"Toby are you feeling okay?" She asked with a grin.
"Did you get one of these? Mara had to be the one to write the ad copy."
"Actually that was me." Sam announced as he took a seat on Toby's couch.
"Really? Pretty entertaining work Robin."
"Mara was brain storming ideas and it reminded me of one of the snarky comments she made at me the very first time we met. "
Toby rolled his eyes and handed the copy to Bonnie who also started laughing.
"How much do you want to bet Mara made sure the Washington State contingent was the first to get this package."
"I'm sure they were. You know Mara could have sent me more than one free extra large coffee coupon."
"Toby you drink it for free here, how often are you roaming and in need of coffee?" Bonnie asked.
"Need I remind you how close Mara is to the Capitol? Lord knows a little shot of Java before talking to those fools is a good thing."
"It's called greed Tobias, pure and simple. I'm the one in need of more than one, given the money I make."
"Here Bonnie, don't say I never gave you anything." Toby replied handing over his coupon.
"Thanks Toby, Sam watch him carefully, I'm convinced he is sick now."
Sam chuckled and attempted to feel Toby's head until Toby swatted his arm away. "Do that again and I'll break it Sam. Do you have the revisions I wanted?"
"Yeah I just have to print them off."
"Well go do it!"
"He's yelling and annoyed Bonnie, he's fine." Sam replied on the way into his office.
Sam sent his pages to Bonnie's printer and got back to his P.E.I. File. At three on the dot there was a knock on his door jam. Sam hit file save and shut down his computer. He grabbed his sunglasses from inside his desk, yanked off his tie and slung his suit jacket over his arm.
"Unca Sam?"
"Yes, Sweetie?" Sam asked as he donned his shades.
"Can we pretend this is a real date so I know what one is like."
"Jenna you're seven, you've got at least nine years before you have to worry about it."
"Please?"
"Jenna that's a very pretty blue T shirt you are wearing."
"Thank you. So where are we going?"
"I thought we could walk over to the Museum of American History, have some ice cream and have a look around. The exhibit on President's, Donna worked on is still running. I haven't seen it yet."
"Sounds like fun. Let's go."
Sam was glad he went for a hot fudge sundae because he needed the energy to keep up with Jenna. Sam discovered she read almost as fast as Mara which meant she was always an exhibit or two ahead of him. He finally started scan reading just to keep his eye on her. They both agreed Donna did an amazing job coordinating the exhibit as a large chunk of the display was comparing the past with the present. Sam had to laugh when Jenna suggested a milkshake before they left.
"Come on Sam, my treat. How about a cherry cola float?"
"You can have what you want, I'll take a plain cherry cola."
One look at the line at Swensons and Jenna changed her mind. "How about we stop off at Ben and Jerry's instead."
"Jenna, it's 6:30, Mara is probably just finishing making dinner. How about we go for ice cream after dinner."
"Oh all right. Do you have to call for the car to come get us?"
"No, Paul should be waiting for us outside."
Sam was surprised to find the house quite and nothing made for dinner. He had just come to the conclusion that Mara was still at work when he tripped over one of her heels near the staircase.
"Jenna, there should be a zip lock bag of hamburger patties in the freezer, can you defrost them please."
"Sure."
Sam found Mara curled up in the fetal position in their bed. He brushed her hair away from her eyes and kissed her gently.
"Baby what's wrong?"
"I have horrible cramps."
"How, you said you were done on Sunday."
"I was, I've been slowly bleeding to death since this afternoon, never the less."
"Do you want me to call Abbey?"
"No, I got a hold of Ellie and she got me in for a gyno appointment tomorrow. I have to be at John Hopkins by noon. I figured Jenna and I could go to the inner harbor tomorrow and Ellie will keep her company when I'm in seeing the doctor."
"What happened?"
"I was sitting at my desk and I got a cramping feeling and maybe ten minutes later I really felt like I had to go to the bathroom. I did and well you don't want to know the rest."
"Sure I do, I'm concerned about your health."
"Sam, you're going to make that face and tell me you didn't need to hear that."
"Come on just tell me. "
"Fine, I've never seen such a big blood clot in my life."
