted as he sprinted to catch her. "What in hell are you doing?"

"Trying to get more coffee!"

"You don't drink coffee!"

"But you and Mommy do. I wanted to make it so we don't waste time when you wake up."

Jed took a deep breath. He grabbed her and set her down on the floor. "What do you suppose Mom would say about you jumping on the counter?"

"She'd say no feet on the counter."

"And?"

"And that I'll crack my skull open," Zoey giggled. That was Abbey's cliche line when the girls did something dangerous.

"It's not funny, Zo. You could have gotten hurt." He softened when Zoey looked down with remorse for her actions. "All right, let's just celebrate the fact that you didn't fall, okay?"

"Okay."

"No more climbing up on the counter. Got it?"

"I promise," she said. "Wanna see what the Easter bunny brought me?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"You plan to share?" He smiled at her, a clear indication that all was forgiven.

Zoey ran to grab her basket while Jed turned on the oven in preparation for the bacon and egg casserole he'd assembled and refrigerated the night before. Abbey had warned it would be just the four of them for breakfast this year, but that didn't mean less food as far as Jed was concerned; it just meant even more servings of his favorite cheesy casserole. He sealed it with a fresh sheet of aluminum, then slipped it into the oven seconds before he heard the pitter-patter of Zoey's sock-clad feet.

"Daddy, do you want to open it to see what's inside?" she asked, showing off her basket.

Jed glanced down at her as Abbey, now dressed in a silky black robe with her hair in wet ringlets, sauntered up behind him. She tried to be discreet, but he immediately recognized the scent of her strawberry shampoo. Backtracking to avoid his wife's disapproval, he addressed Zoey, "Nice try, but you know the rules - no candy until we eat. Now go wash up if you want to help me with breakfast."

"But you said we'd share..."

Jed laughed dismissively. "No, sweetheart, you misunderstood."

Skeptical, Abbey narrowed her eyes. "Something tells me she didn't."

Jed turned toward her. She raised a brow and he relented. "I love the smell of your hair after a shower."

"Happy Easter, Mommy!"

"Happy Easter, Zoey." Abbey leaned down, lovingly ran her hand across Zoey's face, and took the basket from her. "After breakfast, okay?"

"Okay," she replied, defeated.

Abbey pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Go wash up and wake your sister while you're at it."

"Okay!" Permission to wake Ellie always brightened Zoey's morning. She skipped toward the stairs, oblivious to the discussion Jed faced as a result of her squealing.

" 'You said we'd share?' Really, Jed?"

"The coloring book. That's all I meant."

Abbey scoffed at that. "You're such a child."

"A child, eh?" He backed her up against the counter and rubbed up against her. "I'll show you how un-childlike I am."

"How am I supposed to set limits and boundaries when you encourage rebellion?"

"I'm all about boundary-setting."

"You're an accomplice to their misdeeds."

"You're right, I'm sorry." His hands on either side of her, he kissed her.

"No you're not," Abbey challenged.

"You're right, I'm not. I wanted candy."

"And it was worth undermining me in front of Zoey?"

"I didn't undermine you. I had a whole plan already worked out. I was going to get my candy and she was going to obey your rule."

"How?"

"I was going to open the basket, see. And then I was going to ask her to show me the coloring book while I snuck a jelly bean or two."

"And she wouldn't have noticed? Please."

"Zoey's our third, babe. I've been pulling this stunt for 18 years. I perfected my covert skills with the other two."

"How'd you know I was standing behind you?"

"When you smell as good as you do, sweet knees, you announce your presence from a mile away!" He lifted her up onto the counter and stood between her soft, smooth legs. "You are so damn gorgeous."

His kiss caught Abbey by surprise, but she adjusted quickly. She wrapped her hands around the back of his head as she balanced herself on the countertop. "I'm not finished scolding you."

"Feel free to continue. I'm very naughty," he said between kisses.

"Yes, you are..."

She breathed a little harder as his tongue poked the bare flesh under her robe and trailed down to her breasts.

After breakfast, Jed and Abbey attended Easter mass with their girls at Sacred Heart in Manchester, a historic old church on Elm where they'd been attending services since their move from Hanover after Abbey finished residency. A small church, it was one that would always be special to Jed. He visited Holy Trinity when he was in Washington, but Sacred Heart was home. It was where Elizabeth was confirmed, where Ellie had taken her First Communion, and where Zoey was preparing for hers.

