A/N: Behold! Part one of the fun tale of how our favorite family grew by two. It's mixed fluff and drama, and it's hella family oriented so if you don't love babies, babies and more babies this might not be for you ;)
Hope you guys enjoy!
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"Hey, you know what I just realized?"
"What?"
"This is the first inauguration I haven't been pregnant at."
Josh considers this. "I'll drink to that."
She grins as they clink their glasses together. They've finally found a moment alone after being the center of attention thanks to President Santos's "surprise" anniversary celebration for them. Considering President Bartlet had done much the same thing for them at his inauguration four years ago, they weren't exactly surprised.
"And the kids are at home, and we don't have to be back by a certain time because your mother's staying..."
"Where are you going with this?" He asks, knowing the look in her eyes well enough to know it's going somewhere wonderful.
"I think we should celebrate."
"Aren't we doing that now?"
"I think we should celebrate by getting tipsy and fooling around in my new office."
A grin splits his face. "Yeah, I like your way better."
Six weeks later
"Hey, hon?" Donna treads into the living room one Wednesday evening. In the Bartlet White House, it would've been a miracle for them both to be home by seven, but in the Santos White House it's less of a rarity. They have young kids too, after all.
Josh looks up from his laptop. "What's up?" He sits forward in alarm. "Shit, I left the thing on the stove too long, didn't I?"
"Nope, that's not it."
He looks around the living room. "Where's Elise? Is she into something?"
Donna smiles, amused that the first place his mind goes when she sounds worried is their three year old. "Playing in her room."
"And-"
"And Noah's fine too. He's in his room pretending to do homework so he doesn't have to clean like I asked."
"Okay." He relaxes slightly. "So, what's up?"
She fidgets nervously, her hands behind her back. "Well, you remember how we were so psyched on inauguration night because it was the first one I'd been to when I wasn't pregnant?"
"Yeah." He starts to smile. "I certainly remember that."
"Well." She procures the pregnancy test from behind her back. "We may have jinxed ourselves."
For a moment, he just stares at her. "Seriously?"
She sinks onto the couch beside him. "Seriously."
"You're not messing with me?"
"Would I do that?"
"I wouldn't put it past you." He mutters distractedly. He runs one hand through his hair. "Oh my god."
"Yeah. I was pretty surprised too."
"Oh my god."
"I mean, not that surprised, because this is the third go round, and I'm getting pretty good with the signs by now, but... Still surprised by the whole concept of a pregnancy right now."
"This is going to sound like totally the wrong thought right now, but I knew your boobs were getting bigger."
She can't help but laugh. "Not exactly my first thought, but hey, a valid observation."
His momentary amusement quickly fades. "Donna... We can't do this right now."
She sighs. "I know it's not the most opportune time, yeah. We're both just settling into our jobs... But, hey, when has timing ever stopped us before?" She jokes.
He braces his elbows on his knees and rests his head in his hands. "This isn't like before."
"I know. But, Josh, c'mon. Frankly it'll probably be easier. We've been around the block a few times." She reaches out to put a calming hand on his shoulder. She's a little bummed that he isn't as excited as she is, but she understands. He's an over thinker and a worrier, it's just what he does. He'll come around.
"That's another thing. Aren't we too... Old?"
She gives him a look. "Speak for yourself, mister."
"Okay." He admits. "Aren't I too old?"
"You're forty-two." She says incredulously. "You've gotta be kidding me."
"Yeah, well, that feels pretty old to me!"
"And I'm thirty-two." She emphasizes. "You know how many people wait until they're like five years older than I am to have their first kid?"
"Knew I should've married someone age appropriate." He mumbles.
She shoves his shoulder. "Josh. How old was Toby when he had his kids?"
"Forty-five." Josh allows.
"And how old is CJ, currently trying for her first baby?"
"Forty-three." He admits petulantly.
"See? You're not that old. And I'm really not that old." She says pointedly.
"But, I feel older. I'm two kids deep."
"That's what makes it better! You've already got a jump on things. By now, you're a pro. And I do mean a serious pro. Like, best in the league."
He gives her a cautious smile. "We are getting pretty good at this whole parenting thing, aren't we?"
"Pretty good." She agrees. "And we never ruled out having a third kid, did we?"
"Well, no..."
"C'mon." She prods, giving him that maddening smile that she knows he can't resist. "Another baby. Another round of ultrasounds, of first heartbeats, of tiny fingers and toes. First smiles and first words. How great does that sound?"
