Chapter 39
“Agent Butterfield, what can I do for you?” Morgan asked the Secret Service agent.
“Actually, I think I might be able to do something for you.” Butterfield responded. “We
received a package today. The contents, I believe, will interest you.”
“Tell me something good, Ron.” Morgan begged.
“The third of the original reports has come home.”
“You are fucking kidding me.” Morgan stood up in his excitement.
“It’s being scanned for prints.” Ron reported. “The sender also included the envelope
the report was mailed in; that’s being examined as well.”
“How soon, Ron? We’re looking at resting our case in two days.”
“I’ve got my best people on it.” Ron told him. “You’ll know as soon as I know.”
“Ron…” Morgan practically whined. This case was driving him crazy. Josh Lyman was
driving him crazy. And this was the case on which he was getting international media
coverage. If he wasn’t able to get Davis convicted…
“You’ll know as soon as I will.” Ron repeated. He didn’t want to see Davis go free
anymore than Morgan did… In addition, he wanted justice for Josh Lyman; “Josh Lyman
works better with honey than vinegar.”
“Meaning?” Morgan asked quizzically.
“Make him feel like part of the team rather than an outsider.” Ron suggested. “You’ll get
better results.”
“Make him part of the prosecution team?” Morgan scoffed.
“Not make him part of the team; make him FEEL like part of the team. You’ll get better
results.” Ron advised him again before he left.
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“Not that tie, Joshua.”
“Mom, the tie is fine. The tie really makes no difference in my testimony whatsoever.”
“Unless you could find one that was REALLY tight,” Donna offered and proceeded with
the arduous task of getting her shoes on.
“Ha. Ha.” Josh called over to her.
“You look like you’re in the mafia with that dark shirt and dark tie.” Sarah told her son.
“He did send a dead fish to a Congressman once.” Donna called out again.
“Please, Donna, my heart.” Sarah replied. “Find another tie.”
Josh looked over at his wife who merely shrugged. Clearly, this wasn’t a battle worth
fighting. He went back into the bedroom to find another tie and Sarah followed him. “You
have a hundred of these things surely one of them…Yes, here! This one is perfect.”
“Okay.” Josh agreed and pulled off his current tie to exchange it with the one his mother
was holding.
“And while you’re doing that, you can explain this foolishness about now giving a victim
impact statement at Leroy’s appeal.” Josh rolled his eyes. His wife and his mother had
apparently gotten right down to brass tacks this morning while he’d been in the shower.
“I have a strict policy about testifying in more than one trial a month.” He quipped right
before his mother cuffed his shoulder with the back of her hand.
“Don’t sass me, Joshua Lyman.” Sarah insisted. “This isn’t just about you anymore.
What if that devil goes free or gets our early because you didn’t do everything in your
power to prevent it? What if he uses his new found freedom to come after Donna? Or
my precious granddaughter?”
“They convicted him just fine the first time with my written statement, I’m sure it will
suffice this time.”
“It did not suffice last time or he wouldn’t be getting an appeal.” Sarah argued.
“He’s on death row and it’s a very high profile case; of course they’re hearing his
appeal. Nobody wants to throw the switch and then say, ‘Oops, maybe he wasn’t directly
responsible after all’.”
“You may BE a lawyer, but I was married to one for over 30 years so I know something
about the process too. A statement from the victim, in person, makes a much bigger
impression than something written on a sheet of paper. You need to do this Joshua.”
“I do not.” Josh countered. “And I will not. I am done with Carl Leroy and everything that
has to do with him. I’ll thank you not to mention his name around me or in this house
again.” Josh stormed out of the room and their apartment telling Donna he’d get the car.
“That doesn’t look like it went to well.” Donna noted when Sarah joined her.
“I tried, Donna.”
“That’s okay, Sarah. Don’t push him. Nothing good comes from pushing Josh as you well
know.”
“Pushing, no… but sometimes a good swift kick…” Sarah trailed off. “Are you sure you’
re okay to spend all day in court again, Donna?”
“I don’t dare miss it. He might need bail money today.” Donna teased. “My back hurt
from all the sitting yesterday, but Josh gave me massage this morning so it’s feeling
much better.”
“Alright then, once more into the breach?” Sarah asked offering her daughter in law her
arm to help her get out of the deep living room chair.
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“Josh!” One of the associate attorneys called to him when they arrived. “Morgan needs
to see you before we start.”
Josh motioned for Donna and his mother to go ahead and get their seats while he went
to see what Morgan wanted.
“What’s up?”
“You look well rested this morning.” Morgan noted. “I, myself, got little sleep last night.
Did you bring your checkbook today or just cash?”
Josh’s face split into a grin and confirmed what Morgan had suspected; Josh was
spoiling for a fight. If the man was determined, he might as well get Josh fighting on
behalf of his case. “I need your help on some re-direct.”
“You’re assuming Walters is going to finish with me in the foreseeable future.” Josh
drawled.
“He will. There really isn’t that much more he can grill you on, unless you give him grist
for the mill.”
“That’s not my plan.”
“Good, because just as you’re delighting in skewering Davis, he’s delighting in your
contempt citations, so maybe you could deny him a few of those today.” Morgan
suggested.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Josh replied. “Re-direct?” He prompted.
“We may be introducing some new evidence in the next day or two.”
“Defense attorneys tend to frown on introducing new evidence at this point in the trial.
They like to have time to, you know, look at it and stuff.”
“Really? I knew I should have gone to Yale like you.” Morgan said sarcastically and
earned a snide chuckle from Josh. “Defense counsel couldn’t look at it and stuff any
earlier because Ron Butterfield just received it last night.” At the name Butterfield, Josh
sat up and his expression sobered.