That morning as they filed in to the pews, he sensed that something was missing. Someone. For the first time in her life, Liz didn't join her parents for Easter mass. She spent the morning with Doug and her in-laws in Nashua instead. Her absence was felt by the rest of the family, but most profoundly by Jed.

Noticing her husband's somber expression when he placed his palm on the pew in front of him, Abbey covered his hand with her own. "She'll be at dinner tonight."

"Yeah, I know," he replied with a grateful smile to his wife for always knowing exactly what he was thinking before he said it out loud.

They took their seats, their hands still joined and their fingers locked as the service began.

Bartlet Easter egg hunts weren't meant for just the kids. While Jed and Abbey hid eggs in the house and the garden for the little ones, there was a second batch of eggs hidden in the orchard. They were plastic, each containing miniature bottles of Bailey's and other trinkets more suitable for the adult friends and family who chose to spend the holiday at the farm. There was one egg - a golden Fabergé - that contained a very special vineyard getaway prize to coax even the most hesitant guests, Millie and Richard, to join the fun.

One by one, each team took to the fields and hills of the farm to find the eggs. Abbey watched them from the window in the kitchen, where she put the finishing touches on the feast she'd prepared for dinner. She poured two tablespoons of her homemade dressing in the salad, then tossed it together before the phone rang.

"Hello?" She cradled the receiver between her shoulder and chin as she continued tossing the salad.

"Abbey, it's Rob. Sorry to bother you on Easter."

Rob Nolan was never a bother. He and Abbey had been friends since her days in residency. He was also Chief of Surgery at the hospital and she knew he only called her at home when he had to.

"Don't be silly, what's up?"

"There's something I need to tell you. I wanted to be the one to do it and I wanted you to know before you got to work tomorrow."

"Rob, what is it?"

"I've just been informed that Alex Foster has filed a complaint against you."

"Against ME? What for?"

"Harassment and slander."

"What?" Abbey couldn't believe her ears. This was the man who had forcefully groped her. How could he be the one filing a complaint?

"Abbey, he says you and he..."

"What, Rob?"

"That you and he were an item and when he broke it off, you became enraged and filed a complaint that he assaulted you."

"He DID assault me."

"He's saying he didn't. His version of events is that when he told you he was no longer interested, you slapped him and then you began telling anyone who would listen that he made unwanted sexual advances..."

"Which he did."

"Did you slap him?"

"Yes, I was defending myself."

"Look, this is obviously more complicated than we can get into tonight. I just didn't want you to walk into work tomorrow and be blindsided. You need to meet with HR first thing in the morning. Reschedule your patients if you have to."

"Rob, this isn't what it sounds like. He and I were never 'an item.' You know that, don't you?"

"Of course." Rob could never believe such a thing. From the moment he met Abbey, he realized she only had eyes for Jed. They were the strongest, most devoted couple Rob knew and there was no chance that Abbey would have betrayed the love of her life. Whatever happened between her and Alex wasn't romantic, he was sure of it. "I just want to resolve this the best we can."

"You and me both."

Abbey stood there with the receiver dangling below her chin after Rob said goodbye. She couldn't believe what Alex had done. Up until a week ago, he was her friend. Her ally. Her confidante at work. She thought he'd made a mistake. As unforgivable as it had been, she didn't think his pass was calculated or planned; she thought it was an impulsive move by a man with no self-control who got lost in his emotions. But this was vindictive and she never dreamed he'd be so vengeful. Had she totally misjudged him?

She looked dazed, her eyes fixed on the salad bowl when Jed walked in.

"Abbey?" He waved a hand in front of her and took the phone from her to return it to the wall. "What's wrong? What was that phone call about?"

She thought for a moment and decided this wasn't the right time. They had a house full of guests and could be interrupted at any minute. She'd explain everything to Jed later this evening, when they were alone. For the time being, she took a breath and shook her head. "I just got some bad news."

"I'm sorry."

"Me too."

"Do you need to go in?"

"No."

"Are you sure? Is it a patient?"

"No, it isn't."

"What is it?"

As much as she wanted to avoid the conversation, she couldn't look him in the eye and mislead him. "It was Rob."