Sam barely managed to keep a straight face but he couldn't control the words that came tumbling out of his mouth. "Yuck, too much info Mara."
"Well you asked." Mara sighed exasperated.
"Are you sure you shouldn't go to GW?"
"Ellie told me that as long as ...you don't want to know....I'm fine. She suggested laying down so I came straight home, changed and crawled into bed."
"I don't think you could have squicked me out anymore but..."
"Squicked? Sam, I know that isn't a real word."
"It's my word, I think it's good, it combining squimish and ick. Anyway I was going to grill some burgers for dinner, you want one, or something else?"
"You can not set the house on fire."
"I'm wounded."
"You asked what I wanted and I want a house and husband free of burn marks."
"You are such a brat."
"Yeah, well you married me."
"Don't remind me." Sam retorted.
"Some licorice tea would be nice and bring me the box of soda crackers." Mara replied ignoring him.
"Yes Ma'am." Sam mock saluted her and left before she could fling a pillow or something harder at him.
Sam returned to the kitchen and found Jenna slicing some onion. She had already cut some tomato slices, mushrooms, cheese and pulled out the ketchup, Miracle Whip, mustard and potato chips.
"The chips for inside your burger?"
"Uhuh."
"Now did Mara teach that to you or are you responsible for giving her that habit?"
"Actually I think Dani started it when she was my age and it caught on in the family. Mommy has always done it and now Daddy does too."
"Jenna are you allowed to use knives?"
"Yes, if I use a big fork to hold whatever I'm cutting. Mom says if my hand slips I won't cut myself."
"Okay, you want to bring a box of soda crackers up to Mara for me?"
"If I get beaned with something when I walk in, I'm suing you." Jenna teased.
"Ah she's all talk and no action, when she's feeling sick. I'll make her a cup of tea."
"You know Killer can't carry a cup."
"I'll bring it up to her smarty pants."
"Fine." Jenna grabbed the crackers and took the stairs two at a time.
"Sam says you are feeling sick and that you're all talk and no action because of it."
"Sam forgets I have an excellent memory. I'll get him back, that you can be sure of. Thanks for the crackers."
"I'm sorry your tummy feels yucky. Sam is making you tea but Mom always gives me ginger ale when my stomach is sick. You want some?"
"Sure, why not. Tomorrow we are going to Baltimore's Inner Harbor and I've got a doctor's appointment at noon. Ellie is going to have lunch with you while I'm in with the doctor."
"Kay, can we go to the aquarium?"
"Sounds like a plan to me. So what did you and Sam do this afternoon?"
"We went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History to see Donna's exhibit and have some ice cream. Sam bought me a really cute key chain of the city."
"One of those pop up story ones?"
"Yeah, how did you know? I think the Canadian Embassy is even there."
"Toby gave me one for Christmas, yeah the location looks right for the Embassy but it's a generic building and the White House looks really funny."
"I'll go get your drink."
"Thank you Sweetie."
*********************
Mara and Jenna arrived home from Baltimore a little after six and found a message from Sam on the answering machine. Mara picked up the phone and dialed Sam's cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey we're home, what the hell are you still doing there?"
"Finishing something up so there is no way I'll have to step foot in here all weekend."
"How long are you going to be?"
"About an hour, hour and a half tops. Ginger just went to get us some sandwiches, so whatever you make I'll still have room for."
"Sorry but Jenna and I are going to the Hotel Washington for dinner. She's never seen the view from the Sky Terrace. We'll look down on you while we dine."
"You are so evil Mara."
"Thanks."
"So what did the doctor say?"
"Sam I don't want to have this conversation over the phone."
"Do you want me to come home this second?" Sam asked suddenly worried.
"No, but give my cell a ring when you're done. Maybe you can have dessert with us."
"Kay. I better go if I ever want to get out of here."
"See you later."
After Sam tucked Jenna into bed he went back downstairs to find Mara. She'd been far too quite over dessert and he knew something was bothering her. She had left the couch and wasn't in the kitchen. He opened the sliding door and peered out into the backyard. He wondered where on earth she had gone and started to close the door. He stopped when he heard a sniffle. He found Mara sitting in the dark on a lounge chair. He knelt down and was surprised how wet her face was from tears.
