The gentle light from outside peeked through Donna's bedroom windows but she didn't open her eyes. Instead she moved closer to Josh under the warm blankets piled on her bed. It had been a long, late night and she'd insisted he stay with her. It was freezing in his apartment, she'd rationalized, and even though she'd had the super fix the window while Josh was with Stanley the day before, the heater hadn't had time to catch up.
For about the millionth time in the last few months she lay in then silence of the morning and thanked a higher power that it hadn't been any worse. And she was never so grateful that Audrey had been with Edith for the last two nights. He was once again on the road to recovery.
Donna moved her head slightly where it rest on his chest and felt his hand move to softly stoke her hair.
This was all they had of each other. A few tender moments in the early hours, in which neither of them would allow themselves the luxury of acknowledging what this truly was. They both thought that if it remained unspoken perhaps neither would be hurt by the others rejection.
And so the both clung to each other with everything they had, embracing the other and loving them unconditionally while they could.
Eventually they rose, still silent and Donna took a quick shower while Josh stayed in bed thinking of all that happened over the last 24 hours. Donna emerged clad in a clean pair of pajamas. "It's all yours," she motioned to the shower. "I packed you a few things. But put on the pajama pants and Harvard sweatshirt."
"We aren't getting dressed?"
Donna shook her head. "No. Your mother and Audrey will be here for Christmas morning. We have to do breakfast and gifts in pajamas. Then we will get dressed for Christmas dinner."
"Whatever you say," he chuckled.
His mood was shifting. It was music to her ears.
When he stepped out of the shower with a head full of damp curls he found her standing in front of the window with her hands wrapped around a large cup of coffee.
"Merry Christmas," he almost croaked, a little bit surprised at how hoarse his voice sounded.
She gave him a million watt smile. "Merry Christmas, Josh. It snowed last night."
He was endlessly amused by the fact that she could be so over the moon about something as simple as a fresh powder on Christmas morning. She'd plugged the tree in and even he had to admit that the soft glow of the lights created a soft warm feeling.
He was content standing next to her as she leaned back into him slightly. It may have been the proximity to the radiator, but he swore his whole body warmed up with the simple touch.
Content to watch the city go by in silence, she handed Josh her mug of coffee and he didn't hesitate as he took a drink. He swore he could stand there forever.
He glanced around the room a bit, taking in the apartment that felt like a second home. Though Josh knew for a fact that Donna was meticulous when it came to decorating her tree, this year it was completely out of sorts. He knew immediately that this was in no small part his daughter's doing. The tree was adorned with Donna's coordinating globes and ornaments from her childhood, and sprinkled with a few glitter coated paper snowflakes that looked to be a product of craft time at Audrey's school.
She'd come to him in the weeks prior, asking to take Audrey for the evening on several occasions for Christmas related festivities and he'd gladly agreed. Even though they'd be celebrating Hanukkah at his house, Josh had no problem letting Audrey and Donna bond over some holiday fun. She'd taken Audrey ice skating, shopping at the mall and to see Santa. They'd baked cookies, decorated a tree and Josh didn't even know what else.
It wasn't long before the silent morning was interrupted by a knock at the door and Donna greeted Edith and Audrey with warm hugs.
"Daddy!" Audrey immediately sprinted through the doorway towards Josh, who crouched down to wrap her up in his arms.
"Merry Christmas, Donna," Edith sat down several large bags of varying contents. "How's he doing," she asked softly.
A sad smile passed over Donna's lips. "Better this morning, I think. Having Audrey close by always helps."
Edith had noticed the changes in Josh too, but hadn't seen him in the last two days. Donna had called the previous evening to let her know that his session ran long and that he'd cut his hand but she didn't elaborate. She didn't have to.
"These need to go into the fridge," Edith busied herself with the contents of one of the bags. Donna gave her a hand as they both moved around the kitchen listening to Audrey's quiet conversation with her father in the living room. She'd asked what had happened to Josh's hand, immediately seeing the bandage. Josh deflected, telling her it was just a little cut.
"Careful, Daddy," she'd told him, mimicking his own advice to her on so many occasions.
Donna closed her eyes at the exchange, still not able to completely process what had happened to him two nights prior. She shook herself out of it and plastered a smile on her face, determined to make the morning a great experience for Audrey.
And before long the smile was genuine as the four of them crowded around her small kitchen table for breakfast.
"This is delicious, Donna," Josh complemented her. She smiled softly, just glad to see him eating a full meal.
"Yum!" Audrey chimed in. She'd learned months ago to take her cues from her dad and eat the healthy portions of Donna's cooking without protest.
Donna grinned at Audrey's enthusiasm. "Eat two more bites of eggs and then..." she leaned over conspiratorially, "we can go see if Santa Clause came to my house last night!"
Josh had never seen his daughter cooperate so quickly in her life.
Once the dishes were cleared Donna took Audrey's hand and lead her into the living room.
Audrey let out a small gasp as her eyes lit up when Donna pointed out the gifts under the Christmas tree.
Even Josh was stunned. They weren't there when he'd woken up and he wasn't exact sure when Donna had a free second to make the morning so magical for Audrey. He looked over at his mother, a normally put together woman, who on this particular morning had driven across town in a pair of snowman pajamas to celebrate Christmas in Donna Moss's apartment.
Just another testimony, he thought, to prove there truly wasn't anything they wouldn't do for Donna. She was family.
They all made their way to the living room and sat down, Josh and Donna on the couch, Edith comfortable with her cup of warm tea in the armchair.
Audrey planted herself under the tree next to the pile of gifts wrapped in red and white paper, eager to begin opening them.
