25.
As I open the door to our apartment, I can’t say I’m that surprised when it hits a
suitcase. I sigh heavily as Scott comes into view.
“I was going to tell you.” I say immediately.
“Uh-huh.” He says, sliding his laptop into its case. “As it turns out, I got to find out from
Chris Matthews. Personally, Matt. He called here.”
“He talked to you?” I ask, my eyebrows raise.
“He did.”
“About?”
“He wanted decorating advice.” He says dryly.
“Scott…”
“What the hell do you THINK he asked me about, Matthew!” He raises his voice and I’m
a little stunned…and a lot turned on. “You CHANGED parties! You changed political
parties!”
“Yes.”
“Right before the election!”
“Yes.”
“Did Josh have a stroke?”
“Josh knew it was coming.” I cringe.
“Of course he did.” Scott laughs without mirth. “Let me ask you something, does Josh
share things with you before he shares them with Donna?”
“Some things.”
“Please.” He scoffs.
“There are things he tells me before her.” I insist. “But on the other hand, Scott, there
are things SHE tells me before she tells him, too.”
“So when you were saying you were trying to figure things out politically, this is what
you were talking about?”
“Yes.” I sigh.
“Chris Matthews asked if I was your partner.”
“And what did you say?”
“I said I was.”
“Past tense?”
“How much more of this am I supposed to take, Matt?”
“It doesn’t look like you’re taking anything anymore, Scott, there’s a suitcase here.”
“The suitcase doesn’t have anything in it yet, Matt.”
“Oh, it doesn’t?”
“Not yet.”
“I’m prepared to grovel.” I offer.
“I don’t want you to grovel, Matthew; I want you to speak to me. If I’m your partner and
you love me so much, I want you to treat me like it. Why do you share all this stuff with
Josh --”
“THIS IS NOT ABOUT JOSH!” I finally explode. I’ve really fucking had it with that. “This is
not about Josh. This has NEVER been about Josh. I don’t know how to alleviate your
paranoia there, but Josh has nothing to do with any of the decisions I’ve made where
you and I are concerned. In fact, it’s been Josh all along who’s been on my ass about
talking to you.”
“Well, then maybe you should take his advice.” There’s a long charged silence between
us before he continues. “Chris Matthews asked me if you were running for President.”
Well, there it is then.
“Yes.” I say simply.
“You didn’t trust me to know that?” He nods as if it’s a foregone conclusion.
“No, that wasn’t it.”
“Then what WAS it, Matthew?”
“I love you, Scott. And because I love you, I was prepared to do anything I had to do to
protect you. My life is about to go under a microscope. I have to disclose EVERYTHING.
My financial records, my health records, my elementary school grades, my FBI file, the
list is a long as my arm! Then there’s you. They’re going to go hunting on you. If you
smoked a joint when you were 15, they’re going to find out about it. They’re going to
follow you to work, to the store, to my office, to your parents, home. And then, after all
that, the death threats are going to start because there’s a lot of people in this country
not real wild about you and I living together; just ask Josh, those people shot him!
“If you and I weren’t together, they’ll eventually find you, but it’ll be just to get dirt on me.
You don’t know terrified, Scott, until the FBI knocks on your door and shows you letters
written by some sicko detailing how he’s going to kill someone you love. How exactly am
I supposed to ask you to go through that? To put your family through that? We’re not
married, we have no legal commitment to each other, how am I supposed to ask that of
you?”
He lets out a long breath and drops down onto the couch. “Well, letting me make up my
own mind is a good place to start.”
He pats the cushion next to him and I feel lighter with each step I take towards him. I
drop down next to him and put my feet up on the coffee table.
“Matt,” he says taking my hand in his. “did you really think that without me by your side,
or any man for that matter, they weren’t going to notice you’re gay? Did you think you
were going to be LESS gay?”
“Well, when you put it like that…”
Don’t I feel like an asshole…
“You, Josh, and Chris get so whipped up into political frenzies and you over analyze
everything that you miss for the forest for the trees. You’re gay. They’re going to expect
you to have someone in your life. This country is either ready for a gay president or it
isn’t.”
“Do you think it is?”
“No, I do not.” He shakes his sandy blonde head and says it so matter of factly, I
chuckle. “But someone has to be the first one to try.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I watch my gracefully rounding wife lumber into my office. She slowly lowers herself
down on my couch, puts her feet up and sighs.
“Feels weird.” She finally says.
“Being that pregnant?” I ask. She glares at me.
“No. Being happy a Democrat won the presidency.”
“Oh, well, it feels good, right?”
“No. Weird, not good. I never said good.”
“Does it feel like you could adjust to it?”
“I’m hungry.” There’s a shock.
“Want me to wheel the buffet table on in? Then you don’t have to get up.”
“Or you could just go get me some food.”
“I could do that.” I rise out of my chair, cross the office and kiss her on the forehead.
“Take a load off for a while there, gumdrop.”
“Ooh…see if they have gumdrops.”
Right. Guess who’s finding a supermarket now?
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“YOU CHANGED PARTIES!” Chris shouts bursting into my office.
“Yes.” I sigh.
“You left the Republican Party?” He actually sounds pissed about it.
“Yes.” I repeat.
“Why didn’t you say anything to me?” he demands. He does kind of have a right to be
angry, being one of my best friends and members of Congress.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to do it.”
“My phone’s ringing off the hook.”
“So’s mine.”
“Why did you do it?”
“Do you not support it? There’s one less republican here.”
“I want to know why.”
“Last year I believed in 95 percent of the Republican platform; this year, it’s 85. I have a
few liberal influences in my life that have upon occasion caused me to vote another
way. Independent is a better description of me, I think.”
“What happened to your life not having to be about you being gay?”
It takes me a second to work that out in my head and I shrug. “I am gay and I was a
member of a pretty intolerant party. I can be Independent and still vote with the
Republicans on the stuff I believe in and I can vote with the Democrats with a clean
conscience.”
He looks at me for a long moment. He’s trying to figure out what’s really going on. I can’t
explain why I haven’t brought him in on it yet. I guess I’m a little apprehensive about who
he’s been hanging around with lately.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Eleanor,” the President greets as Ellie and I enter the sitting room in the Residence.
“fancy seeing you here…on election night of all nights.”
“Jed…” Abbey warns.
“Agent Casper, would you please excuse us?”
Oh shit. “Yes, sir.”
“Call him Mike, dad.” Ellie says. “And he can stay.” Abbey smiles and raises her
eyebrows at me. I look down at my feet to hide my smirk.
