A/N: We're back with the next chapter of The West Wing: Yours, Mine, and Ours, Shibboleth. We launched a blog to go with the series and you can check out our first post at twwyoursmineours dot com!
November 1974:
Jed closed his bedroom door quietly on a sleeping Abbey, who had just come home from working a long shift, and walked down the hall to the kitchen to clean up dinner. The phone rang and he went to answer it quickly to avoid waking Abbey.
"Hello?"
"Jed?"
He froze. He would know that voice anywhere. "Julia?"
"Hi."
"It's…it's been so long. How are you?"
"I'm all right. Actually, I've never been better."
"That's good to hear."
"I called you because I thought you would want to know that you're an uncle."
"I am?"
"Yes. You have a niece that we named Donnatella."
"Donnatella, hmm? Taking after Mother's Italian blood, I see."
"Yes, I am. Daniel thinks he might call her Donna, which is fine."
"That's a beautiful name. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Have you called John?"
"He's next on my list. I decided to call you first to see what you're up to, baby brother."
"I'm headed to London in a few months to start my Ph.D. in Economics. Abbey and I are getting married next month. She's coming with me."
"Oh Jed, that's wonderful!"
"Thank you." Jed smiled. "It's…so wonderful to hear your voice, Julia."
"It's good to hear yours." Julia smiled. "Abbey sounds wonderful. I wish I could meet her."
Jed felt a twinge of sadness, "Yeah. But you have your own life now."
"Yes, I do."
"I don't want to keep you. You have a baby to get back to. But thank you for calling me first. Give Donna a kiss for me."
"I will, Jed. Good luck in London."
"Thank you. Bye Jules."
"Bye, Jethro."
Thanksgiving 2000:
Josh rushed into the hospital, wild-eyed. He turned around when he realized his mother and wife weren't behind him. "Donna?"
Donna, Joey, and Rachel walked through the front doors. Joey had a smile on her face.
"Josh, I think you forgot something."
Josh raced over. "You all right?"
"She just had another contraction," Rachel answered. Donna nodded and tried to smile, her face pale.
Josh winced in sympathy, stroking Donna's hair. "Where's Daniel?"
"Parking the car."
Josh put an arm around Donna and walked to the desk. After a few minutes, Daniel ran in as they got Donna in a wheelchair. Daniel, Joey, and Rachel walked with them as they wheeled Donna over to the elevators.
"Mom?" Donna asked.
"Yes?"
"Will you be around for a while?"
"We'll be just in the waiting room," Rachel said. "Unless you want us to be in there with you?"
Donna looked at her father and mother-in-law. "I think Josh and I will be okay on our own," Donna said as they rode up. "But if we change our minds-"
"If you change your mind, we'll be right down the hall," Daniel said. He gently kissed her temple.
"Love you, Dad," Donna called.
"Love you too," Daniel replied. He watched as the nurse wheeled her down the hall, with Josh following.
"Good luck!" Joey called out.
Daniel turned to Rachel.
"Now what?"
"Now…we wait," Rachel said.
A couple of hours later, Daniel was pacing the waiting room, while Rachel sat nervously on one of the chairs. Joey was flipping listlessly through a magazine. They all sprang up as Josh entered the room.
"She's about ready to start pushing," Josh said. "She wants you in the room when the baby's born."
"Me?" Daniel asked, surprised.
"No," He answered. "My mom."
Rachel smiled. "I would be honored, Joshua." She turned to Daniel. "Are you sure you don't-"
"No," Daniel assured her. "Some things are a mother's prerogative. And you've certainly been that for her."
"Go, Mom!" Joey said encouragingly as Josh and Rachel walked back down the hall towards Donna's room.
Donna was about to give birth. Josh was at her head, his arms wrapped around her shoulders to help keep her upright, while Rachel helped hold one of her legs.
Donna gasped for air, as she bent forward and pushed.
"Come on, baby, you're so close!" Josh cheered, kissing her forehead.
"You're doing great, Donna." Rachel soothed. "Nice and steady. Your baby's right there."
After a few minutes, Donna's OB held a squalling baby girl in her hands securely and smiled up at Donna and Josh before placing the baby on Donna's chest, "Congratulations, you two. You have a daughter."
Donna stared down in wonder at her new baby through tears of joy. "Hi baby," She whispered.
"You did it, sweetheart," Josh said, kissing her cheek. His eyes were also wet with tears. "Hi, baby."
The baby opened her eyes and squinted at her mother.
"She's got your eyes," Josh whispered.
