Chapter 15
Josh, with Liz and his traveling companions had reached their destination, and Josh was still
holding, waiting for news from Lou. Liz told the driver to circle the block.
“Josh?” Lou asked to see if he was still there.
“Yeah, what do you know?”
“They opened the box. There were two discs and…this is the weird part, a four leaf clover.”
Josh’s stomach dropped. What the hell was Colin up to now?
“They’re going to check out the discs and let us know what’s on them.”
“But there’s nothing dangerous?” Josh clarified.
“Yeah, they’re letting everyone back in the office now. I guess we’ll get some free publicity.”
Lou quipped.
“Always thinking; that’s why I hired you, Lou.” Josh returned. “I’m giving my phone back to
Liz. Call her with an update when you have one.”
“Yes, sir.” Lou confirmed.
They had circled back to the entrance to Josh’s event, so Josh tossed the phone back to Liz
and got out of the car. It rang again just after Josh took the stage and Liz had to hold the
phone out so Donna could hear Josh’s voice. After being suitably reassured that her
husband was fine, and had indeed left the office before the package had even arrived, she
finally hung up the phone.
When Donna turned the television up again, an F.B.I. agent was giving a statement.
“After the New Haven police cleared the building as a precaution, we took every precaution
ourselves to investigate the unmarked and anonymous package left at the campaign
headquarters of Senate candidate Joshua Lyman. We are pleased to report that it
contained no harmful substances of any kind.”
“Can you tell us what was in the package?” a reported asked.
“At this time we are declining to provide that information, but want to again reassure
everyone that there is no potential danger from the package.” The agent responded.
“Thank you, that’s all for now.”
Donna was puzzled. If the box didn’t contain anything dangerous, why not release what WAS
in the box. She tried Lou, but Lou didn’t answer.
*********************************************
“He’s taking questions right now.” Liz told Lou.
“Get him out of there and PUT HIM ON THE PHONE.” Lou demanded.
Liz was startled by Lou’s tone even though her shouting wasn’t anything new. She extricated
Josh from the throng of people surrounding him and found a relatively quiet corner so he
could talk to Lou.
“Get back here.” Lou told him.
“What’s going on? Is this about the package?” Josh inquired.
“Yes, and I can’t talk to you about it over the phone. Get your ass back here.” Lou told him
again.
“Did you just tell me to get my ass-“
“Joshua. Now.” Lou hung up.
“It looks like we’re heading back to the office, Liz.”
“Yeah.” She agreed after hearing Lou shout through the phone.
****************************************************
Josh sat down in his chair heavily as the F.B.I. explained to him what they’d found on the
discs. His anger and frustration mounted as he listened until he could no longer sit and got
up to pace.
“But you’ve got evidence, right? Solid evidence?” Josh asked pointedly.
“After our preliminary review, that’s how it appears. The first disc contained digital
photographs, your assistant-“ he pointed to Lou who scoffed at the title. “She told us they
were the same photographs that were recently shown on CNN. The second disc contained a
recorded conversation between Colin Ayers and David Jordan as well as documentation
involving a sizable deposit.” The agent confirmed. “We’re going to be bringing Mr. Jordan in
for questioning shortly.”
“Mr. Jordan is only the campaign manager.” Josh responded. “What about LeVoy?”
“Obviously there is a connection-“
“A connection?!”
“Mr. Lyman, while Mr. Jordan works for Congressman LeVoy, we don’t as yet have evidence
that Congressman LeVoy had direct knowledge of, or gave orders to, have photos of Mrs.
Lyman manufactured.”
“Bull shit!”
“Josh…” Toby warned.
“Of course he had direct knowledge of it, it was probably his idea!”
“Probably isn’t the same as certainty. We need to gather evidence. Give us time to explore
all avenues of investigation before-“
“Whatever.” Josh cut him off and walked straight out to his car. Toby, who was right behind
him, jumped in the car with him.
“Give me your phone.” Josh ordered tersely.
“I think it’s important to remember-“
“Give me your damn phone.” Josh repeated.
Toby raised his eyebrows at him but handed over his phone.
“Yeah, it’s me. Pull up LeVoy’s public schedule. Find out where he is right now.”
Toby watched Josh while he waited for the information and tried to formulate what to do next.
“Great. Thanks.” Josh handed the phone back to Toby and instructed his driver to take him
to the Old State House in Hartford.
“Are there any words I could say at this time, that will make you reconsider the stupid ass
move you’re about to make?”
“I don’t know, but it’s a 45 minute drive from New Haven to Hartford so you have a little bit of
time to try.”
“How about this: the news alone of this investigation is going to rob LeVoy of this election
and any other he ever tries to run in. You are, unless you do something monumentally
moronic, the next Senator for the State of Connecticut.”
“You think I care about that right now?”