“It’s okay, Ellie.” I say quietly. I mean, I don’t want to lose my job here.
“It is.” She says. “It’s okay for you to stay.”
I look hopelessly at the President; no help there. I look over at the First Lady and she’s
grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “You’re in a tough spot, Mike.” She laughs.
“Yes, ma’am.” I agree.
“Listen to Ellie.” She advises. “Believe me when I tell you you’ll be happier in the end.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Abbey.”
“Yes, Abbey.” I drone. She gestures for us to sit on the couch by her, so we do.
“You finish your residency in a few months.” Her father says. “Any thought to what you’
re going to do?”
“I have some offers.” She says. “Georgetown, GW and Howard have all offered me
research positions.”
“What happened to oncology?” he asks.
“I think I’d be more helpful discovering the cure for cancer than just treating it.”
I can’t help but smile at that, right then the President slides his gaze over to me and
catches me looking at his daughter like some lovesick schmuck.
“And Mike, I don’t suppose you’re being transferred to the Yukon any time soon?”
“No, sir.” I smile back. I can’t blame him. I am a male dating his daughter.
“I see.” He nods and looks back at Ellie and finally smiles.
“We were going to go down and join the staff.” Ellie explains. “I just wanted to drop by
and tell you in person.”
“Tell me WHAT in person?” He growls looking at me now.
“Down, dad.” She says rolling her eyes. “I just thought you might like to know that I
voted for you.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
There’s people everywhere. Drinking, singing, dancing, celebrating that we pulled off
what I honestly thought was impossible. The good news about this night is far from over
though as I push my way through the crowd and into the near deserted bullpen. Donna
went to lay down a little earlier. She was exhausted. She was up most of last night
explaining the electoral college to Piper while I was stuck here.
I creep into my office. The lights are off and she’s sound asleep on the couch. I’m
loathed to wake her because she’s beautiful when she sleeps, but…well, I have good
news.
“Donnatella.” I call quietly and gently shake her shoulder.
She stirs a bit and I have to shake her again before she lazily opens her eyes and
smiles at me. “Did we win?” she asks in a hoarse voice.
“We sure did.” I smile widely.
“Was it a landslide?”
“Nope.”
“Did he take New Hampshire?”
“Yup.”
“How `bout Wisconsin?”
“No, which you and I will be discussing at a later date.”
“So, you’re not unemployed?”
“Not yet.”
“Congratulations.” She smiles.
“Thanks. It feels good.”
“It should. You guys worked really hard and it’s been a really rough few months.”
“You can say that again.”
“In more ways than one.” She says quietly.
“Speaking of the other way…” I say. “It’s fun having a little role reversal here for a
change.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I just talked to Piper.”
Her eyes go wide and she sits up. “What do you mean?”
“Piper’s treatment. It took.”
“Really?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“She’s pregnant?”
“She sure is.”
She squeals and launches herself into my arms where she promptly and predictably
bursts into tears.
“How often does the husband get to tell the wife she’s going to have a baby?” I laugh
into her shoulder.
“Are you sure?”
“She said she’ll make an appointment in the morning, but that’s what the test said.”
“Oh Joshua! I can’t believe it! It’s finally happening.”
“Finally.”
“I love you so much!”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You did. You’ve done so much. I haven’t been easy.”
“Oh, and I’ve been a picnic?”
“I feel like I’ve put you through so much and asked so much more of you than I had a
right to.”
“Donna, I’m your husband, there’s nothing you can’t ask of me.”
“I’m grateful for you, Josh, everyday.” She whispers gently placing her hand on my face
before she kisses the ever loving crap out of me. I should get somebody else pregnant
more often. She laughs as she pulls away. She’s so happy right now, she’s radiant.
“God! No more shots, no more doctors…well, different doctors. My clothes will finally fit
again!”
She hugs me tightly again and I’m caught up in her excitement. All the stuff she just
rattled off definitely hasn’t been fun. In fact, it’s come with quite a bit of discomfort and
not a little bit of pain for her, too. My end’s pretty easy. I just think about my wife
and…you know what? I don’t need to tell you about that.
“I’m excited.” She smiles when she pulls away.
“Me too.”
“And a little terrified.”
“Oh, me too.”
“We’ll be good at it.” She nods.
“Yup.”
“And that goes for whatever comes next.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
26.
“Congressman Wick is here to see you.” Jackie announces. I’ve been dreading this.
“Send him in.” I instruct her and set aside the briefing book I’m taking notes on.
“You busy?’ Chris asks.
“Busy? Why would I be busy? We’ve got 10 days until the Inauguration and a hostile
Congress to deal with right out of the gate. I’m basically just coasting for the next four
years.” I say sarcastically.
“Great. I’ll take you to lunch.” Chris replies as if he isn’t aware that I was being sarcastic
right there, which I know he was.
“Chris…”
“Lunch; just the two of us.” He qualifies.
“You know I’m married, right?’ I tease.
“Come on. I’m buying.”
“This is clearly going someplace hysterical.” I note and grab my jacket. “I pick the place
then.”
“Fine.” He agrees immediately and my antennae shoot up. This is trouble; mark my
words.
I think I surprise him with my choice of a Vietnamese place off campus but he doesn’t
complain that it isn’t a ‘see and be seen’ spot in Washington like he’s been frequenting
with the she-devil lately. We make small talk about the Inauguration until the food
arrives and then he starts.
“We had dinner at the Naval Observatory last night.”
“How nice for you.”
“Just tell me this; is your problem with Hoynes or is it with Hoynes taking an interest in
my career?” He asks.
“Neither. I simply couldn’t care less.” That’s not completely true. I wish Chris would keep
his distance from Hoynes but if I say that it’s sure to drive Chris even closer to him; he’s
oppositional like that.
“I don’t believe that. You’re the guy who’s always looking ahead, planning the next
move.”
“And that has what to do with John Hoynes?” I ask.
“Don’t play stupid with me.” He complains. “Bartlet has four years left and then he’s
done. Who’s going to take the ball from him? Who’s his natural successor?”
“I’m thinking someone from out west.”
“Josh…”
“You’re backing Hoynes? Already?” I push.
“Absolutely. And so should you. You know what he’s capable of.”
“Yes, I do.” I laugh. “Better than you, Chris. The man is trouble.”
“The man is a brilliant politician and he’s going to be the Democratic front runner for
President.” Chris tells me like this is news to me. “And of all the people in the party he
can pick from, he wants you to run it for him.”
“This is a pitch for Hoynes?” I laugh again. “You’re shilling for him, now?”