"Baby what's wrong?" He inquired softly.
Mara opened her mouth to say something but started crying again. A sick feeling came over Sam.
"Mara, you are starting to freak me out, does this have anything to do with your trip to John Hopkins?" Sam asked hoping he was wrong.
"Yeah"
"Oh God, is it a tumor?"
"No, I'm not dying Sam, you can start breathing again."
"Oh thank God, I don't know what I'd ever do without you." Sam replied gently kissing her.
"Sam, would you still feel that way in ten years if it was just the two of us?"
"Of course, Mara what's going on?"
"I didn't get my period, it was the start of a miscarriage that probably happened on Saturday."
"You were pregnant?"
"The doctor said judging from my last period I was about six weeks along. The world's largest blood clot was the placenta being expelled, which apparently was a good thing or they would have had to do surgery to get it out. I didn't even know, I had so much to drink Friday night I..."
"Mara, you didn't know, you didn't drink our baby to death, it wasn't your fault." Sam said sternly.
"I certainly didn't help the situation."
"Mara, in no way, shape or form is this your fault. Do you understand me?"
"But Sam, what if we never..."
"Mara, I recall you promising me no more what ifs. If we are meant to have children we will have healthy, brilliant children who will be annoying just like their mother."
Mara smiled briefly before half heartedly swatting Sam in the arm.
"Mrs. Seaborn, I love you with all my heart and if it's just the two of us for the rest of our lives I'll still be the happiest man in the world."
Mara smiled sadly and Sam pulled her into his arms whispering I mean it into her ear. After about ten minutes, Sam picked her up and carried her to bed. He made her a strawberry milkshake spiked with three ounces of ameretto. The warmth of the alcohol put her to sleep within the hour.
Sam let Mara sleep away most of Saturday taking Jenna to the movies and then into the Library of Congress. Donna had suggested the library when he called to ask her where he could take Jenna. Donna made the call to get them full access and get Sam lending privileges. They both picked two books each and after stopping for ice cream went back home and read until Mara wandered down a little past five. She sat down at the piano and tickled the ivories for a few minutes until the phone rang. Sam tried to grab it but Mara beat him to it.
"Hello?"
"Hey Mar, Josh and I have a deal for you. Oh shut up Josh. We'll bring pizza, bread sticks and something for dessert in exchange for watching your wedding video on that delightful plasma screen."
Ten minutes earlier Mara had wished she was alone in the house but the idea of escaping for an hour or so was too tempting.
"Sure, you know Sam and I haven't even watched it yet. I'm sure Jenna would like to see it. I take it the pizza was Josh's idea and the video yours."
"Yeah, do I need to get Jenna a specific pizza?"
"No the freak even likes anchovies, she'll eat any type of pizza."
"Kay see you in about forty minutes."
"Who's bringing me pizza?" Jenna asked as she continued to read.
"Donna and Josh. Donna wants to see the wedding video and Josh just wants to be in the same room as Donna."
"Oh cool, I want to see the video too."
Donna couldn't quite put her finger on it but she knew something wasn't right with Mara. She seemed to be working at being her normal self. Donna figured there was no point asking Josh because he wasn't that observant. Sam kept Mara in his arms the entire time and Donna knew it was more than the usual super affectionate display between the two of them. After the video was over Donna looked up and realized she had Sam all to herself.
"Sam, what's wrong? Mara isn't quite herself and you are being very protective of her."
"Donna, I really don't..."
"Sam, she's an amazing actress but she's not that good. I don't think Ceeg or Dr. Bartlet would buy her act either."
"Donna, I love you for caring but it's not my place to say anything. I'll let her know you noticed and that you are there for her when she's ready."
"Oh God Sam, she's not sick is she?"
"No."
"OK I won't push but if you need to talk I'm here for you too."
"Thanks Donna." Sam gave Donna a hug just as Josh came out of the bathroom.
"Would you stop trying to steal my woman!" Josh teased.
"What makes you think I wasn't coming on to Sam?" Donna asked with a smirk.
"Donna, you promised I was the only Seaborn you'd had sex with!" Mara exclaimed with a sexy pout.
