13.
It’s late when I finally make it home. It’s been days since I saw this place in the daylight. Thank God
Donna showed up tonight. There is nothing on this planet I won’t do for my best friend, but dealing
with him when everything in his life is fine is draining; dealing with him when he’s going through a
crisis…well, let’s just say when he gets amped up to a particular peak of Joshness, as Donna likes to
say…you know what there really are no words. Suffice it to say, I’m tired, okay?
Scott pokes his head out of the kitchen, gives me a once over and disappears. “You eat?” he asks.
“Yeah. We ordered out at the office.”
“The office?” He asks. “You weren’t at Josh’s?”
I sigh heavily. Here we go. “No. I was at the office. It shouldn’t be that big of a surprise. I left a
message on your cell.”
“It’s just that you’ve been at Josh’s every night this week.”
“He’s my best friend; his wife had a miscarriage.”
“What’s wrong with our couch?”
“He lost a child, his wife goes to Wisconsin and says he can’t go and I’m supposed to tell him he can’t
even sleep in his own bed?” I counter.
“I’m not indifferent to the situation.” Scott says, though you could have fooled me. “I’ve just been
worried about you.”
I hold my hands out in surrender. “As you can see, I’m fine.”
“Yeah. Sure.”
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“What’s all this?” Josh emerges from the bedroom finally yawning. It’s just about 9 a.m. and I’ve been
up for hours. I’ve got brochures and paperwork spread all around me with a pile of index cards. He
picks up the empty stack and looks at me. “Are you working?”
“No.” I say shaking my head typing into my search engine.
He picks up a brochure and thumbs through it. “This is adoption stuff?”
“Mostly.” I evade. I’m not quite sure what he’s going to think, but he finds the one brochure I keep
going back to.
“Surrogacy?”
I shrug and look down. “It’s kinda of expensive.”
“Well, so’s adoption. How expensive?”
“Well, you’ve got to pay the surrogate mother and then there’s the cost of the procedure, so it could
run about $60,000.”
He chokes out a gasp. I really don’t blame him. I’m in some serious sticker shock, too. But in for a
penny, in for 60,000 of them right?
I tentatively tilt the computer at him. “These are different agencies that do this kind of thing. We’d
definitely need to go through a lawyer because it talks about different laws for different states, there’s
all these legal agreements…”
“Donna?” he asks softly and I finally look him in the eye. “Is this what you want? You don’t want to
adopt?”
“Well, I’m not completely turned off to adoption, but they have these people they call gestational
carriers. They take my egg and your sperm and implant it into this…carrier, and it’s OUR baby. I
know there’s so so many kids out there that need homes, but I guess I just…”
“It’s okay.” He says softly.
“$60,000 is a lot of money though.”
“That’s what trust funds are for.”
I perk up at that. Josh has pretty much never talked about these trust funds. I know they’re there, of
course, but what he’s planning on doing with all that money, I have no idea.
“Really?” I smile.
“Either that or you’re going to have to get a second job.” He smirks.
“I’m not adverse to adoption.” I say quickly. “I’m really not. I guess this is just appealing to me
because in the end, the child is still ours.” I can feel the hot tears pooling in my eyes and I make a
vane attempt to wipe them away. “We’d still have the fun of wondering who they’re going to look like,
what personality traits of us they have and…” I choke off. Josh puts a hand behind my head and pulls
me to him in a kiss.
“Sshh. Don’t cry, Donna. You don’t have to explain it to me. If this is what you want, I’m with you a
hundred percent.”
“Really?” I ask hopefully.
“Stop asking that!” he laughs. “It sounds like a great solution. We get a baby that’s ours and I don’t
have to deal with mood swings and cravings and you constantly having to pee…”
“Hey!” I say indignantly and smack his arm.
He runs his fingers along the back of my neck while looking right into my eyes and my stomach turns
somersaults. I’m not sure I’ll ever not have this feeling when he looks at me like that.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Okay, truth be told, the surrogacy thing kinda freaks me out. That some woman, who’s not my wife, is
going to be carrying my baby when I didn’t, you know, put it there is a little heady to wrap my mind
around. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that I should be able to, you know…put it there, but that’s
kinda weird isn’t it? This baby would be me and Donna and neither one of us have to do all that much
work to get it. I mean, there will be some kind of prep work to be done and thinking about that
process gives me the willies, but for the most part, some other woman is doing all the baby hard stuff.
But this is what Donna wants and I’m lovesick enough to go right along with anything she wants. But I
still think it’s kinda creepy.
First of all, these women are called ‘gestational carriers.’ I guess they’ve done away with the ‘mother’
title so as not to cause any kind of attachment or something. But the word ‘carrier’ makes me think of
some kind of germ carrier monkey or something. The whole thing just feels so…clinical. Which is a
good thing! That’s good because then we don’t have to worry about the surrogate
mother/carrier/whoever getting attached to a baby that’s ours, but…I don’t know….I guess I feel a
little weird about a woman carrying my child that’s not my wife.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m on board. I mean, it’s only going to be weird for a few months right?
Can you tell I’ve been over and over and over and over this in my head? There are women in this
world that will do this for people. You give them $30,000 and they’ll have your baby for you.
There is literally a job out there for everyone, I’m convinced.
Donna’s registered with the North American Surrogacy Center and the paperwork we’ve had to fill
out…I’ve written legislation that was less voluminous than this. There’s retainer agreements, medical
forms, parent profiles, criminal and medical release forms. Then starts the interview process and
after that, the lawyers get involved.
What the hell? Just give me someone capable of this and let’s get going! It’s still mine and Donna’
s…stuff.
Donna’s research and contact with this agency is meticulous. She’s more organized than the Joint
Chiefs, I swear. She’s taken over the office at home and it’s like baby command post or something. I’
m afraid to go in there.
As I enter Matt’s office now, I can feel the tension in the room immediately rise. He’s got a lot of new
staff who are particularly wary of me, me being such a big Democrat and all, they all know Matt and I
are friends and Donna’s my wife, but they don’t seem to trust me at all. And Matt’s Chief of Staff?
Yeah, I’m not a fan. Donna doesn’t like him much either. Too bad for him, he’s the first thing out the
door when I come on board in four years…if he makes it that long.
I see Donna come out of Matt’s office and she looks a little flustered.
“Hey.” I say.
“Oh, hi.” She gives me a smile because she’s always happy to see me, but there’s something wrong.
“What’s the matter?”
“Oh, well…” she looks around at all the staff around her. She’s got a pretty big cubicle work space in
the back, but the only actual office in here is Matt’s, so there’s really no privacy, except his office.
Good thing he’s my best friend because I tug her right back in there. Matt is hunched over his desk
reading something and doesn’t look up, but he does acknowledge me.
“Hi, Josh.”
“Hey, Matt. So, what’s wrong?” I ask Donna pushing Matt’s door shut. Matt chuckles. I guess he might
already know.
“Well, we’ve got two options for women.” She says.
“Okay.”
“One’s here, but right now she’s in her 6th week of a pregnancy and so she has to go through the
rest of the pregnancy, recovery and she won’t be ready for us for a while.” Donna explains. This
whole thing is nuts. She recovers from childbirth and then just goes ahead and gets pregnant again
for someone else? Mind-boggling. Donna clearly is not wanting to wait any longer than she has to.
“Okay.” I say encouraging her to continue.
“The other woman is ready to go, healthy, everything she has to be.” Donna says. Matt chuckles.
“But…” I prod.
“She’s in London.” Donna cringes.
“We have to fly her over!?” I explode and now Matt just laughs.
“If we want a baby sooner, yes.” Donna says. If WE want a baby, hear that? Donna wants to do this.
“Where does she stay?” I ask, dreading the answer.
“Where do think?” Matt finally speaks.
“DONNA!” I shout. “She’s a stranger!”
“Not really. She’s carrying our child.” She shoots back.
“Not only do I have to pay this woman, but I have to feed her and put her up for 10 months? I
suppose we’re in charge of making sure she gets to her appointments?”
“No, I think the agency does that.” Donna says. “But we can take care of her! We can make sure she’
s in a low stress--” I snort at this. Hello Donnatella! Re-election…President with M.S…there is nothing
low-stress about me right now, but she ignores me. “—home. Josh…” she pleads.
I am not remotely in a place to agree to that right now, so I throw my backpack over my shoulder and
turn to the door, right before I slam it behind me, I hear Donna and Matt.
“I’m thinking he might not be on board with the one in London.” She says.
“I think that’s a big 10-4.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
14.
“So you receive a copy of the President’s private medical report and you take it to the President’s
Deputy Chief of Staff?” I’m asked under oath.
“Yes.” I answer. I’ve learned that nothing annoys these guys more than giving short ambiguous
answers.
“Why?”
“Why what?” I answer the question with a question and the lawyer blows out a puff of aggravated
breath. See? Told you.
“Why did you bring it to the Deputy Chief of Staff?”
“I thought he’d be in a position to know whether it was real or forged. In either case, he’d know what
to do with it next.” I reply. I’m totally bored.
“It didn’t occur to you that it must have been stolen? That perhaps you should report it to the police?”
“F.B.I Agent Mike Casper happened to be in my office at the time the papers arrived at my office. He
took the envelope into his possession for evidence and began an investigation into the matter. I know
you know this since his name is on the witness list too.” I reply in a very bored tone.
“One of your staff members, Donna Lyman, is married to the Deputy Chief of Staff. Is that correct?”
“It is. It’s also a matter of public record.” I tell him examining my finger nails.
“Did Mrs. Lyman try to hide the document or convince you to hide or destroy the document?”
“Never. In fact, it was just the opposite. She brought it to my attention.” Do not go there, shyster.
“Did your good friend, Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman try to convince you to hide or destroy the
evidence?”
“No.”
“He just said, what? “Thanks for bringing this over, buddy?”
“No.”
Now he’s getting really steamed. He, he, he…
“What, if anything, did Deputy Chief of Staff Lyman say when you brought him the copy of the
medical papers.” There you go! That wasn’t so hard, was it? Go back to law school, you putz.
“He asked me to wait in his office while he checked on whether the document was real or forged, so I
did.”
“Let’s go back to the document itself. What did it say?”
