"She's not coming back," Josh proclaimed to Will about 4 months after Donna had left.
"How do you know that?" Will asked him. "She could be on her way here right now."
"Always the optimist, aren't you?" Josh smirked. "She's gone. I need to move on and get out of this funk."
"Maybe," Will sighed. "Your current funk is perhaps worse than your perpetual strut."
"I've heard," Josh laughed. "Does she ever call you?" Josh asked, growing serious again.
"Donna?" Will asked and Josh nodded. "She has."
"When was the last time you heard from her?" Josh pried.
"Last week," Will told him. "She told me you don't take her calls."
"Yeah," Josh sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I can't," he said shaking his head. "It's too hard."
"Yeah," Will smiled a little. "She figured."
"Could you do something for me?" Josh asked and Will nodded. "Tell her if she needs anything – anything at all – to get in touch with me. I want her to know that I'll always help her out, ya know?"
"Yeah," Will answered. "Sure thing."
"Thanks," Josh smiled. "I appreciate that."
"Ready to get out of here?" Will asked nodding to the door. "We have to meet everyone at the benefit in like an hour or something."
"Yeah," Josh smiled leading the way out the door. "Hey Will?" he asked as they started down the hallway.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Is she happy?" Josh asked.
"No," Will said quietly. "And neither are you – that's what I tell her when she asks."
"Okay," Josh whispers.
----
"Mom?" Donna whispered when she called her family's home in Wisconsin.
"Donna," her mother smiled. "Where have you been? You left Washington and now you're too busy to call us?"
"Sorry Mom," Donna smiled. "I went to visit Cassie from school. You remember her, right?"
"Yes dear – that boss of yours kept calling here a while back – digging for information," her mother explained. "I told him you weren't here and he seems to have gotten the picture. When can you come and visit?"
"Mom, I was hoping I could just come home to stay for a while," Donna told her.
"Of course," her mother grinned. "We'll fix your old room up just right."
"Thanks, Mom," Donna smiled. "I also have something else to tell you."
"Well...what?" her mother asked. "I don't have all day, dear. I have to run to the market and..."
"I'm pregnant," Donna blurted out.
"What?" her mother asked as she sat down on a stool by the phone.
"I'm going to have a baby, Mom," Donna said more calmly. "I thought you should know before I came home – in case you didn't still want me to come home."
"Sweetheart," Mrs. Moss sighed. "Of course I want you to come home. You and your little bundle of joy are always welcome here. So, are you lugging your boyfriend up here, too?"
"I don't have a boyfriend anymore, Mother," Donna sighed.
"What about Winston? That nice man you brought to your grandparents' party a while back," her mother pressed.
"We broke up just after that," Donna explained.
"Does he know about the baby?" her mother asked.
"It's not his concern," Donna told her.
"But sweetie," her mother protested. "If he's the father he has a right to know."
"He's not," Donna told her. "The baby's not his."
"Well," her mother sighed. "Who is the father?"
"Mother," Donna sighed. "Can we not get into it?"
"Does he know you're pregnant?" her mother continued.
"No," Donna sighed as tears formed in her eyes.
"Why haven't you told him?" Mrs. Moss asked.
"We're not exactly speaking right now," Donna sighed.
"But what about his baby?" her mother asked.
"This baby is mine as well," Donna explained. "I'll do what I think is best."
"But sweetie," her mother continued. "Why can't you tell the father? Could your relationship really have been that bad?"
"It was really perfect, actually," Donna smiled sadly. "And then it had to be over – for both of us – and that was that. I didn't even know I was pregnant at the time."
"Won't he wonder when he sees you?" her mother pressed.
"He won't," Donna smiled. "I'm coming to Wisconsin – keep up!" Donna tried to joke.
"Okay," her mother smiled sadly. "I'll see you soon, sweetie. Take care of yourself and that baby of yours."
"I love you, Mom," Donna told her and hung up.
Donna hung up the phone and curled up in a ball on the floor of her hotel room and rubbed her growing stomach. "It's gonna be all better, little one," she promised through her tears.
----
Josh sighed as he made his way home from his date with CJ's friend Lynne. She was nice and fun and not political in anyway. But Josh doubted he'd call on her again. The spark just wasn't there. He walked in his door and his phone was ringing. "Yeah?" he asked when he lunged for it.
