“You know, it’s not so much the audacity of it all, more the sheer . . .sheer. . .”

Leo rolled over onto his side and grinned at her. “Yes, dear?”

“I hate you.”

“Of course you do,” he said, his arm draping itself over her waist.

Jordan swatted him away and climbed out of bed. “I’m going to take a shower and. . .” She trailed off as the phone beside the bed began to ring.

“McGarry,” Leo grumbled as he picked up the receiver.

“Hey, Daddy, “ Mallory said.

“Hey, Baby.” He watched as Jordan disappeared in the bathroom. Seconds later the sound of the faucet spluttering to life filtered through the closed door. “Are you still coming for lunch?”

She took a breath and swallowed. “I was wondering if I could bring someone?” she asked casually.

There was something in her voice that set off alarm bells. “A friend?”

“Um.”

“Sure.”

“Thanks daddy,” she said, disconnecting the phone.

Leo climbed out of bed and padded across the carpet to the bathroom door. Without knocking, he opened it and walked in. “That was Mal, she’s bringing a friend for lunch.”

“Ah,” came a muffled voice from behind the curtain. “That’ll be the new boyfriend.”

Leo’s head shot up and he pulled back the curtain. “What new boyfriend?”

Jordan grinned and stepped back under the spray.

“Mallory didn’t tell me she had a new boyfriend,” Leo whined, his voice getting higher with each word.

“Can’t imagine why,” Jordan offered dryly, turning off the shower and reaching around him for a towel.

“She told you?” he accused, handing her a hand towel.

Jordan swatted him with the small square of white fluffy material and grabbed the bath sheet from behind him. “We had lunch last week and she had this look about her.”

He scrunched his face up and pondered his dinner with his daughter a few days ago. He had to admit he hadn’t noticed anything different about her but then he wasn’t the most observant when it came to Mallory. If Abbey hadn’t mentioned it, he would never had known about his daughter’s crush on Sam. Mind you once he did know he made sure Sam knew what the score was.

“When I called her on it, she blushed and started to rave about how happy she was,” Jordan explained, stretching her leg as she dried off the remaining moisture. “And before you get all indignant, she wanted to tell you herself.”

Leo took the towel and began to rub her back in small circles, his fingers grazing her skin. “You know, they won’t be here for a few hours.”

Jordan swatted him away and headed into the bedroom. “You should take a shower. A cold one,” she called over her shoulder. There wasn’t time for what he had in mind especially not when he was tying himself up in knots about Mallory’s new boyfriend. Of course once he met the new beau he was going to get even more worked up.

She looked back over her shoulder and smiled at him. He was impossible but she loved him.

*~*~*~*

What was supposed to be a simple family dinner became a big deal once Leo discovered his daughter was bringing her new boyfriend.

He hovered in the kitchen as Jordan prepared dinner, wondering out loud who Mallory could possibly be seeing. Then he began to pace up and down the hallway as he waited for them to arrive. His head shot up at the slightest sound of a car and he silently muttered to himself as he walked.

Jordan smiled to herself in the knowledge Leo was going to be rendered speechless when he found out who his daughter was seeing, not to mention how serious their relationship had become in such a short time.

It had surprised her at first but the look in Mallory’s eye when she talked about her beau took Jordan back to her own relationship with Leo. It hadn’t been love at first sight either.

*~*~*~*

Jordan had met Leo in the Summer. The President had announced publicly that he had MS and Leo had needed a lawyer. After much postulating he had hired Jordan. At first it was to advise and counsel during the Grand Jury, then later the Congressional hearings.

She had liked him the minute she‘d met him despite the fact that he frequently infuriated her. It was part of his charm. Their meetings had been productive, long but productive, he didn‘t have time to chit chat and she needed to know everything. As it turned out he‘d kept things from her. Eventually Leo had been honest with her, showing her a little vulnerability, and she’d pretty much decided then that she wanted to spend more time with him.