“It didn’t say anything, counselor, papers don’t speak.” You ignorant dumbass.
“Congressman Skinner. Is it your intention to be uncooperative in these hearings?”
“It is my intention to answer the questions put to me honestly and accurately for as long as humanly
possible before I slip into a coma from boredom.” I reply. “I have nothing to do with this other than
being the unlucky recipient of a copy of stolen property.”
“So noted. Let’s go back to your conversation with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman…”
I literally groan.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“You were the darling of the 5 o’clock news cycle.” Scott calls out to me when I get home. “I taped
some of it for you.”
“You don’t have to do that. My staff takes care of that stuff.” I reply and kiss him absently on the
forehead before I drop my briefcase and coat and slide into the chair across from him in the family
room.
“Matthew’s said your acerbic wit was the only thing that salvaged the hearing from being an
instrument of torture to watch.” Scott reports.
“Matthew’s has always had a soft spot for me.” I drawl and tip my head back against the cushion. “If
they keep me there for another full day, I’ll slit my wrist.”
“I was thinking…” Scott leans forward in his chair. “I don’t have anything going on tomorrow that can’t
be rescheduled. Why don’t I go with you tomorrow and --”
“No.”
“Just to be supportive. We can have lunch and I can help distract you from thoughts of suicide.” Scott
continues like I didn’t just say ‘no’ loud and clear.
“No.” I repeat and see his expression close.
“May I ask why not?” Scott ventures. “I know politics isn’t my thing, but I’ve seen the people giving
testimony bring someone with them before.”
I take my time replying so that I don’t offend him, because truly, that’s the last thing I want to do. “I
think, that in this particular case, it may become more of a distraction than anything else.”
“Because it will highlight the fact that you’re gay in the one arena you’d rather not have that label at
all?” He asks pointedly.
I knew this could get ugly. “I’m openly gay, Scott. There isn’t a constituent or a member of Congress
that doesn’t know I’m gay. You can’t honestly think that’s the issue here.”
“I guess I don’t know what the issue is here, which is why I’m asking. I’m trying to be supportive. I’m
trying to be involved in what you do.”
“And although I appreciate that, you have to trust me when I tell you that this isn’t the way I need your
support.”
“Because I’m a political idiot.” Scott surmises. “Maybe you and your pal Josh could explain it to me
using small words.”
“Scott, don’t do this, okay. Not tonight. I’m fried.”
“You’re fried because you’ve been holding Josh’s hand all week and then went right into testifying in
front of a Congressional hearing because Josh’s boss lied about his health.” Scott replies. “Have I
got that right?”
“Just about, yeah.” I acknowledge. “Scott…are you telling me…You’re not jealous of my relationship
with Josh?”
“You’ve known each other forever. You’d do anything for him and I can tell he’d do the same for you.”
Scott points out.
“It’s always been like that with us.” I explain.
“I need to…” Scott stands up and comes over to sit on the coffee table in front of me. “I need to ask
you something, but I’m afraid you’ll get pissed off about it.”
“I’ve been pissed off most of the day so…”
“Has there ever been…Have you ever wished…you and Josh…”
“God, no.” My face screws up in disgust. “He’s my brother!”
Scott is just watching me. It’s unnerving. “I swear, Scott. Never in my wildest…Josh is my brother in
every way except the biological one.”
“It’s just that you seem to prefer to spend time with him and when he calls you jump.” Scott tells me.
“I’m lucky enough to have a friend that hardly blinked when I came out to him. Since we’ve known
each other since we were kids, we know one another’s history and every single quirk and
idiosyncrasy we each have. There’s nobody on this planet that I feel closer to.”
“Maybe that’s the problem.” Scott nods and leaves me sitting in the living room alone. Shit.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Three hundred million people in this country and you think we have to import one from England to
be our surrogate?” I call from the bathroom.
“That number is a little inflated.” She calls back. “That’s the total population of the country. Once you
eliminate the males and the woman over 35 and under 25, it’s a much smaller number.”
“But still, it seems strange that there isn’t a single female American citizen that could--”
“Is that what’s tripping you up here?” She asks when she opens the bathroom door to continue the
conversation while I’m brushing my teeth. “Her citizenship? Maybe you can get her to become a
naturalized citizen while she’s here.”
“Ha, ha.” I say with a mouthful of toothpaste and take a moment to spit. “We’re just supposed to bring
this woman over here, sight unseen, and- God, Donna, are you sure about this?” I ask and see her
face dissolve into confusion and then sadness.
“You’re not okay with this, are you?” She asks quietly and slumps against the doorjamb. Today was
the first day I saw the sparkle back in her eyes since the miscarriage and I just snuffed it right out
again.
I take her by the hand and lead her to the couch where I sit down and pull her down onto my lap. Our
noses are now inches apart. “I’m nervous about it and I have some reservations, but that doesn’t
mean I’m not willing to try it. It’s just we’ve gone from being pregnant, to losing the baby, to finding out
we can’t have a baby, to flying a surrogate here from London all in one week’s time.” I explain.
“Maybe we should take a little time before we make such a huge decision.”
“We already made the huge decision.” She counters. “We made the decision to have a baby a year
ago!”
“We made a decision for the two of us to have a baby, yes. We made no decision about hiring some
woman from England to move here and carry the baby for us.” Okay, that might have come out
wrong because Donna’s eyes are filling with tears. “Wait. Don’t do that, Donna. I’m not saying ‘no’.
Let’s just stop and take a breath okay? What’s the rush?”
“If I hadn’t had the miscarriage, we’d have had a baby five months from now.” She tells me and I close
my eyes. “Even if we start right now, tomorrow, it will probably be another year before--”
“Donna…”
“We can set up an interview with her on the web. We’ll just talk to her. And if it doesn’t feel right to
you, if you still have reservations after that, I’ll drop it.” She’s looking at me with this desperation in
her eyes like her whole world depends on me agreeing to this. It can’t hurt to talk to the woman, right?
“Fine. Set it up. We’ll talk to her.”
“Thank you!” She kisses me soundly. “I’ll set the alarm for 2 am.”
“Excuse me?”
“She goes to work at 9, so if we want to talk to her before she leaves, that would be 8 her times which
is--”
“2 am our time.” I groan. “Can’t we talk to her after work instead?”
“But that would be in the middle of our work day and while I could get away for awhile, trying to get
your schedule to cooperate--”
“Okay. Okay.” I hold my hands out in surrender. “But I honestly think it would be easier to stay up
until 2 instead of going to sleep now and waking up at 2.”
“I’ll help you fall back to sleep.” Donna promises. “I’m going to email Piper now so she’s expecting our
call.”
“Piper?”
“Don’t start Joshua.” She warns.
“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.” I reply quickly. I have a very bad feeling about this.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
By the time Josh gets out of bed and into the office, I’ve already set up the webcam so we can talk to
Piper online.
“Hurry up.” I encourage him. He looks like the walking dead. That’s sure to make a good impression
on Piper. “Can’t you comb your hair or something?” I ask and he looks puzzled for a second before
he runs his fingers through it, which only makes it worse.
“Here, let me.” I try to fix it, but admittedly it’s only marginally better. “I set a shirt out for you to put on.”
He looks down at his Mets shirt. “This one isn’t dirty.”
“No, but it’s wrinkled and it hardly makes a good impression.” I point out.
“Who’s interviewing who here? Give me a break, Donna, it’s 2 in the morning.” I decide to let it go
rather than risk a mutiny and hit connect on the webcam request.
Within a few seconds a very perky red-headed young woman answers at her end.
“Good morning.” She smiles. She looks very friendly.
“Good morning. Thanks for agreeing to speak with us this morning. I’m Donna and this is my
husband, Josh.”
“And I’m Piper, it’s very nice to meet you.” She has a darling British accent. At the pause in the
conversation, I elbow Josh.
“Oh…Hi.” Josh says belatedly and Piper’s smile widens.
“You seem a bit tired, Josh.” She notes.
“It’s two in the damn morn--”
“He worked late and just got to sleep about an hour before the alarm went off to call you so--”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Would you rather do this another time?”
“Yes.” Josh says at the same time I reply “No, this is fine.” Piper giggles now. I elbow Josh again.
“I’m gonna bruise.” He complains in a low voice.
“You sure are.” I reply through clenched teeth.
“This is fine, uh, Piper.” Josh decides on the spot. “Time seems to be of the essence.”
“I saw from the papers the agency sent that you’ve been a surrogate twice before, is that right?” I ask.
“Yes, though the first time was for my sister, so that wasn’t through the agency.” Piper explains.
“You carried a child for your sister?” Josh repeats. “Doesn’t that make for awkward family
gatherings?” Again, my elbow meets his ribs.
“Not at all.” Piper replies. “My niece is just three, and to her I’m simply her Auntie. When she gets
older, my sister plans to explain more about her birth, but Daisy won’t ever doubt who her mother is.”
I can see Josh winding up to ask about the child’s name in my periphery, so all I do is lift my elbow
and he falls silent.
“And the other family you…worked with?” I ask.
“They have a healthy little girl who just turned eight months.” Piper reports.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Awwww…”Donna sighs and I feel the water rising to my neck. We are in deep already.
“Umm…I’m sorry, how does this usually work?” I ask. Someone has to deal with the business end of
this arrangement and given the gooey expression on Donna’s face it ain’t gonna be her.
“Well, I’ve only had the one experience through the agency, as I’ve said, but that time, I met with the
prospective parents, and after we’d talked together for a bit, we signed the contract and went ahead
with the in vitro.”
“You met with them ONCE and decided to go ahead with everything?” I ask in disbelief. I’m pretty
sure I interviewed our paper delivery kid more than that and this woman would be carrying our child?
“Yes. They had such a positive aura about them that I really didn’t need to meet with them again.” I’m
about to respond to that when Donna levels me with a glare. These pieces are all starting to come
together for me and the picture isn’t good. Piper? Daisy? Auras? This is some kind of British hippie
chick.
“If we all agreed to go ahead with this, how soon would you be able to come to the states?” Donna
asks. She’s all but bought the ticket, I swear.
“I’m planning on coming next month to start my studies abroad.” Piper tells us.
“What are you planning on studying?” Donna asks happily.
