There was an air of sadness around the house, an emptiness that Leo now knew that they could never fill.

The second they had returned from the hospital, Margaret had disappeared up the stairs and into the bedroom. Her tears filtered through the closed door and his heart skipped a beat.

The news wasn’t what they had hoped. After four years of marriage, a happy marriage at that, and two years of tests, the doctor had told them once and for all that they couldn’t have children. There had been pregnancies, and hope had sprung eternal, but after eight weeks they were over - three ectopics and miscarriages.

Margaret had barely spoken as they drove home and he was at a loss of what to say to her. He wanted a baby as much as she did, except he wasn’t willing to sacrifice her health or sanity.

Picking up the phone, he dialled a familiar number and waited to be connected.

“Mrs. Bartlet’s office.”

“Hey, Ginny. Is the First Lady available?” Leo asked, glancing up the stairs at the closed door. “It’s Leo McGarry.”

“Leo?” Abbey’s voice sounded worried. She had known about the hospital visit, the endless rounds of tests and he knew she would understand some of the pain he was now feeling.

“The news wasn’t good, Abbey.”

Abbey pulled her notepad closer in preparation of what he was about to say. “What did she say?”

“That the ectopics have damaged her tubes beyond repair and IVF isn’t viable,” Leo condensed what had been a long and traumatic meeting. “I can give you her number.”

“Thanks. If it’s okay with you, I’ll give her a call. How’s Margaret holding up?”

“She’s shut down and I don’t . . .” he trailed off unwilling to voice his greatest fear.

“You need to be there, Leo. Don’t do anything, just be close enough that she can reach you when she needs you.” She didn’t need to say that it might be a while, or that she would be there when Leo needed someone to talk to, he had enough to deal with for one day.

He gave her the number for the clinic and said goodbye. Taking a deep breath, he walked upstairs and paused for a moment before opening the bedroom door. Silently, he crossed to the bed, removing his shoes, before laying down on the eiderdown.

They lay like that for nearly an hour as he listened to her tears and fought not to move towards her.

Finally, he felt her hand touch his back and a timid voice he barely recognized as hers call his name.

He didn’t wait for her to ask. Within seconds he rolled over and she was in his arms, gripping him as if he was the only thing holding her up. There were no words, just her sobs and his steadily dampening cheeks.

Later, he knew she would talk but for now he was happy to just hold her.

Her grip softened and he heard the gentle change in her breathing as she drifted off to sleep.

Relaxing, he allowed his eyes to close, for just a moment, but before long he was sleeping too.

*~*~*~*

Every Tuesday, barring a national emergency the senior assistants would have lunch together in the mess. It was a ritual and one even their bosses respected.

Margaret settled herself at the table and stared at her salad. She had hardly slept the night before, thinking about the meeting with the doctor and the finality of her news. Around three am she had headed into the sitting room and curled up on the couch as the tears flowed unchecked.

Which is where Leo had found her when he’d woken with the alarm. His light kiss on her forehead and his unspoken support as he headed out of the door had almost been her undoing.

Once the door had closed behind him she had started crying all over again. It had taken all her energy to come to the White House and all her self control to keep it together as she went about her work.

“Hey, Margaret,“ Donna greeted, sliding in beside her. “You okay?“

She shrugged non-committally. Normally she would have lied but today she didn’t have the strength.

“Margaret?“ Ginger and Bonnie asked in unison, arriving together, trays laden with salads and pastries.

The tears began again in earnest and Margaret was powerless to stop them.

The three women glanced around the room and moved their seats in closer, wanting to offer support but shield her from prying eyes.

“Is it Leo?” Bonnie asked. It was never far from their thoughts that his drinking could effect his long term health. They dreaded the day and the effect it would have on their friends.

She shook her head.

Donna took her hand in her own and squeezed gently. “If you tell us maybe we can help.” And if they couldn’t, they worked for the most powerful men in the country. If the spin boys failed to solve the problem, there was Mrs Bartlet.

The gentle sobs racking through her friend’s body was the only response she received.

Ginger slid an arm around Margaret’s back and waited for the crying to subside.

Embarrassed and taken by surprise, Margaret finally stopped crying. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. We’re friends. We just want to help.”

“You can’t.” She swallowed hard. “I went to see the specialist yesterday. She says that we should give up on having a baby.”

The three women didn’t know what to say. Margaret’s long battle for a family was common knowledge amongst the group. With each difficulty or complication she had become more subdued, and they had watched with concern. Even so, they hadn’t realized how serious it had become.

Margaret gave them a weak smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring you down.” Her fork stabbed at her salad. “So, Ginger, how’s the quest for Mr. Unobtainable?”

The three women exchanged concerned glances.

“Oh, come on. It’s about time you told us who he is,“ Margaret prompted, faking an enthusiasm she didn’t feel.

“Yeah, Ginger,” Donna badgered, following Margaret‘s lead.

It was comfortable and familiar but no one missed the way Margaret fell silent and stared into the distance as the others chatted around her.

*~*~*~*

Ginger hovered in the doorway to Margaret’s office, observing the older woman’s demeanor. She had been up all night, thinking and wandering her apartment, trying to weigh up her decision.

Margaret obviously had to if her pallor was anything to go on. She could only hope what she was about to suggest would help.

Sensing she was being watched, Margaret looked up and forced a smile. “Hey, Ginger.”

“Have you got a minute?” She had planned on waiting, inviting Margaret for a drink, or dropping by after work, but something would have come up and she needed to get it over with.

“Sure.”

“Is Leo available?” She wanted to tell both of them, to make sure it was something they both wanted.

Margaret frowned and nodded. “What’s going on?”

Ginger took a step towards Leo’s door. “I need to talk to both of you.”

Her friend was acting peculiar, but she knew Ginger well enough to know she wouldn’t want to interrupt Leo unless it was important. Friends or not, she would never abuse the professional relationship.

Margaret rose to her feet and knocked on the open doorway. “Leo, Ginger would like a minute.”