“I know you don’t care about that right now. I’m trying to MAKE you care about that right
now.” Toby’s voice was getting louder and more strident. “You should call Donna. She’s
going to be worried about you, and talking to Donna will calm both of you down.”
“No.”
“No?”
“No. She’ll make me promise not to do what I’m about to do and then I’ll feel horrible for
breaking my word to her.” Josh reasoned.
“Strangely enough, I understood that.” Toby muttered. He remained quiet for the next few
minutes, hoping that time and thought might change Josh’s mind before they got to the Old
State House. Then, Toby’s phone rang, and with relief he noted the caller ID read ‘Donna’.
Josh kept his gaze out the window, refusing to make eye contact with Toby.
“Hey there Donna.” Toby answered the phone. “Yep, he’s here.” Toby held out the phone
and Josh shook his head ‘no’ without even looking over at him. “What am I supposed to say,
that you’re in a meeting? Take the phone!” Again, Josh shook his head.
Toby let out a loud exasperated sigh. “He won’t take the phone….uh-huh…..okay….Josh,
Donna said to remind you not to do anything that would necessitate her bringing your
children to a jail facility to visit their father….Yeah, okay.” Toby hung up. “Don’t put me in
that position again, Josh.”
“I’m not putting you in any position, Toby. You didn’t have to follow me, you didn’t have to
get in the car, and you didn’t have to answer the phone.”
“Yes, I did.” Toby refuted.
“Why?”
“Because you’re my friend.” Toby replied, but again Josh looked away.
It was probably the longest car ride of Toby’s life. When they pulled up at the Old State
House, he could clearly see the crowd that had gathered to hear LeVoy speak. So much for
the hope that LeVoy would be gone by the time they arrived.
Josh had the car door opened before the car same to a complete stop. The typical Lyman
swagger was very much in evidence as he cut through the crowd while LeVoy railed on
about how the Democrats would take away their guns and raise their taxes.
Murmurs reached Toby’s ears when people in the crowd recognized Josh and correctly
surmised that there was going to be trouble.
LeVoy noticed he’d lost the attention of the crowd and he finally saw why.
“Well, Mr. Lyman. How nice of you to come here and listen to my speech.”
“I didn’t come here for your canned stump speech. I came here so I could tell you, man to
man, that you’ve pushed the wrong button this time and I’m going to see that you pay for it.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” LeVoy replied in a bored tone of voice. Josh
continued to walk toward LeVoy and waited until he was up on the stage where LeVoy had
been speaking. Josh knew enough about the psychological advantage of being on the same
level as his opponent. Some of LeVoy’s staff and at least one member of security moved to
block Josh from going any further.
“What is wrong with you that you think it’s okay to smear whoever gets in your way in order
to win an election? What kind of man does that?” Josh demanded.
“Unless you can be more specific, Mr. Lyman, maybe you should go back to running the F.B.
I. or figuring out what liberal spending plan you’re going to create that wastes the taxes of
these hardworking residents of Connecticut.”
“I’m talking about your deal with Colin Ayers, Ted.” Josh tried to move past the men blocking
him from LeVoy, but couldn’t. LeVoy stood frozen in his spot.
“I don’t know who that is.” He maintained.
“Yes, you do. I know you do. And the F.B.I. knows you do, too.” Josh said. “I just came to tell
you that if you so much as THINK about my wife again, you’re going to be looking at the
wrong end of one of those guns you love so much.” Josh gave him a final glare, before
walking back through the crowd and getting back into the car.
“Where to Mr. Lyman?” the driver asked.
“Home.” Josh said simply while Toby closed the car door.
“I think you just physically threatened a Government official.” Toby noted.
“It seemed like the best of my options at the time. I’ll take my chances.” Josh answered and
finally met Toby’s eyes. Toby read both anger and sadness in them and that tempered his
response to Josh.
“On the other hand, I’m guessing you’re going to get quite the free media ride on this. And
your little speech is going to make all the soccer mom’s in Connecticut swoon.”
“Well good, ‘cause that’s what I was going for.” For the first time, a grin appeared on Josh’s
face.
“They’re going to say this is another example of Lyman out of control.”
“Who’s going to listen to that after the story gets out?”
“His base.” Toby replied.
“I don’t think I was going to get their votes anyway.”
“This isn’t just about the votes.”
“It sure as hell isn’t! This used to be about different philosophical ideas battling it out for
supremacy with the American public. When did spouses and children become fair game?”
“Fair game? I don’t think so, but you’re not naïve. You have been in this way too long to
think it’s all about philosophical ideas and grand debates. It gets personal and it gets ugly.
You knew that going in, so did Donna. She’s not the same young woman you helped pick up
off the dirt during Bartlet for America.”
“I know that, Toby.”
“Then act like it.” Toby insisted. “Let the F.B.I. handle the investigation.”
