As Donna cleans up in the bathroom, my mind goes back to Lulu's birthday. Making love was a nice distraction from the fact that our baby is about to be one, but it's still not far from my thoughts. I guess if it's going to happen anyway, I should just fully embrace it. We should have the best party ever. I'm sure Donna is way ahead of me on this. I call out to her.

"Pony rides? Did you make arrangements for pony rides?"

She comes out of the bathroom looking a bit disgruntled. "No, Josh. I did not."

"I thought we talked about pony rides."

"You said we should have pony rides. I said no." She says firmly as she climbs into bed.

"But Donna . . . "

"Josh, she's one. She's not going to remember this birthday."

"But there will be pictures."

"Yes, and I don't think we need pictures of the senior staff riding ponies in a circle!"

I guess I can't really argue with that logic. "Well, what about a bounce house? Are we getting a bounce house?"

"No."

"No?"

"Josh, it's November. The party will be inside."

"How about sno-cones? Please tell me we are having sno-cones . . . or cotton candy!"

"In the mural room? I don't think so."

"You know what you are Donna? You are a Debbie Downer. This is suppose to be a party! Lulu's only turning one once, you know?"

She gives me a look. "I know."

"Well, are we having clowns and balloons?"

"You don't like clowns."

'I know but, I'll suck it up for Lulu's sake. I think we should have clowns and balloons."

"Well, you're in luck. I got clowns." She smirks at me and I'm immediately suspicious.

"You did?"

"I did. I booked Penn and Teller."

"Donnnaa! That's not what I meant! Does it have to be those clowns? Did you tell them no tricks with flags?"

"Yes, I told them."

"What did they say?"

"They said that's censorship."

"DONNA!"

"I'm kidding. I didn't get Penn and Teller."

"You didn't?"

"No. There won't be any clowns."

"There won't?"

"No."

"So, there will be no pony rides, no bounce house, no sno-cones, and no clowns. This doesn't sound like much of a party."

"I've been a little busy you know. The mid-terms are in three days."

"Yeah, I know. But it's her first birthday!"

"Yeah, I'll get a cake for after work on Monday. We can get some balloons too."

"Well, at least there will be presents." I haven't actually bought anything yet, but I've got several ideas. I'm hoping to find time to got to the store tomorrow.

"Actually, no. I'm going to tell everyone not to get her any gifts. She really doesn't need anything."

"So . . . no pony rides, no bounce house, no sno-cones, no clowns and no presents?!"

"Yes."

"Donna. You are NOT in charge of the party next year."

"That's perfectly fine with me!" She snaps and rolls onto her side facing away from me. Suddenly, the banter isn't funny anymore. And I feel like a complete ass. She's practically super-woman, why do I ever tease her about not being good enough? Especially now that I know all that she's overcome?

"Hey." I rub her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I was trying to be funny."

She rolls back to face me.

"I know. It's just that my Mom and Bella have both already been on me for deciding not to have a big, blow out first birthday party. I did think about it and honestly, I just don't think it's necessary. She's too young to remember any of it, and I hate to spend money on things like that. I'd rather make a charitable donation in her name. AND I have been busy at work and with school. I just really don't the time to plan something right now. My Mom has already implied that I'm going to scar Lulu for life. I don't need it from you too."

She offers me a weak smile, but I can see the pain in her eyes. Damn. Sometimes I hate her family. But I guess I'm just as guilty.

"Awww, Baby, you're a great Mom. You're right. Lulu is never going to remember this. I really was just teasing. The only reason I want to have a big party is to show the world how great my wife and daughter are!"

"So you're really okay with just cake after work on Monday? It's the day before the mid-terms. I was thinking that everyone would be working late so maybe a little cake break would be nice."

"Yeah, that's fine." I tell her, trying to mask my disappointment. But she knows me too well.

She sighs. "Maybe I can pull something together for next weekend. Your Mom will be here, and we can invite the Wyatt-Zieglers."

But then I have a brilliant idea. "I can plan the party! Leave it to me."

"Are you serious?" She scoffs. But now I'm getting excited.

"Yes."

"Josh. The midterms are in three days. You have campaign events every day on top of, you know, running the country. You don't have time to plan Lulu's birthday party."

"It's not like I'll do it myself. I'll get some help. Please? I promise I won't go overboard. Just a few friends."

"Okay, I guess. As long as you promise not to go nuts."

"I promise."

"I mean it, Josh. No pony rides or bounce houses. She's too little for all that and it would be a waste of money."

"Okay. Trust me. It'll be perfect."

I give her a gentle kiss and then hop out of bed.

"Where are you going?" She asks

"To make a list!"

. . . .

At 8 am, I find a quiet spot to make a phone call while Matt is introducing our candidate for the Maryland 1st. We're still trying to turn this district blue. But I do miss Tom Landis.

"Helen? This is Josh. I need your help."

"I told you he gets grouchy around mid-terms. He doesn't like campaigning because it gets in the way of governing."

"It's not that. Although, you know that information would have been handy BEFORE I convinced him to run for President."

"You didn't ask me before you convinced him to run for President."

"Good point."

"Anyway, you need my help?"

"Yes. I need to do an end run around Donna for something really important."

"Whoa! Donna is my Chief of Staff. She's fantastic and I'd be lost without her. No way am I helping you work around her. And I think it's completely unprofessional for you to come to me behind her back. Frankly, Josh, I thought you were better than this."

"What? I'm not talking about work. I'm talking about Lulu's first birthday party!"

"Oh. Sorry."

"I know that Donna is a great Chief of Staff. The only thing I'd ever have to worry about in that department would be Matt realizing that she could totally do my job and him replacing me with her."

"Damn straight."

"Damn straight."

"Okay. Now that we have that cleared up. What about Lulu's birthday?"

"You know Donna has been really focused on the mid-terms and AVAWA. She doesn't really have anything planned for a party. No pony rides, no sno-cones, no bounce house, no clowns, nothing. She said we could have cake Monday after work but she hasn't actually ordered a cake or anything. So I told her I'd take care of arranging a small party. But I think we both know that I'm out of my depth. What do you think? Is there enough time to get something done? Can you help me?"

"Josh, sometimes you really are just the sweetest man. And other times I want to kill you."

"What can I say? I'm gifted that way."

"Ha! Yes, I can help you. We don't have anything scheduled next weekend. Just some family time to recover from the mid-terms. We can have a party here in the residence."

"That would be perfect. My Mom is already coming up for the weekend. Sunday is Donna's birthday, I want to take her out while my Mom babysits. Could we do the party on Saturday?"

"Sure. Do you have anything in mind as far as a theme goes?"

"Not really. Unfortunately, I promised Donna I wouldn't go overboard. Something small, just a few friends. And we can't have pony rides or bounce houses."

"We'll save those for next year."

"Helen, I like the way you think."

"I'm sure Miranda would love to help me plan the party. And if not I have an entire party planning department at my disposal. So why don't you just give me free reign."

"Sure."

"And your credit card."

"Okay. Just remember, you answer to Donna if you go overboard!"