Title: On the Run
Author: Cathy Miller (www.cathyswestwing.com)
Category: Future Fic
Disclaimer: Just borrowing from Sorkin who is busy with studio 60 right now.
Feedback: Pretty please?
“Donnatella, I thought one of the advantages of being the DNC Chair was that I was guaranteed
a dance with the wife of the Chief of Staff?” Bob Meyers teased.
“I’m sorry, Bob, you know how these things get.” Donna apologized. These ‘things’ were
fundraising dinners and Donna, for one, was sick to death of them. She was looking forward to
when her husband resigned his position and these ‘things’ were no longer mandatory
appearances for them.
“How’s the baby?” Bob asked politely.
“Hardly a baby anymore.” Donna laughed. Their son, Nate, was a constant source of joy and
activity. “He turns 2 next month. Now comes the toddler years; the terrible two’s.”
“Don’t you believe it. That’s a great age. When my kids were that age I couldn’t wait to get
home to see what new word or skill they’d picked up that day. They grow so fast.”
“They really do. I’ve been happy that Mrs. Santos is comfortable with me cutting down on my
hours so I can spend more time with him.” Donna admitted honestly. “We really struggle to
make sure we have family time.”
“But you’re doing it. That’s what counts.” Bob told her. “Tell me the truth, Donna, is there any
way you’d use your influence to get Josh to re-consider my offer?”
“You should know by now that my influence is extremely limited. What offer are you referring
to?” Donna asked as she sipped her drink.
“The senate seat in Connecticut.” Donna nearly spit out her drink at her colleague’s reply. Bob
obligingly patted her back to help her avoid choking.
“You okay, Donna?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m fine. Would you excuse me for a minute?” Donna asked as she moved away. She
started towards the ladies room, then detoured to go outside to escape the crowd. It was still
warm and humid outside; Virginia in August was plenty hot and humid. It didn’t take as long as
she thought it would for her husband to find her.
“Donna? Are you okay?” Josh asked concerned. She didn’t turn around to face him.
“Fine.” was her clipped reply. Now, Josh and Donna had been married barely 3 years, but he
had learned some valuable lessons during that time. One of the lessons he had learned was
that when his wife said she was ‘fine’ in that tone of voice, she was anything but fine.
“Can we go now?” Donna asked, still not looking at Josh. “I’m tired.”
“Ah-kay. Let’s say good-bye to the Ryerson’s and we’ll go.” Donna nodded her head and joined
her husband in saying goodbye to their hosts. She continued to be silent though, all the way
home. Josh knew from experience, that she preferred not to discuss personal issues while they
were in the care with his detail, but still, not one word about anything from her.
Once they got home, Josh paid the sitter while Donna went to check on Nate. Josh found her
looking at their son sleeping in his crib.
He came up behind her and put his arms around her.
“Can you even believe he’s going to be 2?” he said incredulously.
“I really can’t. Bob was telling me how much he enjoyed his kids at this age. It made me wish he
could stay just like this a little longer.” She moved out of his arms and went into their bedroom
to get ready for bed.
“Donna, what’s wrong?” Josh asked her quietly.
“When were you going to tell me about the senate seat?”
Josh shook his head. He should have known better than to keep it from her.
“I didn’t tell you, because there’s nothing to tell. I said ‘no’.” Josh told her as he took off his
jacket and tie; dropping them on the chair. Three years of marriage had not improved his
neatness, and Donna habitually picked the items up from the chair only moments after he
dropped them.
“But you didn’t tell me.” Donna repeated.
“I’m supposed to tell you every implausible job offer I’m given? We’d never have time to discuss
anything else.”
“But you always have.” Donna insisted. “You always tell me about the ridiculous, far fetched
offers you get and this one you never mentioned.”
“Is it so ridiculous and far fetched an idea…that I could take back the senate seat?”
“No, no it isn’t. That’s precisely my point. With your experience and the DNC backing you, I
have no doubt you could do it. But the thing is; we made a deal.”
“I know this, Donnatella. I said, ‘no’.”
“But you didn’t want to. And somewhere in the back of your head, you’re thinking about it;
turning it over and over in that brilliant brain of yours.” Donna noted as she put her arms
around her husband.
“See, it sounds like you’re complimenting me, but-“
“Josh, I’m worried about you, about your health. The doctor said that too much stress-“
“I know what the doctor said and I know what are agreement was.”
