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Authors: Paula (pixley@ig.com.br ) and Rachel Disclaimers, Spoilers, etc. in part 1 Keeping Secrets Part Five Those words keep echoing in my head. "The baby is yours...the baby is yours." I had forgotten about that night months ago. I'm sure that she is right. We work too many long hours for there to be anyone else. As far as I know she hasn't even had a date since then. I don't know what to say. I don't want to scare her. I've always wanted children, but with my job, I never thought that it would be possible. It looks like I was wrong. I'm going to be a father...a daddy. "I'm going to be a father?" "Please understand that I'm not asking for anything. That's why I was going to quit. After that night, we never talked about it...I was just going to leave, that way I wouldn't be any trouble..." Donna starts to explain. "Wait. Were you thinking about leaving without telling me about the baby? Donna, why? I mean, I know we never talked about it, but I thought you wanted it that way. But it's different. We are going to have a baby. You think I'm upset about this?" She nods. "Oh Donna, I couldn't be happier. I mean, sure there will be some things we have to deal with, but I want to help you. This is something we've created..." "...A miracle from heaven," she adds. "I'm not shrinking from my responsibilities, Donna. You're not going through this alone. We can raise this baby together." Then she asks the question that I'm thinking. "But what about us?" What about us? I don't know. I know that I care about Donna beyond the 'boss/assistant' relationship. Our relationship is that of platonic friendship. Surely no one would think anything of my helping Donna through her pregnancy. Right? "Donna, we're friends, everyone knows that. Maybe, some day there might be more between us. I don't think it would be completely unfounded for me to help you. At least no one in the White House would think anything of it. At some point though, we are going to have to issue a statement to the press." " And that's where I come in..." a voice came from the doorway. "CJ! What are you doing here?" "She knows," Donna quickly interjected, "she sort of happened upon me in the ladies' room. Let's just say it was not one of my best moments." "You were sick? Why didn't you tell me?" Donna smiles, "Well, for one thing, I hadn't told you yet. For another, I didn't want you fussing over me like I can tell you are going to do from here on out." "Damn right he is," CJ replied, "just like the rest of us around here. I just stopped by to make sure that everything was okay. I'll leave you two alone. But remember you are not alone in this. You have each other and the support of everyone here." She smiles as she heads back to her office. Donna smiles, "You know, I'm starting to feel much better about this. You did say something that I need you to clarify...'some day there might be more between us'?" Those words came out of my mouth? Really? You need to do some fast thinking, Lyman. They say your true feelings come out in times of stress... "Who knows what the future might bring? Judging from what you've told me today, Donnatella, our future looks very bright indeed." "You're right, our future does look bright, but there are going to be some bumps in the road," she reminded me. "I'm up for the challenge if you are." Donna's eyes filled with tears again. But this time I think they were happy tears. "You bet, Joshua. I'm always ready for a challenge," she replied. "As much as I hate to ruin this moment, you've got a budget meeting in ten minutes." "Always keeping me in line, aren't you?" She laughed as she headed out the door; "Someone's got to keep you on your toes. Now get going before you're late again!" " Donna, before I go...I forgot to ask, how many weeks along are you?" " Seven weeks and four days." She smiles through some tears " What is his size? He might be the same size as a grape." "No, the baby is smaller than a grape. The doctor said it is 1/3 of an inch, the size of a grain of rice." I smile proudly and come closer to her, putting a finger on her face and wiping the last tears that are still coming down her cheek. "Has the doctor asked for any exams?" She nods." Yes, he only asked a blood test. I did and there is nothing irregular." "When do you have another appointment?" "Next Friday I have an ultrasound." "Okay. Put it in my schedule. I want to go with you." She smiles. "Thanks. Now, go." "Call me if you feel something." I put a hand on her belly and smile at her. "Bye, baby."
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