“Can you imagine what that would have done to Donna if Ayers had followed through with
that scheme?” Josh asked him hotly. “To our children and our families?”
“Yeah, but he didn’t. Instead he turned over the recording of his conversation with Jordan
and all the supporting documentation so they could be prosecuted.”
“It’s not enough!’ Josh protested.
“It never will be, so take what you can get.” Toby yelled. Then he took a deep breath before
he continued. “Donna’s going to take her cue from you. If you go postal over this, it’s going
to be a major stress for her, which is something she doesn’t need right now.”
“Stop using my feelings for Donna to try and control me, Toby.”
“Then stop acting like a petulant child, Josh.”
“A petulant child?” Josh barked. “He tried to-“
“I know. Just…repeat after me. ‘I have complete confidence in the F.B.I. to fully investigate
this disturbing matter and prosecute those responsible.”
Josh laughed with humor. “That’s pretty good spin there, Toby.”
“Say it!” Toby repeated and Josh complied. “Good. We’ll drop you off at home and Lou and I
will figure out what we cancel and what we keep on tomorrow’s schedule.”
*************************************************************
Chapter 16
Donna was waiting in the living room for him when he got home. The T.V. was on in the
background but the sound was low.
“Anything interesting on the news tonight, Donna?” he began.
“Well, there’s nothing about a fist fight between Senatorial candidates, but it could still be
coming in, I suppose.” Donna noted. “You didn’t do anything terribly stupid, did you?”
“Nah, just threatened a US Congressman.” Josh replied.
“So, just another day at the office for you, then?” Donna asked.
“Pretty much.” Josh said as he sat next to her on the couch. “How are you feeling?”
“I think I threw up some of my internal organs.”
“So, just another day pregnant for you, then?”
“Yeah…” Donna laid her head on his shoulder. “Caitlin pulled herself up to standing tonight.”
“Seriously? And I missed it?” Josh sounded terribly disappointed.
“Your mom took video and I’m sure she’ll give you a repeat performance tomorrow.”
“Couldn’t we wake her now? What if she forgets by tomorrow?”
“Good point. You go ahead and wake her. I’ll go to bed and you can stay up with her the
rest of the night.”
“On the other hand, she’s a smart kid, she’ll probably have it perfected by tomorrow. She’s
probably practicing in her crib right now.”
“Uh-huh. Are we going to talk about this Josh?”
“Yeah, just…not tonight, okay? Tomorrow; after we’ve both had a little sleep and a little time
to decompress.”
“Okay. Tomorrow.” Donna agreed and took Josh’s hand so he could lead her up to bed.
*****************************************
Overnight, the media outside Casa Lyman tripled. The phone rang incessantly and Ruth
finally took it off the hook. After a brief conversation with Lou, who had already pow-wowed
with Toby, they decided that Josh would keep his original schedule, but they would cut back
anything on Donna’s that had her working solo. She would join Josh for his events and they
would make no comment, no matter how much they were provoked, except the line Toby
had given Josh the night before.
Shortly before Josh was scheduled to leave, Mike Casper rang their doorbell. As soon as
Josh opened the door, questions were shouted at him from all directions. Since Josh
doubted Mike could hear him over the melee, he gestured for him to come in and quickly
shut the door.
“Aren’t you Mr. Popularity?” Mike teased.
“Yeah, you say one little thing…” Josh responded. “Not that I’m complaining, but what are
you doing here?”
“I came by to wish my friend good luck with his Senate race and make sure he was taking
good care of his wife…How you doing Donna?”
“Pretty good, this morning Mike.” Donna kissed his cheek.
“You ready to ditch this loser and run away with me?”
“I don’t think we’d get very far. Being pregnant seems to bring out a possessive streak in
him.” Donna replied.
“Where’s my buddy, Nate?”
“Eating breakfast. In fact, I should go make sure he hasn’t emptied his Fruity Pebbles on the
floor.” Donna explained and went back into the kitchen.
As soon as she left the room, Mike handed him 2 discs. “I was cleaning out my desk and
came across some info I though you might find interesting. I’d put them away for now,
though.” Josh quickly stuck them in his backpack.
“You going to tell me about your new career opportunity anytime soon?” Josh asked.
“I didn’t figure there was much to tell that you didn’t already know.” Mike grinned.
“I am a pretty knowledgeable guy. Are you alright with the developments?”
“I think so. It’s certainly preferable to Detroit.”
“Come and have some breakfast.” Josh invited him. “I have to leave in a few minutes, but I
know someone who will be very happy to see you.” He said as he opened the door to the
kitchen.
“Mike!” Nate shouted and got down from his toddler chair to give Mike a cereal and syrup
hug.
“Thanks kiddo.” Mike laughed as Donna handed him a paper towel to clean up. “It’s good to
see you too.”
***************************************
“It’s Sam Seaborn for you.” Liz said as she handed Josh the phone.