She can see his will dissolving, but something holds him back. His eyes are apprehensive. Finally, he says, "Donna... I never wanted to see you in a hospital bed again."
She melts. She moves closer to him, putting one of her legs over his and wrapping an arm around his back. "Aw, hon."
"I know it's irrational, but... I just want you to be safe."
"I know." She says softly. "But this isn't like that."
"I know, but..."
"God, I can hardly remember when hospitals only held good memories for us."
He smiles slightly. "Yeah, it's been a while."
"It's unfair. It is. But think of the good times... The first time you met your son... Your daughter..."
"I know." He tangles his hand in her hair. "I know, I just..."
"It's okay."
He nods. "I... I guess we're doing this."
She brightens. "Yeah? You're in?"
"Of course I am. God, yeah, of course I am."
She leans in to kiss his cheek, elated. "Good. I'm excited."
"As long as you stay safe. As long as you take care of yourself."
She rolls her eyes. "You're going to hover like you've never hovered before, aren't you?"
"Oh, definitely."
She runs her hand over his back, and dips her head to his shoulder. "We're having another baby."
"We are." He allows himself to feel excited. "Hey, that's... That's amazing."
"That's what I've been saying."
"I've always wanted a big family."
"I know you have."
"This is great, honestly. This is... It's going to be great."
"Yeah. It is."
"Elise is going to be thrilled."
"She is, isn't she?"
"Noah, not so much."
"Well, the little sibling thing is kind of old hat for him. Now if it's a boy..."
"A whole other story." He agrees. His eyes start to glow as they throw around the familiar terminology ("if it's a boy," "little sibling"). "We're really doing this all over again."
"Well, unplanned pregnancy is kind of our shtick."
He chuckles. "Yeah. I guess it is."
"You're really happy about this?" She confirms.
"Thrilled." He kisses the top of her head. "Really, I'm thrilled."
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Four weeks later
"Alright, Donna, how's everything going this time around?" Their OB-GYN of nearly ten years rolls her chair over to the observation table, pulling the ultrasound machine behind her.
"Good!" Donna says brightly. "Less morning sickness than usual, so that's good. I noticed I've been gaining more weight than the past two times, but I guess that's to be expected, right? I'm getting older and all that."
Dr. Lee nods. "Yeah, that could have something to do with it. I wouldn't be concerned."
"Great."
"She's been pretty tired, too." Josh chimes in from his seat beside her, hand on her arm. "Really tired, actually. I've been trying to get her to work less, but..."
Donna rolls her eyes. "I'm fine."
Dr. Lee smiles slightly, by now familiar with their dynamic. "Well, that's probably nothing to worry about either. We'll double check blood cell count and all that, but again, it might just be your body reacting differently as you age."
"Told you." Donna says pointedly.
"Now, let's get a look at this kid, huh?" Dr. Lee waits for Donna to pull up her gown and squirts gel on her belly. She starts to move the probe around, eyes on the screen. "Any bets on the sex this time around?"
Josh and Donna exchange a look. "We've got one of each by now. I think either way it ends up is fine with us."
"Mm." Dr. Lee squints at the screen. "Noah and Elise excited?"
"Haven't told them yet."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
"Besides, Elise probably won't be able to really conceptualize of a sibling until it's, you know, walking around." Donna smiles.
"Mm." The doctor's brow furrows. "Okay... Hm."
Her facial expression starts to alarm the couple. Josh leans forward, his hand finding Donna's. "Is everything okay?"
"Oh, everything is fine." A smile starts to creep across the doctor's face. "I think we've got an answer as to why you're gaining more weight, and you're feeling more tired."
"We do?" Donna asks, nonplussed. She squints at the screen as well, as though she'll somehow be able to understand the shadowy blobs there.
"Congratulations, you two. You're having twins."
Josh and Donna exchange a look. "We're having... I'm sorry, did you say-"
"Twins." Dr. Lee affirms. With her finger, she outlines two distinct shapes on the monitor. "You're about ten weeks, as we thought, and they're pretty much right on track. Fraternal, I believe."
"Twins." Donna says slowly. "Like... Two."
"It'll take some time to adjust to the idea." Dr. Lee tells her gently. "You two are going to have a full house on your hands."
"No kidding." Josh practically yelps.
