Finding The Treasure

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003399" TEXT="#080000" background="03fc8c00erkjxk.jpg"> <div> <B>A little Christmas fluff...</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#99CCFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Smiles, Tears, & Happy Endings</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>  |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Smiles, Tears, Happy Endings"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shelleys Stories"><U>Shelley's Stories</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Boomerang"><U>Boomerang</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="238 Days"><U>238 Days</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Proposal in Paradise"><U>A Proposal in Paradise</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blood Ties"><U>Blood Ties</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Party Tricks"><U>Party Tricks</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Does Anyone Really Miss Her?"><U>Does Anyone Really Miss Her?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No Time To Be Shocked"><U>No Time To Be Shocked</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Love Always"><U>Love Always</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Desperate Times"><U>Desperate Times</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Finding Our Way Back"><U>Finding Our Way Back</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Roadblock"><U>Roadblock</U></A>   |   <B>Finding The Treasure</B>   |   <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hey Baby, Lets Go To Vegas"><U>Hey Baby, Let's Go To Vegas</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id186.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Matter Of Trust"><U>A Matter Of Trust</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id209.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Pleasure Sure"><U>A Pleasure Sure</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id226.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="An Excellent Rookie Season"><U>An Excellent Rookie Season</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id227.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Even Steel Magnolias Cry"><U>Even Steel Magnolias Cry</U></A></div> <div> Finding The Treasure</div> <bR> <div> by Shelley</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's almost time for you to leave for the airport, Josh" Donna said </div> <div> glumly as she deposited a stack of manila folders on her desk.</div> <bR> <div> "Already?" Josh answered, glancing at his watch.</div> <bR> <div> "Your mother's flight lands at Dulles in a little over an hour," </div> <div> Donna reminded him, "Then the two of you have 30 minutes to catch the </div> <div> flight to New Hampshire."</div> <bR> <div> "Remind me why I'm doing this again," Josh said as he began stuffing </div> <div> papers in his backpack.</div> <bR> <div> "Because your mother wants to spend some quality time with you," </div> <div> Donna replied.</div> <bR> <div> "But, Donna...." Josh began to whine.</div> <bR> <div> "Listen, Buster," Donna said sternly, "Your holiday is going to be a </div> <div> lot better than mine so just suck it up, go to the airport, and spend </div> <div> the next three days being a good son and making your mother happy."</div> <bR> <div> "Do I detect a little holiday grumpiness on your part, Donnatella?" </div> <div> Josh teased.</div> <bR> <div> "Stuff it, Josh," Donna snapped.</div> <bR> <div> "What are you so upset about?" Josh asked incredulously. "You're </div> <div> getting three whole uninterrupted days with your family."</div> <bR> <div> "No. I'm getting a three-day fun filled treasure hunt with my family. </div> <div> I thought we were through with these ridiculous things," Donna </div> <div> complained.</div> <bR> <div> "A treasure hunt is a bad thing?" Josh asked, desperately trying to </div> <div> conceal his laughter.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't push me on this, Josh. I mean it. My parents love these </div> <div> treasure hunts. They think that they're good at organizing them, but </div> <div> they're not. Every Easter we had to follow a series of clues to find </div> <div> our baskets. Of course, my parents tended to forget how to solve the </div> <div> clues. One year I didn't find my Easter basket till Mothers Day."</div> <bR> <div> "That must have been very traumatic for you," Josh chuckled.