Leo had also proven to be a bit of a flirt, paying her compliments and inviting her to dinner. Eventually she‘d said yes and they‘d arranged to go out Christmas Eve.

The night had been perfect. Leo had picked her up at her apartment and driven her to a very chic and exclusive restaurant in Georgetown. Over dinner he‘d been the Leo she‘d met in her office, open and funny. His eyes had held hers as he spoke and by the time they‘d ordered coffee, she knew the attraction was mutual. They hadn’t made love that night but he’d still been sitting on her couch as the clock turned midnight.

A week later she’d seen him again in his office but the evening never mention. It was strictly professional. Once the President had decided on censure she’d not seen him again.

She had been smitten, she had to admit. It wasn’t often she met men she liked, most of them were lawyers and it so often proved a conflict of interests. Leo had been different. Funny, charming and at times shy. After her date with him she’d anticipated a relationship. Even when it looked impossible she’d hoped.

Of course, she hadn’t phoned him either and all business had gone through Margaret. That was her mistake but on reflection it had occurred to her that maybe he hadn’t been ready for a relationship then.

Nine months later he’d phoned her again, once more in a professional capacity and after much reluctance she’d gone to the White House. That first meeting had been awkward, her joking about him never being on the other end of the phone and he had told her to save that for the divorce lawyer. She hadn’t told him then, only later, that if they ever got married he was going to be stuck with her for life. Her heart had pounded as they’d found themselves sitting in the situation room going over her resume and it wasn’t because of what he was telling her.

The attraction was still there and Jordan had laid her cards on the table. When he’d kissed her for the first time a few days later she’d known it was the start of something.

Election night had been the turning point for them. She’d gone to the White House to await the result and spent most of the evening in Leo’s office. They’d danced on the portico and she’d napped on his couch. The senior staff had wandered in and out all night and she’d felt accepted into their unique family.

It was after four when they finally went back to his hotel and made love for the first time.

Their relationship had moved quite rapidly after that. Leo would spend every free moment he had in her apartment until finally she gave him a set of keys and told him to move in. He’d refused, being the old fashioned man that he was, insisting that they should be married first. Jordan hadn’t objected.

The following Fall in Judge’s chambers they had been married in front of family and a few close friends.

So far she hadn’t regretted a thing.

*~*~*~*

The doorbell rang and seconds later Leo was opening the door. His smile widened when he saw his daughter and he opened his arms to embrace her.

As she stepped back his eyes fell on her companion. “Hey.”

“Hey Leo,” came the hesitant reply. “I brought cider.”

“Is Jordan in the kitchen?” Mallory asked, brushing passed her father and heading into the house.

Leo returned his attention to Mallory’s friend. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

Josh grinned and ran his hand through his hair. “She thinks I’m a workaholic, that I don’t eat enough and I should learn to relax more.”

It reminded Leo of Margaret and his relationship, except if Jordan was right and Josh was in fact dating his daughter, then it was nothing like that relationship. He and Margaret, contrary to public opinion, had never been anything more than friends. They still were. He’d even walked her down the aisle the day she’d married Bruno.

“She’s says I take after you,” Josh added, bouncing up and down on the doorstep. Which was probably the nicest compliment anyone had ever paid him.

Leo grumped something inaudible and motioned for Josh to come in.

They headed into the dining room where Jordan and Mallory were carrying out a variety of dishes for dinner. Salad, hams, new potatoes and an assortment of chicken wings appeared along with pies and bread.

Josh dropped into the nearest seat and allowed Jordan to serve him.

They ate dinner in silence. Leo practically staring Josh down as Jordan rolled her eyes and shot him indecipherable looks. Mallory rolled her eyes and picked at her meal.

Finally, Mallory looked across the table and smiled weakly. They had agreed in the car, well she had suggested it and Josh had almost crashed the car, that they had to tell her father. Over dinner seemed the most appropriate time, after all he could hardly throw Josh down the stoop on a full stomach.