“Hey, buddy, looks like you’ve got it sewn up over there.”
“Don’t ‘hey, buddy’ me. Have you lost your mind?” Sam shouted.
“I really thought that of the two of us you would be the calmer one right now.” Josh stated.
“Listen to me now, I’m speaking to you as your attorney.”
“Does everyone forget that I graduated from Yale Law School?”
“When the F.B.I. comes to interview you about the alleged verbal threat to a Government
official, and they will, you will decline to be interviewed until your attorney is present.”
“Right.”
“I’m serious Josh. You were stressed and upset when you spoke to LeVoy, with all that
emotional turmoil, it would not be unusual to have a hard time remembering your exact
words.”
Josh had no difficulty reading between the lines of Sam’s directions. “I’m sorry I don’t recall?”
Josh laughed. “That’s your legal advice?”
“Just keep your mouth shut for now.” Sam advised.
“That’s going to be a little hard what with campaigning for the Senate.”
“All anyone is going to want to ask you about is a Federal investigation about which you can
not comment.”
“I just need to be careful with my answers then.” Josh replied.
“That’s never a problem for you.” Sam sighed. “How’s Donna?”
“She’s better than she would have been if Ayers had gone through with it.” Josh said bitterly.
He hated admitting that Colin had done anything decent and wouldn’t be caught dead giving
him credit for his actions, but deep down…he was grateful. “She’s been pretty busy puking
the last few days. We’re trying to limit her schedule and her stress right now.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” Sam agreed. “Will you try to remember what I told you?”
“Sure, no problem. I have an excellent memory.” Josh said agreeably and heard his friend
sigh again.
“Goodbye.” Sam hung up before he lost his temper.
********************************************
As Sam predicted, Josh got hammered with questions about the investigation and what was
on the discs. Josh replied that the F.B.I. had the discs and that he personally had never
seen them. He neglected to mention that he had received a copy of the discs from Mike. He
did the standard ‘I can’t comment about an ongoing investigation’ routine. It was odd that
Congressman LeVoy was giving the same comment almost word for word.
“Look, I’ve told you people that I can not comment on an ongoing Federal investigation. I am
sure that once it is completed, I will be completely cleared of any questionable actions that
David Jordan may or may not have committed.” LeVoy tried to hold off the sharks swimming
around him, but as almost anyone can tell you, that’s nearly impossible once there’s blood
in the water.
“Congressman, are you saying David Jordan may have been complicit in this but it was
without your knowledge?”
“I really can’t comment on what someone else may or may not have done.”
“But he’s your campaign manager.”
“Not any longer. He resigned last night. That’s really all I can say about that.” LeVoy tried
once again to extricate himself from the reporters, and with help from his staff managed to
get into his office and shut the door behind him.
Lou watched the scene on television dispassionately. “Bastard.” She said aloud.
“He’s done.” Toby responded.
“He’ll hang it all on Jordan.” Lou argued. “Just watch. He’ll come away with a cloud, but it’ll
dissipate, and he’ll go on with his Congressional career while Jordan rots in jail.”
“I don’t think so.” Toby mused. “I really don’t think so.”
“We’ll see.” Lou turned off the television. “What else is on our ‘to do’ list?”
“We’ve got our ‘get out the vote’ volunteers organized and trained, the phone banks are
staffed, and I’ve got two speeches ready for Tuesday evening. God willing we’ll be able to
give one of them early.”
“You’re kidding me…Two speeches, Toby?”
“Don’t..” Toby warned. “Just don’t say a word.” Lou smirked but nodded and Toby let out a
relieved breath.
“I looks like you’ve got it all under control.” Lou got up to head for the door. “I’ll just go order
the balloons for the victory party.” She laughed at Toby’s strangled curse and ducked to
avoid the marker he chucked at her.
*******************************************
“Donna, honey, go back and lay down.” Ruth persuaded.
“I can do this. I can go to the one scheduled event they let me keep.” Donna said
determinedly.
“And I’m sure Josh would love to have you there, but I think throwing up the minute you smell
the food at the dinner would…put people off a bit.” Ruth argued.
“I can stand the smell of chicken and they almost always have chicken at these stupid
things.”
“Is that really a risk you want to take right now?” Ruth pushed. “In this beautiful new dress?”
she asked holding up Donna’s new purchase.
“You’re right.” Donna acquiesced. “I’ll find a different dress.” Ruth let out an exasperated
sigh. “You really are a perfect match for my son; you’re equally stubborn. You haven’t been
able to keep anything down all day. You’re going to be weak and shaky if you try to go.”
“Mommy! Mommy look!” Commanded Nate as he pulled on Donna’s hand and drew her into
the hallway. “I teached her.”
Caitlin was taking tentative, wobbly, steps, concentrating so intently that when she noticed
her Mother’s appearance, it was enough of a distraction to send her down on her bottom.
