"And you said?"

Donna didn't reply, instead she held out her left hand and let the magnificent diamond ring do the talking for her.

CUT TO:
INT. SAM'S OFFICE

Josh was a little dazed as he wandered back towards the West Wing. After a few moments he found himself standing in Sam's office doorway. For a minute he stood contemplating all the time he's spent
in that very room with Donna, it seemed like yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once. A thousand moments that, strung all together, led them to where they were tonight. Sam was already in his tuxedo and appeared to be leaning over spiffing up his shoes when Josh finally announced his presence with a throaty, "Hey."

At the interruption Sam looked up. When he saw Josh he asked cautiously, "So?"

"I did it." As Josh said the words his dimples made an appearance and despite the fact that he'd had nary a drop of alcohol he actually seemed tipsy.

A grin started to spread across Sam's face. "And?"

"We're getting married tonight."

"Oh, buddy, that's great." Sam quickly crossed towards him and pulled him into a bear hug. "Congratulations. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks." Josh swallowed hard and then looked around. "Uh… what do I do now?"

"Well I believe you do as all grooms do on their wedding day. You wait."

"Right, wait." Josh put his hands on his hips and chewed on the inside of his cheek for a moment. "I'm no good at waiting."

"Or…" Sam appeared thoughtful as he checked the time on his watch. "You know what we haven't done?"

"What?"

"A bachelor party." Sam stroked his chin with the fingers of one hand as the idea took hold. "Yes, we need to have a bachelor party. And it will kill an hour or so, so you don't go completely out of your mind with the waiting."

"A bachelor party?" Josh repeated, and then it dawned on him. Bachelor parties were usually thrown by the best man. A wave of panic hit Josh; he didn't have a best man. Of course he did, he just hadn't asked him yet. How could he have forgotten? However, he hoped the fact that he'd only proposed to the bride a few minutes prior would clear him on of any negligence in this regard. He cleared his throat nervously. "I… uh… guess it would be okay if you threw me a bachelor party since you're the best man."

It took a second for the words to sink in and then the corners of Sam's mouth tugged skyward. "I am?"

Josh scuffed the carpet with his shoe. "Everything's happened so fast so maybe I forgot to mention it, but there was never any doubt in my mind that you'd be my best man. So… uh… will you?"

"I would be honored to be your best man." Sam looked quite happy to be asked. And then just because he couldn't help it, and because he was Sam, he hugged Josh again.

It was a moment later that Bram walked in on the two men hugging. He stuttered, "Oh… I … uh… can come back."

Sam let go of Josh and put up a hand to halt Bram before ordering, "Gather up the men folk, Bram, we're having a bachelor party in the Roosevelt Room in ten minutes."

CUT TO:
INT. EAST WING

"Did you have any idea?" CJ asked loudly over the din of bridal shower guests oohing an awing over Donna's engagement ring.

Still feeling breathless, Donna put her right hand on her chest. "I really didn't. I can't believe any of this. Now it all makes sense… this dress… the candles last night—oh poor Josh!" Donna said more to herself than anyone in the room. She realized what he must have been trying to do the night before when she'd had her headache. "It all makes sense now, but I never guessed. How long have you all known?"

Annabeth piped up with the answer. "Your rascal of a fiancée came up with this plan three days ago."

"My fiancée…" Donna said the word a bit reverently. "I guess I only get to use that term for a couple of hours." Donna looked back to CJ. "And you're not going to Barbados at all?"

"We were. We decided to postpone because of the wedding but I couldn't tell you that until Josh proposed and… well you know the rest."

Donna's eyes went wide as it all began to fall into place. It was then that Helen decided it was time to take charge. "Okay, Donna, we have a lot of ground to cover in a short amount it time." She pointed to a table holding beautifully wrapped gifts. "We have presents," she continued gesturing around the room, "and we have champagne and food so you don't faint before you can say `I do.' We also have hair and makeup people and a bunch of different veils if you decide you want to wear one." Annabeth walked up with a silk robe and handed it to Helen who in turn held it out to Donna. "But first let's get you out of that dress so we don't ruin it before it's time to walk down the aisle." Before turning to leave Helen looked at Lou, "Will you pop the champag-"

"I'm on it," Lou replied before she was able to finish. "Who's ready to party?!"