Josh smiled back and stole a quick glance in Leo’s direction. The next few minutes would be vital, Leo’s reaction would be vital, hell his life could depend on it. He took a deep breath.

“We have something to tell you, Leo,” he said, deliberately focusing on a painting over Leo’s shoulder.

“You’re dating my daughter?” He stifled a grin.

“Daddy,” Mallory groaned. “Just let him finish.”

“Me?” Josh gulped. “I thought I was the wing man on this, laying the ground and then covering your back, and it is by the way a lovely back.”

Leo raised an eyebrow. Josh was acting weird, well weirder than usual, and he didn’t like it. “What did you do this time, Josh?”

“Me?” He ran a hand through his receding hair and looked furtively in Mallory’s direction.

“Oh God, you’re not asking for her hand in marriage are you? Mallory?” he asked, his brow furrowing in consternation. They had been dating, what a few weeks and he had only just found out. It wasn‘t so much that he disliked Josh, Josh was like a son to him, it was just the idea of his daughter wanting to marry Josh. Maybe after a little time to adjust, and he‘d said it to himself a few million times, it wouldn‘t seem so strange. Hell, maybe Josh would grow on him.

“Daddy,” Mallory chided, toying with her napkin.

Josh shifted in his seat. “I asked her but she turned me down.”

Leo let out a sigh of relief. “Okay.”

It was going to take all day at this rate, Mallory decided and she needed to use the bathroom, again. Slowly, she rose to her feet.

Josh jumped up and moved to help her but she waved him down.

“Daddy, I’m pregnant,” she stated flatly before making a quick exit.

The silence was deafening in the wake of her announcement.

From her seat at the other end of the table, Jordan watched the two men.

Josh was searching the room frantically, no doubt looking for an exit, not that Jordan blamed him. If Leo’s stunned reaction was anything to go on, Josh was going to be having a long and difficult conversation.

“I’ll just clear the plates and make coffee, “Jordan announced, noting with amusement that neither man acknowledged her. She headed for the kitchen.

The silence continued for seconds as somewhere else in the house a clock ticked.

“I thought you too had only been together a few weeks,” Leo commented finally.

“I’m sorry,” Josh stammered. “No. We started going out at Christmas.” He smiled and looked away.

*~*~*~*

It had started so innocently.

Sam’d had to go out of town un-expectantly, leaving Josh with two tickets to a Mets game. A game which he had no intention of missing. He’d briefly considered going alone when over lunch CJ had suggested he ask another baseball fan, something she definitely wasn’t.

It seemed so natural that Josh couldn’t understand why he hadn’t thought of it himself.

Mallory had accepted immediately, more because she had recently split from her boyfriend than because she wanted to spend a weekend with Josh. With Donna on the other side of the country he had left it to her to book their flights.

The Mets had won and they had had a great time at the game, laughing and throwing peanuts at the crowd. The hotdog afterwards, because that’s what friends did, had led to a few drinks and they’d ended up getting home after midnight.

Josh had been surprised when a week later, Mallory had phoned him at home and invited him to a concert.

He’d been a little reluctant at first. After all she’d invited Sam to Chinese ballet, Russian films and gospel choirs. A session with Stanley sounded more enticing. Mallory had explained it was a classical music concert before she remembered Rosslyn and automatically regretted it. Stammering, she had apologized and withdrawn the offer.

It had taken Josh a few minutes to convince her he was fine and by the end of the call he’d agreed to go.

The concert was dreadful and he hated it but afterwards they’d gone to a café bar across town for coffee.

Three coffees later, not that he was thirsty more that he was enjoying her company, they had walked back to her apartment. It had been December, snowing and cold. Along the way she had taken his bare hand in her gloved one and held on tightly.

On her stoop she had invited him in for coffee. He’d refused politely, remembering whose daughter she was, and the consequences of his actions. Instead she had kissed him lightly on the cheek and said goodnight.