“Is. What our agreement is.” Donna corrected.
“Is. I work through the re-election and then I resign; do consulting. The President is on board
with it, I’m on board with it. Everyone is on board with it. Don’t worry, okay?”
“It’s my job to worry about you.” Donna told him as she pulled him to bed. “Let’s get some
sleep. I’m so tired and Nate will be up with the sun.”
******************************************************
“Da, da, da, da…” Nate called at a little after 6 AM.
“He’s calling you.” Donna nudged her husband.
“Maybe he’ll go back to sleep.” Josh said hopefully.
“DA,DA!” Nate got louder.
“Remember how excited you were when he first said that?” Donna teased.
“Yeah, the bloom is off that rose.” Josh groused as he got up to get his son. He didn’t like the
early rising, but he still did get a thrill when he heard his son calling for him. His only regret was
that his Father never got to meet Nate. He would have loved Nathan. Not that his Mother didn’t
spoil him sufficiently for any 4 grandparents, but his Dad…there is just something special about
a Grandfather/Grandson relationship.
“Morning, Nate. Ready to get up?”
“Da, da!” Nate squealed and held out his arms for his Dad to pick him up. Josh returned the
morning hug and noted that pretty soon Nate would be climbing out of that crib on his own.
He snuck back into their bedroom and dropped a giggling Nate right on top of Donna.
“Ooomph.” She cried out as he landed on her. “Who is that waking me up so early?”
“Nate!” he replied happily and settled between his two parents. This was what he liked best,
snuggling with his Mom and Dad with tickling and kisses everywhere. He remained satisfied with
the status quo for a few minutes before demanding, ‘eat!’ The Lymans got up and had a
leisurely Saturday morning breakfast. Donna even managed to get both her men to eat some
fruit with their pancakes and cereal. It wasn’t until nearly noon that the phone rang and Josh
was called into the sit room. Donna sighed and walked him to the door as he gave Nate a hug
goodbye.
“Call me when you get an idea of how long you’ll be?” Donna yawned.
“Sure. You and Nate go take a nap. I’ll probably be done before you’re up.” Josh gave his wife
a kiss as his detail pulled the town car up to the door. “You know, if I worked in the Senate, I
wouldn’t have all these urgent pages and meetings…” he smirked and Donna smacked him.
“Yes, you’d have a lot of free time, seeing as how I’d divorce you when you broke our deal.”
“You couldn’t live without me, Donnatella, admit it.” He pulled her close for another kiss.
“I could give it a try.” She teased back. “But I wouldn’t want to.” She straightened his tie and
watched as he climbed into the car, giving her a quick wave.
“Da-da go?” Nate asked his mom.
“Yes, for a little while. Let’s go read some “Pooh Bear” before nap.” Donna answered.
******************************************************
“Thanks, Josh.”
“Your welcome, Mr. President.”
“What have you got planned for the rest of your day?” Matt Santos asked.
“Donna has yard work on the schedule, but I’m hoping she’s started without me.” It was a
running joke that Josh would risk starting an international incident if it meant getting him out of
yard work. Regardless of what he told others, he was not an outdoorsman.
“Is Donna okay? Helen said she’s been unusually quiet lately, and I noticed you left the party
early.”
“Yeah, fine. She wasn’t very pleased to learn about the DNC’s Senate proposal, that’s all.”
“I can understand that. I think Helen was ready to kill both of us when you talked me into
running for President. She was just getting excited about private life when you came along.”
Matt recollected.
“Donna’s feeling the same way, I think.” Josh told him. “And it didn’t help that she heard the
news from Bob instead of me.”
“That’ll do it.” Matt agreed. “You should still think about it, Josh. You’d make a good Senator,
and it would be a lot less stress than working as my Chief of Staff.”
“I don’t think Donna would go for it, sir. And in the end, that’s what matters most to me.”
“But if she were on board, you’d consider it?” he inquired.
“What, Bob’s got you shilling for him now?” Josh returned.
“Just looking out for the party. We have a good shot and taking back Congress this time.”
“Looking out for a smoother second term, you mean. Having a Democratic Congress would be
a cake walk for you, sir.”
“I didn’t say there wasn’t an upside for me, too.”