Removing his glasses, he glanced up at his wife. “Ginger?” He had known Ginger for years, since the first campaign, she was one of his wife’s best friend’s, his too, but she had rarely come to him.

“Yup.”

He indicated with his head to send her in. Leaning back in his chair he waited for the two women to enter.

Ginger moved towards the conference table and stopped, her hands folded before her.

“What did he do now?” Leo asked with a sigh, fully expecting a complaint about Toby.

She shook her head. “Toby’s putty in my hands, well since Andi’s promised he can have the twins for the holidays.” She faltered and stole a glance at Margaret. “Can we shut the door?”

Margaret glanced at Leo and raised an eyebrow. At his nod, she closed the door firmly and positioned herself behind one of his visitor’s chair.

The three of them stood in silence, stealing glances at each other as they waited for Ginger to start.

“I don’t want to hurry you,” Leo mumbled. “But I have a meeting with the President at three.”

“Right. Of course.“ Ginger took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking since yesterday. Lunch. Your difficulties.”

Leo had wondered whether Margaret would bottle it up or talk, he was relieved that she’d opened up to Ginger. He could only hope that talking about it would help her sleep instead of roaming the house as she had the last few nights.

“Yeah.”

“I think I might be able to help.” She paused and concentrated on Margaret, knowing that her face was turning a deep crimson. “Have you considered surrogacy?”

The subject had cropped up but Leo had been concerned about finding a suitable surrogate mother. If it became public the press would have a field day and he didn’t know how it would affect the President. The idea had been shelved almost immediately it had arisen.

“It’s not really. . .”

“I could act as the surrogate,” Ginger offered quietly, smiling for the first time since entering the room.

“Are you sure about this?” Margaret asked, surprised and not really comprehending the enormity of the offer.

Ginger nodded. “You want a baby and I want to help.”

Leo wasn’t sure what to say. “I. . .”

“Leo. At least think about it. I’m healthy and I want to do this. I used to be an egg donor before I joined the campaign,” Ginger explained looking between them. “I need to get back to work but I wanted to offer. And before you say it, I have thought about this.” With a final glance at each of them, she slipped out of the room.

Margaret stared after her for a full minute before she turned back to Leo. “You have a meeting with the President.” She smiled at him for the first time in days. “And you need to finish early tonight.” Bobbing her head, she walked back to her own office leaving Leo shaking his head.

Jed had once commented on “these women” and Leo had taken the opportunity to observe them. He hadn’t fully understood what the President had meant until that minute.

“Ginger,” Margaret called, catching up with her in the corridor. Peeking into the Roosevelt room and finding it empty, she dragged her friend into the room.

“I can’t believe you did that,” Margaret said, shaking her head in disbelief. “I mean to offer to do that.”

Leaning back against the conference table, Ginger folded her hands in front of her. “I know how important it is for you to have a baby. I’ve been there when you’ve had bad news. My eggs are healthy and quite frankly unlikely to be put to any use any time soon,” she laughed weakly.

“But to be willing to do that. To put your life on hold. . .”

“I don’t think I’ve ever known two people as much in love as Leo and you are. It’s quite sickening at times. However I know that a baby would be the icing on the cake and you’ll make great parents. I want to do this for you, please.”

Margaret let her smile reach her eyes as she pulled Ginger into a hug. “We’ll never be able to thank you enough.”

“You don’t need to.” She held Margaret to her before pulling away. “I need to go before Toby starts yelling again.”

Margaret nodded. She had some research to do and Leo and her needed to talk. For the first time in days she felt like there was a real chance, that finally her family would be complete.

*~*~*~*

Margaret wandered into the bedroom. “So I did some ringing around today,” she announced, sinking down onto the bed.

“Yeah,” Leo mumbled, stepping out of the shower and pulling a towel around him.

“The District sucks.”

“Okay.”

“The law states: "Surrogate parenting contracts are prohibited and rendered unenforceable in the District. Any person or entity who or which is involved in, or induces, arranges, or otherwise assists in the formation of a surrogate parenting contract for a fee, compensation, or other remuneration, or otherwise violates this section, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both."

Leo came out of the bathroom and stared at her. “You’re kidding, right?”

She shook her head. “Nope. . . But I went to see Toby. . .”

It was getting worse. They’d managed so far to keep their problems private. Obviously Ginger knew and Abbey, but he was sure they had kept the news from everyone else. The way Margaret was rushing around the West Wing and downloading websites, the whole staff would know about their little problem soon.

“He says that no one has ever been prosecuted for violating the law and it’s probably unconstitutional.”

“Margaret, I am not going to court.” He could only imagine the headlines.

She groaned audibly. “I wasn’t planning on making legal history. I leave those sort of things to Amy.” Margaret grinned at him. “I sent her a copy of the code by the way.”

“You know we have to be back at work in five hours, don’t you?” he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.

She chose to ignore him. “We can do it in Maryland. Although Ginger might need to move there.”

Draping the towel over the heater, he climbed naked into bed. “Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

Her pointed glare was enough to convince him they were having the conversation and tonight.

“Okay, what do we need to do?” he asked in the hope of getting sleep sometime in the near future.

“Well for starters there is no law about surrogacy in Maryland. Which means there are no real guidelines. Although we’d have to draw up a contract.“

“You realize this is going to take a while?” he asked, stifling a yawn. “It may take months to arrange everything and Ginger could change her mind.”

“If you don’t want to do this, just say,” she sighed, unzipping her pants. “I thought we both wanted a baby. I thought that was why we went through all those tests. If you aren’t interested then say.” The pants landed on the floor as she pulled the sweater over her head and slipped into her night gown.

“Margaret.”

“No. I’ll tell Ginger that we aren’t interested.”

He groaned inwardly and climbed out of bed, grabbing his robe. “I’ll make some coffee.”

“Make it hot milk, you need to preserve your sperm,” she called after him, grinning. They were going to have a baby. It wouldn’t be easy and there were going to be problems when the press found out, but for now she didn’t care. All that mattered was that there was hope where a short while ago there had been none.