With an overwhelmed smile, Donna shrugged to the crowd and then dutifully followed Helen into her office so she could change. When they were alone Donna turned to her. "Ma'am, I'm… I'm in shock; I can't believe all of this."

"Donna, tonight of all nights I insist that you call me Helen." Donna smiled and nodded her acquiescence. "Now back to what you said out there about only having a fiancée for a couple of hours, are you sure you're okay with this? With the speed of everything?"

After a moment of thought, Donna knew that she was. "I am. I want to marry Josh. Everything is sudden, but I know I want this; it's just taking me a minute to get my bearings. I can't imagine how much work you've done for this… for me; I don't know how to thank you."

Helen's eyes lit up with genuine pride at what they'd accomplished in three days. "It was our pleasure. Annabeth, Margaret and I had a great time putting this together and you can thank us by having a wonderful time tonight."

"I'll do my best." She shook her head as if trying to clear it. "There's just so many things, so many details, like…" Donna was silent for a beat and then she knew what she wanted. Meeting Helen's eye she asked, "Helen, would you stand up for me? As my matron of honor?"

Tears sprang to the First Lady's eyes and she nodded. "Yes, Donna, it would be my pleasure."

CUT TO:
INT. ROOSEVELT ROOM

Several minutes in and Bram's arm had started to burn. Now it felt like the appendage might fall clean off his body. He looked over at Otto and could tell he was thinking the same thing. When was the toast going to end!?! About a dozen or so tuxedo-clad men had gathered in the Roosevelt Room and currently had snifters of brandy raised in the air, poised to toast Josh on his impending nuptials to Donna, or they were going to do that just as soon as former President Bartlet finished speaking.

"…and that was only in our first term. During those first four years Josh was always the go-to guy in my administration. You know they called him Bartlet's bulldog and for good reason. Half of Congress was scared of him and the other half only terrified. But you know who was never scared? His sweet, lovely assistant, who could always be counted on to deflate his ego and knock some sense into him… why I remember…"

As Jed continued, Josh shot Sam a pained smile begging him to do something.

"Here's to Josh and his bride-to-be!" Sam finally interrupted when Jed had paused to take a breath. Everyone roared in approval with calls of "Cheers!" and clinking glasses and polite compliments to Jed
on his toast.

"Wait, wait," Bartlet put his free hand in the air to halt the celebration. "One more thing." This time he sobered and turned to face Josh directly. "Josh, our good friend Leo McGarry isn't able to stand here today with us and deliver the toast I know he would want to deliver on such an occasion. So, kid, you're stuck with me to tell you how proud he would have been of you today and how pleased he
would be that you've finally found yourself on the path to happiness. Even if he never knew you and Donna as a couple, he knew exactly what she meant to you, so today… today he's up there smiling and I know that he would want me to say… you done good, kid, now don't screw it up."

A much quieter round of "hear, hears" and clinks of glasses followed and Josh fought the lump in his throat. "Thank you, Sir, I'll do my best."

CUT TO:
INT. EAST WING

As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, Donna blew out a nervous breath. The image that looked back at her was truly that of a beautiful bride. Her make up was done to perfection and her hair was soft, sexy and loose as it hung down her back in purposefully messy ringlets. She had decided to go with a simple veil that wouldn't actually cover her face and that would be removed easily once the ceremony was over. In one hand she held a bouquet of vibrant red roses.

The image that looked back at Donna was confident and together. The image was everything that young Donnatella Moss of Madison, Wisconsin had long ago dreamed she would be on her wedding day.

On the inside, however, present day Donna Moss wasn't feeling as together and confident as the image she projected in the mirror. On the contrary, she felt as if an entire swarm of butterflies had taken up residence in her body and were now fluttering so hard that she might actually liftoff and find herself carried away to some faraway land of… butterflies and anxiety ridden brides. In other words she was suddenly nervous as hell.

