The Other Daughter- part 35
Rating: teen
Disclaimers: see part 1
A/N: Feedback please!
Leo caught up to Molly at lunch time and the pair enjoyed their carefully crafted lunches in Leo's office.
"So Molls, we're busting out of here at 2. We're going to go get your grandmother and then I'm gonna drop you and her off at home and then come back and get CJ and Mary, ok?"
"So me and my grandmother on our own?" Molly wasn't normally nervous around new people.
"Yeah. What gives?" Leo frowned. "You'll charm the socks off her, like everyone else."
"What if she doesn't approve of Mary and I?"
"Approve?" he questioned, his frown deepening.
"Yeah. You had me and Mary with someone who wasn't your wife."
"Molly," he pulled the little girl onto his knee, "the minute I said 'grandkids' she started to nag me about meeting you. She's really excited to meet you and your sister and I think she loves you three more than me on most days," he confessed with a wink. "And Mal said she's be over too."
"Alright," she smiled. "Can I go bug Josh?"
"Have fun."
Molly skipped across the lobby and went right into Josh office. Josh was doing something on his computer.
"Small fry, I'm doing very important government work here. You can't just barge into my office."
"Josh, you're playing Free Cell."
"I'm crafting legislation."
"By playing Free Cell? Donna?" she called.
"Hey Molly," the blond smiled as she appeared in the doorway.
"Is Josh busy?"
"He's playing Free Cell."
"Traitor," he huffed under his breath.
Donna and Molly spent the next 15 minutes teasing Josh on a variety of things.
"Alright, while this was fun, I need to finish some research. See you later Molly, and Happy Birthday."
"Thanks Donna. Have a good day!" Once Donna was out of the room, Molly fixed her blue eyes on Josh. "SO, when are you going to tell Donna how you feel about her?"
"What are you talking about?" he said defensively.
"You like Donna," she smiled.
"Of course I like Donna, she's my friend."
"Josh, it's my 10th birthday today, not my 1st. You LIKE Donna. You should ask her out."
"Maybe. Hey, I got you something for you." He reached into his backpack and pulled out a thin, rectangular object.
"You didn't have to get me anything," she smiled as she accepted the object. She quickly unwrapped the item and found a book inside. "Robert's Rules of Order?" she questioned with a crinkled smile.
"Some day, when you're a lawyer, you'll need that," he smiled.
"You think I'll be a lawyer some day?"
"Molly, I whole-heartedly think that you could be President of the United States one day."
Molly stayed with Josh for another half hour or so before she went on the hunt for another playmate. She opted to go towards the Communications Department and find Toby.
"Hi Toby," she called from his doorway. Toby saw the little girl and smiled.
"Hello Molly. Happy Birthday." He waved her into the office and she obeyed. "I have something for you."
"Really?" She squealed.
"I do. It's just something small but I thought you might like it." He reached into his desk and pulled out a stack of books with a ribbon around them.
"I love Roald Dahl!" She untied the ribbon and looked at the stack of 4 books. "James and the Giant Peach, The Twits, Mathilda, and The Witches! I don't have any of these but I've read them all from the library. Thank you Toby!" she put her arm around his neck and squeezed his neck. She planted a kiss on his bearded cheek and Toby hugged her back.
"You're welcome, my dear. Now," he said as he looked at her, "I have to correct Sam's remarks. Why don't you go say hello to CJ?"
"Bye Toby! Thank you!"
The little girl skipped out of the office and made her way to the press office.
"Hi Carol, is CJ here?" she asked the dark haired assistant.
"She's briefing right now."
"Alright." She turned and made her way to the Press Room. She saw the opened side door and peaked in and watched her father's special friend.
"The President will be speaking at a gathering of World War II veteran's tonight and should be back to the residence to watch the football game, for which he predicts a Notre Dame win by 7 points." Her last comment was met with laughs from the Press corps. "Any other questions?"
"Who's your friend CJ?" Steve asked with a smile, pointing to Molly.
CJ turned and saw Molly; her face light up. "Molly McGarry, the White House Press Corps, White House Press Corps, this is Molly, the youngest of Leo's kids."
The little girl waved at the Press Corps with a giant smile on her face. There was a series of giggles from the room.
"Nothing else? One more briefing tonight at 6:00; see you then."
CJ grabbed her notes and walked towards Molly. "Hey Sweetness; what's that?" she pointed to the stack of books in her arms as she hugged her.
"Presents from Toby and Josh for my birthday," she beamed.
"Aren't you the lucky girl," she replied as she kissed her head.
"I really am."
"Let's go find your dad; it's nearly time for you to go get your grandmother."
"You're coming over tonight, right?"
"Yes. Your Dad said she wants to meet me too."