*~*~*~*

Leo had been right. The surrogacy wouldn’t go ahead over night.

A week after Ginger had offered to be surrogate, she and Margaret found themselves sitting in the waiting room of a private clinic in Maryland.

Leo had opted to stay at the White House. He’d been to enough hospital appointments with Margaret to know that it wouldn’t be pleasant and he certainly didn’t think Ginger would want him there as witness. While the women took the morning off, he searched Margaret’s desk for the number of a florist, ordering a bouquet of flowers for Ginger.

The medical screening was the first step, Margaret had read, in the process. Without it they couldn’t progress. For her it meant a week of anxious waiting. For Ginger it meant a round of tests.

Margaret held Ginger’s hand as the female nurse took blood, marking the three samples carefully, the first to check she was ovulating, the second for infectious diseases and the final one for any signs of inherent illness. That done, she disappeared leaving the two women alone.

Ginger lay back on the examination table and closed her eyes. “So Leo didn’t want to come?”

Margaret bobbed her head then realized Ginger couldn’t see her. “He thought it was an invasion of your privacy.”

The patient opened one eye with a smirk. “He knows that his sperm is going to be impregnated into me, right? Can‘t get more invasive than that.”

“It’s more to do with his fear of needles.”

“Ah.”

The door opened and a tall, dark man in a lab coat entered.

The two women shared a look. Typical, Ginger thought, she finally met an attractive man and he was going to be her doctor while she was pregnant.

“Ladies. My name’s Rob Matthews.”

“Margaret McGarry, and this is Ginger.”

“Well Ginger, you and I are going to become friends, hopefully. Firstly, though I need you to get undressed.”

“My sort of man,” Ginger snorted.

“You like workaholics?” he countered, handing her a gown.

“More than you’ll ever know.” She swung her legs onto the floor and padded behind the curtain.

Rob shook his head and turned on a small side light. “I’ll do a pap smear and a physical then you can go. Once I get the results we can do the follow up checks.”

Ginger closed her eyes and prayed that everything would be alright. The sooner she got the all clear, the sooner they could start trying to get pregnant.

*~*~*~*

It had been an agonizing week for all of them as they waited for the medical results.

No one else in the office knew exactly what was going on and the longer it took for the results to come through, the more concerned Margaret got that something was wrong.

Leo replaced the phone in its cradle and wondered if it was time to take out shares in the florist. That, and how long it would be before someone asked if he was having an affair. Every day for over a week he had ordered two flower arrangements, one for his wife and one for Ginger. The girl on the other end of the phone didn’t even bother to ask how much he wanted to spend or his credit card number anymore.

On the tenth morning Ginger received the call.

*~*~*~*

Ginger climbed out of the taxi and looked up at the red brick building.

Margaret had offered to go with her but it seemed appropriate that she go alone, after all she was going to be discussing her relationship with her.

Toby had called for her as she had prepared to leave for the appointment. Thankfully Bonnie had waved at her to go. He was already getting suspicious about her absences and she knew she was going to have to tell him soon. Of course if she got pregnant they were all going to have to know. It wasn’t something she was looking forward to.

The front door opened and a congressman she recognized slipped out into a waiting car.

Taking a deep breath, Ginger walked up the steps and through the door.

The whole point of the psychological evaluation she knew was to test her motivations and to see whether she was an appropriate candidate. What she needed to tell them was how much she wanted to do this, how much she wanted to give Margaret a child.

The receptionist smiled at her as she approached the counter.

“Hello. My name is Ginger. . .”

“Of course. If you go up the stairs and through the double doors you’ll find Dr. Anders waiting room.”

Ginger followed the directions and headed upstairs.

Dr Anders was waiting for her, an older man who not going came well recommended but was an expert in his field.

She warmed to his mild manner as he guided her into the office and explained what would happen.

For the next two hours she underwent psychological testing. Dr Anders started off by asking her questions about Leo and Margaret and her relationship to them. Satisfied, he carried out the MMP12 test.

Ginger settled down on his couch as he once again began to ask her probing questions. He wanted to know what her motivations were in helping her friends and how committed she was. His questions also turned to her other relationships and she found herself telling him about Toby. Finally, they turned their attention to what was expected of her and what she would go through.

Three hours after she entered the clinic she went back to the office, emotional drained but more convinced than ever it was what she wanted.

*~*~*~*

The tests completed to everyone’s satisfaction, it was time to consult an attorney. Finding one hadn’t been easy. Leo was worried about confidentiality and he wanted someone who had experience in the field. The District rarely kept secrets and he finally tracked down an attorney in Maryland who would take the case.

Once they started to draw up the written agreement, he knew it would become more intense, decisions having to be made about everything from knowing the sex to buying Ginger maternity clothes.

Leo made an appointment for late Friday afternoon and the three of them drove over the state line.

The secretary showed the three of them into a conference room and left them alone.

“If there is anything you aren‘t happy with, just say,” Margaret repeated for what had to be the tenth time. “It‘s important we get this right.”

“Your solicitor made sure you understood what‘s going to happen? Your rights?” Leo asked, staring out of the window.

Ginger smiled to herself. “You guys are going to make awesome parents.”

Leo turned from the window and glanced at his wife. She smiled back at him.

John Keller entered the room with a flourish. After introducing himself to them, he indicated everyone should take a seat.

“I know this is probably mute, but you need to be aware that the process could cost 38,000 dollars upwards, more if it’s a multiple birth.”

“Money isn’t an issue. Whatever it costs, it costs. Whatever Ginger needs, she gets.” Leo nodded firmly.

“Right. The first part is standard. It will just spell out what you’re agreeing to, that Ginger will carry a baby for you. I have some standard questions and then if there’s anything else you want to include we can discuss it.”

The three parties nodded.

“How many times are you willing to try?”

“As many as it takes,” Ginger offered. They’d talked about it at length and as long as Leo wanted to try they would.

“And if Ginger conceives more than one baby?”

