Through The Years
by AJ
Disclaimers: The song belongs to Kenny Rogers, who is absolutely great. The
West Wing belongs to Aaron Sorkin, who rocks!
Notes: Thanks to Chelle for reading this for me and encouraging me to
continue with this. Also, thanks to everyone who has been responding to
these song fics I've been doing! You guys make me keep wanting to write
more! :-)
I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do
As Jed stood up, ready to take the oath of office for the President of
the United States for his second time, he glanced to the woman to his right.
A smile graced his lips as he thought back to the life that they've lived
together in the thirty some odd years they've been married. They weathered
some pretty stormy seas in those years of marriage, but never did their love
fail them.
Three daughters, a medical practice, and a political career, and here
they stood, for the second time, Jed committing himself to the office of the
presidency for another four years. It seemed to Jed, at that moment, that
they've done it all. And, even if they haven't, he had no doubt in their
strength to get through whatever else life may decide to throw at them.
Through the years, you've never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you
Through the years
After Jed took the oath, and they were at the Inaugural ball, Abbey
watched from a quiet corner as her husband searched the crowd for her. She
considered helping him, but that would take all the fun out of it. So, she
relaxed in her corner and waited for him to find her.
As she watched him walk across the room, her mind wandered back
through the years of the life that they have created together. She could not
remember a time in all those years that she had ever been afraid. She
couldn't remember a time when he had let her down, either. All she could
remember were the sweetest days she's ever lived.
I can't remember what I used to do
Who I trusted whom, I listened to before
I swear you've taught me everything I know
Can't imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more
Finally, Jed spotted Abbey. His eyes did a dance as they locked with
hers. His direction changed and he began to walk towards her, his eyes not
once breaking contact with hers. The entire time he crossed the room, the
only thought in his mind was how much he just needed to be near her. He
loved being near her.
Abbey laughed as Jed approached her. He was shaking his finger at
her, his eyes accusing her of having left his side on purpose so that he
would have to find her. She grinned at him, thus confirming his suspicions.
Jed shook his head at his wife as he wrapped his arms around her and
gave her a quick, but sweet kiss on the lips. Abbey smiled at him, knowing
exactly how much this man means to her, and how much she continues to need
him more and more through the years.
Through the years, through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had, I've always been so glad
To be with you ... Through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years
As the night began to wind down, Abbey and Jed were standing hand in
hand. Jed brought her hand up to his mouth where he kissed it. Abbey smiled
softly at her husband as she leaned her head against his shoulder, as the
conversations around them continued.
Just about everyone in the room noticed their president and first
lady. And, as they watched the two lovers, they wondered how it was possible
for a couple to come as far as they have. Definitely, they've had their
share of bad times. But, as they continued to watch them, they realized that
Jed and Abbey must not have let that ruin anything. They both knew what they
had with the other, and neither of them wanted that to ever go away. And,
they've lived their lives making sure that that never happened.
Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belonged
Right here with you ... Through the years
I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out
I've learned what love's about, by loving you
Through the years
After the party was all over with, Jed and Abbey were put into a limo
and driven back to the White House, where they would live for four more
years. They didn't sit side by side in the limo. Instead, Abbey sat across
from Jed. They spent the entire time, just looking into the others' eyes.
It was written in each of their eyes that no matter what twists life
would bring, they would still be right there with each other. They knew that
they would have problems to face in the future. Perhaps some rather big
disagreements. But, in the end, that's all they were. Disagreements. For,
they always work it out. Always. They made this plan at the beginning of
their relationship that they'd never walk away angry. And, they've always
tried to live up to that. Sometimes, it was a little more difficult than
others, due to their jobs or whatever, but they never stopped trying, and
they never would.
Through the years, you've never let me down
You've turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years!
Walking back to the residence, hand in hand, Abbey once again leaned
her head on her husband's shoulder. Together they learned the meaning of
true love. A love that has managed to last through the years.
The End.