"Are you ready?" Helen asked as she peaked around the corner. "Your dad's just outside ready to walk you-"

Helen's hand flew to her mouth when she caught the full sight of Donna in her gown with all the accouterments. "Wow, you look really beautiful."

"Thank you," Donna replied breathlessly.

"Are you okay?"

"I was fine until you left me alone in here five minutes ago and now I'm freaking out."

"What kind of freaking out?" Helen asked with a hint of concern.

Donna instantly reassured her. "No, no, nothing like gonna bolt freaking out. Just nerves freaking out."

Helen winked at her and spoke from experience. "If I remember correctly that will pass as soon as you start down the aisle. So are you ready?"

Donna nodded as she exhaled through pursed lips.

"Do you have everything?" Helen took visual stock of her friend. "Are all the traditions covered? Blue?"

Donna patted her leg. "CJ gave me a blue garter."

"Old?"

Donna touched the white gold diamond tennis bracelet that adorned her arm. "Josh's mom loaned it to me. His dad gave it to her when he made partner, so it's old and borrowed."

"New?"

"My ring. My ring is very, very new."

Helen shot her a teasing smile once they'd finished taking inventory. "That's it, no more stalling."

Donna glanced one more time in the mirror and took a deep cleansing breath before turning to Helen with a fiercely determined look. "Let's go."

CUT TO:
INT. BACK HALLWAY

Sam watched Josh fidget for a moment and then reached over and straightened the lapel of his friend's tux. "Are you ready to do this?"

Josh nodded quickly, but belied his confidence by almost hyperventilating. His hands were clammy and his head was spinning. He thought he might be sick. He couldn't remember ever being so nervous. Or excited. Or happy. The truth was he was on emotional overload and wanted to get on with it.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I… just… I'm ready to do it. Let's do it." He patted his pockets and then looked at Sam. "Where are the rings?"

"The rings?" Sam's blank expression indicated he did not have the rings.

"Yes, the rings. The rings that I'm going to need in about five minutes in order to get married. Where are they?"

"I don't know. I don't have the rings. Why would I have the rings?"

Josh glared at Sam and looked as if his head might explode. "Because you're the best man!"

"I've only been the best man for about two hours. When would I have gotten the rings?"

Just then Margaret raced up to them. "Josh!"

"What?!" Josh looked at her with wild eyes.

"Whoa there, are you okay?"

"Peachy. Sam doesn't have the rings and if we don't start soon I'm going to have a heart attack, but other than that I'm fine."

Margaret opened her palm to reveal the wedding bands the jeweler who'd designed Donna's engagement ring had sent over.

Josh looked from the rings up to Margaret's face and then back again. "Margaret, you're a God send."

Without emotion she handed the rings to Sam. Then she turned to Josh and with a wink said, "I know. Now go get `em, boss."

CUT TO:
INT. BALLROOM
8:20pm NEW YEAR'S EVE

"Having thus pledged yourselves each to the other, I do now, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the United States of America, pronounce you husband and wife." Evelyn Baker Lang's voice boomed throughout the elegant room. She smiled at the couple standing in front of her. "Mr. Lyman, you may kiss the bride."

Hoots, hollers and a rousing cheer echoed through the room as the orchestra—who Josh had paid to start up an hour early-- began playing Etta James' At Last.

Josh's eyes hadn't left Donna's throughout the entire ceremony. Mostly because the second he'd seen her coming down the aisle and had been able to look into them a calmness had overtaken him, pushing the nerves and dizziness completely away. Now as the music played and the crowd looked on, both sets of eyes- his and hers-- glistened with unshed tears. But the newlyweds were also both smiling the biggest brightest smiles imaginable. Slowly, Josh leaned in and pressed his lips to hers in a sweet, chaste kiss.

It was Donna who wrapped her arms around his neck, parted her lips and upgraded the kiss from a G to something a bit more adult. The hoots and hollers intensified.