"Calling on Easter?"

"Yeah, there's something going on he wanted to tell me about."

"Serious enough to call tonight. Is it about Alex?"

"Can we table this until later? We have to get the food out there."

"The food can wait," he said firmly. "Abbey?"

"Jed, my parents are ten feet away, not to mention our girls. Please, let's talk about it later."

"All right, if that's what you want."

"It's just not the right time. We'll get into it later."

"Okay."

"Thank you."

"One thing." He took her hand and flipped over so he could place her engagement ring in her upturned palm. "Tell them tonight."

"Yeah?" Abbey looked at it sparkling in her hand. She hadn't worn her engagement ring for a week, ever since that first night he came back from Washington and surprised her with the upgraded diamond and proposal.

"I can't wait for everyone out there to know that you agreed to marry me all over again."

"They're going to pester us about planning. You know that, don't you?"

"Let them pester away. It won't change our decision." He circled his arms around her waist. "We're a united front."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Okay." Abbey smiled adoringly at him. "Let's do it."

Jed sat at the head of the table that night and looked out at his loved ones, all gathered around to celebrate the most wonderful of holidays. To his right, a very pregnant Elizabeth sat with her grandmother, listening intently as Mary charmed her with advice about motherhood and the demands of a newborn. Beside them, Ellie and Brad elbowed each other and giggled as if sharing some secret that no one else knew. He was so proud of his middle daughter. After years of rivalry and petty arguments between her and Brad, Ellie had voluntarily made an unprompted promise to herself to be nice to Brad and reach out to him as a source of support when she found out his parents were headed for divorce.

To Jed's left, Jack and James were engrossed in dialogue about the Red Sox and directly across the table, Abbey didn't miss a beat with Millie as she piled another serving of potatoes on Zoey's plate. It was when Abbey reached across her friend for a couple of napkins that something struck Millie. She grabbed Abbey's hand mid-reach and examined the glittering rock on her finger.

"Abbey, when did you get a new ring?"

"It's not new. Jed had it upgraded..." she said. Then, she added, "so he could propose to me again."

Millie let out a soft scream that alerted the rest of the guests. "You're getting married again?!"

"Well, technically, we're already married and there's no such thing as getting married again..."

"Abigail." Jed shook his head at her. "You're too damn literal!"

"But yes, Jed and I are going to renew our vows." She looked at her husband. "You didn't let me finish."

"When?" Liz asked, excited.

"On our anniversary."

"This is GREAT!"

"Can we be bridesmaids?" Ellie asked.

"I wanna be flower girl again!" Zoey added, remembering how much fun she had as a flower girl at Liz's wedding.

"Bridesmaid over here." Millie raised her hand.

"I'm calling dibs on matron of honor," Kate said. Having served as maid of honor at Jed and Abbey's first wedding, she loved the thought of doing it again.

"I'm going to need another mother-of-the-bride dress," Mary beamed.

Hearing their simultaneous declarations, Abbey raised both hands. "Okay, okay, hang on."

"Yeah, if it keeps going like this, her bridal party's going to outnumber the guests." Jed grinned from ear to ear.

"There is no bridal party. I am not a bride. We're just renewing our vows, that's all."

"People go all out for vow renewals," Millie informed her. "White dress, walk down the aisle, bouquet and garter toss, the whole nine yards."

"Well, not us. We already had all that. We want something a little more intimate this time."

"More intimate?"

"What does that mean?"

"It means we're eloping, just the two of us."

And with that announcement came dead silence from their dinner guests. The Bartlet girls exchanged glances and Zoey squirmed in her seat as she processed the change in the mood in the room. Abbey avoided her mother's stare, knowing that it would be one of disappointment and a silent plea to reconsider. Jed looked across the table at his wife with a nod of support as she attempted to lead their guests back to discussion of the holiday festivities.

"What happened to being a united front?"

Abbey sat at her vanity and brushed the tangles out of her hair later that evening. Their guests had left shortly before and after she and Jed packed up the leftovers and tucked Ellie and Zoey into bed, they retreated to their bedroom, where Jed suggested they reconsider their elopement plans to placate their loved ones.

"We are a united front. I didn't say anything to them. I'm telling you, maybe we should consider changing our plans." He stood behind her chair, looking at her reflection in the mirror and seeing the expression of disappointment. "Or not. It was just a suggestion."