Dr. Lee chuckles. "Again, it'll take some getting used to. There's no indicators yet, but down the line we can talk about some complications that come with multiple pregnancies. As for right now, I'll get some snapshots and send you guys out of here with some new reading material. Exciting!"
"Exciting." Donna repeats in a mumble, still dazed. She stares down at her abdomen as though slightly afraid of it. Josh looks like he's been hit over the head with a brick.
Fifteen minutes later, they sit together in the car, silently staring ahead. Josh holds the ultrasound photo in one hand, and Donna clutches a pamphlet on fraternal twins. Finally, Josh breaks the silence. "It'll be chaos."
She could say "it already is," but she knows what he means. They haven't seen anything yet. "Yeah," she agrees.
"I guess..." He takes a deep breath. "I guess we really knocked that 'big family' thing out of the park in one swing, huh?"
She turns to looks at him. She's surprised to find him smiling slightly. She finds the corner of her own mouth turning up. "We really did."
He turns and smiles at her fully, his eyes glowing in the that familiar way that gives her thrills all the way to her bones. "Can you believe that we got two unplanned pregnancies for the price of one?"
She bursts out laughing. "We're cursed. Or blessed. Either way."
He laughs too. "Jesus Christ, I have to get a vasectomy."
That completely sets her off. She dissolves into hysterics, and even tears up. Beside her, he's laughing wildly too, theirs hands clasped on the console. Finally, choking on her laughter, she manages, "Yeah, sorry babe, you've gotta get the snip."
He snorts. "This is so... Like us."
She sobers up slightly. "It is, isn't it?"
"We can never do anything by half."
She shrugs. "Or one thing at a time."
That makes him laugh again. "Okay. Two more kids. Wow."
"You're still in?"
"Nah, I'm leaving you." He says easily, still smiling.
She leans in and pecks his cheek. "Thanks for not freaking out."
"Me? You're the one that's, you know, being turned into a minivan."
Another smile bubbles at her lips. "I guess I am."
"God, no other Chiefs of Staff had this problem, did they?"
"Every Chief before you was practically geriatric. But I don't know, some of my predecessors might've."
"It's a good problem to have, I guess."
"Yeah." She says warmly. "And you know the Santoses prioritize their kids. We'll make it work."
"Yeah. We always do."
"We do." She agrees. She frowns slightly. "I am a little worried about telling the First Lady that after having accepted this amazing offer, I'm not only pregnant within the first hundred days, but pregnant with twins..."
"You know she's crazy about you, Donna. She's not going to let you go."
"I'm not going to let her go."
"I mean, you'll have to scale back your time there a little..." He trails off as Donna's eyes bug out. "We can talk about it."
She sighs. "Yeah."
"Two babies." He repeats. "We're going to have four kids."
"That's one away from a basketball team."
"Maybe I'll hold off on the vasectomy, then."
"Oh hon, our kids aren't tall enough for that."
He kisses her gently. "I love you, you know that?"
She smiles. "Yeah. I love you too."
"We're really doing this thing."
"Let's go Team Lyman."
He gives her a crooked grin. "We're seriously the size of a team now."
"Just think of the political dynasty, Josh."
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Ten weeks later
"So I'm taking off, and I'll be back around one, if that's okay sir? Donna's appointment shouldn't take that long, and then we'll probably pick up Elise on our way back."
"You." Matt points sternly at his Chief of Staff. "You and your damn twins."
Josh quirks his head at his Commander in Chief, smiling slightly in curiosity. "Yes, sir?"
"Everyone is obsessed with them. The assistants are obsessed with them. The speechwriters. My lead counsel. Half of Congress. Certainly they're the darling of the press."
"Um, is this a problem, sir-"
"And I was fine with it! I even indulged it myself. It was all fine until-"
"Oh no."
"It took down my wife. My wife, Josh. Helen has baby fever like she hasn't had since... Well, since before Miranda! She spends all day fawning over Donna, and then she starts to hint to me that we should have another baby."
Josh tries to refrain from laughing. "I'll take it you don't want that?"
"I'm the President of the United States! I'm in office! I've got a country to run."
"So do I." Josh protests.
Matt ignores him. "All day in that East Wing, like an incubator. I blame you."
Josh squints. "How old is your wife, anyway? Could you still-" Matt silences him with a sharp glare. Josh coughs. "Anyway, sir, a baby would make for great press. Just sayin'."
"Not you too!" Matt says incredulously.
"You could have one of mine." Josh offers.
