Return to Yesteryear
by AJ
Amanda gazed at him with tear-filled eyes, "Leo. . . I used to be a drunk. I drank from sun up to sun down. But. . . I've been sober for two years. Why can't people understand that?" More tears fell and she let them slip down her face.
Leo moved to embrace her, "I can understand it."
She turned into him, and hugged him tightly, her tears falling onto his jacket. "I'm sorry," she murmured softy.
"Don't be. I'm not. I've been sober for 8 years now."
"How do you do it? How do you find the strength everyday to not pick up another drink? How do you last for 8 years?" She asked, still sobbing.
"I lean on the people around me, and I know that I'm better off this way." He stroked her hair gently, understanding what she was going through.
"And if you have no one to lean on? Then what?" She picked her head up and looked him in the eyes.
"Then you lean on me," he said quietly.
~~~
"So. . ." Jed said nervously as he returned to his wife and Kimberly.
"So. . ." Abbey replied as Jed wrapped his arms around her waist and she leaned into him. She smiled sweetly at Kimberly and rested her hands on Jed's, tilting her head as he gently nibbled her neck, more out of reflex than anything else.
"So. . .What did I miss?" Jed looked down at his wife, thanking his lucky stars that she didn't seem as pissed as she had when he left.
"Hmmm. . . Not much." Abbey gently stroked the back of his hand, genuinely enjoying his closeness, forgetting the woman that stood to their side as she turned into him and kissed him gently.
Clearing her throat, Kimberly stood there with a thoroughly unamused look on her face, causing Jed and Abbey to separate from their kiss and turn back to her. Abbey blushed, having honestly forgotten that there were other people in the room.
"You're still here?" Abbey asked.
Kimberly's mouth dropped open and she took a menacing step towards the First Lady. Abbey glanced at one of her Secret Service agents who immediately intercepted the woman.
As the secret service dragged Kimberly away, Jed turned to his wife, "I'm sorry. I should have mentioned her to you before. Guess I just didn't see any reason to."
Abbey thought for a minute before replying, "It's okay. I told her she obviously wasn't as important as she thought. After all, I have you now, don't I?" Abbey smiled and kissed him gently again.
"As long as you'll keep me." He said through the kiss. Abbey just smiled and pulled him tighter. Jed welcomed the embrace as he looked up and saw Leo reenter the room, holding onto Amanda's hand.
Leo and Amanda slowly made their way over to the President and First Lady. "I want to thank you for making me come, Sir."
"Leo, this isn't a work night, if you call me Sir or Mr. President one more time. . ." Jed grinned at his best friend. He knew that if he could some how get Leo to come, that he'd have a good time.
Jed was wrong, he had a great time.
"Was that Kimberly I saw Ron drag out of here?" Leo questioned.
Abbey smiled innocently, "Probably." Abbey too was having a good time. . .now.
THE END