Margaret’s eyes lit up. “One or six, we’ll love them just the same.”

Leo wasn’t sure about the six, but before they got that far, Ginger had to get pregnant.

The attorney took notes as he continued to fire questions and watched their faces as they answered. “Ginger, you’re happy that you’ll have no custodial rights, that you’ll effectively hand them over at birth?”

“Yes.”

“Have you discussed a fee?”

Leo nodded. “We’ve written it down. We’ll pay by instalments, and pay the medical fees separately. Ginger is going to rent an apartment in Bethesda for a year to begin with.”

“That’s only the beginning. You’ll also need to pay for all reasonably documented incidental expenses, such as telephone toll charges, travel, parking, missed time from work and a maternity clothes allowance. Generally the couple set up an account so the surrogate can cover incidentals. Ginger, you’ll need to keep receipts.“ He paused to check his pad. “Also there is a one year term life insurance policy, and extras like compensation for failed attempts and miscarriages and multiple births.”

Margaret passed him a sheet of paper with the expected costs clearly typed out.

John Keller raised an eyebrow at the extent of organization and Leo shrugged. He hadn’t expected anything less from his wife.

“Ginger, your medical insurance covers maternity and delivery benefits?”

She nodded mutely.

“Okay, some routine questions now about your health, hereditary problems, things you’ll expect Ginger to do throughout the pregnancy,” John announced.

Margaret opened a folder and pulled out two neatly typed pages stapled together. “We discussed the dos and don’ts.“ Or rather she and Ginger had. The idea of discussing whether Ginger could have sex during pregnancy was one conversation Leo had decided he didn’t need to be part of.

“And Ginger you’re happy with all this?”

She nodded. “I’m not going to do anything to risk this baby.”

“Have you discussed circumstances in which the pregnancy might have to be terminated or how many foetuses Ginger can carry - selective reduction?”

Margaret reached out for Leo’s hand and gripped it tightly in her own.

Leo focused on the attorney. “We’ve discussed it. Ginger’s health is as important to us as having a baby.”

“Leo, we need to discuss custody if something should happen to you or Margaret before Ginger delivers. You’ll need to revise your will.”

“We discussed it, between ourselves and with Ginger. I have a daughter, Mallory, and she would raise the baby,” Leo stated, wondering if the time had come to tell her.

“I’ll also need Ginger to sign a declaration of intent, which she should have discussed with her solicitor.” The questions over, he closed his notepad. “That’s fine. I’ll get my assistant to type up everything you’ve agreed and send you copies to check and sign.” He rose to his feet. “If you have any questions, call me. Otherwise I hope it all goes smoothly.”

He shook hands with all of them as they filed out of his office.

*~*~*~*

The final thing, they decided, to do before starting the medical treatment was to tell the people that most needed to know. That meant telling the President.

Margaret in her wisdom had asked if Abbey could be there. There were going to be questions and she didn’t really want to have to discuss her medical history with the President.

Jed appeared in the hallway in his Notre Dame sweatshirt and pants. “Leo, Margaret.”

“Mr. President,” Margaret mumbled, trying to ignore the pain in her stomach.

“What have I told you? It’s Jed. Come through.”

They followed him into the private sitting room and were relieved to find Abbey waiting for them.

“Don’t look so nervous. He’s promised to be on his best behaviour,” she chuckled. “No trivia. No chilli.”

“That’s a shame,” Margaret commented innocently.

Leo stifled a laugh and settled himself on the couch.

“See, I told you. Why on earth would they want beef stew. . .?”

“It’s beef Wellington, dear.” She motioned for Margaret to take a seat. “Jed, sit down. They have something to tell us.”

Leo took Margaret’s hand in his own and waited until Jed was seated before he glanced at his wife.

Her smiled urged him on.

“We’ve decided to give surrogacy a try.”

Abbey raised an eyebrow. “You’ve found a carrier?”

“Actually, Ma’am, I mean Abbey. She found us,” Margaret explained. “It’s not a stranger.”

“Can we backtrack a little here? Surrogacy? As in another woman carries your baby?” Jed jumped out of his seat and began to pace. “You’ve been trying for a baby?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

Well, Margaret concluded, at least he wasn’t asking questions about why yet.

“Who’s the surrogate?” Abbey asked, shooting her husband a glare and turning her full attention on Margaret.

“Ginger.”

“Toby’s assistant?” Jed asked, confused. He remembered the name because of the long red hair and the fact the poor girl had been subjected to more than her fair share working for Toby. “How’s he taking it?”

Leo’s lips quirked upwards. “He’s finding out right about now.”

*~*~*~*

Ginger waited for the bullpen to empty before she rose to her feet and made her way to Toby’s office.

His door was open, as he leaned over the table, his pen scratching at the legal pad.

Lightly, she rapped on his door and hovered.

“Yeah?“ he growled without looking up.

“I was wondering if I could talk to you.“

“I thought you’d left for the night,” Toby said, dropping his pen onto the pad and looking up at her. “What do you need?”

With confidence she didn’t feel, Ginger stepped into the room and closed the door behind her.

Toby watched her with concern. For a moment panic filled him, she looked so serious that he thought she might be leaving. With all the time off recently, he considered she might be at interviews. Silently, he walked around the desk and leaned against it.

“I. . .” she faltered. Margaret had offered to be there for her, or even to invite Toby over and they would tell him together, but Ginger had declined, mainly because she didn’t want to have to accompany them to tell the President.

“Ginger?” His voice became uncharacteristically soft. “What’s wrong?”

She took a deep breath. “Margaret and Leo can’t have children and she was in tears. So I thought about it and offered to be their surrogate. Obviously I’m not pregnant yet but we will start trying soon and when I get pregnant I’m going to have to take some time off.” She let out the breath she had been holding.

Toby massaged the temple above his eyebrow. “Do you want to run that by me again, just slower?”

“I’m going to carry a baby for Leo and Margaret or I will when I get pregnant.”