"Hello, Mr. Lyman." Donna greeted him with a flirtatious smile when they finally broke apart.

"Hello, to you Mrs…" He paused a moment. "Mrs. Lyman… or Mrs. Moss-Lyman or… what are you going to call yourself?"

Donna started giggling and kissed him again. This time when she pulled away she said, "I have no idea. I guess I'll have to make a decision before we sign the wedding certificate."

Then she tugged on his arm and pulled him down the makeshift aisle as the entire assembly applauded and At Last continued to play.

CUT TO:
INT. BALLROOM – NEAR THE DANCE FLOOR

A small line wound around the dance floor as Josh and Donna stood and received congratulations from the various friends, family and colleagues who had witnessed their marriage.

Jed took the opportunity to approach the President. As he came to stand beside him, he motioned to the happy couple. "Things are never boring with Josh around."

Santos laughed heartily. "No, they're not. I can safely say that I haven't had a single boring moment since Josh Lyman knocked on my door two years ago and told me he could make me President."

Jed didn't look at his successor; instead he kept his eyes on the center of the room and the happy couple. "You're doing a fine job."

Matt also kept his eyes focused forward. "Thank you, Sir, it means a lot to hear you say that."

"I mean it; you've certainly accomplished more in your first year than I did in mine."

"I'm not sure that's true, Sir, but if it is it's due to people," Santos gestured towards the center of the room where most of his staffers were gathered, "like Josh and Sam and Donna who cut their teeth in your administration and learned from the best." He paused before adding in a laughing tone, "And not to take anything away from my tremendous staff, but the fact that we have a Democratic majority in Congress doesn't hurt either."

Bartlet chuckled in response. "I surely would have liked one of those." Finally, he turned to Santos. Sensing a change in his demeanor, Santos also turned so they were face-to-face. "Matt, I left you in a mess with this Kazakhstan crisis; it's something that's preyed on me during the last year. I want you to know how much I appreciate you giving me a chance to help clean it up."

The President nodded and shook Jed's proffered hand.

Just as the two men were letting go of their hearty handshake, CJ approached. "Mr. President," she nodded to Matt. "Mr. President," she nodded to Jed. "I wanted to let you both know that I would very much like to be a part of your delegation to Kazakhstan."

Matt grinned widely at both of them. "The news just gets better and better. Welcome aboard, CJ, we appreciate your help."

"Yes, Sir. But just to be up front, I think my husband intends to come along and write an article for the Post on the whole thing."

"Good," Matt replied. "See if you can't get him to slant it our way."

CJ smirked and shook her head. "Unfortunately, Sir, I sadly have little to no influence over my spouse when it comes to certain things."

Matt glanced over at Helen and chuckled. "I can relate to that."

CUT TO:
INT. BALLROOM - TABLE NEAR THE DANCE FLOOR

"I gotta tell you, Bram, you sure know how to impress a girl."

Bram looked pleased with himself as he guided his date to a table. "Yeah?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm gonna be a superstar at the office next week. Not only am I at the White House New Year's Eve Party—a party that not even my boss the Senator was invited to- I also attended the surprise wedding of the Chiefs of Staff, which is pretty much guaranteed to be the talk of the town for the next few weeks. This might possibly be enough to make me forget that you haven't called for over a month."

Bram sat beside her and knit his brows together as if trying to think back. "If I remember correctly I called you right after Thanksgiving and you never returned my call."

Sierra looked a bit chagrinned. "Is that how it went? Well things were very hectic leading up to the holidays. They put me in charge of a new project and I'm been a bit overwhelmed."

Bram nodded a few times in understanding. "I know. My job… sometimes I'm so overwhelmed it's all I can do to get home, sleep, shower and then make it back to the office in one piece."

They sat in silence for a minute before Sierra looked over at him with a resolute fire in her eyes. "From now on we really should… I don't know… make more of an effort not to be so overwhelmed that we can't call."

"I'd like that." He smiled at her. "Very much."