“We had a…discussion last night. He realizes he made a mistake not listening to you
back in the day. He’s learned from his mistakes; all of them, and they won’t be
repeated.” He assures me and this, I’m sure, is an allusion to the ever present problem
Hoynes has with keeping his hands to himself and off of women he’s not married to.
“Well…that’s encouraging.” I drawl.
“Think about the team you could put together.” He cajoles. “You’d have carte blanche.
You could call all the shots and be sitting in Leo’s chair four years from now.”
“Who says I want to be sitting in Leo’s chair four years from now?”
“Please. I’ve known you forever. You’ve always had your sights set on Leo’s chair.”
“That was before.” I tell him.
“Before what?”
“Before Donna. Before we were expecting a baby.” I shrug. “I’m not sure that’s the right
move for me right now.”
“That’s an excuse.” Chris accuses. “What is your problem with Hoynes?”
“I have several, but more importantly, what has got you cheerleading for Hoynes?”
“What do you mean?” He asks casually and picks up another egg roll. He’s not nearly
as good at bluffing as he thinks he is. He has tells all over the place; including the fact
that he fidgets with his fingers when he’s nervous. You should see how he’s mauling the
poor egg roll right now.
“What. Is in this. For you.” I say explicitly. The old Chris might have thrown his weight
behind someone because he believed in the guy, but lately, Chris has been all about
‘you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours’ politics.
He thinks about blowing me off. I see it in his eyes. Then just as suddenly, he decides
to come clean. “He indicated that with some beefing up of my portfolio over the next
three years…” he trails off. He can NOT be saying what I think he’s saying.
“He dangled VP in front of you?” I say incredulously.
“Is that so completely unbelievable?”
“Uh….yes!”
“Thanks.” He tosses the mangled egg roll on the table.
“Chris, you’re a two term Congressman from CONNECTICUT who, up until the last few
months has had very little visibility on the national stage and no major issues or bills
that you’ve sponsored. You’ve kept a low profile and towed the party line for the most
part. There’s nothing shameful about any of that, but you haven’t been a bright spot in
the party either. And let me just say that the fact that you’d believe, for one minute, that
Hoynes would consider putting you on the ticket with him, proves that you are not ready
for this kind of gig. He is using you and our friendship to hook me into his campaign and
once he does, he’s going to have trouble remembering your name.”
“Wow.” Chris scoffs. “Rumors of your ego really are underestimated. Why can’t you
conceive of a world where I could be considered for the VP spot?”
“I can, if you make some changes and start taking on the real battles going on in
Congress. But not in four years; not even in eight.” I tell him honestly.
“Tell me Josh…Just who are you going to be supporting for President next time
around?” He asks with more shrewdness than I’d have given him credit for. Then again,
he has been spending a lot of time with Hoynes and Gardner.
I consider telling him I haven’t made up my mind, but immediately discard that idea. It’s
going to come out eventually and I’d rather not have a lie between us too. “Matt
Skinner.”
“Damn…” Chris holds his hands out like I’ve completely blown him away. “You really are
going out on a limb, aren’t you? You’re more interested in making a name for yourself
and making waves for the party than anything else.”
“I’ve already got a pretty good name for myself, Chris I-“
“You’d rather run some no chance in hell third party candidate, who’s only going to
siphon off votes from the Democrats, than the party’s front runner?”
“He’ll take plenty of Republican votes too. If there’s a person and a time to run a third
party candidate, then its Matt and four years from now.”
“The independence party isn’t even on the ballot in all 50 states!” Chris objects.
“Then I guess I’d better get started on that. Glad you brought it to my attention or I’d
have been in for a pretty big surprise come Election Day.” I say with my trademark eye
roll. “Do you honestly think I haven’t thought this through five ways to Sunday?”
“I don’t think you’re doing much thinking at all.” He stands up and throws down a $20
bill. “That should cover lunch.” Then he walks out without another word.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“I need my schedule.” Matt complains.
“And I’d love for you to have it. Give me another minute here.” I shout back. Seriously,
the man knows I’m doing my best right now.
“I really thought you would have foreseen this eventuality.” Matt says to me like I’m
some sort of psychic.
“Uh-huh.”
“I mean, you have a lot of interaction with all these people.” He continues. “Didn’t ANY
of them give you the indication that they might, you know, QUIT, when I decided to
change parties?”
“Since that information was SECRET, it really wasn’t anything we discussed at length,
no.”
“Ah, yes, I forgot about it being secret.” Matt nods understandingly. “But still, they didn’t
give off a vibe or anything?”
“A ‘if Matt turns independent I’m out of here’ vibe?” I throw out.
“Yeah…”
“Not so much, no.” I admit.
“Let’s take inventory then. Who’d we lose?” He asks.
“Your Chief of Staff, both legislative liaisons, your senior research assistant and your
scheduler.” I report and his eyes bug out. “Their letters of resignation are on your desk.”
“It’s been a while since the election and they all decided to quit en masses yesterday.”
“It was certainly a well planned assault.” I acknowledge. “That and they needed to find
another job first and they needed to wait for the new Republicans to get in town and
start hiring.”
“That makes more sense.” He smirks at me. “Now we’ve got to go poaching for staff.”
“We?”
“Well…you.”
“I’VE got to go poaching for staff?”
“I was thinking you could take over as Chief of Staff, and then as COS you’d be
responsible for filling the other staff openings.” He tosses out like it’s no big deal.
“Chief of Staff? Have you gone mad?”
“There is plenty of evidence of that lately.” He mutters. “Why not COS? You know me,
you know the other players in Congress, and you’ve been living with Lyman for two
years; that’s like a Master’s program in political maneuvering.”
“Let me get this straight. You’re stating that my major qualification for COS is that I live
with Josh?” I repeat.
“I mentioned that THIRD, but it certainly is a qualification.”
“I don’t think-“
“Let’s say interim COS for now and we’ll re-visit it in a few weeks after we’ve both had a
chance to try it out.”
“Matt…” I pause and get up to shut the door. “Matt I know what your plans are four
years from now. Your COS is going to need to be on top of a hell of a lot more than bills
and Congressional vote schedules.”
“First of all, you’d be COS of the Congressional office, not the campaign. Secondly, I
need to get re-elected as an Independent in the mid-terms before anything else can
happen. And thirdly, if and when we switch into national campaign mode, Josh will be
running that show, and who better to partner with him out of our office than you?”
“Matthew!” Josh calls from the office lobby. Speak of the devil. The door bangs open.
“Where the hell is everyone?”
