Part 3
Donna and Michael were greeted at the door of the Bartlet family farm by the First Lady.
"Donna," Abbey smiled and hugged her tightly. "You look lovely, as always, dear."
"Ma'am, as do you," Donna responded back.
"Ma'am, this is Michael Winston," Donna said, presenting Michael Abbey.
"Ma'am," Michael smiled at her and offered her his hand.
"It's a pleasure to see the man who has made our Donna so happy," Abbey said. "Please come in. Sam and Mal are in the den. Jed is upstairs with Leo. Margaret, Bonnie, and Ginger will be up from the headquarters shortly. Um...let me see. Charlie and Zoey are taking a walk; Toby and CJ are working on this afternoon's remarks and Josh and Amy are...who the hell knows where they are. I think they were arguing when I last saw them. So, they're around here somewhere. Oh, and Will had to head back to DC early this morning for some lower level meetings and a little VP press stuff."
"Okay," Donna smiled. "C'mon Michael," Donna led Michael inside.
Mallory came out of the den immediately and hugged Donna tightly. "I've missed you so much," she whispered.
"Me too, Mal. You were a lovely bride; Sam sent me pictures" Donna sighed as Mallory rolled her eyes.
"Mal, this is Michael Winston," Donna said. "Michael, this is Mallory McGarry Seaborn, the next First Lady of The United States," Donna smiled proudly.
Michael snorted a little bit before shaking Mallory's hand. "Pleased to meet you, Ms. Seaborn."
"Donna? Can I steal you for a second?" Mallory asked, hesitantly.
"Yeah. Michael...I'll be right back," Donna told him.
Donna and Mal went into a side room and shut the door. "What's wrong?" Donna asked.
"I'm pregnant," Mallory said bluntly.
"You're what? Really?" Donna squealed. "Congratulations!" Donna whispered as she hugged Mallory tightly.
Mallory smiled through her tears. "Thanks, Donna...really...it's just that...I haven't really told anyone yet."
"Why not?" Donna asked confused.
"Sam knows, of course. I haven't told anyone else though," Mallory sighed and sat down.
Donna joined her in sitting. "How far along are you?"
"Two months," Mallory smiled. "The baby will be due in September. The 27th to be exact. Not exactly a good time for campaigning. And we've only been married a little more than a year. Plus with the pregnancy I won't be able to keep up with Sam's schedule like Leo and Josh want, ya know?"
"So you're worried about the appearance of things?" Donna asked for clarification.
"Yeah...Sam's...he's just not sure of how Josh will react to the whole thing. I think he planned for a baby in the second or third year of the term," Mallory smiled sadly.
"Josh wants to plan everything. Um, so...you want me to...maybe..." Donna threw out.
"Could you maybe...I don't know...tell him about this? I want to tell my Dad and the President and Abbey...but not until Josh has had a chance to figure it all out in his head, ya know? This campaign means the world to him and I don't want to spring anything on him that throws a wrench in things, I guess," Mallory explained. "He's just now getting to his happy place, you know?"
Donna smiled as she saw Sam appear in the doorway. "Donna," he whispered. "Good to see you."
"Sam," she breathed and got up and threw her arms around his neck. "You're gonna be a Daddy," she cooed.
"I know," he teared up as well. "Can you believe it?"
"Yes," she cried. "You'll be such a good Dad."
"The timing could have been better," he reasoned.
"Not at all," Donna rationalized. "A baby in the White House. It'll be amazing. Like Camelot the Second, or something," Donna smirked.
"Yeah...I just want to be sure that Josh is okay with everything, you know? Did Mal ask you to talk to him for us?" Sam asked hopefully.
"Yeah...I'll do it," Donna smirked. "I'll talk to the big baby."
"Who's a big baby?" Josh asked form the doorway, smirking.
"Speak of the devil," Mal laughed. "Hi, Josh," she smiled as she passed him and kissed him on the cheek.
"Josh," Sam nodded. "We were just catching up with Donna. Breakfast is in fifteen minutes you two," he nodded and left Donna standing there staring at Josh.
"Morning," Josh smiled at Donna.
"Hey," Donna smiled at him. "How ya feeling today?"
"Eh...little headache. Nothing too bad," he smirked at her and wiggled his eyebrows cause her to roll her eyes and laugh. "I, uh, I saw Maxwell out in the foyer there," Josh said nodding to the door, as he plopped himself down on the sofa near Donna.
"It's Michael and he was invited to breakfast. He'll he helping us this afternoon as well. I invited him," Donna said.
"Great. A Republican helping us out. Thanks for the sentiment," Josh said with disgust.
"Josh...don't start, okay? I wanted him to get to know you guys. You're my friends," she tried to explain.
"And you left us," Josh reasoned. "So, by all means, let's hang out with your new boyfriend."
"Don't be like that," she sighed and swatted at him as she joined him on the sofa.
"I can't help it," he smiled at her. "I'm stubborn and I am right," he laughed.
Donna laughed and nodded in agreement. "I forgot. You're right. You're always right."
"I am so glad that you finally remembered," he laughed right along with her. "I've missed your laugh, Donnatella," he smiled. "It's nice," he told her seriously.
She smiled sadly at him. "Josh? I have to tell you something," she told him.
"What is it?" he asked her seriously, straightening. "Are you okay?"
She smiled at his concern. "Josh," she started. "I'm fine, okay? It's not a bad thing, Josh."
"Um...okay...so...what?" he asked looking at her.
"Mallory's gonna have a baby on September 27th of this year...or somewhere in that vicinity," she said quickly, her eyes never leaving his gaze.
"It's Sam's baby, right?" he asked seriously.
"Of course it is," she smiled a little bit.
"Ya think they'll let me be an uncle?" he asked with a grin.
"Probably," she reasoned.
"Why are you telling me this and not them" Josh asked suddenly realizing the weirdness of the conversation.
"They were afraid of what you'd say," Donna said simply. "Mal was worried of how her pregnancy would interfere with the campaign season."
"Gosh..ya know? That didn't even cross my mind," Josh said honestly.
Donna smiled. "See? Look at that. You can be a real person sometimes," Donna said through glassy eyes. "You were just happy for them."
"Sam's my best friend and I love Mal like a sister. I can make it all work. We'll have a freaking baby in The White House! How great is that?" he asked.
"I know. It's wonderful," Donna sighed happily.
"Donna...I've put my feelings before politics before," Josh said honestly.
"Josh...just tell them how excited you are to be an Uncle so that Mal can tell Leo," Donna dismissed his last comment. "Now come on. I don't want to miss breakfast."