Donna and Mara looked at the stunned yet definitely turned on look on the guys faces and rolled their eyes. Sam managed to reset his jaw before Josh.
"I swear Mar, I don't get it, what the hell is up with men. My ultimate fantasy sure as hell doesn't involve two men. Well actually if George Clooney was cloned I wouldn't say no but...."
"It's because they all have little or no imagination. They are also self delusional enough to think that two women would actually want them."
"Hey!" Josh finally managed to say.
"Sam, go tuck in Jenna. Josh get over yourself and Donna do you want to split the last piece of raspberry chocolate mouse cake with me?"
"Sure. So what made you come up with that response?"
"Sam, was looking too damn smug and Josh was just being a big old idiot."
"Josh is a big old idiot."
"You aren't going to get an argument from me. Do you want ice cream ?"
"Nah, but a big glass of milk would be good."
"You read my mind. Sam's going to be looking for this slice at bedtime."
"You know one look at Sam and you'd never guess he had such a sweet tooth. No wonder he is nuts about dental hygiene, he has to be, to combat the effects of his sugar habit. No wonder you two get along, you both skip meals and order dessert instead."
"I have a bigger appetite than he does. "
"I'd never win an eating contest with you and Josh. The two of you are freaks."
Mara laughed, "You should see Jenna and Dani. Let me tell you CJ has quite the healthy appetite too. You ate five slices of pizza tonight yourself, you're no slouch in the eating department."
"What can I say, I love pizza. You know Mara, if you ever want to talk, I'm always willing to listen. One call and I'm on my way over."
"Thanks Donna, I know, now kindly pass me a fork."
After Josh and Donna left, Sam sent Mara upstairs to bed and quickly cleaned up. He found her sitting in bed playing with Tedzy's ears.
"Does Tedzy need a Q-tip?" Sam inquired with a soft smile.
"No, did you say anything to Donna?"
"No, but she knows something is wrong and she's worried. She wants you to know that..."
"She'll be happy to listen to me, yeah I know."
"It might not be a bad idea to talk to someone Mara. Have you told Abbey?"
"No, but Ellie suggested I tell her."
"I think it would be helpful, you can get both a doctors input and your mothers."
"I'll think about it. I'm tired, I luv ya good night."
Sam was surprised to see Ron at the door Sunday morning to go see the house in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. When Mara started talking about bullet proof glass, Sam figured this was all to make sure Jed and Abbey could visit. The house in Sam's opinion was beautiful but far too extravagant for not even a weekend home. The Colonial style house sat right on Chesapeake Bay with water access, but a dock needed to be built. There were 4 bedrooms, 3 full and one half bathroom, a large kitchen, laundry room, two rooms dubbed great halls, two fireplaces, a three car attached garage and a study. The dining room was in the kitchen which annoyed Mara who envisioned turning one of the great halls into the dining room. Jenna adored the family room and Mara loved a sitting room off the main bedroom. Sam and Ron liked the feeling of being outside with big bay windows everywhere to capture the view of the Bay, a side porch, terrace and balcony. Mara mentioned installing a pool. The major bone of contention between Sam and Mara was the vines covering the right side of the house. Sam thought they gave the house character, Mara wanted them gone.
The house was listed at 3.4 million, Mara said she'd write a check on the spot for 3.2 and considering the house has been on the market for 9 months the owners jumped at it. The house would be theirs by the end of September. Mara seemed in slightly better sprits but Sam noticed that she was trying too hard. He felt useless because he knew everything he had said barely made a dent in Mara blaming herself. Sam was sure he was looking at the onset of a depression but didn't know how to stop it in it's tracks or shorten it.
The house was the center of everyone's chatter Monday morning thanks to the President bringing it up in senior staff. CJ and Josh were vying for borrowing privileges and Toby pretended he could care less but asked an awful lot of questions about the property, view and house. Sam spent the rest of Monday and most of Tuesday at the Sate Department ironing out the details for a foreign policy conference in Strasbourg the President was attending at the end of October.
Sam hustled back to his office Wednesday afternoon knowing Jenna had been waiting for half an hour for him. He found her sitting in his chair with her feet resting on his desk reading what looked like one of his speeches.
"Hey munchkin, feet of the desk and sorry I kept you waiting.."
