The door to the bathroom stood slightly ajar giving Jed a great vantage point with which to watch his family bathe. Abbey sat in the back of the bathtub spiking Aislinn's hair with shampoo while Nicholas squirted the white tile sides with blue Sesame Street foam soap. God, how he'd missed them. Abbey had taken the children up to Maine for the vacation week they were all supposed to share with Liz, Annie, Gus, Doug and Zoey, but he'd had to stay behind and deal with the Vice Presidential crisis. Abbey had offered to stay behind with him but he hated the idea of disappointing the family by keeping Abbey and the kids away too. Also, he knew how much fun the twins always had at the beach.

Still, he'd missed the sound of his family's laughter, their noise and their chatter. He hated the silence of the Residence when Abbey and the kids were gone, hated coming home at the end of the day and not finding anyone waiting to see him. When they were gone it felt like living in a museum. It was their presence that made it a home. So, when Charlie had told him that they'd finally returned this evening he had quickly finished the last of his work so he could return home.

A chuckle slipped from his lips as he watched Nicholas turn his attention to making up Abbey's face with the foam soap making lines over her cheeks and chin. His chuckle drew their attention and broad smiles beamed across all three faces.

"Daddy, Daddy!" Wet and soapy Nicholas and Aislinn stood and tried to climb over the side of the tub.

"Oh no you don't!" Abbey grabbed their slippery bodies pulling them back into the tub. "You need to rinse off before you get out.

"We comed back," Nicholas told Jed.

"I see that." Jed began rolling up his sleeves then knelt beside the tub to help rinse the kids off. "I missed you guys."

"I misted you too. Daddy, wead story," Aislinn demanded, then giggled as she dabbed Jed's nose with the bubble gum scented bubbles.

"You think that's funny, do you, missy?" Jed's tone was menacing and Aislinn shrieked with fearful delight as he grabbed her and began dabbing her nose and cheeks with the bubbles.

"Okay, okay," Abbey was the voice of reason as water began to splash all over the floor with their antics. "Aislinn, let daddy rinse the shampoo out of your hair."

"No winse." Aislinn hated having the shampoo rinsed from her hair.

"I promise I won't get any your eyes, " Jed assured her. A veteran of keeping soap out of eyes, he reached for a face cloth and held it tightly over his little girl's eyes while he rinsed her hair.

Abbey splashed her face with water then turned to Jed. "Am I all clear or do I still look like a Smurf."

"Whas smoof, Mumma?" Nicky asked.

"Ask Zoey," Abbey tweaked his nose. "She used to love the Smurfs."

"They were little blue people," Jed said as he began toweling Aislinn off to lift her out of the tub.

"Boo peoples?" Aislinn was intrigued. "Scawy boo peoples."

"Well, now that I think about it they were pretty scary."

"Oh, Jed," Abbey slapped his wrist. "They were not scary."

Jed laughed and lifted Nicholas out of the tub then turned his attention back to Abbey. "Does mommy need any rinsing off?"

"Mommy can do quite well on her own, thank you." Abbey began releasing the water so she could take a quick shower to rinse off the kid's bubble bath and foam soap.

"Daddy hep, Mumma." Aislinn picked up the wet facecloth off the floor and handed it to her father so he would have something to cover her mother's eyes.

"Yes, let daddy help, mumma." Jed dangled the facecloth in front of her.

"Nice try," she laughed. "Go get the kids ready for bed and I'll be out in a minute." Abbey stood and started to reach for the shower door.

Aislinn looked up at her mother and turned to Jed. "Mumma gots big boobies."

"Why, yes, she does," Jed grinned lasciviously at Abbey who rolled her eyes at him.

"I gots wittle boobies," Aislinn pressed her fingertips into her chest.

"Right now you do," Jed admitted as he finished toweling her off.

"I go up n' get big boobies." Aislinn looked to Abbey for confirmation that what her mother had told her earlier was the truth. Abbey smiled reassuringly at her and nodded.

"Let's not try to rush things, sunshine. Daddy has enough problems without thinking about you being old enough to have boobies. Now, let's go read a story."

"TINKERBELLE!" Aislinn raced naked toward the nursery with glee. Nicholas was already there waiting with "Peter Pan", their new favorite book of the week.

"Diapers and PJ's first," Jed told them. He reached first into Aislinn's dresser pulling out a yellow nightgown with Snow White on the front.

"No! No, daddy. Cindwella."

"What?"

"Me want CINDWELLA!"

"Okay, I get it. Snow White isn't cutting it, eh?"

Aislinn shook her head, then smiled with delight when her father pulled out her favorite pink Cinderella nightgown.