Women’s Transcendental Studies and the ever expanding Universe, says the voice inside my head.
“Social work.” Piper beams. Well, that’s not so bad, I guess. “I really want to make a difference in the
lives of the people around me. I guess that sounds a little naïve.” She giggles and her dimples pop
out.
Donna looks over at me like this has all been ordained by God.
“Ummm…we shouldn’t keep you long. We know you have to get to work. Let me and my wife discuss
this a bit and we can touch base again by email?”
Piper readily agrees and mentions how nice it was to ‘meet’ us. Donna barely clicks the disconnect
button before she turns on the pout.
“Isn’t she PERECT?!” I am so screwed.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Mike, would you at least TRY to relax?” Ellie says in exasperation.
“Yeah…not so much.” My eyes dart around the ‘family room’ of the residence. Intellectually, I realize
that the President and First Lady are at a fundraiser tonight and there is zero chance of them walking
in on us unexpectedly, but just being in the residence of the White House is enough to set a guy on
edge. And please! Like the agents stationed all around us can’t report back to the boss.
“I thought we agreed that it would be simpler to stay in, here, tonight since it’s such a pain getting
around with the detail and my parents are out for the evening anyway?”
“We did.” I agree readily. Between the advance notice the detail needs and the unwanted attention
Ellie gets whenever we step outside the WH with the MS hearings going on…well, it seemed like a
good idea at the time. “It’s just that I’m having a difficult time relaxing knowing I’m in the home my
boss, who happens to be the President of the United States.”
“I thought your boss was the Director?” Ellie quips.
“Now you’re just talking about a degree or two of separation.” I shoot back.
“He’s just a man, Mike. As has been pointed out to me everywhere I go, he obviously makes
mistakes.” Ellie says sadly. She, of all the Bartlet daughters, struggles the most with the press. Yet it’
s Ellie, because she doesn’t live within the protective bubble of the White House and has a medical
background that has been thrust into all this more than Liz or Zoey.
“Are you getting hassled again?” Stupid question. Of course she is. “I mean, are they over the line,
because I can show them where it’s drawn again.”
Her eyes widen and her mouth widens into a smile at my protective streak and I swear my heart melts
a bit. “I’m okay. And I know I can always count on you if I need help.” She leans closer very slowly.
She’s so shy, my Ellie. “I think we should change the subject and distract you from your
surroundings.”
“That…could be good. Distraction could work.” I agree smirking and kiss her. Her fingers tentatively
run through my hair and I can’t for the life of me remember what we were talking about earlier. Her
gentle touch is like magic on my skin. Wait! Skin? Yep, they’re on my skin. How did she get her
fingers under my shirt like that? Who the hell cares? I startle when I feel the vibration from my cell.
Damn.
I disentangle myself from her long enough to look down at the screen. Josh. I know why’s he’s calling.
He wanted me to run a check on the British woman they’re thinking of hiring as their surrogate. She
came up clean, except for a couple protests she participated in which isn’t going to lower her value
with either of my friends. The problem is that Josh does NOT want Donna to know that I ran the check
and I’m going to have trouble relaying this information without Ellie hearing and MAYBE inadvertently
sharing that with Donna. I could ignore the summons, but he’ll just keep calling.
“Sorry, just one second, okay?” I back off and answer. “Hey, I got the information you needed.
Everything is clear.” I try to answer as casually as possible. Ellie’s already looking at me funny.
“Are you sure, because she sounded a little flaky when we spoke to her and she’d be staying in our
house for part of the time, not to mention carrying our child.” Josh confirms.
“I swear to God yes.” I say quickly and move back towards Ellie.
“But what happens if she gets here and then--”
“For the love of God, Josh! The woman’s record is clean!” That might have come out a little loud and
frustrated. “I’ll uh…talk to you later, okay? I’m right in the middle of something.”
“Everything okay?” Ellie asks, chuckling.
“Yes, sure. Josh was just being, you know…Josh.” I shrug and move to resume our previous
positions.
“Josh is having doubts about the surrogate?” She asks. Shit. I can’t point blank lie to her.
“What makes you say that?” I stall.
“It’s not a big leap of logic. Who else would Josh have you running a background check on?” She
asks. The woman is sharp…damn it. “Is he nervous about this woman in particular or surrogacy in
general?”
“I really don’t know. At the moment, it seems to be focused on this woman, but if they picked
someone else, I’m sure he’d want me to check her background too.”
“Hmmm….then it’s probably the idea of trusting someone else to carry their child.” Ellie ponders.
“You have to admit, it’s a little…strange.” Ellie’s eyebrows come together in a quizzical expression.
“You think?”
“Sure.” I shrug again. “Some stranger you’ve never met before agrees to carry your child around for
9 months in exchange for a boatload of money? It’s a serious leap of faith and Josh is not exactly big
on trust to begin with.” I point out.
“Are you?”
“F.B.I. agents aren’t exactly known for their trust in their fellow man.” I explain and she nods but her
head goes down which I’ve already learned is a defense mechanism for her. You learn to pick up
people’s tells when you’re in the bureau. Ellie’s head goes down when she’s upset and doesn’t want
you to see her eyes. “What?” I ask and tilt her head back up to meet my gaze.
“I was just thinking…” Ellie still avoids my eyes as much as possible. “With all the problems my dad is
having…about the M.S…you know I wouldn’t lie about something like that, right? I mean, I wouldn’t
keep something from you that was important.”
My lips twitch. Ellie Bartlet is many things but duplicitous she is NOT. It’s the scientist in her, I think.
She reports the data and that’s that.
“I know that.” I assure her and she nods again.
“I never told anyone about Dad’s M.S.” She admits.
“I don’t think that was your information to tell.” I allow and see her relax a bit. She even gives me a
slight smile.
“Do you think it might help if I spoke to Josh about surrogacy?” Ellie offered. God, she is so sweet.
“I think it would so NOT help if you spoke to Josh about surrogacy.” I counter immediately. “In fact, if
you could pretend you never heard any part of my conversation with him just now I would be SO
grateful.”
“How grateful?” Ellie asks with a sly look from under her eyelashes. Did she just-? Is she saying-? I
think she is.
“Extremely grateful…but, I’d rather be…grateful at my place.” I say carefully and see exactly when
she catches my meaning.
“Then I guess we should be on our way.” She says as she stands up.
“On our way…to my place?” I confirm.
“Yes, and I hope it’s not a pit or you’re going to be very embarrassed when my detail does their
sweep.” She teases. Thank God I’m a relatively neat guy.
I hear her casually tell her agent out in the hallway that we’ll be going over to my place now and he
just nods and talks into his wrist mic a second.
When did dating get so damn complicated? Oh yeah, when I started dating the President’s daughter.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
15.
“Good evening, Matthew.” I smile as I open our apartment door.
“I have to talk to you.” Matt announces without preamble and pushes past me into the living room.
“Won’t you come in?” I snark. “Josh is stuck at work.”
“Yeah, I don’t know if I can talk to him about this.”
“What’s going on?” I ask losing my jovial tone.
“I’m not sure I can even talk to you about this. Maybe I should just talk to Mike. No, Mike’s a bad
choice. I could talk to Chris, but he’s useless in stuff like this. So, yeah, it’s you.”
“Matt!” I laugh. “What’s going on?” He’s about to tell me when my cell phone rings and I see Mike’s
number. “Hold on real quick, it’s Mike. Hello?”
“Donna, good. I need to ask you a kinda weird question and you need to just answer it and not put
too much thought into it.” He’s speaking in hushed tones.
“Umm…okay.” I say, scrunching up my face.
“Is there anything of an embarrassing nature at my apartment?”
What the hell is with Josh’s friends tonight? Have they all gone nuts at the same time?
“What?”
“Is there anything you can think of off the top of your head that you saw at my place and thought was
kind off odd?”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No!” he whisper shouts.
“Why are you whispering? Are you on a stake out or something?”
“What the hell’s going on?” Matt demands. I shoo him off with my hand.
“No, but I don’t want Ellie to hear me.”
“Mike, I really can’t – oh my God, you and Ellie are going to have sex!” I say as the light dawns.
“Seriously?” Matt perks up.
“DONNA!” Mike yelps.
“Oh,” I say more forlorn now. “you’re not going to have sex?”
“No, I am! But I thought you’d tell me if there’s anything at my place that might be embarrassing to me
in front of Ellie, like something left out.”
“I haven’t been to your place in months, Mike. I have no idea if there’s anything weird there.”
“Give me the phone.” Matt says holding out his hand.
“Matt wants to talk to you.” I say into the phone and Mike immediately protests.
“No, Don --”
His protest is cut off by Matt taking the phone from me. “What the hell is your problem? Well, it’s the
worst decorating I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t let her see your office. You’ve got those stupid neon signs
you stole in college and it screams ‘this is the room where I keep my porn.’ How thorough of a job is
the secret service going to do? They’re looking for gun racks and chains and other stuff. And
besides, the problem isn’t your hideous decorating, it’s the fact that there’s no food there. If she
spends the night, you’re going to have to feed her or the secret service won’t let her come over
anymore. So stop and get food, for the love of God. Good luck!”
He snaps the phone shut and tosses it on the couch, then looks at me. “What?”
“He needed help!”
“He just got it.” He shrugs. “I need help too and my problem is bigger than Mike’s.”
“What’s your problem?” I ask dropping down onto the couch.
“Scott’s jealous of my relationship with Josh. He thinks deep down I want to sleep with him, but really,
it’s because I don’t see us together anymore when I run for President.”
Is he kidding me?
“You and Scott have been together for over a year.”
“Yeah.”
“You LIVE together!”
“Yeah.”
“And you don’t see yourself with him in four years?”
“No.”
“Matthew, what are you doing?”
“Hoping I change my mind, but Donna, I’m not an idiot. I’ve got a big enough challenge ahead of me
without all the photo ops of the gay couple.” He says earnestly. “I swear to God, I’m thinking of Scott
here, too. I have no legal commitment that I can make to him. How can I expect him to go through
that? And him accusing me of wanting some kind of romantic relationship with Josh just shows you
how little he actually gets me.”
“I can’t say I’ve ever thought that, Matt.”
“I can’t talk about this with Josh, he’ll get completely freaked out.”