"We agreed to do it our way."

"Yes, we did, and I still want that."

"But?"

"Remember when we planned our wedding? Remember how much our parents tried to interfere? How unhappy we were?"

"I remember you standing up to them and telling them we were going to pay for the entire wedding ourselves so we could plan the day we wanted." Abbey rose to her feet and turned to face her husband.

"And planning the day we wanted didn't exclude them. They were so happy for us, so proud. We can still do it our way with them in attendance, even now."

"We just threw Liz an extravagant wedding. I don't want to plan another one, Jed."

"You don't have to. I'll take care of it."

"You?"

"Yes, me."

"From Washington?"

"I'll hire a planner."

"I thought we were on the same page. Why are you so excited about a big wedding now?"

"It doesn't have to be big. It can still be intimate. Just our close friends and family. Our daughters. They never saw it the first time."

Abbey considered that. Thinking of their girls all dressed up and standing with them at the altar brought a smile to her face. "They would enjoy it."

"We could do it at Sacred Heart and come back to the farm for the reception."

"And it would be small?"

"You can make the guest list."

"Promise me you won't go behind my back and invite random people."

"Cross my heart." He approached her with his hand out to take hers and pull her towards him. "I can't wait to recite my vows in front of God and pledge my devotion to you again; I just want everyone we love to see it."

His eyes twinkled with enthusiasm and Abbey let out a deep sigh as she felt herself about to surrender. "All right, I can't argue with that."

Jed smiled broadly. "It'll be great, trust me!"

"Aside from the guest list, I'm going to be completely hands-off."

"In all the time we've been married, when have you ever been hands-off?"

"That's true." Abbey returned her hairbrush to the vanity and tucked her chair in as Jed headed over to his side of the bed. "We need to talk."

"About Rob's call." He turned down the covers. He hoped they could avoid this conversation tonight.

"Alex reported me for harassment and slander."

That got his attention. "What?"

"He claims that the incident never happened, at least not the way I told it."

"How does he claim it happened?" He watched her take off her robe and climb into bed, refusing to look at him. "Abbey?"

"He says I filed my complaint against him after he broke things off."

"Broke things off?"

"He says we were an item, whatever that means."

"An item? As in, romantically involved."

"Yes." Finally, she glanced up at him. "It's not true obviously."

"He says you two were an item and he broke things off?"

"And I flew off the handle, slapped him, and then ran to HR."

Jed burned with rage. "We should call Pat."

"No."

"Abbey, this guy's not playing around."

"And neither am I! If he wants to go down that road, let him. No one will believe it."

"And what if they do?"

"Jed, I don't need a lawyer and using one to fight my battle is going to imply guilt."

"No, it's going to safeguard against these types accusations. You have your reputation to think about, Abbey. Pat can help us navigate this thing."

"Not yet, okay? I'm not ready to involve anyone else."

Jed crawled in beside her. He tucked his feet under the blanket and rolled onto his side. "What does Rob say?"

"He says it's ludicrous."

"Will he have your back?"

"As much as he can. I don't know what's going to happen. I have to meet with HR again in the morning."

"I should go with you."

"Right, because that's exactly what I need: my husband coming with me when I adamantly deny any inappropriate involvement with another man. That won't look suspicious." One look at him and she immediately regretted her sarcasm. "Sorry. I just don't think you coming is going to help."

"It wouldn't hurt them to see us together, to see how strong a marriage we have, to see how much you love me."

Abbey locked into his gaze. "I do love you, Jed. You know that, right?"

Brushing his own insecurities aside, Jed believed her. Abbey wasn't a deceitful person. She was an honest woman with standards and morals. She'd earned his trust and he knew that she would never participate in the kind of scheming and plotting necessary to engage in an extramarital romance with another man.

"Hey." Jed rubbed her arm and gave her hand a tender squeeze. "It's going to be okay. We'll get through this."

Abbey replied with an unconvincing nod, then rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. She had no idea what was waiting for her tomorrow. What lies would she have to deny? What circumstances would she have to explain? She feared the accusations and she wondered how she'd defend herself to complete strangers, but more importantly, she worried that if Alex's story was convincing enough, how would she ever defend herself to Jed?

It was going to be an excruciatingly long night.

TBC