"Donna, baby, time to wake up."
I lean down and kiss her forehead, and stroke her face with my fingertips. I really hope this is the last day I have to wake her up for a while. Her due date is either Monday or Wednesday depending on which little chart the Doctor uses. So Lulu could be here anytime. Then she'll probably take over the job of waking Mommy up for while.
Helen wants Donna to start maternity leave on Monday whether or not Lulu is here, but Donna says she's going to keep working as long as possible. I can sort of understand why Helen wants her to stay home. She just looks ready to burst any time. And everyone seems to hold their breath, every time they are around Donna. She's getting kind of fed up with the looks. Sometimes she's a little snappy about it, but everyone is pretty understanding. I'm torn on the idea. I don't love the idea of leaving her home while I go into work, but I like the idea of Donna taking it easy. And I guess I'm going to have to get used to going in on my own anyway. Maybe if she hasn't had the baby, she can just spent the whole day on the sofa in my office so I can keep an eye on her.
Of course, Lulu could make her appearance today. That would be great. It's a Friday, we are supposed to leave early for a Doctor's appointment anyway, we could just go to the hospital, have the baby, and have the weekend to ease into parenthood. But first, I've got to get Donna up.
"Sweetheart. It's really time to wake up now, unless you are taking the day off."
"Okay. I'm up."
"Your eyes aren't open."
"They're not?"
"Nope."
"Okay."
I wait a few seconds.
"Are you going to open them?"
She finally does, looking very disgruntled. Maybe she's ready to throw in the towel?
"Do you want to stay home today?"
"And do what? Count beads on my imaginary abacus?" I try to smother the laughter. She totally stole that line from me.
"We could have sex all day. I read that having sex increases the likelihood of labor starting."
"You'd take the day off too?"
"I'd be willing to make that sacrifice. You know, for the greater good."
She appears to contemplate the idea. But finally, she says, "Nah. I'd like to wrap up a few things in the office . We've got the appointment at 5. If Doctor Andrews says it's okay then we can try the sex all day thing tomorrow."
"Okay." I offer her a hand and help her out of bed. She's still slim but she's got a belly the size of a beach ball under her pajama top. It makes it hard to get up from a sitting position.
I'm not at all annoyed by the fact that Donna's moving slowly this morning. I'm just in awe and wonder of her. She's doing this absolutely incredible thing, and she's been doing it while in a high pressure job, and going back to school. I was really relieved when she hired a deputy. Helen's got one of the smallest First Lady staffs in recent history. I admire her desire to not waste money, but she is going to need someone while Donna's on maternity leave, and having a deputy after Donna gets back to work might mean they can accomplish more, if Helen decides to use her office to try to push an agenda. And once they move back into the regular FLOTUS office space they'll have enough room for everyone.
Donna comes out of the bathroom looking as gorgeous as ever. I just can't help grinning as I see her.
"What? Do I have toothpaste on my face or something?"
"No, I'm just happy to see you."
"You saw me a half hour ago when I went into the bathroom."
"Yes, and I'm happy to see you again. God, I just love you so much."
"Yeah, I kinda like you too. Even though you're the reason I can't see my feet."
"Come on, I'll help you get dressed." I grab black pants, her favorite sage green blouse, and the black blazer she's been wearing. She can't button it any more but she looks adorably professional with her belly sticking out.
She unwraps her robe and takes my breath away. She's a goddess.
"Alright, already, quit staring and hand me my clothes, please." She quips at me. It's still good natured, but I know this can go down hill fast.
After she has the blouse on, she sits in the chair to slide on the pants, and I turn to grab her socks and shoes. I kneel before her and put them on quickly, biting back the Cinderella joke. It didn't go over well yesterday, and I have no reason to think it would work today.
Once she's all ready, I offer her a hand again, helping her out of the chair. I have a breakfast sandwich and coffee ready to go, and we should be on our way.
During Senior Staff everyone seems focused on Donna. Every time she twitches, everyone stops and stares at her in expectation, and she's had enough.
"Good grief, everyone! Stop staring at me like I'm going to explode any minute!"
"You know, only about 15% of women have their amniotic sacs rupture naturally. It's statistically unlikely to happen to Donna in the middle of Senior Staff, so let's get back to work shall we?" I look pointedly around the room.