“We’re having some staffing issues.” Matt tells him.
“Apparently. Did you know your COS was shopping his resume around?” Josh asks.
“I kind of figured he must have been considering he tendered his resignation.” Matt
replies.
“That would be a clue, yes.” Josh agrees. “Who are you going to replace him with?”
“Your wife.” Matt informs him.
“Right.” Josh laughs. Matt makes this grimacing face and motions with his head over to
where I’m sitting behind my husband…and out of his view up until now. “Hey…I didn’t
see you there, babe.”
“No?!” I mock him. He leans in to kiss me and I swat him with my scheduling book.
“I was just going to give you a kiss.” He protests.
“Right.” I say in the same mocking tone he’d just used and leave the jerk alone with my
boss.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“You are so dead.” Matt shakes his head sadly at me.
“I’m making friends all over the place today. I just had lunch with Chris.” I admit.
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“He cornered me about Hoynes. Apparently, Hoynes and Gardner have been filling his
ears with talk of being on the ticket in four years if I’m running the campaign for them.” I
relay.
“You’re fucking kidding me.”
“I wish I was. I came clean about your plans, or, our plans for you and he was mighty
pissed. I thought you should know as soon as possible so they don’t blindside you with
it.” I explain.
“Thanks, but I can handle whatever little grasshopper sends my way.”
“Yes, but he’s playing with Hoynes and Gardner now.” I remind him.
“Don’t remind me.” He protests. “Plus, if they can swat me out of the way, they have a
pathway to get you on board with them.”
“No, they really don’t.” I shake my head in the negative.
“I know that, but they might not see it that way.” Matt expounds. “Thanks for the heads
up. You’d better go make up with your wife.”
“Yeah.” I agree. “Will we see you later at the thing tonight in the East room?”
“Yes, Scott and I will be there.” He informs me and my face must show my shock that he’
s taking Scott with him to a political event. “Don’t look at me like that. I promised that I’d
include him more; that we’d be partners in public and private.”
“Good.” I smile happily. “Very good. Now let’s see if I can make the same deal with my
wife. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck…you’re gonna need it.” Matt quips.
I find my beautiful wife in her office studying something intently. “Is this stimulus plan
your idea?” She asks without looking up.
“It’s a team thing.” I reply.
“It’s never going to pass with all these amendments attached.” She opines.
“The President didn’t attach the amendments.” I point out.
“No, the President’s party did though.” She sighs. “It’s gonna cost you some votes.”
“It’ll gain us some votes too.” I counter.
“I’d be good as COS.” She says out of the blue…a bit.
“You know, I think you would.” I nod.
“You’re just saying that now because you mocked the idea earlier and you’re afraid that’
s going to cost YOU!”
“There is that.” I admit. “But honestly? It kind of caught me by surprise. The more I think
about it, the more it makes sense. You practically run this office anyway and you’ve got
good instincts.”
“Do you mean that, or are you just sucking up?”
“I really mean that.” I tell her sincerely, and I do. “I’m sorry I reacted poorly earlier.”
“Okay.” She allows. “Piper called and she’s set up for her ultra sound on the 19th at 4:
30”
“Donna, that’s the day before --”
“I know what the date is for Inauguration, Joshua.” She cuts me off. “Look, if it’s not that
important to you, you don’t have to come.” Like I’m that stupid! Or like I don’t want to be
there when we get the first peek at our child!
“No, no. I’ll be there. We’ll be there together.” I promise and pull her up to standing so
we’re nose to nose. “I can’t wait to see him.” I just have this feeling the baby is a boy. I
can’t explain it, I just know it’s a boy!
“Her.” Donna corrects me. She is equally adamant that it is a girl.
“Whatever you say, Donnatella.” I roll my eyes and steal a kiss.
“Fifty bucks.” She states the terms of the wager and sticks her hand out to shake mine.
“Okay, you’re on.” I shake it decisively and then just for the hell of it, I steal another
kiss. Inauguration week is going to be very exciting.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
27.
“Un-be-freaking-leivable.” Josh mutters as we walk back to the ultrasound room. He’s a
little unhappy about the time of the ultrasound. I tried to get an appointment yesterday
or tomorrow, but they were all booked up. “There were NO other times they could have
done this?” He looks at me.
“Well, yes, Josh.” I say. “They had a noon appointment, but I figured you were going to
be bloody busy then, so I scheduled the evening one.”
“I’m sorry.” He says when he hears my tone. My mum would be so proud of me, staring
down the President of the United States’ advisor like this. I’ve learned that sometimes
you have to, as Donna says, get in his face. “It’s just…it’s really hard to catch back up
with the motorcade, believe me.”
“A dapper dressed bloke like you should have no problem hailing a cab.” I say as the
doctor leads us into the exam room.
“Well, I didn’t realize we had to dress for the occasion.” The doctor quips looking over
at Josh and Donna’s fine attire.
“We’re going to eight balls.” Josh replies, looking down at his phone, while I hop up on
the table and Donna helps me. “Well, probably six at this point.”
“You work for the government?” the doctor asks. I’m constantly surprised at how many
people know Josh and how many people don’t.
Josh looks at her for a moment, but one glare from Donna squelches anything he was
going to say. “Yes.” He says simply and pushes his phone to his ear. “Toby…” he says
into his phone and then steps out.
Men are so different than woman. There was no way he’d miss the appointment, but
there’s no way Donna’s going to miss a single second of it.
“Sorry, Piper.” Donna says helping me with the pillow under my head. “He’s got a lot of
people to meet with tonight.”
“It’s all right, Donna.” I smile as the doctor lifts my shirt and lubes up the ultrasound
wand.
“Whoo! Cold.” I smile up at Donna as it makes contact with my skin and doctor begins
to move it around.
“Josh, get in here!” Donna calls and Josh pops immediately through the curtain and
over to Donna’s side.
“What am I looking at?” he asks.
“Right here.” The doctor says, pointing at the screen.
I frown as I listen to the heart rate. That doesn’t sound like before.
“Something’s not right.” I say.
“What? What’s wrong?” Donna demands.
“The heart beat…” I say. “It sounds a tad bit…erratic.”
“Not all.” The doctor smiles, looking away from the screen. “It sounds just fine; just the
thing you want to hear from two healthy heartbeats.”
“TWO!?” Donna, Josh and myself all chorus in astonishment. Twins?
“JOSH!” Donna yelps, and she catches him right before he would have hit the floor.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“All right, don’t laugh!” she calls from behind the closed door. I roll my eyes. “And don’t
roll your eyes either! I’m really nervous.” Wow, that was really spooky. How’d she do
that?
