Chapter 5: Memories of Reunions Past
It was Friday morning in Manchester, and Josh woke up slowly. He had had trouble sleeping the night before, both because of the anxiety over the next couple of days, and also because Donna hadn't been next to him. He stretched and sat up, noticing immediately that Leo was still sound asleep in his sleeping bag at the foot of the bed. He looked at the digital clock next to the bed: 8:45. He knew that the visitation would be from 11-6, but that they were in no way expected to be there the whole time. So, Josh's plan was to take the kids from 11-1, take them shopping and then to do something fun in the Manchester area before meeting the rest of the Bartlet gang for dinner. He had also volunteered himself the previous evening for pickup duty: he would pick up the Cregg-Concannon and Ziegler families at the airport before going over to the visitation, since everyone else in the Bartlet family would be busy.
He hopped out of bed and knelt down next to the sleeping bag, gently shaking his son. "Leo, buddy, it's time to wake up."
Leo stirred and opened his eyes. "Good morning, Daddy."
"Morning." Josh said, kissing Leo's forehead. "You want to go get some breakfast?" He could hear dishes clattering downstairs and assumed someone was making food.
Leo nodded, then crawled out of his sleeping bag, rolling it up and putting it next to the big bed. Donna had taught him well. Josh ruffled his son's hair, then father and son left the bedroom and headed downstairs.
To Josh's great surprise, Abby, Anna, and Matty were all up and sitting at the table. Sitting with them were the two oldest of Zoey and Charlie's daughters, Michelle and Deana, as well as Ellie and her 12 year old daughter Melody.
"Good morning, everyone." Josh said cheerfully.
"Morning, Dad!" the three Lymans chirped.
"Hey, Josh." Ellie said, standing up to embrace him.
"Ellie." Josh said, hugging Ellie briefly. "I'm so sorry about your dad."
Ellie nodded. "Thank you." she said softly. "I think we're all sort of just trying to get through the next couple of days."
"Yeah, I know." Josh agreed. "Where's everyone else?"
"Well, Zoey's upstairs getting Leah changed, Charlie's down at the library getting things set for the funeral tomorrow, Liz and her family are coming over later, and my mom's still upstairs. She had a rough night last night." Ellie narrated.
Josh nodded. "What do you need from me?"
"You're already doing us a huge favor by picking up people at the airport. Just be there today." Ellie swallowed and tried not to cry. "For Mom. For-for all of us."
Josh smiled. "I can do that."
They both took a moment, then Ellie changed the subject.
"Has Mom talked to you about the service yet?"
"I know that you and Gus are giving the readings, but I'm not sure what else."
"So after Communion is when we're going to give the eulogies. Liz, Zoey, and I are each going to say something about how he was as a dad, and she wants all of you to say something. Donna, too."
"You don't have to if you don't think you can do it." Ellie said quickly, seeing the look on Josh's face.
Josh was shocked. Of course he would be honored to give a eulogy. Donna would be too, he was sure. But the question was, could he give a eulogy worthy of this great man?
"No, no, no." he said now to Ellie. "I'd be honored."
"Good." Ellie said. She greeted Zoey as she came into the kitchen, Leah on her hip.
"Hey, Zoey." Josh greeted her.
"Morning, Josh." Zoey acknowledged. She turned to Ellie. "What time is Liz coming over?"
"10:00. You don't think that's too early?"
"No, no. We don't have to be over there till 10:30." She turned to Josh. "You're still picking up CJ and Toby, right?"
"Yep. You saw your mom this morning?"
"She's just getting herself together." Zoey went to the table and addressed her girls. "You girls want to go say good morning to Grandma?" Michelle and Deana nodded and disappeared upstairs.
"You kids better go and get ready, too. We need to be out the door to the airport in half an hour." Josh said to his kids. The four Lyman kids ran up the stairs.
"How's your mom really doing?" Josh asked Zoey quietly as soon as the kids were out of earshot.
"She hardly slept last night." Zoey admitted. "She keeps saying that she's accepted this, but I really don't think she was expecting this to happen the way it did. None of us did." she finished quietly.
Josh squeezed her arm comfortingly. "Well, I'm here if you guys really need to talk."
Zoey smiled weakly. "Thanks. You're the best."
Suddenly, high heels clicked on the floor, and Abbey entered. She was wearing a nice formal dress with a floral hat-the kind that Jed would have liked. The outfit was nice, but Josh could see underneath her hat the bloodshot eyes she was trying so hard to hide.