Amy resumes her discussion of the lobbying reform legislation, and I look to Donna expecting a grateful smile, but I get a frosty glare instead. Uh oh. I guess I shouldn't have mentioned the possibility of her water breaking in public. She's paranoid that it might happen. Maybe I should go outside turn around three times and curse?
Staff meeting ends without further incident, and Donna seems to be back in a good mood as she's leaving, so I decide not to apologize. Sometimes when she's moved on from a little thing, it's really just better to leave it alone.
"I'll see you at 12:30. Let me know if you are craving anything in particular and I'll bring it with me." I place the customary kiss on her cheek and watch as she leaves the office, then take my spot next to the resolute desk.
"You got frostbite?" Matt asks me with a chuckle.
"You saw that, huh?"
"Oh yeah. It's pretty common at the end of pregnancy. Another surge of hormones, they're sick of being pregnant but don't want to complain, and there's probably a little bit of concern about what comes next, and they haven't forgot, it's all your fault."
"I was reminded of that this morning, as a matter of fact."
"Well, hopefully the baby will be here soon. Believe me when I tell you that this ain't nothing compared to what it will be like if she goes past her due date."
"Yeah, I'm hoping that at today's doctor's appointment we can schedule an induction if the baby isn't here by next week. Maybe for Donna's birthday. It'd be cute if they had the same birthday."
"When's that?"
"Next Friday. The 9th."
"November is going to be a busy month for you two, isn't it? Lulu's birthday, Donna's birthday, your anniversary."
"Not to mention Elections! Thank goodness this is an off year. And it's a good thing Donna doesn't like to make a big deal out of her birthday."
"You'd still better get her something. And something from the baby too."
"I've already picked up a blue topaz bracelet and earrings. They match the necklace I got her for our wedding."
"But what about your anniversary, then?"
"There's a matching ring too."
All morning I fought the urge to call and check on Donna, but now it's noon, so I have a legitimate excuse. I need to know what she wants for lunch.
I buzz Margaret. Man, I miss bellowing, but it's not the same since it's not Donna's name. And now that I'm next to the Oval Office, it doesn't feel right to bellow anymore.
"Did Donna call with a lunch order?"
"No."
"Okay, thanks."
I hang up and dial Donna's direct number.
"Hey. What are you thinking for lunch?"
"I'm thinking I'm ready to blow this popsicle stand."
"What?"
"I'm just feeling restless. I've wrapped everything up here. I've handed everything off until after New Years. My Desk is clean. Helen already went back up to the Residence. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for the rest of the day."
"Are you hungry? How about lunch? Instead of the Mess, we could go out."
"Burrito Brothers?"
"Anything you want."
"Can we walk there?"
"Sure. I'll let Kevin know what the plan is, then I'll be up to get you in a few minutes."
As soon as I hang up, I walk out to Margaret's area.
"What does my schedule look like for the rest of the afternoon?"
"It's still pretty open. You have a meeting with the Undersecretary for Education at 2pm, and the normal daily wrap-up at 4."
"Okay, call Sam and have him step in here for a minute, would you?"
"Sure."
I turn back toward Kevin. "Change of plans. Donna wants to go to Burritos Brothers of Capitol Hill for lunch. She wants to walk. I'd like the SUV to accompany us."
"Yes, sir."
"Sam's on his way down."
"Okay, send him into my office when he gets here."
I head back into my office, then through the door to the President.
"Donna wants Burritos for lunch. We're going to walk over there. We might not come back."
"Ever?"
"You know what I mean. She's feeling restless, and it sounds like she's done for the day. I'm going to have Sam cover my 2pm meeting with the Undersecretary of Education. There's nothing for you to see there, just a little hand-holding. If there is an emergency Margaret will page me. That alright with you?"
"Yes, Josh, we've all known that sooner or later you were going to have to go MIA. Sam can handle it. We'll let you know if something major happens, but Lulu's birth IS the biggest thing in your life right now, and taking care of your wife is most important. We've got your back."
"Thank you, Sir."
Sam's waiting for me when I walk back through the door. I quickly fill him in and head up to Donna's office. It's been forever since I played hooky. This feels good.
As we make our way slowly toward the Capitol, hand in hand, Donna's smiling and breathing deeply.
"I love this weather. 60 degrees is perfect. Not too hot, not too cold."
"How are you feeling? Any contractions today?"
"Nope. I feel pretty good. It's nice to get out of the office."
"Well, we don't have to go back. I cleared my schedule for the day."
"Really?"