Josh looked at her and shook his head. "We wouldn't want Mackenzie to miss you too much."
"Josh," she warned. "Please try to be nice," she asked.
"For you, Donnatella. Anything," he whispered as he squeezed her hand.
Donna smiled and looked down at their intertwined hands for a minute. "I've really missed you," she whispered sadly.
"I've missed you, too," Josh murmured.
"J! There you are," Amy yelled. "I've been looking all over for ya. Hey Donna," Amy said blandly. "Anyway. Josh, I saved you a seat at the table."
Josh looked at Donna for a moment. His eyes were sad and his smile didn't quite reach them. "I'll see you later," Donna said. "I have to go find Michael."
Breakfast went relatively well. The President told everyone about the day ahead and had random facts on the interest groups that they would all be meeting later on. After receiving a reassuring nod from Donna, Mallory couldn't wait anymore and announced her pregnancy to the whole group.
Zoey squealed with Margaret, Bonnie and Ginger. CJ called the baby Sparky the Second. Leo cried. Amy said she needed to go see how pregnancy polled with the women's groups. The President and the First Lady hugged Sam and congratulated Leo and Mallory. Charlie shook Sam's hand. Josh met Donna's gaze and smiled happily. Michael looked around and sighed and thought that this was going to be a long day.
"We have a busy day ahead of us," President Barlet told his guests. "I want to thank Donna and her friend Michael for coming down here under direst from my darling daughter Zoey to give us a hand today. Both Sam and I appreciate it greatly. Donna...we're thrilled that you're back with us, even if it is for a short time," he told her lovingly. "We've missed you, my dear."
"Thank you, Sir," Donna answered him demurely.
"Okay," Leo said loudly. "Once we reach the location, Margaret will hand out your assignments. Any questions will go to Bonnie and Ginger. Thanks for your help,"he smiled.
The ride down to the afternoon event seemed to last for hours. Donna and Michael took a car down with Zoey and Charlie. Donna had missed Charlie and from the looks of it, Charlie had missed Zoey. The two sat side by side and Charlie held his arm around Zoey's shoulders while they all talked.
"So, Michael," Charlie began. "I hear your voting for the other guy."
"I am a registered Republican if that's what you mean," Michael told him.
"Huh," Charlie said. "No big deal. I'm sure we'll win without your vote," he smiled.
"I wouldn't be too sure. Sam Seaborn is far too liberal to lead this country. He's even worse than the President," Michael scoffed.
"Hey," Zoey said. "Michael...I thought we talked about you not dissing my Dad."
Donna looked at him and shook her head. "President Bartlet is a good man and he has done great things for our country. Sam is a great guy and he wants to do real good. I have no doubt that he'll be a fantastic leader," Donna gushed.
"Here, here," Zoey and Charlie chorused.
"Maybe once you get to know him," Zoey started to say.
"I don't think so. He'll only be here a few more days and then the liberal circus will move on. I have no desire to understand what makes you people tick," he said looking out the window.
"Us people?" Donna asked, shocked.
"Well, not you, baby," he said quickly, trying to fix his mistake. "I just meant that I am a dedicated Republican and no amount of time spent with any group of people could convince me to vote otherwise....that's all."
Donna smiled at Zoey and Charlie who looked skeptical and she held onto Michael's hand. "I don't want to change your vote. I just want you to get to know my friends," she reiterated with a squeeze.
"So, Donna," Charlie began. "It sucks with you not at work."
Donna laughed, "Why? It has to be quieter."
"You're not loud," Michael said, looking at her strangely.
Zoey and Charlie stifled a laugh. "Not loud?" Charlie asked. "She is a chatterbox, if I do say so," he smirked. "Her and Josh were constantly bantering about the West Wing at all hours of the day. They were the first thing I heard in the morning and the last thing I heard before leaving. It was comforting actually."
"I used to love listening to them babble about stuff that seemed so silly," Zoey recalled. "Hearing the flutter of their voices just meant that things were right, I guess."
"Josh just needed to be corrected most of the time. He could be wrong a lot. I," Donna said smiling "was his voice of reason and truth."
"And his constant source of agony," Charlie laughed.
"It was a give and take type thing," Donna corrected.
"But, honey," Michael said looking at her confused. "You're so quiet."
Zoey laughed, "Remember the time you wanted your money back in a tax refund and Josh tried to tell you why our way was better?"
Charlie laughed. "Josh was so pissed that you took his money from those sandwiches to 'invest' or whatever."
"I know. I was being logical, but I guess, in the long run, he was right. Stealing his money had a certain appeal to it," Donna mused.
"Josh is a royal pain in the ass at times," Zoey smirked.
"But he's a good guy," Donna defended. "Almost sweet sometimes."
"Remember the Alpine Skiing book?" Zoey said smiling knowingly at her friend.
"I really would've preferred the skis," Donna smirked.
"Right," Zoey laughed. "You were giddy when you read the inscription. And to this day, Josh has never told me what it said. And you haven't either, might I add."
"It was one of the first times that I realized just how sweet Josh really was under his hard exterior," Donna smiled remembering it.
"I'll have you know he agonized over what to get you that year," Charlie told Donna. "I was in the stupid ancient bookstore with The President and Josh that day. I think Josh was being punished for something or other and that's why he made the trip," Charlie recalled. "But when he saw that book...his eyes lit up and I knew, that as much as you wanted the skis, you'd be opening the book for Christmas."
"You know...since he's Jewish and all....why don't you make him give you gifts for all the days in Hanukah?" Zoey asked giggling.
"You know? That really does make the most sense," Donna agreed. "Eight gifts are bound to be better than one," Donna reasoned with a grin. "I'll discuss that with him. Maybe I'll be able to get a gift refund or something."
Charlie laughed at the giggling girls and then looked over at Michael, "You okay there, pal?"
"Uh, yeah...I just don't have much to add, I guess," Michael said, feeling out of place. "I'm just realizing that I really don't know Donna all that well, I guess," he said looking at her smiling and laughing with her friends.
"Michael," she said. "You know me just fine. We're just remembering things from a lifetime ago, is all. This is all my past," she said. "You," she punctuated with a kiss, "are my future."
"Well...I'm her future, too," Zoey added. "So, I guess Charlie is in your future if I am, right?"
"Am I in your future, Zoey? Cause sometimes I honestly can't tell," Charlie told her honestly.
Zoey smiled at him. "Of course you are, you goof," she laughed and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Awww," Donna sighed as Zoey kicked her and Charlie laughed.
