Two days later Mac was fully preoccupied by her new job.
Time ran fast while she learned the processes and responsibilities and she noticed quickly how little she really knew about Charlie's work. Meetings, paperwork, dealing with Pruit, delegating, observing, all this and more, while still being up to date and knowing what was going on in her network. It felt like more than a full-time job and she went to Will when she was discouraged and downhearted, what happened more than one time a day. Luckily, he always came up with the right words to cheer her up and give her new strength.
She didn't know how she would do it without him, though the biggest help she got, to everyone's surprise, was from Leona Lansing. From the very first moment Leona was at her side, guiding her. Mac was relieved even if she secretly thought it was Leona's wish for a grandchild what kept her in her proximity. Mac had never seen Leona as rejoicing as she did when Mac told her, accidentally, about the baby. She never expected Leona to be this happy but didn't mind as long as Leona stayed calm at her side, sharing her knowledge and experience.
One of the first things she learned from Leona was how to win arguments against Lucas Pruit. Mac was surprised when Leona told her about the various times she and Charlie fought about News Night. Charlie had always kept his problems away from the newsroom staff and Mac knew she needed to learn quickly to keep her mouth shut; Jim and Will didn't need to know everything. It was tough for her, and probably the hardest thing to do.
Though Leona's, and Will's, encouraging words began to have an effect on her and she began to have confidence in her abilities.
This morning Leona left Mac early and for the first time in two days she was alone for longer. She decided to go through her e-mails, reading them in silence, until a knock on her door caught her attention. "Maggie," she said surprised.
"Hi, Mac." Hesitantly Maggie walked in. "Do you have a minute?"
"Sure." She gestured her to sit.
Maggie sat down, faced Mac and took a deep breath. "I didn't get the job in DC."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"I hate to crawl back but…"
"You're not crawling," Mac assured her.
"It's not pleasant, though."
"Don't think about it," Mac waved her hand dismissively. "Have you been to the newsroom yet?"
"No. I wanted to talk to you first."
"Okay."
"So, I'm back," Maggie cheered deliberately happily.
"You're back, but I have to tell you that Jim gave Jenna your job."
Maggie's face fell. "What?" she gasped. "But… I didn't quit before I left. I… I mean it was just an interview."
"Don't panic," Mac said soothingly. "We were still thinking you want the job as senior producer of News Night."
"Really?" Maggie's face lit up.
"Yes. Jim interviewed a few candidates but he's picky, you know." Mac half-shrugged with a smirk.
"Oh my god! Yes, I would love to!"
"Great. You can go right down there and tell him."
"I will," Maggie nodded wildly with a beaming smile. "Thank you, Mac."
"Glad to have you, Maggie."
She rose but stopped at the door. "You don't want to know why I didn't get the job in Washington?"
Mac smiled at her. "No," she said simply and Maggie smiled in return.
Nervously playing with her hands, she walked to the newsroom. She was glad that Mac gave her the job as senior producer and now she hoped Jim would be happy about it too. She didn't tell him that she was back in New York and felt a certain anxiety regarding his reaction. She knew he reacted strange and presumptuous sometimes and she told herself she wouldn't let him made her feel small.
Dropping her hands to her side, she raised her head self-confident and entered the newsroom.
"Maggie!" Neal greeted her happily. "What are you doing here? How was your interview?"
"I'll tell you later guys," she told him and the bunch of people who were listening too. "Is Jim here?"
"He's in his office," Neal replied, gesturing in the direction of Mac's former office.
"Thanks," she smiled and walked on.
Before she could knock, the door opened and Jim came out, running almost into her.
"Maggie," he said startled. "Wha… I mean… I didn't… expect you…" He stopped his stammering and cleared his throat. "What are you doing here?"
"Can we talk? Alone?"
"Sure." In this moment his phone rang. "Oh, that's important," he said, running his hand through his hair.
"I'll wait on the terrace," she told him when she saw his distress.
"I'll be there in a second," he said thankfully and retreated into his office while she made her way to the terrace. Once outside she leaned against the railing and watched the busy city to prevent her mind from making her nervous. She didn't need to wait long and only minutes later he joined her.
"Sorry I kept you waiting," he apologized and leaned beside her against the railing.
"No problem."
"Maggie?"
"Yes?"
"What happened?"
"I didn't get the job."
"I'm sorry. I really thought they want you."
"It seems that I'm not qualified enough to be a field producer at the white house."
"Too inexperienced," he said wistfully.
"Yet," she said sure and firm what took him by surprise. "I talked to Mac and she said you still want me as your Senior Producer. Is that true?"
"Of course it is. You would make a great Senior Producer."
For the first time in days Maggie smiled genuinely. "Then it's good that Mac gave me the job."
"Wha…" Jim's mouth dropped open and Maggie laughed. "I should have expected that," he said dryly.
"You should have," she nudged him with her elbow. Sobering, she looked him in the eyes. "Is this okay… with us?"
"It's more than okay."
"I mean the job… our working relationship."
"For me, our team and Mac it'll be okay. And Pruit… he has to cope with Sloan and Don and Will and Mac already."
"Does he know about the baby?"
"Not yet," he grinned devilishly.
"I would love to see his reaction."
"You're not the only one…"
They got silent and turned to the city, thinking their thoughts.
"I know it isn't right and I should be sorry that you didn't get the job, but I'm glad you're back," Jim admitted quietly without looking at her.
She had never, ever, expected him to say words like this so her jaw dropped while her belly made a flip-flop. Noticing that she was gaping at him, she shut her mouth hearable. "So am I."
He faced her with a loving smile and gently laid a hand on her cheek. Closing the distance between them, he kissed her softly. "I doubt that it's going to be easy but we'll make it work," he promised in a whisper.
She smiled and his arm reached around her waist, pulling her close for a far more passionate kiss.
Suddenly somebody cleared his throat beside them and they jumped apart. "Mac!" they said together, somewhat embarrassed.
"I just wanted to know if you're having difficulties with your new working relationship but as I can see," she pointed at the two of them, smirking contentedly. "…everything is all right."
"I'm sorry, Mac. We'll go back to work."
She raised her eyebrows, her eyes shining happily. "You better do that."
Turning on her heels, she left the embarrassed couple alone and went to Will, who was so engrossed in the papers he was reading that he didn't notice her standing in his doorway. She used the opportunity and watched him and it wasn't until he flipped the pages that he caught sight of her out of the corner of his eyes. "Hey."
"Hi," she smiled.
"How long are you standing there?"
"Couple of minutes," she said with a shrug and walked in to close the door.
"And, how are things upstairs?"
"For now, okay."
He was pleased to hear that and when she stopped in front of him he took her hands and pulled her in his lap.
"Where's Leona?"
"In a meeting."
"She's still helping you?" he asked, putting a lost strain behind her ear.
"Yes. I really don't know why, but yes, she is helping me."
"Do you think she has ulterior moves?"
"I'm not sure. I never know what this woman is up to."
"I know this kind," he grinned.
She slapped his chest. "Oh come on. I'm easy."
"Of course you are."
She cocked her head. "You're being sarcastic."
Before he had the chance to answer Maggie's head appeared in the doorframe. "Rundown meeting."
Her head disappeared and Will looked confused at Mac. "What is she doing here?"
"She's News Night's Senior Producer," Mac said nonchalantly and rose from his lap.
"Wha…" He stopped when he saw her smirking. "Won't I ever get approval in my staff?" he complained, exactly knowing what her answer would be.
She tugged at his hand, encouraging him to follow her. "No."