"Who needs a drink?" Otto asked jovially as he and his date approached the table a moment later.

Both ladies indicated they would indeed like a drink and Otto was turning to head to the bar when Sam walked up and joined them. He immediately noticed something familiar about Bram's date. "I know you."

"Yes, Mr. Seaborn, Sir… uh… you met me late one night in the West Wing…"

One could actually see the light bulb go on behind Sam's eyes. "Yes, yes of course. I remember now. It's a pleasure to see you again and… more formally attired this time."

A deep crimson color stained her cheeks. "Yes, Sir."

Sam looked to the group at large. "Has anyone seen the White House Counsel?"

Otto looked alarmed, but also eager, as he instantly jumped forward in an obvious bid to try and impress his date. "Is there a problem? Do you need us to help solve an important White House crisis?"

"Oh… no… no." Sam motioned him back. "I was just looking for Ainsley to… uh… say hello."

Otto pointed to the far side of the room. "I'm pretty sure I just saw her following one of the hors d'oeuvre waiters around. See, there."

Sam pressed his lips together and tried not to laugh. "Of course, there's nowhere else she'd be. If you'll all excuse me."

As Sam walked away, Bram stood. "Hey Otto, why don't we go get those drinks?"

When they were several yards away from the table and their dates, Otto almost shrieked, "Oh my God!"

"Shhhh." Bram hissed out of the side of his mouth. "What's wrong with you? Are you drunk?"

"Oh my God!" Otto said again, this time in hushed whisper. "No, I'm not drunk. Well, mostly not drunk, I only had two drinks at Josh's bachelor party. I'm sorry. I can't help it… because have you seen my date?" He looked back towards the table and waved. "She's really hot. I mean really, really, super hot. Almost as hot as your date. I'm sorry I ever doubted you." Bram opened his mouth as if to speak, but Otto wasn't finished. "And she's actually nice to me. There's no yelling or insulting… at least not yet."

"So you're having a good time?" With one eyebrow quirked, Bram spun around to question him.

"Oh yeah."

"And you're glad that I set you up and you're here with a hot date, instead of being here moping about Lou?"

"Definitely."

Bram smiled to himself. "Then my work here is done."

CUT TO:
INT. CORNER BALLROOM

"You came!" Annabeth cried when she caught sight of Vinick.

"I was under the impression you weren't taking no for an answer," he replied with a chuckle.

"That's true. Come on." She gave a small tug on his arm. "Let's go to the bar and get you that good stiff drink we talked about and then we'll set about finding some fun. Perhaps we could scare some of
those Washington socialites with your haggard appearance."

He chuckled and looked down at the diminutive woman. "You tickle me, Annabeth."

"I know, Sir. I have that affect on a lot of people."

CUT TO:
INT. CENTER BALLROOM

Once they'd finished greeting their guests, Josh turned to Donna with a randy smirk. As he ran one flirtatious hand up and down her bare arm he asked, "So Wife… how is married life treating you so far?"

"Did you just call me Wife?" Donna asked with a teasing snicker.

He grinned cheekily at her.

"Why?" she asked as she brought both arms up so her hands rested behind his neck. Idly she began playing with the hair that curled over the back of his tux jacket.

"Because I like the way it sounds. Also because I don't think you realize how many years I've wanted to be able to call you that."

She cocked an eyebrow at him. "How many?"

"Ten… a dozen maybe. I'm not completely sure, except that it's been a really long time."

Donna grinned widely, but rolled her eyes. "Nuh uh, you had no idea you wanted to marry me back then."
 
"Well maybe I didn't consciously know, but deep down in some repressed part of my inner brain, I knew."

"If it was the repressed part of your inner brain, how do you know you always wanted to marry me?" she asked suspiciously.

"Because when I finally and fully realized I loved you, I also realized that I'd always loved you. That's how."

Though she fought to keep her expression teasing, her eyes positively melted and Josh beamed at her reaction. She tried to retort. "So should I call you Husband?"

"You can call me anything you like as long as there's a `my' in front of it."