“Right. Have a good evening, sir.” Josh told him as he left. Josh walked through the door from
the Oval to his office. He looked at the pictures on his desk; some from the Bartlett
administration, some from the Santos administration, but all of them with his family, Donna and
then Nate too. He couldn’t go back on his word to her. She was counting heavily on having
some time alone as a family once he resigned.
Carol came in when she heard her boss rummaging around his office.
“I’ve got your talking points for the Sunday morning shows.” She told him. “Do you need the
latest agriculture figures, too?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Josh said half-heartedly. “Tell me again why Sam isn’t doing this?”
“It’s his Anniversary weekend away with Ainsley.” Carol replied as she spread out the papers he
needed on his desk.
“Oh, yeah.” Josh recalled. “Then I’ll excuse him this once. Is this really my call sheet?”
“I put an asterisk next to the ones I thought should be returned today. The rest can probably
wait until Monday.” She noted.
“But it’s Saturday. How can this many people possible be calling on a Saturday?” Josh
demanded.
“You’re the White House Chief of Staff, what did you expect?” she said without looking up.
“I expected this to get easier at some point. All I do is put out fires here.” Josh muttered.
“Do you want me to get the Speaker on the line for you?” Carol asked carefully.
“Why not? I’m not getting out of here anytime soon.” Maybe life would be better is he worked in
the Senate. Donna might not agree to the Senate seat, okay she would never agree to the
Senate seat, but maybe a senior advisor to the majority leader? God, if they could take back
the Congress…It could really be something.
************************************************
Donna settled in to watch Josh do his thing on “Meet the Press”. She always felt so proud when
she watched him passionately debate the issues, but the truth was she just loved watching him
period, and if the only way she could spend Sunday morning with him was to watch him on TV,
then that’s what she did. Nate was completely confused by his father’s appearance on the
television. He would talk to and call to his father, and was confused as to why his father wouldn’
t talk back to him. Donna got some great video from the whole exchange, but couldn’t convince
Nate that his Dad couldn’t hear him.
“Good morning, I’m Tim Russert and if it’s Sunday, it’s Meet the Press. Today’s guest; White
House Chief of Staff Joshua Lyman, here to discuss the trade bill currently under consideration
in the Congress. Welcome, Josh.”
“Thanks Tim. It’s nice to be here.”
“Tell us about why the Congress should pass this trade bill. Isn’t going to end up costing
Americans thousands of jobs?”
“These aren’t the jobs that are going to increase earning potential of most Americans Tim. The
President’s top priority has been to increase the average income of American workers so that
they can better afford to take care of their families while still being competitive in the world
market.”
Tim quizzed Josh on various issues, and Josh was able to keep his cool, even when the
Republican Congressman from Mississippi tried to egg him on. That was one thing that had
improved dramatically since he became Chief of Staff; Josh had learned not to let his
opponents bait him. The hour was almost up and Nate was begging for ‘juice’ so Donna got up
to pour him some when she heard Tim’s final question.
“Before we go, I have to take this opportunity to address a rumor that’s been traveling around
the District. Is it true that you’ll be resigning as Chief of Staff to run for the Senate seat in
Connecticut?” Tim smiled as he asked and the audience could see the look of surprise on
Josh’s face. He took a few seconds to regroup.
“Well, Tim, it’s true that I’ll be resigning as Chief of Staff after re-election. I’ve told President
Santos that it’s been a privilege to serve him, but this is my 3rd term in the White House and I’m
ready for a job that won’t pull me away from my wife and son so much.”
“Like a job in the Senate?” Tim pushed further.
“I haven’t made any specific plans yet. That’s still a ways down the road.”
“So….not the Senate?” Tim tried again. Josh looked distinctly uncomfortable. “Are you saying
no one has approached you about the Senate seat?”
“I’m saying that my career decisions haven’t been made at this time. I’ll let you know once I
figure it all out.” Josh promised.
“I would love to see Mr. Lyman run for the Senate seat in Connecticut. Our party has a strong
contender in Congressman LeVoy. A match up between Congressman LeVoy and Mr. Lyman is
something I could sell tickets to.” Congressman Nichols goaded.
“The Congressman from Mississippi is assuming facts not in evidence.” Josh retorted. “But
that’s hardly surprising since that’s the only way Republicans can win any argument.”
