Startled, Josh stopped what he was doing and looked up from his desk. "I haven't settled on doing that yet."

"You haven't? I thought we decided on that last night." Josh mouthed the word `we?' but Sam continued on unabated. "You keep droning on about it needing to be special and I'm not sure it will get more special than the mansion at Christmas time, formal wear and being able to celebrate with old friends at the President's private celebration. Just decide to do it and do it!"

"Okay, Tony Robbins!" Josh snorted at his own joke and then barbed back in a sarcastic manner as he once again started searching his desk. "If it's so special, maybe we should just get married *at* the party. Your beautiful setting, formal wear and celebrating with friends sounds more like a wedding than an engagement, so why not just cut to the chase."

Sam stood still, staring at Josh, but Josh didn't notice. Instead he yelled, "MARGARET!"

When Margaret opened the door, Josh's voice was a tad cross, "Do you have the Potter-Wilkes file for my meeting?"

Margaret said nothing. She merely walked over to his desk, handed him a folder from the corner and then retreated closing the door behind her.

"Oh." Josh started flipping through the file that had been right under his nose. For the last few seconds Sam hadn't moved or uttered a word. Finally he spoke.

"That's exactly what you should do."

"What?"

"Get married on New Year's Eve."

Josh dropped the folder he'd been so diligently looking for. "What are you talking about?"

"Just what you said. It sounds like a perfect solution. Most of your friends are going to be at that party and when else are you likely to get CJ, Danny & Jed in town at the same time again."

"That… is crazy. We just can't decide to get married at the President and First Lady's party!"

"Why not? I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Sam laughed, stressing the word `he.' "You were talking about eloping last night. It would be like that. Only at the White House and at the social event of the year."

"Right, that sounds cozy. But it doesn't matter. Last night I found out Donna doesn't want to elope. She wants her friends and family there, so eloping is out."

Sam didn't reply, instead he stared Josh down.

"What?" Josh asked defensively. "Her family isn't here."

"Its three days away and I have it on good authority that airplanes can actually transport people from place to place fairly quickly. They could fly in and surprise Donna."

Josh sat down in his chair, hard. For the first time he was actually taking what Sam was saying seriously. Thoughtfully he admitted, "Donna does like surprises."

"Well then there you go." Sam glanced at his watch and started backing towards the door. "I've got to go, but think about it."

Once alone Josh sat at his desk, his mind running a million miles a minute. Finally, after several minutes he picked up the phone. "Margaret, have someone from Legislative Affairs take my Potter-Wilkes meeting, but first connect me to the First Lady." He hastily added a "Please" after the order.

While waiting he reached up and scrubbed one hand roughly through his hair. What on earth was he doing? He didn't have time to think too much on that question, because a split-second later the First Lady was greeting him through the phone. After a loud exhale he spoke. "Ma'am, good morning, I'm sorry to bother you in the Residence, but I have a question."

He paused for a dramatic moment as he welled up his courage. "Exactly how wedding'd out are you?"

CUT TO:
EXT. CAMP LEJEUNE

"We're only twenty minutes behind schedule," Bram commented as he glanced at his watch. He, Lou and Otto were standing back away from the greeting line as the President shook hands with hundreds of soldiers and their families who stood waiting to greet him.

"Excellent," Ottto replied. "That's like being ahead of schedule for us."

Lou snapped shut the phone she'd been on and a grin spread across her face as she took note of the President. "Would you look at that," she gestured to the scene unfolding in front of them. "What a photo op. The crisp, sunny day, the marines in uniform and all the American flags in the crowd. That's going to look beautiful on the six o'clock news tonight."

Bram became slightly indignant. "I actually think he's enjoying these homecoming events, they aren't just a photo op for him."

Lou replied easily and without taking her eyes off of the scene playing out in front of them. "Yes, he likes it because he gets to meet the soldiers and I like it because it makes a great photo op. Win-win."

Otto glanced down at his notebook and copy of the President's remarks for their next stop. "It's too bad we had to tone down the language from the first speech. The original had a lot more passion."

"Yes, Otto, it is too bad that the Kazakhstanis threw a wrench into our agenda and we had to rewrite your pretty words. The loss of your poetry is the real tragedy of the situation."

He watched her out of the corner of his eye. "You're touchy today."

"Same as every day."

Bram wasn't always the most perceptive guy on the planet, but he could tell things were quickly going to an uncomfortable place. He looked around desperately for some place to go, but there wasn't really any place to adequately get away from them.