Again she melted and this time it was written all over her face. After a blissful minute of schmoopy eye contact, Josh leaned close and was just about to kiss her when Donna squealed, "Andi!" right into his ear.

With a lurch he jumped back and reached up to rub his ear, but he also saw that Andi Wyatt was indeed standing several feet away, directly over his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to interrupt." Andi cringed as she apologized.

"Oh, you weren't," Donna lied as she pulled the other woman into a hug. "It's so nice to see you. I'm glad you could come."

"Sam called. Thank you for inviting me." She looked around anxiously before she continued in a low voice. "I wanted to let you know that I talked to Toby this afternoon and he sends you both his very best." Turning directly to Josh, she spoke earnestly. "He's really happy for you."

Josh's brow puckered at the thought of his old friend not being able to attend. "I wish he could be here."

"I know, but no one knows better why he can't than Toby.  Anyway, he wanted me to tell you if you find yourselves in New York-"

Andi was interrupted by Matt taking the stage. Everyone in the room turned to give him their attention, especially Josh and Donna.

After clearing his throat he began to speak. "Ladies and Gentleman, I want to thank you all for coming to our First Annual White House New Year's Eve Celebration. Hopefully we'll have a chance to throw seven more of these." The crowd tittered in approval. "As some of you know and some don't, tonight was extra special for us because before the party began two of our dearest friends and most trusted colleagues tied the knot right here in this very room." The President paused for a few surprised gasps as well as some applause from the crowd.

"These two individuals are very special to Helen and me-- we wouldn't have gotten through the last year without either of them… actually the truth is we wouldn't be here at all without them." He looked over to where Josh and Donna were standing and put his hand over his heart. "They truly mean the world to us. So I offer our heartfelt love and congratulations to the bride and groom and at this time would like to invite the newly married Josh and Donna Lyman to come up here for their first dance as a married couple!"

A murmur swept the room courtesy of the guests who hadn't yet heard about the wedding. Everyone else clapped loudly, some even let loose a few wolf whistles, as they parted the dance floor to allow Josh and Donna to take center stage.

Donna blushed as Josh took her hand and led her to the center of the room as the orchestra started playing Nat King Cole's Unforgettable.

Josh and Donna danced in silence for several moments before Donna murmured into his ear. "Is this really happening?" He leaned back so he could meet her gaze. "Are we dancing on our wedding night? Did the President of the United States just introduce us? Was the First Lady really my matron of honor? Is this all real or am I on one heck of an acid trip?"

He kissed the tip of her nose as they moved to the music. "Yes, it's really happening. You Donna Moss… Lyman… Moss-Lyman or whoever you are, are a fantastically important person who just happened to marry another extremely important person."

She gripped him tighter and he shifted their clasped hands in order to hold her closer. "I woke up this morning just happy that my headache was gone and looking forward to a simple party tonight. I never dreamed… I never dreamed of this."

Josh looked inordinately pleased with himself. "Sometimes life is better than a dream."

"Yes, my Josh," she laughed as she nestled her head on his shoulder, "sometimes it really is."

CUT TO:
INT. CORNER OF THE BALLROOM

"Sam!" Ainsley squealed as she saw him approach. "Have you tried one of these Maryland Crab Cakes? They're to die for… except, I think I like the baked brie in puff pastry with beurre blanc and roasted pine nuts even better. Now if you're in the mood for Texas flavor there are actual jalapenos stuffed with some sort of cream cheese."

Sam smirked at her with good-natured amusement. "I should have known I'd find you stalking a waiter and memorizing the menu."

"A girl's got to eat, Sam." She batted her eyelashes at him in a faux-coy manner. "You, by the way, look very handsome in your tuxedo."

"Thank you." He gave her a slight bow. "And you look absolutely ravishing tonight. How was the ceremony from the cheap seats?"

"Lovely actually. I have no idea how they pulled it off but it was truly one of the nicer weddings I've ever attended."