“Eleanor,” I sigh through the closed door in the Residence. “you’ve been in there
FOREVER!” Thank God, the President’s got all the pomp and circus stuff he has to go
through because no way would I be this loud with him around.
“I just… I don’t like these things.”
“What things?”
“These gowns. They’re just…is there any way I can get out of this?”
“Eleanor. Millicent. Bartlet. Get your hot ass out here now.” I’m just about to kick the
damn door in when it opens slowly. When she emerges, I’m astounded. My eyes bug
out of my head, my heart stops beating and my jaw drops. There are other physical
reactions, too, but I’m a gentleman. Well, I’m not a gentleman, but I am trying to be
more of one.
Her hair is up and there are little rings coming down around her beautiful face. Her
necklace is enormous and I’m pretty sure borrowed. Good thing I have my gun. That
thing has to be worth more than I make in a year.
The dress is strapless, which I’m only happy about because in addition to my gun, we’re
traveling with armed guards tonight. The black satin dress is sexy as all hell, clinging to
all my favorite parts and shows off her flawless figure.
After a minute or two of me staring at her like she’s a piece of meat, she finally can’t
take it anymore.
“Michael, say something!”
“Eleanor, will you marry me?”
Okay, so I wasn’t expecting to say THAT! I mean, I think ‘you look beautiful’ would be
more appropriate here.
“What?” she gasps.
“Ellie, marry me.”
Look at that. I said it again.
“Mike! What…seriously?”
I’m finally able to pry my feet out of the cement they seem to be stuck in and walk over
to her. Her eyes are wide and she’s rooted to the floor. One hand slides over her
smooth hip and the other comes up to cup her cheek. Her eyes go from surprised
to…oh, I know that look. We just might be late tonight.
“Say yes, Ellie.” I say and kiss her. When I pull away, there’s tears in her eyes. “I wasn’t
sure until just this second and I don’t even have a ring, but it’s so clear to me right now,
in this moment, that there is NO ONE else on this planet for me. Please say you’ll marry
me.”
“Yes.” She smiles.
“Really?” Wow, I’m stunned.
“You didn’t think I’d say yes?”
“No, I didn’t.” It’s out of my mouth before I can stop it.
“Wait a minute. You didn’t ask me because you thought I’d say NO did you?” she
quickly changes gears. I’m rubbing off on her in a big way I think because she has no
problem letting me have it now when she’s pissed.
“I thought you’d say no because I didn’t think I was lucky enough for you to say yes.” I
say.
She raises her eyebrows in surprise. “Well, guess what, Agent Casper.” She says and
pokes me in the chest. “You’re getting married.”
“It’s not going to be here, is it?”
“Probably.” She sighs heavily. “If my father lets you live until the wedding day.”
I grin widely, take her wrist and pull her flush up against me. “I can’t stop touching this
dress.”
“Are you going to be indecent tonight?”
“Probably.” I leer. She sighs dramatically, but I know it’s just for show. “Seriously, Ellie, I
love you so much. You’ve softened my edges. Even when I’m not in your presence, I
don’t swear, and you’re brilliant and you’re going to make more money than me, so I’m
not at all sure what I’m actually offering you here…”
“You’re a lot sweeter than you’d like to think.” She says softly and kisses me.
“Let’s just keep that between me and you.”
“I love you, too.”
I’m just about to lean in and kiss her when a noise to my right gets my attention.
Zoey’s standing there in a gown, with her hair in rollers and tears streaming down her
face. “Well, that was just the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard!”
“The President is going to go crazy on your ass!” Charlie appears by her side and
smiling widely.
I sigh heavily and Ellie smiles softly at me and then chuckles. “Welcome to the family!”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I grab Mike and drag him into the hallway and out of ear shot.
“There’s two of them.” I say quickly at the same time he says. “I’m getting married.”
“What?”
“What?”
“I’m having twins.”
“I got engaged.”
“You PROPOSED!?” I practically shriek.
“Hey, Maria Callas, bring it down a bit.”
“How do you even know who that is?”
“With all the time YOU spend around the President, how can you even ask that?”
“Fair point.” I say and tug on my collar a bit. “I didn’t know you were going to propose.”
“Neither did I.”
“What?”
“She looks hot as hell. As soon as I saw her, it just slipped out.”
“You meant it, right?”
“If I didn’t promise her I’d behave, I’d punch you in the stomach right now.”
I smirk slowly. “Then you’ll have to tell the President why you did that.”
“You’re a jerk.”
“I’ve been called far worse than that.”
“By one of your best friends, it seems.” He tosses out there.
“You can tell me tomorrow what he’s saying. I don’t want to hear it tonight.”
“Wait, did you say you were having twins?”
“Yeah, boy and a girl.”
“That’s incredible! Congratulations!” He gives me a quick hug but it does nothing to
soothe the completely terrified feeling I have since we found out. I mean, two kids! That’
s a FAMILY!
“You have to find him and tell him that. He’ll want to hear that.”
“Chris doesn’t want to hear anything that doesn’t have something to do with his career,
believe me.”
“Well, you’re going to have to work this out before my wedding.” I say.
“You sound like a girl.”
“I don’t fight like one.” He glares at me, but I can’t help but smile at him. I can’t believe
he’s marrying the President’s daughter. CJ’s going to freak when she finds out.
“Did you break the news to the President and First Lady yet?”
“Ellie didn’t want to take the spotlight away tonight.”
“Ellie doesn’t want him to make an announcement in a ballroom full of people.” I counter.
“Yeah, that’s pretty much the way of it.” He nods.
I glance over to where Donna and Ellie are standing. They are the epitome of girlfriends
sharing good news. They have their hands clasped together between them and they
keep hugging. It’s a nice scene, especially if you’re privy to the news they’re sharing.
Unbeknownst to them though, the sweet scene of these two new friends with so much
good things before them is darkened as I see the Vice President has arrived. He walks
right behind them, looks over at me and nods on his way into the ballroom.
I feel my body tense up because not surprisingly, Chris and Amy are right behind the V.
P.’s secret service detail. And a moment that was just filled with happiness and
anticipation deflates a bit as it’s overshadowed by the darker times that are to come.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
28.
I hesitate before I go in and it truly pains me that I even hesitate. We used to be so
close and share everything. There’d have been a day, not too long ago, that I would’ve
just busted in there without even thinking about it. Today, though, I thought about it in
my office, again on the way over here, and now once more before I go in it seems.