"Did you get my Christmas gift?" Otto tried to sound casual as he crossed his arms and kept his eye on Lou. He missed the `casual' mark by a mile.

Upon hearing the question Bram immediately started coughing. Loudly. With a sputter he interjected, "Excuse me, I need to find some water."

Lou foiled his brilliant escape plan by reaching into her bag and handing him an unopened bottle. Meanwhile she asked Otto without a hint of embarrassment, "What Christmas gift?"

"I left it on your desk."

"Maybe we should go over the changes we need to send to the Vice President's people for his California stops." Bram valiantly tried to change the subject.

"We did that on the way here, try to keep up Bram," Lou replied before answering Otto. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"A bottle of whiskey," Otto prodded.

"Oh, yeah… that," Lou replied succinctly.

"So… are you going to the Santos' New Year's Eve Party?" Otto tried again and Bram grimaced, wishing he could stop the impending train wreck.

"Would you look at that!?" Bram exclaimed before Lou could answer.

"What!?" Lou and Otto asked in unison.

"Oh… the uh President was posing for a picture with that little girl. It was cute."

Otto and Lou both looked at him oddly before Lou replied to Otto, "I am going to the New Year's Eve Party."

"Do you have a date?"

Bram frowned and started coughing again. Lou just looked at him over the top of her glasses and ordered, "Get in the car, we're on the move."

CUT TO:
INT. CHIEF OF STAFF'S OFFICE

"Mrs. Santos told me you need to get Donna out of the East Wing—preferably the White House-- for an hour or two over lunch," Margaret announced as she came to stand in front of Josh's desk. Suspiciously, she studied him for a moment before asking, "Why can't Donna be in the East Wing over lunch and why did Mrs. Santos ask me to come by her office once Donna leaves?"

Josh ignored her second question. "I can't get Donna out of the building. CJ and Danny are arriving soon and I need to take them out to lunch since the President is still in North Carolina and President
Bartlet won't be arriving until later this afternoon."

Margaret didn't reply to this, instead she stood in front of his desk, arms on her hips, glaring down at him.

Finally Josh looked up at her. "What?"

"Has it occurred to you that Donna might like to go to lunch with you and her dear old friends while they're in town?" Margaret asked in her most deadpan manner.

Josh sighed loudly. He actually wanted to have lunch with CJ and Danny alone, because after his earlier conversation with the First Lady he was anxious and wanted to run this crazy New Year's Eve wedding plan by his old friends before he got in too deep. If Donna was there, he couldn't do that. But there was also no way to get out of asking her to join them and he was certain Margaret was right, Donna would probably very much want to join them.

"You're right, I'm sure Donna would like to have lunch with us. You can tell Mrs. Santos she'll be out of the building."

CUT TO:
INT. SAM'S OFFICE

"Don't tell me that you haven't moved since before Christmas. This is exactly the position I left you in last week."

Sam looked up from where he'd been diligently working. "Ainsley, hey, are you just getting back?"

She walked forward and came to a stop right in front of his desk. "I got up early and drove up from my parents' in North Carolina this morning. I was going to come back yesterday, but I wanted to spend as much time as possible with my family."

"Wow." Sam opened his eyes wide in mock horror. "You purposely spend extra time with your family? What must that be like?"

Ainsley pursed her lips. "You might enjoy spending time with your family if you actually tried it."

Sam swallowed hard and a bit guiltily. "I just wasn't up for going back to California… right now… with Lauren being back there and the memories…"

Ainsley's frown softened. "That's understandable."

With a slightly forced chipper tone Sam changed the subject back to her. "So did the Republicans give you a hard time?"

"The Republicans? I'm still one of them, Sam."

"Yes, but working for a bunch of spend-happy, bleeding heart liberals."

"They always give me a hard time, but now that I'm the White House Counsel I pretty much outrank all of `em so they leave me alone."

Sam smiled up at her. "I bet they do."

They were both silent for a moment as they held each other's gaze. Sam was the first to shake it off; he broke the eye contact and started straightening some loose papers on his desk. With a grunt he cleared his throat before speaking. "You know, you just missed the President. He's in North Carolina today."

"I know. On the drive back, it was all over the radio. Other than a few traffic snarl ups the coverage was very positive."

"Good, good to hear."

Ainsley stood in front of his desk like there was something else she wanted to say, but was afraid to. Sam paused what he was doing and looked back up at her, she took that as her cue to speak or leave.

