"You've got books for the airplane? And snacks?"
"Yes, Josh."
"What about a jacket in case she gets cold?"
"Yes, Josh."
"And Walter?"
"Josh." Donna reached out and placed a calming hand on his arm. "She has everything. You were there when we packed."
"I know," he looked a little sheepish. "I just-"
Donna caught his gaze. "If you're having second thoughts about this it's not too late to change your mind," she told him.
"No," he assured her. "I want you guys to go and have fun. You need to see your family, too."
She wasn't completely convinced. "Joshua," she smoothed his lapel. "There's a lot going on right now..."
"I'll be fine," he told her in a voice that was meant to reassure both of them.
"Oh yeah?" She teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"Well... probably not," he admitted. "And I'm definitely going to miss you."
She felt her face flush slightly, trying to remember that they were currently in a very public place.
"But," he continued, placing a hand lightly on top of Audrey's head, "as much as I hate the thought of you guys being away for four days I still think you need the time with your family."
"You could always join us, you know," she offered playfully. She'd extended the offer to Josh when she'd initially asked him about brining Audrey, but it just wasn't in the cards. There was so much going on at the White House she could hardly believe that she was able to get away.
Josh just chuckled. "Somehow I don't see my ideal vacation being the Moss Family Reunion."
"Awww... come on," she bantered back. "A weekend completely away from the news cycle, in the middle of the forest surrounded by a hoard of republicans. What's not to love?"
Josh grinned wildly at the playfulness of their conversation. But before he was able to toss back a witty retort he heard the announcement for their flight to board.
"That's us," she told him.
He took a deep breath and crouched down to eye level with Audrey. "You're going to have so much fun, Shortcake," he smiled at her. "Be good and listen to Donna, okay?"
Audrey listened intently, reaching for Donna's hand to clutch it tightly, signifying that she understood. Josh reached out and tucked one of her shoulder length loose auburn curls behind her ear. "You can call me any time, and I'll see you in a couple of days, alright?"
Audrey nodded her understanding, tilting her head to rest it against Donna's leg. "Love you," she told him.
He opened his arms to her and she let go of Donna, giving him a big hug goodbye before resuming her prior position.
Josh stood once again to face Donna. "That goes for you too," he smiled. "Have fun and be safe." He hated the thought of the two most important people in his traveling so far away from him. He reached in and gave her a hug too, allowing himself only a quick moment of indulgence in the airport.
"You can call us anytime, too," she whispered, giving him an extra squeeze before letting go.
Their flight information was announced again and they waived goodbye, making their way towards the gate.
"Have fun," he called. "I miss you already," he whispered, though no one heard him.
OoOoOoO
Donna and Audrey landed in Madison Wednesday afternoon, meeting her parents, Rick and Meredith, at the gate and chatting all the way to their condo. They were all leaving for the cabins in the Upper Peninsula the next afternoon, but since Donna was in town the family that lived close by was headed over for pizza. Donna hoped it would be a good way to ease Audrey into her big Italian family. She knew it would be a stark contrast from holidays with Josh and Edith.
Audrey was briefly enthralled with the family photos hanging on the walls of Rick and Meredith's condo, showing Donna at various stages of childhood.
"You look funny, Donna," Audrey giggled, looking at a photo of Donna at an 8th grade dance, blue eye shadow and big, crimped hair. "You were a little baby!" she exclaimed and grinned when Donna pointed herself out as an infant in a hospital photo.
"Who's that?" Audrey asked curiously, pointing at another photo.
"That's Leslie," Donna explained. "She's my sister. And that's her husband Curt and their kids Preston, Paul and Paige," Donna pointed each of them out as Audrey stared at the picture. "They're coming over for dinner tonight. They're quite a bit older than you are though." Donna continued moving down the hallway covered with photos. "And that's my brother Mark," she pointed out. "And that's his wife Jenny and their kids Maddie and Tyler. You'll have lots of fun playing with them, they're closer to your age."
"What about Uncle Chris?" Audrey had met Donna's middle brother that winter when he'd become stranded in DC on a layover.
"Uncle Chris will be here tomorrow," Donna assured her. "And who's that?" Donna asked Audrey, pointing to another framed photo and wondering if she'd know.
Audrey's blank expression looked closely at the photo of the Bartlet for America campaign, Donna proudly propping up a curly haired infant in socks and a onesie. The smile slowly grew on Audrey's face with realization. "That's me!" She pointed at the photo. "And Daddy and Donna!"
After familiarizing herself with the condo, Audrey quickly took to Donna's father, already well acquainted with Donna's mother from her semi frequent visits to DC.
The four of them made their way down to the play area for Audrey to burn off some energy before dinner. They'd only been playing for a few minutes when Donna's sister arrived with her three children. The large SUV pulled into a parking spot and three identical children hopped out and two of them ran over to the playground, shouting their hellos in passing as they made their way to the swings.
"Mom said she'll be back later to pick us up," Preston stated as he made his way over to where his grandparents were seated and slouched down on a park bench. "She has a nail appointment."