“I think Mr. Lyman would find running for office a great deal more challenging than running
someone else’s campaign. He’s probably right not to consider it. He’s probably more cut out for
directing than for the lead role.”
“See there, Tom, you’re confusing the noble pursuit of ideals through Governing, with a cheesy
‘B’ movie. If you like, we can stay after here, and I’ll go over the differences with you.” Josh
offered genially. Donna winced as she watched what she was sure was about to be a train
wreck, but Tim broke in and signed off. She exhaled a sigh of relief when Nate drew her
attention to the fact that the juice was overflowing onto the floor.
**********************************************
“That was quite a show, baby.” Donna commented as Josh came through the door.
“That sanctimonious son of a bitch…” Josh trailed off as it occurred to him that his son could be
within earshot. Donna read his expression perfectly.
“He’s in the living room playing with his train.” Donna explained. “He liked seeing you on TV.”
“Could you believe that bastard? ‘More cut out for directing than a lead role’ what the hell is
that supposed to mean?”
“It’s supposed to get you riled up enough to say something stupid so you couldn’t run for
anything in the future.” Donna replied as she took his suit coat off and loosened his tie.
“I would wipe the floor with LeVoy, Donna.”
“I know.” Donna sighed. “But that’s really not the point is it? It’s all academic because you’ve
already said ‘no’, right?”
“Right.” Josh said unenthusiastically.
“I’m curious then, why you simply didn’t say so on Meet the Press.” Donna looked him in the
eye.
“I told him that I haven’t made any decisions about my future beyond the White House and
that’s the truth.”
“I believe you. I just also believe that you’re more tempted than you’re letting on about the
Senate seat.” Donna alleged.
“Okay, maybe I’ve been thinking about it, but that’s all. It’s not a bad thing to explore all the
options; look at the big picture.”
“No, but you have to have all the information in order to make good choices.” Donna
maintained. “And there’s a big piece of information you’re currently without.”
“What’s that?” Josh asked curiously.
“I’m pregnant.” Donna told him simply.
Josh’s face lit up. “Pregnant?” He grabbed his wife and kissed her soundly. “Wait…when did
you find out?”
“I suspected for the last week or so, but I took the test this morning, right before Meet the
Press.” She admitted.
“And you didn’t say anything?” Josh shook her lightly.
“I didn’t want you to be disappointed if it turned out I was wrong.” They had recently stopped
using birth control and had decided it would happen when it happened, but this was pretty fast.
“Are you okay with this?”
“Okay? I’m thrilled!” he kissed her again to convince her of his happiness. “When will the baby
be due?”
“Sometime in March, I’m guessing.” Donna smiled, but inside she was nervous. The current
timetable had Josh resigning next year after the re-election. This baby would be eight months
old by then. There’s no way she could go back to work with two children under three and the
hours that Josh kept. She was okay with quitting, she really was, she just didn’t want to be a
single mother with two young children.
**********************************************
“Congratulations.” Sam gave his friend a hug. “That’s great news.” Sam and Ainsley had
returned from their weekend away and Josh couldn’t wait a moment longer to share his news.
“Isn’t it?” Josh shook his head. “By next March we’ll have two children.”
“Then what?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, does this change your plans? Two kids, an infant and a toddler, AND the Chief of Staff
job?”
“Oh, God, did Bob get to you too?”
“You should consider it, Josh.”
“YOU should consider it Sam.”
“I’m not from Connecticut. I’d be a carpetbagger. I’ve seen the numbers. Levoy hasn’t had a
serious contender for his Congressional seat. He’s not ready for serious competition for the
Senate seat.”
“I promised Donna-“
“I know what you promised Donna.” At the look from Josh, Sam continued. “She and Ainsley
share everything.”
“That’s a scary thought.” Josh mused.
“You aren’t kidding.” Sam grinned as he agreed. “You should talk to Donna.”
“I’ll think about it.” Josh surrendered and turned to the business of the day.
***************************************
Donna deftly directed the First Lady toward the dais where she would be giving some remarks
before the luncheon was served. Many Congressional spouses had been invited to the
luncheon in an effort to bolster the bi-partisan support of the educational package for Early
Childhood Education. Donna inwardly groaned as she saw two Congressional spouses in their
direct path who were bound to waylay them; Mrs. LeVoy and Mrs. Nichols. Donna was
convinced those two had formed some sort of coven when their husbands joined political forces.