"No problem, give me two more minutes. Toby gave me a speech to edit."
"Really, what speech?"
"For the Labour Day radio address."
"So what do you think?"
"It needed a few extra commas and you don't really need the fifth paragraph but otherwise everything is really good."
"Can we get out of here then?"
"Sure, what's wrong with Aunty Mara, she seems blue."
"What do you mean?" Sam asked pretending he had no idea.
"Well she just seems off, her mind is wandering a lot and when it does she looks really sad. We passed a kid's store, I pointed out a really cute dolls pram and she looked like she was going to start crying."
"I don't know Jenna, maybe her hormones are out of whack."
"Oh, because she's going to get the curse soon."
Sam looked down at Jenna in wonder. He felt like he was having a conversation with a 17 year old not a 7 year old. He smiled and gently tugged on her ponytail.
"That would be my guess Jenna. We just need to be patient with her."
Sam and Jenna returned home a little after six and found a note from Mara that she had a headache and went to bed. Jenna offered to make KD but Sam told her they'd go to McDonald's instead. Jenna talked Sam into watching the Sound of Music when they returned and turned the volume down when she noticed Sam had fallen asleep. She paused the wedding to help herself to some ice cream and washed the bowl when she was done. She made sure all the doors were locked, put the quilt over Sam and brought down her little travel alarm clock and set it for 6 am. She put the clock on the top of the couch and headed upstairs. She sat in Sam's chair in the study and read for a little bit before finally going to bed at midnight.
Thursday afternoon CJ made her way to Sam's office. She had called an early full lid, hoping to take advantage of a quite day and the beautiful weather. The oppressive heat had finally given way to a perfect 75 degrees. Before she left however, she had to get to the bottom of what ever was making Sam so glum.
"Hey Spanky, can I buy you an ice cream?"
"I thought you were trying to get out of here?"
"I am, I'm going to walk home but last time I checked I can walk and eat ice cream at the same time. My treat."
"Kay."
Sam loosened his tie, grabbed his wallet out of his suit jacket and put on his sunglasses. He told Ginger he'd be back within the hour and walked out with CJ. She suggested they cross Layfette Park and ginned when she saw a soft serve ice cream truck.
"Chocolate or vanilla Sam?"
"A large twist please."
"Best of both worlds, think I'll have one of those too. A large twist on a cone and one in a cup please."
They walked for a little bit in silence until CJ sat down along the edge of a fountain. She patted the spot beside her and Sam reluctantly sat down.
"Relax Sam, I'm not going to push you in." She chuckled.
"Decided you couldn't walk and eat ice cream at the same time?" Sam quipped.
"Spanky, what's going on with you? You've been glum since Monday. You now own a killer house on the bay and have a home for a sailboat and you seemed like you couldn't care less. I want to help Sam, but I can't until you let me in."
"I'm fine Ceeg, it's nothing."
"Then I hope you are comfortable because we aren't moving until you talk. You know Sam when I said I was your first call, it wasn't only when you screw up. You saved my life once mi amour, would you please let me help you for a change?" When Sam didn't answer CJ continued, "You write speeches for a living, I think you can string a few words together and answer me."
"Mara's going through something and she doesn't want to let me help her."
"Can you be more specific? I promise I'll never reveal anything you confide to me."
"Mara had a miscarriage last Saturday."
CJ smiled sadly and put her arms around him. "I'm so sorry Sweetie." She whispered.
"Thanks, she didn't even know she was pregnant. The doctor said she was probably about six weeks along. "
"Saturday... she was drinking like a fish Friday night, don't tell me she's blaming herself."
"Yeah, she knows in her head it wasn't her fault but in her heart I'm sure she feels guilty."
"Is she seeing anyone about this?"
"No, I told her she should tell Abbey and Donna knew something was wrong the other day and offered to listen but she's just closed herself off. Jenna has noticed something is wrong. I told her I thought it was PMS."
"So you are frustrated and feeling useless because you can't help. How do you feel about loosing a baby?"
"This is going to sound so stupid and insensitive."
"Spanky, you can't help how you feel and your ice cream is about to land on your lap."