Donna froze when she heard his voice. She called him many nights. She would do it when she thought he wouldn't be home so she wouldn't be coerced into talking. She'd do it to listen to his voice on his answering machine. She'd do it for the comfort she'd feel. She never did it to actually speak with him.
"Hello? Who is this? I hear you breathing?" Josh demanded.
"Josh?" she asked.
"Donna?" he answered questioningly. "Is that you?"
"Yeah," she smiled. "Hi."
"Hi," he laughed. "Are you okay? I mean, it's late and all."
"Oh," she laughed nervously. "I didn't even look at the clock."
"No problem," he said sitting down. "What's wrong? Do you need something?"
"No," she exhaled. "I was just trying your house to say hi is all. I'll let you go – I'm sure you're busy."
"Surprisingly no," he laughed. "I have a little bit."
"Oh," she said, feeling deflated. "Great."
"So how's the weather where you're at?" he asked, fishing.
"Ha ha," she smirked. "Not a chance, Lyman," she said.
He smiled. "Okay. How are you?"
"Good – tired but in a good way, ya know?" she answered.
"Mmmhmm," he murmured.
"How about you? You sounded like you were just getting in," she continued.
"Yeah. I was out with Lynne – you remember, CJ's friend?" he told her. "We went out for dinner and drinks and a movie," he reported.
She forced a smile on her face and squinted the tears out of her eyes. "Good for you," she told him. "Did you have a nice time?"
"Yeah," Josh said easily. "She's a good girl."
"Is this like a thing? The two of you?" she asked, feeling very jealous.
"Donna," Josh sighed, knowing where this was headed. "You left me, remember?"
"Yeah," she smiled sadly. "I remember." She shook her head and wiped her damp cheeks. "I'm glad you had a nice time."
"Thanks," he smiled genuinely. "Donna," he said. "I gotta go," he said as his pager began vibrating.
"Okay," she said quietly. "I understand."
"No," he said shaking his hand. "It's work," he told her. "Not the conversation."
"Mmmhmm," she smirked.
"Will you call me again?" he asked.
"Maybe," she told him.
"Okay," he smiled. "I'm glad you're okay."
"I'm glad you are too."
"I'm really not," he told her.
"Me neither," she sighed.
"Donna..." he said.
"Yes?" she answered.
"It's gonna get better, right?" he asked.
"It has too," she smiled.
"Call me sometime, will ya? I miss your voice," he told her.
"Good night, Joshua," she murmured and hung up the phone.
He hung up and smiled at the phone. "Night, Donna," he whispered before grabbing his backpack and heading back to the office.
----
He felt better about things once he'd spoken with Donna. He called Lynne again the next weekend and they'd been seeing each other steadily now for about 4 months. He wasn't head over heels in love with her yet, but she was easy to get along with and it felt right being with her. Donna called too. She began calling him every other Wednesday night around midnight his time. He was content with that connection to her.
She'd sounded more and more tired with each conversation but also more at ease with him. They were becoming friends again. And at the point he was at in his life, that was more than he could have hoped for. It was Christmas time again and Josh was on the phone with Donna once again.
"So...seeing anyone?" he asked.
"Not really," she sighed. "I've been busy. But how's Lynne doing?" she inquired.
"Perfect," he smiled. "I'm really happy."
"I'm so glad, Josh. You deserve it."
"I'm going to ask her to marry me," he told her.
"Oh?" she squeaked. "Already? I mean...isn't that kinda fast?" she said quickly.
"I was thinking of a long engagement," he laughed. "Besides, you've even said it yourself – she's good for me."
"Maybe," she reasoned. "But too much of a good thing is...well...it's bad."
He laughed. "You have no right to be jealous," he told her. "It's been forever since we were together."
"Eight months," she told him. "Not forever."
"Donna," he sighed. "Will you come home?" he asked. He'd asked her that question every other conversation they'd had since they started talking again.
"Josh," she sighed, like she had so many times before. "It's not possible."
"Okay," he smiled sadly. "You can't say I didn't try."
"Right," she smiled through her tears.
"Donna," he sighed. "Where are you? I really want to see you – just for a minute, just to catch up."