“What kind of evidence fell into the hands of Ron Butterfield?”
“The last of the original three reports,” Morgan stated and Josh’s eyes widened.
“This could be a whole new ballgame.” Josh opined and sat back in his chair. “Where’d it
come from?”
“Butterfield hasn’t shared any of that yet. They’re examining the document and the
original envelope the document was sent in for evidence. His call this morning indicated
that they’d have something for us to look at by noon.”
“Holy shit!” Josh whispered and a grin broke out on his face.
“Think you can help me box Davis in?” Morgan asked.
“I think I may be up to that yes.”
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Walters couldn’t understand it. Gone was the belligerent pit bull he’d sparred with most
of the day yesterday. In his place was a complacent, amenable man with no small
degree of charm. Walters poked and prodded, he even made Josh read the report out
loud to the jury and the assembled audience in the courtroom, and though he was grim
about it; Josh Lyman completed the task and it seemed to earn him the respect of those
sitting in the jury box. He had to be able to shake him again and show the people here
how close to the edge this mentally unstable man was.
“I must say, Mr. Lyman, your demeanor has changed significantly since our conversation
yesterday.” Walters tried another tactic.
“Well, counselor, my mother is here today, so I’m trying not to embarrass her.” Josh
smiled easily.
“Do you succeed in that often?”
“I’m sure I don’t. But we’re expecting our first child in a few weeks and I’ve discovered
producing a grandchild can erase a whole host of sins.” The jury laughed, as did the
rest of the courtroom.
“Are you concerned about how the PTSD is going to affect you as a father?”
“Objection, your honor, we are far afield from the matter that has brought us here
today.” Morgan piped up.
“The mental state of the witness is at the center of this entire case.” Walters argued.
“Whoever is responsible for leaking that report may have been trying to do a service for
the country by removing Mr. Lyman from his highly held position in the White House. Mr.
Lyman claims that nobody had any qualms about him serving as Chief of Staff, and yet
that is not a position he holds now. The court deserves to know how this diagnosis truly
affects him. Are you concerned about how this PTSD will affect you as a father?”
“I’m concerned about everything that had to do with being a father.” Josh answered
simply. “There is nothing in the world more important to me than my family. Nothing *I* do
my lifetime will be more important than raising my child.”
“Does your wife have any concerns about you being alone with the new baby?”
“Your honor!” Morgan tried again but Josh answered anyway.
“She has lots of concerns about leaving me alone with the baby but NONE of them have
anything to do with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” This brought another round of
laughter.
“Your honor, please,” Morgan requested. “If defense counsel’s only line of questioning
involves the as yet unborn child of the witness…”
“Do you have anything further, Mr. Walters?” The judge asked and Walters had to
shake his head ‘no’. “Very well, do you have re-direct, Mr. Morgan.”
“Yes, your honor, thank you.” Morgan acknowledged. “Perhaps we could start fresh
after lunch?”
The judge sighed but after a few hours of Josh’s testimony sans fireworks, he decided
everyone could use a break. “This court will stand in recess until 1:30.”
Josh left the witness stand and escorted his family out of the room.
“Very nicely played, son,” Sarah complimented him.
“I can play nice.”
“I never doubted that you could; only that you WOULD.” Sarah told him. “Why don’t you
take your family out for lunch?”
“I can’t. There’s some important information being shared over lunch today. But if you’d
like to join us for lunch in Morgan’s office?”
Donna and Sarah exchanged curious looks. “I think we’d almost have to now, don’t
you?” Donna answered.
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“So… it’s Simmons for Chief of Staff?” President Hoynes asked his interim Chief of Staff.
“That’s really up to you sir.” Jerry hedged a bit. “But Josh and I agree that he’s got the
relationships on the hill and experience you’re going to need going forward without a lot
of the baggage.”
“You’re not just agreeing with Josh to get out of this office?”
“No, sir,” Jerry shook his head, smiling. “I like the office fine. It’s just not for me in the
long term.”
“Mr. President, everyone’s assembled for senior staff.” Margaret interrupted them and
indicated the door to the Oval.
“After staff, give Simmons a call and invite him over for lunch today.” Hoynes instructed
while they walked next door to join the others. “Good morning everyone, since we’re
without the presence of Josh Lyman, who’s going to keep me on the straight and narrow
today?”
“That would be me, Mr. President.” Amy Gardner piped up.
“What have you got for me this morning, Amy?”
“We need to flex a little muscle on 347, Mr. President.” She replied. “Will can announce
our unequivocal support of moving 347 out of committee and get us rolling on some
votes.”
“I thought Josh had discussed putting a pin in that for the time being?” Jerry questioned.
“He did, originally, but he’s been out of the loop on this for the past week and with a little
White House support we can pass 347 and get a sponsor for the bill you wanted to see
on reducing ethanol subsidies.” Amy reported. Hoynes considered. This was all part of
the ‘back to basics’ plan by Josh Lyman. Hoynes was to return to the issues closest to
his heart and with which he had the most experience.
“Why’s he out of the loop again?” Hoynes deadpanned, “Vacation or something?”
“If he doesn’t watch his mouth in court today, he may be taking an involuntary vacation.”
Mandy drawled and Hoynes chuckled.
“THREE contempt citations?” Jerry verified.
“So far…” Amy chimed in. “So, we go ahead on 347?”
“Fine; see what you can do there.” Hoynes agreed. “Where are we at in finding your
replacement?” He asked Mandy.
“Woefully behind, sir,” Mandy answered. “You’ve had my top three picks sitting on your
desk for the last week.”
“Only because I keep hoping you’ll change your mind.” Hoynes told her.
“Not a chance… sir.”
“Then I guess I’ll have a decision by the end of the week.” Hoynes sighed.