“Mrs. Santos, how delightful to see you.” cooed Mrs. Nichols.
“I’m so glad that there’s been such an overwhelming response to the cause of Early Childhood
Education.” Helen replied keeping a smile plastered on her face.
“We all agree on the importance of Early Education. If children don’t start out on the right foot,
they’ll be in no position to lift themselves out of unfortunate personal circumstances and live the
American dream.” Mrs. LeVoy pointed out.
“Unfortunate personal circumstances?” Donna repeated. “Would that be like poverty, hunger,
and lack of preventative health care?” Donna questioned.
“That would be parents who don’t practice abstinence when they are clearly unable to raise
and care for their children.” Mrs. LeVoy corrected.
“Of course. We should require a litmus test for parenthood. Mrs. Santos, perhaps we could
bring that up with the President? Let’s see, we’d want self-employed, college graduates, no
health concerns or physical impairments…that sounds a bit familiar doesn’t it? Oh, yes, the
Nazi’s tried that once…didn’t work out so well in the end.” Donna quipped.
“Mrs. Lyman, please tell me you’re not equating my husband’s “Family Responsibility Act” with
Nazi experiments.” Mrs. LeVoy said condescendingly.
“Certainly not…your husband’s legislation is far more dangerous. At least the Nazi’s came out
and openly said they were trying to create a master race while eliminating the elements of
society they didn’t feel worthy.” Donna responded and Helen bobbled her glass at the
vehement response from her normally level headed Chief of Staff.
“Well…I guess my husband hit the nail on the head last week on Meet the Press.” Mrs. Nichols
finally responded. “You and your husband are clearly better suited for behind the scenes work
in Government.”
“I think I need to get to the podium now, if you’ll-“ Helen started.
“Your husband was as wrong about that as he is about every other thing that comes out of his
mouth.” Donna replied. “Josh would make a formidable Senator.”
“Oh Donna, you’ve been in this circus long enough to know he’s made too many enemies to
ever be successful in a campaign of his own.” Mrs. LeVoy added.
“No Janet, what I KNOW is that your husband better buckle down because once Josh is in this,
it’s going to be a very bumpy ride for Ted.” Donna replied in a deadly tone of voice and led the
First Lady to the podium.
“Uh, Donna?” Helen said softly.
“Yeah…”
“I think you just announced Josh would be running for the Senate.” Helen told her.
“Yeah…”
“And it looks like the witches of East D.C. are sharing that information with members of the
press attending our little bi-partisan event here today.”
“Yeah…”
“Maybe you should go over to the West Wing and let Josh know you’ve made an
announcement before Lester gets the question in his afternoon briefing?”
“Yeah…”
*******************************************
“Carol, does he have a minute?” Donna asked, praying the answer was ‘no’.
“He’s in with senior staff, but they’re just finishing up, so go on in.” Carol smiled, truly believing
she was helping Donna.
“Thanks…” Donna knocked and came in quietly while Sam re-told some story about his
meeting with the Secretary of education. Josh looked up, saw her and smiled. Donna gave a
half-smile back which caused him to look at her quizzically. Donna shook her head slightly to
indicate there was nothing terribly wrong.
When Sam finished with his update, Josh asked for the room and his staff got up to leave.
“Sam, could you hang on a minute please?” Donna asked thinking there was a better chance of
Josh not losing it in front of Sam.
“You okay?” Josh asked first and Donna realized he might be concerned about the baby.
“I’m fine…we’re fine; just a bit hormonal.” She gave a weak laugh.
“Something happen at the luncheon?” Sam guessed and Donna nodded weakly.
“Damn it, Donna, I told you this bi-partisan thing was asking for trouble. The Republicans don’t
want to be seen as opposing this bill, but they don’t like being forced into supporting it either.”
Josh complained.
“It wasn’t exactly about the bill.” Donna continued.
“Helen said something? You told me you had her firmly on a leash on this.”
“First of all, Helen is the First Lady of the United States and no one puts her ‘on a leash’ you
sexist pig.” Donna was getting hot.
“She can’t be making off the cuff remarks in a situation where she’s surrounded by press and
Republicans.” Josh ranted on.
“She is staying exactly on message, but she can state pretty much anything she likes, Joshua.”
