Chapter Text
September 1999
Mornings in the Lyman house could best be described as organised chaos.
Josh woke a full hour - sometimes two - before Lilah, on the phone to Leo at 5:30 in the morning as though he hadn't seen him only six hours earlier.
When Lilah woke and dressed for the day in her uniform. Her curls were thankfully cooperative when she removed her bonnet and carefully brushed her hair back into a ponytail.
She checked her pinafore dress and white shirt in the mirror - all pressed and clean as always before making her way down the back staircase of the house, directly to the kitchen and TV area.
“Good morning.” She greeted happily.
“Oh, it's morning.” He was glaring at one of the TVs in the kitchen playing C-Span on low, and the other television in the sitting area was playing CNN.
She went to one of the kitchen cupboard, pulled out his carry cup and her smaller one, and poured coffee into them, getting the creamer, and yoghurt out of the fridge. Josh slid half a bagel covered in cream cheese in her direction.
“I have ballet after school by the way. Class ends at six.” Lilah told him as she picked up the bagel and took a bite.
“Yeah.” Josh said distractedly, “I know your schedule.” He defended. It was a Friday - she had ballet three times during the week and on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. He thinks.
“I’m just reminding you because you never look at your calendar.” Lilah defended. He’d freak out when she wasn’t carpooled to the White House at four rather than after six. She went to her dad's office at least twice a week or was picked up from a friend's house.
"I have a system." Josh defended.
"Sure." Lilah scoffed, sliding on the black ankle boots she had set out the night before. Prep schools could overlook minor adjustments to uniform as long as they were not too bold, after all. They were far more comfortable than the Mary Janes her bubbe had bought her.
She frowned, noticing his tie was loose and she tugged the material so that her dad sat down on one of the chairs, “You should do your tie up. You’re supposed to be a grownup.”
“You know, I taught you how to eat with a spoon,” Josh pointed out and she playfully stuck her tongue at him. He checked his watch, “We gotta get going. Your bag’s all packed?”
“Yes. Is yours?"
Josh raised an eyebrow. Raising a clever kid was great - until they got smart. Or rather, a lot like him.
Her school was on the way to the White House, which he was thankful for. They could have a brief morning catch-up whilst NPR played.
“So why did Sarah Wessinger give you a cigarette holder and a smoking jacket?” Lilah asked curiously whilst eating a strawberry yogurt. She remembered Sarah dating her dad briefly last year. She was nice, if not way too familiar for Lilah’s liking.
“She, uh, really liked me.” Josh explained.
“Did she think you spend your time in 1940s bars?”
“Well, that's basically what the meeting rooms in Congress look like,” Josh smiled, “How do you know that?”
“Expense reports are in the Times. How come your birthday present from me wasn't there?” She wondered. It was a little surreal, sometimes. She knew her father was important now. But seeing people care about gifts he was received was weird.
Though, it was better than him pissing off the entire Christian Right.
Josh chuckled, “Because whilst you are of incredible value to me, my daughter buying me a new watch and tie on my birthday isn't something that needs to be declared.” He explained, “You have no potential political influence.”
“That makes me want to get political influence.” Lilah said with a pout.
“Please do.” The phone rang and Lilah answered for him, putting it on speaker.
“Chris Wick.” Was all Donna said, “Sam told me to tell you. Leo wants to see you as soon as you get in.”
“Chris Wick?” Josh cursed, looking apologetically at Lilah who shrugged. She was used to it.
“I'm going rip his arm off and beat him with it.” Josh muttered, his hands tightening on the wheel.
“Good morning, Donna.” Lilah greeted sweetly.
“Morning, Lilah.” Donna replied, “Prepped for your calculus test?”
“Yeah,” Lilah said, “Thanks for helping me study last week. Dad's getting fartoost.”
“Damn straight I am.” Josh muttered.
“Sounds like he is.” Donna teased.
