"Hey." Sam entered Josh's office, flopping down into a chair.
"Hey. How's the house coming?"
"Pretty good. Thanks for helping me with the stuff."
"It wasn't a problem. So what's up?"
"Ainsley wants our parents to come for Christmas."
"All of them?"
"Yup."
"World War III in the makings."
"Tell me about it."
"What did you say?"
"Yes."
"Man, you piss off top politicians but you get married to a Republican and you begin to quake at her every word."
"It's...you don't understand."
"She's got you whipped. That's all I need to understand."
"Josh, really... there's something else."
"What? Is she pregnant or something?" he joked. Sam just stared at him. "Oh my God. She is isn't she?"
"You're not supposed to know."
"Not supposed to know what?" Donna asked, walking in. Sam gave Josh a look, who then said, "Nothing. Go away."
"You have a meeting in ten minutes and Sam, Ginger called. She said you need to meet with some group in a few minutes."
"How do they always know I'm here?" he asked.
"Where else would you be?"
"I dunno. Ainsley's office."
"It's more likely that you're hanging out with Josh than your wife." Donna said, leaving the room.
"How long have you known?" Josh asked.
"Uh... since about the end of September/beginning of October." Sam replied.
"Wow."
"Yeah."
"And you're okay with it?"
"What the hell kind of question is that? Of course I'm okay with it!"
"You're going to be a father."
"I know."
"That... wow. I don't know who I feel worse for." Josh joked. "The kid or you."
"Haha. I'm going to my meeting. And don't tell anyone."
"I won't. Hey congratulations."
"Thanks." Sam smiled, walking out.
---------------------TWW----------------
"So when are the clans coming?" Josh asked as he and Sam got lunch in the Mess.
"My mother is coming the 22nd. Ainsley's parents are coming the 23rd."
"And your father?"
"Who the hell cares."
"Did you invite him?"
"Ainsley extended the invitation to him yes."
"Did someone say my name?"
"Hey," Sam greeted, tossing Ainsley an apple.
"I have a peach." she said, tossing it back. "Hi Josh."
"Hello. So I hear your family is coming for the holidays."
"Yeah." Ainsley smiled. "It'll be nice all of us being together."
"That's great."
"You know, you're welcome to come over for Christmas. We've invited everyone over."
"Oh we have?" Sam questioned.
"I told you this in the car this morning." Ainsley said. "But then again, you probably weren't listening to me."
"Obviously if this is the first I'm hearing of this."
"Guys, don't fight." Josh said. "I mean, you're gonna..."
"We're gonna what?" Ainsley asked.
"Nothing."
Ainsley turned to Sam, her hands on her hips.
"Did you tell him?"
"No."
"Then what is he talking about?"
"Who knows what Josh is ever talking about?"
"Good point." Josh piped up. "But if you're talking about the kid..."
"Josh!"
"You did tell him!" Ainsley exclaimed.
"He figured it out." Sam said quickly, leading them to a table.
"Oh yeah cause Josh figures out things!"
"Hey, I'm not totally stupid." he said.
"Stay out of this." Sam said. "Honey..."
"I told you I didn't want anyone knowing yet!" Ainsley said.
"And a whole lot of people are going to find out if you don't keep your voice down! All he said was that I'm whipped and I said that there's more to it and he said, 'What is she pregnant or something?"
"So then you just gave him a blank look and you two shared a telepathic connection."
"Basically."
Ainsley groaned and rubbed her forehead.
"I honestly cannot stand the two of you." she muttered.
"We share a bond." Josh said, clapping Sam on the shoulder. "Nothing can stop it. Not even you Ainsley. You can never come between me and Sam."
Sam let out a snort and grabbed his coffee off the table.
"Don't tell anyone." Ainsley said.
"I've already been sworn to secrecy by Sam. So when are you letting everyone know?"
"Once our parents know."
"Why?"
"Josh, would you like it if you were reading the papers then saw an article that your daughter was having a kid and you had no idea about it?"
"Oh. There will be a leak and then they'll find out from the newspapers."
"Yeah."
"Got it. So... they're all coming for Christmas." Josh smirked.
"Don't make it worse." Sam muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ainsley asked.
"Nothing."
"No. What?"
"I... nothing."
"No. You were going to say something. Why would Josh be making it worse? Why is it already bad?"
"You can't have a bipartisan Christmas!" Sam exclaimed. "Either the Seaborns or the Hayes are going to wind up dead."
"That'll be quite a headline." Josh said. "I'm going back to my office. I'll see you guys later."
"Why do you think they cannot get along for one day?" Ainsley asked.
"It's not possible. Your parents are hardcore Republicans and mine are hardcore Democrats. Speaking of my parents... did you talk to my father?" Sam said.
"I left a message at his office saying he's welcome. He hasn't gotten back to me yet."
"He's not welcome."
"You have got to stop this."
"You don't get it Ainsley."
"I do Sam. I'm not getting into a debate over this with you."
"Good. I'm going back to my office."
"I'll see you at the end of the day." Ainsley muttered, grabbing her stuff. They walked out together, then went their separate ways once they were in the hallway.