“Mr. President, Will has been getting questions about the trial and we’re funneling them
to counsel’s office, but it might not be remiss to make a statement of some kind…
through Will; just to quell the story.” Mandy suggested. President Hoynes looked over at
Will who appeared chagrined.
“Will, you have something to say?” Hoynes prompted him.
“I can handle the press questions, Mr. President,” Will avoided Mandy’s eyes. “They’re
getting a lot of mileage out of Josh’s testimony.”
“I’ll bet.” Jerry added. “What is counsel’s office advising?”
“Stick to the same comment we’ve been issuing since Davis was indicted. We have full
confidence that through the Justice system…” Will droned
“It’s stale.” Mandy interrupted.
“It’s what counsel is advising in this situation.” Amy countered and Jerry watched the two
women with interest.
“They’re legal counsel, not political advisors; there are two separate issues here Mr.
President.” Mandy reminded him. “YOU need to make a statement; through Will if you
prefer, but after all that’s come out, the country wants to hear from you on this issue.”
“Are you crazy?” Amy asked Mandy directly.
“Since I agreed to come work here in the middle of all this, there is ample evidence to
suggest…”
“Gee, and I thought that had more to do with Josh than…” Amy said cattily.
“Mandy, are you suggesting that a sex scandal, an alcohol addiction story and a Federal
investigation are beyond your powers of spinning?” Hoynes joked and Mandy’s lips
twitched.
“Not me, personally, Mr. President, but Will here…” Mandy indicated her Press
Secretary.
“Will is just fine.” Will countered.
“Mr. President, let’s talk to Counsel’s office about an additional statement.” Jerry
suggested.
“Charlie, can you ask Ainsley Hayes to join us?” Hoynes requested.
“Yes, sir,” Charlie got on the phone.
“I’m willing to make a statement, Mandy, but I want Counsel’s input on it.” Hoynes
explained.
“Understandable, sir,” Mandy acknowledged.
“I’m so glad it’ meets with your approval, Mandy,” Hoynes replied. “Any word on how long
I’m going to be without my senior advisor?”
“Morgan was anticipating all of today, but couldn’t make any promises about tomorrow.”
Jerry filled in. “I’m sure a great deal of it has to do with Josh.”
“Yes, if they need to take a break in order for him to call a bail bondsman…” Mandy
added as there was a brief knock on the door that admitted Ainsley.
“Ms. Hayes. I’m being advised that a direct statement from me or my Press Secretary
might help tamp down the feeding frenzy in the press room. Do you think you could help
us with that?”
“Certainly, Mr. President,” Ainsley responded. “As long as you don’t say anything that
might be interpreted by some as taking a side, or an attempt to bias the jury members,
or an endeavor into testifying outside the courtroom, or…”
“I get the idea, Ainsley.” Hoynes told her. “Then what can I say… exactly.”
“YOU shouldn’t say a word about it, sir. But, Will could state your unequivocal belief that
justice will prevail at the outcome of the trial.” Ainsley suggested.
“That’s what I’ve BEEN saying.” Will complained.
“Good. That’s exactly what should be said.” Ainsley agreed.
“Ainsley - We need something new - Or at least a re-wording of the old before they set
the briefing room on fire.” Mandy explained.
“In that case, you could start by telling them they’d be arrested for arson.” Ainsley
pointed out.
“Ainsley!” President Hoynes nearly shouted her name in exasperation. “Is this going to
take all morning?”
“It would certainly appear so, Mr. President.” Ainsley acknowledged. “The LAST thing
you should be doing at this critical point in the trial is wading in the media waters with a
statement, that while well intended, could only serve to make things more complicated
and difficult for the Federal prosecutor. A man who has, up to this point, worked very
hard to keep you as far from this Federal crime as humanly possible.”
“That does sound bad.” Mandy agreed. “But you’re talking legal issues and we have a
very real political conundrum here. We need to try some language out with you that
helps us with the political arena without being detrimental to the legal case. Can you, in
one word or less, help us with that?”
Ainsley thought about it a minute. “Yes.”
“Marvelous.” Hoynes held both hands up as if praising God for a miracle. “Go work with
Mandy and Will. If you decide the statement needs to come directly from me, let me
know, otherwise Will can deal with it at his next briefing. That’s all.” Hoynes dismissed
them while he searched his desk drawer for Motrin. They all filed out except for Jerry.
“It’s a fine line you’re attempting to walk, Mr. President.”
“I realize that.” Hoynes replied. “But I need to walk it a little while longer.”
“Would you like some water to take those with, sir?” He indicated the pills in the
President’s hand.
“No need. I’ve learned to swallow them alone.” Hoynes demonstrated, “This is all my
fault.”
“I’d say that it was the fault of Ron Davis, sir, but I wouldn’t deny you had some
responsibility in the matter.”
“More than some, I’d say.” John Hoynes got up and walked over to the door to the
portico, which opened almost magically for him. Jerry followed a few paces behind. “I
knew I’d need Josh to make this work so I forced his hand into coming back here, even
after he’d been diagnosed and attempted to resign. I didn’t care about the cost to him;
this was about my Presidency; my legacy.” Hoynes chuckled. “Now look what’s become
of it.”
“Due respect sir, there’s no erasing what’s been, but you do have choices about what’s
next.” Jerry opined. “I think Josh’s strategy about moving back to basics and playing to
your strengths there is a sound one.”
“His strategies usually are.” Hoynes acknowledged. “I don’t know if they’ll be enough this
time though.”
“I guess that’s up to you, Mr. President.” Jerry stepped back from their close proximity.
“Will there be anything else, sir?”