"And your hair." Donna smiled, stroking the soft downy cap of brown hair with a soft curl to it.
"Do we have a name?" Rachel asked softly.
Josh and Donna looked at each other.
"We do," Donna replied. "Mom, meet Madeline Joan Lyman."
Rachel's eyes filled with tears. "Joan?"
"Yeah," Josh nodded.
"That's beautiful, you two, it really is."
"Do you want to hold her?"
"May I?"
"Of course!" Donna whispered. She carefully transferred her daughter over to her grandmother.
Rachel smiled and touched her hand. "Well, hi there, Madeline. Welcome to your life. You've got an entourage of people waiting to meet you. But more importantly, you've got two wonderful parents who are going to love you more than anything in the world."
Early on the morning after Thanksgiving, Abbey padded back into her bedroom and climbed back into bed beside Jed.
"Where did you go?" Jed asked, his voice full of sleep.
"To go check on the twins. Logan is asleep in Alex's bed."
"WHAT?" Jed exclaimed, sitting halfway up in bed.
"Let it be," Abbey sighed. "You made your opinion about Alex and Logan quite clear last night. We're not forcing Alex to break up with her long-term boyfriend over an engagement. I swear you weren't even this angry when Liz got pregnant."
"I was in too much shock to be angry, Abigail. Alex is only 13."
"She'll be 14 in less than a month and you're going to tell her that you regretted how you reacted. Understand?"
"Even if she deserves it?"
"Jed-"
"All right, all right. I guess I can't keep her locked up forever."
"And you're not allowed to send her to a convent, either."
"Abbey, what is-"
"They need each other."
"Need?" Jed repeated. "It wasn't all that long ago that I had to drive from Concord to Hanover at 10 pm during my reelection campaign because Paddington Bear got left behind at Dartmouth. "
"I know," Abbey said, kissing his cheek. "But we need to make sure they're both okay. Logan's parents certainly won't."
"I suppose," He grumbled. The telephone on the nightstand rang and Jed rolled over to answer it.
"Yeah?"
"Mr. President, this is Leo."
"Yeah, Leo."
"I have something to tell you, sir."
Jed listened and then he was silent for a long moment, "Thanks, Leo. I'll let Abbey know."
"I'm gonna push off your obligations for the next few days and delegate them among the senior staff."
"Ok," Jed said and hung up. He turned his bedside lamp on.
"What happened?" Abbey asked, sitting up.
"Michelle was killed on her shift last night. Shot in the chest."
Abbey gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, God!"
"Yeah. She was pronounced dead at GW at about 10:00. The MPD called Leo first. Protocol."
"Amy?"
"I'm sure she knows by now. Leo says that MPD wants to come up and make a notification in person. He's just waiting to find out when. Since Amy's in Boston, I imagine she'll be up. Michelle's parents are in Georgia, right?"
"Yes," Abbey nodded. Tears welled up in her eyes, "Damn it, Jed. Michelle deserved so much more than this."
"I know," Jed replied, hugging his wife.
"And Charlie…he's going to be devastated."
Daniel Moss knocked on his daughter's hospital room door later that morning. "Sweetheart? Can I come in?"
Donna smiled from where she was holding her new daughter. "Sure, Dad."
Daniel approached, grinning. "She's beautiful. Congratulations."
"Thanks. Do you want to hold her?"
Daniel nodded. Once the baby was adjusted in his arms, he asked, "So does this child have a name?"
"Yes, she does. Dad, meet Madeline Joan Lyman."
"Hi Madeline," He smiled, "it's nice to meet you."
Rachel looked at him, "Donna did great. You should be very proud of both of them."
"I am," Daniel smiled, kissing Donna's forehead. Suddenly, he got a look of recognition in his eye. "Wasn't Madeline…"
"Mom's middle name," Donna confirmed softly.
Josh slung an arm around his wife. "We wanted to honor Julia the same as we honored my sister."
"She would be mighty touched. I'm touched. Thank you both."
Just as Daniel and Rachel sat down to fawn over baby Madeline on the sofa, Josh's cell phone rang. He dug into his bag and pulled it out.
"Hello?"
"Finally, you answer your phone!" Amy exclaimed.
Josh chuckled, "We've been a little busy having a little girl."
Amy softened, "Congratulations Josh. I'm happy for you. Listen, I have to tell you something. You can tell Donna later. But I thought you deserved a heads up."
"What happened?"
"Charlie's mom was shot and killed on her shift last night. I'm almost at the farm. The MPD will be here later today. But Leo thought I should be there since I know them and I was already in Boston for the holiday."