“Caitlin, you did it!” Donna gushed as Ruth smiled broadly.
“I did it.” Nate corrected emphatically. “I teached her.”
“You TAUGHT her very well.” Donna told him. “If I get the video camera, can you get her to
do it again?”
“Sure.” Nate said with all the confidence of a 3 year old.
************************************************
“Hey, I wasn’t sure I was going to see you tonight.” Josh called when he caught sight of
Donna. “You look beautiful.” Ruth had been explicit in her instructions to Josh; make sure
she sat as much as possible, was kept as far away from the food as possible, and tell her
she looks beautiful as often as possible.
“I wouldn’t miss this. Besides, I come bearing gifts.” She handed him the videocam she had
brought along.
“I really don’t think tonight will be memorable enough to videotape unless you have
something planned that I don’t know about.” Josh replied.
Donna rolled her eyes and Liz laughed. “It’s for you to watch. Our son has taught our
daughter a new trick.” Josh’s eyes drew together in puzzlement. “That’s what he calls it.
Take a look.”
Josh took the camera from her and hit play. He watched in wonder and delight as his
daughter took a couple steps before falling on her butt. Then Nate would again coax her to
stand and walk a bit more. The scene replayed a few times before the tape went black.
“Holy…Our daughter is walking!” Josh turned to Liz. “Look at this!”
“I saw while we were waiting for you to arrive.” Liz smiled. One of the things she liked most
about working for Josh Lyman was his natural exuberance for and about his family. “Would
you like me to hold that for you while you two go in?”
“Hell, no. I’m going to show it to anyone who stands still next to me.” Josh announced. “Isn’t it
pretty early for her to be walking? She’s just 9 months old.”
“It’s a little early, but she’s definitely trying to keep up with her brother so that may have
sped up her timetable.” Donna told him.
“Nate may have helped, but I’m thinking it was the overachieving Lyman genes coming into
play here.” Josh teased her.
“Naturally.” Donna said drolly while he took her arm and led her into the banquet room. If
she noticed that he steered her clear of the buffet table, and anyone holding food from the
buffet table, she didn’t mention it.
Most of the attendees had spent big bucks for the privilege of hobnobbing with the
Democratic elite in Connecticut; including the current Governor, but it was Donna that
garnered the most attention that night.
Donna preferred to think they were interested in her rather than think they wanted to see
her reaction to comments about LeVoy or the package that arrived at her husband’s office
and set off a Congressional investigation. But it was a hard illusion to hang on to given the
circumstances.
Josh had set Donna at a table with Liz as a guard dog while he made the mandatory rounds.
This didn’t keep him from keeping an eye on her himself, though, so he noticed when her
head began bobbing down as the exhaustion took over. He thought about sending her
home with Liz, but almost immediately discarded that idea. Her pregnancy and the events of
the past couple days gave him the perfect excuse to get out of this zoo a little early. He
walked up behind Donna and dropped a kiss on her head.
“Let’s go home.”
“You can’t leave yet.” She protested. “I can go ahead.”
“Nope. We go together. Liz do you need a ride?” Josh asked thoughtfully.
“I’m good.” Liz slid her gaze over to someone else and then brought it quickly back to Josh.
“I’ll be fine. Go ahead.”
“Goodnight, then. Thanks for everything today.” Josh remembered to tell her. With a little
help from Donna he was getting better at that. Josh gently pulled his wife up to standing and
waving his goodnights as they passed through the room took her to the car and then home.
***************************************************************
Chapter 17
Election Day would start in just 2 more hours…Josh used Donna as an excuse to cut out
early from the last scheduled campaign event.
It wasn’t that it held a great deal of suspense, at least not in Josh’s case. The numbers that
had tilted in his favor a bit previously, had turned into an avalanche since his confrontation
with Ted LeVoy. No matter that Toby wouldn’t let him say it out loud, Josh knew he would be
elected Senator for the State of Connecticut tomorrow. It wasn’t ego or over-confidence, he’
d simply examined the numbers, and the numbers told him the story. Numbers, unlike
people, couldn’t deceive you.
Here he was on the eve of victory (shut up Toby) for himself, President Santos, and if luck
held, a Democratic majority in the Senate, yet he was inexplicably depressed.
“Josh, Nate is still up. Can you try to get him down?” Donna told him. Josh nodded and got
up to go to his son. “He’s already had two books. Don’t let him con you into a third.” Donna
gave him a meaningful stare. It was a widely accepted fact that Josh was the weak link when
it came to bedtime rituals.
“I have gone toe to toe with President’s, Princes, and even a First Lady or two. I resent your
constant implications that our son can pull things over on me. I can handle a three year old,
Donnatella.”
“There’s been no evidence of it so far.” Donna said under her breath.
“I heard that Donna!” Josh called from where he was climbing the stairs.