“Then what is the big problem!” Josh was getting frustrated with his wife’s lack of candor.
“I accidentally announced you were running for the Senate seat in Connecticut and Helen
thought I should let you know that before the press got back here wanting a comment!” Donna
shouted.
There was a moment of stunned silence before Sam burst out in hysterical laughter. Josh sat
down heavily in his chair.
“I’m sorry, you accidentally did what?” Josh asked.
“I accidentally announced you’re running for the Senate.” Donna got defensive. “Are you deaf?”
“How do you ‘accidentally’ announce that-“
“I don’t know Josh, perhaps we could discuss secret plans to fight inflation or liaisons with call
girls.” Donna responded shooting a look at Sam who was literally doubled over with laughter.
“I’m just asking how you of all people-”
“This is all your fault anyway!” Donna shouted.
“How do you figure that? I already said ‘no’ and I wasn’t anywhere near the luncheon.”
“Janet got me all riled up because I’m so hormonal, and I’m only hormonal because you-“
“Okay, okay.” Sam held up his hands and gasped for breath. “I really don’t need the biology
lesson. I think at this point we should figure out how we’re going to handle this.”
“Handle what?” asked President Santos as he came through the connecting door. “Donna,
aren’t you and my wife hosting some bi-partisan lunch thing on education?”
“Yes, sir, we are. I just had to let Josh know about a little item that developed before the
speech.” Donna hedged.
“Oh Lord, what did Helen say now?” The President asked resignedly.
“Oh, you can relax, sir, it wasn’t the First Lady.” Sam smiled enjoying the discomfiture of both
his friends.
“What is it? Is it going to end up on my desk?”
“Oh, undoubtedly, sir.” Sam replied and busted out laughing again. Donna hit him.
“My wife apparently announced my Senate run at the luncheon today.” Josh said glancing wryly
at a visibly squirming Donna.
“I thought you said that was a ‘no go’ at your house? That’s terrific, Josh, seriously, but
shouldn’t you have picked a little different forum for the announcement?”
“I think you’ll have to ask my campaign manager Donna Moss Lyman about that, sir. I had no
idea I was running let alone that it was being announced that I was running.” Donna squirmed
some more.
“Sir, maybe we should give these two a minute?” Sam suggested.
“Nah-uh. I want to watch.” Santos grinned.
“Mr. President…” Josh implored.
“Fine, but I expect to hear details later.” Santos agreed and led Sam back into the Oval.
“Donna…what in the world compelled you to-“
“You should have heard her, Joshua! She and Mary Nichols going on about how kids needed
this bill to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and how you were more suited to ‘behind the
scenes’ work and then I compared Nichols bill to the Nazi’s.” Donna finished.
“You know I didn’t follow a word of that right?” Josh asked as he carefully approached his wife.
“What exactly did you say about the Senate run?”
“It’s all kind of a blur, but I might have said something about Ted buckling in because once you
entered the race he was going to be in for a very bumpy ride.”
“What, are you channeling Mae West now?”
“I’m hormonal Joshua! It was the best I could do at the time, okay?” Josh was alarmed to see
tears gathering in her eyes. “I was sticking up for you.”
“Okay, okay. Don’t worry about it. We’ll just have Lester issue a statement at his briefing that
you were misunderstood. We can work this back, don’t cry.” Donna cried harder at that
directive.
“I don’t want Lester to make a statement.”
“Baby, it really can’t come from you or your office. It needs to come from mine.”
“No, I mean I don’t want anyone to work it back. I think you should run.” Donna told him and the
sheer shock of the statement had him sitting down heavily on the couch next to her.
“Is this another hormonal statement that you’re going to change your mind about once you’ve
had, I don’t know, sleep…or the baby?”
“Ted LeVoy shouldn’t be elected to city council and don’t even get me started on his wife.
Connecticut deserves better.” She said steadfastly.
“And that means me?”
“Considering the alternatives…”
“Donna. This isn’t a small decision. It would mean campaigning with a toddler and an infant in
tow and quitting the White House earlier than we’d planned..” Josh shook his head.
“Are you saying you don’t want to do it?”
“No, you know me better than that. I’m saying I don’t want to do it if it’s going to mess things up
for us, and for our family. I don’t want one moment of pique with a Congressman’s bitchy wife to
determine the course of our lives here.”