“Well, I disagree with you there, but I’ll respect your decision.” I say. Josh and Matt were friends long
before Matt figured out his sexuality. If Josh didn’t get freaked out when Matt came out, I don’t think
he’ll get freaked out now. “Matt, the American public isn’t stupid. If you say you’re gay, they’re going
to wonder about boyfriends, AND you know they’re going to unearth Scott anyway. If you run for
President, there’s no way Scott’s not going to be the center of attention at some point.”
“Shit.” He swears softly and runs a hand down his face. “You’re right. I don’t know what to do about
the jealously thing.”
“There’s nothing you can do, Matt.” I smile at him. “That’s something Scott has to come to terms with
on his own. Those are Scott’s fears manifesting themselves. Maybe he senses the restlessness in
you about your relationship and he’s nervous. You and Josh have a very hard dynamic to pin down,
then you add Chris and Mike to the mix and is it any wonder Scott’s insecure about whether or not
you have room in your life for another man?”
“Why do I suddenly feel like I’m on Loveline?” He asks.
“YOU came to ME about this!” I say. “I don’t know what’s the matter with you and Mike tonight. All I
was doing was sitting around --”
“Trying to figure out where Piper the Pip is going to sleep?” He smirks at me.
“I am unamused, Matthew.” I pout.
“Uh-huh.” He smiles completely unconvinced. Josh’s friends are definitely out of their minds tonight. I
will find a way to make him pay for this lunacy.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“What are you doing here?”
“The feds are everywhere.”
“Of course the feds are everywhere, this whole thing sparked a Congressional investigation.” I say.
“And you’re not supposed to be here. My wife is home.”
“Well, if you’d return a phone call…”
I snort in disbelief. “You’ve been paid.”
“I think I need more for my silence.”
“You were paid plenty. I’m not in charge of your gambling and booze.”
“I spent the advance on the equipment to crack the safe.”
“Please. It was the only thing you had to do. I gave you everything else. I even told you who to bring it
to to get it out of your hands quickly.”
“I could blow this case wide open with what I know.”
“But you’re not going to do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m going to be President of the United States one day and you’re not.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
It’s the wee hours of the morning when I finally enter our apartment and am greeted by an odd sight.
There are a couple of bottles of wine on the coffee table and Donna and Matt are sprawled out over
the couches fast asleep. There seems to have been quite the drinking session.
I can’t blame either one of them. They both have their fair share of steam to blow off. Also on the
table is the agency’s packet of information on Piper. Yeah, we’re going with her. Mike said she
checks out clean. The agency will pay for her room and board in the U.S. Thank God she’s not
staying with us. She seems harmless enough, but I don’t know, something rubs me the wrong way.
Maybe it’s my disenchantment speaking now and my inability to trust new people.
My subpoena came today. Not that I didn’t think it was coming eventually, but I was operating under
the false hope that this whole thing would be over before it was my turn to testify. I spent the whole
day with Babish and it became clear almost immediately that I’m the guy they’re looking to pin this on.
Swell.
In addition to the M.S. crap, Leo brought in Bruno Gianelli for the campaign. I definitely could have
done without him and his henchmen. Leo said the staff is too focused on the hearings to give the
campaign the attention it demands AND still do our jobs. He’s right, I suppose, but I’m not sure any of
us are actually interested in winning anymore.
I shouldn’t say that because I don’t want you to think I want Ritchie to win because that’s absolutely
not true. I guess I just wish there was a democratic alternative…or maybe I don’t. President Bartlet is
very capable of doing the job.
Really, I think I’m just depressed because my subpoena came today and I’m going to get probed by
Congress.
I lean down and gently shake Donna’s shoulder. “Donnatella.” She opens her eyes and smiles
drowsily up at me.
“Joshua!” she smiles warmly, and just like that, I don’t have a care in the world.
“Did you two go on a bender or something?”
“Matt had a problem we needed to hash out.”
“Does Scott know he’s here?” I reply. “Should I call him and tell him so he doesn’t worry?”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Donna chuckles.
“Why not? Oh, did they have a fight?” I look over to where my best friend is literally taking up the
whole couch. He looks like he was spilled there.
“Scott thinks deep down Matt wants to sleep with you.” Donna blurts.
“Donna!” Matt’s awake now.
But I just chuckle and blow it off. “I’m not his type. I’m too high maintenance.”
“You got that right.” Matt mutters, then pulls the blanket off the back of the couch and rolls over.
I grab both of Donna’s hands and pull her to a standing position. She smiles at me again through
alcohol induced, sleepy eyes.
“My subpoena came today.” I say.
“Oh, that sucks.” She pouts.
“Yeah,” I chuckle. “it certainly does.”
I shut off the living room light for Matt and lead Donna back to our bedroom.
“Mike and Ellie are going to have sex tonight.” She announces.
“I didn’t need to know that.”
“Piper’s favorite color is purple.”
It looks like Mike’s the only one having sex tonight because she’s way too drunk it seems. At least she’
s entertaining, and just like I was hoping, she’s charmed me out of my funk….for now.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Chapter 16
“It occurs to me that for the amount of time we spend retrieving significant others from one another’s
homes, we might as well move in together, all four of us.” Scott notes when I open the door for him
the next morning.
“Nah…Matt and I would kill each other within a week.” I mention in what I hope is an offhanded
manner.
“You think?” Scott asks.
“I know it. We tried to room together once in college, while we were on summer vacation? It lasted
ALMOST three weeks; and that was only because I spent 10 of those days with my folks in Hyannis.” I
shake my head ruefully. “Then you add the political realm and someone would surely be lying in a
pool of blood before long. And it would most likely be me.”
“I don’t know. You two seem to connect pretty well on the political front.” Scott mentions.
“That’s because there’s always a time limit to our debates.” I add. “We disagree on nearly everything.
He’s a REPUBLICAN for crying out loud!”
“You say that like there’s something wrong with it.” Matt moans from the couch. Both our heads swivel
around to see Matt, still lying prone, eyes slightly open and bloodshot.
“You’re alive.” I quip.
“Your woman can drink.” Matt notes like this is news to me. “She drank, like, a whole bottle of that
wine alone!”
“She’s Italian.” I shrug and send a conspiratorial look to Scott. “How about a hair of the dog that bit
you? Scott and I were about to have a couple Bloody Mary’s.”
“You’re a fucking bastard, Lyman.” Matt says without opening his eyes further.
“Oh, you’re gonna want to talk nicer than that to me.” I pull a sheaf of papers from the counter. “I got
my subpoena yesterday and they’re going to ask me ALL about you.”
“Sons of Bitches.” Matt adds.
“Those Sons of Bitches are REPUBLICANS!” I point out.
“Some of them. There are plenty of Democrats who are pissed about this too, you know.”
“Yeah, and I’m one of them.” I shoot back. Then I hear Donna in the next room. I turn to Scott. “Now
the fun it going to start.” He looks at me quizzically. Be patient, grasshopper, you will soon see what I’
m talking about.
“Morning, guys. Oh, hi, Scott!” Donna greets him with a kiss to the cheek. “It’s good to see you. I was
just going to make some breakfast. Want to stay and join us?”
“Ohhhh…”Matt moans at the thought of food. “Wait a second! Why aren’t you hung over and
miserable?!” He demands.
“I don’t get hangovers from wine.” Donna announces. He gives her a dirty look. Now Scott gets it and
chuckles.
“I’d love some scrambled eggs, if they’re on the menu.” Scott says just to rub it in. Yeah, homosexual
relationship aren’t any different than heterosexual relationships. He and Matt had a fight and now
Scott is getting some payback.
“They are now.” Donna smiles perkily. God, she’s beautiful. “I could add some cheese and bacon?”
“God….” Matt moans from the couch again. “You’re doing this on purpose aren’t you?”
“I’ll make some pancakes, if you whip up some whip cream for them.” I offer adding fuel to the fire.
“Perfect.” Donna smiles and after a final look at his lover sprawled on the couch, Scott follows her
into the kitchen with a simple “I’ll help”.
“You realize, you sanctimonious bastard, that if you succeed in your little plan to get me to hurl after
a night of overindulgence, it will be who knows where…in your house…” Damn. He’s right.
“I’ll get you some coffee and some aspirin.” I decide.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“What did I say?” God I’m tired of hearing this guy’s voice and I haven’t even been sworn in yet. Sure,
Donna gets to bring Ainsley to her deposition and they get to meet in a closed door session in one of
the House committee rooms. Me? I get Oliver Babish, an open hearing, and television cameras for
God’s sake. I am NOT ready for prime time.
“Just answer the question, don’t embellish.” I repeat in a droning voice.
“At all. Don’t embellish at all.” Babish adds. “Now, if you start to wander, I’ll step on your foot. If you
ignore the foot stepping, things will physically escalate to pinching and then, if necessary, smacking
you on the head.”
“I am an attorney, too, you know.” I remind him.
“Yes, and we all know they make the worst clients.” Babish responds without missing a beat. “Take
your cues from me. Don’t answer anything, and I mean anything, until I give you a nod to go ahead.” I
nod since I can’t muster the energy to respond to these instructions yet again.
“Will the witness please rise so the oath can be administered?” I look over for Oliver’s permission; he
rolls his eyes and stands with me while I take the oath.
“Will the witness please state his full name?” The committee chairman requests. Again, I look over at
Oliver, who again rolls his eyes, but nods. What? I can follow directions!
“Joshua Lyman.”
“And your position?”
“Sitting at the witness table in the committee room of the U.S. House of Representatives.” Ouch! Is
Babish wearing heels? The media laughed!
“Where are you employed and in what capacity?” The Chairman asks.
“I’m employed at the White House as the Deputy Chief of Staff.” I tell him.
“And how long have you held that position?”
“Since President Bartlet was sworn in as President.”
“Were you involved in the campaign to elect then Governor Bartlet, President.”
“Yes.”
“In what capacity?”
“I was the Director of campaign strategy.” I tell him my former title.
“As Director of campaign strategy, did you have occasion to run what is commonly called opposition
research on Governor Bartlet?”
I look at Babish and he nods. “Yes.”
“Have you run opposition research on other candidates, Mr. Lyman?”
“Yes.”
“In fact, it’s a standard practice on political campaigns, is it not?”
