Author: Catgurl83
Title: Unexpected Changes (1/3)
Disclaimer: Characters you recognize don't belong to me.
Summary: Sam finds out that he has a daughter he never knew about.
Rating: PG
Pairings: Sam / Donna, CJ / Danny
Feedback: Is appreciated.
Authors note: This is a re-write of the original Unexpected Changes, which was my first fan fiction.
There are three stories that follow this one in the Changes series, Continued Changes, Changes Abound, and Changes for the Future. All three can be found at . Thanksto Anakam and Abigail for all of the help that they each gave me as my beta readers!
''''''''''''''''''
Sam let himself into his apartment late Monday evening. He had just gotten back from a weeklong trip overseas with the President and was exhausted. He wanted something to eat, a hot shower, and sleep.
He dropped his things on the ground next to the sofa and glanced toward his answering machine. The message light was blinking so he pressed 'play' before heading into the kitchen.
The contents of his fridge caused him to grimace. A trip to the grocery store was definitely on the agenda for tomorrow. He found a few slices of sliced meat and a slice of cheese. The bread in his bread box was only slightly stale.
As he made his sandwich he listened to the messages playing in the other room. An old friend from Princeton wanted to meet for lunch while he was in DC on business, the drycleaner was reminding him to pick up his suits, and according to the dentist's office it was time for another check-up.
Sam laid his sandwich on a plate and grabbed a soda from the fridge before going back to the living room. The last message had just begun to play.
"Mr. Seaborn," a hesitant voice began. "My name is Alana Farrel. We've never met but I really need to speak with you as soon as possible. It's…" Her voice faded for several seconds and Sam wondered if that was the entire message but then she started speaking again. "It's very important that I speak with you." She recited a phone number before disconnecting.
Sam took a bite of his sandwich as he tried to decipher the strange message. If they'd never met why was it so urgent that he call her back, and her tone had implied that it needed to be soon. And why did her name sound so familiar? He was almost positive that he'd heard it before but he couldn't place where.
Once he'd finished his sandwich he recycled his soda can, rinsed his plate and headed for the bathroom.
As he adjusted the water temperature in the shower he wondered if the woman could be a reporter. If so, where could she have gotten his unlisted phone number? Besides, for the most part, the press corps understood that if they wished to speak with a member of the Senior Staff they had to go through CJ. And then it hit him. He suddenly remembered who Alana Farrel was. How could he have forgotten that last name? He rinsed off and climbed out of the shower, barely taking the time to dress before grabbing the phone in the living room.
He impatiently replayed her message and wrote down the number as she recited it. The woman answered the phone on the second ring. "Ms. Farrel, this is Sam Seaborn."
"Mr. Seaborn, thank you for returning my call." Sam could hear the relief in her voice. "I wasn't sure that you would."
"I wasn't planning on calling you back," Sam admitted. "I changed my mind once I realized who you are."
"I wasn't sure that you'd remember her."
"I remember her," he said softly. In truth, he wasn't sure if he'd ever forget her but he wasn't going to say that to her mother.
"When was the last time you spoke with Alex?"
Sam thought a moment. "It's been a little over a year."
Her gasp surprised him. After a moment she spoke again. "Do you remember when?"
"It was November or October of last year. I remember that it was around Thanksgiving."
Almost a full minute passed before Alana spoke again. "My daughter was in a car accident last December. She didn't make it."
Sam was stunned. Was this the reason for Alana's call? If it was why hadn't she let him know sooner, and why would it be urgent? He shook his head. Alex's death couldn't be the reason for her call, but what was the reason?
"I didn't think you knew," Alana said softly. "I'm sorry I didn't contact you. I should have but…" she trailed off. After a moment she began again. "Did you discuss anything important when she called you?"
Sam sat down on the edge of the sofa. "No, she didn't. We mostly made small talk."
"Alex had a daughter. She turned twenty-one-months old this week."
His breath caught in his throat and it was several seconds before he could speak again. "She's mine?" It was more of a statement that a question.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you call me sooner? You said that Alex has been gone for a year. Why didn't Alex tell me?" His hand was clutching the phone so hard that his fingers were white and his mind was reeling, trying to process this information.
Alana hesitated before answering. "I wasn't planning on telling you. I planned on raising my granddaughter without any interference."
"Then why did you call me?" His voice was harsher than he planned.
"Circumstances have changed. Serena needs your help."
Sam sat up straighter, alarmed. "Is something wrong?"
"Serena has leukemia. No one in our family is a match."
"She needs a bone marrow transplant?"
"Yes. She's been on other treatments but ultimately, it's a bone marrow transplant that could save her life."
"Could save her life?"
"There's a possibility that even with a transplant she might not make it. And she could get too sick for the doctors to even be able to try it."
"Oh, God. How do I get tested?"
Alana quickly explained the testing procedure.
"What happens if I'm not a match?"
"Then everyone in your family gets tested. Someone in your family will match. They have to."
He nodded without realizing that she couldn't see him agreeing with her. "Where do you live? Serena is with you? She's not hospitalized?"
"We live in Baltimore. No, she isn't currently hospitalized but she has been."
"And she will be again," he guessed softly. His guess was confirmed by her silence. It wasn't fair, a child so young having to go through something like that. The hospital stays must terrify her. And the treatments… He'd never met her and he was already starting to feel protective. The feelings were bombarding him. "I have so much I want… need, to know. I can't do this now. I'll get tested tomorrow and call you then or the day after." Without waiting for her reply, Sam hung up.
He took several deep breaths before clicking the phone back on. He punched in a number from memory and listened to the phone ring before the answering machine picked up. "If you're there, please pick up."
A breathless, soaking wet CJ grabbed the phone. As she waited for Sam to speak to her she wondered what had happened. She'd been with him a couple of hours ago and he'd been fine but now he sounded… she didn't know how to describe it. She'd never heard him sound like this before. She'd been so concerned when she heard his voice on the machine that she jumped out of the bathtub to grab the phone instead of calling him back.
When he didn't speak again, she did. "Sam, what's wrong?"
"I have a child CJ. A little girl."
"You what?"
Sam's voice broke. "She… She's sick CJ. Leukemia."
"Her mother just told you about her?"
"Yes... No. She died several months ago in a car crash. Serena's grandmother just called me."
"You had no idea?" CJ asked, realizing at once what a stupid question that was.
"None. I talked to Alex a couple of months before she died. She didn't tell me. She didn't even hint at something like this. And we parted on amicable terms. We were friends, well as much friends as it is possible to be with someone you've broken up with."
"Is she going to be okay? You said that she is sick."
"Leukemia," Sam repeated. "I don't know. She has to have a bone marrow transplant, if she doesn't get one she won't make it."
"Wow, Sam." If she was having this much trouble processing all of this, how must Sam be feeling, CJ wondered. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah."
"You know that the press is going to find out eventually. They're going to love this. White House Senior Staff member abandons his dying child. Scandal extraordinaire."
Sam said nothing. He knew how bad this could get.
"You have to tell Leo," CJ said.
Sam winced at the thought. "Yeah."
''''''''''''''''''''''''
The next evening Sam sat in his living room with Josh, CJ, Toby, and Donna. Pizza boxes and soda cans littered the coffee table but for once he didn't care.
His friends were being very supportive which was making this a little easier. He could deal with having a daughter. He'd always wanted to have children just not yet and not like this. But having a child who had a potentially terminal illness, that was a lot harder to accept.