With Aislinn ready for bed, Jed turned to where Nicholas was sitting on the floor patiently waiting for his turn. "What about you, slugger? What PJ's do you want to wear?"

Nicholas shrugged his indifference and Jed gave him a puzzled a look. Nicholas could be just as demanding as Aislinn when it came to wearing what he wanted. Usually it was Spongebob for him.

"Okay, I'll pick em'" He pulled out a pair of Spider Man pajamas and lifted Nicholas to his feet to dress him for bed. Nicholas sniffled a couple of times and when Jed wiped his nose he could feel the warmth of the boys skin.

"Aislinn, come here." He placed one hand on Nicky's forehead and one on Aislinn's.

"What's wrong?" Abbey came into the room in her robe drying her hair with a big white towel.

"His nose is running and he feels warm to me."

"I think he's coming down with a summer cold. He's been running a low grade fever all afternoon."

"I should have known doctor mom would be all over this," Jed grinned her way.

"Well, you did remind me that I need to give him his Tylenol. Nicky come here and let me give you your medicine. "

While Abbey gave Nicholas his liquid Tylenol, Jed settled into the glider rocker with Aislinn.

"Wait! Daddy wait! My bankie!"

"What?"

"I NEEDS my bankie!" she squirmed off his lap and raced to the crib that had been transformed into a toddler bed and grabbed the worn pink, blue and yellow receiving blanket that she had come home from the hospital in.

"All set?" Jed asked her."

"All set," she agreed clambering up into his lap and immediately beginning to toy with his glasses pulling them further down his nose until they fell off.

"You can't play with my glasses, Ash. Daddy can't read this tiny writing about Peter Pan and Tinkerbelle without them."

"Okay, daddy." Aislinn clumsily pushed them back up in place poking him in the eye a time or two then snuggled up against him to listen to the story. Feeling the effects of his fever, Nicholas was content to stay curled up on his mother's lap sucking his thumb and twisting a strand of her wet hair around his finger.

When the story was finished Aislinn was determined to prolong the evening. "Me watch Pooh." She was looking directly at Abbey knowing very well that her mother never allowed them to watch a movie after storytime. The challenging was already starting.

"No Pooh, Aislinn. It's bedtime."

Aislinn turned abruptly from her mother and gazed up at her father with limpid pleading green eyes. "Daddy, Pooooohhhhh�?" The drawn out word was done in a flirtatious sing song manner and it was all Abbey could do to keep from laughing out loud.

"Oh, Aislinn," Jed groaned. "You're killing me here."

"Pease, Daddy." She placed her soft little hands on his cheeks and stuck her bottom lip out.

"Knows how to get what she wants, doesn't she?" Abbey knew just how tightly Aislinn had her daddy wrapped around her finger.

"Oh, yeah. This little girl is going to be one hell of a heartbreaker. Just like her mother."

Abbey smiled and reached for Aislinn.

"Daddy tuck in." Aislinn clung to her father. She had obviously missed him more than Abbey had thought.

"Okay, but he's not letting you watch Pooh." Abbey moved back to where she had laid Nicholas down. The little boy was already falling asleep. She placed the digital thermometer in his ear.

"How is he?" Jed asked from where he was tucking Aislinn in.

"He's okay. 100.1, just a low grade." She bent down and kissed her sons forehead then moved back to her daughter.

"Good night, you little imp." Abbey touched her lips to Aislinn's pursed ones.

"Whas imp?"

"An imp is Miss. Aislinn Bartlet." Abbey grinned and shut off the nursery lights.

****

Deep in the night Jed was awakened by the sound of crying and a tug on his blankets.

"Wh�what's wrong" He groggily rubbed his eyes completely disoriented. The crying continued from right beside his bed.

"Aislinn?"

"I scawed, daddy," she sobbed.

"It's okay, sweetness. Come up here and tell daddy what scared you." He pulled her up into the bed wrapping her up in his arms tightly. He could feel her slight body shuddering with her sobs as she tucked her head up under his chin.

"What's wrong," Abbey sat up rubbing the sleep out her eyes.

"I think she had a bad dream." Jed continued to run his hand in soothing circles on Aislinn's back. "Did you have a bad dream, honey?"

"I see monsters."

"You saw a monster?"

"BOO monster!"

"Oh, a blue monster." Jed smiled at Abbey over Aislinn's head.

"Oh, honey, there aren't any blue monsters," Abbey wiped at Aislinn's tears with her thumb.

"Yes!" Aislinn was adamant. "Boo monsters!"

"You know what, Ash. Those blue monsters are all up here in Aislinn's head." He tapped his daughter's forehead. "And if there were monsters do you think Daddy would ever let them get his little girl?"