“That was very eloquent, Josh; Senatorial even.” Donna smiled. “You should do it…We should
do it.” Donna nodded for emphasis.
“Okay, but don’t think we won’t be revisiting the topic of you making decisions and
announcements without talking to me first.” Josh teased. “I’d better go discuss this with the
President. Wanna come with?”
“No thanks. I think I’ll just go back to the luncheon and keep my mouth shut for the rest of the
day.”
“That will never happen. Just try not to get into any pissing contests with the wife of the
Secretary General. Her husband could definitely beat me up.” He warned her. She stuck her
tongue out as she left.
**************************************************
For the next several weeks, they stuck with their “no final decision has been made and Josh
Lyman is too busy as Chief of Staff to seriously contemplate his future options at this time’
spiel, but it wasn’t taken very seriously by anyone in the know. It was at Nathaniel Lyman’s 2nd
Birthday party that they took the next step.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“You think I shouldn’t run?” Josh asked seriously.
“I think you should be committed.” Replied Toby Ziegler. ”Whether or not that makes you
ineligible for the Senate is up to the voters.”
“I need your help, Toby.”
“You can’t have someone who was fired from the White House work on your campaign Josh.”
“So you’re saying ‘no’ to the spokesperson job?” Josh laughed at the expression on Toby’s
face. “I’m not talking about anything official, just some advice and maybe the occasional
speech.”
“Are you looking to get killed on this? I can’t be within several nautical miles of your campaign. I
shouldn’t even be here today!” At that comment, Josh turned completely serious.
“It is a family celebration for my son’s second Birthday. You are a part of our family and you
absolutely belong here. Don’t talk like that again or I’ll get pissed off.” Josh responded hotly.
“Right, cause you certainly don’t want to cross a Connecticut Jew.”
“Not when he’s also the Chief of Staff to the President of the United States.” Josh agreed and
cooled off a bit. “You make me crazy when you say shit like that, Toby. You made a mistake,
you were pardoned. How come everyone can move on but you?”
“Because it affected everyone else differently from me. Where’s the Birthday boy, anyway?”
Toby hastened to change the subject.
“Donna’s changing him. They should be down in a second. Oh, and whatever you do, do not
fall for any questions about how Donna looks.” Josh warned quietly as Donna came downstairs
with Nate in her arms. Toby immediately took him from her and wished him Happy Birthday while
Donna watched on smiling.
“Hey, Toby and I were just discussing the thing.” Josh said in his usual cryptic style.
“Good. The rest of our party should be arriving shortly. I should go change.” Donna mentioned.
“Don’t you think?”
“Whatever you want.” Josh said without making a commitment either way.
“You look great, Donna. You don’t need to change.” Toby added while Josh made slashing
gestures across his throat.
“You can totally tell this is a maternity outfit, can’t you?” Donna demanded.
“Not really, no, but it wouldn’t matter would it, as you are actually pregnant?”
“I’m only 14 weeks pregnant Toby. No one should be able to tell yet. I told you I was gaining
weight already!” Donna accused Josh.
“I don’t know what this crazy man is talking about, baby. Sit down and relax. Everyone will be
arriving soon.” As if to punctuate his sentence, the doorbell rang and Nate started waving his
hands and running to the door.
“I’m going to change into something that doesn’t make me look fat.” Donna announced.
“Yeah, good luck with that.” Josh sighed. “You just had to say something didn’t you?”
“You were the one who had me greasing the nurse when Andi was pregnant.” Toby reminded
him.
“Oh, yeah.” Josh recalled as he got up to help his son answer the door. It was the start of an
avalanche as friends and family arrived for the party, but it was the additional Secret Service
that heralded the arrival of the man Josh most wanted to see.
“We’re so glad you could make it, Mr. President.” Josh was enveloped in a hug by Jed Bartlet.
“I’m pleased to be in the home of the future Senator from Connecticut.” Jed replied with a
twinkle in his eye. “Abby is sorry she couldn’t make it, but she’s busy at the hospital with
something or other.”
“We’ll just have to make do with you then, sir. Please come in.” Nate chose that moment to run
into the foyer and seeing who the latest visitor was, ran into Jed’s waiting arms.
“There’s the man of the hour.” Jed proclaimed. “How old are you again?”
“Two!” Nate announced proudly as he held up three fingers.