Donna raised her eyebrows. She hadn't seen her sister in over two years, and she didn't even bother to get out of the car and say hello. "That's about right," Donna muttered at a volume no one else could hear.
Donna, who was standing next to Audrey as she rocked on a spring horse, greeted her nephew. "Come here and give me a hug," she beamed. Preston did so, somewhat begrudgingly. "You're getting so tall," she gushed. He rolled his eyes and shuffled back over to his seat, putting his headphones in almost immediately.
Donna lead Audrey over to the swing set. "Hi, guys! It's so good to see you," she greeted Paul and Paige, who were already swinging as high as they could. "This is Audrey."
"Hi!" Paige shouted at Audrey. "Aunt Donna did you bring us presents?"
"Audrey brought you something, didn't you Sweet Pea?" Donna deflected, knowing she packed five boxes of M&M's with the Presidential seal on them.
"How did a baby bring us a present?" Paige scrunched up her face as Paul completely ignored the conversation at hand.
"I'm not a baby," Audrey stated so softly it was barely audible.
"I know you're not," Donna whispered back. "You're a big girl."
Donna led Audrey over to the side of the play set, watching closely as she climbed up the equipment and stood at the top of the slide, Donna waiting for her at the bottom. Audrey went up and down several times on her own before Donna suggested some joint activities.
"Paige, why don't you play with Audrey on the teeter-totter," Donna suggested.
Paige didn't hesitate to stop swinging and join Audrey, Donna carefully placing a hand on Audrey's back for added balance. The two went back and forth several times before Paige was bored, shouting, "Come on, Audrey," as she ran towards the small play house.
"Go on," Donna encouraged her, sitting down next to her mother to supervise the girls playing house from afar.
After trying unsuccessfully to catch up with her nephews, Donna turned her attention back to her parents, asking her father about the baseball team he coached at the high school where he taught history. Baseball was a hobby shared by the majority of the members of the Moss family. Donna played softball through high school and her brothers were both all state in baseball, Chris going on to play college ball at UW and work in marketing for the Brewers.
"Josh can't wait to get her started in tball," Donna nodded towards Audrey.
"Next year will be about the right age," Rick offered. "But I bet we'll have her raring to go by the end of the weekend," he shared a grin with Donna. The Moss family reunion softball game was a legend in its own right.
"Let's head back up to the condo," Meredith suggested watching the playhouse intently. "Paige has the tendency to be a little bit on the demanding side and I think she's taking control with Audrey. Besides, Mark and the kids will be here any minute with the pizzas.".
The three stood, Preston and Paul trailing behind, as Donna and Meredith collected Audrey and Paige. Paige threw a small fit, not ready to wrap up her playtime but finally relenting.
"Fine," she stamped her foot. "Audrey, come on. We'll play school when we get up there. But I'M the teacher though. And you have to do whatever I say."
"Paige!" Meredith was exasperated. "Don't be so bossy."
"But Grandma!" Paige protested. "Those toys are mine!"
"They're not," Meredith didn't seem surprised by this behavior and Donna wondered if it was more common than she knew. "They're for all of you kids."
"But Audrey's not even really in our family!" Paige crossed her arms in a huff. "She's a Lyman! My Dad said her Dad is the Lie-Man."
"Paige!" Meredith was mortified.
Donna felt a literal pain in her heart at the words. Audrey stared innocently at Paige.
"Well! She's not!" Paige continued defiantly. "My Mom said! She's not Donna's!"
"That's enough!" Rick's commanding voice boomed through the small fit, stopping any coming words on Paige's tongue.
Audrey turned to look at Donna, big, wondering eyes filling with tears.
Donna scooped her up and held her close, placing a kiss on her hair.
"We're all family here," Rick stated, leaving no room for protest. "Every single one of us. Audrey included. And that's the end of the conversation. Understood?"
"Yes," Paige mumbled.
"Ok. Let's all head back to the condo and get ready for dinner," Rick lead the three kids on their way, leaving Meredith to hang back for a moment with Donna and Audrey. Though they may not have fully understood the complexities of their youngest daughter's relationship with her boss, it was clear to both of them that whatever Donna, Josh and Audrey's dynamic, it made them all happy. And after several torturous years of watching their child with Dr. Freeride, they weren't about to question it when Donna had clearly found an unconventional family that made her happy, healthy and successful.
"We'll be up in a minute," Donna waived her mother. "Thanks though."
Meredith gave Audrey a kiss on the cheek, resting her hand on the little girl's back before doing the same to Donna. "Take your time."
Donna sat down with Audrey on a bench along the walkway and pulled her close. "Audrey Joan, do you know how much I love you?"
"Yes," Audrey replied.
Donna smirked a bit. "You do? Because it's an awful lot," she told her in a cheerful tone. "And no matter what anyone ever says to you I want you to know I'll love you the same even if we have different last names, okay? None of that matters. Some kids have a Daddy and a Mommy…"
"…and I have a Daddy and a Donna and a Bubbe and Papa Leo and Uncle Sam and Uncle Toby and Aunt CJ," Audrey supplied. She'd heard the list a million times before.