Sam took a little longer than necessary to clean his ice cream cone up and actually finished it while thinking about what he wanted to say.
"I'm sad, last Tuesday Mara was snacking on soda crackers and I asked her if there was something she needed to tell me. She reminded me that it was impossible, or so we thought, because her period was over Sunday and she hadn't seen me since. I was disappointed. When I found out I was sad but in a strange way I felt grateful that we didn't know. It sucks and I wish it didn't happen but it would have been worse if we had started making plans and celebrating. Does that make any sense?"
"Yes it does, truthfully when you said you didn't know, I thought at least it will be easier for Mara to deal with it emotionally. I have a question, if Mara thought it was just her period how did she ever find out it was a miscarriage?"
"Wednesday afternoon she got a bad cramp feeling and when she went to the bathroom she discovered what she called the world's biggest blood clot. It freaked her out, so she called Ellie and got an appointment with a gyno at John Hopkins. The blood clot was the placenta being expelled. "
"Poor Mara, she'll bounce back Sam, you just need to be patient with her. I don't think it would hurt to force her to talk to someone though. If I were you, I'd have Abbey pay her a visit and introduce herself as Dr. Bartlet."
"I'll give it a day or two and then I may just give it a try."
Meanwhile, Josh decided to stop off at his favourite diner for a piece of lemon meringue pie and to bring Donna back a brownie. He noticed Mara and Jenna sitting in his normal booth and smiled. His jaw nearly dropped when he realized Mara had an entire lemon meringue pie in front of her while Jenna was blowing bubbles into her float.
"Hey guys."
"Hey Josh, sit down and join us." Jenna replied.
Josh sat down, picked up a fork and cut into the pie. He was brining it to his lips when he noticed the look on Mara's face. He grinned and popped it into his mouth.
"Come on Bu, you have an entire pie and you begrudge me a bite?"
"Get your own damn pie Josh, this one is mine." Mara growled.
"Whoa Mara, what the hell crawled up your ass and died?"
Mara's face was suddenly drained of all its colour and before Josh could say a word she dashed out of the diner. Josh looked at Jenna who seemed as shocked as him.
"Jenna don't move, one of us will be back for you." Josh said quickly and shot out the door. He ran full out for three blocks trying to catch up to her until she finally stopped.
"Mara, what the hell?"
"I killed Sam's baby Josh. Is that what you wanted to know!" Mara screamed before dissolving into tears. Josh caught her in his arms just before she sank to the ground.
He had no idea what to do so he continued to hold her, gently stroking her hair hoping the tears would stop soon. After what seemed like an eternity, her shoulders stopped shaking and she started choking the tears back.
"That's four shirts you owe me now Bu. I'm going to need to collect before I let you ruin another shirt." Josh teased hoping he could make her smile.
"Oh Josh..." Mara sighed softly before tears started streaming down her face again.
"How is it possible you have any tears left?" Josh asked and gently wiped them away from her eyes. "Come on now, I don't want Dr. Bartlet yelling at me for letting you get all dehydrated. I'm sorry for your lose Mara, I didn't even know you guys were preggers."
"I didn't know either, I was 6 weeks along."
"I know you think I'm one fry short but how can a miscarriage be your fault when you didn't even know you were pregnant?"
"I was drinking like a fish Friday night, I miscarried Saturday......"
"Mara, it wasn't your fault. I've been there and played the blame game for years. Let me save you years of therapy, it wasn't your fault and the sooner you realize that the better. You didn't kill Sam's baby, for whatever reason, under circumstances beyond your control, you lost your baby.
It wasn't meant to be Mara, but that doesn't mean it will never be again. I'm sure the thought of blaming you never even entered Sam's mind. In fact, if Sam knew you were blaming yourself he'd
be beside himself and......oh."
"Oh what Josh?"
"He'd be sullen, quite and not himself because he couldn't help you. He'd be acting like he has been since Monday. Mara, this is going to be harder for you but you have to find a way to get over this for both of your sakes. This is going to sound harsh and totally insensitive but you should be grateful that you had no idea. Think about how you'd feel if you'd been three months along and picked out a name? You have a right to grieve, to be sad, but you have to stop blaming yourself right now. I'm sure Donna would enjoy having Jenna spend the night so you and Sam can be alone. No I suggest we go get Jenna before she starts wondering if we abandoned her."