That hadn’t been what he was expecting. “Oh?” Of course he’d known the couple were looking into surrogacy, he’d even looked into the legal implications for them, but he hadn’t thought about a carrier. “You’re going to want some time off.”

“Yeah.” So much for getting a reaction. “Obviously they want to keep it quiet but I thought you should know.” Ginger moved towards the door.

“It’s a very brave thing you’re doing,” he called after her, as she turned the handle.

Ginger turned and smiled. “Not brave. She’s my friend and I can do the one thing that will make her happy.”

“What about making you happy?”

The one thing that would make her happy was standing in the middle of the room watching her with amusement. She’d had a crush on Toby for as long as she’d known him, although at times she wondered why, but he wasn’t interested in her. In fact he had everything he wanted now that he had the twins.

“I can wait,” she offered simply.

Toby moved across the room and opened his arms, pulling her into an embrace. He’d been there with Andi, every time she miscarried, every failed attempt to get pregnant, now they had twins. What Ginger was doing was something very special and he intended to support her every step of the way. “If you need someone to talk to, I’m here.” Just as quickly, he released her and returned to his desk. “You should go home, you’re going to need all the rest you can get.”

Ginger let out a deep sigh and left.

*~*~*~*

“I made an appointment for tomorrow morning and cleared your schedule,” Margaret announced as she walked into Leo’s office. “Josh will take senior staff.”

Leo looked up from his briefing papers and raised an eyebrow. “Tomorrow’s Friday?”

Margaret sighed and folded her arms across her chest. “The hospital. Ginger’s ovulating.”

“Well you can take the morning off. I‘m sure she‘d rather have you there than me.”

Will hummed to himself as he entered Leo’s outer office. He wanted to run the latest draft of the speech for the NEA by Leo. The office was empty and Margaret was no where to be seen. He came to a sudden halt, pondering whether to face Margaret‘s wrath and give the document to Leo direct or come back later.

“Oh Leo, keep up. She’s ovulating. That means they need your little sample so they can inseminate her.“

Leo rolled his eyes and glanced at the doors nervously.

Will‘s eyes widened. He couldn‘t believe what he was hearing. He‘d known these people four years and it seemed the longer he knew them the weirder they became. Scrunching up his face, he made a rapid exit. That was one conversation he really didn’t want to get involved in.

“Are you coming with us?”

“Nope.” Margaret shook her head and removed the pile of folders balancing precariously close to the edge of the desk. “With Ginger out of the office I need to be here.”

“So it’s just her and I?”

She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Get over it. There’s worse to come.”

*~*~*~*

It had to be the most demeaning experience of his life Leo decided as he closed the door to the small room and placed the pot on the table. His eyes adjusted to the fluorescent lighting as he made out the TV and VCR and the pile of magazines. They had tried to make it comfortable but it wasn’t exactly conducive to what he had to do. 

Of course the easiest thing would have been to bring Margaret and let her do her thing. His pants tightened as he thought about Margaret’s thing. Of course if he’d brought Margaret the trip would have been pointless or rather they would have gotten carried away and the pot would definitely not been filled. Her thing was something to behold though. His pants twitched. 

A smile quirked at his lips. So maybe it wouldn’t be that difficult after all, he concluded, unzipping his pants. 

*~*~*~* 

Ginger closed her eyes and tried to think happy thoughts, most of which it seemed resolved around food. The first thing she was going to do when they finally let her out of the stirrups was to get a cheese Danish.

The door opened with a squeak and the doctor entered. 

“You’d think by now they’d make stirrups with fur covers, wouldn’t you? You know, like handcuffs?”

“Leo said he’d wait outside,” Rob announced, his mind running to handcuffs. “So shall we do this?”

“Hey I could stay like this all day.”

“In that case I’ll grab a coffee. . .” he trailed off as she opened one eye and glared at him.

A few seconds later she felt the cannula entering the cervix.

“Okay, all done. I just need you to lay there for ten minutes or so. Now, don’t get your hopes up. It rarely works first time. And I want you to refrain from strenuous activity for the next twenty-four hours.”

Ginger had no problem with that, once she’d eaten, she was going to curl up on the sofa and over indulge in trashy soaps.

Leo was waiting in the corridor when she left the examination room, a brown paper bag in one hand and the Times in the other. “Hey.”

“Hey.” A pink tinge covered her cheeks as she thought about what had just transpired. 

Leo avoided her eyes. “I bought you a Danish, four actually. I wasn’t sure what you liked.” He began to walk towards the elevator.

She smiled at his retreating back and opened the bag. Taking out a cheese Danish, she started to follow him. He really was quiet sweet even if they would never have a conversation eye to eye again, and she knew they never would. 

*~*~*~*

“Ginger!”

She took a deep breath and rose from her seat, padding across the Bullpen to his office. “Toby?”

“I can’t find the file on Homeland Security,” he stated, not bothering to look up from his laptop. “And I need you to get the Secretary of Health on the phone. And I wouldn’t mind a coffee.”

Ginger folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes. 

“And can you ask Will to come in here?”

“Ask him yourself.” 

Toby stopped typing and glanced up. 

“While you’re at it, get your own coffee, it makes me want to throw up,” she added snappily.

It took a second for the slight smile to form on his face as he continued to stare at him. “Ginger?”

“No, Toby. I’ve had it with you yelling at me like I’m some fish wife. I’m your assistant. A little respect wouldn’t go amiss.”

Toby rose to his feet and crossed to the door, closing it. “How long has coffee made you feel sick?”

“I’m sorry?” she asked confused, fully expecting him to yell at her, not the soft tone he was using.

“How long have you been feeling sick?” He settled himself on the couch.

“A week. And it’s not just coffee.”

“Mood swings too, eh.” He wasn’t an expert but he’d been there through most of Andi’s pregnancy. “You should do a test.”

Her jaw dropped as she watched him smirking at her. It hadn’t occurred to her that she might be pregnant. The doctor had told her it probably wouldn’t happen first time. She was late but she’d put that down to the drugs she’d been taking and the stress of trying to get pregnant.