Josh paled. "Oh, man. Call me after you tell them, all right?"
"Yeah. I will."
"That poor kid."
"No kidding." She paused. "So, what's the baby's name?"
"Madeline Joan."
"Pretty. Talk to you later."
Josh hung up the phone and put it back in his bag.
"Josh, are you ok?" Donna asked, concerned. "Who was that?"
"Amy…she was just checking in to see how we were doing."
Donna's forehead creased, "No, she didn't. Something happened. I can tell just by the look on your face."
Josh took a deep breath. "Charlie Young's mom was shot and killed on her shift last night."
Donna gasped. "Oh, no!"
Rachel and Daniel looked up.
"Who's Charlie?" Rachel asked.
"Zoey's best friend," Josh answered. "His mom is-or, should I say, was-a cop."
"Oh, how terrible!"
He sighed, "Yeah, it is. She was the nicest person."
"Josh, we should do something."
"There's nothing we can do. Amy's on her way to the farm to help the President and Dr. Bartlet."
"Charlie will be devastated," Donna said, tears welling up in her eyes. A part of her wished she could be there.
"I know," he said, kissing his forehead. "I'll check in with Amy later and see if we can talk to Dr. Bartlet, okay?"
Ten minutes after she hung up with Josh, Amy got out of her car at the farm and walked up the stairs onto the porch. Secret Service agents admitted her into the house. She walked in and followed the sound of voices into the dining room where the entire family was having breakfast.
"Amy!" Emily Gilmore said. "I didn't know you were coming."
"It's nice to see you, Emily."
"Amy," Abbey said.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Sure," Abbey replied.
They stepped into the hall.
"The MPD will arrive here later today. No updates on the investigation so far."
Jed nodded. "Are we allowed to be in the room with Charlie when he tells him?"
"I think it would be encouraged, Mr. President," Amy told him.
"Tell him to come," Abbey said.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll tell him. I do have a little good news," She offered.
"What's that?" Jed asked.
"Donna had her baby last night. Josh and Donna named her Madeline Joan."
Abbey smiled sadly, "That is wonderful. Well, here's your curveball, Amy. I know you'll have a handle on it. I'll carve out time to call Donna later."
Amy nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
Three hours later, Captain Frank Morris arrived at the Bartlet farm and walked up to the door. After being cleared by the Secret Service, he knocked at the door.
Jed answered the door. "Captain Morris. Come in, come in."
"Thank you, sir. I only wish we were meeting under better circumstances."
"Likewise."
"Where's the boy?"
"This way," Abbey said.
Charlie and Zoey were in the family room, "Zoey, can you go find Liz?" Jed asked, coming into the room.
"Sure dad," Zoey said and walked out of the room. She stopped when she saw Captain Morris in the hallway, "Mom?"
"Just go see Liz," Abbey said quietly and she watched her youngest go before they all went into the family room.
"What's up, Mr. President?" Charlie said. He stood when he saw Captain Morris. "Hi, Captain Morris. What are you doing here?"
"Charlie, why don't we all sit down?" Abbey suggested.
Charlie sat between the Bartlets. "What's going on?"
"Charlie," Captain Morris said, taking off his hat, "there's no easy way to tell you this."
"Is my mom ok?" Charlie said, looking concerned.
"Your mother was shot last night, Charlie. Doctors did everything they could to save her. But she passed away not long after she arrived at the hospital."
"No…no…you're lying!" He exclaimed out of shock.
"I'm very sorry, Charlie."
"I want to see her!" He said, tears spilling down his cheeks.
"Charlie, you can't!" Captain Morris gently grasped Charlie's shoulders. "Your mother's gone. I can…arrange for you to view the body at the morgue if you want."
Jed lifted his head. "Are you sure that won't be too traumatic?"
"It won't be easy. But if it's what Charlie needs, we'll make arrangements."
Jed put an arm around Charlie and the boy began to cry in earnest. Abbey kissed his head and the two of them simply held him wordlessly. Charlie was too shocked and upset to think about much at that moment. But the one thing he knew was that he wasn't alone.
In the early evening, Jed and Abbey stood on the tarmac on the private side of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and watched Air Force One touch down. After the plane came to a stop and the stairs were rolled into place, Michelle's parents emerged, accompanied by Amy who flew down to get them after Captain Morris arrived. She led them down the steps and over to Jed and Abbey.
"Mr. President, Dr. Bartlet, meet Mr. and Mrs. Young."
"Please call me Jed," Jed said as he shook their hands.
"And I'm Abbey," Abbey spoke up.