“No. Thanks, Jerry.” Hoynes dismissed him too. Left alone on the portico, John Hoynes
wished for a drink with every cell in his body. After a few deep breaths he went back into
the Oval and made a call to Leo.
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Slowly but surely, Morgan led Josh carefully through re-direct questions designed to box
Davis tightly into a corner so when Ron Butterfield took the stand to introduce the new
piece of evidence, Davis would be caught neatly there.
Josh didn’t betray his excitement about the new evidence by as much as a flicker of his
eyelashes. Morgan admired the man’s cool demeanor and ability to keep a poker face;
when he wanted to. It was Morgan’s job to make sure all avenues of escape for Davis
were cut off, but he had to admit that job was made easier by Josh Lyman’s intimate
knowledge of the West Wing and its dealings with the press. Josh helped him establish a
pattern of habit Davis had of going to the press either to circumvent what he didn’t want
to deal with or leak something he wanted to jumpstart. The man had no patience and in
the end that lack of patience would be his undoing.
When Morgan was certain he could get no more out of Josh that would help nail Davis,
he excused him as a prosecution witness. Josh waited until Walters too, declared he had
no further questions. In fact, he appeared to Sarah Lyman to linger in the witness chair
longer than necessary, and she wondered why… but not for long.
“Your Honor, the prosecution would like to re-call Agent Ron Butterfield to the stand in
order to testify to a new piece of evidence that he received just last night; the last of the
original copies of the classified report.” Morgan announced and the entire defense table
rose to their feet, including Davis. Sarah’s eyes stayed on her son and watched as his
eyes stayed trained on Davis. When Davis looked over to Josh to get a clue about what
was about to happen, Josh’s face slid into one of his trademarks smirks. He rose slowly
from the witness chair and sauntered past the defense table.
“I told you that you’d pay for this. I’m going to love watching you on your perp walk into a
Federal detention center.” Josh nearly growled. “See ya’ Ron.”
Sarah couldn’t make out her son’s words but she could make out the unholy glee in her
son’s face when he said them and the paling of Davis’ face when he heard them, so she
could imagine what they entailed.
Objections and the rebuttals were tossed back and forth until the judge could ascertain
that the evidence could be proven to have arrived in the Secret Service office only the
night before and that the report on the evidence had come back only in the last couple
hours. Then the judge agreed to allow the testimony after a short recess in order for the
defense to examine the evidence as well. The courtroom adjourned and media fled from
the room in order to report the breaking news. Josh just continued his lazy journey
toward his wife and mother.
“Let’s go home.” He suggested. “We have some packing to do.”
“You don’t want to stay here and see this personally?” Donna asked.
“I really don’t. It’s over and he knows it.” Josh shrugged. “I got to see his face when he
realized it too. That’s as good as it’s going to get. Besides, if I stick around there are
going to be a bunch of cameras and microphones stuck in my face. Let’s go home and
get ready for our move.”
“Okay.” Donna instantly agreed. “You don’t have to go back to the White House?”
“They’ll call if something comes up.” Josh took both women by the hand and escorted
them out of the courtroom where at least one of his predictions came true. EVERYONE
wanted a comment from or a picture of him as he left and it could only get worse. It
looked like he’d get a little justice after all.
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“But they’d be handy right next to the stove.” Laura Moss argued with her daughter.
“Not to me, because I’d be looking for them next to the sink, where I’ve always kept
them.” Donna countered lightly. She really wasn’t in the mood to fight with her mom. She
was exhausted and just wanted to get things settled in their new home. Her feet were
swollen and her back ached even though Josh hadn’t allowed her to carry anything
other than her clipboard where she’d logged all the boxes, their contents and their
destination. Josh had hired professional movers, so really she was just supervising them
and the unpacking their mothers were doing.
“It’s really not an efficient flow of traffic in the kitchen.” Laura added, “Though I guess
that in a kitchen of this size, that doesn’t matter as much as it does in mine back home.”
Donna rolled her eyes. Her mother had been quite concerned about this HUGE
purchase and had hinted at several points through the last few days that they could be
biting off more than they could chew; especially in light of the fact that Josh still hadn’t
made up his mind about what he was going to do once the baby arrived. Donna had
determined that their family finances were nobody’s business but their own, so she
remained silent on the subject other than assuring her mother they could afford the
place.
Sarah Lyman, who knew the details of their financial situation intimately, tried her best to
assure Laura all was fine on the financial front as well. “It’s a beautiful home, Laura. The
kids are lucky they found something so nice.”
“It’s gorgeous.” Laura agreed. “The nursery off the master bedroom alone is… I just
worry, is all.”
“I promise you, Laura, Josh is very conservative about money matters, and if he wasn’t
sure they could afford this place, he’d have never signed the purchase agreement.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean that he’d purposefully… Now I’ve stepped in it, haven’t I?” Laura
sighed. “I’m sorry, Sarah, I never meant to imply that Josh would behave irresponsibly. It’
s just that a house and a new baby all at once…”
“They’re moving along at breakneck pace, I’ll grant you.” Sarah smiled. “But that seems
to be a speed both our children are comfortable with, so…”
Laura nodded. “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to have these next to the stove,
Donna?”
“Mom!” Donna dropped the clipboard on the counter.
“Fine, I was just making sure.” Laura held her hands up in a surrender gesture.
“Mom!” Donna said again and both mother’s heads turned in her direction at the
desperate tone. Donna was bent over clutching her stomach.
“Donna!” Laura took one of her daughter’s arms as Sarah grabbed the other.
“Josh!” Sarah called for her son. “Donna honey, sit down.”
“No, thank you.” She said politely. “I think my water just broke.”
