Waffles & Coffee Chapter 6 - What Dad Would Want
Author: Willow
Summary: Josh's mother has some news.
Spoilers/Episode: Anything up to season 3
Characters: Josh/Donna, ensemble
Rating: PG-13
Donna put the folder down on Josh's desk and turned to walk back out of the office.
"What's that?" Josh asked.
"The folder you asked for, on the thing with Sam."
"I asked for that three hours ago, Donna," Josh snapped.
"I had to find the stats you wanted. I don't have every item of information you demand at my fingertips you know."
"Have you finished the report on Peterson's plans?"
"Yes," Donna replied. "Looks like you're going to have to find some other reason to yell at me doesn't it."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning, that you've been shitty since last night. If I've done something to annoy you, it'd be better if you told me what it was. If it's not to do with work, then can we keep the crap until we get home do you think." With that Donna walked out of the office and back to her desk.
Ten minutes later a sheepish looking Josh placed a cup of a coffee and a muffin from the mess on her desk. "Sorry," Josh said, "it's nothing you've done. If it's any consolation I've been shitty with everyone today."
"Why?" Donna asked. "What's happened?"
"It's nothing to worry about. I'll tell you later. I've got a thing now." He smiled slightly and walked off in the direction Leo's office.
Donna sighed and bit into the muffin. She hated it when he bottled things up. As it was now lunch time, she decided to read the email she received from his mother this morning.
To: donnamosswhitehouse.gov From: Subject: Friday Hi Donna, hope you're okay. Of course you and Josh can come to the Jenning's party. It'll be great to see you and they'll love to meet anyone who can put up with Josh for more than two hours at a stretch ;-) The party starts at 8, but if you can both come down on Thursday night that'd be even better. Speaking of Josh, how's he been today? I spoke to him last night and I think I may have upset him. I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but I know what he's like, it'll take him all week to tell you why he's in a mood. Anyway it's my news to share. You know that I've been helping at an after school club on a Friday (much to Josh's annoyance, apparently once you hit 65 you're suppose to sit at home all day and knit!) Anyway, one of kids, Daniel, lives with his grandfather. He's a really sweet kid, he definitely takes after his grandfather. Yes, I'm dating! Do you know how strange that sounds? I'm 68 years old and I have a boyfriend - a toy boy actually, he's only 65! I told Josh about Mark last night and I got the impression that he wasn't too pleased. Maybe I read his tone wrong, but I don't think so. So if he's been in a mood then it's my fault and I'm sorry. I was going to ask Mark to come next weekend, but I think he may have trouble finding someone to look after Daniel. How was your niece's christening by the way, you haven't said. Did it all go alright? I'll let you get back to work before you slave driving boss starts to yell again. Speak to you soon. Love Clara.Donna read the email and cursed Josh. That would explain his mood, the idiot! Well if he wasn't pleased that his mother was happy, she was.
To: From: donnamosswhitehouse.gov Subject: Mark Hi. That's great news! Tell me more. I need details. What's he like? Do you have a picture? What does he do? How old's Daniel? You have to try and talk him into coming next weekend, I want to meet him. Although to be fair he might find it a little intimidating meeting your friends and Josh in one go, so perhaps we should be kind to him - but still, I want to meet him! I'm really pleased for you :-) Josh is fine, unless you count the problems he's having with a certain senator who shall remain nameless. That's certainly stressing him out at the moment. Laura's christening went okay. It was a normal christening, you know - baby screamed and the parents bickered. Just like a ordinary day in Madison really. I once again got the 'when are you going back to college then you can get a real job' routine. Have I mentioned that my parents aren't convinced that working for a Democratic Administration is a reputable job for their little girl. And they wonder why I don't visit very often! Oh no, I can hear my name being bellowed through these hallowed corridors so I'd better go. Don't forget that I need more information about Mark. Love Donna.It didn't escape Donna's notice that she was slowly sowing the seeds in Clara's mind that she really didn't get along with her parents.
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"Your mom emailed me, she'd like it if we could go to Connecticut on Thursday night," Donna said, as her and Josh walked from her car to his apartment that evening.
"I might have to work."
"Well we can go Friday lunch time like we'd already planned."
"I mean I might have to work all weekend."
"Why?"
"In case you haven't noticed, we work in the White House. It's hardly a 9 to 5 job," Josh snapped and opened the apartment's front door.
"What's going on?" Donna asked.
"Peterson," Josh replied.
"That's crap, Josh. I saw Leo half an hour ago and thinks we're still going on Friday, I think he'd remember if he'd asked you to work the weekend."
"You'd think wouldn't you," Josh replied. "I'm going for a shower."
"I'll just go home then," Donna told him.
"Why?"
"Because I'm sick of your foul mood. I have to be back at work in 8 hours and I want to go to bed."
"Fine," Josh replied, walking into the bathroom and slamming the door.