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm serious. You may never see me again. My parents can't even pull </div> <div> off a treasure hunt in our house in Wisconsin, and now they've </div> <div> arranged some cross-country Christmas adventure. I just know this </div> <div> isn't gonna turn out well." </div> <bR> <div> "It'll be like reality TV," Josh said cheerily.</div> <bR> <div> "Well it might start out like the Amazing Race," Donna grimaced, "but </div> <div> somewhere along the line I guarantee you it's gonna turn into </div> <div> Survivor."</div> <bR> <div> "You could always tell them you can't make it and come to New </div> <div> Hampshire with my mother and me," Josh offered.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't tempt me," Donna sighed.</div> <bR> <div> "Well, I'll leave my cell on," Josh said. "If you get stranded give </div> <div> me a call and I'll come rescue you."</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks, Josh. I can always count on you," Donna said, without a hint </div> <div> of teasing in her voice.</div> <bR> <div> Josh looked into her eyes and saw a spark of something that he didn't </div> <div> quite recognize. Something that inexplicably made his stomach turn a </div> <div> somersault.</div> <bR> <div> "I'll tell you what," Josh said, wrapping his arm around Donna, "Next </div> <div> year, we'll do something fun for the holidays. Just the two of us. No </div> <div> emergency rooms, no treasure hunts, nothing like that. You can pick </div> <div> whatever you want to do and I'll make it happen," Josh said.</div> <bR> <div> "Really?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <div> "I promise," Josh whispered.</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Donna smiled, "If I make it back alive this year I'm gonna </div> <div> hold you to that."</div> <bR> <div> "Be strong, Donnatella," Josh laughed. </div> <bR> <div> "I'll see you in four days," Donna smiled. "Give your mom my love."</div> <bR> <div> "I will. And have fun on your adventure," Josh winked, before turning </div> <div> and heading out.</div> <bR> <div> Donna began to gather up her things. As much as she wanted to, she </div> <div> couldn't put this off any longer. It was time to start the Great Moss </div> <div> Christmas Treasure Hunt. She opened up the first envelope, which had </div> <div> arrived by messenger that morning with a note not to open it till </div> <div> noon. </div> <bR> <div> In the envelope, Donna found a plane ticket. She reached down beside </div> <div> her desk and picked up the suitcase her mother had instructed her to </div> <div> prepack. 'Let the games begin,' she thought as she headed out the </div> <div> door.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh stood in the middle of the concourse, carry-on bag slung over </div> <div> his shoulder, trying to hear the voice on the other end of his cell </div> <div> phone.</div> <bR> <div> "What do you mean you've been delayed?" Josh whined.</div> <bR> <div> "It couldn't be helped, dear," Ruth Lyman explained patiently. "We </div> <div> had some mechanical difficulties. We had to make an unscheduled </div> <div> landing and I'm temporarily stuck in Atlanta. So I just want you to </div> <div> go ahead and catch the flight as scheduled, and I'll meet up with you </div> <div> as soon as I can get another flight."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll just wait for you here in DC," Josh said.</div> <bR> <div> "No!" Ruth insisted. "I made reservations at a wonderful Inn and </div> <div> there is no point in wasting a minute of this vacation. You go ahead, </div> <div> and I'll get a flight straight there instead of stopping in </div> <div> Washington. The people here say we should be back in the air within </div> <div> an hour. I'll be there before dinner."</div> <bR> <div> "Are you sure, Mom? I don't mind waiting. In fact, I think I </div> <div> should...."</div> <bR> <div> "Just do as I say, Joshua. I'm a grown woman. I'll be fine. I've </div> <div> explained everything to the people at the airline. I told them that I </div> <div> have your ticket but I've been delayed. They said that they would </div> <div> issue you a duplicate ticket. Just go to Gate 35."</div> <bR> <div> "Alright," Josh finally acquiesced, "Have a safe flight."</div> <bR> <div> "You too, dear. I'll see you soon."</div> <bR> <div> 'I wonder if it's too late to get in on the treasure hunt,' Josh </div> <div> thought to himself as he headed for the gate.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna glanced at the display on her ringing cell phone and smiled.</div> <bR> <div> "Hi, Mom," she said as she flipped it open.</div> <bR> <div> "Hello, honey," Adriana Moss chirped. "Are you at the airport?