“Yeah, you got your Dad’s brains there kiddo.” Jed teased. “Where’s your Mom?”
“Ma-ma! Ma-ma.” Nate called as he climbed the stairs to find his mother. Donna appeared in
her third change of clothes and saw who had arrived.
“Donnatella. You are positively radiant. Dump this Government worker, and run away with me.
He was never good enough for you anyway.” Jed kissed her on the cheek.
“It’s tempting, Mr. President, very tempting.” Donna told him feeling a little calmer now.
“I have a present here for the Birthday boy.” Jed proclaimed and took the gift from the hands of
one of his Secret Service agents. Technically, they weren’t supposed to have anything in their
hands, but when Jed Bartlet told you to hold something for him…well, that’s what you do.
********************************************
After cake was served, and Nate was busy running off his sugar high with his friends and
cousins, Josh found himself at a table in the backyard with an informal campaign committee.
“You should announce from your childhood home. Show your roots and prove you’re invested
in the community.” Sam opined.
“How? By standing in front an empty house? No, he needs to announce from the Capitol or
some other place that gives a great visual and connects him to daily Government.” Toby
argued.
“When’s your last day going to be with President Santos?” Jed interrupted the argument.
“December 31st.“ Josh answered absently.
“Then take January and get your family settled. Once you’ve got a home base there,
everything’s going to run smoother and feel more natural. With Donna due in March, you’re not
going to want to stray to far from home until then.” Jed offered.
“So you announce in February and start the rubber chicken circuit then.” Sam smiled.
“I think Donna already took care of the announcement.” Josh jokes.
“The FORMAL announcement in February then.” Sam amended. “You need to work on your
speech and develop a platform.”
“Transportation and Education poll among the highest constituent concerns.” Toby offered
looking at the polling data they had collected.
“That will meld nicely with what you’ve been doing in the Santos Administration, but you’ve got
to step back and look at these things through a different lens, Josh.” Jed noted.
“What do you mean, sir?”
“You’ve been focused on the national lens for a long, long time. To be successful in Senate
politics you need to think more locally.” Jed continued.
“Like we did in the Primaries?” Josh asked.
“To a certain extent, yes.” Jed confirmed. “They’re going to try to paint you with my mistakes
and Matt’s mistakes. Have you had opposition research run yet?”
“Joey Lucas is doing it now. The only thing I’m sure of is that they’ll try to use the PTSD.” Josh
told them.
“That would be a mistake.” Toby noted. “A very big mistake.”
“They won’t do it directly, they’re not that stupid.” Josh maintained. “It will be ‘sources close to
the Bartlet administration..’ shit like that.”
“You should do a sit down.” Bartlet added. “Pick someone you trust in the press corps and go
through a detailed account of everything.”
“And that would be who, exactly?” Josh laughed.
“Right. Have your wife do a sit down.” Bartlet amended.
“That’s not a bad idea, you know.” Sam chimed in.
“What’s not a bad idea, honey?” Ainsley asked her husband as she reached over his shoulder
to pluck some of the food off of his plate.
“Having Donna do a pre-emptive sit down to soften the ground a bit.” Sam responded as he
moved his plate further out of reach.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Donna’s a little…”
“Crazy?” Josh offered.
“I was going to go with emotional… right now.” Ainsley finished.
“If the last go around is any indication, things may not level out until about month 5.” Josh told
them all.
“I say let her do it. Donna can keep it together for an interview.” Sam argued.
“Joshua Lyman, you promised you would run interference with my Mother and she’s in there re-
organizing my kitchen while you sit out here cavorting with your pals. My sister has made 3
comments about my dress and I’m gaining weight from merely looking at the cake. Next time,
YOU are having the child!” Donna stormed away from them and Josh merely looked at Sam.
“Yeah, you’re going to want to wait on her sit down.” Sam agreed.
“Da-da look!” Nate demanded as he shoved his new train into his Dad’s lap.
“Check that out! Where’s the track?” Josh asked him. Nate scrambled to get it. “I’m ready for
this guys. I feel like I’ve been spinning my wheels for the last 6 months, and I’m ready for what’s
next.”
“Here.” Nate dumped the train tracks on the table.
“Let’s build a railroad, Nate man.” Josh got down on the ground and along with the former
President of the United States and the Deputy Chief of Staff, put together his son’s new train
set.