“I'll see you later.” Josh cut in, and the call ended as Lilah giggled.
“You know, if you were dating you'd get annoyed less.” Lilah pointed out and her face lit up, “One of my teachers is single. My History teacher! You guys can talk about the constitution!”
And at that moment, Josh has never been more glad to be in the line for school drop off. What was it Leo had warned him? Daughters were truly a test? Or had it been Charlotte? Either way, they were right.
Lilah smirked at him and he rolled his eyes, “Okay, we'll talk about this never again. Go to school.” He ordered.
Lilah leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, ”Be good.” She said as goodbye.
“I'll try.” Josh replied. He smiled to himself as he watched her skip towards a group of kids.
One of the fun things that Lilah found about her Dad working in the white house was coming to the White House after school or ballet. She used to feel underdressed when she wore sweatshirts and tights but no one truly cared.
She walked through security as always, saying hello.
“Hey Phil. Need to check my duffle?” She asked, holding up her school bag and purple gym bag. Her visitors pass was permanently clipped onto it or her school bag. The security guard looked up from his paper, raising an eyebrow.
“You didn’t bring a bomb today, did you Miss Lyman?”
“Dang it; it's in my other bag.” Lilah grinned. The old guard shook his head with a smile, waving her through.
Her first stop was to the Oval Office - rather, outside of it. She always said hello to Mrs Landingham.
“Hello Lilah, dear.” The older woman smiled when she saw her, “How was school?”
“Fine. I have the goods for you.” She looked around before pulling out a box of cookies from her school bag to refill her jar. There was a little food store near her dance school that stocked the best cookies in the world and Mrs Landingham was a busy woman - she didn’t have time to bake.
“Thank you dear.” Dolores smiled.
“Good doing business with you,” Lilah grinned, taking the five dollars she always slipped her when she noticed that there was a new guy sitting at the desk parallel to hers. “Hello.”
“This is Charlie, the President’s new personal aide.” Dolores introduced, “Charlie, this is Lilah. She's Josh's daughter.”
Her dad had mentioned Charlie, the president's new aide. He was young and seemed like had a nervous energy, kind of like every newbie in the building.
“Nice to meet you, Miss.” Charlie smiled kindly.
“Nice to meet you Charlie.” She shook his hand, “Do you like it here?”
“It’s, uh, certainly interesting.” Charlie said, “Josh, uh, didn't mention he had a kid.” He didn't mention he had a black child. It surprised Charlie more than he'd like to admit.
“Oh, well he picked me up in the park one day and decided to keep me. It's probably best not to mention it.” Lilah quipped.
“Lilah, stop telling people you were kidnapped.” Leo gently scolded as he walked through, and looked at Charlie, “He in?”
“Yes, sir.” Charlie said, as Lilah playfully stuck her tongue out at Leo. The older man looked at her fondly before entering the Oval office.
“Well, you are cuter than Ted.” Lilah remarked, and Charlie's eyes widened, “Where did Ted go?”
“Duke.” Dolores told her and Lilah frowned, “I know, the lesser Ivy.” He looked at Charlie, “She’s a Yale baby.”
Lilah gasped and put her hand to her chest, “Mrs Landringham, are you accusing me of being a snob?” She asked, “Because I am not. Penn is the lesser Ivy.”
"But you have a Howard sweatshirt." Charlie pointed out, and Lilah shrugged, looking down at the hoodie she was wearing.
"This is my mom's." She said, "She used to teach there. Also, it's cosy."
Charlie chuckled at her, “I'm hoping to study at Georgetown.”
“Georgetown's really great.” Lilah said softly, “You'll like it.” She cleared her throat, “Uh, Dad's in right?” She asked Mrs Landringham.
“He's in. Had senior staff ten minutes ago.” Dolores supplied.
Charlie watched Lilah skip away, amused. He could certainly see the resemblance between both Lymans.