"Good morning, guys." she said.
"Hey, Mom." Zoey went up to her mom and hugged her.
"How are you all?" Abbey said.
"We're holding up." Zoey said. "Liz is coming over in a half hour."
Abbey nodded. Ellie said from the counter, "You want something to eat, Mom?"
"Do I want something? No. Will I eat something? Yes, probably." Abbey stated. She sat down at the table as Ellie brought over a plate. "Josh, you gonna eat and run?"
"Probably." Josh shrugged. He sat down as Ellie finished dishing up breakfast to him and Abbey.
As they ate, Josh and Abbey managed to make small talk. Abbey asked him how things were going at the DNC, and how the kids were adjusting to Donna's new job. 20 minutes later, the kids piled back downstairs. Abby and Anna were both wearing nice plaid dresses, Anna in red and Abby in green. Matty was wearing a button-down shirt and khakis, and Leo was wearing a polo shirt and khakis that Josh suspected Matty had helped him with.
"You guys look nice!" Josh said.
"Thanks, Dad." the girls replied. Matty shrugged. Leo giggled and fidgeted with his collar.
"Well," Josh said, turning to Abbey. "We should get to the airport. Tell Liz hi from me when she gets here, will you?"
Abbey nodded. "I will, Josh."
…
Josh pulled into the pickup lane at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. He checked his messages one last time to confirm flight numbers and arrivals. CJ, Danny, and Tiana were arriving at 9:55, on a redeye from LAX. Toby and the twins would arrive from LaGuardia at 10:10. He checked his watch-10:25. He wouldn't have to wait long for CJ.
Sure enough, a couple of minutes later he heard, "Joshua!" He turned and waved as CJ approached him, followed close behind by Danny and Tiana.
The first thing CJ did was embrace him.
"Are you OK?" she asked him.
As she pulled back, Josh could see tear tracks on CJ's face, and beyond that red eyes. She obviously hadn't slept well either.
"We're doing all right, I think." Josh told her. He turned to Danny. "Danny, great to see you again, although I think I speak for everyone here when I say I wish it were under better circumstances."
"You can say that again." Danny agreed.
"Hi, Uncle Josh." Tiana said as she hugged him.
"Hi kiddo." Josh replied.
Tiana turned. "Anna! Abby!" she cried as she ran to hug her friends. Despite the 3000-mile difference and infrequent visits, Tiana and the twins had gotten to know one another through text and email, and were good friends.
After everyone had exchanged pleasantries, CJ asked, " So are we waiting for anyone else, or are we your only pickup?"
"Actually, he's waiting on us." said a gruff voice from behind them.
They turned to see Toby approaching with Huck and Molly trailing him.
"How's it going, Toby?" Josh greeted the older man.
"Could be better, I guess." he acknowledged. "Donna didn't come with you?"
"She's coming tomorrow with the President, but then she's gonna stay at the farm with us tomorrow night."
"Ah." Toby said.
As Toby walked over to greet CJ, Josh took notice of how much the twins had grown since he'd last seen them in person. They were no longer the cute little kids who had been in his and Donna's wedding, nor were they the blushing 13 year olds who had celebrated Hanukkah with the Lymans and their father a few years earlier. They were fully formed young adults. Both kids had straight brown hair, while Molly's had a soft curl for the occasion. Huck was also a little taller than his sister, Josh noted.
"Hey, Uncle Josh." Molly said, greeting him with a hug.
"Hey, Molly. You guys have gotten so big!" Josh grinned.
"Thanks!" Molly said. She turned to her brother. "Huck, would you kill you to look up from your game and say hi?"
"Oh, hey." Huck nodded in acknowledgement. Molly rolled her eyes. Her twin brother never was much for formalities.
His kids watched in awe at the teenagers in front of them. Suddenly, Molly turned and noticed them.
"Hey, guys! Do you remember me? Me and my dad and brother came to your house for Hanukkah a few years ago."
Leo shook his head, his eyes wide. Matty looked bewildered by all the people, so Molly didn't press him.
But Anna broke into a small smile.
"I remember you." she said. "You and Huck beat me and Abby at dreidel."
Molly laughed, her voice light. "That's right, we did."
Suddenly, Josh clapped his hands. "All right, so where is everyone staying? The farm?"
Toby nodded. "Abbey offered to let the twins and I stay."
"Same here, Josh." CJ said.