“It is.”
“So you’d be considered an ‘expert’ in this field?”
“I don’t know what constitutes expert status, Mr. Chairman.” I field that one on my own and although I
know it’s the correct answer I still get a warning tap on my foot by Babish.
“Will you concede that you are expert enough at it that you have been hired by numerous
campaigns, including national ones, to perform the duty of running opposition research and
analyzing the results?” Babish nods.
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay, so when you ran the opposition research, did you find anything troubling?”
“Hell, yes, you should have seen his record on immigration.” I quip. Ouch! At least the audience
appreciates my sense of humor. I throw Babish a nasty look.
“Did you see anything troubling in his health records?”
“We have no common definition of troubling, Mr. Chairman.” Babish replies.
“Was there anything that concerned you about his health records?”
“He was older than I’d have liked.” I answer truthfully. I’m going to pay for that one later with the
President, but there’s no foot press.
“Was there any indication in the records that you reviewed while preparing strategy for the campaign
that led you to believe Governor Bartlet was having any kind of health problems?”
“No.”
“Nothing?”
“No, nothing.” I can keep that simple at least.
“Was there any indication that then Governor Bartlet had any significant health problems of ANY
kind?”
“No.”
“Hmmm…” The Chairman paused. “And in the course of the campaign, you never had any indication
that then Governor Bartlet suffered from any kind of chronic medical condition?”
“No.”
“I find it hard to believe that given the exhausting, rigorous campaign schedule and the close
quarters in which candidates and their staffers operate in that you would have NO indication that
Governor Bartlet was sick.”
“At the time--” I start and get foot stomped for my trouble.
“Was there a question there, Mr. Chairman? I must have missed it.”
“If you HAD known that Governor Bartlet had been diagnosed with M.S. would you have advised him
to disclose that information?”
I don’t even bother opening my mouth this time.
“You can’t seriously think that we’ll be answering hypotheticals today.” Babish admonishes him.
“I’ll re-phrase.” The Chairman offers. “If news of Governor Bartlet’s M.S. had gotten out during the
campaign, do you believe you still could have capture the nomination and then the Presidency?”
“That’s just another hypothetical with some different words.” Babish points out.
“Yes, we would.” I answer anyway. “He was and is the best person for the job.” Oliver turns an
interesting color of red.
“When you’re working with a candidate, do you advise them to disclose all their personal information,
Mr. Lyman?”
“All the information that’s pertinent to their run.” I qualify.
“Would information about a debilitating illness fall into that category?”
“It would.”
“Then you were not behind the decision to lie to the American public about the Presidential candidate’
s health?”
“Mr. Chairman--” Babish starts.
“I don’t know of anyone, save the President, who had any information about the M.S. at that time.” I
answer. Might as well get this over with. Yeah, there’s my foot stomping and a nasty pinch on my arm
under the cover of Babish’s legal pad.
“It seems highly unlikely that Jed Bartlet wouldn’t tell his campaign manager and his Director of
campaign strategy that he had M.S. just in case something came out during the campaign.” Yeah, I
see where this is going.
“You’ll have to ask Leo McGarry what he knew and when. As for me, I found out when Congressman
Skinner brought the stolen pages of President Bartlet’s medical file to me and I was able to confirm
their authenticity.” I maintain.
“What other medical conditions are being hidden, Mr. Lyman?” As casually as I can, I slide my glance
over to wonder Republican Cliff Calley who gives me an almost imperceptible negative shake of his
head.
“Mr. Chairman, there are over 1,000 people employed in the White House. Did you want Mr. Lyman
to go through a roster, or did you want to narrow the scope of your question?”
“Is the President hiding any other medical information from the public?”
“Not that I know of.” I respond. The hell if I’m going to dig myself any deeper only to find out there’s
some OTHER skeleton in the closet.
“But then you didn’t know about this one either, right?” He says all sarcastically.
“That is correct.”
“Then I guess your assurances don’t mean much to us here today.”
“Again, is there a question you’d like my client to answer?” Babish interrupts.
“Here’s a question: How the hell do you expect the American public to believe you did not know about
the M.S.? That you were not, in fact, the key architect of the plan to hide this knowledge and
propagate the lie that was told about the Governor’s health during the campaign?”
For once, I’ve got nothing. No smart aleck response. No simple honest answer. Nothing.
“Mr. Lyman?” He presses. Damn.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I quietly take a seat a couple rows behind Josh’s table and take in the circus-like atmosphere. My
husband has cameras flashing in his face and, if I’m not mistaken, a White House attorney stepping
on his foot.
When I made my third mistake in as many minutes in my meeting with Matt, he suggested that
perhaps since my attention was elsewhere, my body should join it in the hearing room. I simply stood
up, grabbed my purse, and walked out.
I know Matt’s going to be asked to make a comment on Josh’s testimony today and I haven’t asked to
see it. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
Josh gives a couple smackdowns, and the Chairman is clearly getting pissed. I try to send some
mental mojo his way encouraging him to lay off and play it straight for a change.
Nope; didn’t work. Josh is in an untenable position. He’s being forced to defend himself and the
President about an action/decision he thinks was wrong. I tune in to hear the Chairman accuse Josh
of horrible things and Josh doesn’t respond; at all.
“Mr. Lyman?” God, I wish I could touch his hand or make eye contact with him or something! My hand
covers my mouth in sympathy for him as my eyes water.
“I did not know and I would NEVER have hidden the information if I had known.” He finally chokes out
from between clenched teeth.
He endures questions from four more House Members, before they call for a short recess and I’m
able to get to him.
“Donna, what the hell--” He starts, but Babish quickly turns him away from the press and pushes both
of us toward the door.
“I brought you coffee?” I offer him the cup that’s now cold.
“Thanks.” Josh chuckles. “Is it laced with something?”
“Joshua!” I send an alarmed look over at Oliver Babish, but he just shrugs like it would make his job
easier so what the hell…
“Can we get out of here before you start yelling at me too? I’d rather not give the media any more
‘moments’ to replay on the 6 o’clock news.” Josh requests and we move quickly out of the hearing
room to a private office next door that we’ve apparently appropriated for the day.
“Hey…” I call to him once his seated. There’s a microwave in here so I take the opportunity to heat up
the coffee. “You’re doing great. I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m sure that will weigh heavily on public opinion…and Federal indictments.” He drawls.
I bring the coffee over to him and send a nasty look back at Babish. “You just remember something,
Joshua. You’ve done nothing wrong. You can’t control what those bastards are saying or how they’re
framing all of this, but you know you’ve done nothing wrong. You have nothing to apologize for.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.” Josh says simply, but the tender smile on his face tells me that my
words had some effect on him at least…or maybe it was the coffee…
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“You…asked to see me, Mr. President?” I still haven’t gotten over my nervousness in reporting to the
President on F.B.I. matters, so I’m practically quaking now that I’m sure this is personal. I’m
SUPPOSED to be picking Ellie up following a birthday dinner for her aunt at the residence. The whole
gang is supposed to be going over to Josh and Donna’s for drinks following Josh’s intense three day
testimony, but when I got to the door, I was directed here instead.
“Yes, Agent Casper, please come in.” He beckons me inside and I can’t help think about the whole
‘spider and the fly’ poem. “Have a seat.” I hesitate a moment and decide with the way my knees are
shaking that I’d be better off seated. “I’m sorry to waylay you on your way out but I just wanted a
moment to say…” The President pauses and I look around his private study in awe. “I know that Ellie
has been in some…uncomfortable situations lately. I tried to talk her into moving back in here for
awhile, but…”
“She prefers not to.” I finish for him and instantly regret it. “I’m sure it’s nothing personal sir, she just
prefers her privacy…as I’m…sure you know…” God, what a disaster!
“Yes…” He drawls and he looks at me like he’s imagining my head stuffed and hanging above his
fireplace. “In any case, I know there was some altercation a while back and I’m sure you’re under
increased scrutiny simply because of your proximity to our family right now.”
“That’s my choice, sir, and your daughter’s company is well worth any nuisance the media kicks up.” I
tell him honestly and he blinks at my quick response. Then he gives me a thoughtful nod.
“Is the muckraker filing charges?” He asks.
“Not that I’m aware of, sir. I think his kind is used to getting swung at.” The President chuckled.
“I wish I could take a swing myself.” He mutters. “But absent that, I appreciate you taking that extra
step to protect Ellie. I… wanted to thank you for that personally.”
“No thanks necessary, Mr. President.” I assure him and he nods again.
“Was there anything else, sir?”
“Ummm…Ellie mentioned that your plans are to spend the evening at the Lyman residence?” He asks
carefully.
“Yes, sir. The Secret Service always advances our trips and I never deviate from --”
“No, no, that wasn’t what I- I know that you would never risk Ellie’s safety that way, that wasn’t what I
meant by- I was just wondering if you’d spoken to Josh today.” He finally blurts out. Oh…hey…maybe
this ISN’T so much about me.
“Yes, sir, on my way over here.” I answer. “I wanted to make sure he was still up to company after the
beating he took on- after his testimony.” I correct myself.
“No, I think beating was an appropriate word choice.” He sighs. “By the time the questions got back to
the Chairman this afternoon, it looked like one body blow after another.”
“He delivered a few punches himself, sir.” I defend my friend.
“Of course he did.” President Bartlet smirks. “It’s part of his DNA. I just haven’t had an opportunity to
speak with him over the last few days though I know he and Leo have been in touch.”
“I’m sure you’re anxious to have your Deputy Chief of Staff back in the building.” I allow.
“And out of the line of fire.” The President agrees. “And Donna’s doing okay?”
“Uh…” Okay, here is where it gets tricky for me. I don’t know what Josh and Donna have shared with
the people here about their plan and I don’t want to be the one to share their personal information
with other people…even the President. “She’s been through a rough patch, Mr. President, they both
have but I’ve never seen a more devoted couple, so I feel confident that they’ll get through all of
these challenges together.”
“Well said, Agent Casper.” He nods once more. “But you meant you’ve never seen a more devoted
couple aside from Abby and me, right?”
“I…uh…I really haven’t seen you and Ab- I mean Mrs- er, Dr. …sir?” I might have squeaked out that
last part before he laughs.
