A Change of Scenery - Accomplished


TO: donnaandjosh4eva…

FROM: s.seaborn…

SUBJECT: Bow to the Master Politician

DATE: Mo 25 Dec 23:32:55 -0800

I hope Josh knows that you put him (and for that matter the rest of us, I daresay even Leo) to shame. Donna, I have to tell you that interfering is very dangerous but since you did it out of love and since I'm one of the benefactors I'm ready (if not eager) to forgive you your trespasses. ;)

Anyway, since you were the instigator I'm willing (again, if not eager) to share the story with you. Well, the highlights. I went to CJ's, knocked on the door and a vision greeted me. I mean Ainsley, in her PJ's with mussed up hair. Some would say bed hair, but she was way too cute to use that colloquial. Okay, we had breakfast together, went for a walk, ate lunch together, and then I went back to my Mother's. I told her who Ainsley is, I told her how she was alone in that house, and she said I should invite her for the Christmas Eve dinner.

I was a bit wary because Mom never liked my girlfriends (and you can grin now, but the explanation comes later). Anyway, Mom hated Lisa with gusto, and I don't even want to talk about Karen. She thought I should marry a girl to whom I was the most important person on the whole wide world. Ridiculous expectation, there is no one on this world for whom I'm the most important person on the world. Well, maybe my mom, but I'm sure she loves my sister with the same might.

So when I say she and Ainsley got along perfectly, you have to understand that I say it with great surprise. My Mom told her old stories about me, about me and my sister, and about me and Josh (you better warn Josh, Ainsley comes home with brand new blackmail material). Then I escorted her home and I kissed her on the cheek. I asked her if I was allowed to visit her next morning and she said yes.

I swear to you, Donna, I was like a five year old barely able to wait until Christmas morning when he could finally unwrap his presents. And you know, I wasn't excited about the presents. But since you asked: I got a new sweater from Mom, a brand new fountain pen from Dad (a tradition), and a book from my nieces and brother-in-law. My sister somehow forgot that we'd be there, so she arrived late and sans presents for me and Dad (for that matter). And I have to add she arrived at the exact same moment my (soon to be ex-) brother-in-law drove off. He was dropping off the girls; they spent Christmas Eve with their other grandparents. Anyway, my Dad said his goodbyes to the girls, kissed my reluctant sister and hugged me and then left. My sister said some nasty things about my life, about the President and about the DC so I took that as my cue and took off. And now you probably heard enough of my dysfunctional family, I just told you about it because I wanted to tell you that I decided that my sister couldn't spoil my good mood and my Christmas.

Ainsley was already up and she was about to start cooking lunch. Apparently CJ stocked her fridge, and Ainsley was in the mood. That's a good sign, right? Anyway, I took it as a good sign and stayed to help. We had fun cooking together and then after eating up, we went for another walk. It was a bit windy but otherwise nice. We talked a lot. I talked about my fears regarding Sarah, and she listened. She accompanied me home, and I invited her in for a coffee and some cookies, but she didn't want to come inside, said she wouldn't want to intrude. But then my sister stormed out of the house, yelling something nasty at my mom. I heard the twins wailing, so I rushed inside, forgetting Ainsley for a moment.

But she came in, and when I, after successfully claming down the girls, looked up I found her there. I felt such a relief, Donna. And for the first time in a long time, I thought that I could let myself fall again. I thought she would catch me. And she did, Donna. But that comes later. So Ainsley promised the girls a good movie later if they helped their grandma with the rest of the cookies (my Mom packed some for you and Josh, we'll bring it around the day after tomorrow). They calmed down completely during the whole cookie-making process, and Ainsley sent me to CJ's to pick up a movie titled Little Manhattan. It's a cute story and the two nine-year-olds were completely enthralled by the story. True, there were some uncomfortable questions whether their parents were ever be okay again, but then they went for a walk with Mom while Ainsley and me cooked dinner. My sister is still AWOL, and the twins cried themselves into sleep two hours ago.

I escorted Ainsley home again, and she kissed me, after saying goodnight. She kissed me, Donna! On the lips. She caught me, Donna. I fell, and she caught me. I know I sound like a fourth-grader or something but I was giddily happy. I am giddily happy. After arriving home, I sent Mom to sleep and I phoned Ainsley. She picked up after the first ring. See, she caught me again. We talked about something, I'm not sure it's wise to admit but honestly, I don't remember about what. I was just happy to hear her voice. She said goodnight reluctantly, and I know that because she said: 'I have to say goodnight, albeit I feel certain reluctance when I say that.'

Okay, I think I heard my sister's car, so I gotta go.

Hugs and kisses, especially for Hannah,

Sam


TO: s.seaborn…

FROM: donnaandjosh4eva…

SUBJECT: Re: Bow to the Master Politician

DATE: Mo 25 Dec 23:56:55 -0500

ATTCH: Hannahandthebigunwrapping (565 kb)

Before you ask, I'm waiting up for Josh, there was an emergency. Anyway, I don't really want to say anything else than: I'm sorry for meddling, I'll never do it again (except for a last time this night) and I'm so happy for the two of you, Sam. And Sam, I know you were not out for this, but I hope you know how important you are for both of us.