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yes. But why am I going to...."</div> <bR> <div> "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk, Donna. You know the treasure hunt rules. You can't </div> <div> ask why, you just have to follow the directions."</div> <bR> <div> "But what do I do once I get....." Donna started again.</div> <bR> <div> "You'll get further instructions when the time is right," Adriana </div> <div> assured her.</div> <bR> <div> "Ok. Whatever you say," Donna said, sighing heavily.</div> <bR> <div> "Is that the correct Christmas spirit, young lady?" Adriana chided.</div> <bR> <div> "Ho ho ho," Donna said with as much cheer as she could manage.</div> <bR> <div> "That's better."</div> <bR> <div> Mom, can't you even give me a little hint? Just so that I can prepare </div> <div> for whatever might come next?"</div> <bR> <div> "No hints. You just need to relax and trust your father and I."</div> <bR> <div> "Mom, do you remember the Mother's Day Easter basket?" Donna asked </div> <div> apprehensively.</div> <bR> <div> "I know we've had a few minor mishaps in the past," Adriana </div> <div> pouted, "But your father and I have worked very hard on this one and </div> <div> we're positive you're going to love it. No clues to solve this time---</div> <div> just follow the instructions. You'll love it."</div> <bR> <div> "I just hope I survive it," Donna replied, pausing to listen to the </div> <div> voice on the PA. "I gotta go, Mom. They're calling my flight,"</div> <bR> <div> "See you soon," her mother said cheerily.</div> <bR> <div> "I certainly hope so," Donna said, looking uncertainly at her ticket.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I want to check in. My name is Josh Lyman," Josh said to the woman </div> <div> behind the desk at the hotel.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, Mr. Lyman. We have everything ready for you. Your mother called </div> <div> to say that her flight has taken off and she should be here in time </div> <div> for dinner."</div> <bR> <div> "Wonderful," Josh said looking around distractedly.</div> <bR> <div> "Is something wrong, sir?" the clerk asked. </div> <bR> <div> "No. Not really. I just misunderstood my mother I guess. This isn't </div> <div> anything like what I was expecting. In fact, I was almost sure that </div> <div> she said we were going to New Hampshire."</div> <bR> <div> "This is California, sir," the clerk said. She took a small step back </div> <div> and looked at Josh with the look one might give a crazy person.</div> <bR> <div> "I know that," Josh snapped. He had been shocked when he picked up </div> <div> his ticket at the gate, certain that there had been a huge mistake. </div> <div> But the agent had assured him that he and his mother were indeed </div> <div> booked on the flight to California. "I must have misheard her. I just </div> <div> can't figure out why she wanted to come to California."</div> <bR> <div> "California is a lovely state," the clerk huffed.</div> <bR> <div> "I know. I didn't mean to imply.....oh never mind," Josh said as he </div> <div> took the key card.</div> <bR> <div> "If there's anything I can get for you," the clerk said, "don't </div> <div> hesitate to let me know. You'll be in Room 518."</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Josh mumbled, heading for the elevator. He couldn't figure </div> <div> out how in the world he could have misunderstood his mother so </div> <div> completely. He was sure that she had talked about vacationing at an </div> <div> Inn in New Hampshire. He decided that he must have been preoccupied </div> <div> by everything that had been going on at Thanksgiving when his mother </div> <div> suggested this little getaway. And Donna wasn't there to keep all of </div> <div> the details straight.</div> <bR> <div> He hoped that Donna's treasure hunt was turning out better than she </div> <div> had anticipated. He thought back to the previous Christmas, the way </div> <div> she took him to the emergency room and then spent the next few days </div> <div> watching over him closely. He wanted to her to have a much better </div> <div> holiday this year. She deserved it.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Miss Moss?" the flight attendant asked, stopping beside Donna's seat.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes," Donna answered.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm supposed to give you this envelope," the young lady said, </div> <div> smiling sweetly.