A week later both Sam and Donna had told him to phone her. He liked to think it was because they wanted him to be happy. Although it probably had more to do with the late night phone calls and constant asking for advice. Josh was falling for Leo’s only daughter and he wasn’t sure what to do.

He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the kiss or the way he felt when she was around. It was like they’d known each other forever, the easy conversation, and the memories they shared.

Of course he’d procrastinated for too long and finally it was her who phoned him and invited him to lunch. They’d eaten, taken a walk and sometime later they’d ended up in her bed.

Three nights later and lots of sex, Josh had decided she was the one.

*~*~*~*

“You’ve been together for six months and you’re only just telling me now,” Leo yelled.

“Mal, well both of us, were concerned about how you’d react.” Josh slouched down in his chair as Leo fixed him in his sights.

“You got my only daughter pregnant, Josh.”

It hadn’t been planned. In fact bar that one occasion, and one was all it took, they had used protection. There was something about Sam’s beach house and a starry night that had led them to get carried away in the moment.

“Yes, Sir.”

Leo smirked. The only time Josh ever called Leo sir was when he was panicked. “So what are you going to do about it?”

“Daddy,” Mallory groaned, walking back in the room.

“You’re the one who’s having a child with a guy who still carries a backpack,” Leo chided.

Jordan stopped in the door way and shook her head. “You know it could be worse.”

“How?”

“I could be the one who’s pregnant,” Jordan offered with a completely straight face, lowering the tray of coffee on the table. “And don’t even think of saying it, Joshua. You’re in enough trouble already.”

He had the good grace to look sheepish.

“I think the back pack is kinda sweet. And we’re going to get him a harness so he can carry the baby about,” Mallory offered, smiling at Josh and scowling at her father.

“Do you love her?” Leo asked, ignoring his little girl and returning his attention to his former deputy.

“Yeah.” At Leo’s raised eyebrow he elaborated. “It was unexpected. Not my usual tumbling into a girl sideways and hoping she’d break up with me. It was like falling in love with the girl next door.” It still freaked him out on occasion that he’d first met Mallory when she was two and he’d been forced to watch her while their parents had coffee.

“And when the baby’s born?”

Mallory placed a hand on her stomach and smiled. “We’re going to move in together.”

His daughter and Josh, living together, sharing the same bed, having sex. The images were frightening. Leo covered his eyes and willed them away. It was then that he remembered Mallory was pregnant. “And why aren’t you getting married?”

She had expected this, her father to insist on doing the right thing. “Because we’re not,” she sighed.

“So he’s good enough to. . .,” Leo stopped suddenly at the pointed looks his wife and daughter were shooting him.

“Daddy!”

Leo shrugged. What could he say? She was his daughter and he wanted her to be happy.

“I love him, more importantly I trust him,” Mallory said, focusing on Josh for a moment before turning to her father. “He’s also the guy who would do anything for you. The guy who covered your back over the whole alcoholic thing.” She paused, wondering if she’d said too much. “And we’re having lots of sex.”

Jordan stifled a giggle as Leo turned three shades of pink. “Well, gee, thanks for loading me up with that image.”

“Aw shucks, Grandpa, anyone would think you’re dead from the waist down,” Jordan teased, sipping her coffee.

Josh covered his face with his hands. He didn’t need to think about Leo having sex, it was like imagining his parents doing it, which in anyone’s book wasn’t a good image.

“Will you. . .?” Leo started.

“Daddy, why don’t we take a walk while Josh helps Jordan with the dishes?” Mallory suggested, rising to her feet.

Josh scrunched up his face. He was going to miss the Mets game.

“Okay, Baby,” Leo said, standing and walking around the table. “We won’t be long, honey.”

Jordan squeezed his arm as he leaned down to kiss her. She watched as father and daughter headed out of the house.