"No. Daddy HIT monsters." Aislinn sniffed.

"That's right. Daddy would beat up any monster that tried to get near you or Nicky. So, why don't you snuggle up here with Mommy and me so you can get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow."

Aislinn nodded against his chest. "Me go see horsies."

"That's right. So just close your eyes and go to sleep."

"Me 'faid."

"Don't be afraid, sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy are right here." Abbey laid down sandwiching Aislinn between she and Jed."

"Sing me, mumma."

"What do you want me to sing, love?"

"Sing 'ullyby"

Abbey smiled and began rubbing Aislinn's back while she softly sang to her. Jed sank back into his pillow feeling his precious little girl pressed up to his torso, her breath warm on his chest and the sound of his wife's lovely voice lulling him off to sleep.

Lullaby and good night In the sky stars are bright 'Round your head Flowers gay Set your slumbers till day Lullaby and good night In the sky stars are bright 'Round your head Flowers gay Set your slumbers till day Close your eyes now and rest May these hours be blessed Close your eyes now and rest May these hours be blessed

****

Deep in the night Jed awakened with the urge to use the bathroom. He eased carefully out from underneath his little girl's small feet. For some reason Aislinn always seemed to end up sleeping horizontally between he and Abbey and tonight he had her feet. A shaft of moonlight given off by the open drapes bathed Abbey and Aislinn in it's light. Jed stood beside the bed with a warm smile curving lips as he gazed down upon his wife and daughter sleeping in a loving mother/daughter embrace. Aislinn was snuggled up to Abbey's midriff and Abbey's arm was over her shoulders holding the little girl protectively to her side, their bare feet sticking out from under the covers. As he bent to pull the comforter down to cover their cold feet and hide their achingly sweet vulnerability, a tender love for them wrapped around his heart causing him to pause for yet a moment longer to enjoy the peaceful moment and the fact that his family was indeed back with him, back where they belonged.

A few minutes later when he returned from the bathroom he slid back under the covers with them and rolled to his side to throw an arm over the two, enveloping them in his protective embrace.

****

"Mumma�mumma�"

Abbey heard the banging on the bathroom door and shut the water off in the shower so she could hear what was being said.

"Aislinn?" she asked.

"Lemme in, Mumma, lemme in."

"Okay, hold on. Don't wake up your father." Abbey stepped out of the shower and opened the bathroom door. The shaft of light blinded a still groggy Aislinn who stood in the darkened bedroom.

"Shut light, Mumma, shut light." Aislinn sleepily shielded her eyes against the bright the light.

"I have a better idea. Why don't we go down to the nursery and see if your brother is awake yet."

"Okay. We go see horsies?" Aislinn began playing with Abbey's wet hair as her mother carried her past the secret service agents and down the darkened hall. In the nursery, Nicholas was just coming too. His face was still flushed and as Abbey placed the back of her hand against his cheek he coughed deeply, the congestion having settled into his chest as well as his nose.

"How are you feeling, Nicky?" She asked.

Nicholas blinked his blue eyes sleepily and whimpered. "Hurt."

"What hurts, honey?"

Nicholas brought his hand to his throat.

"You have a sore throat?"

Nicholas nodded and curled back up not interested at all in getting up to face the day. Abbey had a feeling there wouldn't be any Olympics today for her son, not if the thermometer told her what she knew it was going to tell her. Sure enough his temperature was sitting at 101.1

"Poor little guy," she stroked his forehead. "I think you better stay home with your dad today."

By the time Jed showered and dressed he could hear music and laughter coming from the nursery. He made his way down the hall still buttoning his shirt and gave a good morning nod to his agents. At the door to the nursery he paused, a wide grin crossing his face. He didn't know how many mornings he had witnessed this very scene but it always made him smile. The music was "Here Comes the Sun" which Abbey played every morning when she woke the children up and dressed them. She was in the process of dressing Nicholas singing away, her hips moving to the music even as she slid the little boys shorts on. Abbey could never resist moving to the beat of music.

"Here comes the sun, do do do do�" Abbey buried her nose against Nicky's round naked belly causing the little boy to giggle and grab at her hair.

"Do do do do," Aislinn sang along with her mother jumping up and down on the bed until Abbey finally yanked her down to her butt so she could finish diapering her son.

"Panda NO!" Aislinn crawled off the bed and raced after her puppy. Panda looked over her shoulder and ran away dragging Aislinn's blankie with her. Aislinn cornered the pup against the wall and grabbed at the blanket. She gave a sharp tug but the puppy simply thought she was playing tug of war and yanked back.