“That’s good, because most men of your advanced age start experiencing hearing loss.”
“Ha, ha, ha.” Josh replied quietly and pushed the door open to see his son playing with his
action figures at the foot of his bed.
“Daddy!” Nate launched himself off the bed and into his Dad’s arms. “You’re home! Are you
all done running now?” Josh smiled thinking now was not the time to bring up re-election.
“Yeah, I’m all done running now. How come you’re not asleep?”
“I just can’t sleep.” Nate answered solemnly shaking his head in the negative.
“Why not?”
“I think I need a story.” Nate told him.
“A story, huh? The two stories your Mom told you weren’t enough?” Josh asked tongue in
cheek.
Nate startled momentarily. He could never figure out how his Mom and Dad just KNEW
things, but he wasn’t the first born child of two political strategists for nothing. “Your stories
are better than mommy’s.” he returned and batted his eyes while forming a Donna like pout
on his face. Josh knew that imitation pout was the reason he let Nate get by with most of
what he did. Josh figured Nate knew it too.
“If I read you a story, then you go to sleep. No more getting out of bed, no more asking for
water, or reporting monsters in your room; got it?”
“Two stories.” Nate argued as held up to sticky fingers.
“One.” Josh held firm.
“One story and a song.” Nate offered.
A song? This was a new development. “You want a song?” Josh confirmed.
“Caitlin always gets a song.” Nate reasoned. ‘Ah,’ thought Josh, ‘now I get it.’
“What song do you want?”
“Not a baby song.” Nate specified.
“Okay, one story and one song, that is not a baby song, and then you go to bed?”
“Deal.” Nate held out his hand in the time honored tradition of men sealing a deal.
That is how it came to be that Donna Moss Lyman found the next Senator from Connecticut
singing “I’m a Believer” while her son giggled.
“Are you sure that’s not a baby song?” Nate asked while he laughed.
“Don’t interrupt me kiddo.” Josh accented his command with strategic tickling. “Now you
have to sing, too. It goes ‘Then I saw her face…Now I’m a believer’.” Nate tried to imitate his
Dad and Donna was sure that if they had a dog, it would have been howling.
“I hate to interrupt the concert, but it is WAY past bedtime.” Donna broke in.
“Daddy wanted to sing first.” Nate tattled.
“Excuse me? Who insisted on me singing a song and reading a story because ‘you tell them
better than mommy’?” Josh quoted. Nate shrugged his shoulders and looked innocent.
“Joshua Lyman, it’s time to go to bed. Say goodnight to your son.” Donna tried to keep a
straight face, but lost it before she left the room.
“You think you were pretty funny back there, didn’t you? Ganging up on me with my son?”
“It got you out of the funk you were in, didn’t it?”
“How did you know I was in a funk? I just got home.” Josh protested.
“I can tell these things.” Donna replied. “As much as you wanted to win, this isn’t the way you
wanted to do it.”
“No, it really isn’t.” Josh said quietly as he sat next to his wife.
“He got desperate.” Donna surmised. “People do stupid things when they are very
desperate or very angry. Don’t they?”
“I guess.” Josh admitted, knowing full well she was referring to his heated exchange with
LeVoy as much as LeVoy’s actions that precipitated it. “I just saw red. All the way there I
thought about everything I would do and say when I was face to face with him.” Josh paused
and let out a long breath. “Toby accused me of acting naïve on the way back, but it wasn’t
naïveté, it was just…personal.”
“I know.”
“God knows we’ve both lived through nasty shit; Rosslyn, M.S., Gaza, but none of it was
directed at us personally. This was personal. He was prepared to not only drag you through
mud, but manufacture evidence to do it.”
“But Josh, that wasn’t personal either.” Donna argued and cut Josh off before he could
protest. “I know it feels that way, but it truly wasn’t. He used whatever means he had at his
disposal to win. I think what’s bothering you, is that you’re afraid you might be a little like
him.”
“How can you say that?”
“I didn’t say I believed that. I said I think you’re afraid it might be true. You’ve certainly
played hardball against political opponents.”
“Yes, but there are lines, Donna; bringing out something someone did or said is different
from making it up.”
“I know that. I just wanted to be sure you knew that about you too.”
******************************************************
“How come I can’t vote?” Nate asked when they entered their polling place.
“The law says you have to be 18 years old before you can vote.” Donna explained.
“That’s dumb.” Nate announced.
Donna leaned down and whispered in his ear. “You can help me vote.” Nate smiled wide and
went into the booth with his mother. When they exited a couple minutes later, Nate called to
his dad.
“We voted for you, Daddy. Who did you vote for?” The assembled group of press and
voters laughed. Many pictures were snapped of the Lyman trio; Caitlin and Ruth had stayed
at home.
Congressman LeVoy and his family also made the news as they voted, but the questions
thrown at him weren’t nearly as innocuous.