"Well, I suppose we could do that," Charlie's grandfather replied, "but only if you call us Isaac and Juanita."
"Isaac, I can't tell you how sorry we are for your loss. Michelle was a wonderful woman."
"Thank you," Juanita replied. The grief was evident in her eyes. "It was terrible being so far away from her. But she moved to Washington for her career. And Charlie has just thrived here. She couldn't stop talking about how good his school has been."
"It is a good place," Abbey said gently. "Charlie will be looking forward to seeing you."
They rode in silence back to the Manchester farm; Juanita was softly crying, and Isaac was attempting to console her while making idle conversation.
"Do you own your own land, Mr. President?"
"Yes," Jed answered. "We have a 30-acre farm just outside the city limits. My brother looks after it when we're in Washington. It's been in our family for generations."
"That must be nice to have a getaway," Isaac commented.
"It is," Jed agreed. "Our children love it. I wish we had something like it back in Washington."
"Charlie talked about it often. He's told us that you've made a real effort to include him."
Abbey smiled, "Charlie made Zoey's transition to DC effortless. She had a difficult time leaving her sister here. But within a couple of weeks, they were inseparable. We can't imagine a time without him."
"Michelle was grateful for that," Juanita offered. "Charlie's father put them both through so many trials…"
"Hopefully we won't hear from him again," Issac said quietly. The look on his face indicated Charlie's father wasn't a welcome topic.
"I should hope not," Jed replied. He looked at Abbey worriedly.
They pulled up to the farmhouse, where Liz and Charlie were waiting on the porch. Charlie ran down as soon as Isaac and Juanita exited the car.
"Grandma, Grandpa!" He cried, racing into their arms.
"Oh, Charlie," Juanita said. "Oh, it's all right, child. Everything will be alright."
Jed and Abbey exited the car and walked into the house with Liz to give Charlie, Issac, and Juanita a moment alone. Amy joined them a moment later, having ridden in the vehicle behind them.
"Where is everyone?" Abbey asked Liz.
"Alex, Zoey, Logan, and Ellie are in the family room playing a board game. I sent Toby and Annie off to town to run a few errands.
Emily, Richard, Lorelei, and Rory left not long after breakfast that morning.
"Thanks."
"Did Charlie's grandparents get here all right?"
"Yeah. They're with him now."
As if on cue, Isaac walked in. "Juanita's fixing Charlie something to eat. Poor boy hasn't eaten since he found out about his mother."
"Good. He needs to eat."
"I was hoping you could tell me where Michelle kept her papers."
"Unfortunately, we don't," Abbey answered. "I was never able to visit with Michelle at her house because of logistical challenges with our security."
Issac nodded, "When Juanita has Charlie settled, is there somewhere we can talk privately?"
"Yes, we can meet in the den," Jed said.
Over the course of the next hour, Jed and Abbey showed Juanita and Issac where they would be staying. The girls and Logan made their polite introductions and then Juanita went back to check on Charlie in the kitchen.
"Charlie, is it alright if your grandmother and I have a talk with President and Dr. Bartlet in the den? We'll come to talk to you as soon as we're through."
"Okay, Grandpa," Charlie responded.
Isaac gestured to the Bartlets, "Shall we?"
The Bartlets and the Youngs went into the den.
When they were settled comfortably in chairs, Issac produced a half-inch binder and set it on the table. Issac cleared his throat.
"Michelle liked to be very on top of things. Given her line of work, she always made sure we had a copy of her will so that we knew what her wishes were."
"When Charlie's school break came around in the spring, Michelle came to visit and she brought us this will," Juanita said indicating it. "She made a change and wanted to know if we would support it."
"Jed, Abbey, Michelle named you to be Charlie's guardians," Isaac said.
Jed and Abbey looked at each other, shocked.
"Are-are you sure she wanted us?" Abbey asked.
"Yes," Juanita said. "She was so grateful for everything you've done for Charlie. She knew that if anything happened to her, he would do better in a familiar environment, among people he knows, instead of being forced to move in with us."
"And I think that she also didn't want us to have the burden of raising a teenager," Isaac explained.
"We have plenty of experience with that."
"We've seen," Juanita said with a small smile. "Knowing how hard Michelle has worked to support Charlie and keep him in his school, we told her that we would support her choice."
"She also knew it was a big responsibility. So if you choose not to accept, Juanita and I will take him home to Atlanta."
Jed and Abbey looked at one another. "May we have a few minutes to discuss it?"
"Of course," Isaac replied. "Take all the time you need.