She made her way to the bullpen outside of her dad’s office. She said hello to the various employees she often saw. She even bumped into Ed and Larry - she never knew which was which - and they said a simultaneous hello, which further confused her.
“Hi Donna,” Lilah smiled, wrapping her arms around her and resting her head on her shoulder. Donna reached up, squeezing her arm in return as a way of hugging her back.
“Hi. Your dad is having a nutty.” Donna told her.
“He's always having a nutty.” Lilah dismissed, “How was your date?”
Donna groaned, thinking of the awful date she had last night, “I have bad news for you - guys are stupid at any age. Also your Dad interrupted during the main, so I’m mad at him.”
“You know, my English teacher is divorced. He’s kind of cute and my Dad can’t do anything to him. He never attends the PTA meet.” Lilah suggested, wanting to cheer her up. Donna smiled, pressing her head against hers.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She opened her desk and gave her a Hershey's Kiss and a small tub of muscle balm, “You left this on my desk the other day. Good day?”
“Same old, same old.” Lilah sighed, “I'll go cheer up Dad.”
“Please do.” Donna encouraged. Josh became bearable when he saw his daughter and he needed to be cheered up.
Lilah knocked rhythmically on the door, waiting to hear the ‘come in’ and opened the door. She saw her dad sitting at his desk, eyes on a memo.
“How was school?” He asked, eyes still on the paper.
In response, she launched herself onto his lap, and he let out an ‘oof’, “It was great!”
“Was it? Did you learn a lot?” Josh asked as he tickled her. Lilah giggled, trying to get him to stop and he did, hugging her, his chin atop her head. “Hi.”
“Hi. Donna says you're going crazy.” Lilah said.
Josh sighed dramatically, “I hate Congress. Have I mentioned that?”
“A dozen or so times.” She shrugged, “Do you think the President will help me with my history assignment?”
“Well, he has other things to do. Like running the country.” Josh pointed out, “I'll help. What's it on?”
“Industrial railways and the growth of robber barons.”
“On second thought, go to the Oval Office.” Josh replied, then looked at her hoodie, "Where did you find that?"
"In my closet." She quickly said. Okay, it was in his closet but he left his closet open and she knew it was her mom's from old photos. She liked wearing it, "Is that okay?"
Josh narrowed his eyes but he relented, "Yeah. You're just so little. I don't want you to think about college yet."
"Because you'll be lonely?" Lilah joked, "We could get a dog?"
"No, but keep working on that." Josh replied as she rolled her eyes.
“Josh, we need to talk about how to approach the VP- oh!” Mandy walked in, eyes on her own folder and she smiled at Lilah, “Hi Lilah. I didn’t know you were here.”
“Hi Mandy.” Lilah smiled at her, “Oh, I heard about you and Nick Tandy! Congratulations. Can I see the ring?”
Mandy showed her and Lilah admired the rock as Josh playfully rolled his eyes, “It’s so beautiful. I can come to the wedding, right?” She asked hopefully.
“You would be more than welcome.” Mandy promised. She wasn't exactly the maternal type during their brief relationship but she liked Lilah, finding her sweet and smart, “I need to borrow your dad for a minute, okay?”
Josh let out an exaggerated sigh, pulling a twenty out of his pocket, “I have to work. Why don't you go to the Mess and I give you full permission to terrorise Toby and Sam, ‘kay?”
“Ok.” He kissed the side of her head and Lilah left the room.
“You know, I always liked your kid more.” Mandy remarked.
“That's almost a compliment, Madeline.” Josh smirked, “Because you know, she's my kid.”
“Only thing left to like about you.” She responded with ease.
Sam was never surprised to see Lilah in his office. He loves it when she came to the White House after school. Their faux feud was a welcome break from fighting with Toby over adverbs or the Republicans.
But Lilah was sat on the floor, her legs wide in a split as she slowly stretched.
"Lilah?"
"Hi Sam."