He'd been tested earlier that day but it would be weeks before they knew if he was a match for his daughter, even with a rush on the test results.
He had waited to tell Leo and the President about Serena until this morning, opting to tell them in person rather than over the phone. They'd both been upset with him but their own paternal instincts had caused both men to eventually empathize with Sam.
Sam picked the phone up and dialed the number that he'd memorized today as he stared at it, fighting the urge to call her. Even though he'd really wanted to speak with her, to find out more about Serena, he'd known that it was better to wait until he was home, where there was no chance of being overheard.
"Mrs. Farrel, I had the test done today," he said as soon as she had answered the phone. "The lab said they'll fax the results to Serena's doctor for comparison. I just need to get his or her name and number to them."
"Thank you. I don't have the doctor's fax number handy but I'll call you with it later."
"There is another thing I want to talk to you about. I'm coming to Baltimore this weekend to meet Serena."
Everyone in Sam's living room was listening in to the call on speaker phone. They all exchanged glances as the seconds stretched on.
Alana thought about allowing Sam to visit with Serena and decided that it wasn't worth arguing about. At least, not at this point. For now saving the baby's life was the important thing, deciding what Sam's role in her life would be could happen later. "Fine, when would you like to see her? You could come over for an hour on Saturday afternoon."
Donna was sitting closest to Sam, she laid a supportive hand on his shoulder.
"I'll arrive in Baltimore too late on Friday night to see Serena but I'd like to come over early Saturday morning. After she's had some time to get used to me I'd like to take Serena out for a couple of hours."
"Out? Where?"
"What? Like a White House Senior Staff member is going to kidnap his daughter?" Josh muttered, his voice low enough that Alana couldn't hear him.
Sam was careful to keep his voice calm as he responded. "Going out for ice cream is a possibility. I was also thinking a zoo or a park."
"Do you have any experience with toddlers? Perhaps I had better go with you."
"Serena is already used to depending on you for her care. She needs to get used to trusting me to take care of her."
Alana sighed realizing that she wasn't going to be able to get out of this, at least not easily. She would have to let him have time with Serena, for now. "Fine, you can spend Saturday with Serena. I assume you'll need to get back to DC on Sunday."
"Yes, I will."
"Don't back down now," CJ whispered.
Sam shot her a look before continuing. "Do you attend church on Sunday mornings?"
"Occasionally. Mostly on special occasions," Alana answered.
"I would like to take Serena to church before I leave on Sunday."
"That will be fine."
Sam smiled as Alana gave him her address. She sounded resigned.
"I get the feeling that she doesn't want you in Serena's life," Josh said after Sam had disconnected the call.
"I'm not going to give her a choice."
"Do you plan on trying to get custody?" Toby asked.
"I haven't decided. I don't know if I could handle a toddler and my job."
"You would leave your daughter with that woman?" Donna's voice was incredulous.
"I don't know Donna. Regardless to how she has treated me so far, at this point I have no reason to believe that she hasn't provided good care for my daughter. I am going to hire a lawyer though. I think I am going to need one to establish my rights." Sam's face showed much of the confusion he was feeling.
"You didn't tell her that you plan on releasing this to the press," CJ said.
"No, I'm going to call when I have a copy of the statement. I think it will be easier to convince her that way."
"Are you sure we should do this?" Josh directed his question at CJ.
"We don't have a choice. With Sam planning on spending time with Serena and with the tests, it's only a matter of time before it comes out. This way at least he'll have some control on the spin."
"Are you going to issue a press release about it?" Donna asked.
The next half-hour was spent debating the best way to release the information.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Saturday morning Sam was stopped at a red light, impatiently tapping his fingers against the steering wheel of his car. He glanced at Donna. "How long do you think it will take before she trusts me? Will she scream when we try to take her away from the house? She won't understand that we're going to bring her back, will she?"
Donna reached over to give his forearm a reassuring squeeze. "Relax. It might take a little while but Serena will warm up to you."
Sam shook his head. "I don't know how to relate to her. I've never been around children much."
Donna nodded her understanding. That was the reason Sam had given her when he'd asked her to come along. "Your sister has children, doesn't she?" She asked now.
"Yes, two teenagers. I haven't spent much time with them. I haven't taken the time." The light turned green and Sam took off again. The closer they got to the house, the more he wished he knew what to expect. It wasn't just that he didn't know much about children. He knew nothing about seriously ill children. Would he be capable of providing the extra care that Serena needed?
He had spent several hours researching childhood leukemia since he'd found out about Serena and had come away with more questions than answers. He didn't even know which type of leukemia his daughter had. That bothered him more than he'd expected it to. He found himself almost jealous of Alana for knowing so much about his daughter while he knew next to nothing.
Sam pulled up in front of Alana's modest two story house. The lawn and shrubbery were well tended and brightly colored flowers bloomed in the flower beds. A walk way and several steps led to the small front porch. A stroller stood on the porch with a Winnie the Pooh blanket draped over it. A couple of potted plants also had spots on the porch.
He rang the bell. The blinds on the window near the door were tightly closed and Sam could hear nothing from inside the house. For a fleeting moment he wondered if Alana might have taken Serena off somewhere. But she had nothing to gain by that and a lot to lose.
After three or four minutes had passed, the door opened and Sam got his first look at Alana Farrel. She was in her forties with shoulder length hair. She wore light blue slacks and a blue floral print blouse. Her makeup was flawlessly applied and her expression stony.
Sam held out his hand. "Mrs. Farrel, I'm Sam Seaborn and this is Donnatella Moss." After a few seconds Alana finally took Sam's hand. Her hand was cool and her grip firm.
After releasing Sam's hand, Alana glared at Donna. "You didn't tell me you were bringing your girlfriend."
"I'm not his girlfriend," Donna said. "We're friends. We work together."
Alana continued to glare as she wordlessly motioned them into the house. She led them past the small entryway and into the family room. A little girl sat on a soft beige area rug playing with a doll. Other dolls and doll clothes were strewn around her. She looked up when Sam and Donna entered the room.
Alana had already knelt down next to the child. "Serena, I want you to say hello to our guests."
Sam's heart nearly broke when the little girl looked at him. Her alert, bright blue eyes appeared too big for her small ashen face. She was so tiny that Sam guessed that she had to be underweight.
Serena studied both of them before shooting them a shy smile. "Hi."
Sam knelt down next to the child. "Hi, Serena."
Alana reached out to stroke Serena's thin, wispy brown hair. "Sweetie, this is your daddy."
Serena's eyes widened as she looked back at Sam. "My daddy?"
"Yes," Alana said.
Serena looked up at Donna. "Lady?"
Donna joined the others on the floor. "I'm Donna. I'm a friend of your daddy's. You're a very pretty little girl."
Serena beamed. "Play." She offered a doll to Donna.
"Thank you." Donna took the proffered doll.
Serena handed a doll to Sam. "Play too?"
"Of course." Sam smiled at her. This was easier than he had expected.
Alana took a seat on the sofa across the room as Sam and Donna played with Serena. As the minutes passed Serena seemed to grow fonder of both of them. They were doing very well at winning her over. But then, in the past few months Serena had had to learn to deal well with strangers. Alana had lost count of how many doctors, nurses, technicians, and other hospital staff Serena had associated with.
"Serena would you like to get pizza and ice cream for lunch?" Sam asked after a couple of hours spent playing dolls.
Serena's face lit up and she nodded enthusiastically.