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh," Donna said, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "My family </div> <div> planned a holiday surprise for me. It's a treasure hunt. This must me </div> <div> my next set of instructions."</div> <bR> <div> "A treasure hunt? That sounds like fun," the flight attendant said </div> <div> happily.</div> <bR> <div> Donna smiled weakly. She didn't want to tell the woman that it always </div> <div> started out fun. Things usually didn't go wrong till much later.</div> <bR> <div> Right before landing Donna tore open the envelope and looked inside. </div> <div> She found a hotel brochure and a note from her parents.</div> <bR> <div> Donna,</div> <div> This is the first step in what we hope will be a </div> <div> very fun and exciting </div> <div> Christmas for you. We can't wait to see you. Meet </div> <div> us for dinner at 6:00</div> <div> And the fun will start from there.</div> <div> Mom & Dad</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna smiled as the plane made its final approach. Her parents really </div> <div> were trying to make this a fun holiday for her so she decided to just </div> <div> stop complaining and enjoy it. It had been a tough year and it would </div> <div> be nice to relax away form DC for a while. She made a mental note to </div> <div> call Josh tonight and see how he was doing. She wanted to make sure </div> <div> that he and his mother had arrived safely. She also wanted to tell </div> <div> him that maybe the treasure hunt wasn't going to be that bad after </div> <div> all. At least she was going to be somewhere where the weather was </div> <div> warm.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh sat alone at a table in the hotel restaurant waiting for his </div> <div> mother to join him. She had called when she arrived to say that she </div> <div> needed to freshen up a bit and would meet him in the restaurant. Josh </div> <div> had offered to wait for her, but she insisted that he go on ahead. </div> <div> She told him that she was famished, and he should order some </div> <div> appetizers so that they would be there when she arrived.</div> <bR> <div> Josh smiled at his surroundings. A small intimate restaurant, a quiet </div> <div> table in the corner. Candlelight. More the kind of setting he would </div> <div> choose for dinner with a date as opposed to dinner with his mother. </div> <div> Suddenly all he could think of was how much Donna would like this </div> <div> place.</div> <bR> <div> He decided to give her a call and see how the treasure hunt was </div> <div> going. He had always hated people who talked on cell phones in </div> <div> restaurants, but he decided it wouldn't be rude as long as he </div> <div> finished the call before his mother arrived.</div> <bR> <div> "Hello?" Donna's familiar voice answered on the second ring.</div> <bR> <div> "How's the treasure hunt going? Any mishaps yet?" Josh teased.</div> <bR> <div> "Well not yet," Donna said, smiling widely at the sound of Josh's </div> <div> voice, "But we may be on the verge of the first one."</div> <bR> <div> "Really? What's happening?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Well, I've followed all of my parents directions and I've arrived at </div> <div> a restaurant for dinner. I have a terrible fear that my fourth grade </div> <div> boyfriend is going to be waiting to meet me. That's exactly the kind </div> <div> of thing my parents would think was cute," Donna said.</div> <bR> <div> "Was your fourth grade boyfriend handsome?" Josh asked, wondering why </div> <div> it was that his stomach clenched at the thought of Donna meeting a </div> <div> long lost love for dinner.</div> <bR> <div> "I can't remember. It was hard to see around the headgear he wore </div> <div> with his braces," Donna said dryly. </div> <bR> <div> Josh heard Donna having a muffled conversation with someone, and then </div> <div> she came back on the line.</div> <bR> <div> "I gotta go, Josh. The maitre d' is about to take me to my table."</div> <bR> <div> "Good Luck. Just give me a call if the guy gives you any trouble."</div> <bR> <div> "OK. I'll do that. Bye." Donna said as she dropped her phone in her </div> <div> purse and took a deep breath, preparing for whatever lay ahead.</div> <bR> <div> As she rounded the corner and approached the table, she gasped. "Oh </div> <div> my God!"</div> <bR> <div> "Donna?" her dinner companion said, sounding equally as shocked.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh my God!" Donna repeated.</div> <bR> <div> "What's going on here, Donna?"</div> <bR> <div> "What are you doing here, Josh?"</div> <bR> <div> "What am I doing here? I'm meeting my mother for dinner!"