"How generous."
"I'm just saying, it's not the worst idea."
"You're supposed to be on my side here."
Josh shrugs, still smiling. "Could be America's baby."
"Get out of my office."
"Yes, sir."
Before the door closes behind him, Matt calls out, "But good luck with the appointment. Let me know how everything goes."
"Of course, sir."
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For the second time this pregnancy, Josh and Donna find themselves sitting in their car outside the OB-GYN, stunned into silence. Josh holds one of Donna's hands in both of his, and with her other she rubs his back consolingly.
"It's going to be okay, Josh."
"I knew something would happen to you. I just... Knew it. I could feel it."
"Nothing is happening to me." Donna emphasizes. "You heard her, this isn't uncommon, especially for pregnancies with multiples. It's not serious."
"It is serious." He levels a stern glare at her. "Donna, tell me you know this is serious."
"Well, okay, I know it's-"
"You heard the possible complications. This isn't something to take lightly, okay? You can tell me it'll be okay, but I get to worry, and you have to listen to me now."
She offers half a smile. "Okay, sweetie."
"I'm serious, Donna. If you think you're getting around this bed rest thing-"
"I don't." She says soothingly. "I'll obey Deputy Downer this time around, okay?"
This elicits a slight softening in his expression. "It's actually Chief Downer now."
"All the more reason."
"You won't. We both know it."
"I know, but I'll try harder."
"I'm just... I'm worried."
"I know you are."
"Aren't you?"
She seems surprised by the question. She's grown accustomed to being the level headed one where her own health is concerned. "I... I don't know."
"C'mere." She obliges, leaning in and resting her head on his shoulder. He frees one hand to run through her hair. "It's going to be okay. Everything's going to be fine."
Now that she's the one being comforted, she lets her own worries surface. "No, it's not. We have two small kids, Josh. They're a full time job, they need me. I can't take care of our toddler while on bed rest."
"I can handle it."
"You're running the country, Josh."
"I can handle it." He repeats. "I have to, so I will. You come first, always."
"I didn't plan to take maternity leave for another few months, I'll have to tell the First Lady-"
"We'll handle it." He tells her. "It'll be okay. I promise. The First Lady will understand, you can work from home, we'll get my mom up here to help with the kids..."
"This really isn't what you imagined for your first year, is it?"
"No." He says softly. "But that doesn't matter to me."
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Two weeks later
"Mr. Lyman?" Josh looks up to find one of the East Wing assistants, Ellen, standing in his doorway. "I've got a message for you from The First Lady's office, along with some information."
"Thanks," Josh mutters, beckoning her in. He scans the note attached to his packet, which is about slipping some family leave statistics into tomrrow's address on labor regulations. However, something strikes him as odd. The note is in Donna's handwriting. "Wait a minute, Ellen."
He reads it again, and notices that at the end is scribbled Make sure he reads the bullet points before saying no! It's in third person. She hadn't meant for him to get the note, just the information.
"Sir?"
"Did my wife give you this?"
Ellen blanches. "She may have faxed over some of the information, but I don't-"
"The note. She wrote this."
Ellen looks mildly horrified. "Oh no."
"She's here, isn't she? She's in the building?"
Ellen looks at the carpet. "She's going to kill me."
Josh stands from his desk with an intent expression. "Not if I kill her first."
He strides out of his office and is in the East Wing in under two minutes. He's stopped outside Donna's office by her assistant, Jamie. "Josh! What can I do for you today?" He asks brightly.
"Give it up, Jamie."
Jamie's smile flickers. "Give what up? Would you like me to phone your wife, or-"
Josh ignores him and pushes through the double doors to Donna's office. From the couch, his heavily pregnant wife stares up at him like a deer in headlights. Josh gives her a sinister smile. "Hello, dear."
"Jamie!" Donna yelps. "I told you to guard the door!"
"Don't blame Jamie!" Josh exclaims. "What the hell are you doing here? You really thought you could be working across the building from me and I wouldn't notice?"
"Look, hon." Donna says weakly. "I had a really important meeting with the majority whip, and I knew you wouldn't let me come in-"
"You're on bed rest!"
"I've been resting!" She argues. "See, look at me!" She gestures to her feet up on the couch. "And I sprawled out in the back of the car on the way here, and I was going to leave in an hour, it wouldn't have been-"
"You've got preeclampsia, Donna! You think none of this charade raised your blood pressure? Do I need to list everything that could've gone wrong, the premature labor, the possible complications-"
"No." Donna interrupts. "I've heard it all before, Josh."
