Soulmates
As she watched him lying on the operating table she prayed again for his safe return. She told Abbey Bartlet she knew they had to stop Josh's heart but that didn't mean that she wasn't frightened by the idea. Josh's heart, his strong, brave, kind heart wasn't beating. She wanted to cry but found herself unable to do so. There was a lump in her throat, she felt her eyes stinging with the unshed tears but she wasn't able to cry. Just like Josh wasn't able to cry on that night at the airport.
"Josh." She was surprised to see him there.
"Donna?" he was just as surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I was stuck here, Leo asked me to stay in the Chicago office, I think he had a hunch that we'd win the Illinois primary," Donna said with a smile. "What are you doing here?"
"My dad…" Josh started to say, but wasn't able to utter a word after that.
"What happened?"
"He went for his chemotherapy today," he said, his eyes misty, but Donna saw no tears. She knew the feeling; she was the same, never one to cry at the event, only afterwards. Two-three days afterwards when it hit her with full force. Someone said it was a sign that she repressed her feelings, that she misdirected them, but Donna thought it was completely normal. In the event of something bad someone had to keep a cool head. Someone who wouldn't break down and be the rock the others relied on. That's what happened when her grandmother died. The family broke down except Donna and her father. They took care of the burial and everything else that had to be taken care of while the others grieved. Only after her mother was strong enough did Donna allowed herself to grieve.
She let Josh collect himself before she asked again.
"What happened at the hospital?"
"He had a pulmonary embolism. It's a blood clot," Josh said. "He died."
"Oh, Josh," Donna said and then did something unexpected, she hugged Josh. "I'm so sorry, Josh. Do you want me to come with you? I could change my ticket and…"
"That'd be good," Josh said but then shook his head. "You have to go to California. We need you there."
"Josh…"
"No, it's okay. I'll be okay," Josh said.
"Call me when you land," Donna said.
"You'll be in the air," Josh pointed out.
"Call me after I land," Donna said.
"Okay," Josh said with a nod.
American Airlines Flight 615 to Los Angeles International now boarding…
"That's my flight," Donna said with a sad smile.
"Take care of yourself," Josh told her.
"I will," Donna said. "My heartfelt condolences to your family."
"It's just my mom and my little sister, Hannah," Josh told her.
"Tell your mom and sister that they will be in my prayers," Donna said, gave him a kiss on the cheek and then hurried away, only then noticing the four black-suited men that encircled them.
She turned around and saw Governor Bartlet taking a seat next to Josh. She smiled and knew that Josh would be okay. Her eyes met with Leo's and they both nodded. A silent understanding passed between them, based on the similar feelings of worry for Josh.
Donna didn't notice Leo stepping into the observation room.
"Observation rooms always gave me the creeps," he remarked with a frown.
TBC
Tell me what you think so far:)