“I’m just messing with you.” He tells me as he stands up to dismiss me. I jump to my feet, too. “We
take occasional trips to the farm in Manchester, you know. We haven’t been very successful in
getting Ellie to join us lately. Maybe we could join forces and get both of you up there for a long
weekend in the near future?”
“I…I’d be honored, sir, as long as it was okay with Ellie.” I add.
“There, see? You’ve already learned a valuable lesson about checking with the lady before you
make a commitment on her behalf.” President Bartlet reaches a hand out to shake mine. “And again,
thanks for looking out for my daughter. Someday, if you’re lucky enough to have a daughter of your
own, you’ll know how much that means.”
“Yes, Mr. President.” I reply but as I turn to leave I could swear I hear him mutter, “But the daughter
better not make an appearance for a good long while.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
17.
I open the apartment door and with great relief find Mike and Ellie. I kiss Mike on the cheek and hug
Ellie and cringe at the raised voices from the dining room. Mike furrows his brow as he immediately
recognizes the debating voices of Josh and Chris.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
“I have NO idea.” I confess. “But they’ve been at it for a while now. Josh seems ticked off that Chris
has been so quiet about the President’s M.S.” Honestly, it wasn’t until Josh pointed it out that I
noticed Chris hadn’t said a word about it, not in public or private.
Mike blows out a long breath. “I guess I better get in there and help Matt keep them in their corners.”
“Yeah, good luck with that.” I say, as Mike leaves Ellie and I in the living room.
“So, how’s everything?” I ask Ellie, leading her to sit on the couch.
“Okay. How’s the surrogacy?”
“Well, the woman we’re going with, Piper, she’s been set up by the agency with a place to stay. Do
you think it would be weird if I went to see her?” Josh thinks I should leave her alone and let the
agency be the go between, but…I don’t know…I just feel like I should pay more attention to her. We’
re the only people here she knows. Well, technically, we haven’t met her yet in person, but she’s
going to have our baby, so…
“Oh.” Ellie says. “Well, are you allowed?”
“I haven’t read anything that says I can’t contact her.” I say. “I just think I should be paying more
attention to her welfare.”
“Well, I can see that.” She nods encouragingly. “What’s Josh say?”
“That I should leave well enough alone; she’s not here to be my friend; she’s here to carry our child.”
“Well, that sounds exactly like him.”
“Yeah.”
“When’s the procedure?”
“It got pushed to next week.” I sigh. “It was supposed to be today, but…”
“Yeah.” She says quietly.
“He just ‘couldn’t have a baby today.’” I say, still bristling at his words. I know he was stressed, and
maybe I was riding him a little hard about it. I’m just anxious to get this next phase going.
“Ouch.” Ellie cringes.
“It’s okay.” I wave her off. “I really should have known better. He’s really not in that kind of head
space today.”
Wow. Insert awkward pause here.
“Donna, I’m sorry.” Ellie finally says.
“Oh no, Ellie.” I say quickly. “Sometimes I just forget you’re the President’s daughter…”
“Yeah.” She smiles wistfully. “It’s one of the reasons I like coming here so much.” I smile at her,
touched to be considered that kind of friend. “But I still think someone should apologize to you. My
father will eventually apologize to the staff I’m sure, but people like you and Matt, who’ve ended up
being, like, collateral damage in all this will never get to hear that, and I just…well, I think someone
from my family owes you an apology.”
“That’s really nice of you to say, Ellie.” I smile. “I can’t imagine what this is like for you.”
“Well, I’m used to it.” She sighs. “I don’t like it, but I’m used to it. I just can’t believe it hasn’t scared
Mike off yet.”
“Mike’s a tough guy.”
“Well, yeah, but this is press.” She says. “There was a whole write up on him today with a picture of
him leaving his apartment in the morning for work. I just don’t know how much more of the privacy
invasion he’ll put up with before he decides I’m not worth the trouble, you know?”
“I think you’d be surprised.” I smile warmly. And I honestly think she would. I think a lot of people
around here would be surprised at how much Mike is willing to put up with for Ellie. He’s dated a few
women since I’ve known him. Nobody’s made him act the way Ellie does. But I think that’s something
she needs to see for herself.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“…But who is this dashing, dark mystery man who has captured the shy First Daughter’s heart? He’s
Special Agent Michael Casper with the FBI, the Justice Department’s liaison to the White House.
Agent Casper and Dr. Eleanor Bartlet met through mutual friends and have been nearly inseparable
since, despite the good doctor’s Baltimore residency…geez, this one even mentions wedding balls.”
“All right, knock it off.” I say to Chris. God, just because Josh has been on his case he’s got to get on
mine? It’s not like I asked for all these ridiculous articles to be written about me. He’d change his tune
I’m sure if he heard the ribbing I’ve been taking from the guys at the bureau. I think ‘First Boyfriend’
might be my favorite, though ‘First Special Agent’ had a nice ring to it.
Ellie’s mortified over it all. Every time my picture appears with or without her in the paper she
apologizes over and over. Yeah, I’m not used to it. And yes, it gets annoying when I’m trying to work
and I’m afraid to go that aggressive route again and do anything that’s going to reflect poorly on her,
so what’s acceptable and what’s not is often confusing and that gets frustrating, but my Ellie is worth
it. And in her defense, she’s pretty good about avoiding places that press go. She’s found a friendly
restaurant in Baltimore that’s small and the owners are pretty discreet, we go there a lot when I go up
there. And when she’s down here…well, we explore a lot of rural Virginia. The problem is the secret
service tends to draw attention.
“God, you get more press than I do.” Chris says tossing the newspaper on the table.
“Where’s your girlfriend?” I shoot back. He’s not this much of a prick when Ginger’s around.
“I don’t have one.” He tosses back and silence falls over the table.
“What? Since when?” Josh asks.
“About a week now.”
“What happened?” Matt joins in now. “I thought you two were getting along pretty well.”
“Well, we were.” Chris shrugs. I can tell he’s hoping we’ll drop it there, but it’s not going to happen.
We all liked Ginger and Josh has to work with her. Ginger seemed pretty well matched with him and
we never heard word one from him about not being happy. He looks at us and sighs dramatically
when he sees we’re expecting him to elaborate. “Ginger’s nice and I like her a lot, but…well…I don’t
think she’s what I need right now.”
“Not what you need?” Josh repeats.
“Yeah.” He says.
“A nice attractive girl with a good job who puts up with your shit isn’t what you need.” Josh continues.
Josh is a little punchy after three days of being probed by Congress, so I think it’s about to come out
on Chris, who incidentally is a member of Congress.
“I think I need to raise my profile more.” He shrugs.
“You’re going to power date.” Josh concludes disgusted, and then for reasons I don’t quite get,
tosses a rather pointed and nasty look over at Matt. What the hell am I missing?
“There’s nothing wrong with it as long as both people in the relationship know that’s all it is.” Chris
actually defends himself.
“First of all, you probably broke Ginger’s heart.” Josh replies a little heatedly. “And THAT is going to
put you on Toby and Sam’s shit lists. Secondly, you’re getting into a relationship with someone for
the wrong reasons.”
“It’s not like you’ve never done it.” Chris retorts.
“Who?” Josh asks in disbelief.
“Mandy.”
“Mandy was not power dating.” Josh insists, though I tend to think she was, but I’m staying way the
hell out of this argument.
“As much as I like Ginger, I’m not going to get where I’m going dating a White House assistant. She’s
sweet, but it’s not going to happen. I’m not as high profile as you, Josh.”
Josh’s eyes widen and it’s abundantly clear that Chris just stepped over the line, which is next to
impossible in this friendship. Donna was Matt’s assistant when she and Josh got together and Chris
liked Donna right from the start, it was ME that had a hard time coming around there, so why he’d
make that kind of dig now is over my head.
“All right, you know what? Let’s just drop this.” Matt says FINALLY jumping in. “Tensions are a little
high.”
“It’s HIS tension…as usual.” Chris says, and then without another word, gets up and leaves. Matt and
I look over at Josh who looks back non-pulsed.
“What?” He says like he’s innocent in all of this.
“Why did you even start with him tonight?” Matt demands.
“He’s got a chip on his shoulder.” Josh shoots back. “If he wants to raise his profile, he should take a
side on the big hot button issue right now. YOU gave a statement about my deposition, why doesn’t
he? I don’t give a shit if he supports me or not, but if he wants to raise his profile, he needs to do it by
getting in the fucking game! And that shit just now about dating someone in an assistant’s job --”
“Josh?” Donna blissfully enters and Josh drops his rant like a hot potato. No WAY would he tell her
about what Chris said.
“Yeah, baby?”
“What happened to Chris? Why’d he leave?”
“He’s in a mood; I don’t really know what’s going on with him tonight.” Josh covers. Donna doesn’t
really believe him, but you can see she’s not going to call him on it now, thank God.
Josh and Chris are as close as any of us…well maybe not as close as he and Matt are, but ever
since Chris pulled that amateur crap a few years ago on the crime bill, they’ve been a little strained.
They got in an argument in the Mural Room where Josh claims to have gotten mugged by Chris and
they never really hashed that out, they just sort of dropped it. And usually it’s all okay. They’d walk
through fire for each other, I’m certain of that. But there are times like tonight where one or the other
will cross the line.
I pick up the newspaper Chris tossed down and look at the picture. I have my sunglasses on; I look
like a bad ass. I look out into the living room where Ellie is talking to Donna. Wedding bells, huh? I’m
surprised to discover that I’m not scared shitless by that thought. Maybe I should try and get her to
go up to her parents’ farm. At the very least, I think it’s time I got to know her family a little better.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Piper greets me with her sunny disposition as soon as she opens the door.
“Mrs. Lyman.”
“Oh, Donna, please.” I smile. “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by. I just wanted to see how you
were settling in.”
“Oh, aren’t you a sweet thing?” she smiles and opens the door wider for me to enter the…room. I
look around the room the agency has her set up and try not to show my disapproval. It’s a one-room
efficiency with a small kitchenette.
“This is…clean.” I say.