“Okay…” Sarah exchanged a shocked look with Laura. “Donna, have you got a bag
packed for the hospital? Of course you do.” Sarah chuckled at the stupid question. Her
daughter-in-law was always prepared.
“It’s in the master bedroom.” Donna told her, “Just inside the walk in closet.”
“I’ll get it, and hurry my son along.” Sarah decided. When Josh joined them only seconds
later, Laura was rubbing her daughter’s back in gentle circles.
Josh crouched down in front of his wife so he could see her face. “Hey, if you wanted to
get out of unpacking, there are easier ways to do it.” He joked lightly and stroked her
face.
“I’m five weeks early.” She said quietly trying not to panic. She knew from their childbirth
classes that panic only made everything worse. “The baby is coming too soon.”
“Hmmm… maybe I ought to demand a paternity test after all. No child of mine could be
that early.” He quipped and got a glancing blow to his head from his mother. “I’m just
teasing, mom. Donna knows I’m just teasing!”
“Take Donna to the car, I’ll bring her bag.” Sarah instructed.
“Come on, beautiful. It’s time to meet this child.” Josh helped Donna slowly to her feet.
“I want to change first.” Donna demanded and motioned for Sarah to open the bag so
she could retrieve another set of clothing.
“Are you sure we have time for this?” Josh asked carefully.
“I’m not going to the hospital looking like THIS Josh Lyman.” She snapped and took her
mother’s hand to get to the bathroom to change.
“Darling, can I share something with you that might make the next few hours more
pleasant?” Sarah offered.
“What’s that?” Josh asked with trepidation.
“Whatever Donna asks for/requests/demands? Just give it to her.” Sarah advised.
“Good tip.” Josh agreed and waited as patiently as he was capable of, for his wife to
reappear.
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Chapter 40
“Will didn’t make any statement about 347.” Amy announced when she came through
Mandy’s door. Amy had already been peeved when Mandy had claimed she was too
busy to come to the DCOS office, so this added insult to injury was putting Amy over the
edge.
“I haven’t heard back from Josh about it yet.” Mandy replied without looking up from what
she was working on.
“You don’t need to hear back from Josh. The President, the Chief of Staff and the
Deputy Chief of Staff all gave the go-ahead on it.” Amy reminded her.
“Actually, what I heard was the DCOS pushing it and the others going along with her.”
Mandy corrected. “That’s precisely why Josh is supposed to be in the loop on all this. He
does better with the big picture/strategy stuff.”
“Better than who?” Amy pressed.
“Better than any of us.” Mandy played it close to the line.
“I’m sure he’d appreciate the ego stroking, but since he’s not here, and I outrank you,
you’ll make sure Will includes it in his next briefing. Understood?”
“I understand that it’s your ego that needs stroking not Josh’s.” Mandy stood up and
walked across the room until she was toe-to-toe with Amy. “I will not tell Will to include it
in his briefing unless or until I hear it directly from Josh.”
“What is your problem with me, exactly?” Amy asked.
“You’re pushing your personal agenda and using Josh’s absence to gloss-over that fact
with the President. You’re not a team player and you can’t see the forest for the trees.”
Mandy shrugged. “Normally, I’d just step back and watch you flounder until you implode,
but for the next week at least, we’re sharing space on the same ship, so to speak, and I’
m not going down with it because of your short-sightedness.”
“You can get off the ship at any time; life jacket optional. I’ll go speak to Will directly
about his next briefing,” Amy exited, with what she perceived to be the last word. Josh
could have told her there was no way Mandy would let it end there, but Amy never spoke
to Josh about it all.
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Donna had been uncharacteristically quiet for the last two hours and it was more
worrying to Josh than the fact that their child had decided to appear early. He’d tried to
engage Donna in conversation several times but she’d only given him one-word answers
or no answers at all and that just wasn’t how they did things.
“Talk to me, Donnatella.” He requested once the nurse completed her check and left
them alone. She was predicting another hour or so before Donna could start pushing
and there was no way Josh could handle two more hours of the silent treatment right
now.
“About what?” She asked wearily.
“About how you’re doing; what you’re thinking… something.”
“I’m in labor and you want me to entertain you?” She deadpanned.
“No!” He denied. “I want you to lean on me. Let me help you as much as I can.”
“I really don’t think you’re going to be able to push this baby out, but if you want to give it
a try…”
“Yeah, I think the ship has sailed on that one.” Josh agreed and Donna felt silent again.
“Just tell me why you’re mad at me, so I can apologize and we can move past it. I can’t
stand this not talking stuff.”
“Mad at you?” Donna looked at him in puzzlement. “Why would I be mad at you?”
“I don’t know, but then you’ve never really needed a logical reason before, so…”
Donna closed her eyes and tried to breathe through the contraction as they’d talked
about in childbirth class; what a joke! Clearly the people who designed the class had
never experienced something like this. Josh noted the tension in her face and the rest of
her body and tried to talk her through it but everything he said or did just seemed to
annoy her.
“Maybe you should get the epidural now?” He suggested carefully.
“I can handle it.” She insisted and hissed out her breath.
“God, Donna, I don’t think there’s anything you can’t handle, but why suffer like this
when the epidural will give you some relief?”
Donna just shook her head so Josh was turning away from her to sit down again when
he saw one lone tear escape the corner of her eye.
“Baby, will you please talk to me? Tell me what’s wrong?” He begged.
“I’m scared, okay? Is that what you want to hear? I’m scared!” Donna shouted.
“You’re having a baby for the first time. Of course you’re scared. I’M scared and I’m not
even the one with the baby inside me.” Josh shared. “Let me help.”
“You can’t help. You can’t fix this.” Donna cried. “The baby is early. It hurts like hell. And
there’s nothing you can do about either of those things.”