"We're almost there folks," the driver told them from up front. "Once we stop, you're to go to the staging tent at the back and Margaret will give you your tasks. If you have any questions, speak to Bonnie and Ginger before they head back to Headquarters."
"Great," Charlie smirked. "I am thinking that my job will be to shadow The President. Not too much of a stretch there."
"I am just going to be the dutiful daughter," Zoey commented. "Donna's the only one of us that is going to be doing work. Michael's just going to be more or less hanging out."
"I'm just happy to be asked to help out," Donna beamed. "I've missed campaign stops," she sighed contently.
"I'm glad you decided to come," Charlie told her honestly. "It's not the same without you."
They all sat in silence the rest of the drive and took to the staging area upon arrival. Margaret was smiling at all of them and handed Zoey, Charlie and Donna envelopes. "Read 'em and weep folks. I'll be busy with Leo, so questions are farmed out to my partners in crime back here," she said laughing as she pointed to Bonnie and Ginger. "They'll be here for another hour or so before they head back to the office. "Enjoy," she smiled as she moved on to the next group of people.
Charlie opened his and grinned as he read it. "Charlie Young: Stay close to POTUS. Well," he laughed. "Who didn't see that one coming?"
Zoey smirked as she opened her's. "'Zoey Bartlet: Be the First Daughter.' Sounds mind numbingly easy. And I'll be close to Charlie, too. I love my assignment," she beamed as both her and Charlie watched Donna open her envelope. "What are you doing?" Zoey begged.
Donna stared at the piece of paper in front of her and walked right back to Margaret. "You've got to be kidding me," she said to her friend.
"I'm not the question lady," Margaret told her simply. "It won't be that bad," she told her. "And seriously, who the hell else could we assign it to? Everyone else would run screaming!"
Donna sighed and walked back to her friends questioning looks.
"Well?" Charlie asked.
"'Donna Moss : Assist the DCoS of POTUS.' I can't freaking believe this," she sighed loudly.
"And that's bad because..." Michael started as Donna went to talk to The First Lady.
"Josh," Zoey said simply. "She's assisting Josh today."
"And...he was her boss before. It should be easy to pick up," he remarked, not seeing the bad in the current situation.
"They had a complicated relationship," Charlie offered. "And when Donna left DC, she in a sense left Josh. He'd become way to codependent on her. None of us saw it as a bad thing until she left. Hindsight being 20/20 and all that."
"Josh and Donna...they're just a complicated pair," Zoey said, watching Donna plead with her mother. "Today should be a hoot!"
"Great," Michael said. "Me, Donna and Josh. What fun," he said dryly.
"Ma'am," Donna pleaded. "Is this a joke or something?"
"Quite simply no one else will deal with him. He needs assistants at these functions and by midway through these poor souls are running faster than their legs will carry them," the First Lady told her calmly. "Amy didn't come down here and all of his assistants from DC are from a temp service and they're not sticking those girls up here with no means of getting away from Josh."
Donna looked at The First Lady carefully, trying to see if this was a set- up or not. The excuse was plausible, Donna thought. Even probable. "I'm sorry for complaining, Ma'am. I am here to do whatever you guys need," Donna smiled. "Let me go find Josh."
Donna grabbed Michael and bid Charlie and Zoey a quick goodbye. "C'mon, honey. I have to find him before we get anywhere near the start of this thing," she told him as they jogged around.
"Why's that?" Michael asked confused. "We have like an hour or so before the first people arrive. Charlie gave me an itinerary," he told her proudly.
"Good for you," Donna smirked. "I need to know who's coming and why and what he needs to get from whom. And he has tie issues that I am sure the last two years haven't solved." Just then she noticed Josh fiddling with his paperwork in a cubby hole in the back, tie slung over his shoulder and credentials around his neck. "I'm gonna need credentials. For me and Michael," she smiled at him as she turned him around and began tying his tie around his neck.
"Take mine," he offered. "Bonnie'll give him a pass next time we see her," he smiled. "Everyone knows I'm supposed to be here," he told her still reading his notes over. "Mike, how ya doing?"
"It's...Michael, actually," Michael told him. "And I'm fine."
"Great," he murmured.
"Look up a sec," Donna ordered and he did moving his notes with him. "Okay. You're set. Credentials?" she asked.
He took them off his neck and put them on her neck without a thought, really. "Here's a pad," he told her, handing her a tablet.
"Thanks," she said and grabbed a pen from his inside jacket pocket.
"Beings that I am important or something," Josh laughed. "I have a portable office of sorts back here. We got chairs and stuff. "Let's go back there and go through what we're doing today. I'll actually call Bonnie and have her get...um...your boyfriend here a pass or something," Josh told Donna as she followed him to his office.
Michael trailed behind them, blown away by the ease of their supposed strained relationship. The office was small. There was a desk, three chairs, a cooler and a campaign phone. Josh needed at least two - one for the Administration and another for the election. "Let me get Bonnie back here," Josh said as he stepped outside to grab her on the walkie-talkies.
Donna smiled at Michael. "You doing okay?" she asked seriously.
"Yeah...you're just...I've never seen you so animated," he smiled. "It's great," he told her.
"It's the atmosphere," she said. "I don't know what it is about it...." she trailed as the phone rang on Josh's desk. On instinct she grabbed it, "Josh Lyman. You know what? He just stepped out for a second. Of course I can; lemme grab a pen real quick," she went on. "Uh huh, Senator Griffin from the 6th District. Right. Okay...what was that number again? Great. I'll have him give you a call as soon as he's done. Great," she smiled. "I'm sure Congressman Seaborn would be very pleased to have your support, sir. Very good. Thanks." She looked over her message and hung up and giggled when she noticed Josh staring at her through the door frame fighting his laughter.
"Well Ms. Moss, I believe this is how we first met," he cocked his eyebrow up with a grin.
"I believe so, Mr. Lyman," she laughed back. "State Senator from the 6th District here is looking to give Sam a fundraiser at his house. They've done this sort of thing in the past and it's very well attended. He wants you to call him back when you get a chance," she told him while he looked over the message.
"Thanks, Donna," he smiled as the phone began to ring. He nodded to it, "You gonna get that?"
"Yes, sir," she mock saluted.
"Josh Lyman," she said. "Yes, Congresswoman, he's actually right here," Donna told her.
"Why are you answering his phone again," Congresswoman Wyatt asked laughing. "And if you don't call me Andie I'm gonna sic my twins on you."
"Andie," Donna obliged. "How are you?"
"Answer the question kiddo," Andie ordered.
"I'm helping for the day and apparently no one likes Josh so he's assistantless," Donna whined. "So, here I am."
