"You look gorgeous!" I tell Donna as she comes into the kitchen wearing a bright red dress. She twirls for me and her skirt flies up around her. I feel my heart rate go up as I get a glimpse of her bright pink panties.
"Don't do that in public!"
"Josh," she laughs at me, "I stopped doing that in public by the time I was in First Grade."
"Oh, okay. . . you could do it again for me."
Donna grins at me walks toward the living room and spins again. I follow her, pull her into my arms and slip a hand up the back of her skirt. "They're silky." I groan.
She leans into my ear and whispers, "I could go commando today if you like."
"God, no. There's no reason to go into the office on a Saturday if I can't accomplish anything because I'm too busy thinking about what you're not wearing under your dress."
She gives me a long passionate kiss. When she's done she says, "Well, we should go."
"Go? Where?"
She laughs. "The office, our jobs. Then we have the Twin's Cinco de Mayo party. But we should be back here in, I don't know, about 12 hours and then you can take this dress off me."
"Twelve hours?" She's killing me here. I have to think about this for 12 hours?
Once we're in the office it helps a little that she has things to do today too. I love having her with me, but I've got a long list of phone calls and a couple of meetings in addition to my normal stack of memos. I really do need to be able to focus. In fact, I'll be working through lunch.
"Your 1 o'clock is here." Margaret buzzes me.
"Okay, send him in."
"Obi Wan." Ryan greets me with his usual smirk. It suddenly hits me that it's a very flattering nickname he's given me. I didn't do right by him the first time I had him under my tutelage.
"My young Jedi. Have a seat." He grins at the title, as I gesture toward the table.
Once we are settled I look him in the eye. "So how are you settling in to Legislative Affairs?"
"Good. It's been a busy 6 weeks."
"The first 100 days always are. Not that it's necessarily going to slow down. If anything it's actually going to ramp up now that the confirmations are over."
"I'm up for it."
"Good. How's working with Amy?"
"I'm getting the hang of it. She's got her favorite causes but she does a good job at dividing the work load among the legislative assistants."
"And she sent you here on the Child-Care Tax Credit renewal."
"Well, she's not a fan of the Wendt Stay-at-Home Mom amendment."
"No, I imagine not."
"She said something about the Mamie Eisenhower era."
That makes me chuckle. I said the same thing four years ago.
"And I already had some experience with this particular bill."
"Yes, you did."
I'm sure we are both thinking back to when Ryan corrected me in the oval office. I was livid at the time. But he was right. And the Child-Care Tax Credit, including the Wendt Amendment ended up being good legislation.
"So, how are the JTC scores this time?" Ryan runs through all the numbers. I'm impressed. He knows his stuff. I'm glad he's on my side.
As we are wrapping up, Donna comes into the office. The minute I see her, my mind goes to the pink panties. Yep. It's a really good thing she worked in her own office this morning.
"Ryan!" Donna greets him excitedly. "I don't think I've seen you since the inauguration."
"Donna. It's good to see you. You look fabulous. I, um, heard you were expecting. Congratulations."
Donna laughs. "Yes, thanks. We're very excited. Are you guys wrapping up? Josh and I need to get going soon."
"We're done." I tell Donna. Then I turn to Ryan, "Thanks for coming in on Saturday to go over this. And thanks for being so well prepared. You're doing a good job. I'm glad you are working for us now."
Ryan's eyes light up. I really under-estimated the little twerp the first time. I don't plan to do that again. He's definitely an asset to the administration. And he definitely responds better to praise.
"Um, wow, thanks." He hesitates for a moment. "You know, you didn't strike me much like the parental type, but I think maybe you're a different guy than before." He looks over at Donna and smiles.
"Well that's enough touchy-feely for today." I give him a little clap on the back. "Get out of here."
Ryan shakes his head. "Maybe not a completely different guy." He says under his breath as he leaves.
It takes another fifteen minutes to gather all our things and get out the door.
I'm a little concerned about the car ride out to Takoma Park. Donna's been doing much better with the short trip between the office and the Brownstone, but this will take about 30 minutes.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm good."
"Did you have some lunch?"
"Yes, I still had some meat and cheese cubes in my refrigerator. Plus there will be food at this party."
"Explain to me again why we are going."
"Because Toby and Andy invited us."
"But it's a kid birthday party."
"Yes. We're going to have one of those. This will be good for us to observe."
"But Toby and Andy don't know that we're having a kid."
"No, and this will be a good chance to tell them."