"So you're here... Why?"
Donna sighs in frustration. "I told you, I-"
"You're going home."
"What? No, just let me finish up this paperwork-"
"Jamie!" Josh calls out the door. "Call for a wheelchair for my wife, and have my detail bring a car around."
"I can walk to the car." Donna snaps.
"Oh no. You've done enough for today."
"Josh." Donna whines. "I've got work to do."
"You've got resting to do."
Two minutes later, Donna is being carted out of the East Wing, all the while trying to list remaining tasks to her assistant. "-and after that, make sure you call Susan to confirm the details, and-"
"Donna. Quit working."
Donna glares at her husband. "Tyrant."
He squeezes her shoulder before she's pushed out the door. "Love you!"
"You're what's raising my blood pressure." Donna mutters as she's wheeled out to the car.
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Four weeks later
"So I've decided what I want for my birthday." Donna enthuses to Josh as he unties his shoes at the end of a long day.
"Oh yeah?" Exhausted, he sprawls backwards on the bed. "Let's hear it."
"A puppy. I want a puppy."
He gives her a skeptical look, upside down as she's sitting up smiling at him. "You're kidding."
"I'm not! I've always wanted a puppy. And Noah's getting to the age where he could help out, Elise would adore it, and these two..."
"No."
"That's it? Just no?"
"We're about to have four kids and you want to add a dog to that?" He asks incredulously.
"Yes." She says resolutely. "And I would love to have some company while I'm on bed rest. I'm so lonely, Josh."
"You won't be in a few months, I'll tell you that."
"C'mon. I need someone here with me."
"You want me to get you a puppy while you're on bed rest? So you can chase it around, and walk it, and shoot your blood pressure through the roof? No way."
"But Josh." She sticks out her lower lip.
He closes his eyes tiredly. "No way, Donna."
"I'd love you forever."
"You're already legally bound to that."
"Please?"
"Not a chance."
Two weeks later
On the morning of her birthday, Donna hears the front door open and the sound of all three members of her family trampling in. She hears Josh shushing them and the kids squealing delightedly. She stretches, yawning, assuming they've brought her breakfast in bed. She sits up and waits patiently, hands folded under her belly.
A few seconds later, the door creeps open, and her eyes widen comically. "You didn't!"
Looking beyond annoyed with himself, Josh approaches the bed with a basset hound puppy in his hands. The puppy squirms excitedly, but it's nothing compared to her kids, who are flitting around him excitedly. "I did, actually."
"I love you!" She squeals, holding her arms out for the dog. He climbs all over her, licking and wagging and making Josh wince every time he touches her belly. "And I love you!"
Her kids join her on the bed. "Do you like him, mommy?"
"What are you going to name him?"
Donna beams, looking into the puppy's droopy, soulful eyes. "Toby. He looks like a Toby."
"Wait, what?"
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Two weeks later
"Okay, so I'll try to swing by after I pick up the kids if I can-"
"Ooh! Are you bringing them home?"
Josh levels a stern look at his wife as he picks out a tie. She gives him a hopeful smile from where she sits up in bed, watching him. "No, they're staying at daycare until I can pick them up."
"I can watch them!" She clasps her hands together in a pleading gesture. "Please!"
"You are on bedrest, Donnatella. You've tried to pull this every morning, and what's my answer been every morning?"
"No." She pouts. "But, Josh, I'll take it easy! I'll stay on the couch, they'll play and watch TV and do their homework-"
He scoffs. "Yeah, when pigs fly, Donna. I know our kids, you know our kids, and we both know that watching them is a physically intensive job."
She aims a glare at him. "You're mean."
He smiles as he ties his tie. "I prefer caring and protective, but hey, whatever floats your boat."
She folds her arms over top of her huge, round stomach. "I just get so bored."
"You've got movies, magazines, novels, what more could a girl need?"
"Some more work would be nice."
"You know what the doctor said. No extra stress."
"Not working is stressing me!"
He rolls his eyes. "I'm not getting into this with you."
"At least tell me how the education meetings are going. Please. I'm begging you."
"Not a chance, Donnatella."
She flails her extremities dramatically. "What good does eternally betrothed do me, anyway?"
"Not much, apparently." He checks his watch and furrows his brow. He strides to their bedroom door and opens it. "Noah! Elise! Are you dressed?"