"We start with the stocking," Donna informed her as she picked up the overflowing red and white stocking from the window sill and moved to her seat, Audrey trailing attentively behind her.
"Now?" Audrey asked eagerly.
Josh stretched his uninjured arm out across the back of the couch where Donna was seated and made himself comfortable as Audrey crawled in next to them.
"Go ahead," Donna offered her approval and watched on as Audrey pulled out a multitude of small treasures. Donna had been collecting tiny gifts for Audrey for months, prepared to fill her stocking and have something to open each night of Hanukkah.
Between small trinkets Audrey pulled out snacks and candies, many of which were favorites of Josh. He reached down and selected a peanut butter cup from Audrey's mounting pile and popped it in his mouth, giving Donna's shoulder a soft squeeze as he watched his daughter in all of her excitement.
Edith snapped a few photos but mostly she sat quietly and observed her son. Audrey eventually came bounding over to her, showing off a small toy.
Donna stood and refilled the coffee mugs and grabbed a juice box for Audrey before returning to her spot next to Josh on the couch. "Sweet Pea, why don't you see what else is under the tree?"
Audrey hopped up and ran over to the tree, grabbing the biggest box.
"That one is for you. From Santa," Donna told her, making her way over to sit next to Audrey. "Go ahead and open it."
Audrey, with help from Donna, tore into box after box, unearthing a few clothing articles, several books and a few educational toys.
"Those are pretty neat, huh?" Josh leaned forward and spoke to Audrey, winking at Donna in the process.
Audrey nodded eagerly, already playing with her new items.
"I think there is something under the tree for Daddy, too," Donna reached for a box tucked away under the tree and handed it to Audrey to deliver to Josh. Josh's face lit up the moment he removed the lid of the box to find a coffee mug hand painted by Audrey.
Donna had taken her to a paint your own pottery location last week and Audrey created a gift for her Dad. It was an art project that only a parent could love and Josh adored it, beaming with pride. He gave Audrey a huge hug of thanks and smiled at Donna in the process.
They spent the morning exchanging gifts and chatting while Audrey played with a few toys. Donna stood and slipped into her bedroom, returning with two aspirin that she discreetly slipped to Josh. He gave her a sad smile of appreciation, wondering how she knew that the slight throbbing in his hand was beginning to increase.
Edie helped Donna in the kitchen while Audrey played quietly at the table and Josh took a short nap. Donna knew he desperately needed the sleep.
"Come here, I need your help, baby girl."
Audrey hopped up at the sound of Donna's voice and hurried over, standing on her tip toes and trying to see what was happening. Donna popped her up onto the counter to sit next to a pie crust, showing her how to pinch the edges. Audrey smiled brightly when Edith and Donna praised her work.
"When does Uncle Toby get here?" Audrey asked as Donna wiped down the counter.
"Any minute," Donna assured her.
Because Hanukkah and Christmas overlapped that year Donna had invited Toby over for dinner. Edith was making dinner while Donna had been in charge of the morning's festivities.
Josh woke from his nap at the sound of the knock at the door, shuffling in to Donna's room to change into jeans and a sweater.
"Uncle Toby!" Audrey threw her hands up in an exciting greeting as soon as Donna opened the door.
"Hey kid," he bent down and gave her a high five.
Audrey bounced around Donna's apartment. There was no shortage of sugar in her system.
"Hey, Toby. Thanks for coming," Donna enveloped in him in a warm hug.
"How is he today?" Toby had barely slept the night before, thinking about the pain his brother was in.
Donna gave him a sad smile. "Better. He's going to get better."
Toby squeezed her hand and gave her a small nod. And with that small gesture she knew that Toby would do everything within his power to make sure that Josh received the support and care he needed.
"Edith," he changed his focus, his voice livening up a bit. Well, as lively as Toby ever was. "A pleasure to see you as always. It smells wonderful in here."
"Ah, Tobias." Edith welcomed Toby with a hug and a kiss. He was family, too. "I hope you're hungry."
The five spent their evening together in the most pleasant of company, all of them throughly enjoying the holiday meal and all that came with it. As the evening wore on Toby said his goodbyes and headed back to his apartment. He had an early meeting the next day.
Edith and Donna finished cleaning up and made a pot of tea. Donna clicked through the channels on the television until she found White Christmas on TV. She grabbed a warm blanket and sat on the couch next to Josh, pulling Audrey onto her lap.
"This is my favorite Christmas movie," Donna told her, going into detail about how her family always gathered around the living room with mugs of coca to watch Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby serenade them for ninety minutes.
Audrey watched contently for a few moments before dozing off. Donna pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. And it wasn't long before Donna found her eyelids heavy as well.
"I'm leaving, Joshua," Edith whispered as she placed her hand on her son's cheek. He was beginning to doze too, Donna wrapped in his arms and Audrey snuggled in close to Donna, a long forgotten Christmas movie playing softly in the background.
"Night, Ma," Josh whispered, perfectly content in his surroundings and not whishing to disturb anyone else. "Thanks for everything today."
"Of course," she leaned down and kissed his forehead, taking in the scene in front of her. "I love you, son. No need to thank me. I'm here when you need me."
Josh gave a small, sad smile of appreciation.
Edith placed her hand on Josh's cheek, watching as he held Donna and Audrey close, Donna's face nuzzled in close to the crook of his neck. "And Joshua?"
"Hmm?" He glanced up to her.
Edith met his eyes, glancing pointedly towards Donna. "Get a grip."
Josh was speechless, watching his mother silently make her way from Donna's apartment into the cold winter night.