"Uh huh," Andie sighed. "Liking Josh is never the problem. He's likable...hell he's adorable," Andie laughed. "It's putting up with his moods that so many seem to fail at."
"Failure is not in my vocabulary, Andie," Donna smiled. "And he's not that bad."
"Right. Well...get his ass on the phone. I need to confirm a schedule for him to come down here and listen to some proposed legislation to see what Sammy thinks about it," the Congresswoman ordered.
"Josh," Donna yelled as he appeared in the doorway.
"Congresswoman Wyatt for you," Donna told him.
"Is she gonna kill me if I call her that?" Josh asked grabbing the phone and briefly allowing his fingers to brush against her hand.
"I'm gonna go through the guest list and stuff. We'll do names when you're done, okay?" she asked whispering.
"Congresswoman Wyatt," Josh boomed into the phone as he nodded to Donna. "Hey! You kiss your children with that mouth?" he asked laughing at her response as Donna shook her head and dragged Michael into the hallway.
"Who's he talking to like that?" Michael asked her once they were moving down the hallway at a ridiculously fast pace.
"Congresswoman Andrea Wyatt...Andie...Toby's ex-wife, the mother of his children," Donna explained grabbing the paperwork Bonnie was tossing at her while she moved to see how Toby and CJ were getting along.
"Huh...so his he knocked up his ex-wife and the guy who's running for President slept with a hooker and the President is a liar and his wife faked his medical records. What a great group of people," he mocked.
"Michael," she sighed. "I am busy. I can't defend this stuff to you right now and I don't want to have to defend my choices of friends to you. They're good people; but more importantly they were good to me when I had nothing. They are the best friends I have ever had and I love that about them. So...please...just look at them as my friends for right now. Please," she begged.
"Sorry," he mumbled. "What can I do?" he asked.
"Donna!" Josh was bellowing from his mini-office. "Donna!"
"God," she huffed. "C'mon," she said to Michael, hurrying to the direction of the bellowing.
"Donna," he yelled at again. "Jesus...c'mon, Donna!"
"What the hell is he yelling about?" Michael asked, following Donna down the hall.
"How I've missed that yelling," Toby laughed as Donna and Michael scurried down the hall.
"Joshua! What?" Donna asked.
"I'm ready to go over the thing for later," he said with a grin. "I just wanted to make sure you were ready."
She smiled at him and shook her head. "You're amazing," she told him and shut the door as Michael came in to sit down.
"I, in fact, am amazing," Josh said in his cocky manner. "I have been told that I am amazing many a time, Donna. And by many a woman. In fact...I believe that one or two times I may have heard how amazing I was from...gosh...who was that blond woman...."
"Shut up, Josh," Donna warned as she cast a sideways glance toward Michael.
"What...you've never uttered that I was, in fact, the man?" he asked smiling broadly.
"Maybe...on one of your better days," she thought giggling.
"I knew it! I am the man!" he boasted. "And I just snagged the AFL-CIO's endorsement for our good friend Sam Seaborn," Josh crowed.
"Seriously? They endorsed already? Primaries aren't even through yet," Donna grinned as she stood up.
"For all intents and purposes, we've got the nomination sown u," Josh explained. "After Andie finished her blabbering, the National AFL-CIO called through and gave me the announcement. Their president is going to release a statement later this afternoon. All that money! The bodies! I am so the fucking man!"
Donna found herself jumping up and down as Josh grabbed her and hugged her tightly and quickly. Toby through open Josh's door. "We got it?" Toby asked.
"I got it!" Josh boasted. "Donna? Didn't I get it? I mean they called me, right? I just told these two," he told Toby. "Hey...ask Matthew over there in the corner," he said gesturing to Michael. "He was here when I got the wonderful news that I, am in fact, still the man."
"He's right you know," Donna said. "I heard his bellow. It was his happy bellow," Donna confirmed, not even mentioning that Josh had once again gotten Michael's name wrong.
Michael sighed and sat down in the corner and watched the jubilee in the room to which he was not a part of.
CJ came in and kissed Josh on the cheek. "C'mon Toby," she said grabbing Toby's arm. "We need to go give the news to Sparky and Mal and get them prepped for the afternoon. Josh still has work to do," she sighed winking and nodding to Donna and Michael on her way out. "These boys are nuts," she smirked.
Josh sat down at his desk for a minute and sighed. "You know what I could use right now?" he asked.
"A good cup of coffee?" Donna offered.
"In fact, yes. That's what I need. Coffee," Josh confirmed.
"Great. When you go, can you get one for Michael and I, as well? Michael just takes his black. I want a non-fat mocha latte with whipped cream on top of it," Donna ordered smiling sweetly.
Instead of busting out laughing, which is what Michael had expected, Josh grinned at her and got up to go to the serving area for the staff. "Doesn't the whipped cream defeat the purpose of the thing being non-fat?" he asked seriously.
"Does it matter?" Donna countered.
"Not really," he guessed and walked out the door.
"What the hell?" Michael asked as Donna glanced back at the door.
Josh popped his head back in and grinned wickedly. "Thanks for being here, Donna," he murmured and then disappeared on his quest for coffee.
"He always wanted me to get him coffee while I was his assistant," Donna remembered.
"And...as his assistant...wouldn't that be part of the job?" he asked in disbelief.
"Nope," she said simply. "I did it twice."
"What were the occasions," Michael wondered out loud.
Then Josh appeared with the beverages. "She was out of sorts those two days is all I can figure," Josh answered for her and winked at Donna as she licked at the whipped cream.
"Thanks," Michael said.
"No problem, Mackenzie," Josh murmured while shuffling through the notes for the thing.
Donna was looking at the information that she had be given when she looked over at Michael and smiled. "Josh," she warned.
"What?" he asked seriously, paying her the utmost attention.
"Work with me here," she smiled sweetly.
"Whatever you want, Donna," he smirked back.
"Listen and comprehend for me, Joshua," she told him. "His name," she said gesturing to her boyfriend, "is Michael. Understand me?"
"Yes ma'am," Josh smiled at her snarkiness. "Sorry Milford...I mean, Michael," Josh corrected himself, sparing Donna a brief turn of his lips.
"You're impossible," she sighed and got up to kiss Michael on the mouth. "He's an idiot, sometimes, baby," she cooed.
"Hey!" Josh whined. "I'm right here!"
"Hey...you are," Donna laughed. "C'mon. This thing starts in like ten minutes or something. We need to get moving," she ordered. "Michael, you can just hang with us, sweetie," she told him.