I’m sorry for the wedge that I seem to have driven between Josh and Chris. That was
never my intention, and I’m sure if Josh were here he’d remind me that the distance
between us now is Chris’ choice not ours, but Josh is otherwise occupied right
now…which leads me right back to what I’m doing here.
“Hey, Lydia.” I greet his receptionist. “Can I see him for a minute?”
“Sure Congressman, he’s just having lunch with Ms. Gardner.” She reports. Perfect. I
make sure to keep the smile plastered on my face when I tell her thanks. I knock three
times in quick succession before I let myself in. Yeah, they’re eating lunch, but it
appears to be a working lunch. They’re sitting across from each other with the table,
and a ton of papers, spread out between them.
Maybe this is why I have trouble accepting them as a couple; it’s so obviously about
business with them. I don’t doubt that Chris is attracted to Amy physically and vice
versa. They’re both bright, attractive people. But when I see them like this it just makes
me sad. Sometimes, Josh has lunch with Donna in my office, and while they’re never
inappropriate, you can just look at them and see they’re in love. They sit closely
together, they share their food, and there’s all this unspoken communication between
them; looks and touches. There’s nothing like that in this room.
“Sorry to interrupt.” I begin. “Josh just called. Piper is in labor and Josh asked me to
spread the word.”
Chris frowns, looking worried. “Isn’t this a little early?”
“A couple weeks, but apparently that’s not unusual with twins.” I tell him what Josh told
me. I’m heartened by the fact that he seems concerned about the babies. It’s the most
emotion I’ve seen him display regarding Josh for months. “They’re guestimating we’ll be
able to meet the babies before dinner.”
Chris nods.
“I thought maybe we could ride over to the hospital together.” I suggest.
“Sorry, I can’t.” He answers quickly. “I’ve got a thing at 2:30 I can’t reschedule.”
“We could go after that.” I offer. Come on, Chris, meet me halfway here.
“I don’t know how long it will take.” He turns me down flat. “You’d better just go ahead
without me. Tell them congratulations for me.”
“Sure…okay.” I agree and back out the door. “Talk to you later Chris, Amy.”
This was clearly a bad idea…but I had to try. I can’t believe he’s going to miss this.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Ellie…come on! We’re going to miss it!” I complain.
“We’re not. It takes a long time, Michael.” She tells me. “Sometimes, a woman can be
pushing for hours! And with twins it will be even longer before Josh will get to cut the
cords.”
“Okay, you don’t need to spoil me with the details. I just want to be there when the
babies are born.”
“Mike, you’re an F.B.I Agent. You deal with trauma situations all the time. Don’t tell me
childbirth makes you squeamish.”
“All right…I won’t tell you.” I make her laugh.
“You’re not planning on leaving me alone in the delivery room when it’s our turn are
you?”
“Uh…no?”
“Mike!”
“It will be different when it’s our baby.” I hope. “Can we please go now?”
“We can’t go until I’ve finished wrapping the baby gifts. We can’t go to the hospital
without baby gifts.” Ellie declares.
“Ellie, I’ve known both Josh and Donna longer than you. Trust me when I tell you that
they’re only going to have eyes for the babies and won’t even notice us let alone the
lovely gift wrapped packages you’re putting together.” I tell her, but she just gives me
this look that tells me we ain’t going to the hospital without the gifts…wrapped in
this…duckling paper. I pick up the tape and start handing her pieces of it in attempt to
speed things up. I don’t care what she says, I don’t think it’s going to take that long and
I’m not going to miss it.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Can’t you give her something else?” I ask. “I don’t think the epidural thing is working.”
“It’s alright, Josh.” Piper laughs between contractions.
“It’s clearly not.” I argue. “You’re obviously in pain and that’s…not good.”
“I’m afraid there isn’t a completely painless option.” She tells me.
“Would some more ice chips help?” Donna offers.
“I can go get some more.” I volunteer.
“No, I don’t want anymore.” She hisses out a breath. “This is going to be over soon.”
“Not soon enough.” I mutter and Donna glares at me. “What?”
“Okay, Piper, you’re set to start pushing.” Dr. Matthews tells her and she nods and tries
to sit forward a bit to push with the next contraction. I know this stuff since we went to
the childbirth classes together. Let me tell you, the three of us got some odd looks at
first, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back for night number two, but right now, I’m very
glad Donna made me go with them. Really it was more for Donna and me. Piper’s
already been through this…TWICE! Why would any woman voluntarily go through this a
third time…with twins?!
Donna and I both try to support her shoulders while she pushes and I’m feeling nine
kinds of guilt that Piper is going through this for us, but then Dr. Matthews says
something incredible.
“Great job, Piper, I can see the head. One more push and you should have the head
out.”
Oh. My. God!
Piper grunts and groans and I hear a wail. That’s my child…well, one of my children,
crying. Donna’s eyes meet mine and I’m sure the tears coming down her face look
exactly like mine. We’re about to become parents. Somehow, through this miracle of
science, Donna and I made two babies that were able to grow in another person
entirely and we’re about to meet them. I think I’m going to faint.
“Another big push, Piper, that’s it.” Dr. Matthews encourages her. “Josh…Donna…Want
to come and meet your daughter?” Donna covers her mouth with her hand and I nod
for her to go ahead. She walks to the foot of the bed slowly and gasps.
“She’s beautiful!” Donna cries.
“Go on, Joshua.” Piper pushes me toward the baby while she leans back to rest a
moment. The nurses are wiping our daughter off cause there’s all this goo all over her
which under other circumstance would probably gross me out, but all I can focus on
right now are my daughter’s beautiful blue eyes; the same eyes as her mother.
“Hi there, gorgeous.” I say softly. “I’m Dad.” Donna laughs. Then the doctor hands me
some scissors to cut the cord. “Do I have to?” Now the doctor laughs at me.
“No, Josh, you don’t have to.”
“Then I’d rather not.” I decide. Everyone says that cutting the cord doesn’t hurt the
baby or the woman giving birth, but I’m not taking any chances. The doctor cuts the
cord and then hands the baby to the nurse who takes her to the tiny bassinette waiting
for her so she can be weighed and measured. I’m about to ask if the shot the nurse is
going to give her is completely necessary, when Piper’s moans distracts me. That’s
right! We’re not done yet.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“What can I do?” I ask helplessly while Piper struggles to deliver my son. Surprise,
surprise; this child seems to be a little more stubborn about coming out of his nice
warm, and now without his sister inside, roomy womb. This is definitely Josh’s child.
“Nothing.” Piper pants out. “I just need…to rest…a minute…”
I help her lean back and wipe her forehead with the cold washcloth.