Donna hears the patter of little feet in the hallway and smiles. She hears her daughter's voice, "We can see mommy now?"
"Are you dressed?"
"Yes!"
"Go in." He allows.
"My babies!" Donna cries happily as the bed is stormed by her children. Elise clambers over top of her, skillfully avoiding her belly thanks to a few lectures from Josh, and kneels next to her. Noah sits cross legged on her other side.
"Hi mama."
"Hey mom."
"How are you guys this morning?"
"Good!"
"Tired."
"I know, kiddo." She gently smoothes Noah's hair with one hand while rubbing Elise's back with the other. "Ready for school?"
"Yes!"
"Yeah."
"How are the babies?" Elise asks eagerly, splaying one small hand on her mother's abdomen.
"They're pretty squirmy. Can you feel them?" She moves her daughter's hand to one side, and Elise gasps.
"Wow! He's kicking!"
"He sure is. I think he wants to say good morning to his big siblings." Noah puts his hand next to Elise's to feel the movement too.
Elise puffs up proudly. "Good morning, thing two!"
Donna's mouth quirks up in a smile. "How do you know that's number two, hon?"
"He kicks slower."
"Huh. I never noticed that."
"It's true."
"Well, you would know."
Elise nods sagely. "I wish you could come to school with us, mama."
"Me too, hon." She takes a hair tie from her night table and pulls Elise's haphazard curls from her face.
"Are we coming home after school?" Noah asks.
"I'm afraid not. Elise is going to daycare and you're going to after school activities at the Y, okay?" She could've told them to pester their dad into bringing them home for her, but she would never do that. She and Josh don't use the kids to manipulate each other, and she certainly wouldn't consider making him into the bad guy when he's already doing so much to take care of her.
"Oh." Noah looks slightly put out. "Okay."
"I know, I'm bummed too. But we'll all have dinner together, okay?" At least, she hopes it'll work out that way. This week has been a pretty hot button one for the situation in Kazahkstan, and Josh has been tied up in the situation room more than a few times. At the very least though, he'll have his detail run the kids home so she can eat with them and put them to bed (the most effort he'll ever allow her to exert).
"Alright, guys, I left cereal out, you've just gotta pour the milk. Go eat." Josh starts to shepherd them off the bed. "Say bye to your mom."
"Bye mama." Elise kisses her mother's cheek and then her stomach. "Bye babies!"
"Bye mom." Noah kisses her in a similar fashion. "Bye, boys."
She embraces them both and watches them leave fondly. "Hon? You might've missed something in the whole dress-check."
"What?" Josh says blankly as he starts to sort paperwork into his backpack.
"Your daughter isn't wearing any pants."
He squints after his retreating children as Donna dissolves into giggles. "Elise! There were pants on your bed, I expect them to be on your body before we leave the house!"
Donna continues to laugh, watching him fondly. "Oh, hon."
"I'm trying, okay?"
"No, I wasn't criticizing. I'm amazed. You're amazing."
He shoots her a harried grin. "Stop."
"I'm serious! You're like super dad. You're taking care of the kids, you're taking care of me, you're taking care of, you know, the country." She stares at him with immense warmth. "You're doing it all, and I'm just grateful beyond words. You've been incredible through all this, I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Stop." He warns again. "You do this every morning too. If you get emotional, I'm out of here."
She chuckles. "I just love you, okay? So sue me."
"I love you too." He says begrudgingly. "Sorry for the, ya know, despot tendencies. I'm just trying to take care of you."
She waves him off. "C'mere. Your tie is messed up."
He stops what he's doing and shifts to perch on the bed beside her, glad for the excuse to take a moment to themselves. He smiles as she starts to tenderly retie his tie. "Still can't dress ourselves without you."
"I'm glad to still be needed."
"Still kicking?"
"Mmhmm." She holds the half finished knot with one hand so that she can guide his hand on her stomach. Even if it's something she's witnessed countless times, her heart still flutters at the way this makes his eyes light up. She finishes tying his tie and trails her hand gently down his chest. "There. Perfect."
"Thanks." He presses a quick kiss to her lips, but she grabs his tie again to keep him there. When he manages to pull back he gives her a suspicious look. "No."
"What?" She says with an innocent smile.
"No, Donnatella! No sex either. You know the rules."
Her lower lip protrudes. "But Josh..." She whines.