"That's right," Donna confirmed, giving her a gentle squeeze. The two sat in silence for just a beat.
"Am I, Donna?" Audrey asked timidly.
"Are you what, Sweet Pea?"
"Your family?" Audrey looked up at Donna, somewhat distraught.
Donna found herself a little choked up as well. "Yes, Sweet Pea. You're still my family. You may not have grown inside my tummy but that doesn't matter. I still love you more than I ever thought possible."
"Daddy too?" Audrey asked innocently.
Donna relented for a fleeting moment, giving a soft smile. "Daddy, too," she confirmed.
And though Donna knew that Audrey's questions would become more frequent and more detailed as she aged, she was pleased that her answered seemed to suffice for the time being as she walked Audrey up to the condo for dinner. She'd sit Josh down whey they got home and they'd figure this out together. But before that, Donnatella Moss was going to give her sister a piece of her mind.
OoOoOoO
"I thought we were going shopping with my Grammy Moss," Audrey half whined as she lagged behind Donna, shuffling her feet as Donna held her hand and led her across the parking lot and into a Starbucks.
"We are, Sweet Pea. But we're on vacation so I'm going to buy myself a latte first."
They entered the coffee shop, Donna sliding her sunglasses to the top of her head and cherishing the fact that she wasn't in a rush.
Donna placed her order, adding a small milk for Audrey.
"And a cookie?" Audrey looked cautiously optimistic.
"No cookie. It's 9 in the morning, Audrey."
Audrey grumbled a bit, twisting the toe of her shoe, a sure sign that she was disappointed.
"Donna? Donna Moss?"
Donna turned at the sound of her name. "Mark Fuller!" She gave the man a warm greeting as he moved closer to her, giving her a hug hello.
"It's been what... ten years?"
Donna nodded in agreement. "At least that long. How are you?" She was honestly glad to run into an old friend.
"I'm great. How about you? You look fantastic." Mark casually lead them over to a set of chairs and took a seat as he caught Donna up on his successful dental practice and charity work in the community, mentioning several times that he wasn't seeing anyone.
Donna's name was called by the barista, and as soon as she stood to retrieve her order her cell phone rang. She dug around in her purse for a moment, glancing at the screen before handing it to Audrey.
"It's for you," Donna gave her a little smile, heading to the counter to grab their drinks.
"Daddy?" The little girls face lit up as she flipped the phone open.
Mark paid no attention to Audrey, instead focused on the way Donna looked in a small pair of shorts.
Donna made her way back, placing the straw into Audrey's box of milk and peeling her banana, taking the first bite before sitting the rest on a napkin. She could hear Audrey recalling every detail of their morning on the phone call, so she turned her attention back to Mark.
"Hey, do you ever see Megan Miller anymore? Doesn't she live here?"
"She married my brother, actually," Mark responded.
Donna continued some polite banter before her sixth sense kicked in and she tuned back into Audrey's conversation with Josh.
"...and we're going shopping with Grammy Moss later but right now we're at Starbucks. Donna wouldn't let me have a cookie for breakfast. But we're having a banana and she's talking to somebody."
There was a brief moment of silence as Audrey listened closely and considered whatever Josh was asking her. She turned her gaze to Mark and stared at him before responding to Josh. "I don't know his name, Daddy. He's one of Donna's Gomers."
"Audrey!" Donna couldn't believe it. She held her hand out and Audrey gave her the phone.
"Joshua, I will deal with you later," she said tersely into the speaker before flipping the phone closed. "Audrey, that is not nice! What has gotten into you?"
Audrey looked properly chastised, and somehow unaware that she'd made a faux pas. "I'm sorry," she whispered, the timid side of her coming out in full force as she slid out of her seat and walked over to Donna, who didn't waste any time pulling Audrey onto her lap. "Donna? I'm sorry," she repeated.
Donna nodded her understanding. "I know you are."
It was only a brief moment before Donna's cell phone rang again, Josh's caller ID on the screen. Donna silenced the call, intending to return it as soon as they were back in the car.
"Well, I've gotta head out," Mark stated. "Good to see you, Donna. And nice to meet you..."
"Audrey." Donna supplied.
"Audrey." Mark repeated. Donna could tell he was about to ask her to dinner. "I run into your brother from time to time. I didn't realize they'd had another," he spoke directly to Donna, referring to Audrey.
Donna's phone let out another screech from Josh. She glanced at it and bumped it to silent again. "Oh. No, they didn't. She's not my niece."
Donna's phone buzzed again and she handed it to Audrey who began to open it to say hello to Josh, who was currently losing his mind at the thought of Donna talking to a Wisconsin gomer instead of taking his call.
"She's... yours?"
Donna saw Audrey stop what she was doing and turn attentively to wait for her response from their earlier conversation, her big brown eyes giving her the same lost puppy expression that her father let slip on occasion.
"Yeah," Donna answered with a smile. "She's mine."
XxXxXxX
A/N: Wisconsin Pt. 2 to follow shortly!