"But why'd they invite us?"
"Josh, it's probably not just a kid's party. I'm sure there will be adults there too. You did really well with Molly and Huck last time we visited. And you're great with Marco. Why are you so nervous?"
"Well, I like those kids. But some kids are just little jerks."
Donna laughs. "Yes, let's make sure we don't raise one of those."
"Okay."
Toby answers the door with a gruff, "welcome to hell" as he gestures us in. Donna laughs.
"Is it really that bad, Toby?" I ask him.
"You're going to want a drink, I'll get you both a drink."
"No thanks." Donna says as her hand drifts to her belly protectively. Toby, ever astute, recognizes the gesture for what it is. A huge smile comes over his face.
It makes me grin too. Might as well confirm his suspicion. "We're having a baby."
"Mazel tov!" Toby embraces Donna gently. Then turns to me with a half hug. "Really, this is quite excellent news. The world needs more kids that aren't raised as little jerks."
We follow Toby through the house and into the kitchen. On the way, I notice colorful paper fans hanging from the ceilings, large paper flowers, a banner across the fireplace and striped table clothes. Now I see why Donna chose that dress this morning.- She fits right in.
The kitchen is filled with food. And men. It looks like all the Dads are in here.
"We'll be right back." Toby mumbles as he walks through the sliding door to the backyard. All the Moms and kids are out here. In the corner of the yard, there is a mariachi band playing. A bunch of small people wearing sombreros are standing in front of the band, yelling and shaking maracas. They seem to be having a good time.
"About that drink?" Toby looks at me. And I look at Donna.
"One beer." She responds to my unasked question. Better make it last.
Andy spots us and comes over. "Hey guys. Thanks for coming." She gives each of us a hug. "Huck! Molly! Uncle Josh and Aunt Donna are here."
I'm a little surprised at the titles. I sort of figured we might get to that point eventually, but this is only our third visit since inauguration. Huck and Molly run up smiling so I guess it's not a big deal.
Donna "awwws" over their costumes. They are both wearing serapes and fake mustaches along with their sombreros. Toby mumbles something about cultural insensitivity, and Andy shoots him a look. Well, its a little cliché, but they really are too cute. Donna gives each of them a hug then they run back to their dance party.
"Come on." Toby motions to me and I follow him back into the kitchen. The mariachi band is much more tolerable from in here. Toby hands me a beer and introduces everyone. Other than one congressman, I don't know anyone, but I can handle this. It's really not much different than mingling at a fundraiser.
Nearly an hour goes by and then the door opens. Donna leads a line of little people toward the bathroom.
"What are we going to do?" She chants.
"Wash our hands!" The line of little people answers.
"When are we going to do it?"
"Now!"
The chanting continues as they make their way down the hall. I feel my jaw drop a little. I've seen her with her nieces and nephews, but she's always been the fun aunt. I've never seen her take charge. I knew she'd be a great mom.
Speaking of Moms, the rest of them come in and make plates of food for their offspring and head back outside to the tables. Once they do, the Dads start filling their plates and heading outside too. After about 15 minutes, Donna leads the now quiet line of children out to the back yard. I'm completely in awe.
"How did you do that?" I ask her when she comes back inside a minute later.
"They're all in preschool, Josh. You just have to speak their language."
"You're amazing!" I don't think I tell her that enough. I swear she really can do absolutely anything. We're alone in the kitchen so I pick her up and give her a twirl.
"Be careful," She laughs in my ear. "You don't want anyone to see my underwear, remember?"
Arrrrggh, she's killing me. I had almost put those pink panties out of my mind. I can't wait to get her home.
Andy joins us in the kitchen.
"Donna, thanks for your help! You're a natural."
"I did quite a bit of babysitting in high school."
"She's going to be a great Mom!" I announce placing my hand on her stomach.
Andy's eyes get wide. I guess Donna didn't already tell her.
"Josh! Donna! That's wonderful. When?"
"I'm due November 7."
Andy chuckles. "What is it about you guys and elections?"
I chuckle too. She's not the first one to make that joke, but hardly any of them know that it is rather ironic. Donna's due date is the one year anniversary of the day we first made love.
Andy gives each of us a hug then grabs a pitcher of margarita mix from the refrigerator and heads back out to refill glasses.
When the kids are done eating, they play some games, open presents, and finish the party off with a piñata. They actually all wait patiently for their turns and then scramble for candy without any fighting. I smile as I watch Molly giving some of her candy to another little girl.