"Well, why don't we go and drop your stuff off, and then we can head to the visitation?"
They all agreed and piled their suitcases into the trunk of Josh's rental car. Luckily, it was big enough for everyone to fit.
…
A half an hour later, everyone pulled up at Bowman Funeral Home. The kids piled out first, brushing off the wrinkles in their clothes. Josh and CJ climbed out next, followed by Danny and Toby, who were engrossed in a conversation about teaching-Danny had taken a job at UCLA the year before after retiring as the editor of the Los Angeles Times.
They all paused in front of the funeral home.
"Well, this is it." Josh said.
"Yeah." CJ said.
They all walked in. Abbey stood up to greet the group as soon as they walked into the main room.
"Oh, Abbey." CJ said, wrapping the older woman in an embrace. "I'm so sorry."
"Thank you for coming, CJ." Abbey said sincerely. "All of you."
As conversations turned to appropriate small talk about Jed, and the clock turned from 11 to 12, Josh turned when he found Liz Westin standing next to him.
"Hey, Liz." Josh said. He had always liked Jed's eldest daughter, although he wasn't sure Donna felt the same. "How are you doing?"
Liz shrugged. "Just trying to get through."
Josh smiled at Liz, then caught the eye of another familiar face.
"Excuse me," he said politely. He walked over to the entrance.
"Will, Kate," he said. "So great to see you again."
Will shook his hand as Kate hugged him. "Josh. How are you holding up?"
"Okay. I guess." Just then, Josh heard a small voice. "Dad?"
He turned to find Matty holding Leo's hand. "Leo has to go to the bathroom."
"Um.." Josh said. "I'm not sure where the bathroom is. Why don't you ask Grandma Abbey?"
The kids nodded obediently and trotted off.
Kate said, "I assume Donna didn't come with you."
Josh nodded. "She's coming tomorrow."
"Good. It'll be nice to see her."
"Well," Will said. "I guess we better go pay our respects to Abbey." He took Kate's hand and the two wandered over to the main room.
As Josh watched his friends among the crowd of people in the small room, he couldn't help but let his mind wander to the last time they had all gathered before the inauguration.
Dedication of the Josiah E. Bartlet Presidential Library, June 2009:
"Mr. President, if we could get you to-" Josh said, cut off as he saw the group of people in the room.
"There he is." Jed said, his eyes sparkling.
"Wow. Quite a collection of dignitaries."
"Sorry, you were saying, Josh?"
"The President's here."
The small group in the anteroom filed out to the main entrance as the President's motorcade pulled up.
The limo came to a stop as President and Mrs. Santos stepped out and made their way up the steps.
"Mr. President.", Jed said, sticking out his hand in greeting.
"President Bartlet," Matt Santos greeted. The two shook hands, then he moved to greet Abbey, who had joined the group.
He greeted Helen in a similar way, then turned his attention to the blonde woman climbing the steps.
"Hello, Donna." Jed greeted warmly.
"Mr. President." Donna said, kissing his cheek.
"How are those two honorary granddaughters of mine?"
"They're fine, sir." Donna smiled, thinking of her 11 month-old daughters.
"I understand you left them in DC?"
"With my mom, sir." Josh cut in, approaching Donna to kiss her hello. "My mom hadn't seen them in a while, and we wanted to experience life without kids for a weekend."
"Well, I suppose I can forgive you for that." Abbey said dryly, then grinned.
"Come in, come in," Jed said, indicating that the President had already made his way inside.
As they walked through the entrance towards the auditorium, CJ approached. "So, no kids?"
"Nope." Donna said. "I assume you didn't bring Tiana, either."
CJ shook her head. "I had to promise Abbey we'd come to the farm for Christmas so she could get some time with her."
"But, in the meantime," Donna said, pulling out her wallet to reveal a small picture. "I brought pictures."
CJ gasped. "Oh, they are cute! But I thought you weren't going to go with the whole matching outfits thing."
"Josh loves the idea. He says he thinks our marriage could use a couple of cliches."
CJ laughed. "I confess, I am also guilty of doing the mom thing of having pictures." She pulled out of her purse a recent photo of the 16-month old.
"CJ, she's so cute!" Donna practically squealed.
"Who would've thought three years ago that we'd both be married with kids in a few years?" CJ asked.
"Not me." Donna admitted.
"Ladies?" They turned to see Abbey. "There'll be plenty of time to compare pictures after the dedication."