"So the… uh… big New Year's Eve party. Are you still going?"

Sam nodded a bit too vigorously. "Yeah. I thought… um… are we still going to hang out together at that?"

"Yes," Ainsley replied immediately. "I mean if you still want to."

Sam smiled a bit more easily at her. "I do. That would be great. And actually, don't tell anyone, but there might be a surprise or two in store for that party."

CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT

"It is so good to see the two of you." Donna's eyes sparkled as she reached across the table to squeeze CJ's hand. "I know you'll be busy while you're here, but I'm so glad we could have lunch today."

Josh grimaced guiltily. He should have thought of how much Donna would want to have lunch with CJ and Danny. Hell, how much he would want to have lunch with Donna. He'd run his plan by CJ and Danny later.

"Think how exciting it is for me," Danny answered with good natured mischief as he took a sip of his drink. "I feel like I'm at the center of the vortex of power, what with having lunch with three Chiefs of Staff."

Donna grinned, Josh laughed, but CJ shook her head forcefully. "I'm retired. Happily retired from politics. No more power vortexes for me."

Josh and Donna exchanged glances at CJ's vehement reply but said nothing about it. Instead, Donna asked, "So what are your plans? You were with your family for the holidays?"

CJ took a sip and replied much more calmly this time. "We've been moving around the last week spending a day here and there trying to visit everyone and then we're off to Barbados for New Year's Eve."

Josh choked on his water. "You're going on New Year's Eve?"

"Not to worry, Josh, that gives me plenty of time to hear you out and then we'll just leave from here."

Josh wasn't able to tell her that he was actually more concerned with her leaving on the 31st and missing their maybe, impromptu nuptials than he was at not having her help with the Kazakhstan situation.

CUT TO
INT. EAST WING – FIRST LADY'S OFFICE

"He can't be serious." Annabeth chuckled incredulously. "He's crazy. A crazy lunatic. A crazy, insane lunatic with a harebrained wedding scheme. It's in three days. He just… he can't be serious."

"It's Josh, he's serious," Margaret replied. She hadn't been nearly as shocked as Annabeth when Helen had told them what Josh wanted to do. Of course, Josh asked her to move mountains daily with little fuss or fanfare. And she did it.

"But putting together a wedding? In three days? And keeping it from Donna until he finally gets around to proposing? How on earth does he think we can pull it off?"

"What is my schedule like between now and then?" Helen asked Annabeth thoughtfully.

"Since the kids are out of school for the holidays, the only things you have are the welcome home events. Visits to Walter Reed and Bethesda. We kept it very light for you on purpose."

"That certainly helps," Helen mused.

"You're thinking about it?" Margaret asked with a sly grin.

Helen turned to Annabeth. "You're right, it's a crazy, insane idea put forth by a lunatic. But it's also a grand, romantic, crazy, insane idea and he's a lunatic who really does love her. And we all love Donna."

Margaret immediately agreed. "We do. And it's Josh and Donna, it's not like they ever do anything the normal way anyway."

"It is a romantic notion," Annabeth conceded with a deep sigh. "And they've both been so good to me; I would do anything for them… I guess even work my tail off in service to a lunatic surprise wedding scheme."

Helen tapped a pen on her desk and then a determined expression took over her face. "I think we can do this. The party is already in place. We just make a few adjustments, ask a few discrete questions and I think we can pull off a pretty amazing night. Are you two in?"

"Yes." They replied in unison.

CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT

"I heard you two had Thanksgiving in New Hampshire, how was that?"

"Lovely," Donna replied with a fond smile.

"And how are the President and Abbey?" Danny asked.

"They seem great. Of course, you'll be able to see the President for yourself later today."

Just then Josh's phone rang. Glancing down he immediately recognized the number as an internal White House number. Thinking he could dispose of the call quickly he turned away from the table and answered. "Josh Lyman."

"Josh, its Helen. I've activated the troops and I think we can actually make this crazy wedding scheme of yours work if that's what you want."

"Uh… great, just a second." Sheepishly he smiled at the others around the table. "I have to take this. Excuse me a minute."

Once Josh had retreated, Danny looked between the two women. "If you two will excuse me as well, I see a few people I used to work with. I
think I'll go say hi."

CJ smirked after he'd left. "If I know Danny, he'll come back with an assignment."

"Yeah?" Donna asked. "We haven't even gotten around to talking about Danny's work. How-" Donna wasn't able to finish her question because CJ unceremoniously interrupted her.