Alana winced. Without even knowing the child he had just offered Serena her two favorite foods.
Sam stood up, carrying the little girl with him as he did so. He looked over at Alana. "We'll be back in a few hours. I'm going to need to talk with you before I leave tonight."
"That will be fine," Alana said as she too stood up. "I'll get her car seat for you. I took it out of my car earlier as I knew you'd need it."
Donna smiled as she waved Alana back down. "We bought a car seat before we left DC. We even had the sales person show us how to install it."
"Oh." Alana blinked in surprise at that information before turning her attention to her granddaughter, who was comfortably perched in Sam's arms. "Have a good time sweetheart and be good for your daddy, okay?"
"Kay."
Sam carefully fastened his daughter into the car seat. He headed toward a popular pizza place he'd seen on the way to Alana's house that morning.
He walked into the restaurant with Serena in his arms, happy so see that the place was not busy. He and Donna joined the line. "What kind of pizza would you like?" He asked Serena.
"Ice ceam."
Both adults laughed. "Pizza first and then we'll get ice cream," Sam promised.
"Kay, teese."
Sam ordered a large cheese pizza and then glanced at Donna. "What should I get her to drink?"
"Probably milk."
They choose a booth and Serena immediately started wiggling in her seat, trying to look around. "Play."
Sam followed the direction her finger was pointing in and noticed the back of the restaurant for the first time. Children's rides and video games filled the space. He stood up and reached for her hand. "We can play until our pizza is ready."
Donna smiled as she watched Sam lift Serena onto a horse. The plastic animal swayed back and forth to music while Serena laughed happily. Sam stood near his daughter grinning. When the ride ended he lifted her off and carried her a few feet away to the next ride.
"She's adorable," an elderly woman said from the next booth.
Donna turned to smile at the woman though she was uncertain as to how she should respond. Finally she said, "Thank you."
"They seem to adore each other," the woman went on as they both continued to watch Sam and Serena play. Only one other child was in the play area and he seemed absorbed in video games so they had their pick of equipment.
"Yes, they do," Donna agreed.
The woman hesitated before speaking again. "She's sick?"
"Yes. She has leukemia."
The woman shook her head sympathetically. "My husband died of pancreatic cancer several years ago. The treatments were very hard on him. I can only imagine how difficult it is for a toddler. How old is she?"
"Twenty-one months. It is very difficult on her. But deep down she's still a normal, happy child." Serena was now sitting on Sam's shoulders holding a small rubber basketball. Serena just laughed when the ball bounced off of the side-wall netting instead of going anywhere near the hoop. She tried several more times but never seemed to get discouraged.
"You can learn so much about life from a young child."
Donna nodded in agreement. Their pizza and drinks were laid on the table in front of her so Donna smiled her goodbye at the woman and turned back around.
Sam set Serena down next to Donna and turned to get a high chair. Serena grabbed his arm. "No. I big."
He brought back a booster chair instead. "We'll try it this way first."
Donna put a small slice on Serena's plate and the child grabbed it happily. Half of the sauce got on her hands, face, and shirt but she didn't seem to notice.
Sam had to keep himself from laughing several times as he watched his daughter eat. She grinned as she took big bites of pizza and the sauce dripped down her face. Finally, after eating two and a half slices, minus the crusts she put her slice down. "I done."
"I'm done," Sam gently corrected.
"Kay."
"Can you finish your milk?" Donna asked her.
Sam and Donna finished eating while Serena drank her milk. Once they were through, Donna stood up, reaching for Serena's hand. "I'll take her to the restroom and clean her up."
It was ten minutes before Donna and Serena emerged from the bathroom. Donna gestured to the faint pizza sauce stains on the little girl's shirt. "We should have brought an extra shirt along."
He followed her gaze to his daughter's shirt. "Next time I'll remember to bring one."
The ice cream parlor was in the same complex so they walked to it. There they ordered three vanilla ice cream cones and went to a table outside to eat them.
"What should we do next?" Sam asked his daughter, once he'd finished his cone.
Serena shrugged her tiny shoulders, still absorbed in her ice cream.
"Would you like to go to the park?" Then he glanced at Donna as a thought occurred to him. "Is she allowed around other children, do you think? I think I read something about her immune system possibly being compromised."
Donna nodded. "I think I've heard that. Until you've spoken with Alana maybe it's best if you don't let her play with other children at the park."
Serena had finished the last of her ice cream and handed her cone to Sam.
"Would you like to go to the zoo?"
Serena grinned, nodding excitedly. "Pettin zoo."
"Do you know where the petting zoo is?" Sam asked Donna.
She shook her head. "Why don't you ask someone inside for directions while I clean Serena up again."
"I could clean her up," Sam said.
Donna grinned. "You want to take her into the ladies room to wash up?"
"I could take her into the men's room."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, maybe not," Sam agreed. "I'll get directions."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Alana sat on her front porch waiting, they'd been gone for almost five hours. She'd expected them to be gone two or three tops. She glanced at her watch again while silently reminding herself that if something had gone wrong, if Serena had gotten hurt or sick, Sam would have called her.
When Sam pulled up to the curb, she let out a relieved sigh. "I expected you to be back long before now," she said as she approached his car.
Sam lifted the sleeping Serena from the car seat while Donna got Serena's things from the trunk. "We thought we'd be back before now too but Serena was having so much fun," Sam said.
"If you take her again, I'd appreciate it if you called to tell me if you decide to stay out longer that expected. I was worried. And you didn't have a diaper bag or anything with you."
"I'm sorry." He shot her a contrite smile. "I should have called but I didn't think about it. Next time I'll let you know what's going on. As for a diaper bag, we stopped and picked up diapers."
As they walked toward the house Alana finally noticed the stuff Donna was carrying. "What's all of that?"
"Oh, we went to the petting zoo. Serena wanted some things from the gift shop."
Alana eyed the things Donna was now laying on the coffee table. Turning back to Sam, she raised an eyebrow. "Some things? It looks like you bought out the store."
Sam smiled sheepishly as he laid his daughter down on the sofa. "She liked all of those things and I couldn't say no. It really isn't that much anyway. It isn't all toys."
Alana moved closer to the table and sifted through the things. "There are two t-shirts here, the rest of this stuff is toys."
Sam shrugged, grinning. "I didn't say it wasn't mostly toys." He glanced around the room. "Could we sit down and talk?"
Alana sighed, she'd been hoping he would forget. "Let's go into the kitchen so we don't wake Serena up."
"Would you like me to stay out here with Serena?" Donna asked.
Alana nodded as Sam said, "No, come with us."
Donna followed them into the kitchen.
Alana poured tea as Sam and Donna sat down. She didn't speak until she joined them at the table. "What did you want to talk about."
"A couple of things. We need to tell the press about Serena." Sam could see that she was about to protest. "They're going to find out anyway. We can make it easier on Serena by releasing the information on our own time and in our own way."
"Why does anyone have to know at all?"
"I'm a member of the President's staff. People are interested in my mistakes. I refuse to allow them to view Serena as a mistake."
"How would you release the information? Would the Press Secretary announce it at a briefing?"
Sam shook his head. "I have to do this myself or it will look like I'm hiding behind my job. We decided that I would go on a television show for an interview."
"When?"
"I'm going on Oprah on Tuesday." He hesitated. "They would like you to be there as well."
"Me?" Alana asked incredulously.
"You can give insight as to why your daughter didn't tell me about Serena. You can also tell the audience more about Serena's condition than I could because you've been to her doctors appointments."