"I can't, Josh," she told him. "Try to understand."
"I do," he smiled. "Lynne's on her way over."
"It's so late," she said.
"Yeah," he smiled. "I just got home from work and she insists on seeing me," he chuckled. "You know how it is."
"Okay," she whispered. "Bye Josh," she murmured.
"Merry Christmas Donnatella," he said before hanging up.
She sighed and picked up her phone again to call Will.
"Will?" she asked when he picked up his phone.
"Donna? Are you okay?" Will asked.
"I have to tell you something. And I have to tell Sam, too. Can you find Sam and the both of you call me back?" she asked.
"Actually Sam's just gotten here," Will smiled. "I'm still at the office and he's meeting us for drinks. Josh's not here," he through in.
"I know," she smiled. "He's waiting for Lynne at his place," she whined.
Will smiled. "Jealousy is a lovely shade on you, my dear," he snickered.
"Get Sam and let's get this over with," she demanded.
Will summoned Sam and they closed the door and put Donna on the speaker.
"Hey Donna," Sam smiled. "How are things?"
"They suck," she told him. "They really suck."
"What's going on?" Will asked.
"If I tell you guys something...can you keep it a secret? I mean...from everyone?" she asked.
"Yes," Will answered without hesitation.
"Sam?" Donna prompted and Will nudged him.
"Yeah," Sam smiled. "Anything for you, Donna."
"I'm pregnant," she whispered.
"Oh my god!" Sam exclaimed. "Who's is it?"
"Jeez, Sam," she said. "Calm down."
"Sorry, Donna," he sighed. "I didn't realize you were seeing anybody."
"It's Josh's baby," Donna announced. "After I left I found out I was pregnant."
"And telling him isn't the right thing to do here?" Will asked.
"I don't know," Donna admitted. "I've been talking to him again and it's nice. We're getting to be friends again and I like that."
"He's happy about that too," Sam supplied.
"He's going to ask Lynne to marry him," she told them.
"Really? Already?" Will asked.
"Yeah," Sam sighed. "He mentioned he was thinking about that."
"Donna? When are you due?" Will asked.
"In a week or two," she smiled.
"Wow," Sam smiled. "My little Donna's all grown up."
"Shut up," she seethed.
"Donna?" Will asked. "What do you want us to do?"
"I want to see him," she told them. "I want him to see me and the baby – even if it's just this once."
"Donna – you know he still loves you," Sam told her.
"He loves Lynne now," Donna said.
"Not like he loves you," Will told her.
"Whatever," she smiled. "Can you help me?"
"He'll be there in a week or so," Sam promised. "You're home now?"
"Yeah," she told them. "I came back here about four months ago now."
"Okay," Will smiled. "We'll get him there."
"We promise," Sam smiled as they hung up the phone and plotted to send Josh on a mission to Wisconsin.
----
"You're all set to go?" Sam asked as Josh packed his bags in his car.
"Why couldn't someone else do this again?" he asked Will who was leaning up against his car.
"I don't know," Will answered. "They need you to speak with the Chairman there. He likes you, apparently."
"Okay," Josh smirked. "And this is the address?" he confirmed.
"Uh huh. Have fun!" Sam smiled.
"Yeah," Josh sighed. "I'll be headed to the airport in a half hour or so. I just have to pick up Lynne," he said with a grin. "I asked her to marry me last night."
"Congrats, man," Sam smiled and patted him on the back.
"Good for you," Will tried to sound sincere.
"Thanks. So, I asked her to come along," Josh continued. "That's cool, right?"
"Sure," Will smiled falsely.
"Great," Sam agreed. "Be safe!"
"Bye guys," Josh said as he pulled away to pick up Lynne.
"We have to call Donna," Will said as Sam was already grabbing for his cell phone.
"Mrs. Moss?" he asked when her mother answered. "Is Donna home?"
"She just called me from a cab. She was at the mall and went into labor. She's having the baby!" Donna's mother said excitedly.
"Congratulations," Sam smiled. "We'll check in later."
"Well?" Will asked when Sam set down his phone.
"She's having the baby now," Sam said calmly. "Josh is gonna freak."
----
Josh and Lynne arrived in Wisconsin right on schedule and took their cab to the address that Sam had given him.