“Why don’t you go find Margaret and get an early lunch,” he offered, a twinge of something he couldn’t place fluttering in his stomach. 

“Okay,“ she said with a grin, disappearing through the door without a backwards glance.

Ginger grabbed her bag from her bottom drawer and made her way along the corridor to Margaret’s office. 

The two women paced the length of the ladies bathroom as they waited for two blue lines to appear on the tiny white stick. As soon as Ginger had appeared in her office, Margaret had informed her husband she was going to lunch. The nearest drug store was a few blocks away and it was almost thirty minutes before they arrived back at the West Wing. After much tap running, Ginger had finally felt the urge to pee.

Now all they could do was wait, in silence it seemed as they both fought with trepidation. 

“How long?”

Margaret glanced at her watch. “Another two minutes to go.”

Ginger hated the waiting. Since her conversation with Toby, despite her best attempts to be realistic, she had felt pregnant. The nausea, the back ache, the late period all combined to convince her that they’d done it first time.

“Okay, let’s have a look,” Margaret said after what seemed to be the longest five minutes ever.

With shaking hands, Ginger picked up the stick and her face broke out into a grin. Staring back at her were two very distinct blue lines. 

*~*~*~*

The first trimester went without a hitch. After the home test proved positive, Ginger went to the doctor for a blood test. The result confirmed the news for them.

Ginger waited until the official confirmation and the bullpen was once again empty before she knocked on Toby’s office door. “Toby?”

He looked up and raised an eyebrow. “So?”

“I’m pregnant.” She still smiled every time she said the words. Margaret had insisted she be there when Leo was told so she had hovered by the door watching as he hugged his wife, his elation evident on his face. There had been a second when she thought about slipping out, feeling like an intruder. Then Leo had wrapped his arms around her and thanked her. All she could think about as he held her was how much she wanted to tell Toby.

“I guessed.” He continued to stare at her, marvelling at the subtle changes already occurring in her body. 

“Well, yeah, I just wanted to tell you, first, before everyone else finds out.” She lowered her gaze and shuffled.

Toby stumbled to his feet and crossed the room. Awkwardly he opened his arms and she fell into them, the first tear trickling onto her cheek. “Hey,” he whispered. “It’s okay.” His arms tightened around her.

“I’m happy.”

He could understand what was she was feeling. Andi had been more than a little emotional when she fell pregnant, in amongst the tears she had thrown things at him, not that she was the first woman to do that. 

“I know. It’s the hormones. I have a book at home you might find useful,” he allowed himself a small smile. 

Ginger lifted her head from his shoulder and gazed at him. It was sudden and she thought for a second she had imagined it, but there was a spark of something in his eyes. “Toby?”

His lips brushed hers lightly before he realized what he was doing.

She slid her hands up his back and wrapped them around his neck, deepening the kiss. All thoughts of the baby disappeared from her head as his hands caressed her back. 

In need of air, they pulled back.

“Ginger?”

“Toby?” She wasn’t sure what had just happened, only that if he used the words “that was a mistake” she was going to cry.

“Can I give you a lift home?” he asked. “Maybe grab some dinner on the way?” He knew he sounded desperate, but he needed to know she felt the same way, that he hadn‘t been imagining what was developing between them.

“I’d like that.” Ginger smiled and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. It wasn’t the best timing in the world but she’d been waiting for Toby to notice her for months, besides it wasn’t as if they could rush into a relationship.

The next few weeks went by in a blur as she became use to being pregnant. Every morning she threw up, each week she developed a new craving and steadily she began to put on weight. 

Toby tried not to fuss but he couldn’t help himself. Now that they were dating, and they were, spending almost every evening together, his paternal instincts had kicked in. Not to mention the fact Ginger was sexy as hell and horny to boot. It took all the self-control he had not to push the relationship to the next step.

By the time Ginger and Margaret attended the first prenatal clinic, the morning sickness had subsided and the pregnancy was more than a little noticeable. As soon as the midwife told her that the scan was clear and her bloods were fine she wanted to rush back and tell Toby.

When he came around that evening they celebrated with pizza and lemonade, her latest craving.

*~*~*~*

CJ knocked on Leo’s office door and shuffled back and forth as she stared at the carpet. 

“Hey, CJ,” he said, looking up from the pile of briefing memos. “Oh, they know?” he asked, picking up the bad news from her expression.

Margaret shifted closer to him on the couch.

CJ nodded. “Katie gave me the heads up. There will be questions in the briefing.” It wasn’t news really, but the press, not to mention the Christian groups, were going to jump on the story. “What do you want me to do?”

They had been expecting it. Leo was only surprised it had taken as long as it had. Ginger was looking heavily pregnant and Margaret and Leo had been shopping with her the previous weekend for maternity clothes and things for the nursery.

“I need to warn the President,” he offered. “And you should let the senior staff and assistants know.”

“What do I tell the press?” she asked quietly. It was going to get intrusive at the very least, possibly even offensive. The idea of surrogacy was still not widely acceptable and although she didn‘t know the intimate details of the procedure, she knew that there was much about the arrangement the press could feed on. The last thing any of her friends needed was a media frenzy.

Leo glanced at Margaret and held her gaze. “The truth. That Margaret and I have been trying for a baby for years and unfortunately we were unable to conceive. Ginger volunteered to be a surrogate and we‘re looking forward to being parents.”

“They’re going to want more.”

“Tough,” he growled. “It’s all they’re getting.”

CJ took a deep breath. “What if they want interviews or the President’s reaction to it?”

“They can. . .” Margaret’s hand on his arm stopped him finishing his statement. 

“We don’t comment on the private lives of the staff,” Margaret said softly. “And if they don’t like it, god help them because Toby will hang them out to dry.”

“It’s true then?” CJ asked with a genuine smile.

“Oh yeah. He even went to a Lamaze class with her,” she chuckled. 