Donna and Michael were greeted at the door of the Bartlet family farm by the First Lady.
"Donna," Abbey smiled and hugged her tightly. "You look lovely, as always, dear."
"Ma'am, as do you," Donna responded back.
"Ma'am, this is Michael Winston," Donna said, presenting Michael Abbey.
"Ma'am," Michael smiled at her and offered her his hand.
"It's a pleasure to see the man who has made our Donna so happy," Abbey said. "Please come in. Sam and Mal are in the den. Jed is upstairs with Leo. Margaret, Bonnie, and Ginger will be up from the headquarters shortly. Um...let me see. Charlie and Zoey are taking a walk; Toby and CJ are working on this afternoon's remarks and Josh and Amy are...who the hell knows where they are. I think they were arguing when I last saw them. So, they're around here somewhere. Oh, and Will had to head back to DC early this morning for some lower level meetings and a little VP press stuff."
"Okay," Donna smiled. "C'mon Michael," Donna led Michael inside.
Mallory came out of the den immediately and hugged Donna tightly. "I've missed you so much," she whispered.
"Me too, Mal. You were a lovely bride; Sam sent me pictures" Donna sighed as Mallory rolled her eyes.
"Mal, this is Michael Winston," Donna said. "Michael, this is Mallory McGarry Seaborn, the next First Lady of The United States," Donna smiled proudly.
Michael snorted a little bit before shaking Mallory's hand. "Pleased to meet you, Ms. Seaborn."
"Donna? Can I steal you for a second?" Mallory asked, hesitantly.
"Yeah. Michael...I'll be right back," Donna told him.
Donna and Mal went into a side room and shut the door. "What's wrong?" Donna asked.
"I'm pregnant," Mallory said bluntly.
"You're what? Really?" Donna squealed. "Congratulations!" Donna whispered as she hugged Mallory tightly.
Mallory smiled through her tears. "Thanks, Donna...really...it's just that...I haven't really told anyone yet."
"Why not?" Donna asked confused.
"Sam knows, of course. I haven't told anyone else though," Mallory sighed and sat down.
Donna joined her in sitting. "How far along are you?"
"Two months," Mallory smiled. "The baby will be due in September. The 27th to be exact. Not exactly a good time for campaigning. And we've only been married a little more than a year. Plus with the pregnancy I won't be able to keep up with Sam's schedule like Leo and Josh want, ya know?"
"So you're worried about the appearance of things?" Donna asked for clarification.
"Yeah...Sam's...he's just not sure of how Josh will react to the whole thing. I think he planned for a baby in the second or third year of the term," Mallory smiled sadly.
"Josh wants to plan everything. Um, so...you want me to...maybe..." Donna threw out.
"Could you maybe...I don't know...tell him about this? I want to tell my Dad and the President and Abbey...but not until Josh has had a chance to figure it all out in his head, ya know? This campaign means the world to him and I don't want to spring anything on him that throws a wrench in things, I guess," Mallory explained. "He's just now getting to his happy place, you know?"
Donna smiled as she saw Sam appear in the doorway. "Donna," he whispered. "Good to see you."
"Sam," she breathed and got up and threw her arms around his neck. "You're gonna be a Daddy," she cooed.
"I know," he teared up as well. "Can you believe it?"
"Yes," she cried. "You'll be such a good Dad."
"The timing could have been better," he reasoned.
"Not at all," Donna rationalized. "A baby in the White House. It'll be amazing. Like Camelot the Second, or something," Donna smirked.
"Yeah...I just want to be sure that Josh is okay with everything, you know? Did Mal ask you to talk to him for us?" Sam asked hopefully.
"Yeah...I'll do it," Donna smirked. "I'll talk to the big baby."
"Who's a big baby?" Josh asked form the doorway, smirking.
"Speak of the devil," Mal laughed. "Hi, Josh," she smiled as she passed him and kissed him on the cheek.
"Josh," Sam nodded. "We were just catching up with Donna. Breakfast is in fifteen minutes you two," he nodded and left Donna standing there staring at Josh.
"Morning," Josh smiled at Donna.
"Hey," Donna smiled at him. "How ya feeling today?"
"Eh...little headache. Nothing too bad," he smirked at her and wiggled his eyebrows cause her to roll her eyes and laugh. "I, uh, I saw Maxwell out in the foyer there," Josh said nodding to the door, as he plopped himself down on the sofa near Donna.
"It's Michael and he was invited to breakfast. He'll he helping us this afternoon as well. I invited him," Donna said.
"Great. A Republican helping us out. Thanks for the sentiment," Josh said with disgust.
"Josh...don't start, okay? I wanted him to get to know you guys. You're my friends," she tried to explain.
"And you left us," Josh reasoned. "So, by all means, let's hang out with your new boyfriend."
"Don't be like that," she sighed and swatted at him as she joined him on the sofa.
"I can't help it," he smiled at her. "I'm stubborn and I am right," he laughed.
Donna laughed and nodded in agreement. "I forgot. You're right. You're always right."
"I am so glad that you finally remembered," he laughed right along with her. "I've missed your laugh, Donnatella," he smiled. "It's nice," he told her seriously.
She smiled sadly at him. "Josh? I have to tell you something," she told him.
"What is it?" he asked her seriously, straightening. "Are you okay?"
She smiled at his concern. "Josh," she started. "I'm fine, okay? It's not a bad thing, Josh."
"Um...okay...so...what?" he asked looking at her.
"Mallory's gonna have a baby on September 27th of this year...or somewhere in that vicinity," she said quickly, her eyes never leaving his gaze.
"It's Sam's baby, right?" he asked seriously.
"Of course it is," she smiled a little bit.
"Ya think they'll let me be an uncle?" he asked with a grin.
"Probably," she reasoned.
"Why are you telling me this and not them" Josh asked suddenly realizing the weirdness of the conversation.
"They were afraid of what you'd say," Donna said simply. "Mal was worried of how her pregnancy would interfere with the campaign season."
"Gosh..ya know? That didn't even cross my mind," Josh said honestly.
Donna smiled. "See? Look at that. You can be a real person sometimes," Donna said through glassy eyes. "You were just happy for them."
"Sam's my best friend and I love Mal like a sister. I can make it all work. We'll have a freaking baby in The White House! How great is that?" he asked.
"I know. It's wonderful," Donna sighed happily.
"Donna...I've put my feelings before politics before," Josh said honestly.
"Josh...just tell them how excited you are to be an Uncle so that Mal can tell Leo," Donna dismissed his last comment. "Now come on. I don't want to miss breakfast."