"I would have to go to Chicago."
"Yes. I'm catching a flight Tuesday morning."
"What about Serena?" Alana asked.
"The show will provide someone to watch her during the taping," Donna answered.
"A stranger?"
Donna laid a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder. "You and Sam will both be right there and it will be less than an hour."
Alana finally nodded. "I'll go. But I don't want Serena to appear on camera."
"Pictures?" Sam asked.
"I'll give you some pictures that are a few months old that can be used. I don't want people to be able to recognize her from this."
Sam and Donna both nodded.
"There was something else you wanted to discuss," Alana prompted.
"I want to spend more time with Serena next weekend."
Alana nodded. She had expected this. "Next Saturday you can come over at the same time as you did today."
"That isn't what I had planned. I would like to come on Thursday evening."
"Thursday? Don't you have to work?"
"Yes. I would like to pick Serena up on Thursday and take her to DC with me. I would bring her back on Monday."
Panic was rising inside Alana. "Caring for a toddler is a lot of work. She's still in diapers."
"I know."
"How can you work with a toddler around? Is that even allowed?"
"I spoke with the Chief of Staff and the President. Neither think that this will cause a problem. Serena will be fine."
"If he needs help for any reason I'll be there, as will the rest of his friends," Donna assured her.
Alana frowned, trying to find another way out of this. "She's very sick. Can you cope with that?"
"Yes. I'll watch her closely and I'll make sure she takes whatever medicine she needs to take."
"I guess you can take her next weekend," she said grudgingly. "In addition to the medicine that she has to take, Serena has a catheter in her chest. They put it in when she was getting chemo so that they could use it to administer the treatments, instead of poking her with needles all of the time. I'll make you a list of her medication and when you come to pick her up I'll show you how to clean the catheter."
"Thank you." Sam beamed, he had won another round. Until the test results were back she really couldn't refuse him as long as his requests were reasonable.
Sam and Donna stood to leave. "We'll be back tomorrow at about 8:30," Sam told Alana at the front door.
"I'm glad you have a lawyer," Donna told him as soon as they were driving away. "I don't think that she is going to continue to be so accommodating. I don't think she wanted to say yes about next weekend."
"When she finds out that I want to raise Serena myself she isn't going to be pleased," Sam agreed.
"You decided to raise Serena?"
Sam smiled. "I decided the first time she smiled at me. My decision was reaffirmed several times."
"I'm glad. She's a sweetheart. What are you going to do about your job?"
"If Leo and the President can't work with me on this I'll quit. I can open a private practice and work my hours around Serena."
Donna's smiled. "I think it's wonderful that you're willing to make that sacrifice for your daughter but I don't think you'll have to. I think that the President and Leo will work with you."
"I hope so," he admitted. "I really don't want to have to give up my job. Do you think we should stop at a toy store and get Serena a doll or something, to give to her tomorrow?"
"Sure."
He found a Toys R Us and pulled into the parking lot. Inside, he glanced around with wide eyes.
"You've never been in a Toys R Us before, have you?" Donna asked as she noticed his expression.
"No. I've always given my niece and nephew cash for Christmas and their birthdays. I had no idea this many toys existed. Where do I start?"
"In the car you mentioned a doll. That might be the best idea until you know Serena's tastes a little better. "
Sam nodded, glancing around the store for the doll section. He found it, staring wide eyed at the wide array of dolls the store carried. Dolls that talked, walked, and went to the bathroom. Dolls of every size, dressed in every outfit imaginable.
Noticing his expression, Donna laughed. "Overwhelming?"
"I have no idea what to get her. I just wanted to buy a simple doll."
This time she held back her laugh. She looked around for a few seconds and a display caught her eye. She went toward it, Sam following behind. "How about this?" She asked, handing him the latest Cabbage Patch doll.
"This is fine." As they were walking toward the registers something occurred to him. "What am I going to need for next weekend? Should we do more shopping while we're here?"
She grinned. "Sam, I really think you are going to need more than toys for next weekend."
"You're right. Should we go to another store?"
"Do you have somewhere for her to sleep? Maybe we should wait until we get back to DC tomorrow so that you can have the shops deliver."
"You're right, I'm going to have to get a toddler bed or crib. The bed in my guest room is probably too high off the ground for her. We'll stop tomorrow."
'''''''''''''''''''''''
CJ, Josh, Toby, and Donna sat in CJ's office watching Oprah. Sam was staying in Chicago to do a couple of meetings.
The show came back from commercial break.
"I found out about my daughter last week."
"What was your first thought?"
"I was stunned. My next thought was that I had to see her as soon as possible."
"When did you meet Serena for the first time?" Oprah asked.
"I spent last Saturday and part of last Sunday with Serena," Sam answered.
"Do you plan on being a part of her life in the future?"
"Yes, I do."
"Are you planning on seeking custody of your daughter?"
"I haven't decided what my plans are."
Oprah smiled at the camera. "I am looking forward to hearing more about Serena when we come back."
"It's going well so far," Donna commented.
"Yes, but half of the show is left," Josh said. "It's going to get worst."
When the show came back on, they showed pictures of Serena, starting in infancy. "Serena is twenty-one months old," Sam said, looking behind him at the photos playing as he spoke. "She is a beautiful, affectionate, little girl." The last picture came up and the audience gasped. This picture had been taken a few months before. Serena was lying in a hospital crib. She had an IV. Her hair had fallen out from chemo-therapy she'd been on. "Serena has leukemia," Sam said softly. His friends could tell that he was working hard to keep his emotions in check.
"What is her prognosis?" Oprah asked gently.
"She has to have a bone marrow transplant. No one on her mother's side of the family is a match."
"Have you been tested?" Oprah asked.
"Yes. An initial exam was done and a blood sample was taken for testing."
"How long will it be before you know if you are a match?"
"It could be a few weeks."
"I don't know much about leukemia. Are parents the most likely people to be matches?"
"I don't know much about the disease yet either but according to the medical staff who examined me, siblings are the most likely people to match a patient."
"And Serena doesn't have any siblings?"
"No, she doesn't."
"What happens if you aren't a suitable match?"
"They'll start searching the National Marrow Donor Program registry."
"Is your family going to be tested?"
"I don't have much family," Sam said. "My parents are both deceased. I have one sister and she has agreed to be tested if need be. Her two teenaged children will also be tested."
They spent a few minutes discussing the National Bone Marrow Program and the need for more donors.
"When we come back, Serena's maternal grandmother, Alana Farrel, will be joining us."
In her office, CJ turned to Donna. "Does she really look that awful?"
Donna nodded. "She doesn't have the IV or the tubes but she is so tiny. I have seen one-year-olds that weigh more than Serena."
"Her hair hasn't grown back?" Josh asked.
"It's starting to grow back but it is very thin and wispy. Sam says the doctor who examined him said that Serena might have to undergo more chemotherapy before they can do a transplant when a donor is found. If so she may lose her hair again."
"Poor kid," Josh said.
"Is she quieter than most kids because of her illness?" CJ asked.
"She isn't any quieter than my nephew is. She's playful and active just like any other two-year-old. The only difference is that she gets tired easier."
The show came back on. Alana was sitting with Oprah and Sam.
She told everyone how supportive the rest of her family had been about Serena's illness and explained more about the disease.
"You didn't contact Sam until last week. Is there a reason you did not want him involved in his daughter's life?" Oprah asked Alana.