“Why is this one taking so much longer?” Josh asks.
“Sometimes, it just takes longer.” Dr. Matthews tells him.
“Millions of dollars we’ve spent on medical research in this country and that’s all you’ve
got for me? ‘Sometimes, it just takes longer’?” Josh complains. I’d apologize on his
behalf but Dr. Matthews has gotten to know Josh pretty well over the course of this
pregnancy so he just laughs it off.
“Your son is apparently more difficult than your daughter.” Matthews amends his
statement. “Wherever might he have gotten that trait from?” Piper and I share a
chuckle.
“Sure, blame the man. That’s very popular in the delivery room. I learned that in
childbirth class.” Josh smarts back.
“I just didn’t want you to feel left out, Josh.” Matthews continues to tease him which
seems to have distracted him from how long it’s taking our son to make his appearance.
“Your daughter measures 18 inches and weighs 5 pounds, 3 ounces.” The nurse
announces from the other side of the room.
“That’s good, right?” Josh asks.
“That’s very good for a twin.” She replies. “Piper obviously took very good care of
herself and these little ones for you.”
“Yes. Yes, she did.” I agree and squeeze Piper’s hand. I was kind of afraid of the
reaction we’d get from the hospital staff during this process, but everyone has been
simply wonderful. And they were wonderful before Dr. Bartlet stopped in to check on us
too, so I don’t think it was just because of her.
“Ready, Piper?” Dr. Matthews asks. I assume it’s rhetorical because I don’t think she
has much choice here. Nonetheless, Piper nods and sits up to push…again.
It takes much longer this time and Josh has to go over to check on our daughter at
several points during the birth of our son…just to check. Finally, at 5:41 pm, our son
comes into the world kicking and screaming; his face bright red from the effort. He looks
just like Josh after he’s been wailing on some Freshman Republican Congressman. He
looks just like Josh, right down to the dimples both our children have been blessed with;
except for his eyes, which are blue like mine.
Josh again declines to cut the cord but walks right over with our son to the bassinette to
introduce him to his sister. I clamp down on the urge to remind him that they’re well
acquainted with one another having shared tight quarters for months. The moment is
just too sweet to interrupt. He motions me over to him and after checking to make sure
Piper is okay, I join him in front of the bassinettes holding our children.
“Look, Donna, we have a family.” He says in wonder. I think about what Mrs. Edelstein
told me almost a year ago; that once we were holding our children, none of what
happened before would matter in the least. She was right to a certain extent. The shots,
the harvesting of the eggs, and the disappointment when Piper didn’t get pregnant right
away, that’s all starting to fade in my memory already. But looking at these beautiful
babies, part of my heart breaks just a little thinking of the child we lost. I can’t help it.
Josh brings my hand, clasped in his, to his mouth for a kiss and I can see he knows
what I’m thinking. “Dad is taking good care of her.” He promises me and I lose it. I just
sob.
“Donna?” Piper calls to me in concern.
“She’s fine, Piper.” Josh tells her and nudges me to lift my head which I do, and offer
Piper a watery smile.
“Your son is 17 inches long and weighs 4 pounds and 15 ounces.” The nurse tells us.
“You hear that kiddo? You’ve got some work to do to catch up to your sister.” Josh
advises him. I walk slowly back to Piper who’s looking positively exhausted. The medical
team is still taking care of her so I walk around them and sit in the chair beside her so I
can take her hand again.
“I don’t know how to--” My voice breaks. “How can you possibly thank someone enough
for the gift of one child, let alone two?” I ask her. “You’ve given us a family that we could
have never had on our own. I will be eternally grateful to you.” I confess and she
squeezes my hand in a silent reply.
“They’re very fortunate children to have such wonderful parents.” She whispers and we
both dissolve in tears. Piper has become a member of our family too. She moved in with
us to our new house and we converted one of the back bedrooms so that she’d have a
little more privacy than she was afforded in our old place. Once she’s released from the
hospital, her obligations and ours, are over, but she’s coming back to stay with us while
she recovers. If we have our way, she’ll continue to stay with us while she finishes her
Masters here in the fall.
Josh comes over to join us. “They’re going to move the babies next door so you can get
some well deserved rest now.” He tells us. “But we’ll be back frequently to check and
see if there’s anything you need. You can always call my cell if you need anything too,
right?” Josh has come a long way with Piper; from suspicion and subtle hostility to
adopting her as a younger sister. I know he’s as grateful to her as I am.
“I’m guessing I’ll sleep for hours now.” Piper confesses.
“You’ve earned it.” He smiles. “You were amazing through this whole thing. I can’t thank
you enough for my family. Sleep now.” He orders her and kisses her forehead. We
follow the bassinettes next door and settle into matching rocking chairs, each of us
holding a child. We’ve divided ourselves by sex; I’m holding our daughter and Josh is
holding our son. I imagine once our parents arrive, we won’t get this much holding time
with them, so we’re both taking advantage of it now.
There are a few minutes of peaceful silence, and then it vanishes with a puff of smoke
as our friends descend on us.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I stand back a minute and watch the myriad reactions of each person that comes in the
room to see the Lyman children. They are, predictably, beautiful and nobody has been
able to pry them out of their parents’ hands yet, although the guests are clearly itching
to do so. My money is on Ainsley. Our daughter is at home with a sitter so her arms are
free, and Ainsley has the upper hand on the rest of us being that she’s family.
“Donna, I have to hold her. Please?” Ainsley bats her eyes and Donna reluctantly
hands over the child. What did I tell you? “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“Ainsley Hayes Seaborn, these are your cousins, once removed, Briana Joan and Noah
Thomas.” Donna says formally. I swear the little girl opens her eyes to see who’s
holding her now. Lord, she’s got Donna’s eyes. That’s the end of Josh. He’ll never be
able to say no to her. I can’t take it anymore.
“My turn.” I announce and move forward.
“I just got her.” Ainsley refuses. “Get Noah from Josh.” Not being picky, I turn to do as
instructed and I’m not sure Josh is going to hand him over at first.
“Come on.” I cajole him. “I know how to hold a baby. I’ve had lots of practice now.”
He carefully lifts Noah into my waiting arms. I can’t believe how tiny he is! “You better
not break him.” He threatens me.
Soon, CJ wrests him from me and I’m childless again. “They’re beautiful, Josh.” I tell
him. “How are you feeling?”
“Overwhelmed.” He laughs. “Going from no children to two children in the space of one
hour is a lot to take in.”