"Panda 'TOP it! MY bankie!" Aislinn pulled harder and, wagging her tail with the delight of the game, the puppy pulled back just as hard. Jed saw the tears welling in Aislinn's eyes and moved quickly to extricate the beloved blankie from the dog's mouth. Aislinn pulled the blanket to her chest and gave her father a watery smile then lifted her arms to him.

Jed picked her up and danced his way over to where Abbey was tying Nicky's sneakers, his voice deeper and louder than Abbey's.

"Little darlin' I feel the ice is slowly melting�" He wiped the tear from Aislinn's cheek. "Little darlin' it seems like years since it's been clear."

Abbey stood and placed her arm around Jed's waist, Nicholas on her hip and they sang the end all together.

"Here comes the sun, do do do do. Here comes the sun and I say, it's all right �."

"Hey, you still using that song to get kids butts out of bed?"

"ZOEY!" Aislinn and Nicholas shouted with glee at the sight of their sister.

"It works doesn't it," Abbey lifted a brow cryptically at her daughter. "At least until you were 14 then nothing short of a bucket of water would get you to move.

Zoey laughed and knelt to accept the hugs of her younger siblings.

"I sick, Zoey, " Nicholas told her.

"You sound sick."

"Nick's gonna stay back with dear old dad today." Jed told her, then looked down at his son. "I have some meetings after breakfast but I already called Mrs. Fiderer and told her block some time at lunch so you and me can eat together and maybe do some puzzles and read some books. Would you like that?"

Nicky nodded, the smile that curved on his lips lighting his eyes. "Me n' daddy?"

"Yup, just you and me, kiddo."

Abbey flashed a grateful smile Jed's way. She had known right from the moment she'd found out that she was pregnant that this time things would be different. That this time she was going to bear the full burden of caring and raising these children without the benefit of her husband's help, or at least as much help as she was used to. There would be no compromising about who was going to take the day off to be with their sick child or the give and take of sharing nights with colic or teething. Jed's job had to come first and she had completely accepted that for both herself and for her children. And yet, she was gratified that Jed put as much effort as he did into being a normal dad and being there for his children. It warmed her to think that Nicky and Aislinn's memories of their childhood would not be of a father in absentia, but instead a father who worked very hard to give them if not quantity, than quality time.

Aislinn, you're going to be staying here with them if you don't let me brush out your hair." Abbey's attention reverted to her young daughter.

Aislinn faced her mother with a mutinous expression on her face but reluctantly walked back to where Abbey stood with the hairbrush and elastics in her hand.

"Thank you. Now, do you want two pigtails or one ponytail"

'Pony, pony, pony." Aislinn bounced making it next to impossible for Abbey to pull her hair back.

"Sit still, little miss ants in your pants."

While Abbey finished fixing Aislinn's hair and dressing her, Jed and Zoey sat on the floor with Nicholas playing with his blocks.

"Well, there you go." Jed said, eyeing the line of blocks he'd made. "N I C H O L A S. What does that spell?"

"Me!" Nicky clapped then coughed with the exertion.

"Did you give him something for this cough?" Jed looked over at Abbey with a worried frown.

"Yes, and you can give him some more at lunch."

Satisfied that his father wasn't looking, Nicholas took one arm and scattered all the blocks.

"Nicholas!"

"Do agin, daddy."

As soon as Abbey let go of Aislinn's arm the little girl raced over to her father.

"New soos, daddy." She stuck out a small foot encased in a pink converse sneaker covered with little white daisies.

"Those are pretty new shoes, sunshine. In fact," he eyed her up and down taking in the pink and white gingham checked short overalls and the white cotton shirt with its eyelet lace collar. Little wisps of blond hair curled against her cheeks where they refused to be tamed by the ponytail. "You look very pretty all around."

"Sir?" Charlie knocked at the door. "Secretary Hutchinson insisted upon not canceling his lunch meeting with you. The only time we could squeeze him in is now. Should I tell him no?"

Jed wanted to tell him to stick it up his ass. Hutchinson had always been a pain in the ass, but better to get it over with than have the meeting hanging over his head.

"Tell him I'll see him this morning. When I'M ready. He can wait with Debbie until I get there."

"Yes, sir," Charlie grinned. His grin faded as his eyes fell on Zoey. "By the way. Frenchie is downstairs waiting for you."

"He has a NAME. What is it with you two?" She glanced from Charlie to Jed. "Is Jean Paul so difficult to remember?"

****

"I told you that we cannot bring Panda to the Olympics." Abbey held Aislinn's hand tightly as they made their way to the Oval Office."