Anyway, I gather from your letter that you are reluctant to let yourself fall. Maybe this will help. I know Ainsley might kill me for this, but you have to remind her that I'm a mother of a cute, beautiful and sweet one-year old girl.

And Donna, I have a resolution that includes that I won't deny it anymore. There is no reason. No reason for either misdirection or denial. Sam is the most important person in my life, and since I don't want to change this in the foreseeable future I don't see the reason for denying it any longer.

So, I'll leave you with that. You can count on me to quote something (or rather some things) from your mail to Ainsley, you know, just to be fair, so the two of you are on equal footing again. ;)

Hugs and kisses,

Donna

P.S. See Hannah's big unwrapping expedition. To tell the truth she was more entertained by the wrapping papers than by the presents but I'm sure if she could she would say thank you.


TO: ainsley.hayes…

FROM: donnaandjosh4eva…

SUBJECT: Coming clean, with a gift ;)

DATE: Tu 26 Dec 00:26:25 -0500

ATTCH: Hannahandthebigunwrapping (565 kb)

Hi Ainsley!

I got a mail from Sam, and I can't even begin to tell you how happy I'm for you. You have to forgive him for telling me any details, but you'll soon see why he did it.

Donna, I have to tell you that interfering is very dangerous but since you did it out of love and since I'm one of the benefactors I'm ready (if not eager) to forgive you your trespasses. ;)

Anyway, since you were the instigator I'm willing (again, if not eager) to share the story with you. Well, the highlights.

Yeah, I schemed and I planned. I'm not particularly proud of it, but I won't say either that it wasn't worth. Because if any of the four of you is happy then it was worth every frown from Josh, every thought of you being angry with me.

I went to CJ's, knocked on the door and a vision greeted me. I mean Ainsley, in her PJ's with mussed up hair. Some would say bed hair, but she was way too cute to use that colloquial.

I know you are probably still obsessing over the hair or over the PJ's, so I cut this piece here, to tell you: 'Stop it!'

We had fun cooking together and then after eating up, we went for another walk. It was a bit windy but otherwise nice. We talked a lot. I talked about my fears regarding Sarah, and she listened.

Josh and I love cooking together, even if it's not an everyday occurrence, and even if you never imagined that Josh liked cooking. Anyway, I'm glad that you two had a nice time together. And I'm happy he was finally ready to talk about Sarah. He needs to talk about her, but he never does. Well, unless he had four Jim Beams or something to that effect.

But she came in, and when I, after successfully claming down the girls, looked up I found her there. I felt such a relief, Donna. And for the first time in a long time, I thought that I could let myself fall again. I thought she would catch me. And she did, Donna.

I just had to share this because this is the most romantic thing I've ever heard from anyone except Josh, of course. And because I sent Sam something from your latest mail. So you two are on equal footing again since I shared this little snippet with you. ;) And if you are curious which part I sent him, take a look at this last fragment from his mail.

She thought I should (…) a girl to whom I was the most important person on the whole wide world. Ridiculous expectation, there is no one on this world for whom I'm the most important person on the world. Well, maybe my mom, but I'm sure she loves my sister with the same might.

I'll leave you with this.

Hugs and kisses,

Donna

P.S. See Hannah's big unwrapping expedition. To tell the truth she was more entertained by the wrapping papers than by the presents but I'm sure if she could she would say thank you.


TO: donnaandjosh4eva…

FROM: s.seaborn…

SUBJECT: RE:

DATE: Tu 26 Dec 00:38:55 -0800

You are obviously the fairy godmother.

I'm forever in your debt,

Sam


TO: donnaandjosh4eva…

FROM: ainsley.hayes…

SUBJECT: RE: Coming clean, with a gift ;)

DATE: Tu 26 Dec 00:39:51 -0800

Are you an angel sent from above?

A deeply indebted,

Ainsley

P.S. And the phone is ringing, just so you know.


TO: t.ziegler…

FROM: donnaandjosh4eva…

SUBJECT: RE: The Last Page

DATE: Tu 26 Dec 00:42:45 -0500

I got it, I read it, I deleted it. I cried, I laughed, I'm happy. And it's beautiful.

Hugs,

Donna


TO: h.santos…, a.bartlet…

CC: m.casper…, j.lyman…, a.schott…, l.thornton…, z.young…

FROM: donnaandjosh4eva…

SUBJECT: 'Operation Happy Couples Make Happy Staffers'

DATE: Tu 26 Dec 00:46:58 -0500

ATTCH: Hannahandthebigunwrapping (565 kb)

I'm glad to report that our joint operation 'Happy Couples Make Happy Staffers' was successfully executed (and yes, Josh, I'm aware that CJ and Toby are not on staff anymore). Thanks for all the help and thank you for your continued support.

Annabeth, Mike, Lou, Zoey, until later. Helen, an Exceptionally Happy New Year. Abbey, thanks again for taking Hannah too on New Year's Eve. Lyman, get your ass in fourth gear and come home, I miss you.

Donna

P.S. And thank you everyone for the Christmas gifts, see Hannah unwrapping them. I hope you'll spot the striking resemblance to a certain individual I'm married to. ;) I love you all.

THE END

A/N: Since 9 is my lucky number, I thought I would end it here. Thank you for the reviews so far, they truly make my day. If you enjoyed the story too, please leave a review.