“I bet.” I laugh and put an arm around his shoulder. I see two Secret Service Agents at
the door surveying the scene and at first I think Dr. Bartlet is making a return
appearance, but to my shock, it’s the Vice President who comes in with them.
“Josh! I hear congratulations are in order.” He smiles and shakes Josh’s hand.
“Thank you, sir.” Josh’s tone is affable enough but there’s something lacking in the
exchange…warmth maybe. “I didn’t expect you to take time from your busy schedule to
come down here.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” He tells us. “Donna, these children are gorgeous. It’s so lucky they
got your genes.”
“There seems to be a little of their father in there too, Mr. Vice President, wait until you
hear them wail.” Donna informs him and again I notice a…tone. Hoynes asks what their
names are and Donna tells him, but he doesn’t ask for a turn to hold either of them. He
simply passes along two baby gift bags, offers his congratulations again, and leaves as
unceremoniously as he had arrived.
I look back over at Josh to see what he made of that whole interaction just in time to
intercept a look between him and Matt Skinner who is patiently waiting for his turn with
one of the children. Interesting…I turn back toward the babies when I hear laughter.
Ellie is trying to coach Mike in how to hold Noah and Mike is nervously trying to comply
with her directions without dropping the child.
Toby is running a single finger down the side of Briana’s face and saying something to
her in a low voice. Scott is talking to Donna about the meaning of the babies’ names. I
take another survey of the room and realize who’s missing from the group. I walk
casually over to Matt who has finally gotten his turn to hold one of the children.
“You look like a pro with him.” I comment.
“Lots of nieces and nephews.” He replies.
“Did you…get a hold of Chris?” I ask in a low voice and he nods sadly.
“I asked him if he wanted to come to the hospital with me; he didn’t. Maybe he’ll stop by
later when he figures I’m gone.” Matt suggests.
“Maybe.” I agree. But it’s a crock of shit. This has gone on long enough. These guys
have been friends for too long, and gone through too much together to have it all fall
apart over politics. “He needs a swift kick in the--”
“Not in front of the baby.” Matt interrupts me and makes me chuckle.
“Right.” I can’t resist running a hand over the curly hair on Noah’s head. Josh joins us
again.
“Hand him over.” He orders Matt.
“I just got him.” Matt protests.
“So did I. Hand him over.” Josh insists and literally pries the child from his friend’s arms.
“I’m not sure even a FORMER Republican should be handling my child.”
“Ainsley’s a Republican.” Matt sputters.
“She works for a Democrat and she’s family.” Josh argues while he jiggles his son in an
age old rhythm parents seem to know intuitively.
“We should clear out and give them a little time alone with the babies.” Ainsley tells me
and the rest of our group gets the hint. We start to file out just as Leo and the Bartlets
arrive.
“Take care of these precious children.” I tell Josh as we walk out. “If you need anything,
just call.”
“Thanks, Sam, Ains.” He smiles tiredly and kisses Ainsley goodbye.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I watch Leo’s eyes tear up when I tell him my son’s name and neither of us is able to
speak for a moment.
“I’m honored.” He says quietly and I place Noah Thomas into the arms of one of his
namesakes.
President Bartlet thumps me on the back a couple times. “You have two amazing
children, Joshua.”
“Yes, sir.” I agree. “And an amazing wife to go with them.” All three of us look over at
where Donna and Dr. Bartlet are huddled with Briana Joan.
“We are lucky men.” President Bartlet concurs.
“Mallory said to tell you she’d come by tomorrow after school and sends her love.” Leo
tells me.
“She’s probably wise to wait until tomorrow.” The President offers. “Given the size of the
crowd that just left here, she’ll have better luck getting some time with the babies then.”
“It looks like the whole gang stopped by.” Leo adds.
“Almost…” I nod. “Almost the whole gang.”
Leo, who knows the saga that is my friendship with Chris, gets my meaning immediately.
“Would you like a turn with this handsome young man, Mr. President?”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” Jed Bartlet rubs his hands together and scoops Noah
up expertly in his arms. “Look who I’ve got here, Abigail.”
“For God’s sakes, Jed, don’t drop him.” Abby teases and I have to remind myself that
the President has successfully raised three daughters and handled several
grandchildren without injuring any of them…that I know of. I put my hands in my jean
pockets to keep myself from grabbing my child back from the leader of the free world.
Leo puts an arm around me. “You did great, kid.” He tells me. “Your dad is surely
smiling down on this picture.”
“Yeah…” I watch Donna chat with the President and First Lady. It’s hard to believe that
my wife was once very nervous around them; she looks perfectly relaxed and
comfortable with them now. Of course, part of that could be due to the fact that she can
hardly keep her eyes off our children. I confess I’m having trouble tearing my eyes away
myself.
“He’ll come around.” Leo tells me quietly. He means Chris I’m sure, and since I don’t
want to discuss it right now, I simply nod. “Seriously, Josh, you guys have been through
hell and high water together. This will pass. Sometimes, in politics, friendships get
caught in the middle. But I have no doubt he’ll get over his snit and things will be back
to normal in no time.”
“It’s been months already, Leo.”
“Yeah…” He sighs. “Mr. President, these two looked exhausted before we got here. We
should let them get some rest while they can.”
“Fine, ruin my fun.” President Bartlet complains and easily moves Noah from his arms to
mine. “Congratulations, Josh.”
“Thank you Mr. President.”
“Get some sleep, Joshua. Lord knows you won’t be getting very much for the next few
weeks.” Dr. Bartlet kisses my cheek and leaves with her husband.
“It will all work out, Josh.” Leo promises and in that moment, I believe him. Once our
guests are safely out the door, I walk next door to peek in on Piper. She’s still sound
asleep so I return to Donna and Briana who are cuddling in the bed together. I slide in
next to her and just enjoy the sensation of holding my entire family at once for the very
first time.
Yes, I’m troubled that things have deteriorated so much between Chris and I that he
couldn’t even bring himself to come over and see my children. I won’t lie; it hurts. But at
the moment I have much more important matters to contemplate. Like how am I going to
take care of two infants right now and afford to send them to Harvard in the future?
“Stop worrying, Joshua.” Donna tells me without opening her eyes. “The future will take
care of itself and right now all is right with the world.”
I know she’s right. I close the distance between us and kiss her gently. Her eyes open
slowly. “I love you so much.” I confess. “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”
“How lucky we are.” She corrects me with a smile. “I love you too.”
We’ve each got several weeks of maternity/paternity leave coming and I anticipate
spending each and every one of them just like this.
The End…until Part Three!