Leo rolled his eyes and rose to his feet. “As much as the women’s locker room is fun, I need to see the President. Margaret, you need to tell Ginger what’s happening and make sure she knows not to leave the White House on her own.” 

Ginger was already showing signs of discomfort. She had put on weight suddenly at the eighteenth week and been forced to put her feet up for a few days. The last thing she needed was hassle from the press, especially now they knew she was carrying a healthy baby. For the next few days he was going to make sure she had a lift home and if no one was available, he was going to organize a service car. It was the least they could do.

He opened the connected door and gave Margaret a reassuring smile. She wasn’t going to get hassled by the press either, he was going to do everything in his power to protect her. He knocked on the door to the Oval Offcie and took a deep breath.

*~*~*~*

Ginger removed the papers from the copier and headed for the Bullpen. Toby had been in meetings all morning, issuing demands every chance he got. His latest request was for everything on taxation reform from the last four administrations she could find. 

Her feet ached and she was tired, which she thought might have something to do with the fact baby was refusing to sleep, and she’d been wandering the apartment all night. All she needed was to close her eyes for a few minutes. 

Thud.

A distant sound of voices - disjointed and anxious- drifted into her sub-conscious. A hand gripping hers and something cold pressed against her forehead. She wasn’t sure if she was dreaming or if it was really happening. 

“Ginger,” Toby repeated, his voice becoming more concerned as her skin paled. “Get the medics up here.”

“She fainted, Toby. It’s the heat in here,” a voice that sounded like Bonnie’s said calmly.

He didn’t care. She was sick and he needed to take care of her. Ignoring the people gathered around them, he wrapped his arms around the limp form and lifted her. After a moment’s indecision, he headed for Leo’s office, bustling through the door and laying Ginger on the couch.

“What happened?” Leo asked, removing his glasses and walking around the desk. 

“I passed out,“ Ginger offered groggily, struggling to sit up. “I’ll be alright in a minute.”

Leo shook his head and watched as Toby perched on the edge of the couch, gently pushing her back down on the cushions and stroking her hair. 

“You should see the doctor to be on the safe side.” Leo wasn’t going to take any chances.

“I’m fine.”

Toby’s grip on her hand tightened. “I’ll take you.”

An hour and a half later he was unlocking the door to Ginger’s apartment and helping her inside. The doctor had drawn blood and taken her blood pressure, frowning at how low it had dropped, and issued a sick note. For the next seven days she was on bed rest.

“Maybe it’s time you took maternity leave,” Toby called as he unpacked the groceries into the fridge. 

The thermometer read in the high eighties and he opened a window. “I’m going to see if I can get you a fan too. Is there anything else you need?”

“Sleep.” 

He turned slowly and took a sharp intake of breath. While he had been fussing she had slipped into the bedroom. The long skirt and blouse had been replaced with a large oversized T-shirt, dropping to mid-thigh. Her hair had been clipped off of her neck. “Toby?”

He tried desperately to clear the images from his mind. She was, he had to admit, beautiful, even with the pronounced swell of her belly. Their relationship was still in its early stages but in his head at least there were many things he wanted to do to her.

“Toby,” she whispered, her fingers running along his arm. 

“Sorry, what do you need?”

“Sleep.”

“Oh. I’ll go back to work and come check on you later,” he stumbled.

Ginger grinned at him. “Or you could take a nap with me.”

He tried unsuccessfully to stifle a grin.

“Sleep, Toby,” she said with a wry grin and a shake of her head. Taking his hand, Ginger tugged him towards the bedroom. “And if you’re really good you can massage my feet when I get a cramp later.”

It wasn’t the best deal in the world, but he wasn’t going to refuse. As Ginger lay down on top of the eiderdown, he removed his shoes and lay beside her. Within seconds she was snoring softly beside him.

*~*~*~*

“Have I told you recently how sexy you are?” Toby whispered, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling Ginger back against his chest. He had been practically living with her for a week. It seemed she only slept when he was close by and he felt happier knowing she was okay.

“That’s not even funny,” she mumbled, shifting position until the ache in her back subsided.

“It wasn’t meant to be.” His hand splayed against her round stomach, grinning as he felt a familiar fluttering. “Junior is getting active tonight.”

“You have no idea,” Ginger replied, through gritted teeth, clutching the sheets as she felt a sharp pain. “Toby. . .”

“Um.”

“I think it’s time.”

By the inflection in her voice he knew that she didn’t mean it was time to take their relationship one stage further. “How far apart?”

Ginger groaned and tried to sit up. “I don’t know. They just hurt and they’re getting closer together.”

Toby rolled out of bed and pulled on a pair of pants. “I’ll call Leo and then we’ll get you to hospital.”

She didn’t care who he phoned as long as he got his ass into gear and they gave her something for the pain.

He picked up the phone and dialled Margaret’s townhouse, pulling on a shirt as he did. As he waited for her to pick up, he pulled on shoes and moved to help Ginger stand. 

“Margaret, it’s Toby. Ginger’s in labor.” He smiled at the slight gasp on the other end of the line. “We’ll meet you at the hospital.”

“Tell her we’re on our way. That we love her.”

Ginger gripped Toby’s arm as he walked her to the car. She knew they wouldn’t have time to talk later, that the next few hours could effectively change their relationship forever. “Toby?”

“I’m going to stay with you.” He aided her into the back seat and climbed in the drivers seat. 

She smiled up at him. That was all she needed to hear. Another contraction took over and she clutched the seat. 

*~*~*~*

Gently, Margaret stroked the soft down that covered the newborn’s head. Soft, blonde tuffs that would no doubt in time become red. Her fingers brushed across her daughter’s cheek as she silently counted ten fingers and ten toes. The baby was perfect, healthy and full term.

The first tear spilled onto her cheek unchecked as she stared down at the baby and said a silent prayer for her gift.

Leo watched through the glass panel as his wife bonded with their baby for the first time. Glancing around at the cribs, he grinned. She, and they would have to name her soon, was the prettiest baby he had ever seen. The others paled in comparison, but then he was probably biased.