“It’s not very big, is it?” she laughs. “But it’s fine for just me…well, that is if the air worked a little
better, it’s warm in here, no?” I nod a bit. It does seem a little stuffy. “And it also doesn’t seem to be in
the nicest of neighborhoods to my observation, but then again, maybe it’s because it’s so far from
the University and I’ll have to take a couple of trains at night in a strange country that has me
nervous.”
Okay, well now that has me nervous, too.
“And it had the most horrid smell when I got here, it’s almost gone.”
What IS that smell anyway?
“But, there are a few carriers here and they seem to like it just fine, though between you and me, pet,
I think one of them might be a smoker which is a strict no-no, but I can smell someone here smoking
through the vents.”
What!? Second hand smoke? Around the woman carrying MY child? I don’t think so!
“But,” she continues airily. “It’s the best that can be done for me now, and I’m grateful for the chance
to come to the states, I am at that, yes.”
This is by far NOT the best that can be done for the woman carrying my baby. No sir, not now not
ever.
“What would you think about staying with us until after the baby’s born?” I blurt. I can’t believe I just
said that. Josh is going to kill me. Dead.
But Piper’s eyes light up and it’s too late to back peddle. “Oh, what a WONDERFULLY kind offer,
Donna!” she just gushes. “I wouldn’t want to be a bother, but if you’re sure…”
Sure? No, I’m pretty positive I’m a dead woman.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“No.”
“Josh!”
“Not a chance in HELL, Donna.” I adamantly refuse. I can’t believe she did this!
“Josh, you should see where she’s staying. It’s a small little room, the AC barely works and she can
smell someone smoking through the vents!” Donna looks horrified.
“She PLAYED you, Donna.” I counter. “She wanted you to invite her to stay here. How could you do
that without discussing it with me?”
“It’s closer to Georgetown here.” I continue to plead. “Do you want the woman carrying our child
wandering around what might not be the best neighborhood in the dark? She’s in a strange country.
She could easily get lost!”
“Donna….” I groan.
“You wouldn’t want that for me, Joshua; How could you want any less for the woman carrying our
baby?” she pouts. Oh, that was well played.
“She could be a jewel thief!”
“She goes through a very in depth background check by the agency.” She counters.
“Donna, I’m the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the United States.” I try my final argument. “I
really can’t have just anyone staying here. I bring home sensitive material to work on, I get called at
all hours of the night. I’m highly placed in the government…”
I’m cut off from further argument by Donna bursting into tears and running into the bedroom,
slamming the door behind her.
I think that last argument may have worked TOO well.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
18.
We have achieved détente, but it’s tenuous at best. I have agreed to allow Piper to move in with us
and Donna has agreed to let me live. Yes, it was a tricky negotiation, but that’s what the President
pays me the mediocre bucks for. That’s why tomorrow, on one of my rare days off, I’m helping Piper
move her belongings out of the hell hole she’s currently in and into our second bedroom.
On the other hand, my wife has been beaming all night, so it might not be such a bad deal after all.
We’re stuck at this Congressional dinner and there’s music and dancing, and my wife looks
exceptionally hot, if I don’t say so myself, but the only reason she’s beaming is because Piper had
the first IVF procedure today and she’s moving in with us tomorrow.
It’s going to be awkward. And uncomfortable. And I may very well be bringing some person into our
home who will then sell her story of an inside the DCOS’s home scoop of the political story of the
decade to the Enquirer or some other rag. But Donna’s beaming so I’m doing it anyway. God, I need
a drink.
Donna and Ellie, who have seemed to bonded over all this business, are deep into some medical
discussion that I’m sure would make me queasy if I were paying closer attention. Mike looks nearly as
bored as I feel. I HAVE to be here. Mike is only here because Ellie is here and wanted to show her
support for her father but didn’t want to do it alone.
I motion to the bar with a tilt of my head and a raising of my eyebrows. His eyes grow wide with relief
and nods. He kisses Ellie on the cheek and tells her we’ll be right back. I don’t even bother, I just
back away slowly and head directly to the bar. I’ve already had my allotment of drinks for the
evening, so if Donna notices I’m going for a refill, I’ll hear about it.
“These things SUCK!” Mike complains. “How do you do this all the time?”
“It’s not all the time and usually I break up the dullness by messing with a few junior Congressmen.” I
explain.
“Well, pick one then. I’m about to slip into a coma.” Mike reaches for the offered glass of champagne.
“I can’t.” I whine. “Leo said I have to be on my best behavior. With the convention in two weeks, he
doesn’t want us to be making any enemies with any Members of Congress.”
“What a drag.”
“You’re telling me.” I take a deep swallow and nearly choke when I see Chris Wick come in with his
‘date’ for the evening; Amy Gardner. Damn, she looks good.
“What’s wrong?” Mike asks in alarm.
“Chris is here with Amy Gardner!” I exclaim. “What the hell is he thinking? She’s only using him to get
publicity for her position with the woman’s group she works for.”
“And he’s only using her to up his profile.” Mike replies. “Isn’t that what he said he was going to do?
And if they’re using each other, what’s the harm?”
“It’s going to blow up in his face.” I predict. “Amy was a black widow back in college, I can only
imagine its worse now.”
“Huh.” Mike considers and looks over at them. “What a way to go.”
I smack him on the back. “Do NOT encourage this idiocy of his.”
“It doesn’t look like I need to do anything to encourage it.” Mike notes.
“What the hell is he doing with Gardner?” Matt demands to know when he joins us, nearly skidding to
a halt between us. “Didn’t he get burned badly enough the first time around without going back for
sloopy seconds?”
“Nice.” Mike offers and takes another drink.
“This is NOT the way to raise his profile.” Matt responds.
“You think I don’t know that?” I argue. “Where’s Scott?” Yes, I’m pushing, but damn it Matt loves
Scott, I know he does. He would never have moved in with him if he didn’t. Matt may be the only guy
more cautious about getting into relationships than I am.
“Couldn’t make it.” Matt shrugs.
“Couldn’t make it because he had other plans, or couldn’t make it because he didn’t know about it?” I
press.
“Would you lay off, for God’s sake?” He demands. “Why don’t you concentrate your busybody efforts
on Congressman Wick? Explain that sleeping his way to more press isn’t going to get the attention of
anyone truly important.”
“It seems to have gotten the attention of SOMEONE important.” Mike points out and motions to where
Chris and Amy have just been joined by the Vice President, who seems to be fawning all over both of
them. This can’t be good.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Good evening, Mr. Vice President.” I shake his hand and have to hide a smirk. Josh thinks he knows
everything; has all the answers. He’s so convinced that power dating isn’t going to get me the results
I’m looking for. I’ve been here with Amy for 30 minutes and I’ve already been singled out by the Vice
President of the United States. Amy is the key to the women’s vote, and Hoynes knows it…and so do
I.
Personally, I think Josh just doesn’t want any more competition with the power and the press in D.C.
Matt’s been practically holding court lately, and even our usually camera shy Bureau Buddy has hit
the front pages. He’s just trying to throw his weight around with me and I think it’s about time he
figured out that was over.
“Congressman Wick…and the incredible Ms. Amy Gardner.” The Vice President. “How long has this
been going on and why haven’t I heard about it?”
“Oh, Chris and I go back to college, sir.” Amy purrs. “It’s more like old times than new gossip. Where’s
Suzanne tonight?”
“Otherwise engaged.” Hoynes says shortly. “I’m wondering, Ms. Gardner, if I might ask you to excuse
the Congressman and I for just a few minutes?”
Amy looks at me and I nod. “I’ll just wander on over and get a drink.”
“I’ll be right there.” I promise, intrigued to know that the Vice President wants to say to me that he
doesn’t feel comfortable sharing with Amy.
“Are you looking forward to the convention, Chris?” He asks.
“Yes, sir.” I nod. “Things are finally settling down a bit in the media even though the Congressional
committees are still convening, and if we restrain ourselves from shooting one another in the foot,
President Bartlet should have a smooth re-nominating convention.”
“It sure looks that way. Who’d ever have guessed that he would be able to recover from a body blow
like this?” Hoynes looks over at the President with an odd expression on his face.
“The White House has done everything right since they first disclosed the M.S.” I explain. “It’s been a
hell of a strategy they’ve been using.”
“Josh Lyman has been a tour de force.” Hoynes mutters. “You went to college together, right?”
“Yes, sir. Josh, Matt Skinner and I all went to college together.”
“And…apparently Amy Gardner, too.”
“Yes, sir.” I smile.
“It’s a good move, hooking up with her. She’ll help you move in circles you’ve been shut out of up to
now.” I blink at the frank analysis. “You have good political instincts. Why hasn’t Josh utilized you
more?”
“I…I’m not sure. It may be that he doesn’t want to appear to be throwing bones in the direction of an
old friend.”
“He doesn’t seem to mind throwing bones to Skinner and he’s a Republican.”
“No, that’s true, I guess.” I mutter and grab a drink from a passing waiter.
“Listen, I have a slot at the convention I need to fill. It’s not prime time and it’s not terribly sexy, but it
would get you some air play and bring you to the attention of the people you need to get the
attention of to take the next step in your political career.”
“Sir, I’m flattered, but--”
“We need to start thinking beyond this election and on to the next one. I’m going to want someone
savvy at my side; someone who can legitimately run with the top issues and can supplement my
geographic electoral votes. That would be someone from the East coast; maybe New England?”
“Sir?”
“I was impressed with how you were able to stay completely out of this MS business. Nobody is going
to see you and think M.S. scandal. You’ve been working diligently behind the scenes on some
important bills and I think it’s time you came out on front of some of it.”
“I’d be happy to help in any way I can.” I stammer.
“I want to bring my technology bill up for a vote and I’d like you to spearhead it. You can start with the
slot at the convention; get the party wound up for it and then come back to D.C. and drive it home.
What do you say?”
“Are you sure it’s me that you--”
“You’re surrounding yourself with the right people and making the right moves. We have some time
to assemble our team and start getting ready for the next battle, but with you and Amy and Josh--”
“Josh?”
“The biggest mistake of my political life, Chris? Between you and me? Was not listening to Josh
Lyman the first time around and letting him go to Nashua to work for Jed Bartlet. I won’t make that
mistake twice. He’s the man who could put our team into the White House. We need him.”
“Yes, sir, he’s very good at his job.”