All in all, not a bad day. Still I'm still really glad when we are back in the town car heading home.
We're almost there when Donna starts muttering. "I can't, I just can't anymore. . ."
She's fiddling with the back of her dress. Then she reaches down the front. I try to sneak a peek, but she's like some contortionist. All I'm seeing is arms and elbows. This is fascinating. All of a sudden she pulls one arm in through the sleeve. And then she does the other. Then voila, she pulls her bra out. It's bright pink lace.
We're almost home, we're almost home, I chant to myself, trying to keep from jumping her here in the back seat.
Donna heaves a big sigh and my eyes go from the pink lace in her lap to her chest. There's suddenly a lot more cleavage.
"Wow! Did your breasts just get bigger in the last 5 minutes?" I laugh. This whole little exercise was pretty funny.
But Donna shoots me a glare and starts stuffing the bra into her briefcase as we pull up in front of the Brownstone.
The mood has definitely shifted away from playfulness. It's probably my fault. I try to remember exactly what I just said.
As we walk in the front door, Donna's near tears. This is happening a lot lately.
"My breast were too small before, weren't they?"
"No! They were perfect."
"So, now they're too big?"
I bite back a sharp laugh. Matt warned me about this. It's a no win situation.
She looks up, her eyes are almost brimming over. Which as always, stops me in my tracks. This isn't funny to her at all. She's struggling with the changes to her body and the hormones coursing through it. But if I blame the hormones, it will piss her off.
She's leaving the room but I can still hear her talking to herself under her breath.
"He always said they were too small . . ." WHOA! I never said that. Somebody else said that, and I've got a good idea who. Someday I'm going to kill that man.
I finally come to my senses and I follow her into the bedroom.
By the time I get there she's curled up on her side crying. It breaks my heart into a million little pieces.
"Oh, baby" I sigh, laying down next to her. I start to rub her back lightly, struggling for what to say. How do I make this better?
"So, you know how sometimes you go to the ice cream store and get a scoop of ice cream? You enjoy it and when you are done, you are completely satisfied, it was perfect, just the right amount. But then sometime later you go to that same store, you order the same thing but the scoop is bigger and you eat it all even though you weren't expecting more. And it's perfect too, just the right amount even though it wasn't the same size as last time."
Donna rolls onto her back and give me a disbelieving look. "Are you comparing my breasts to ice cream?"
"Yes. . . " I respond hesitantly.
"You really like ice cream."
"Yes, I REALLY like ice cream."
"And they really are the right size?"
"They are the perfect size. And tomorrow if they are bigger that will be perfect for tomorrow, and if after the baby arrives they go back to the size they were before, that will be perfect for then."
"Well then, if you are very gentle you may have some ice cream. Because honestly, they are killing me and I can't decide if I want you to touch them or cut them off me."
Well, really, that's a no brainer.
I grab the bottom of the dress and start to slide it up her body, keeping eye contact with Donna the whole time, because if I get a glimpse of those pink panties now I'm going to lose focus. When I get it to her chest, I lift the dress carefully away and then pull it over her head. Once it's off, I lean down and gently kiss Donna's forehead, and then the tip of her nose, and then her lips softly.
Then my eyes leave hers and I look down so I can give some attention to the source of today's little meltdown.
"OH MY GOD, DONNA!"
A wide band of dark red skin wraps all the way around her ribs and under her breasts. There is a spot that looks like it could bruise. And her poor nipples, oh my god, they are so chaffed.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?" She's been with me all day. I'm so confused.
Donna bursts back into tears. "MY BRA IS TOO SMALL!"
"Oh, baby." I take a finger and lightly trace the red marks on her ribs. I'm not really sure what to do. Ice seems like a bad idea. Maybe just a cool cloth? Maybe a warm cloth? As I continue to gently soothe her skin, the red marks are starting to fade. Maybe it's just a circulation problem? Donna's tears have stopped again too.
"What can I do to help?" I finally ask her.
"That feels nice. Keep doing that. Just don't touch my nipples!" I wouldn't think of it, they look really painful. After a few more minutes, she sighs.
"The problem is I DO want you to touch them. My brain is sending me very mixed messages here."
Mine too. But the loudest message is "Don't hurt Donna!" I continue my ministrations everywhere else. Finally, I have to ask what's on my mind.
"Why did you wear that bra if it's too small?"
She looks at me like I'm a little stupid. Which, I am, but I really don't understand.
"It matches the panties, Josh."