Sam snorted, but then considered it. "Actually… it really was, wasn't it? Maybe that's the key to success. Dump the engagement and go straight to the wedding. That way it can't be called off… I'll have to keep that in mind for the next go around."

Ainsley watched him for a moment, gauging if she should probe further. "So is everything okay?

He looked at her brightly. "Sure, why wouldn't it be?"

"I don't know. I wasn't sure if the wedding ceremony was going to be hard for you. Since…"

Sam gulped, but then looked her in the eye. "I'm okay. Truly I am. It helps that I'm so happy for Josh and Donna that I'm not really even thinking about myself. Although, it is a bit ironic."

"How so?

Sam chuckled ruefully. "When Josh came to California to offer me this job a little over a year ago I told him no. I also told him that he had no life and then gloated about my own successful personal life. Now here we are a year later, positions reversed. He has it all and I'm still…"

"You're still working on it, that's all." Ainsley smiled at him enigmatically. "Who knows, maybe saying that to Josh is what kicked him into gear and made him finally make a move on Donna. Goodness knows it took him long enough."

Sam laughed right out loud at that. "I know, right?" He then turned an appraising eye on her and nodded toward the dance floor. "Hey, you think the hors d'oeuvre guy would mind if you danced with me?"

She smiled brightly and was about to answer when Sam's blackberry sounded. Hastily he glanced at the display.

"Shoot." With apologetic eyes he looked back up at her. "I've got to take this. Will you save me a dance for later?"

She nodded and as he retreated she said to herself, "You bet I will, Sam, you bet I will."

CUT TO:
INT. BALLROOM – TABLE NEAR THE DANCE FLOOR

"So then we can't find it. The briefcase is missing." Bram waved his arms animatedly as he told the story to Sierra and her friend.

Otto shook his head as he picked up the thread. "I thought we were sunk. And not just Bram and me, I thought the whole campaign was sunk."

Their storytelling was interrupted by someone clearing their throat from behind Otto.

Both men whipped around to find a scowling Lou standing behind them. "If you two playboys can tear yourselves away for a minute, we have a situation."

CUT TO:
INT. BALLROOM

Josh's eyes followed Sam as he walked back into the room. It might have been his wedding night and he might have been completely enthralled by his new bride, but that didn't mean the sixth sense that always alerted him when something was going on had completely deserted him. Josh and Donna were sitting at a table, visiting with their parents as they got to know each other, when he leaned over and whispered in her ear. She nodded and he got up and made his way over to Sam.

"What's going on?" Josh asked when they met up at a spot in the room that was away from prying ears.

"A boatload of Cuban refugees was just picked up by the coast guard south of Miami."

"You're kidding?" Josh ran one hand through his hair roughly.

"Nope."

"Wow, we haven't had one of those since our first year in the Bartlet Administration. We'll need to coordinate with Coast Guard, Homeland Security, INS, Red Cross… I can call-"

"Josh," Sam stopped him abruptly. "It's your wedding night; you don't need to be the one making any calls. Go spend time with your beautiful new wife. Dance with her. Show her off. Take her home and don't worry about it. Don't worry about anything until you come back on the fourth."

Josh considered that for a minute then a big grin spread across his face. "You sure?"

"Yes," Sam replied in a tone that brooked no opposition. "Compared to the crises we've seen, this is just a blip. In fact compared to the last time this happened, this is just a blip…" Sam chuckled as he thought of their early years in the Bartlet Administration. "… although that might just be because this time we're not the new kids on the block. Don't worry; I can handle it in my sleep." He looked up and caught sight of Ainsley talking to Charlie. "Better yet, you know, I think I'll let our new kids on the block handle this one. Bram and Otto will be fine and it'll give me a chance to ask someone to dance myself."

Josh watched him curiously for a moment and then slapped him on the back. "Sounds good."

CUT TO:
INT. CENTRAL BALLROOM

"What is it, Josh?" Donna asked as Josh purposefully led her back onto the dance floor.

"The usual, but nothing for us to worry about. In any case, Sam told me not to worry about it and has instead ordered me to dance with my beautiful wife so that is what I'm doing."

