A/N: Here's the next chapter! I hope you enjoy, please read and review!

Chapter 8: Overwhelmed; Decisions, Decisions

It had been one week since Mrs. Landingham's funeral, and a week since Amy had dropped her unforeseen bombshell on Ellie. In the elapsed time, Ellie had not spoken to Amy: her news made Ellie feel abandoned all over again. Like she had told Amy in that heated moment following the funeral where she first shared the news, the baby that Amy was carrying was good enough for Amy to marry Scott and raise in a way that she never was. It made her feel confused, overwhelmed, and depressed.

Ellie trudged into the inn on a Monday after school. She should be happy: she was finishing up her junior year and preparing to submit college applications in the fall, but she was anything but happy. Little did she know, she was not the only member of her immediate family that was overwhelmed.

She came into the lobby to find Margaret answering the phones as usual, but there was an unmistakable, yet indecipherable yelling coming from Josh's office.

"Presidential Inn, please hold." Margaret said into the receiver. "No, I'm sorry, Mr. Lyman is unavailable at the moment. May I take a message?" She smiled at Ellie and covered the receiver with her hand. "Go on back. He'll be glad to see you."

Ellie nodded with a smile on her face, but a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. Oh, well. She thought. Fake it til you make it, right?

She knocked on the door to the sound of her father continuing to yell, obviously in a fight with someone. When he didn't answer, she quietly opened the door and poked her head in. "Dad?"

He didn't hear her at first. "Look, I'm just asking for an extension on the utilities. Dolores Landingham died a week ago...No, I'm not using that as an excuse!"

Ellie rolled her eyes slightly at the very rigid bureaucracy types Josh now had to deal with.

"Fine!" He exploded. "I will pay the utilities on your timetable, even though I just buried the former owner of this place, since she had faith in me that I obviously don't have in myself!...Yeah, you have a nice day, too." He slammed the phone down, then looked up.

"Oh, hey, baby." He said sheepishly, rubbing his neck. "You, um, heard…"

"The whole thing." Ellie confirmed. "Dad, if you're this overwhelmed, why don't you delegate this to Sam? Or to Margaret?"

"Because it's not their job." Josh pointed out. "Mrs. Landingham left this place to me. And it's my responsibility to keep it from drowning in red. Not Sam's, not Margaret's, mine."

"But you need help!" Ellie protested. "You can't run an inn by yourself. Mrs. Landingham never did."

"Ellie…" Josh started, then trailed off. He sighed. "It's very complicated. And it's also nothing for you to worry about."

He put aside the papers he was reading. "So how was school? Have you gotten your finals study guides yet?"

It was obvious to Ellie that he was trying to avoid questioning, but Ellie would let it slide for now. After all, she knew what it felt like to feel stressed to the point of breaking. So, she changed the subject.

"Yeah, I did. AP Calc is going to kick my butt, but I feel pretty confident in my other classes, especially AP French…"

…

Meanwhile, Donna was helping CJ with the lunch rush at the diner, when suddenly she heard a clatter on the other side of the counter. She turned around after finishing with the customer, only to find that Abbie Jean had accidentally spilled flour all over the floor.

"Abbie Jean, no!" She cried, racing behind the counter to clean up the mess, but not before prying the metal bowl from her daughter's hands. While most of the time she was a sweetheart, sometimes she could be a handful for a 13-month-old. "No." She told her with emphasis. "You don't spill things like that all over the floor. Now Mama has to clean it up."

"Donna, I got it." CJ said, immediately jumping in with a broom and dustpan.

"CJ, I'm so sorry." Donna apologized profusely. "She should know better."

"She's also only thirteen months old." CJ reminded her. "She's just testing boundaries. You know, seeing how much she can get away with? She'll learn. Besides, I think this time she just wanted to see what was in the bowl."

Donna knew CJ was right, but tried to help clean up the mess anyway. Her daughter was still a growing baby. She didn't mean to be a handful, she was just inquisitive.

Abbie Jean watched the proceedings, a pout growing on her tiny face. She wasn't used to being spoken to so firmly by her mother. "Mama mad?"

Once the floor had been cleaned up, Donna could turn to face her baby girl. "Mama's not mad." She told her, picking her up from her high chair and holding her close. "I love you. You just have to be more careful, that's all." Now that Abbie Jean was older, Donna insisted on speaking to her with normal language, knowing that would be the best for her later development.

"Mama, hungry!" Abbie Jean said, her hand opening in a silent demand. Her speech had also developed a little earlier than most-she said her first words at a little over nine months, and just two weeks earlier had begun speaking in tiny sentences, usually when she wanted or needed something.

"What do you say?"

"Peas." She said automatically.