</div> <bR> <div> "I thought you were in New Hampshire."</div> <bR> <div> "I thought I was headed there too. I must have misunderstood my mom's </div> <div> plans. What are you doing here?"</div> <bR> <div> "I'm following my parents instructions. They told me to show up here </div> <div> for dinner...."</div> <bR> <div> Donna hesitated as the reality of what her parents had arranged began </div> <div> to sink in.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh my God," Josh said as he came to the same realization.</div> <bR> <div> They both stood frozen, unsure of what to say or do next, when the </div> <div> maitre d' pulled two envelopes from his pocket and handed one to each </div> <div> of them.</div> <bR> <div> Suddenly recovering a bit from the shock and remembering his manners, </div> <div> Josh jumped up and pulled out Donna's chair. "Maybe you should have a </div> <div> seat before you read that," he said.</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Donna mumbled as she sat down.</div> <bR> <div> Without looking at each other, they slowly tore open their envelopes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked down at his mother's personalized stationery.</div> <bR> <div> My dearest Joshua,</div> <div> Sometimes a mother has to take matters into her own hands. </div> <div> Don't blow this. I'm spending a few days in Connecticut with your </div> <div> Aunt Sophie. Call me when you get back to DC. And I expect to hear </div> <div> good news.</div> <bR> <div> I love you,</div> <bR> <div> Mom</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh stared at the words his mother had written. She had hinted </div> <div> several times over the past year that she saw something deeper than </div> <div> friendship in Josh's feelings for Donna, but he had never expected to </div> <div> do something this drastic to move things along.</div> <bR> <div> Meanwhile, Donna held her parents note in shaking hands.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Dear Donna,</div> <div> We've listened to you talk about Josh for four years now. We </div> <div> can see what's going on, even if you aren't willing to admit it yet. </div> <div> So use these next couple of days wisely. This may turn out to be the </div> <div> best treasure hunt of all.</div> <bR> <div> Mom & Dad</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm so sorry," Donna said, never raising her eyes from the </div> <div> tablecloth. "I'm just so embarrassed. I don't know why my </div> <div> parents...." She was flustered by the fact that her parents had seen </div> <div> through her denial and recognized her true feelings for Josh. And she </div> <div> wondered why Ruth Lyman had agreed to help with the setup. Could it </div> <div> be that Ruth thought..... Donna didn't dare hope.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't be too embarrassed," Josh said, breaking Donna out of her </div> <div> reverie, "My mother was apparently an active participant in this </div> <div> little setup."</div> <bR> <div> I'm just......mortified," Donna said as her cheeks flushed bright </div> <div> red. </div> <bR> <div> "You have nothing to be mortified about," Josh said tenderly as he </div> <div> placed his hand under her chin and lifted her head up until he could </div> <div> look directly into her eyes. "My mother has had a few more years </div> <div> practice at this than your parents have. She's been trying to pair me </div> <div> up for a while now."</div> <bR> <div> "I can catch the next plane back to DC," Donna offered.</div> <bR> <div> "You'll do no such thing," Josh said in a voice that clearly showed </div> <div> he wasn't willing to negotiate. "Obviously our parents went to a lot </div> <div> of trouble to arrange this little trip. Their methods may be </div> <div> questionable but their motives were good. There's no reason for us to </div> <div> let them down. Besides, it'll be nice to have a few days away from </div> <div> Washington."</div> <bR> <div> Secretly Josh was beginning to realize that his mother might not be </div> <div> that far off base in her assessment of his feelings for Donna. But he </div> <div> didn't want to scare her off by telling her that. He hoped that with </div> <div> a few relaxing days away from work, things might develop naturally. </div> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" Donna asked. The thought of spending a few days alone </div> <div> with Josh was exhilarating, but she didn't want him to feel as though </div> <div> he was being forced into it.</div> <bR> <div> "Positive," Josh answered. "Now lets order. I'm starved."