CJ and Donna exchanged guilty looks, then quickly followed Abbey to the auditorium. Donna immediately went to sit by Helen and Josh, while CJ went to find Danny.
Abbey took the podium. "Good morning, everyone. I would like to take the time to welcome you personally to the dedication of the Josiah E. Bartlet Presidential Library."
The crowd applauded.
Abbey made a short speech about how Jed's time in office had influenced the nation. She then introduced Charlie, who thanked the donors and then talked about the different artifacts throughout the library.
After the formalities were over, Matt and Helen filtered out first to look at the library. The Bartlet team followed and began to peruse the displays as memories washed over them.
First, there was the beginning: Leo's framed "Bartlet for America" napkin hung prominently next to some of Jed's early polls. Then, there were news clippings about Bartlet winning the primaries and eventually, the election.
The next pillar showed photos from the first inauguration. The group gathered around, pointing themselves out in pictures that Josh knew by heart.
Then, there was Rosslyn. Everyone froze, thinking of that night, but Josh broke them out of it by saying, "We survived, didn't we?"
That broke the tension, and they headed onto information about Yo-Yo Ma at the White House. Josh looked down at the faded scar on his hand, and thanked God Leo and Donna had been there to save him that Christmas Eve. Suddenly, he felt a hand over his scarred one and looked up to meet Donna's eyes.
"I'm OK." he said, squeezing her hand comfortingly.
Then there was information about the MS crisis, and then there was yet another placard that made everyone stop in their tracks. It was a memorial to Mrs. Landingham.
CJ filled Will and Kate in on what Mrs. Landingham meant to the early Bartlet staff. "She was like an unofficial den mother."
Then, as they moved past the embattled early days of the administration, there were happier memories. Josh smiled at placards describing Bartlet's reelection campaign, recalling being stuck in Indiana with Toby and Donna on one such trip, and then Bartlet's reelection by a landslide. He sobered as he saw Zoey's kidnapping briefly mentioned, then smiled as he saw reminders of his victorious Supreme Court nominees.
Then, he heard Donna draw in air. He turned to find her completely white. He didn't even have to look at what she had seen-he knew it was about Gaza. It had been four years, but the wounds of what happened that May were still fresh in her mind.
He walked over to her in two strides. Putting one hand gently on her shoulder, he winced as she jumped.
"You're OK." Josh soothed, grabbing hold of her hand as tears slipped down her face. He looked at the memorials for Fitzwallace and the two congressmen that had died. He then steered Donna gently away, whispering in her ear that it was all over now. The others respectfully gave them distance.
After Donna had recovered, they moved through the rest of the museum, looking at Bartlet's China summit, Ellie's White House wedding, and, perhaps most fitting-a memorial to Leo.
Now it was Josh's turn to cry. Donna put a hand on his shoulder and held him as the rest of the group joined him in a moment of silence for their mentor.
After they went through the museum, there was a reception. Matt and Helen couldn't stay, they needed to get back to Air Force One and back to the White House. Josh and Donna had already cleared with the First Couple that they could stay through the afternoon.
The Bartlet team spent the rest of the day reminiscing and enjoying each other's company as they remembered what most of them considered to be the best eight years of their lives.
…
It was several hours later. The visitation had ended, bringing with it visitors such as Joey Lucas, Vice-President Hoynes, and quite a few friends and family of the Bartlets. After a couple of hours, Josh took his kids out for the afternoon, and CJ and Danny decided to join them with Tiana. They took the kids shopping and found them what they needed for the next day-nice, conservative funeral clothes. After that, the kids asked if they could see a movie, and the adults thought it would be a good idea to get their minds off of everything for a few hours. They went to see the new Lego Movie 2, and although all three adults agreed later that it was vapid, it was also a nice way to escape for the afternoon.
After the movie, as planned, they joined Toby, his kids, the Baileys, and Annabeth Schott for dinner.
"We really need to think about doing this more often than once every 10 years." CJ said.
"I can agree with that." Will said. "I've missed all of you."
"Same goes for me." Annabeth said.
"So, have you thought about your eulogies?" Josh asked the group.
They all nodded yes.
"I just hope mine's going to be good enough." CJ said.
"It will be." Josh assured her. Then he decided to change the subject, as a memory came to him. "Do you guys remember Bartlet's speech in Indiana?"
"You mean the one where you got us lost?" Toby quipped.
"Hey, I didn't know Indiana didn't observe Daylight Savings Time!" Josh shot back. "So, anyway, there we were…"