"Good job, Abbie Jean!" Donna praised her. "CJ, do you mind if I take her up for her snack real quick? I figure I'll get some food into her and she'll be down for her nap before long."

"Yeah, sure, go ahead." CJ said. "Things are slowing down. I can survive without you for ten minutes."

Donna nodded. "Thanks." She was about to carry Abbie Jean up to the loft when she heard an official-sounding voice behind her ask, "Are you Donnatella Moss?"

She turned around to find a man in a suit. "I am. May I help you?"

In response, he handed her an envelope-obviously from the court system. "Have a nice day, ma'am."

"Thank you." Donna replied in confusion. "Um, what is this?"

"Sorry, I just serve the papers." The man said. "I don't read them." And then he was gone, leaving a confused Donna to open the envelope. Her heart began to sink as soon as she saw where the papers were from-Dane County Family Court in Wisconsin.

Shifting Abbie Jean in her arms, she tore open the papers, hoping that the papers weren't for what she thought they were for, before the bold print on the top of the page dashed those hopes once and for all.

Petition for Custody by

John and Natalie Harris, paternal grandparents

against

Donnatella Moss, biological mother

In the matter of Abigail Jean Moss (born 1/25/2000)

Donna flipped through the papers briefly, sure she had misunderstood what the documents said, but the words "petition for custody" jumped out at her.

CJ came up alongside her. "Are you all right?"

Donna locked eyes with her and shook her head, finally finding her voice. "Brian's parents are suing me for custody of Abbie Jean."

"What?" CJ was gobsmacked. "They can't do that."

"They just did."

"Well, they won't win." CJ replied. "Not as long as we have anything to say about it."

…

It took exactly 45 minutes for CJ to close up the diner at 5, take Donna across the street, and set the custody petition in front of Ainsley Hayes.

Ainsley spent 15 minutes reading over the petition, before looking up and declaring, "They don't have a case."

Donna let out a sigh of relief. "What makes you say that?"

"They're alleging that their granddaughter shouldn't be in the custody of a murderer."

"But Donna was acquitted. On self-defense!" CJ pointed out. "If there's a murderer in this equation, it's their son!"

"They're gonna lose." Ainsley said again. "This paperwork conveniently leaves out that she was acquitted on self-defense. No judge is going to willingly remove a child from her home-the only home she's ever known-unless serious allegations of current child abuse are made."

"Which would be completely unfounded." Donna remarked.

"Right." Ainsley agreed. "However, if they've gotten a lawyer to draw up papers, someone somewhere thinks they have a case. So, unfortunately, we're gonna have to let the law play itself out on this one."

Donna nodded slowly. It wouldn't be a slam-dunk, but they would try their hardest.

"Also, since family law isn't technically my expertise," Ainsley was saying, "I'm gonna recommend you to one of my colleagues in Hanover. He'll see you through the custody trial, if there is one."

"Okay." Donna replied. "Thank you, Ainsley, for your help." And she was incredibly grateful.

Unfortunately for Ainsley, her night was about to get even worse. As Donna and CJ left, her phone rang. She answered without checking the caller ID. "Ainsley Hayes."

"Hey, Ainsley."

Ainsley grinned at the sound of her fiance's voice. "Hey, Sam. How's your day been?"

"Pretty good. I'm hoping I might be able to talk some sense into Josh about letting us help him run the inn." He paused. "Listen, I got some news today that I'm not sure how you're gonna take."

"Oh?" Ainsley was instantly concerned. "What's going on?"

"We're gonna have to change the RSVP list."

"Why?"

"My mother says she's not going to come if my dad brings his girlfriend." Sam replied, referring to the woman who his dad had been seeing on the sly for the past 28 years. The betrayal had only come to light in March, and understandably, emotions were still raw. "And my dad says that he won't come if Annette isn't invited."

Ainsley sighed, putting her head in her hands. Of all the problems she could have anticipated having with her wedding, solving family feuds was not one of them.

…

Ellie was working late at the inn as a favor to her dad. After a long conversation with her father, he finally admitted that he was in over his head as far as the inn was concerned. He had apologized to Sam, Margaret, and Ellie for shutting them out. Now, Ellie was making a few extra dollars a week helping Margaret out at the front desk and serving as a concierge.

Ellie looked up from the desk where she was doing her homework when she heard the door open. Unfortunately, the person who opened the door was the last person she expected-or wanted-to see.

"Hi, Ellie."

Ellie looked up to see Amy and rolled her eyes. "What part of 'I don't want to see you.' don't you understand?"

Amy sighed. "Look, Ellie, I know I'm the last person you want to see right now, but I just thought you should know that Scott and I are getting married at City Hall next week. I thought you might like to come."

"Why?"

"Because I'm your mother, and I want to share this with you."