"I'm pregnant."

"What?" Donna sat stunned for a half a second and then as the news sank in she lit up. "Oh, CJ, really? That's wonderful. Congratulations! How far along are you? When are you due? How are you feeling? How…" Donna trailed off after noticing that CJ looked a bit stunned after blurting out the news.

"CJ, are you okay?"

CJ swallowed hard and then blinked as if she might be blinking back tears. "Sorry, I don't know why I'm suddenly emotional. Maybe because you're the first person I've told, besides Danny of course. We're not quite at three months yet so were waiting until then to announce."

"Well I'm honored you told me. But are you sure you're okay?" Donna repeated as she placed her hand on the other woman's arm.

"Okay?" CJ nervously took a deep breath. "Well I'm going to have a baby. Which means I'm going to be a mother. And I know how to do lots of things in this life. I know how to speak in front of millions of people. I know how to sit in a room with a hoard of powerful men and tell them what to do. I know how to build roads in Africa. And I know I could join this coalition in Kazakhstan and help broker a deal, but I have no earthly idea how to be a mother."

Donna refrained from chuckling at the other woman's diatribe. "You're just nervous. You're going to be a great mother. The "how" will kick in, it's inherent in mammals, we figure out how to take care of our young."

"How do you know that? What if I don't have the inherent thing? And I do the wrong thing? All the time? You know there are bad parents. What if I turn out to be one of the bad ones?"

"You're an amazing person and you're going to be an amazing mother. And if you don't have the inherent thing, I hear there are lots of books written on the subject." Donna smiled at CJ kindly.

CJ actually smiled herself, and then she started to laugh. "You're right… I could read a book." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm actually very happy about it. It's just that I thought the window of opportunity to be a mother was something that had already passed me by. So this new turn has taken me a bit by surprise."

Donna nodded with understanding and she found herself wondering if her window to be a mother was also passing her by. A look passed across her face that must have said as much because CJ asked, "What about you?"

"Me? What about me?"

"Well you and Josh? Things seem to be going very well with you. And he's certainly different now."

"He is?" Donna asked with blatant curiosity.

"Definitely. I know what his job is like. The pressure, the chaos… but even with all that I can tell he's more centered and in control than I ever remember him being. That must have to do with your relationship. Have you...."

"Have I what?" Donna prodded when CJ didn't finish.

"Have you two talked about taking the next step."

"The next step? Marriage you mean?" Donna asked, a slight blush gracing her cheeks. "It's… it's still early. We've only been together a year."

"Donna, I hate to tell you this but a year for you and Josh is like seven for normal people."

Absentmindedly Donna started fiddling with the ends of her hair before she replied. "Yes, I want to take the next step. I'm ready to get married. I'm ready to marry Josh tomorrow even. But he's not ready and maybe he never will be. I knew going in that Josh might just not be the marrying kind. And that's okay."

"Really?" CJ asked with a raised eyebrow. "Have you talked to him about it?"

"Really. And no we haven't talked about it lately because he's been really skittish recently and I haven't wanted to put any added pressure on him." At CJ's look, Donna continued with her reassurance. "Seriously, CJ, I'm happier than I've ever been and even if we just stay as is, I'll be content."

CUT TO:
INT. AIR FORCE ONE

Bram had just buckled up to make the very short trip from Fayetteville back to D.C. when a bickering Otto and Lou walked up and took a seat on either side of him.

"Not again," Bram whispered as he hung his head in frustration.

"We do a joint press conference with President Bartlet and President Santos together announcing the diplomatic mission."

"We have to make sure that everything is a go with President Bartlet first, he hasn't even met with the President yet."

"Obviously. This, Otto, is what we call working on contingencies. Can you explain what a contingency is to him, Bram?"

"No, I really can't," Bram grunted as he tried to figure out where he could go and not be in the middle of a Lou/Otto sandwich, a wilting thought which brought his former sex witnessing nightmare back into sharp focus. He actually winced out loud.

"I don't need that explained to me thank you. I'm the guy who wrote fifteen versions of the President's acceptance speech if you remember."

"Then focus and get with the program. Where will we hold the announcement? South lawn or briefing room."

"South Lawn? It's December and it's supposed to snow tomorrow. If we hold it out there the press corp will turn into popsicles."

"Popsicle reporters, I like it. The south lawn it is." Otto grunted and Lou smiled. Lou often just liked to mess with him. "So you're officially recommending the briefing room?"