</div> <bR> <div> The meal was sumptuous, and as they finished up their dessert, they </div> <div> each realized that they hadn't mentioned the White House even once. </div> <div> Considering the amount of time they spent together, they were amazed </div> <div> at how much they still had to talk about. They told stories of their </div> <div> childhoods, and of holidays gone by. </div> <bR> <div> Josh told Donna about all of the his family's Hanukah traditions, and </div> <div> Donna told him in return about how Christmas was a magical time in </div> <div> the Moss household. When she was young, Donna believed that Santa </div> <div> decorated the Christmas tree. Each Christmas Eve, Donna's father </div> <div> would go out and cut down a tree, and place it in the stand in the </div> <div> corner of the living room. When Donna awoke Christmas morning, she </div> <div> would run to the top of the steps and look for the twinkling lights. </div> <div> She told Josh that the moment when she saw those lights was as </div> <div> exciting as any of the presents under the tree.</div> <bR> <div> After dinner, they took a stroll through the neatly manicured grounds </div> <div> of the hotel. After a few minutes, their hands came together as if </div> <div> drawn by some magnetic force, and they continued to walk in a </div> <div> comfortable silence, hands entwined, until Josh saw Donna trying to </div> <div> stifle a yawn.</div> <bR> <div> "Tired?" he asked.</div> <bR> <div> "A little," she admitted. She didn't want the magic of this evening </div> <div> to ever end but the long plane flight and the time change were </div> <div> catching up to her.</div> <bR> <div> "We better head back then," Josh said, turning and heading back up </div> <div> the path towards the hotel.</div> <bR> <div> When they reached the elevator, Josh realized that he didn't know </div> <div> what floor Donna's room was on. He hesitated with his hand over the </div> <div> buttons.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm in 542," Donna said.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, we're on the same floor then. I'm in 518."</div> <bR> <div> Donna smiled as Josh pushed the button for the fifth floor and then </div> <div> took her hand in his once again. They exchanged shy smiles as they </div> <div> waited for the elevator doors to open.</div> <bR> <div> Josh walked Donna to her door and hesitated.</div> <bR> <div> "I guess this might be considered our first date," Josh said, hoping </div> <div> that Donna wouldn't laugh at the suggestion.</div> <bR> <div> "I guess so," Donna smiled sweetly. She was suddenly struck with the </div> <div> memory of nights spent standing on her front porch after a date, </div> <div> trapped in that awkward moment of wondering whether there was going </div> <div> to be a goodnight kiss or not. She thought she saw a look of </div> <div> uncertainty in Josh's eyes too.</div> <bR> <div> "Well...I..." Josh stammered.</div> <bR> <div> "I usually don't kiss on the first date," Donna said with a small </div> <div> smile. Her heart fluttered a little when she saw a look of </div> <div> disappointment cross Josh's face. "But in this case I think I'll make </div> <div> an exception."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh really," Josh smirked as he leaned towards her. "Well I'll try to </div> <div> make it worth your while."</div> <bR> <div> A few minutes later when they came up for air, Donna was pressed up </div> <div> against the door of her room and things were very close to getting </div> <div> out of hand.</div> <bR> <div> "Um..I better go," Josh said, not wanting to push things too quickly.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Donna said, trying and failing to hide the disappointment in </div> <div> her voice.</div> <bR> <div> Josh reluctantly disentangled himself from her arms, placed one last </div> <div> gentle kiss on her lips. Then headed down the hallway towards his own </div> <div> room. Donna watched until he reached his door, and then opened her </div> <div> own and disappeared inside.</div> <bR> <div> A short time later, they both crawled into their own beds, still </div> <div> reliving the kiss, and smiling at the thought of what was to come.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The next morning Josh arrived bright and early at Donna's door.</div> <bR> <div> "Good morning," he said cheerily before wrapping her in his arms and </div> <div> kissing her passionately.</div> <bR> <div> Well, good morning to you too," she purred.