"You know what, Amy, I am so sick of you being involved in my life only when it's convenient for you!"

"What are you talking about?"

"What am I talking about? Let's see. Shall I talk about my sixth birthday, the one where you promised you were going to come and then you showed up five hours late, drunk out of your mind? Or no, let's talk about when I was twelve, when you came into my life, put on a motherly show, and then took it all away without so much as a goodbye?" Her lower lip trembled. 'Why didn't you want me?"

Amy opened her mouth in shock, then closed it. She had no idea Ellie had been holding this much resentment back. "Ellie...I was in law school with a one-track mind when I got pregnant. And to be honest, I didn't really want to keep you, but your dad did. He wanted a baby so badly, Ellie. I did what I did for him."

"But why did you come back?"

"Because I missed you." She admitted.

"No, you didn't." Ellie said. "You want to pretend you've been a loving mother to me, and that you were selfless in letting Dad raise me, but what about those times where I needed a mother. Like when I thought I was pregnant last year, or when I watched as my friend was taken away in handcuffs for a crime she didn't commit in cold blood? I needed you, Amy, and where were you? You were off, living your own life, and not caring about me." She took a breath, obviously spent by the amount of energy it had taken to get all this out. "So, please just go. I don't care anymore. Go be someone else's mom!"

Tears had filled Amy's eyes, but she decided to respect Ellie's wishes. Ellie had spoken some cold, hard truths to her, but they were all true. She had been a terrible mother to her, but she was hoping to have a do-over with this baby.

"Amy, I think you better go." Josh said from the back. He had overheard most of the conversation.

Amy turned to him. "Josh-"

"Just go, Amy." Josh repeated. "I believe my daughter has made her wishes perfectly clear. She doesn't want you involved in her life."

She nodded, knowing full well that she had lost the argument. "I'll call you when I have the baby."

"Okay." Ellie responded.

Amy turned around and walked out of the inn, and Ellie broke down.

"Come here." Josh said, pulling her into his arms. "I'm so sorry."

"I'm not." Ellie said, determined. "I said what she needed to hear."

"And I'm proud of you for that." Josh replied. He just held his daughter in the lobby, grateful that they still had each other.

…

By that fall, things had settled down. Josh had begun to delegate and get things running smoothly at the inn. Ellie and Amy had settled into an uncomfortable silence. They talked only through Josh, whom Amy had entrusted to give her any and all updates in her pregnancy and her new marriage. So far, in Josh's eyes, Amy and Scott seemed to be doing well, but until Ellie spoke out and said she wanted to know her unborn half-brother or sister, they shouldn't push her into having a relationship.

Meanwhile, Sam and Ainsley had worked out the kinks in their wedding. After several phone arguments with Sam's parents, they had both agreed to attend-and Annette had stepped out of the argument, suggesting that it might be better if Norman, Sam's father, attended the wedding alone. She had called Sam to apologize, but Sam said that she was doing the right thing, and that he didn't hold any grudges against her. After all, Norman had been the one to carry on the affair for so many years.

Donna was still waiting to hear back about the custody suit. The initial hearing had been held in June, with the judge in Dane County ruling that Abbie Jean should stay in her mother's custody until the custody hearing, since there was no imminent danger to the child. Now, she was returning from Wisconsin, where the hearing had been held, and she had given her testimony. Ainsley's colleague, Oliver Babish, had been incredibly helpful in the minutiae of the case, and he had promised to phone her when the judge had released his ruling. He did tell her, though, that the waiting was just a formality, that there was no way the judge would not rule in Donna's favor.

Donna trudged through the door to the loft with Abbie Jean asleep in her stroller. She had decided to take advantage of the trip home and take Abbie Jean to visit her parents.

CJ looked up from where she was reading. "Hey. How did things go in Wisconsin?"

"Pretty well, I think. The judge will rule on the case within 24 hours, and Babish is gonna call me. He said that since there's no stipulation on me remaining in the state, and since I had a job and a life to get back to, I could go ahead and come back."

"Do you think you'll win?"

Donna nodded. "Yeah." she said. "I think we will." Shifting Abbie Jean in her arms, she settled down next to CJ on the couch. "So, what did I miss while I was gone?"

"Well," CJ started. "Toby is revamping the newspaper in town and putting Sam in charge."

"Wait, so Sam's leaving the inn?"

"No, no. He's just giving him another job. But Toby announced it the other day, and I think he has some good ideas…"

As they chatted, Donna found that she was once again beyond grateful for CJ's friendship.

…

Ellie was sitting at a table in the diner the next morning, surrounded by letters of recommendation, transcripts, and college applications. She sighed and began to sort the papers into piles. Because of her grades, many of the top schools in the country had invited her to apply, and so she was applying to many different colleges.