"I ask, Daddy."

"They start that playing you off one another early, don't they?" CJ was waiting outside the Oval Office to see the President and she grinned at Aislinn's smug assurance that her daddy would give her a better answer than her mommy had.

"You have no idea."

"Hello, Miss. Aislinn." Debbie bent down to talk to the pretty little girl. "I have something in my desk for you."

Aislinn raced around the desk knowing just what drawer to open.

"Debbie, I hope that isn't candy." Abbey warned.

"Nope, learned my lesson on that one."

Aislinn came back around the desk. "Look, mumma." She held out a strawberry fruit roll up.

"Very good," Abbey nodded her appreciation to her husband's secretary.

"By the way," Debbie said. "I have it on very good authority that Andy brought the babies over for a visit. She's in Toby's office right now."

CJ and Abbey immediately forgot why they were waiting to see the President and made a beeline to see the babies. Andy was seated on a chair in Toby's office holding Molly while Huck still lay in the carriage. Toby was on the phone.

"Oooh�look at him. He's precious, Andy. " Abbey bent over the carriage a tender smile crossing her face as Huck blew little bubbles at her. "May I pick him up?"

"Of course."

Abbey carefully lifted the newborn into her arms and wiped the bubbles off his pursed lips.

"I see baby, mumma, I see baby." Aislinn bounced on her tiptoes.

"Okay, come see the baby." Abbey sat and held Huck so Aislinn could see the baby.

Aislinn tentatively reached out a finger to touch the infants curled hand. "Wittle baby."

"Yes, he is a little baby. I remember when you were just a little baby like this." Waves of maternal sentimentalism crashed through Abbey's chest.

"I's a big girl."

"Not so big just yet," Abbey smiled at her daughter running a finger over her nose. "You're still my baby."

"Mumma gets a wittle baby."

"What?"

"Can we gets a wittle baby?" She placed a hand on Abbey's belly hopefully.

CJ choked on the water she had just sipped.

"No, sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy have their hands filled with you and Nicholas, you're just going to have to be happy playing with your brother."

"Good answer." Andy nodded.

"You always did look good with a baby in your arms." Jed was smiling in the doorway.

"What are you doing here?" Abbey asked.

"Well, I was told that CJ was waiting to see me and then that my wife and daughter were waiting to see me but when I came out of my office I found that I'd been deserted. So, I decided to come down and find out who dragged everyone's attention away from the President of the United States."

"Daddy, wittle baby." Aislinn took his hand and dragged him over to where Abbey sat. Jed chucked the baby under the chin, smiling when Huck reached for his finger and squeezed it.

"He's got your hair, Toby," Jed glanced over at his friend. Huck was indeed bald on the top with a little dark hair on either side of his head. Toby smirked at his boss but the pride was evident on his face.

"Daddy wants a wittle baby?" Aislinn asked hopefully. Jed's deep laughter filled the room and he lifted Aislinn up into his arms.

"You're my little baby." He gave her a big smacking kiss on the cheek.

"Daddy, I bing Panda see horsies?" Aislinn placed her hands on his cheeks and flashed him a dimpled smile.

Abbey rolled her eyes heavenward and Jed chuckled. "I don't think so, Princess. Panda might scare the horsies. I have a feeling that Mommy already told you that."

"Ma'am" Amy poked her head in the office. "Marine Two is ready for liftoff."

"Okay." Abbey stood and placed the baby back his carriage. Toby grabbed his briefcase. He would be accompanying the First Lady, as it was he who had written the remarks that she would be giving at the Olympics.

Aislinn kissed her father good-bye then took her mother's hand. As they started to leave the office she turned back to look over her shoulder and blew her father one more kiss. Jed blew it right back at her.

"Have fun, Ash!" He called out.

They met up with Zoey and Jean Paul outside on the portico. Jean Paul frowned when he saw Abbey and Aislinn.

"Where is the boy?" He asked Abbey.

"The BOY has a name, Jean Paul." Abbey snapped. "NICHOLAS has a cold and is going to stay home today."

"You didn't tell me that." Jean Pauls angry eyes turned on Zoey.

"What's the big deal?" Zoey flashed him a puzzled look. "You don't even like being around Nicholas and Aislinn so why do you care?"

Jean Paul realized quickly that he had nearly given himself away.

"I don't care, really. I guess I was just surprised."

Zoey gave her mother a confused look as they made their way on to Marine Two and Abbey shrugged. She had no idea why Jean Paul was upset that Nicholas would not be accompanying them. She had no way of knowing that kidnapping the President's son meant more to a group of Middle Eastern terrorists than kidnapping his women ever would.

TBC...