"Thanks Josh, sorry I ..."
"Had a nutty? Don't worry about it, sooner or later we all have a nutty. That's why friends were invented."
Mara smiled, leaned over and left a soft kiss on his cheek and then adjusted his tie. "Josh I hope you don't have anymore meetings today, you like a mess."
Josh rolled his eyes, "Four shirts Mara, four, 16 ½ neck and Armani."
Mara simply smiled at Josh and looped her arm through his. When they returned to the diner, they found Jenna sitting there was a pie box and a paid check.
"Sorry Jenna, I didn't feel too good and needed to get some air."
"Are you OK now?"
"No, but I will be soon. Donna was wondering if you'd like to have a sleep over at her place tonight."
"Really? That would be cool, can I go?"
"Sure, we are going to go home and pack your backpack and then Chris will drop you off when he picks Sam up. Josh can Donna come in a little late tomorrow?"
"I think I can manage to survive until ten."
"That will be perfect, you can have breakfast with Donna and hang around the west wing until Sam is ready to leave around one."
Mara handed Jenna a twenty for paying the bill and put the pie in Josh's hand.
"It's not a shirt but it will do." Josh said with a smile and opened the door for the girls.
When Josh put his pie box down to be scanned it beeped. The guards looked at Josh who shrugged his shoulders. Peter noticed the fork right away and showed it to Josh.
"Oops looks like I'm going to be charged for grand fork theft. I forgot I left it there."
"You fully intend to return next time, Right Mr. Lyman?" Peter asked.
"Oh yeah sure." Josh muttered.
Donna noticed the box in Josh's hand and grinned. "What ever that is Josh, half of it is mine."
"Yeah, I even brought you a fork. Oh by the way you invited Jenna over for a sleep over tonight."
"Huh what? Josh what in the world did you spill on yourself?"
"Umm... Do you want to truth or a very good story?"
Donna gave Josh her I'm not amused look, which Josh was counting on. "I wasn't paying attention and turned the facet on full blast while my had was blocking half of it. So I got myself with a full blast spray."
"Josh you are such a dork and a menace to society. Now back to the sleep over."
"I meet Mara and Jenna in the diner. Mara looked liked Jenna had completely worn her out. I figured you wouldn't mind giving Mara and Sam a chance to just relax together. Jenna likes me for a few hours, I think I'd bore her to death if I kept her all night."
"You can pick up two extra large pizzas, a pint of Cherry Garcia and a pint of chocolate fudge brownie. You better get two bottles of Dr. Pepper too. You volunteer me, I volunteer you."
"Oh all right. You don't have to come in until ten tomorrow and bring Jenna in with you."
"Cool, put your jacket back on Josh and button it." Donna remarked before going back to her desk.
Twenty minutes later Donna answered her phone and found Mara on the other end.
"Thanks for taking Jenna tonight Donna. I need another favour from you. Josh takes a 16 ½ neck but what about the length. I'm sure you know."
"Made one too many cracks about Josh spraying water all over himself did ya?" Donna laughed.
(Oh wow, Josh blamed himself.) "Yeah."
"35"
"So 161/2 and 35, Sam's 16 and 37."
"Really, I'll write that down for future reference. Do you mind if I let Jenna into my make up again?"
"No, just make sure she knows it's only for fun and she can't leave the house with it on."
"Kay, hey are you guys still doing the Labour Day barbecue?"
"Yup, Jenna's calling me, I got to go. Thanks again Donna."
When Josh returned home a little after eleven he found a note from his neigbour that she was keeping a package for him and that if he was in before 11:30 he could pick it up. He had no clue what was in the large box that was wrapped in blue paper. He thanked his neighbour, quickly opened his door and tore into the paper. He laughed when he opened the first layer of tissue and found a white Armani shirt in his exact size. His jaw nearly hit the floor when he realized there was a dozen Armani shirts in total. A gift card was sitting on top of the last two shirts and read
Now you owe me eight shoulders to cry on. I'll deny this in the morning but I luv ya, Bu.
This is going in a frame, Josh thought as he changed for bed.