"Huh," Lynne commented as they walked up the front steps. "You'd think the Chairman would live in a more upscale community or something."
"Eh," Josh shrugged it off. "Who knows...maybe it's a family home or something," he said as he knocked on the door.
"Hello?" a woman said as she approached the door. "Can I help you?"
"Hi," Josh smiled. "We have a meeting with the Chairman. We're a little early though," he explained.
"I'm sorry," the girl smiled. "The who?"
"What's your name?" Josh asked.
"What's yours?" she countered.
"Josh Lyman, Deputy White House Chief of Staff," he said confidently. "You're turn."
The girl paused a little. "Josh Lyman?" she asked.
"You're reputation precedes you, honey" Lynne said approvingly and rubbed his shoulder.
"Donna's not here, Mr. Lyman," the girl said clearly.
"Who?" Lynn asked. "Honey," she turned to Josh. "I thought the Chair was a man."
"He is," Josh told her and then turned back to the girl. "I'm sorry, who's not here?" Josh asked.
"Aunt Mary," the girl called. "Someone's here for Donna."
Donna's mother came to the door and smiled at the guests. "I'm sorry dears," Mary Moss smiled. "She's at the hospital. Her sister's are with her and I'm on my way there now. What were your names again so that I can tell her you stopped by?"
"Josh Lyman, ma'am," Josh said quietly. "We've met before, Mrs. Moss – in DC a few years ago."
"Ah," Mrs. Moss smiled. "Donna's infamous boss. I'm glad you finally stopped calling her after a while. The messages were getting out of control," she laughed. "And before you say anything – she just came back here a few months ago – after you'd stopped calling here after her. She talks to you now, right? She mentions you from time to time."
"Yeah," Josh smiled. "We talk every-so-often," he confirmed. "She's at the hospital?" he asked, changing the subject. "Is she okay?"
"She's in labor, dear boy," Mrs. Moss said with a grin. "I'm sure she's in quite a bit of pain at the moment, actually."
"Where's the Chairman?" Lynne asked confused.
"Not here," Josh silenced her with a look. "Mrs. Moss – what hospital?"
"Mr. Lyman," Mrs. Moss said. "I don't think I should tell you that information."
"Please," Josh sighed. "Since I'm here, I might as well stop by and see her, right? She'd never forgive me if I didn't."
"I suppose you could follow me there," Mrs. Moss sighed. "I'm leaving in a few minutes."
"We'll be right out here waiting," Josh smiled. "Thanks, Mrs. Moss."
"Very well," she sighed and turned to get her bags.
Josh stalked to his car and grabbed his cell phone and dialed Sam's cell phone.
"Josh!" he said when he answered it. "Where're you at?"
"I'm standing in front of Donna's mother's house with my fiancé, Sam," Josh said calmly.
"Yeah," Sam sighed. "I was afraid of that," Sam admitted. "She's not there, Josh."
"I know," Josh continued. "Her mother informed me that her daughter is having a baby as we speak."
"Isn't that something," Sam remarked.
"How is she having a baby?" Josh asked.
"Josh – it's a little late for the 'talk', isn't it?" Sam asked with a grin.
"How did I not know she was pregnant?" Josh demanded.
"She didn't tell you?" Sam offered.
"But she told you, didn't she?" Josh asked.
"I knew," Sam admitted. "So did Will."
"Wow," Josh sighed. "I didn't even know she was seeing anybody," Josh laughed a little. "And I thought she might take my engagement hard – ha!"
"Math was never your strong suit," Sam stated. "Was it?"
"Verbal was always my forte," Josh shot back.
Sam shook his head sadly, "Josh – what are you doing now?" he asked.
"Waiting for Donna's mother to get out here so I can follow her to the hospital. I'm gonna go and see Donna before I get out of here," he explained.
"With Lynne?" he asked.
"Of course with Lynne," Josh laughed. "Why wouldn't I bring her?"
"I just didn't want Donna to feel uncomfortable or anything," Sam sighed.
"I just got engaged – she got pregnant," Josh told him. "I should be uncomfortable."
"Josh," Sam sighed. "Be careful," he warned his friend.
"I'll talk to you later," Josh smiled and hung up as Mrs. Moss made her way to her vehicle and nodded for him to follow her.
