A/N – Hello everyone! Here's the next chapter! Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, ur reviews really make my day! I hope you enjoy and please keep reading and reviewing!
Donna sat on the floor beside Josh, hand in hand. She stared intently at the board, and then turned and whispered something in Josh's ear. He nodded in agreement and made his move.
"G-R-U-D-G-E, grudge. Plus a double word score!" Donna said confidently as Josh put the letters on the scrabble board.
Anne and Bobby shook their heads as Fiona added up their score.
"There's absolutely no way we're going to catch up to you guys!" Clare exclaimed in amazement.
"I know! We may as well quit now!" Andrea agreed, laughing.
"There's still hope," Mr. Moss disagreed, a smile on his face, "It ain't over till it's over."
Andrea patted her husband's arm, "You're right, we have to be optimistic. Where do we all stand, Fiona?"
Fiona looked down at the piece of paper in her hand and sighed.
"Donna and Josh have 104 points, Mom and Dad are in second with 72 points and Clare and I are in last with 67 points." she stated.
"Nevermind being optimistic," Mr. Moss decided, "I think we're going to lose, Andi."
The family laughed, it wasn't often that Mr. Moss changed his mind so quickly.
"You two are a good team!" Clare complimented, a twinkle in her eye.
"Yeah, you guys should see us in the West Wing!" Josh joked, and everyone laughed.
"Though poker rules there, and the President usually wins." Donna added.
"We let him win," Josh said, grinning.
Donna gave him a look but grinned back, "No, Joshua, he wins because he distracts you all with the trivia."
Josh tilted his head and paused for a moment before responding.
"Yeah, you're right. His trivia can get pretty damn distracting!" Josh relented.
"What about my trivia?" Donna asked, a twinkle in her eye.
Her family looked on in amusement, all of them been in this situation before. Donna was quite good at twisting someone's words around and watching them try to get out of it.
"Well that's different," Josh replied without missing a beat, "He's the President and you're Donnatella. Besides, I enjoy your trivia far more than I enjoy the President's; always have, always will."
"Aww, isn't that sweet?" Clare cooed as Donna gave Josh a quick kiss.
Andrea gave her oldest daughter a look.
"How is the President doing these days?" Mr. Moss asked seriously.
Josh cleared his throat and hurriedly searched for the right words.
"He's doing fine, sir. As fine as a person can be in that job, anyway." he responded carefully.
"You all should come to Washington and meet him! I know he'd want to meet you." Donna exclaimed, grinning.
"Maybe one of these days we will," Andrea replied softly, "One of these days."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"Well," Donna said cheerfully, getting up off the floor, "I am so tired from travelling and I know Josh is too, so I think we'll head up. I'll help Josh get settled in to the room, too."
"Alright darling," Andrea smiled, "If you need anything, just call, I'd be glad to help."
"We will," Donna said, giving her mother and father kisses on the cheeks, "Night everyone!"
There was a chorus of goodnights as Donna and Josh climbed the stairs.
"Donna, what was – " Josh began to ask as they reached the top.
"In a moment Josh," Donna whispered, pleading him with her eyes to be quiet.
Josh nodded.
Once they reached the guest room, Donna shut the door and sat on the bed.
"You want to know why my mother said, 'one of these days', right?" Donna asked softly.
"Yeah! I mean, and then the silence afterwards, why wasn't anyone saying anything?" Josh looked confused, but saw that Donna was looking at the floor so he continued, "Donna, you can tell me anything, you know that."
Donna looked up at him and smiled weakly, "Of course, Josh. Just what I have to say is hard, give me a moment."
Josh complied and took her hand as he waited.
"We're not rich, Josh." Donna said shortly.
"Is that why they can't come to Washington? Because of money?" Josh asked, trying to understand.
"It's not just that though." Donna continued, "They spent a lot of money on my college tuition and I threw it all away for, well, you know the story. And now Fiona's going to school and they're paying for that, there's just not enough money to go around! And I feel so guilty…"
A tear escaped Donna's eye and ran down her cheek. Josh brushed it away.
"Look at me, Donnatella," he commanded, pulling her chin up so that she had to look at him, "You are not responsible for your family's money problems. I'm sure if we asked your parents they would completely agree. And we've been over the Dr. Freeride situation before; it wasn't your fault. He manipulated you for so long and your family knows that."
Donna nodded, "I know…just, I took their money and left, and I feel like I'm not giving them enough attention, enough love that they deserve."
Josh thought for a moment.
"You know what? You haven't been down here in awhile, but that's 'cause of your job…and being your boss, I am going to give you more time off starting now." Josh replied, waiting for a reaction.
Donna grinned but then sobered, "Josh, you can't spare me though. Things are always busy!"
"Nah, I'll be okay. I'll miss you, sure, but I can have Ginger or Bonnie help me while you're gone." Josh answered logically.
"Are you sure?" Donna asked, looking him in the eye.
"I am positive. You need to spend more time with your family." Josh replied, smiling.
"Alright, I'll take it before you change your mind!" Donna grinned, giving him a hug, "I love you."
"I love you too," he replied, savouring their embrace.
"Now, get your pjs on and get into bed, Joshua. In Wisconsin we rise early!" Donna grinned, getting up off the bed.
"Aw, that's no fun! This is my vacation!" Josh whined.
"Tough!" Donna laughed, "I'll be in the room next door if you need me."
"Okay," Josh replied, then got up and stood in front of her, "Sweet dreams, Donnatella."
"You too," she said softly.
He gave her a kiss goodnight and with a smile, she left.
Josh sighed as he put his pyjamas He had to ask Mr. Moss soon. Tomorrow, definitely. He was afraid for Donna's father's reaction though, and didn't want to ruin the paradise that he was living in.
He grinned and climbed into bed. Tough, he told himself, Suck it up and ask him tomorrow.
He nodded to himself and decided that was exactly what he'd do; he just had to find the right time…
With this he drifted off to sleep.