"And whatever Sam says, you do?" Donna laughed at the notion. "Can I have him come over and order you to not drop your dirty clothes all over the floor?"

In retaliation for that remark, Josh twirled her out in time to the big band tune that was playing and then brought her close again. With unmitigated pleasure he watched Donna's cheeks flush from the
exertion before admitting, "Well this whole thing was pretty much Sam's idea."

Donna's eyes popped wide. "It was?"

Josh shrugged in response. Only when he figured out she wasn't going to accept that for an answer—a revelation made because she continued staring at him with those wide eyes-- did he attempt an explanation. "Maybe not mostly, it's all kind of jumbled which idea was whose, but it mostly came about through talks with Sam so…"

"I see…" Donna grinned widely. "And what do you and Sam have planned for us next?"

"The honeymoon of course."

"We get a honeymoon?" Genuine surprise, excitement and wonder lit up Donna's face.

"A short one. So it'll be more of a… mini-moon, than a Honeymoon. We have a room at the Willard tonight. Then I thought we could have breakfast with your parents and my mom and what's-his-name tomorrow morning…"

"Nicholas," Donna interjected.

"…after that our schedules have been cleared until the fourth so we have three days to go wherever you want."

"Anywhere?"

"Anywhere."

Donna giggled and racked her brain. After a minute she admitted with a dopey grin, "I have no idea where I want to go."

"Well if you decide before we leave here tonight you just have to tell Margaret and she has promised to make the reservations no matter how late."

"We have really good friends," Donna remarked looking around the room. "They did so much for us. I can't believe I got married and didn't do an ounce of work."

"Yes, we do have good friends," Josh replied, but now he eyed her a bit anxiously. He slid his hand up the back of her dress so that he could caress the bare skin right below her neck. "Is this okay? Everything I did? I didn't want to cheat you out of anything, but I really, truly just wanted to marry you and was afraid if we had a lengthy engagement things would always come up. I mean look at Sam and his engagement. I would never want that to happen to-"

She stopped him with a kiss. A soul-searing, I-love-you-dearly, emotion-imbued kiss. A kiss that also happened to be of the French variety. When they finally pulled apart several breathless minutes later, her hands were cradling either side of his face, her fingers feathered across his ears and when she spoke it was with an intensity designed to communicate her sincerity. "Yes, you did okay. You did more than okay. I love you so much for going to these lengths. It's… I guess the best way to describe it is 'us'. What you did is very `us' and I wouldn't want it any other way."

In happiness and relief, Josh lightly touched his forehead to hers.

With a sigh Donna leaned back and happily asked, "So we really get three days to ourselves?"

"We do," Josh nodded. "And I hereby do promise to take you on a real honeymoon later this year when we can get away for a full week."

Donna smiled sweetly at him, but laughed. "Right, like with our schedules we'll ever get away."

"I want you to know something…" Donna was a bit taken aback by his sudden intensity, even though it matched hers from a moment earlier. "From here on out I'm Donna's husband and you come first. You'll have to understand sometimes, but I'm not worried about that because you've always understood. But in any moment when it comes down to picking between you or this job… I'm going to pick you. That's a promise."

Donna let go of him in order to wipe away a tear that had snuck out of the corner of her eye. "I promise to choose you too, Josh. Always."

Just then the band announced that it was almost midnight and started the countdown from ten.

Donna glanced around the room at the revelry and then back to her new husband. "Happy New Year, Mr. Lyman."

"Happy New Year, Mrs...." Josh fumbled, still not knowing what to call her.

With a happy sigh, Donna reached up and laid a hand on his face, caressing his cheek with her thumb. "No matter what name I end up choosing for my career, you can call me Mrs. Lyman. I will always be your Mrs. Lyman, Josh."

With that they dissolved into one. Lips sweetly melting together, arms snaked around holding one another tight. And as the clock struck midnight two people who were made for one another welcomed in a new year.

Together.

As husband and wife.

FADE TO BLACK