"Columbia, Dartmouth, Yale, Cornell, Wellesley, Smith, and the University of New Hampshire." She said, separating out the application packets.

Donna came over with Ellie's breakfast. "Are those the schools you're applying to?"

"Yeah." Ellie replied.

"Those are some tough schools."

"What can I say? I like to live dangerously."

"But you're pretty smart. The Ivy League would be missing out on something pretty big if they don't take you." Suddenly, Donna caught sight of the UNH folder. "Are you applying here, too?"

"That's my safety school." Ellie told her. "It's a nice school. Dad and I went and toured it last week."

"Yeah?" Donna said as she got lost in thought. Ever since the custody trial began, she had begun to think about finishing her Bachelor's, if only to make her daughter proud of her, and to prove to herself that she was worth finishing college. An idea had begun to take shape in her head.

"Donna, you OK?" Ellie's voice brought her back.

Donna snapped back to reality. "What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine."

"You kind of got lost in thought there. What, are you gonna go back to college, too?"

Suddenly, Donna felt like she had reached a decision. "Yeah. Yeah, I think I am."

…

Meanwhile, Charlie had none of his applications done, and his foster parents were beginning to get concerned.

"Charlie?" Abbey asked one night as the three of them were eating dinner. "How come you haven't started your applications yet?"

Charlie was silent. He stared down at his plate.

"Charlie?" Jed drew out. His voice was firm. "What exactly aren't you telling us?"

"That I'm not so sure I want to go to college."

Jed and Abbey were stunned. Jed spoke up first. "What do you mean, you aren't going to college?"

"Just that, Jed." Charlie replied. "I'm not going to college."

"Of course you're going, don't be silly." Abbey chimed in, hoping to back up Jed. "What else are you gonna do with your life?"

"Well," Charlie started, "I've been thinking I might go to the Police Academy."

"What?" Abbey asked. This was news to her.

"I want to be a cop." Charlie said. "Like my mom."

"Oh." Abbey said. "Well, at least that's an honorable profession. But you still need to go to college."

"Why?" Charlie shot back. "You don't need college to be a cop."

"Yes, you do." Jed replied, his voice tight. "You need a background, a fallback in case anything happens. Haven't you thought about that?"

"But I don't know how I'm gonna get through college." He admitted.

"We'll support you." Abbey said. "Of course we will. You won't have to go through this alone. But if you deliberately choose not to go to college…" She paused. "Well, then, I'm afraid you're just gonna have to find somewhere else to live."

Charlie did a double-take. "What?"

"If you don't go to college, you can't stay here. We will support this Police Academy idea, but you have to go to school first."

Charlie sighed. He knew that not going to college might be a deal-breaker for the Bartlets. And they were right-as long as he had the support he needed, he could get through it. So, he decided to bite the bullet.

"Okay."

"Okay, what?" Jed asked.

"Okay, I'll go to college." Charlie said. "You're right, I might need a fallback later."

"Good." Abbey said. "I'm glad we're all on the same page."

…

Meanwhile, across town, Donna had just gotten off of work and was in the loft giving Abbie Jean her bath when her cellphone rang. She toweled her daughter dry and picked up her phone. "Hello?"

"Is this Donna?"

"Yes, it is."

"This is Oliver Babish."

Donna held her breath. Here it was-the custody ruling. "Yes, of course, how are you?"

"Well, thank you. I suppose you've been expecting my call."

"Yes, I have. Has the judge ruled yet?"

"Yes, she has." There was a pause. "You won."

Donna couldn't believe her ears. "I won?"

"You won. The judge said that she sees no reason why a perfectly happy girl should be removed from her home based on unfounded allegations. In fact, she even questioned why the suit even made it this far."

Donna felt tears roll down her face as she breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"You're very welcome, Donna. Have a nice evening."

She hung up and ran to find CJ in the front room. "CJ! Oliver just called me back."

CJ was out of her chair at once. "And?"

Donna simply nodded with a smile on her face. CJ ran to her and wrapped them both up in a hug. "Oh, I'm so happy for you! I knew they were never going to win!"

"Thanks." Donna replied. "And I've made a decision."

"Oh? What's that?"

"I want to go back to school, CJ." Donna said, her eyes shining. "I want to get my Bachelor's, finish what I started." She paused. "With your support, of course."

CJ said nothing at first. Then, she slowly grinned. "Of course you have my support, Donna. I'll be with you the whole way."

They hugged again, being careful of Abbie Jean, who was falling asleep. Then CJ said, "So, what are we waiting for? Let's get you back in school!"

A/N: Okay, so now the next story arc is set up! Hope you liked how I handled everything. Please let me know what you thought!