"Fine," Donna echoed and left the apartment.
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"Anybody have anything else? No? That's all then. Josh, can you wait," Leo said as Senior Staff ended. After the others left Leo asked, "You feeling alright?"
"I thought we'd stopped doing that," Josh replied.
"I've just started it again. You feeling alright?"
"I'm fine."
"Then maybe we could have your full attention in meetings do you think?"
"Yeah, sorry."
Leo studied Josh, he looked tired and distracted and Leo was concerned. "What's wrong? You know if you don't tell me I'll just ask Donna."
"Ask her, it's got nothing to do with her."
"So you admit that there's something wrong."
Josh thought about what to say and decided on the truth. "It's my mom."
Leo frowned, "Is she okay?"
"Oh yeah, she's very okay." Josh replied.
"What the hell does that mean?"
"She's dating."
Leo smiled. "Really, that's great."
"Yeah, it's fantastic." Josh replied dismissively. "Look I have a meeting in 10 minutes so if there's nothing else?"
Leo sighed. "Josh, your dad died four years ago. Your mom's got a right to be happy," he said carefully.
"Can I go?"
"Yes."
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"Josh, it's Tuesday. If we're not going on Friday then you're going to have to tell your mom."
"Can this wait?" Josh asked.
"No." Donna closed the office door and sat in the visitor's chair.
"Don't you have work to do?"
"This is more important."
"I'm sure the American people will be pleased to hear that."
"Even if we don't go Friday, your mom's coming here on Saturday anyway," Donna continued. "What are you going to do avoid her all weekend?"
"Have you spoken to Leo?"
"What about?"
"My mom."
"No. But I have spoken to your mom."
"Right."
"Josh. She's really upset that you're angry with her."
"She's been seeing him for two months, Donna, and she's only just told me."
'For God's sake,' Donna thought to herself. "If this is how you react, is it any wonder?" she asked. "She really likes Mark, but she loves you and she's hurt that you aren't pleased for her. Don't you think your dad......"
"Don't use that one, Donna. Don't say, 'wouldn't my dad want her to be happy?' Of course he would."
"Then I don't understand why you're so angry."
"Neither do I," Josh admitted. "When she phoned on Sunday night and told me, I was hurt. I know it's ridiculous and slightly pathetic, but it really felt like she was betraying my dad."
"I know you miss him. I also know that she misses him."
Josh glanced at his father's photograph. "I know she does. I realize that I'm acting like a brat. It was just a bit a shock."
"Phone her."
"She'll be out."
"She has a cell phone."
"Is she really upset?"
"Yes."
"I didn't mean for that to happen. I'll call her."
After Donna left the office, Josh dialed his mothers cell phone. "Hey mom."
"Hi, Josh, is everything alright?" Clara sounded concerned.
Now that made Josh feel guilty. "Yeah. I just thought I should call and apologize."
"Why what did you do?" Clara smiled.
"I acted like a spoilt brat. I am pleased that you're happy."
"Really?" Clara asked doubtfully.
"Yeah, really." Josh smiled and realized that it was true.
"He isn't coming this weekend."
"Why?"
"He has a 10 year old grandson to take care of. He doesn't like leaving him."
"How come he lives with him?"
"Daniel's parents were killed in a car crash six years ago. Mark takes care of him."
"So he's a good guy then?"
"Yeah, I think you'll like him."
"Is he a Democrat?"
"Of course."
"That's okay then," Josh smiled. "I'm sorry I upset you."
"Donna yell at you?"
"And Leo," Josh agreed. "But that's not why I'm sorry. You deserve to be happy. Dad would have wanted that."
Clara smiled sadly and changed the subject. "You and Donna still coming on Friday?"
"I'm going to see if we can leave Thursday after work. I'll let you know. I have to go, Donna's waving a file at me, which I think means that I have a meeting."
"I'll speak to you soon. Take care."
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"You really wouldn't think that Peterson could cause such problems," Leo commented.
"Yeah, but he's sorted now," Josh replied. "Hey, Leo, I don't suppose there's any chance that Donna and I could have all Friday off is there?"
"Well, Josh, I don't know your schedule so I couldn't say."
"It's clear, apart from one meeting with Stackhouse, which Sam said he'll take, and Stackhouse has agreed."
"You spoke to your mom then?"
"Yeah, we're fine."
"Good. I that case take Friday off and have a good time. Where is it you're going?"
"The Jenning's wedding anniversary."
"Your old neighbors?" Leo laughed, "So you're going to introduce Donna to people who knew you as a child?"
"Yes," Josh said a little ruefully. "This is going to be hell."
"I'd imagine," Leo agreed. "You should think yourself lucky that I haven't remembered any embarrassing stories to share with her."
"That's 'cos I've still have the photos of you and Mal when she was about 6," Josh told him.
"That's very true," Leo smiled. "Go back to work."
Chapter 6, Meet The Neighbors.........