Josh got a call that afternoon regarding that very matter.
“I heard that Jordan is willing to roll on LeVoy in exchange for immunity.” Mike Casper told
him.
“How is it that you’re hearing things about a F.B.I. investigation from over in the Treasury
Department?
“I have excellent hearing. It’s a department requirement.” Mike quipped. “If you have any
objections, you should make them known now.”
“I don’t. Jordan is a guppy. I want the Marlin.” Josh tossed a glance across the room where
his Mother, wife, and children were playing.
“I hear you. How is Donna doing?”
“Well, she hasn’t thrown up in the last 6 hours, so things are looking up.” Josh replied.
“Well, that’s great, I guess.” Mike said hesitantly, unsure of what the right response should
be. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry I can’t be there with you tonight.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Josh assured him. “We’ll get together when we get back to D.C.” Josh
hung up the phone, grateful he had friends like Mike.
************************************************
Josh was pretending to read the paper and ignore the television in his office when the door
opened suddenly to reveal Sam Seaborn and a tiny baby girl. Josh sat up, stunned by the
sight of his friend in his house.
“Sam?” Josh got up to greet his friend. “Why aren’t you in D.C. with the President?”
“Apparently he got a note from Donna excusing me from work for a couple days.” Sam
grinned.
“I don’t doubt it.” Josh moved to take the baby from Sam’s arms. “Let me see this beautiful
girl. Aisnley let’s you carry her around all by yourself?”
“Of course…for short periods of time…as long as I’m within shouting distance of her.” Sam
teased.
“God, she’s gorgeous.” Josh mused. “You’re lucky she takes after her mother in looks.”
“Why thank you.” Ainsley responded from the door. Josh turned to give her a kiss on the
cheek.
“You did very well here, Ains.” Josh told her. “How’s motherhood?”
“Tiring.” Ainsley replied. “But it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever done.”
“We’ve ever done.” Sam corrected.
“When you carry a child for nine months and labor for hours pushing it out of your body,
then you talk about your sense of accomplishment.” Ainsley shot back.
“Right.” Sam agreed and shared a conspiratorial grin with Josh. Donna appeared in the
doorway with Caitlin taking steps while holding Donna’s hands.
“Sam, check this out.” Josh commanded. “Come here, Caitlin. Come see Daddy.”
Caitlin’s face lit up as she spotted her Dad and took 4 good steps before she landed on her
butt. The crowd roared.
“That’s my girl.” Josh told her and picked her up.
“She deserves a treat.” Ainsley agreed. “How about some food? There wasn’t anything on
the flight. I would kill for a hamburger.”
At the mention of hamburger, Donna turned green and fled the room. Ainsley looked
horrified.
“Don’t worry, she’s been like that lately. We’ll just go eat on the deck where she can’t see or
smell it.” Josh assured them.
“Okay…” Sam responded.
“It’s not that big a deal, and I’ve lost 5 pounds since she got pregnant and I can’t eat in front
of her anymore.” Josh threw over his shoulder as he led them to kitchen.
**************************************************************
Josh took many calls that night, he had to bite his tongue during LeVoy’s concession call,
but the one he relished the most was from Jed Bartlet.
“You did a great job, Joshua. I’m proud of you.” Jed related. “Even when you were spouting
off things you certainly can’t remember you said now.”
“Yes, sir. Thanks.” Josh said sincerely.
“What do you suppose your Dad is saying to Leo right now?”
“Holy shit, those idiots are sending my son to the Senate. Good thing he has Donna with him
to make sure he doesn’t mess up too badly.”
“I imagine that’s about right.” Jed laughed. “I never said I appreciated the way you stood by
me in the debate…and afterwards.” He added sincerely.
“That’s not necessary, sir.”
“You could have scored some political points by distancing yourself from me.”
“I would never do that, Mr. President.” Josh replied.
“More the fool, you.” Jed said chuckling. “I’ll let you get back to your well deserved victory
party. I just wanted to let you know I’m proud of you and that I know you’re going to do great
things in the Senate.”
“That means more to me than you could ever know, sir.”
“Goodnight…Senator.” Jed added as he hung up the phone. Josh simply stood there for a
minute.
“You alright?” Sam asked, practically shouting to be heard over the crowd of people there
celebrating.
“That was the President…Bartlet.” Josh clarified when Sam looked at him oddly. “He said he
was proud of me; that he knew I’d do great things in the Senate.”
Sam smiled in understanding. “Kind of humbles you, doesn’t it?”
“Unbelievably. God, please don’t let him be wrong.” Josh put his arm around Sam’s
shoulder. “Let’s find our women and have a drink.”
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.” Sam agreed.
*******************************************
Hours later, after settling the Seaborn clan in the guest room, Josh and Donna dropped
tiredly into bed.