"You know that my office isn't a gym, right?" Sam pointed out, stepping over her leg.
"Dad said to terrorise you before dinner." Lilah said, leaning forward and placing her palms flat on the floor.
This is punishment for the call girl Sam thought to himself but didn't notice how Lilah looked at him and he realised with her next question that he had said that aloud.
"What's a call girl?" She asked, blinking innocently, "Is it a secretary?"
Sam froze, "Uh, well, a call girl is someone who charges money for companionship." He explained carefully.
"Why?"
"Some people are lonely."
"Are you?"
Sam's face was red. This was the last conversation that he wanted to have. Lilah was staring at him with those big brown eyes and he could almost see the challenge in them.
"No, I would never want to use a call girl - and no one should!" Sam told her, "Do you understand?"
"But if a woman wants to be a call girl, why shouldn't she?" Lilah challenged, "That sounds sexist."
"Can we please move on?" He pleaded. "And I am not sexist; I donate to Planned Parenthood." He spluttered. Now his face was bright red and he all but fell back into his chair.
Toby was standing in the doorway, "Well, I'm sure NOW are happy with your contributions to Planned Parenthood, Sam." He looked at Lilah, "What have you done to him?"
"I asked him what a call girl was and he went into a meltdown." Lilah stated. She stood up and picked up her sandwich from his desk, taking a bite. Sam looked at her wearily and Toby couldn't help but laugh, exhausted and amused all at the same time.
It was eight thirty when Leo ordered everyone to go home. It was early - for the senior staff. After all, he had dinner with Jenny.
"Good luck with Jenny." Josh said as he walked him out, "Want me to come in the morning?"
"Nah, take the day tomorrow." Leo advised seriously, "After senior staff. Spend time with Lilah." He stopped and pulled out a twenty, "Take her for dessert or pizza."
"We have read each other's financial disclosures, Leo." Josh quipped. He knew twenty bucks for ice cream was not a loss for either of them at all but he found it funny that the older man, like his father, still gave out cash to their adult children.
Leo shrugged, "Well, consider it a gift for her. A sorry for keeping her dad here." He stuffed the note in Josh's top pocket and patted him on the shoulder before walking away.
Lilah was dozing away on CJ's couch, having moved there to do her homework in the least chaotic area.
Carol smiled at him, "She did some homework."
"Eight grade can be trying," CJ joked, whilst picking up her coat.
Josh smiled, sitting on the arm of the sofa. He felt like this first year was tough at work. Late hours and quick hellos and goodbyes to his daughter instead of actually talking to her. She fell asleep here or was fast asleep by the time he got home.
"Josh." CJ interrupted his thoughts and he looked at her. She seemed to be able to tell what he was thinking, "You're a good Dad, you know?"
"Thanks." Josh said softly and Lilah began to stir.
Lilah had fallen asleep after finishing up some reading for English next week and CJ's office was always the best to work in - she nor Carol yelled at the volume her dad or Donna and the Communications team did.
"Hey." Josh whispered, gently brushing curls that had fallen on out of her ponytail into hef face, "You fell asleep there. Come on. Let's get you home."
He picked up her bags and she said goodnight to CJ and Carol. They went back to Josh's office, grabbing his coat and bag and they walked Donna to her car before going to theirs.
"Was it a good day?" Lilah asked when she was putting on her seatbelt.
Josh sighed, "Yeah. We'll get the votes." He told her.
Lilah grinned, "I knew you could." She always believed in her dad to get things done and even if it couldn't, she knew he tried. He always encouraged her to try hard at everything, after all.
"What about you? Tell me about your day." Josh asked, "Probably a lot more fun than mine."
"Well, we're not talking to Natalie S. anymore." Lilah told him and Josh huffed a laugh, "Seriously!"
"Oh, I am sure." Josh replied. And sure, it maybe wasn't but listening to his daughter explain the nuances of eighth grade girl etiquette was a better end to the day than anything.