"Yep. I just want to spend the day with you. I mean, I can't wait until Lulu gets here, but we don't have that many days left of it being just the two of us."
"Thanks Babe! After lunch let's go to the Washington Monument."
"You don't want to take the stairs, do you?"
"No! I'm not quite that desperate to get labor going yet. I'd rather try the sex first."
"Me too."
As we pull up to the Brownstone at the end of the day, I can see that Donna is really tired. Not surprising, considering how much walking we did this afternoon. It was a perfect day, reminiscent of our early years, when we were young and carefree, visiting the monuments and talking politics and philosophy. Back then making the world better was important in concept, now it's important in reality. Our baby is part of the future.
Donna was grinning on her way in to the Doctor's office, but she looks a little down now. The report was good. Donna's in great shape. Lulu's in great shape. But absolutely nothing is happening to indicate that labor is on it's way. No contractions and her cervix is completely closed. Dr. Andrews finished the appointment with a "See you this time next week!" And Donna looked like she was going to cry.
"Isn't there any chance I could have her this week?" She'd asked.
Dr. Andrews was matter of fact in her response. "You never know. Could be tomorrow, could be a week. Remember the due date is just a guesstimate."
Donna left with her shoulders slumped. I'd really like to get her smiling again.
Once we're through the door, I use a cheery voice- "So what should we do tonight? Romantic comedy & take out or start the sex-a-thon a little early?"
Donna's eyes light up. "Who says we can't do it all? Let's fool around while we watch the movie and then eat when we're hungry."
"See that's why I love you so much. You are simply brilliant."
She grins at me and it seems the funk is gone. If we've got another week before Lulu gets here, we'll just make the most of it.
"I get to pick the movie!" She announces.
"Of course."
"And the food."
"Nice. Taking advantage of the fact that you are hugely pregnant with my baby. That's what I call a cut throat political operative. I'm so proud."
She grins at my praise, thinking I'm teasing. I'm not. I really am so proud.
"Okay, do you know what you want to eat? It's Friday night, it could take a while for delivery. Maybe I should go ahead and order."
"Good idea. Um, Chinese. The usual."
"Okay. I'll call it in and let Phil know it's on the way. You pick out the movie."
When I get back to the living room, she's ready to go.
"What've we got?"
"The American President."
"Good choice." It's one of our old standbys. Even so, it's still funny enough that Donna laughs quite a bit. And we've seen it enough times that we don't miss anything when we make out during the boring parts. But by the time the movie is over, she's yawning. Our sex-a-thon is probably going to have to wait until tomorrow.
"You go get ready for bed. I'll put everything away."
"But it's barely 9pm!"
"But you're tired. Let's move to the bedroom. We can put another movie on in there if you want." I'm pretty sure if I get her vertical she'll be asleep in 10 minutes.
I'm putting my clothes in the hamper when she comes out of the bathroom.
"Well, that was weird."
"What?"
"It's kind of gross."
My spidey-senses kick in. "What?"
"When I wiped there was something sort of pinkish and blobby."
"Donna! I think that was your mucus plug."
"Does that mean I'm going into labor tonight?"
"Let me check the book. I think it said it can still take a few weeks after that."
"Oh." Donna sounds disappointed as she pulls back the covers and lays down, while I open the nightstand drawer to retrieve the book.
"OH! Shoot." She says getting up, scurrying towards the bathroom. "I think I just peed a little."
"You just went." I can't help but laugh.
"JOSH!" Her voice sounds a little panicked, so I fly to the bathroom. She's standing there, looking down at her pajama bottoms which are soaking wet.
"My water just broke!"
"For real?"
"YES! For real."
Oh my god. We're having a baby. "Let's go." I put my hand on her back and steer her towards the front door.
"JOSH!"
"Yeah?"
"Let's change first."
I look down. I'm only wearing boxers. She's still in the wet pajamas.
"Right. Good idea."
A few minutes later I try again. "Okay, let's go." I urge her towards the door as she suddenly stops in the kitchen.
"I can't. I need to change my pants again."
While she's doing that, I grab a towel for the ride over. Once she has her shoes back on, I ask if she's all set. I really want to get to the hospital. But she's looking around the room uncertainly.
"Do you have the bag?"
"It's next to the front door."
"Okay, then, let's go."
I grab the bag and open the front door. Phil looks startled.
"Operation Baby-on-the-Way. This is NOT a drill." He grins and relays the message into his wrist.