Josh looked at her and shook his head. "We wouldn't want Mackenzie to miss you too much."
"Josh," she warned. "Please try to be nice," she asked.
"For you, Donnatella. Anything," he whispered as he squeezed her hand.
Donna smiled and looked down at their intertwined hands for a minute. "I've really missed you," she whispered sadly.
"I've missed you, too," Josh murmured.
"J! There you are," Amy yelled. "I've been looking all over for ya. Hey Donna," Amy said blandly. "Anyway. Josh, I saved you a seat at the table."
Josh looked at Donna for a moment. His eyes were sad and his smile didn't quite reach them. "I'll see you later," Donna said. "I have to go find Michael."
Breakfast went relatively well. The President told everyone about the day ahead and had random facts on the interest groups that they would all be meeting later on. After receiving a reassuring nod from Donna, Mallory couldn't wait anymore and announced her pregnancy to the whole group.
Zoey squealed with Margaret, Bonnie and Ginger. CJ called the baby Sparky the Second. Leo cried. Amy said she needed to go see how pregnancy polled with the women's groups. The President and the First Lady hugged Sam and congratulated Leo and Mallory. Charlie shook Sam's hand. Josh met Donna's gaze and smiled happily. Michael looked around and sighed and thought that this was going to be a long day.
"We have a busy day ahead of us," President Barlet told his guests. "I want to thank Donna and her friend Michael for coming down here under direst from my darling daughter Zoey to give us a hand today. Both Sam and I appreciate it greatly. Donna...we're thrilled that you're back with us, even if it is for a short time," he told her lovingly. "We've missed you, my dear."
"Thank you, Sir," Donna answered him demurely.
"Okay," Leo said loudly. "Once we reach the location, Margaret will hand out your assignments. Any questions will go to Bonnie and Ginger. Thanks for your help,"he smiled.
The ride down to the afternoon event seemed to last for hours. Donna and Michael took a car down with Zoey and Charlie. Donna had missed Charlie and from the looks of it, Charlie had missed Zoey. The two sat side by side and Charlie held his arm around Zoey's shoulders while they all talked.
"So, Michael," Charlie began. "I hear your voting for the other guy."
"I am a registered Republican if that's what you mean," Michael told him.
"Huh," Charlie said. "No big deal. I'm sure we'll win without your vote," he smiled.
"I wouldn't be too sure. Sam Seaborn is far too liberal to lead this country. He's even worse than the President," Michael scoffed.
"Hey," Zoey said. "Michael...I thought we talked about you not dissing my Dad."
Donna looked at him and shook her head. "President Bartlet is a good man and he has done great things for our country. Sam is a great guy and he wants to do real good. I have no doubt that he'll be a fantastic leader," Donna gushed.
"Here, here," Zoey and Charlie chorused.
"Maybe once you get to know him," Zoey started to say.
"I don't think so. He'll only be here a few more days and then the liberal circus will move on. I have no desire to understand what makes you people tick," he said looking out the window.
"Us people?" Donna asked, shocked.
"Well, not you, baby," he said quickly, trying to fix his mistake. "I just meant that I am a dedicated Republican and no amount of time spent with any group of people could convince me to vote otherwise....that's all."
Donna smiled at Zoey and Charlie who looked skeptical and she held onto Michael's hand. "I don't want to change your vote. I just want you to get to know my friends," she reiterated with a squeeze.
"So, Donna," Charlie began. "It sucks with you not at work."
Donna laughed, "Why? It has to be quieter."
"You're not loud," Michael said, looking at her strangely.
Zoey and Charlie stifled a laugh. "Not loud?" Charlie asked. "She is a chatterbox, if I do say so," he smirked. "Her and Josh were constantly bantering about the West Wing at all hours of the day. They were the first thing I heard in the morning and the last thing I heard before leaving. It was comforting actually."
"I used to love listening to them babble about stuff that seemed so silly," Zoey recalled. "Hearing the flutter of their voices just meant that things were right, I guess."
"Josh just needed to be corrected most of the time. He could be wrong a lot. I," Donna said smiling "was his voice of reason and truth."
"And his constant source of agony," Charlie laughed.
"It was a give and take type thing," Donna corrected.
"But, honey," Michael said looking at her confused. "You're so quiet."
Zoey laughed, "Remember the time you wanted your money back in a tax refund and Josh tried to tell you why our way was better?"
Charlie laughed. "Josh was so pissed that you took his money from those sandwiches to 'invest' or whatever."
"I know. I was being logical, but I guess, in the long run, he was right. Stealing his money had a certain appeal to it," Donna mused.
"Josh is a royal pain in the ass at times," Zoey smirked.
"But he's a good guy," Donna defended. "Almost sweet sometimes."
"Remember the Alpine Skiing book?" Zoey said smiling knowingly at her friend.
"I really would've preferred the skis," Donna smirked.
"Right," Zoey laughed. "You were giddy when you read the inscription. And to this day, Josh has never told me what it said. And you haven't either, might I add."
"It was one of the first times that I realized just how sweet Josh really was under his hard exterior," Donna smiled remembering it.
"I'll have you know he agonized over what to get you that year," Charlie told Donna. "I was in the stupid ancient bookstore with The President and Josh that day. I think Josh was being punished for something or other and that's why he made the trip," Charlie recalled. "But when he saw that book...his eyes lit up and I knew, that as much as you wanted the skis, you'd be opening the book for Christmas."
"You know...since he's Jewish and all....why don't you make him give you gifts for all the days in Hanukah?" Zoey asked giggling.
"You know? That really does make the most sense," Donna agreed. "Eight gifts are bound to be better than one," Donna reasoned with a grin. "I'll discuss that with him. Maybe I'll be able to get a gift refund or something."
Charlie laughed at the giggling girls and then looked over at Michael, "You okay there, pal?"
"Uh, yeah...I just don't have much to add, I guess," Michael said, feeling out of place. "I'm just realizing that I really don't know Donna all that well, I guess," he said looking at her smiling and laughing with her friends.
"Michael," she said. "You know me just fine. We're just remembering things from a lifetime ago, is all. This is all my past," she said. "You," she punctuated with a kiss, "are my future."
"Well...I'm her future, too," Zoey added. "So, I guess Charlie is in your future if I am, right?"
"Am I in your future, Zoey? Cause sometimes I honestly can't tell," Charlie told her honestly.
Zoey smiled at him. "Of course you are, you goof," she laughed and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Awww," Donna sighed as Zoey kicked her and Charlie laughed.