"I didn't know Sam and for the most part still don't. I was merely following my daughter's wishes. Alex chose not to tell Sam about their daughter even though she spoke with him about two months before her death. In her instructions as to Serena's care if something were to happen to her, she asked me to raise the baby myself."
"Do you have any idea why your daughter felt that way?"
"Alex told me that Sam's career was very important to him but that he was a very responsible man. She felt that his sense of responsibility would force him to become involved with her and the baby and that he'd come to resent them."
In CJ's office, Donna gasped. Sam was unable to hold back a reaction to those words and looked as if he'd been slapped.
"Come on Sam, poker face," Josh muttered.
"Could your daughter have changed her mind before her death?"
"She could have, but as I said, she and Sam spoke two months before her death. At that point she obviously hadn't changed her mind."
"So, by not telling Sam about his daughter you were honoring your daughter's wishes. How do you feel about Serena having a relationship with her father now?"
Alana smiled. "I encouraged Sam to spend last weekend with her. I am even allowing him to have her with him in DC this weekend. I want Serena to have the opportunity to get to know her father."
"How would you feel about Serena living with her father?" Oprah asked.
"I am against it. I hope that Sam realizes what a mistake that would be. Sam has an important and time consuming job. Young children take a lot of care, especially children who are very sick. I do not want that care to be provided by a nanny when I am very willing and able to take care of my granddaughter."
"How do you know that the care would be provided by a nanny?"
"I don't see what other option Sam would have. He said himself that his parents are dead and that his older sister is married with children of her own. He isn't married and as far as I know isn't involved in a serious relationship. As far as I can tell his only alternatives to hiring a nanny would be quitting his job or taking Serena with him. He isn't going to quit his job at the White House and can you imagine a young child loose in the West Wing?" She laughed and the majority of the audience joined her.
Once the laughter had died down, Oprah turned to Sam. "Would you care to comment on this?"
Everyone in CJ's office held their breath, silently praying that Sam didn't tell the national audience that he'd quit if necessary. They didn't need that.
"I want to say again that I haven't decided what I am going to do yet. What I do know is that I already love that little girl and cannot imagine living a life without her in it," Sam answered without hesitating.
After a few more minutes spent discussing Serena and how she was dealing with her illness and treatments, Oprah smiled at both Sam and Alana. "I'm glad that you chose to share your story with me. I'll be praying for little Serena to get well again soon. Will you keep me updated on her progress?"
Both agreed to do so.
"I told you it was going to get worse," Josh said after the show ended.
"I really don't like that woman," CJ said.
"I am just glad that Sam didn't rise to the bait and admit that he was going to sue for custody of Serena." Toby sighed. "That woman is awful."
"She was doing all of that on purpose. She probably rehearsed for hours." Josh turned to CJ. "How do you think all of this is going to play in the press?"
"I think everyone is going to believe that Sam didn't know about Serena until last week and that he really loves her and wants her in his life. I also think that there will be a good portion of people who think Serena should stay with her grandmother and Sam should visit when he has the opportunity. They will be very vocal. There will probably be groups that come forward stating that it is Alana's right as a grandmother to raise Serena. We would be better off if she hadn't gone on the show."
"How can anyone believe that a grandmother has more rights than a father?" Josh demanded.
CJ shrugged. "I don't know but there will be groups that believe that. They'll say that it is only in situations like this one. That Sam doesn't have the time to be an attentive enough father."
"That's bull."
"We all agree Josh, but people who don't know Sam might not," Donna told him.
"Sam needs to prove them wrong," Toby said. "From now on he needs to be at all of Serena's doctors appointments. He needs to spend as much time with Serena as possible."
"Should he file for custody?" Donna asked.
Toby and CJ both shook their heads. "Not yet. He needs to wait a few weeks."
"We should have pictures taken of Sam and Serena doing things together. Pictures that everyone will think are adorable. In a week or two Sam can do another interview and show how close he and Serena are," Josh suggested.
"Alana doesn't want current pictures of Serena shown," Donna said.
"We can't go against her wishes," Josh said sarcastically.
"No, we can't," CJ said. "Which you should know. She has custody." She smiled. "However, Sam can't control the press. Alana went on national TV and said that Serena would be in DC with Sam all weekend. If a photographer happened to find them somewhere in public and take pictures, we couldn't stop it."
Now Josh too was smiling. "We could accidentally let slip in front of a few reporters where they might find Serena."
Donna grinned. "You mean like Danny?"
CJ nodded. "If we were to accidentally slip, it could easily be in front of Danny. He is around enough."
"Make sure he knows that a photographer would have to be careful. We don't want Serena to get scared."
"Yeah," Josh agreed. "It would be bad for a picture of a crying Serena to be released."
Donna slapped him across the head. "You are an idiot. Serena's feelings are more important than publicity."
"Oh come on, she won't even remember anything than happens now. She not even two-years-old." Josh stood up. From the expressions on Donna and CJ's faces, he was not safe here anymore. He glanced over at Toby. Toby looked slightly amused. Apparently, Toby wasn't going to help him. Josh walked backward to the door to his office.
Donna and CJ burst out laughing as soon as he was gone. Toby rolled his eyes.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''
"I need to leave early on Thursday."
Josh didn't look up from the papers he was reading. "Why?"
"I'm going with Sam," Donna responded.
H looked up at her, frowning. "Again?"
"Yes. He wants my help."
"He wants your help," Josh repeated. "Serena is Sam's child, not yours. He is going to have to learn to take care of her. He is going to raise her, not you."
Donna frowned. "He hasn't spent very much time around small children. He needs someone to help him learn. Besides, Serena is wonderful." She smiled as she thought of the little girl.
It was time to try a different tactic, Josh decided. "Serena has a potentially deadly disease. If Sam isn't a match, she could die. Are you sure you want to spend so much time with her? You're going to get really attached."
He pulled back further in his seat. The glare that she was shooting at him could probably melt ice.
"Don't you dare say anything like that where Sam can hear you! Serena is not going to die. And you know what, I don't care if I get attached to her. Maybe I want to get attached." She spun around toward the door. She turned back to him. "I will be leaving early on Thursday." She shut the door as quietly as she could to keep herself from slamming it.
Josh tried to get back to his reading but couldn't concentrate. He realized that what he had just said wasn't appropriate and there was no way he'd ever say something like that to Sam. He wasn't that insensitive. What he couldn't figure out was why he'd said it.
Donna was a grown woman. If she wanted to spend her time with Sam and his daughter, why should he care? It wasn't any of his business. Yet he couldn't stop himself from thinking about her and Sam. From wondering if the rumors that were starting to go around about them potentially starting a romantic relationship could be true. And he hated that lack of control over himself and his thoughts. Besides, they were his two closest friends, he should want them to be together if that would make them happy.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
On Friday morning, Sam and Donna walked into the West Wing together. Sam was pushing Serena's stroller. As they walked through the West Wing people stared at them, they had all heard about Serena and some had been looking forward to seeing her. Many were disappointed that she was in her stroller and they couldn't see her.
They went to Sam's office first and he left his briefcase and Serena's diaper bag. Donna bent down to take Serena from her stroller. The little girl was dressed in a frilly pink dress, white tights, and black mary janes. She also wore a cloth headband embroidered with roses.
"Who do you want to introduce Serena to first?"
"Let's try Josh," Sam answered.
They made their way to Josh's office and Donna put her things down at her desk before they went inside.