Wordlessly, Josh pulled her into his arms as best he could before reaching over and
pressing the call button for the nurse. “I can do something about one of those things.”
He told her and waited for the nurse to appear. “Donna’s ready for the epidural now.”
Josh stated.
“I wanted to wait until I was at 8 centimeters.” Donna disputed.
“I think you’re at 8 centimeters now… Don’t you nurse?” Josh asked with a deceptively
easy smile.
The nurse, an experienced labor/delivery professional didn’t bat an eye. “I’m sure she
is.” The nurse smiled back at him. “I’ll get the anesthesiologist right now. He’s just a
couple of doors down at the moment.” She left to find him.
“See?” Josh asked his wife. “I just solved half your problems.”
“You’re a handsome and powerful man.” She recited dully making him laugh before she
lapsed into silence again.
“The baby is going to be fine.” Josh predicted.
“You don’t know that.”
“I know that worrying about it won’t change anything.” Josh countered. “And I know that
we can handle anything together. You’ve proved that to me over and over.”
“What if her lungs aren’t fully developed yet? What if…”
“Her? Do you know something I don’t know?” Josh pounced.
“No.” Donna shook her head with a sigh. “Your mother is just wearing off on me.”
“Then I’m standing by my prediction. It’s a boy.” Josh tried to distract her with a debate.
“Okay.” Donna said agreeably.
“Come on, Donna, work with me here.”
“I’m too tired and scared to fight with you.” She whined and Josh realized how seriously
spooked she must be to whine. Donna never whined.
“I’m right here with you.” He promised and took her hand. He kept it wrapped tightly in
both of his even when the anesthesiologist had her roll on her side to administer the
epidural. She winced a bit during the procedure, but once it was done, Josh could see
her whole body relax.
“I think you may have been right about the epidural.” She admitted.
“Then MAYBE you could allow for the fact that I’m right about the rest of it too?”
“Maybe.” She teased and smiled when he gently kissed her.
“Then hurry it up, woman. I want to meet my daughter.”
It was almost three hours later when Donna managed give birth to their child. The
wailing from the child the moment it appeared quelled any anxieties about
underdeveloped lungs. The baby had 10 fingers, 10 toes, beautiful blue eyes…and a
penis.
“My mother was WRONG?!” Josh laughed. “Oh, I am SO going to rub that in.”
“Let me see him.” Donna requested tiredly. Josh took the handoff from the nurse and
tucked the baby smoothly into Donna’s waiting arms. “He’s so beautiful.”
“Handsome, Donna, boys are handsome.” Josh corrected her.
“This boy is beautiful.” Donna maintained.
“He certainly is.” Their nurse agreed. “There are a couple grandmothers waiting
anxiously outside. Would you like me to send them in?”
“In just a minute, okay?” Josh replied.
“Take all the time you want.” She told her and gave them some privacy.
“Look what we did.” Donna commented quietly taking care not to wake the sleeping child.
“You did all the hard work.” Josh kissed his wife’s forehead and then his son’s. “I am so
proud of you.”
“Our mothers are going to use a battering ram on the door if we don’t let them in soon.”
“Last chance to change your mind about the name before I let them in.” Josh offered,
but Donna just shook her head ‘no’ without taking her eyes off the baby.
Josh took a short walk down the hall to get the grandmothers. “You two interested in
meeting your grandchild?”
“It’s about damn time you came and got us.” Sarah complained. “Is Donna doing okay?”
“She’s tired but she’s fine.” Josh reported. “She’s simply amazing. I don’t know how you
women do that.” He took Donna’s mother’s hand in his and slung his other arm around
his mother’s shoulders.
“Josh?”
“Yes, mom.”
“Is it a boy or a girl?!” Sarah prompted him.
“It’s a healthy baby.” Josh hedged and cracked an evil grin.
“And as delighted as I am to hear that, I’d like to know if it’s a healthy boy or girl.” Sarah
pressed.
“You’ll find out in just a minute.”
“Joshua!”
Josh turned to Laura Moss. “See she SAYS I get my impatience from my father, but I
think there’s ample evidence to suggest it comes from her.”
“Josh?” Laura said sweetly.
“Yeah?”
“Tell us if it’s a boy or girl before we limit your ability to have any more children.” She
threatened.
“You women are vicious.” Josh responded and pushed open the hospital room door.
“Ladies, I’d like to introduce you to your grandson.”
Both women rushed to either side of Donna’s bed and literally cooed over the child.
“He’s so beautiful!” Sarah gushed.
“I’ve been told boys aren’t beautiful, they’re handsome.” Donna explained winking at
Josh.
“This one is BEAUTIFUL.” Sarah repeated. “Oh, Donna, could I? Laura, do you mind?”
“Not at all.” Laura smiled remembering what it was like to hold her first grandchild.
Donna reluctantly handed her son to Sarah.
“Hello there, darling. I’m Grandma Sarah.” Sarah stroked the baby’s cheek with her
finger. “Wait! What’s his name?”
Donna nodded at Josh who announced, “Nathan Josiah Lyman. Nathan means…”
“Gift from God.” Sarah completed his sentence.
“And aside from our personal connection to Josiah, that name in Hebrew means
‘Jehovah has healed’.” Donna, who’d done all the research shared. “It’s perfect for him,
don’t you think?”
“I do.” Laura cried freely. “My turn?” She asked holding her arms out. Sarah passed
their grandson to her carefully.
“You two did well.” Sarah hugged her son and then kissed Donna’s cheek.
“This is just the beginning.” Donna chuckled.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“I’m honored.”
“Well… if it hadn’t been for you, Donna and I wouldn’t ever have met.” Josh shrugged off
President Bartlet’s sentiment.