"We're almost there folks," the driver told them from up front. "Once we stop, you're to go to the staging tent at the back and Margaret will give you your tasks. If you have any questions, speak to Bonnie and Ginger before they head back to Headquarters."
"Great," Charlie smirked. "I am thinking that my job will be to shadow The President. Not too much of a stretch there."
"I am just going to be the dutiful daughter," Zoey commented. "Donna's the only one of us that is going to be doing work. Michael's just going to be more or less hanging out."
"I'm just happy to be asked to help out," Donna beamed. "I've missed campaign stops," she sighed contently.
"I'm glad you decided to come," Charlie told her honestly. "It's not the same without you."
They all sat in silence the rest of the drive and took to the staging area upon arrival. Margaret was smiling at all of them and handed Zoey, Charlie and Donna envelopes. "Read 'em and weep folks. I'll be busy with Leo, so questions are farmed out to my partners in crime back here," she said laughing as she pointed to Bonnie and Ginger. "They'll be here for another hour or so before they head back to the office. "Enjoy," she smiled as she moved on to the next group of people.
Charlie opened his and grinned as he read it. "Charlie Young: Stay close to POTUS. Well," he laughed. "Who didn't see that one coming?"
Zoey smirked as she opened her's. "'Zoey Bartlet: Be the First Daughter.' Sounds mind numbingly easy. And I'll be close to Charlie, too. I love my assignment," she beamed as both her and Charlie watched Donna open her envelope. "What are you doing?" Zoey begged.
Donna stared at the piece of paper in front of her and walked right back to Margaret. "You've got to be kidding me," she said to her friend.
"I'm not the question lady," Margaret told her simply. "It won't be that bad," she told her. "And seriously, who the hell else could we assign it to? Everyone else would run screaming!"
Donna sighed and walked back to her friends questioning looks.
"Well?" Charlie asked.
"'Donna Moss : Assist the DCoS of POTUS.' I can't freaking believe this," she sighed loudly.
"And that's bad because..." Michael started as Donna went to talk to The First Lady.
"Josh," Zoey said simply. "She's assisting Josh today."
"And...he was her boss before. It should be easy to pick up," he remarked, not seeing the bad in the current situation.
"They had a complicated relationship," Charlie offered. "And when Donna left DC, she in a sense left Josh. He'd become way to codependent on her. None of us saw it as a bad thing until she left. Hindsight being 20/20 and all that."
"Josh and Donna...they're just a complicated pair," Zoey said, watching Donna plead with her mother. "Today should be a hoot!"
"Great," Michael said. "Me, Donna and Josh. What fun," he said dryly.
"Ma'am," Donna pleaded. "Is this a joke or something?"
"Quite simply no one else will deal with him. He needs assistants at these functions and by midway through these poor souls are running faster than their legs will carry them," the First Lady told her calmly. "Amy didn't come down here and all of his assistants from DC are from a temp service and they're not sticking those girls up here with no means of getting away from Josh."
Donna looked at The First Lady carefully, trying to see if this was a set- up or not. The excuse was plausible, Donna thought. Even probable. "I'm sorry for complaining, Ma'am. I am here to do whatever you guys need," Donna smiled. "Let me go find Josh."
Donna grabbed Michael and bid Charlie and Zoey a quick goodbye. "C'mon, honey. I have to find him before we get anywhere near the start of this thing," she told him as they jogged around.
"Why's that?" Michael asked confused. "We have like an hour or so before the first people arrive. Charlie gave me an itinerary," he told her proudly.
"Good for you," Donna smirked. "I need to know who's coming and why and what he needs to get from whom. And he has tie issues that I am sure the last two years haven't solved." Just then she noticed Josh fiddling with his paperwork in a cubby hole in the back, tie slung over his shoulder and credentials around his neck. "I'm gonna need credentials. For me and Michael," she smiled at him as she turned him around and began tying his tie around his neck.
"Take mine," he offered. "Bonnie'll give him a pass next time we see her," he smiled. "Everyone knows I'm supposed to be here," he told her still reading his notes over. "Mike, how ya doing?"
"It's...Michael, actually," Michael told him. "And I'm fine."
"Great," he murmured.
"Look up a sec," Donna ordered and he did moving his notes with him. "Okay. You're set. Credentials?" she asked.
He took them off his neck and put them on her neck without a thought, really. "Here's a pad," he told her, handing her a tablet.
"Thanks," she said and grabbed a pen from his inside jacket pocket.
"Beings that I am important or something," Josh laughed. "I have a portable office of sorts back here. We got chairs and stuff. "Let's go back there and go through what we're doing today. I'll actually call Bonnie and have her get...um...your boyfriend here a pass or something," Josh told Donna as she followed him to his office.
Michael trailed behind them, blown away by the ease of their supposed strained relationship. The office was small. There was a desk, three chairs, a cooler and a campaign phone. Josh needed at least two - one for the Administration and another for the election. "Let me get Bonnie back here," Josh said as he stepped outside to grab her on the walkie-talkies.
Donna smiled at Michael. "You doing okay?" she asked seriously.
"Yeah...you're just...I've never seen you so animated," he smiled. "It's great," he told her.
"It's the atmosphere," she said. "I don't know what it is about it...." she trailed as the phone rang on Josh's desk. On instinct she grabbed it, "Josh Lyman. You know what? He just stepped out for a second. Of course I can; lemme grab a pen real quick," she went on. "Uh huh, Senator Griffin from the 6th District. Right. Okay...what was that number again? Great. I'll have him give you a call as soon as he's done. Great," she smiled. "I'm sure Congressman Seaborn would be very pleased to have your support, sir. Very good. Thanks." She looked over her message and hung up and giggled when she noticed Josh staring at her through the door frame fighting his laughter.
"Well Ms. Moss, I believe this is how we first met," he cocked his eyebrow up with a grin.
"I believe so, Mr. Lyman," she laughed back. "State Senator from the 6th District here is looking to give Sam a fundraiser at his house. They've done this sort of thing in the past and it's very well attended. He wants you to call him back when you get a chance," she told him while he looked over the message.
"Thanks, Donna," he smiled as the phone began to ring. He nodded to it, "You gonna get that?"
"Yes, sir," she mock saluted.
"Josh Lyman," she said. "Yes, Congresswoman, he's actually right here," Donna told her.
"Why are you answering his phone again," Congresswoman Wyatt asked laughing. "And if you don't call me Andie I'm gonna sic my twins on you."
"Andie," Donna obliged. "How are you?"
"Answer the question kiddo," Andie ordered.
"I'm helping for the day and apparently no one likes Josh so he's assistantless," Donna whined. "So, here I am."