“That was really great; how you got Sam and Ainsley and Addy here tonight.” Josh told
Donna as he pulled her close to him and kissed her forehead.
“President Santos was happy to help with the plans.” Donna replied.
“I bet he was. He had quite the victory tonight.” Josh noted.
“You had a hand in that too.” Donna reminded him. “He would never have been elected in
the first place if you hadn’t gone after him in Houston.”
“As much as my ego appreciates the effort, I don’t really think I can take all the credit there.”
“Well, neither do I.” Donna stated in a matter of fact tone.
“There’s the woman I know and love.” Josh kissed her again and chuckled.
“After all, if I hadn’t left the White House-“
“To work for Bingo Bob.” Josh interrupted.
“To work for the Vice-President, it might never have occurred to you to recruit Matt Santos.”
“Somehow, I knew it would all come back to you.” Josh teased her. “Donna…what are you
doing?”
“If you have to ask, I must be doing it wrong.”
“You really haven’t been doing so hot lately…I mean with your stomach.” Josh hastened to
add before a mis-statement turned into a wicked debate or things got thrown at him. Donna
was rather volatile when she was pregnant.
“I’m fine at the moment.” She assured him.
“Yeah, but how likely is that to last?”
“Long enough, Lyman, unless you say the wrong thing right now.”
“No chance of that ‘cause I’m not saying another word.” Josh decided and used his mouth in
other ways.
“Excellent use of oral argument, Mr. Senator-elect.” Donna approved.
**********************************************************
“Senator Lyman, would you care to comment on the victory of your reform bill today?”
“It was a victory for working families, Alex. I’m very pleased that we were able to shame
enough of my Republican brethren to make it a bi-partisan vote.” Josh noted as he entered
his office.
“Senator, you have a 1:00 appointment waiting for you.” Liz told him.
“I thought my afternoon was clear until 3.” Josh shook his head in puzzlement. It was a
running joke that Liz had to write his next appointment on his hand in order to get him off the
Senate floor on time. After double checking his hand, Josh asked.
“Who is it?”
“Visiting constituents from Connecticut.” Liz replied and Josh rolled his eyes. He had just
spent the last few days fighting tooth and nail, and several Republicans, to get this bill
passed; he really didn’t feel like schmoozing.
“Sam!” Josh shouted and Sam’s head popped out of the doorway. “$50 bucks if you take
this meeting for me.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not in my job description as your Chief of Staff and I’m definitely sure
I’d be a disappointment to whomever is waiting to see Senator Lyman.” Sam refused.
“$100 and that’s all I’ve got on me right now.”
“If you have half of that on you right now, I’ll take your meeting.” Sam bet him. Senator
Lyman NEVER had cash on him.
“Shit.” Josh muttered and walked to his office door trying to ignore Liz and Sam laughing at
him.
He opened his door to find his wife and children waiting for him. Nate was spinning in Josh’s
Chair and Caitlin was busy drawing on something that Josh sincerely hoped he didn’t need.
Their youngest child, Ava, was sound asleep in her stroller. Donna was reading through her
textbook and busily making note cards.
“This is a pleasant surprise.” Josh spoke aloud and had his two oldest children running into
his arms.
“Daddy we came for a lunch meeting.” Nate told him.
“Yeah, lunch.” Caitlin echoed. “Pizza.”
Josh smirked, his daughter Caitlin was a pizza eating machine. If he hadn’t been in the
delivery room himself, he’d swear he got Ainsley’s child.
“Pizza?” Josh echoed. “Did Mom okay pizza for lunch?”
“We want lunch with YOU.” Nate wheedled.
“I’ll bet.” Josh agreed and kissed his wife.
“Ick!” Nate cried. He was going through the typical pre-school phase where girls had germs,
and no boy in their right mind wanted to get too close to them.
“Talk to me again in 10 years kiddo.” Josh kissed Donna again.
“You did good today.” She said. “Liz said you were free, so we thought we’d reward you with
lunch.”
“Pizza!” Caitlin tried again while jumping up and down.
“We’ll see.” Donna negotiated. “People would have to behave very, very well in Daddy’s
office to get pizza.” Caitlin sat down again with a thump and Nate quit spinning in the chair.
“That’s amazing, Donnatella. You should really take this act on the road.”
“I thought I already had.” She replied. “A quick lunch everybody, then Mommy’s got to finish
studying.” Donna had started back to school when they came back to D.C. and with the
credit for work experience, she would have her long sought after degree in another year.
Thankfully, since they had talked Ruth Lyman into moving to D.C. with them, she had lots of
help with her troupe.
“I’m glad you came to have lunch with me today.” Josh told Nate as his son took his hand.
“I like your office.” Nate told him. “When I get big, I’m gonna run too.”
“I’ll bet you will, kiddo. I’ll just bet you will.” Josh shared a smile with Donna and his heart
turned over at the thought.
The End.