“You know, Josh, I can manage if you want to watch the game,” Jordan offered with a grin. “We have widescreen surround sound in the basement.”

He debated his choices for a second before bounding out of the room.

Mallory slipped her arm through Leo’s and they walked towards the corner. “I am happy about the baby, Daddy.”

“Are you sure?” Leo prompted, turning to look at her. “Because you know that I’m here for you, and your mom and Jordan. You‘re not alone.”

Her grip on his arm tightened. “I know, but I really want to be a mom and have a family. I think Josh is going to make a great father.”

“Yeah, father and daughter will have the same mental age,” Leo grumbled drolly.

“That’s enough,” she snapped, coming to a halt. Her hand lightly stroked her swollen stomach. They didn’t know what sex yet but the image of Leo and Josh with a small red headed girl seemed perfect. “Stop putting him down. He’s a good man, with a big heart. And I love him.” She did more than words could express.

“So why don’t you want to get married?”

A simple question without a simple answer.

“Baby?”

“I’m not sure I could handle it if Josh and I ended up getting divorced,” she offered simply.

Leo furrowed his brow and nodded. “Because of what happened with your mom and me?”

Mallory sighed audibly. “You’ve worked in politics for as long as I can remember, Mom raised me practically single handed. Josh isn’t going to give up anytime soon. I don’t want to be at home while he’s at parties and conventions.”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen, sweetheart,” Leo whispered. “Josh loves you and he obviously wants this baby. He’s also not me.”

“Mom was so unhappy and she couldn’t leave because of me.”

“We had some good times too. And her leaving wasn’t just about my working. There was the drinking, the fact I couldn’t talk to her and I guess we’d drifted apart. You and Josh are a different case altogether.”

“You think?” she asked hopefully.

“Yeah. For starters you understand about his work, and the issues. Your mom was never interested in politics. Josh has such a sensitive system he’s never going to become an alcoholic.”

“Daddy, that’s an awful thing to say,” she chided.

Leo shrugged. He’d always told it how it was.

“Josh keeps saying that he wants us to be married when the baby’s born.”

“I think you need to tell him how you feel, Mal. His parents were very happy, he grew up in a stable home and I’m guessing that’s all he wants for his own family,” Leo offered. “Of course, he’s also a little afraid of me.” He grinned inanely.

“Yeah, but I’m not.” She grinned back at him.

They started walking again, each lost in their own thoughts.

Mallory thinking back to her childhood, the afternoons she spent with her father in the park. He had been sober then, working all week, but giving her time at the weekends. It was only as she became a teenager that he had started to drink more, disappearing from her life.

Leo was engrossed in his own thoughts. He had been a terrible husband and father, despite loving them both deeply. Jordan had given him a chance to start again, to get it right. Mallory’s child would give him another chance.

An older couple and a stroller walked past and Leo’s eyes followed them. The woman leaned down and pushed the pacifier back into the child’s mouth as the man looked on.

Grandpa. Jordan had called him grandpa earlier. “Grandpa?”

Mallory grinned and wrapped her arms around her father’s neck. “The penny’s finally dropped, eh?”

“I’m going to be a grandfather?” Leo stuttered, gazing up at his daughter. His grin widened and he wrapped his own arms around his daughter. After all the mistakes he’d made in the past, the days of his daughter’s life he’d missed, he now had a chance to make it up. He was going to be in his granddaughter’s life, and if she ended up spoilt so be it.

“You’re going to be a great grandfather,” Mallory said softly. “And Jordan is going to be a great grandmother.”

Leo grinned and shook his head. “I wouldn’t let her hear you call her that.” He kissed her lightly and released her. “We should get back. There’s a game I want to watch.”

“Daddy!” Mallory groaned. “You and Josh are two of a kind, you know that.”

Considering how she felt about Josh, that was probably the nicest compliment she could have paid him, Leo decided, reaching for her hand and squeezing it lightly.

The End