“Still…”
“Still…” Josh repeated and exchanged solemn looks with Jed Bartlet. “I’m a father.”
“And your life is NEVER going to be the same.” Jed predicted. “Lucky for you it’s a son -
Girls are a whole other thing.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m starting out on the easier track.” Josh acknowledged.
“So, what’s next for you, kid?” Jed asked rubbing his hands together. “Davis pled guilty
to all counts in the dead of night to avoid having to stand in court and hear ‘guilty’ come
out of the jury foreman’s mouth, so that’s done. You’re wrapping things up with Hoynes
and Simmons. You’ve got a beautiful new home to provide a roof for your beautiful new
son. You’ve made a difference in the lives of Americans for years to come. How do you
follow that list of accomplishments? What’s next?”
“Hell if I know, sir.” Josh answered. “I’m going to spend some time at home with Donna
and Nate before I decide on anything.”
“Nate Lyman.” Jed let the name roll off his tongue. “Sounds like a perfect name for a ball
player.” He winked.
“And I want to have time with him to teach him how to play.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Because this one is mine.” Mandy repeated to Will.
“But I’m the Press Secretary.”
“And you do very well in that role, but in this case, I don’t want your fingerprints
anywhere on it. So I’m doing this briefing. You can stay and watch though, if you’d like.”
“I wouldn’t dream of missing this.” Will muttered.
“Good morning, everyone. I don’t have any statements for you this morning, but I
anticipate you might have a few questions.” Mandy began.
“Will’s not briefing this morning?” Came a shout.
“Since it’s my last week here, I asked Will for the privilege.” She replied.
“What is the reaction from the White House about the plea deal Davis made with the
prosecution?”
“The White House is glad to see justice prevail and Mr. Davis take responsibility for his
actions which impacted so many people. Tom?”
“What is Josh’s reaction to the plea deal?”
“You’d have to ask Josh that, but I imagine he’s a little too busy teaching his new son
how to throw a curveball to worry too much about Ron Davis anymore. Alex?”
“What is the White House reaction to 347 going down in flames after stating it would
pass with White House support?”
“White House support?” Mandy looked puzzled. “I think you’re mistaken, Alex. The White
House didn’t take a stand on this bill.”
“Follow up.” Alex demanded. “Will announced that the White House was supporting the
bill and was going to use its considerable leverage to see that is passed.”
“Then he misspoke. I was in that meeting.” Mandy opened her Day-timer and made a
show of looking for her notes. “Yes, I have it here. Josh Lyman had recommended
staying away from it because of the questionable amendments that had been hung on it.
Amy Gardner was behind the push to support it while Josh was giving testimony in the
Davis trial. Yes, that was a decision made by Deputy Chief of Staff Gardner.”
“So Gardner was unable to wrangle the votes?” Alex pressed. “What does that say
about her abilities to push the President’s agenda as DCOS?”
“Listen, I’ve never met anyone as passionate about certain issues as Amy Gardner. It
would be a mistake to get in her way… Chris?”
“Are you saying she’s too focused on a few particular issues?” Chris asked.
“I’m saying that I wouldn’t want to tangle with her on her key issues.” Mandy rephrased
her answer.
“Is there friction between the two of you? Is that why you’re returning to California this
week?” Another reporter asked.
“If friction drove me away from places, I’d have never agreed to come back and work for
Josh Lyman.” The reporters chuckled. “My place here was always temporary; Josh
announced it as such when I first came back. Working in the White House is invigorating
to be sure, but I miss the sun and the surf in California as well as the state politics. I look
forward to giving the Republican party there some serious competition in getting their
people into Congress. Thank you all for your diligence and meticulousness in your jobs.
It has given me migraines at times, but I’m better for having worked with all of you. I hope
to see some of you covering the races out west. Thanks.” Mandy gave a jaunty salute
and stepped off the platform to walk back into the west wing’s offices.
“Mandy!” Chris called out and had the Communication’s Director holding up. “I heard
you were going out to visit Nate.” Chris commented when she’d caught up to Mandy and
Will.
“We’ve been cleared for a visit tomorrow.” Mandy smiled. “I have the feeling that Daddy
Josh may be just a little anxious to show off the baby.”
“I was wondering if you’d deliver this for me.” Chris held out a package.
“Sure.” Mandy hesitated. “You know, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if you stopped by
yourself. I know Josh wanted a chance to thank you for your part in the trial.”
“I’d rather not.” Chris waved it off. If it had been simply a matter of revealing her source,
there was no way Chris would have ever come forward, but when she realized the copy
she had been sent might be one of three original documents that could be a key piece
of evidence in a Federal trial, that was something else entirely. Still, she wasn’t anxious
to take any credit for it. “Just give this to them and give them my best wishes.”
“No problem.” Mandy agreed. “But I still think Josh would like to thank you personally.”
“I’d like to thank him personally too.” Chris said as she began to walk away.
“For what?” Mandy called out.
“My son was diagnosed with autism 6 months ago.” Chris said quietly with her eyes on
the floor. “Good luck in California, Mandy.”
Mandy exchanged a look with Will.
“Well I’ll be damned.” Mandy chuckled. “Talk about karma.”
“No, I don’t want to talk to you about karma.” Will disputed. “I want to talk about the
statement you just made. Amy Gardner is going to skin you alive.”
“Please, in what universe?” Mandy scoffed. “She has no power over me. Let’s talk about
the California 47th.”
“The California 47th? It’s a blood red Congressional district. Why would you want to
discuss the 47th?”
“Because it’s going to be part of the territory I’ll be working for the D triple C.”
“Do you have some sort of professional suicidal tendencies I was previously unaware
of? First the Gardner statement and now the California 47th?”