Josh looked up when they walked into his office. He didn't notice the baby at first. "Did you two come in together?"
"Yes, we did," Donna answered.
"Are you trying to encourage the rumors?" He demanded.
Sam shrugged. "Last night we decided to come to work together this morning. It was more convenient. We're taking Serena to a museum after work."
"A museum. You're taking a baby to a museum? What if she breaks something?"
"It's a children's museum," Donna said, rolling her eyes.
Josh finally noticed Serena, who was in Donna's arms, glancing around curiously. He noticed her clothing and smirked. "You dressed her up to meet the President?"
Sam flushed. "I want her to make a good impression."
Josh studied the little girl. Serena grinned at him. She looked so fragile. "How could she not make a good impression?" As much as he wanted to be indifferent to the child, he couldn't be.
"Is that Serena?" CJ asked from the doorway.
"No," Josh answered. "Sam and Donna decided to kidnap another sick kid from the hospital." As soon as he said it, he realized his mistake.
CJ, Sam, and Donna glared at Josh.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I shouldn't have said that." It seemed he was always saying insensitive things about this situation and he couldn't figure out why.
"No, you shouldn't have." CJ walked over to Serena. "May I hold her? I promise, my hands are clean."
"You have to wash your hands to hold a child?" Josh asked.
"You do when the child has no immune system to speak of," CJ snapped at him. Serena reached her arms out to CJ. Once she was in CJ's arms, she pointed at Josh. "Don't like."
Everyone but Josh started laughing.
Josh frowned at the child. She was too adorable for him to dislike her and she disliked him. He reached into his desk before walking over to Serena. "Do you want a piece of candy?"
"Candy!" Serena reached for the piece of chocolate.
Josh pulled it back. "Say please."
"Peas." He gave her the treat.
Donna frowned at him. "You couldn't wait until later in the day to give her candy?"
He shook his head.
"Tank you," Serena said around a mouthful of chocolate.
"You're welcome." He smiled despite himself.
"If she gets any chocolate on her dress I am going to kill you," Sam said as he watched his daughter eat. He grabbed a Kleenex off of Josh's desk. As soon as Serena was finished with the candy, he took each hand and quickly wiped it clean before turning his attention to her chocolate smeared face.
"Have you introduced Serena to the President yet?" CJ asked.
Sam shook his head. "You two are the first to meet Serena."
"Can I go with you to the Oval Office?"
Sam shook his head. "This is going to be bad enough. I don't want an audience." He was afraid that the President was going to tease him unmercifully.
"Donna's not going with you?" Josh asked, surprised and pleased.
"Yes, I am."
"He just said he doesn't want an audience."
"I wouldn't have wanted an audience when I meet Serena but Donna was there."
Josh and CJ exchanged a look. "Is there any truth to the rumor about you two?" CJ asked.
"Sam and I aren't a couple. We are just really good friends. I would help Josh or Toby in the same way I am helping Sam."
CJ gave her a disbelieving look but said nothing more.
"Down," Serena commanded.
Josh looked horrified. "Not in here. I don't want a two-year-old loose in my office."
"Technically, she isn't two yet," Sam said.
"Whatever. Take her to bother Toby. She can run around his office."
"When Toby gets upset with us I'll make sure I tell him you gave us permission to let Serena lose in his office," CJ said cheerfully as she followed Sam and Donna out the door, still carrying Serena.
Toby looked up when his door opened. "So this is Serena. She looks a lot better in person. She isn't as pale as in the picture."
The child waved at him. "Hi."
Toby blinked. "Hello."
"No," Serena corrected him. "Hi."
Toby glanced at CJ who shrugged. "Hi."
"Like," she declared.
"What does she like?" Toby asked, slightly confused.
Donna smiled. "I guess she's decided she likes you."
Toby nodded as he stood up, coming around his desk toward them. "Serena say, I like you."
"Like," Serena said.
"No. I like you," he corrected her again.
"Toby, she's two. You aren't going to be able to teach her to talk in sentences yet." CJ spoke slowly, as if she were talking to a young child.
Toby frowned at her. "She can't speak in complete sentences unless she is encouraged to do so. We have to set an example for her." He turned back to Serena. "I like you."
"Like you," Serena repeated.
Toby started to smile. "I like you."
"I like you," Serena said. She was grinning. She knew she had done something right.
"Very good."
"Very good," Serena repeated.
Sam groaned. "Stop it Toby. I don't want my daughter to be obsessed with English."
"She could choose something far more detrimental to be obsessed with than English."
Serena clapped her hands together gleefully. "Toey."
"My name is Toby."
Serena shook her head. "Toey."
CJ laughed. "I love her. If you ever need a babysitter, let me know."
"You'll show her a picture of me and encourage her to call it Toey," Toby accused her.
She snickered. "Yep." She smiled at the baby. "Serena, he isn't Toey. He's Uncle Toey."
Toby glared at her.
"Unca Toey."
"I have work to do." Toby went back to his desk.
"See you later Toby," Sam said as he turned to leave.
Donna took Serena from CJ as she walked out of the office. The baby waved at Toby.
CJ went back to her own office as Sam and Donna headed to the Oval with Serena. Everyone they encountered openly stared at Serena and many stopped them so that they could meet the child.
"Charlie, is the President available?" Sam asked, when they finally reached the Oval.
Charlie smiled at the baby as he stood up. "Let me check. She looks good."
"Thank you," Sam said.
Charlie returned from the Oval Office. "You can go in."
"Hello Mr. President. This is my daughter Serena. Serena this is President Bartlet."
The President gestured them toward seats.
Serena frowned. "Pres..." She tried again. "Presy."
President Bartlet laughed. "How about this Serena, you can call me Uncle Jed."
"Unca Jed." The baby smiled.
"She's adorable. When will the test results be back?"
"I'm not sure exactly but it will be another couple of weeks. Not only are they checking to see if I'm a match for Serena but they have to check for a whole battery of diseases, it's standard procedure."
"Abbey and I have been praying for Serena. If there's anything we can do to help you, let us know."
"Thank you Sir," Sam said quietly.
"Down," Serena ordered.
"Not yet, Serena," Donna told her gently.
"Put her down, Donna. She won't hurt anything," the President commanded.
Donna hesitated before putting Serena down. The child toddled over to the President and sat on his feet.
President Bartlet burst out laughing. "You have to take her to visit Abbey."
"I will, Sir." Sam promised.
The laughter faded. "Have you decided what you're going to do?"
"Yes, Sir. I'm going to raise my daughter."
"I'm glad Sam. I think that is what's best for both of you. Now that you know that she exists and are bonding with her, you wouldn't be happy without her in your life on a daily basis."
"I think you're right Sir. I would like to keep my job but Serena is more important to me. If you would like for me to, I'll resign."
"You're not resigning Sam. Leo and I both want you to keep working here. We believe that we can work with you on Serena."
"How Sir? She takes a lot of care. I would definitely have to take a lot of time off for her doctors appointments."
President Bartlet nodded. "I know she'll have to go to the doctor frequently. You'll have to hire a nanny to watch her for part of the day. "
"Thank you, Sir."
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
On Saturday morning Josh smiled at the newspaper in his hands. Serena was on the cover. Sam was holding the child as he and Donna tried to explain the workings of an old car at the museum.
The next paper had a picture of Sam kissing Serena on the forehead.
Another showed Serena sitting next to Sam on a bench outside the ice cream place. She was feeding him an ice cream cone.