He shakes his head and moves away from her, her pout doing some very dangerous things to him. "I'm getting out of here."
"C'mon! I won't even move. I'll just lie here."
"As tempting as that sounds..."
She laughs. "Hey! I've got an idea."
"That's more sound than you just 'lying there'?"
"Yes. Could you bring Toby in here?"
"What?"
"Please. I want some company." She gives him her best pathetic look. "I get so lonely."
He narrows his eyes at her. "And if he gets up and leaves?"
"I won't chase him! I promise."
He gives her a skeptical look. "Don't let him sleep on my pillow."
"Yay!" She claps her hands together excitedly. "Oh, thank you, thank you."
He ducks out of the room and returns a minute later with the basset hound puppy in his arms. Donna squeals at the sight of him and Toby perks up considerably, his tail wagging back and forth. Josh places him on the bed and he immediately bounds over to Donna, licking her face and wagging excitedly. "Hey, buddy! How's my boy?"
"He pees on this bed, I'm selling him."
"You're the best husband ever, you know that?"
"I do." He watches her in amusement as she makes faces at the dog and rolls him onto his back for a belly rub. "You know, Toby senior wasn't so amused by your whole naming stunt when I told him about it."
"He called?"
"No." His smirk gives him away.
Her jaw drops. "He's back?"
"What?"
"Toby's back?" She asks urgently.
"Who?"
"Don't play dumb!" She throws one of her many pillows at him. "Is Toby back from his grand world tour or not?"
"He is." Josh acknowledges. "He got in a couple days ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?" She accuses, though her excitement is obvious.
"I didn't know until he stopped by yesterday! He said he'll swing by sometime soon to see you."
"He better." Donna mutters. After leaving the White House, Toby had taken the better part of a year to himself to devote to various projects. Some of it he spent in California, helping CJ get her foundation off the ground, some he spent in subsaharan Africa, doing some field work for the foundation, and some he spent with his children, traveling to various places, including Israel. "I haven't seen him since... God, since I got pregnant."
"Yeah, he had some things to say about that yesterday."
"About what?"
Josh's eyes sparkle. "I'll let him tell you."
"Josh!"
"I have to go."
An hour or two later, Donna notices Toby starting to squirm. She sighs, starting to maneuver her unwieldy body out of bed. She and Josh had agreed that while she was home, she could take Toby outside twice a day, up and down the street. He made it very clear that if that meant the puppy peed on the carpet after that, so be it. The living room is by now covered in puppy pads.
She pulls on her sandals. She puts Toby on his leash and happily heads out the front door, excited for her five minutes of freedom. She takes her time walking down the street, pausing to let Toby use the bathroom, but the end of the street comes up on her too quickly nonetheless. She purses her lips.
"Maybe we'll just... Keep going a ways, huh?" She turns on to the next street, Toby happily trotting along behind her. "Don't tell your daddy."
She enjoys her stroll (or waddle, more like) for another two minutes, but after that she starts to feel a headache behind her eyes. Blinking in frustration, she continues, but soon after the headache progresses into nausea. She turns around to shuffle back home, more than a little perplexed, as her morning sickness had tapered off some months ago. With the house in sight, she doubles over in sudden pain. She gasps, gripping her abdomen at the sharp, shooting pain. Noticing her distress, Toby starts to bark, pulling at his leash and giving her worried looks.
She sinks onto her knees, and then moves to sit in the grass. Toby gives her a few worried licks as she pulls her cellphone out of her pocket, panting. This pain doesn't feel like Braxton Hicks, but it can't possibly be bad enough to call 911, can it?
She breathes through the pain, trying not to vomit. She knows Josh is likely to be in the sit room, and she's loathe to bother him - especially because he'll grill her about what she was doing when this happened. Though ultimately it won't matter to him, it'll still worry him out of his mind. She doesn't need to do that to him unless it's serious.
She thinks about who she could call. Her assistant Jamie, perhaps? She looks down at her worried, shaking dog, and her conversation from that morning pops into her mind. She dials a familiar number and waits, trying to control her breathing.
"Hello?"
"Boss. Long time no see."
"I'm not your boss anymore."
"You'll always be the boss in my heart, Tobias."
"You sound strange. Are you okay?"
"Now that you mention it, I was wondering if you were available for a favor, now that you're back in town..."
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Oh no! A cliffhanger! How unlike me ;)
Part two should be up soon, let me know what you guys are thinking! Thanks for reading!