“And he’s got to be pretty disillusioned at how his ‘real thing’ turned into fool’s gold on him. He may
be ready to come home to Texas.” Hoynes smiled. “I’m going to want to talk to him too pretty soon;
maybe during the convention. Hey, that could be your first assignment…soften the ground for me a
bit there.”
“I can certainly talk to him about the possibility of--”
“Subtly, though, right?”
“Absolutely.” My gaze tracks over to where my date has joined Josh and his cohorts. “No time like the
present.”
“Good man. I’ll have my staff get you the details for the convention slot and the technology bill. Very
nice speaking to you, Congressman. I sense great things are in store for us.” The Vice President
shakes my hand again and moves on to another guest. I saunter over to join Amy.
“I leave you alone for a few minutes and you run to Josh?” I tease…mostly.
“We were just…catching up.” Amy notes. “What did the VP have to say in closed session?”
“He offered me a speaking slot at the convention.” I announce and watch all their jaws drop. God, is it
that inconceivable that the VP sees potential in me and is willing to give me a leg up here?
“Doing what?” Josh demands. Yeah, he really doesn’t like me getting the spotlight.
“He wasn’t very specific. He’s going to contact my staff with the details.”
“He’s supposed to clear those things with us.” Josh shoots back.
“I think the Vice President of the United States feels pretty comfortable trusting me with a slot at the
convention and I imagine he really DOESN’T need to clear it with you, Josh.” I shoot back. “I’m not a
communist and the VP admires how I’ve handled this M.S. scandal business.”
“Yes, the way you’ve managed to stay completely silent, is amazing. What did you use, super glue?
Maybe you should apply some more to your lips before the convention to avoid sticking your foot in
your mouth.” He mutters.
“Josh…” Matt sighs.
“That’s all right, Matt. Mr. Deputy Chief of Staff needs to throw his weight around a bit. It often
happens when someone used to being in control gets taken for a walk...by a Congressional
committee for attempting to defraud the American people to win a Presidential election.” I smile
humorlessly. “If I were him, I’d be lashing out too. Here he dumps Senator Hoynes for the Amazing
Jed Bartlet only to discover, too late, that Saint Bartlet is the one who lied his way into the Oval office
and the guy he dumped for Bartlet is the one who’s scandal free.” Yeah, that got him. Mike is literally
hanging on to his arm. “If it makes you feel any better, the Vice President would take you back in a
heartbeat.”
“I wouldn’t--” He starts.
“How about a dance, Amy?” I lead her to the dance floor.
“I don’t know that I would turn my back on Josh Lyman right now if I were you.” She advises.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got friends in high places these days; with access to Secret Service protection.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“You’re home early.” Scott notes from his desk in the living room. He sometimes works there when he
doesn’t need his full concentration on what he’s doing and needs some background noise.
Predictably the TV is on in there, but unusually, it’s turned to CNN rather than one of his usual
stations. “According to the news channel, the party is still going strong.”
“I didn’t go to socialize, it was just a business appearance.” I explain.
“Josh and Donna were there?”
“Yes.”
“Mike and Ellie?”
“Yes.” Where the hell is he going with this?
“Chris and his latest?”
“What the hell Scott?”
“I’m saying it wasn’t just business.”
“It was to me.” I pull off my tie.
He closes the top of his laptop and turns to face me. “What’s going on, Matt?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m not stupid. I’ve been dumped before and if this is what you’re leading up to, spare me the
ramp up and let’s just cut to the chase.”
“Dumped? You’re paranoid, Scott.”
“I’m not.” He insists. “You’ve been systematically cutting me out of your life for the past few months.
First, it was just work stuff, so I thought maybe with your increased face time on TV you were just
trying to avoid THAT conversation with the press. But lately it’s been the social stuff too. So just level
with me, Matt. Where are we, you and I?”
I do NOT want to have this conversation tonight, but I look into his eyes and I see the pain and not a
little bit of fear. “This isn’t about dumping you.” I tell him. “Did you ever think this was about me
protecting YOU from that conversation as much as trying to balance a complicated political career?”
“Honestly? No.” He admits. “Is that really what this is about?”
“Part of it.” I hedge. “I’m trying to make some important decisions about my political future and it’s
leaving me on edge.”
“Maybe it would help to talk about it together?” He suggests.
“Maybe.” I agree. “But not tonight, okay?” I request and hold out a hand to him. He takes it in his and
for the moment, I think everything’s okay.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>><><><><><>
I’m almost out of breath as I carry the box of…bricks, I guess, up my stairs. It’s been a trying day. It
started with me making a solo visit to our Miss Piper with a legal contract for her to sign. A contract
that I wrote up myself…and then had Sam look over for me. No, it’s not the contract about the baby.
That was already signed and it was a standard thing the Agency does. This contract was different;
our circumstances are different. Part of me was a little worried that if offended the ‘anointed one’ she
would tell Donna and I’d spend the next 30 years sleeping on the fire escape. But it turns out that
Piper has some common sense at least.
I showed her the contract, told her to read it over and that I would pay the bill for her to consult with
the lawyer of her choice to go over it. Basically, I explained, it stated anything she saw, heard, or
experienced while she stayed with us was considered privileged information. If she shared, or sold,
any of it to anyone she would be held legally responsible and pay damages determined through
binding arbitration. Then, she did the most astonishing thing. She took the papers from me and
signed at the bottom before handing it back to me with a smile. I protested and insisted she talk to a
lawyer first, but she just continued to smile and said it was important that we be able to trust each
other. Then Donna arrived and she told me I’d better put it away before Donna caught sight of it and
then she winked at me!
“Here’s the last box.” I announce and drop it unceremoniously on the floor next to the guest
bed…which is now Piper’s bed, I guess. Piper, who had the first IVF procedure yesterday, is
supposed to be lying still for the next 24-48 hours; as much as possible. That means that Donna
ushered Piper in here, where she’s been ‘resting’ ever since, while I haul all her crap from her old
place to our guest room. There wasn’t that much, really, but I just hate this feeling like…my life is
being invaded by a stranger.
“Thanks so terribly much, Joshua.” Piper beams almost as much as Donna does these days. “I truly
appreciate it. I promise I’ll try to cause as little inconvenience as possible.”
“Yeah…okay.” I allow. Donna went to go pick up some groceries for us, so it’s just me and the lunatic
Brit at the moment.
“No, I mean it. I realize this isn’t your idea and you’re only going along with it because Donna
is…Well, I appreciate it. It’s sweet to see that you’ll go to such lengths to please your wife.”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.” I want that completely clear.
“That’s obvious.” Piper chuckles. “I could tell the first time we spoke over the webcam. You were so
vexed by the whole thing but then you’d look at her and your entire aura would just…change; just like
that!” She snaps her fingers together. “So, I just want you to know I’ll be as invisible as possible.
“It’s…okay.” I shrug.
“Maybe it is, but…I have a bit of guilt I’m dealing with.” She admits. “I’ve done something I’m not very
proud of now that it’s impacted you…”
Oh, God, what has she done? “What?”
“I may have…played on Donna’s sympathies a bit to entice her to invite me here.” She looks down at
the floor like she thinks I might boot her now that she’s admitted the truth. I wish I could work up the
energy to get pissed about it, but the truth is, the other place was a dump. If she were my daughter,
there’s no way I’d want her staying in place like that all alone in a foreign country…Huh. I just thought
about what I’d feel like if I were a parent. You think that means anything? Donna thinks everything’s a
sign these days.
“Well…as long as we’re admitting things, I might as well admit that moving you in here is probably
going to save me a ton of gas money since I won’t have to run back and forth with Donna checking
on you all the time. She’ll be much more relaxed if she can see that you’re here, healthy and safe,
each day.” I tell her and her head pops up to look me in the eyes.
“Then maybe this is all for the best?”
“Maybe.” I allow, but I’m not entirely sure. “Do you know what Donna is getting us for dinner?”
Piper grimaces. “I…uh…was really hungry for pizza, so she said she’d pick some up on the way back
from the store. I hope that’s okay.”
I can only imagine what the flower child eats on her pizza; daisies and all organic goat cheese or
something I’m guessing.
“Whatever.” I shrug again. There’ll be something I can eat among the groceries Donna gets, I’m sure.”
“I just have to have some meat lover’s pizza.” Piper moans and I turn back to face her. Maybe I’ve
underestimated this woman. She’s passionate about helping people; she moved across the ocean to
help us make our family. She isn’t above using a little manipulation to get what she’s after, and she
has to have Meat Lover’s pizza. We may have more in common than I originally thought.
“You don’t have to like…lay down in here, right? You could come lie down in the living room while we
wait for Donna?”
“I could, yes, but I don’t want to intrude.”
“So, you’re what? Going to stay in the bedroom for the next several months?” I laugh and motion with
my head to the family room. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to my favorite pastime.”
“Baseball?” She guesses as she gets up. Donna must have filled her in a bit.
“No, mocking Republicans.” I correct her with a smirk.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I rush upstairs, aware that Josh must have finished moving Piper in over an hour ago. He’s not happy
about this arrangement, I know, and I don’t want to give him any additional reason to complain. At
least he’ll be pleasantly surprised by the Meat Lover’s pizza.
I manage to get the key in the lock and open the door to a shocking scene. Josh and Piper, watching
TV together, arguing about NATO.
“Sure, you can afford to think that way. Our country is taking care of most of your NATO debt.”
“I don’t have any NATO debt.” Piper mentions.
“You know what I mean, if you people had to- Oh, hey Donna, let me help you with that.” Josh offers
and moves toward me. I hold out the grocery bags, but he instead chooses the large pizza box to
‘help’ me with.
“No, no. I’ve got the bags.” I mutter. He must hear me because after he sets the pizza box down, he
rolls his eyes and comes back to take the bags from me. Then he gives me a brief kiss. “Hi. I’ll get
some plates and glasses for us.”
“I already got them out.” Josh informs me and my eyes go wide.
“Really?”
“Really. Come in and sit down. I’ll get some pizza out for you and Piper. Maybe if we work together,
we can explain why she’s so tragically misguided about American politics.”
“Sounds like fun.” I smile. I’m not sure what the hell has happened here while I was gone, but the
results are more than I could have hoped for on our very first day.