These were wonderful. The only problem was that Donna was in every picture. She was actively participating in the first two. In the last she was sitting on the bench smiling at Serena.
He picked up the phone and dialed Donna's number. "All of the big papers have pictures of Serena," he said as soon as she picked up the phone.
"I know. Isn't it wonderful? They got great pictures. And Serena didn't even notice that they were there."
"Yes, they did. There is a problem though."
"Really? What?" Donna was confused.
"You are in all of the pictures."
"So?"
"SO?" He repeated. "You're getting very close to Sam and Serena aren't you?"
Donna hesitated. "I've always been close friends with Sam."
"You never used to spend so much time with him."
"I'm spending time with him because he needs my help."
Josh sighed, wishing that he could believe that. "That isn't the whole reason. You have feelings for Sam."
"No, I don't," she insisted after a several second hesitation.
"Yes, you do. What are you doing today?" He asked, knowing that her answer was going to include Sam.
"Sam and I are taking Serena to a fair."
"What kind of fair is it?"
"It's an orange fair."
"An orange fair. Celebrating oranges. You two do the strangest things for fun. I feel kind of sorry for Serena."
"We've been taking Serena to educational yet fun places," Donna informed him. "It's good for her." She went on when he laughed, "She is ahead of children her age. Toby even got her to say a complete sentence."
Josh sighed, she was sounding as if she was Serena's mother. This was worse than he had thought.
"I've got to go. Sam and Serena will be here soon."
"Bye."
"Bye."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
A couple of hours later, Donna and Sam strolled the fair grounds with Serena in her stroller. They watched for reporters, just in case. As far as either of them knew, only Josh knew where they were going that day. Yesterday was for the press. Today was for them.
"I can't believe Serena has to go back to her grandmother's tomorrow," Sam said softly.
"I know. Are you going to try to get Alana to let you have Serena next weekend?"
"No."
Donna looked at him, shocked. "You're not?"
"No. There is no way she would let me have Serena next weekend anyway." He took a breath. "I called my lawyer last night. We're filing papers tomorrow. Because Serena is so sick we are going to ask for an emergency hearing to establish temporary custody."
"Sam, that is wonderful." She kissed his cheek. "Do you think the hearing will be this week?"
"Probably not. Hopefully it will be next week though."
"Do you think you'll get custody?"
"Temporary custody," he corrected. "As Serena's father I have a good chance of getting temporary custody. My biggest problem is that Serena's doctor is in Baltimore. That could work in Alana's favor. At the very least, I'll get a visitation schedule."
"Do you think you'll get permanent custody? How long will it take to find out."
"If Alana fights for custody and we both know she will, it could take months to find out who gets custody. The court will assign a social worker to Serena. He or she will do home studies of my house and Alana's house. They'll check into both of our finances. They'll make sure neither of us has a criminal record. They'll observe Serena with me and with Alana. If either of us has a nanny and I will have to have one, they will check into her background, watch her with Serena. They'll meet with the people closest to me and the people closest to Alana. The social worker will give a recommendation to the judge."
"So it depends on the social worker and judge."
"Yes." Sam sighed. "We just have to hope that we don't get a judge who thinks children are better off raised by a woman."
"Will they call witnesses?"
Sam thought before answering. "The social worker will testify. If either side brings in a child psychologist, he or she testifies. In this case, I doubt a psychologist will be brought in because Serena is so young. Serena's nanny might have to testify. If a child attends a daycare or preschool, they can be called on. Alana or I could bring in character witnesses, people who have seen us with Serena and think we'd make good parents. In some cases the child's doctor testifies."
"Will your job work in your favor or against you?"
"I really don't know. That will depend on the judge."
They stopped by food booths. "Serena do you want a hotdog?" Sam asked the child. She was looking all around from her seat in the stroller.
She nodded enthusiastically.
Sam ordered three hot dogs. He handed the baby a plain hotdog on a bun, not wanting to give her the chance to get toppings all over herself.
"Does anyone else know that you're going to file for custody tomorrow?" Donna took a bite of her hotdog.
Sam shook his head. "No, I'll call CJ tonight so she's not surprised if she hears about it tomorrow."
"When you were on Oprah everyone was talking about how you should wait a few weeks before filing for custody."
"I can't. I want Serena here with me. Besides, I don't want to give Alana a chance to make the first move." Sam bit into his hotdog.
"Out," Serena exclaimed. She'd finished her hotdog but half of the bun still remained in her hand.
"No sweetie, you can't get out here."
"We could take her on the Ferris wheel," Donna suggested before eating the last bite of her hotdog.
Sam nodded. "Alright."
At the Ferris wheel they parked the stroller and joined the line. As the line slowly inched forward, Serena watched the Ferris wheel happily, circling her hand in front of her as she tried to trace the Ferris wheels movement in the air.
Finally, they reached the front of the line and climbed onto the ride. As the ride started to move Serena let out a happy squeal. Sam held onto the child as she peeked over the edge.
"High," she told them.
"Yes, we are up high," Donna agreed.
Sam smiled at her. "Toby is rubbing off on you."
"What?"
"You just corrected her language use."
"Well, he is right. Serena will not learn to talk properly if we don't try to teach her. She doesn't mind, to her it is fun, a game."
Sam laughed. "I wonder what Alana is going to think when Serena starts chattering about her weekend. She calls President Bartlet 'Unca Jed' ."
"It will probably take Alana hours to figure out what Serena means when she says 'Unca Toey'." Donna laughed.
"And the 'big house'. You don't think that Alana will think I took Serena to a prison, do you?" Sam suddenly looked horrified.
Donna laughed again. "She knows where you work. She'll figure out what Serena means."
"I think Serena had fun."
"Of course she did Sam. Everyone spoiled her. She loved it."
"Serena gained a whole family didn't she?" Sam asked. They were at the top of the Ferris wheel now.
Serena pointed at the people below. "Little. Me big."
"They are little. I am big." Donna automatically corrected her. She looked back at Sam as the Ferris wheel started to move again. "Yes, she gained a whole family. They all love her already."
"And you?" Sam asked.
"Me? Of course, I love Serena. I've spent more time with her than any of them have. How could I not love her?"
"She is wonderful, isn't she?"
Their car reached the bottom and stopped and they climbed off, walking back toward the stroller. Several people stared at them. Some recognized them. Others just noticed Serena, and wondered what was wrong with her.
Donna looked around as Sam fastened Serena into the stroller. "Oh no," she said suddenly.
Sam stood up. "What's wrong?" He followed her gaze. Danny Concannon was walking toward them and they didn't have time to escape.
"Hello Sam, Donna." He bent down next to the stroller. "Hi Serena. How are you doing today?"
Serena just stared at him.
Danny stood up straight again.
"Where's your camera man?" Sam asked suspiciously, looking around.
Danny smiled innocently. "I didn't bring him with me. I'm not working right now."
"Then what are you doing here?" Donna asked.
"I'm meeting someone here. A date."
"Where is she?" Sam asked.
"Right here," CJ said as she joined them. "We thought we'd be safe coming here. Who would have thought that we'd run into someone we knew here?"
Donna and Sam both stared at her.
She bent down to greet the baby. Serena smiled at her. "Ceej," she gurgled.
CJ stood back up, chuckling. "Serena really needs a speech therapist."
"You and Danny?" Donna asked. "I mean, I knew there was an attraction but he's a reporter."
CJ didn't respond.