Regretfully, he turned away and headed back to Ginger’s room.

*~*~*~*

The clock on the wall ticked and the familiar sound of footsteps echoed on the linoleum floor. It was three am, at least it had been a few minutes ago when he’d checked his watch again.

“You can go home, I’ll be fine,” Ginger mumbled from the relative comfort of the bed. She’d tried to sleep but his fidgeting and the constant rustling of papers were making her antsy.

“I thought you were sleeping,” Leo offered softly, standing and moving closer to the bed. “Do you need anything?”

Yeah, for him to go home and sleep, she thought.

“I’m fine.” Well as fine as one could be after an twenty-three hour labor.

Leo smiled. “Margaret is outside.”

“You made her wait in the corridor?” Ginger asked, shifting position and wincing.

He shrugged. “She’s pacing between the nursery and here.”

“Is the baby okay?” Her voice laced with a tinge of panic.

“Yup, all six pounds of her. Margaret has just found someone new to worry about.”

His daughter, and he couldn’t get used to hearing that, was little more than two hours old and still without a name.

“You know we can never thank you enough,” he started, not really sure if words would be enough. “If you ever need anything. . .”

“Just take care of them both.”

He intended to do just that, in fact that was going to be the rest of his life‘s work. “Toby’s out there too. He’s a little. . .um, jumpy.”

Ginger smiled and struggled to sit up. “Would it be alright if he came in?”

Leo nodded. He‘d watched from a distance as their relationship developed and marvelled at the protective way Toby had moved into her life. “Of course. I’m going to check on Margaret. See if I can get her to take a nap. If you need us. . .”

“I’ll have Toby call.” He’d be there all night, she knew, and she wouldn’t want it any other way.

Brushing a light kiss to her forehead, Leo left the room. He scanned the hallway and grinned at Toby pacing the length of the hallway, his hands gesturing wildly. “You can go in now.”

“Is she okay?”

“Yeah. And she wants to see you,” he said, his grin widening.

Toby shuffled back and forwards before he opened the door to the private room and entered.

Ginger looked up and smiled. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He edged towards the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Everyone keeps asking that. I’m fine, just tired,” Ginger whispered. “A hug might help.” She shifted over in the bed, wincing and grasping the covers for support.

He didn‘t need asking twice. Gently, he settled himself on the bed and wrapped one arm around her shoulders. Toby kissed her hair and took her hand in his free one. “You did good,” he whispered, holding as tightly as he dare.

She mumbled something coherent as her eyes fluttered shut and she nestled into the crook of his neck, finally drifting off to sleep.

Right there and then, there was nowhere else he wanted to be and one day he hoped it would be their baby in the nursery. He closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh of contentment.

*~*~*~*

“Do you think something’s gone wrong?” Margaret asked nervously, stealing yet another glance at her watch.

“Leo would have called,” Abbey offered gently, rocking the infant from side to side.

“What if the court refused the petition?” It would just be her luck to get so close to being a mother then to have it all snatched away from her.

Leo had left at midday with Ginger to attend the courthouse in Maryland. It was after five and he still hadn’t returned.

“Leo was right, you really do worry about everything, don’t you?” Jed teased, entering the room. “Want me to send out a search party?”

Margaret shot him a look usually reserved for the idiot boys.

“I don’t see why I have to carry it,” came Josh’s whiny voice from down the corridor.

“Don’t look at me. You’re the one who suggested we buy a gift,” Toby grumbled.

Abbey smiled at her husband and lifted the baby until her head rested against her shoulder. “Ah, the kids have come to play with the new arrival.”

“Yeah, because we want the poor baby to be scared for life,” Jed snorted, waiting as the foursome trundled in.

“Any news?” Donna asked, stalking passed Josh and crossing the room to her friend.

Margaret shook her head. “What is that?” She pointed to the large stuffed toy obscuring Josh’s face.

“A polar bear. Toby wanted to buy an eagle, being patriotic and all, but CJ vetoed it,” Donna explained haughtily.

“Thank heavens for small mercies.”

Baby McGarry let out a cry and Margaret was on her feet, lifting her from Abbey’s arms. “Ssh, honey. It’s okay. Mommy’s here.”

The room fell silent as they watched Margaret soothe her daughter. She was a natural mother and there wasn’t a heart in the room that wasn’t warmed.

No one saw the movement at the door or the entry of two new people.

Ginger slipped in quietly and made her way to Toby’s side. He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. They watched with a smile as Leo crossed the room.

Margaret looked up and locked eyes with Leo. The rest of the room might as well have disappeared as he leaned in and kissed his wife and daughter gently.

“It’s done,” he whispered. “You are now the mother of a baby girl.”

Her smile warmed his heart. The wait was over. They were finally a family and no one could ever take the precious child away from them.

Margaret searched the room until her eyes found Ginger. “Thank you,” she mouthed, holding her baby tighter.

Ginger blew her a kiss and watched as the new family interacted. She had no qualms about the baby, she wasn’t hers. In fact, she hoped in time that she would be having a baby of her own. She leaned in and blew across Toby’s ear. Smiling at his reaction, she repeated it. “Toby, it’s been six weeks.”

He turned to look at her perplexed.

“The doctor said I had to wait six weeks before I could have intercourse again.”

The grin, she had gotten to love so much in the last nine months, appeared and she shivered. It would be their first time and her hormones were still unbalanced, leaving her more than a little horny. It was probably a good thing that they‘d have to use precautions, she concluded. She definitely wasn’t up to another pregnancy just yet.

“I’d like to propose a toast,“ Jed announced, bringing out a bottle of cider and pouring nine glasses. He handed a glass to everyone and stepped back. “To the McGarrys. Leo, Margaret and Alexandra.”

“The McGarrys.”

“And to the woman who made it possible, Ginger,” Margaret added, smiling to herself. Ginger had gone far beyond friendship with her gift, Margaret knew, and words would never be enough to thank her. She only hoped that one day there would be something she could do to return the favor.

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