"Uh huh," Andie sighed. "Liking Josh is never the problem. He's likable...hell he's adorable," Andie laughed. "It's putting up with his moods that so many seem to fail at."
"Failure is not in my vocabulary, Andie," Donna smiled. "And he's not that bad."
"Right. Well...get his ass on the phone. I need to confirm a schedule for him to come down here and listen to some proposed legislation to see what Sammy thinks about it," the Congresswoman ordered.
"Josh," Donna yelled as he appeared in the doorway.
"Congresswoman Wyatt for you," Donna told him.
"Is she gonna kill me if I call her that?" Josh asked grabbing the phone and briefly allowing his fingers to brush against her hand.
"I'm gonna go through the guest list and stuff. We'll do names when you're done, okay?" she asked whispering.
"Congresswoman Wyatt," Josh boomed into the phone as he nodded to Donna. "Hey! You kiss your children with that mouth?" he asked laughing at her response as Donna shook her head and dragged Michael into the hallway.
"Who's he talking to like that?" Michael asked her once they were moving down the hallway at a ridiculously fast pace.
"Congresswoman Andrea Wyatt...Andie...Toby's ex-wife, the mother of his children," Donna explained grabbing the paperwork Bonnie was tossing at her while she moved to see how Toby and CJ were getting along.
"Huh...so his he knocked up his ex-wife and the guy who's running for President slept with a hooker and the President is a liar and his wife faked his medical records. What a great group of people," he mocked.
"Michael," she sighed. "I am busy. I can't defend this stuff to you right now and I don't want to have to defend my choices of friends to you. They're good people; but more importantly they were good to me when I had nothing. They are the best friends I have ever had and I love that about them. So...please...just look at them as my friends for right now. Please," she begged.
"Sorry," he mumbled. "What can I do?" he asked.
"Donna!" Josh was bellowing from his mini-office. "Donna!"
"God," she huffed. "C'mon," she said to Michael, hurrying to the direction of the bellowing.
"Donna," he yelled at again. "Jesus...c'mon, Donna!"
"What the hell is he yelling about?" Michael asked, following Donna down the hall.
"How I've missed that yelling," Toby laughed as Donna and Michael scurried down the hall.
"Joshua! What?" Donna asked.
"I'm ready to go over the thing for later," he said with a grin. "I just wanted to make sure you were ready."
She smiled at him and shook her head. "You're amazing," she told him and shut the door as Michael came in to sit down.
"I, in fact, am amazing," Josh said in his cocky manner. "I have been told that I am amazing many a time, Donna. And by many a woman. In fact...I believe that one or two times I may have heard how amazing I was from...gosh...who was that blond woman...."
"Shut up, Josh," Donna warned as she cast a sideways glance toward Michael.
"What...you've never uttered that I was, in fact, the man?" he asked smiling broadly.
"Maybe...on one of your better days," she thought giggling.
"I knew it! I am the man!" he boasted. "And I just snagged the AFL-CIO's endorsement for our good friend Sam Seaborn," Josh crowed.
"Seriously? They endorsed already? Primaries aren't even through yet," Donna grinned as she stood up.
"For all intents and purposes, we've got the nomination sown u," Josh explained. "After Andie finished her blabbering, the National AFL-CIO called through and gave me the announcement. Their president is going to release a statement later this afternoon. All that money! The bodies! I am so the fucking man!"
Donna found herself jumping up and down as Josh grabbed her and hugged her tightly and quickly. Toby through open Josh's door. "We got it?" Toby asked.
"I got it!" Josh boasted. "Donna? Didn't I get it? I mean they called me, right? I just told these two," he told Toby. "Hey...ask Matthew over there in the corner," he said gesturing to Michael. "He was here when I got the wonderful news that I, am in fact, still the man."
"He's right you know," Donna said. "I heard his bellow. It was his happy bellow," Donna confirmed, not even mentioning that Josh had once again gotten Michael's name wrong.
Michael sighed and sat down in the corner and watched the jubilee in the room to which he was not a part of.
CJ came in and kissed Josh on the cheek. "C'mon Toby," she said grabbing Toby's arm. "We need to go give the news to Sparky and Mal and get them prepped for the afternoon. Josh still has work to do," she sighed winking and nodding to Donna and Michael on her way out. "These boys are nuts," she smirked.
Josh sat down at his desk for a minute and sighed. "You know what I could use right now?" he asked.
"A good cup of coffee?" Donna offered.
"In fact, yes. That's what I need. Coffee," Josh confirmed.
"Great. When you go, can you get one for Michael and I, as well? Michael just takes his black. I want a non-fat mocha latte with whipped cream on top of it," Donna ordered smiling sweetly.
Instead of busting out laughing, which is what Michael had expected, Josh grinned at her and got up to go to the serving area for the staff. "Doesn't the whipped cream defeat the purpose of the thing being non-fat?" he asked seriously.
"Does it matter?" Donna countered.
"Not really," he guessed and walked out the door.
"What the hell?" Michael asked as Donna glanced back at the door.
Josh popped his head back in and grinned wickedly. "Thanks for being here, Donna," he murmured and then disappeared on his quest for coffee.
"He always wanted me to get him coffee while I was his assistant," Donna remembered.
"And...as his assistant...wouldn't that be part of the job?" he asked in disbelief.
"Nope," she said simply. "I did it twice."
"What were the occasions," Michael wondered out loud.
Then Josh appeared with the beverages. "She was out of sorts those two days is all I can figure," Josh answered for her and winked at Donna as she licked at the whipped cream.
"Thanks," Michael said.
"No problem, Mackenzie," Josh murmured while shuffling through the notes for the thing.
Donna was looking at the information that she had be given when she looked over at Michael and smiled. "Josh," she warned.
"What?" he asked seriously, paying her the utmost attention.
"Work with me here," she smiled sweetly.
"Whatever you want, Donna," he smirked back.
"Listen and comprehend for me, Joshua," she told him. "His name," she said gesturing to her boyfriend, "is Michael. Understand me?"
"Yes ma'am," Josh smiled at her snarkiness. "Sorry Milford...I mean, Michael," Josh corrected himself, sparing Donna a brief turn of his lips.
"You're impossible," she sighed and got up to kiss Michael on the mouth. "He's an idiot, sometimes, baby," she cooed.
"Hey!" Josh whined. "I'm right here!"
"Hey...you are," Donna laughed. "C'mon. This thing starts in like ten minutes or something. We need to get moving," she ordered. "Michael, you can just hang with us, sweetie," she told him.