Sam grinned, looking at Danny. "You can't write about Donna, Serena, and I being here or I'll tell Leo about you and CJ."
Danny shook his head. "I wasn't planning on writing about you two being here. Everyone knows that you two are together anyway, it's not news."
Donna sighed but didn't bother arguing, it never seemed to do any good.
"Those pictures of the three of you together are adorable," CJ told them pointedly.
"The pictures mean nothing," Donna protested.
"Those pictures are swaying public opinion on Sam and Serena. They are helping convince people that he actually cares about his daughter. I wouldn't say that they mean nothing."
"That isn't what I meant. You know what I meant."
Sam looked down at his watch. "Oh, we have to go. We're taking Serena to the latest Disney movie."
"She's two and you're taking her to a movie? Will she understand it?" Danny asked.
Donna and CJ both glared at him while Sam shrugged. "Of course she'll understand it. Studies show that even infants understand much more spoken language than you'd think from their speech abilities. Six and seven month olds are capable of learning sign language."
"I don't know where you learn this stuff." Danny shook his head. "You two take Serena to the weirdest places. She'd probably rather be at a park playing in the sandbox."
CJ hit him. "Serena can't go to the park. She could pick up germs from the other kids."
Danny rolled his eyes. "Kids are supposed to get germs. It's normal."
"But Serena isn't normal." CJ gave Sam an apologetic smile. "She's sick. Her immune system is weak. A simple cold could send her to the hospital."
"Oh." Danny looked down at the baby briefly before meeting Sam's eyes. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have criticized your parenting skills. Especially not, since I know that she is sick."
Someone walking by snorted. "How can anyone not know she's sick? Just look at her."
Sam, Donna, Danny, and CJ all glared at him.
The man stopped to look more closely at them. He glanced back and forth between Sam and CJ. "You guys work at the White House."
"Really? You think so?" Danny winced when CJ stepped on his foot.
The man was glaring at Sam now. "You're the loser who abandoned his pregnant girlfriend and then didn't even take the kid when she died in a car crash. You don't deserve the kid."
Sam stepped closer to the stroller, protectively.
"You're not going to try to take her from her grandmother are you?"
People were staring at them now. Sam shifted uncomfortably.
"Mr. Seaborn has not decided what his plans are. As you would know if you paid any attention to my briefings."
He turned to Donna. "What are you doing with him anyway? Don't you have any morals? In fact, what are you doing with her too?" He pointed to CJ. "The current Administration has no morals." He was sneering.
The crowd around them was growing, and several onlookers even snapped pictures.
"What do you know of our character? You are the one slandering people you don't even know," CJ said.
"I happen to work with these people." Donna glared at him.
Danny had pulled out a note pad and was furiously writing down every word. He showed his press pass to the man. "Do you have a comment for my paper?"
"You're a journalist?"
CJ cringed.
Danny didn't bother to answer.
The man had turned his attention back to Sam. "What, you have nothing to say?" He glanced at the crowd. "No guts."
"You're incorrect about everything you have said. You should check your facts before you speak."
"Really?"
"I didn't know of my daughter's existence until recently." He looked around at the crowd. "Alana Farrel said so on Oprah, if you don't believe me. I found out about Alex's death at the same time I found out about Serena." Sam glanced at Donna. "Donna Moss has far more moral character than you. As does CJ. You are incredibly ignorant."
CJ groaned. This could only get worse. She laid a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Let's go."
Sam shrugged away from CJ.
The man looked incredulous. "I am ignorant?" He stepped closer, grinning. "I may not be a lawyer but I know more than you on many subjects."
Donna stepped up to the stroller. She pulled in farther from the crowd. She watched as Danny moved to Sam's side. The man was laughing as if he thought this was all a huge joke and Donna wondered if he'd been drinking.
"Is he about to start a fight?" She whispered to CJ.
"I hope not," CJ whispered back, wearily, keeping her eyes on the man.
He was so close that he was nearly touching Sam now. "If one of us is stupid it isn't me." He punched Sam in the nose.
Danny's fist was in the man's stomach.
"Did I ask you to get involved." He shot an annoyed look at Danny as he pulled a gun out.
The crowd gasped. People started to run in the opposite direction. The man ignored them. His attention was focused on the four people in front of him. "You people need to learn that your fancy degrees don't make you better than everyone."
Serena was screaming in her stroller. She could sense that something was wrong.
"Shut the brat up."
Donna spoke soothingly to the little girl as she pulled a cookie out of the diaper bag and handed it to her. Serena accepted the cookie, gnawing on it as her crying stopped. She didn't take her eyes off of the adults.
Sirens wailed in the distance.
"I want you to apologize for calling me ignorant."
Sam shook his head. "I'm not going to apologize to you."
Danny started laughing. "You are ignorant. You're holding three White House staffers and a member of the White House press corps at gun point in the middle of a fair with who knows how many witnesses."
"You're calling me stupid now, too?" He laughed. "I have a gun and you are calling me names and you think I'm the stupid one?" He pressed his gun into Danny's gut.
"Look, I don't know why you're upset with us anyway," Donna said, in an effort to diffuse the situation. "This all just snowballed, I don't think any of us, including you, meant for any of this to happen."
CJ jumped in. "This is a serious crime. The further this goes and the longer you hold us here at gunpoint, the worse it will get for you. At this point you might be able to escape jail time."
The police had arrived. Several police cars had surrounded them. "Put the gun down," someone yelled.
He chose to ignore the cops.
"Let us have the baby," another of the officers called.
The man waved his free hand carelessly. "Fine." He glanced quickly at Donna before returning his attention to the two men. "Push the stroller toward him."
Donna gave the stroller a push in the direction of the police officer, relief coursing through her. The cop came forward enough to retrieve the baby from the stroller, running back to his car.
A few more minutes passed with the police trying to convince the man to let them go or to drop his gun. For the most part he ignored them.
Donna finally decided that there was only one way out of this situation safely. They had to give him what he wanted. "I'm sorry for whatever I did to upset you." Her voice was very soft.
"Say that louder."
She repeated what she had said.
The man smiled. "Three more to go."
Danny was glaring at Donna. Sam looked shocked by the whole situation. CJ was watching the man wearily.
He moved his gun away from Danny and pressed it to Sam's shoulder. "Apologize."
"I am not going to lower myself by apologizing to someone like you."
He pulled the trigger.
Sam flinched. Danny clinched his fists. Donna whimpered. CJ cursed softly.
The gun jammed. The man cursed as he jerked the gun away from the Sam. He pointed toward the police and pulled the trigger again. This time a bullet hit a tree. He pressed the gun against Sam again, glancing at everyone expectantly.
"I'm sorry," CJ said, not sounding in the least bit sorry.
The two men remained silent.
The man cursed. These two were very obstinate.
Sam and Danny watched wearily as the man stepped away from them. What was he up to? He was now walking toward CJ and Donna. Both women stepped back instinctively. He grabbed Donna's wrist and pulled her to him. He stroked a finger over her cheek. "I would hate to have to hurt her."
Donna flinched at his touch, holding back a whimper.
"I'm sorry," Sam said through clenched teeth.
"You don't sound sorry. You have to mean it."
Sam stared at Donna. "I'm sorry."
"That was better." He looked at Danny expectantly.
Danny snorted. "You're the one who needs to apologize."
"You don't mind if I harm your friend?"
Danny didn't answer.
The sound of gun shots echoed through out the fair.
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