“It’s PART of the territory I’ll be covering. First, I need to find a sacrificial lamb willing to
run…I could use some help.” Mandy hinted.
“Leave the White House for a death defying run in the California 47th? Who wouldn’t
jump at that?” Will teased.
“Think about it.” Mandy replied and left him in the hall doing precisely that; thinking
about it.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Give me the baby and go write your lecture.” Sam urged his friend.
“I have a better idea.” Josh countered. “You write the lecture for me and I’ll hold Nate.”
“Nah-uh.” Sam shook his head. “Come on, Ainsley got a turn.”
“I trust Ainsley more than you.” Josh shrugged.
“That’s cold. Before Nate was born, I put in way more time holding babies than you did.”
Sam groused.
“Don’t feel bad, Sam. The only time I get to hold him is when I breastfeed him.” Donna
shared as she and Ainsley came in the room and joined the men.
“Donna!” Josh protested.
“I feel safe in assuming that Sam has both heard of and observed breastfeeding,
Joshua.”
“Not with you!” He insisted.
“Give me the baby, and I’ll never mention your wife and breastfeeding in the same
sentence ever again.” Sam negotiated.
“Sam…” Josh growled in warning.
“Just how often do you breastfeed Nate, Donna?” Sam asked ignoring Josh completely.
“Fine. You can hold him. But if you make him cry…” Josh threatened.
“Hand him over.” Sam demanded and turned gooey the moment the baby was placed in
his arms. “Hey, Nate! Aren’t you lucky you got your mother’s good looks?”
“Very funny.” Josh grumbled.
“Is it nice having the house back to yourselves?” Ainsley asked trying to distract Josh
from his paranoia about other people holding the baby.
“Yeah…but it was nice having mom around for the first couple of weeks though.” Josh
admitted.
“I imagine it won’t take much enticement to get her to come back and visit.” Ainsley
guessed.
“No, probably not.” Donna agreed. “We’re going to take a trip to Wisconsin in a few
weeks.”
“I still think it’s a mistake to take Nate on a plane so young.” Josh muttered.
“You just don’t want to go to Wisconsin.” Donna countered.
“I’m sure it will be fine.” Ainsley played peacemaker again. “Do you really not have your
first lecture for Georgetown prepared?”
“I don’t start for two more weeks.” Josh blew her concern off. “I can always wing it.”
“I would think, that having been hired by Georgetown to provide lectures to the students
there, you would want to have an actual lecture prepared ahead of time.” Ainsley
advised.
“I have two more weeks.” Josh repeated and made Donna laugh.
“He means *I* have two more weeks. He’ll slough it off on me; just you watch.” Donna
predicted.
“You said you’ve felt unproductive at home with the baby all the time. I was thinking you’
d like having something to do.” Josh offered.
“You’re too kind.” Donna drawled. “The first couple weeks I was too exhausted to do
anything but feed the baby and sleep.” Donna explained. “But now I’m itching for
something to do until classes start again.”
“How many courses do you have left?” Sam asked.
“Two.” Donna replied.
“While working and taking care of an infant.” Josh pointed out. “We’re going to have a
hell of a graduation party when you’re done.”
“I think I’m a little past graduation open houses, Joshua.”
“It’s an important occasion to mark.” Sam disagreed. “But if you’re looking for some side
projects to keep your hand in the game, Congressman Parker would snap you up in a
heartbeat.”
“Sam!” Josh objected.
“What? She could stay in the game a bit but pick which projects she wanted to work on.”
Sam replied.
“I think he means that he anticipates me being kept busy with HIS projects.” Donna
laughed. “I’ll think about it. Thanks, Sam.”
“Have you heard from Mandy or Will?” Sam asked.
“They seem to be enjoying life in the land of fruits and nuts.” Josh rolled his eyes.
“Josh is just peeved because Mandy sent Nate a Dodger’s uniform for a baby gift.”
Donna explained.
“That would do it.” Sam agreed and decided to change the subject. “Have you been
watching Amy trying to crawl out of the hole Mandy dug and pushed her in?”
“Josh isn’t watching news from the White House right now. It’s not good for his blood
pressure.” Donna noted.
“But I could have told the woman not to piss-off Mandy. Nothing good comes from that.”
Josh told them. “Simmons seems to be settling in as COS okay and Hoynes numbers
have leveled-off or even climbed a bit in most polls.”
“I am always surprised by the forgiving nature of the American electorate.” Ainsley
noted. “The man had an extra-marital affair, was drinking heavily while in office and was
part of a Federal investigation for God’s sake.”
“Says the White House Associate Counsel.” Josh quipped.
“Not for long.” Sam argued. “Tell them.”
“I’ve accepted a position on CJ’s program as a consultant and guest host.” Ainsley
announced.
“That’s perfect for you!” Donna exclaimed. “Congratulations! Isn’t that great Josh?”
“I can’t wait to see that.” Josh told her and then grew quiet.
“What is it?” Ainsley prodded.
“Nothing… it really will be perfect for you.” Josh shrugged. “I was just thinking that you’re
the last of us to leave the White House.”
“The end of an era?” Donna asked.
“I guess.” Josh admitted. “Even Mrs. Landingham has retired. Margaret’s working for the
foundation with Leo and Abby… I’m sorry. It just makes me a little maudlin.”
“Then hold this little guy for awhile.” Sam handed the baby back to his father. “He’ll
cheer you right up. All that other stuff is in the past. This guy is what’s next.”
“Hear, hear.” Ainsley chimed in. “To what’s next.” She lifted her glass and was joined by
the others in a toast to what the future would bring. As much as Josh was looking
forward to the future with his family and friends, he really couldn’t let go of the past
either. He guessed he never would.
Cont. in Epilogue