"No," Otto was adamant. "The East room has a better atmosphere and is a bit more neutral. They can take a few questions afterwards."

"Sounds good to me."

They fell into a few moments of silence and Bram heaved a sigh of relief. Unfortunately for him he did it a moment too soon.

"So…" Otto began without looking up from the notepad in his hand. "You never said if you were taking a date to the party."

"No, I did not," Lou replied without the slightest indication that she had any intention of expanding on that answer.

Bram had finally had enough. "That's too bad. The party is the talk of the town. You invite someone to this party and it's almost a guarantee you're going to get lucky. That's why Otto and I both made sure we have hot dates to this thing."

Otto whipped around to look at Bram, a question mark written all over his features, but he didn't speak.

"Really?" Lou's full attention had finally been captured. "You two have dates to the party?"

"Hot dates," Bram corrected and Lou went back to working on her laptop, but this time with a fresh scowl on her face.

CUT TO:
INT. EAST WING – FIRST LADY'S OFFICE

"Oh, what's going on?" Donna stopped short when she entered the First Lady's office. Besides Helen, Margaret and Annabeth the office was also occupied by Helen's social secretary and a small army of top ranking household staffers who worked in the mansion. "I'm sorry, did I miss a meeting."

"No!" Helen jumped to her feet. "Just a few last minute tangles with the big New Year's Eve party. Thank you everyone; let me know if there are any more problems."

Everyone in the room correctly read the situation and quickly filed out at the First Lady's dismissal. Helen smiled at Donna and tried to sound nonchalant. "How was your lunch? Annabeth told me you were with CJ Cregg and her husband."

"It was great. So what's the problem with the party, nothing serious I hope?"

"Not at all. Just a few details. But… uh… I did decide today to throw a small dinner party up in the Residence before hand. Only a few select guests. I hope I can count on you and Josh to be there."

"I'm sure we'd love to. But are you sure there isn't anything I can do to help with the party. What kind of problems have you run into?" It was clear that Donna had been a bit taken aback to find such a large meeting taking place without her. Even if it was just party details that she had little interest in, the sight had shaken her.

Helen felt panicked for a moment before she hit on the perfect solution. "Well, for one a problem with the florist. Actually, I'd love to get your opinion. What do you prefer, roses… tulips or maybe lilies?"

CUT TO:
INT. OVAL OFFICE

"Sir, I'm thrilled you're willing to help." President Santos leaned across the table separating the couches and offered his hand to former President Bartlet. Josh, CJ and Secretary Vinick were also seated while Sam, Lester and Lou stood looking down on the hastily put together summit of sorts.

"My pleasure. When I got off the phone with Josh last night my wife predicted—correctly—that I wouldn't get out of here without agreeing to a trip to Astana."

Most people in the room laughed obligingly and Bartlet turned to CJ. "Now if we can only convince my former top aide to accompany me I think we'd be assured of success."

CJ smiled apologetically, but she didn't acquiesce. "Thank you, Sir, but I'll need a couple days to think about it."

"In the meantime we have to forge ahead," Josh said before turning to Vinick. "Mr. Secretary, the State Department…"

"We're already quietly talking to Russian and Chinese officials and laying the ground work."

"Good." This time Josh stood as he directed his next query to Lou. "What about an announcement?"

"Under control. We'll do a dual press conference from the East Room either tomorrow or the next day."

"Okay… then… we all have things to work on, we'll meet again tomorrow." With that people started rising from their places and preparing to leave the Oval.

"Oh, one more thing," Josh interjected loudly and everyone in the room stopped their idle chatter and turned to him.

He swallowed hard and felt his palms begin to get a bit clammy. "Uh… it's of a personal nature. If all goes well and Donna says yes, she and I will be getting married on New Year's Eve here at the White House. Um… it will be at 8pm which is an hour before the official start of the President," he nodded towards Matt with his head, "and First Lady's New Year's Eve party. I sincerely hope all of you can make it." He took a deep breath of relief and started for his door before remembering the most crucial part. He stopped short. "Oh, and the wedding is a… sort of… surprise for Donna until I actually, you know, ask her to marry me. Which could happen at any moment, but if you could refrain from mentioning it to her until then that would be great."

On that note he beat a hasty retreat. However, no one else in the room moved. Everyone but Sam and President Santos were utterly shocked by the announcement.

Finally, Bartlet broke the silence. "Well I better call Abbey and tell her to get down here; it looks like we have new plans for New Year's Eve."