</div> <bR> <div> "I got a note from your parents this morning," Josh said, pulling an </div> <div> envelope from his pocket.</div> <bR> <div> "What a coincidence," Donna said, retrieving an envelope from her </div> <div> nightstand. "I got a note from your mom."</div> <bR> <div> "You first," Josh groaned, afraid of what his mother had written.</div> <bR> <div> Donna unfolded the piece of paper and read.</div> <bR> <div> Donna,</div> <div> I hope you forgive your parents and me for this little setup, </div> <div> but I'm not a young woman and I figured there was a good chance I'd </div> <div> grow old waiting for one of you to make the first move. Enjoy the </div> <div> day. I've asked Leo to instruct the switchboard at the White House </div> <div> not to accept any calls from Josh, so tell him not to bother trying </div> <div> to check in. Make sure he gets out and enjoys the sunshine and fresh </div> <div> air. Don't let him spend the whole day cooped up inside.</div> <div> Have fun and I hope to see you soon,</div> <div> Ruth</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Subtlety was never my mothers strong suit," Josh moaned.</div> <bR> <div> Donna laughed. "Well I'm sure it's better than what my parents wrote. </div> <div> Let me hear it."</div> <bR> <div> "Actually, this one is really sweet," Josh said, as he opened the </div> <div> note.</div> <bR> <div> Dear Josh,</div> <div> Is it okay if we call you Josh? I hope you're not angry about </div> <div> the lengths we went to to help you and Donna see what everyone else </div> <div> has seen for a long time. We tried to wait for you to see it </div> <div> yourselves, but sometimes a parent gets impatient. We have seen for </div> <div> quite a while how happy you make our daughter, and when your mother </div> <div> called and said that she thought the feelings were mutual, we felt </div> <div> compelled to act. We only want what's best for our daughter and we </div> <div> think that that is you. So please take care of her, make her relax </div> <div> and enjoy her vacation. Don't let her spend the whole time worrying </div> <div> about us or anyone else. And we hope that you do the same.</div> <div> Best regards,</div> <div> Adriana and </div> <div> Alfred Moss</div> <bR> <div> Donna rolled her eyes. "Well lets go get you some fresh air and </div> <div> sunshine," she said.</div> <bR> <div> "You're not supposed to be worrying about anyone else," Josh laughed </div> <div> as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and they headed out the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Christmas Eve in California took a little getting used to. Neither </div> <div> Josh nor Donna were used to seeing street corner Santas in shorts and </div> <div> sunglasses. </div> <bR> <div> They decided to do something out of the ordinary, something that </div> <div> neither one of them had done in a long time. They spent the morning </div> <div> at the zoo. They strolled leisurely along, laughing at the monkeys </div> <div> and stealing kisses in front of the snake cage. They marveled at how </div> <div> they never ran out of things to talk about.</div> <bR> <div> As noon approached, they bought some sandwiches and stretched out in </div> <div> the grass to have an impromptu picnic.</div> <bR> <div> "I still say putting a Santa hat on a giraffe is just wrong," Josh </div> <div> laughed as they enjoyed the sunshine.</div> <bR> <div> "I thought it was festive," Donna giggled.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm guessing the giraffe might have a different view of it," Josh </div> <div> teased.</div> <bR> <div> After they finished their lunch, Josh suggested they go window-</div> <div> shopping on Rodeo Drive. Donna oohed and aahed at all of the </div> <div> beautiful things, but decided in the end that nothing she saw there </div> <div> really fit the image of a White House assistant. Not that she could </div> <div> have afforded to buy anything anyway. But she enjoyed looking at the </div> <div> various shop windows and spending time with Josh.</div> <bR> <div> After stops a few more LA tourist attractions, Josh and Donna decided </div> <div> on dinner at a seafood restaurant on the coast, and a nice quiet walk </div> <div> on the beach. Before they knew it, it was almost midnight.</div> <bR> <div> "We better get back to the hotel," Josh said, checking his watch.</div> <bR> <div> "I guess you're right," Donna agreed. "I just hate for this day to </div> <div> end. This has been one of the best Christmas Eve's ever. Thank you."</div> <bR> <div> "You're very welcome," Josh smiled.</div> <bR> <div> As they arrived back at the hotel, Donna noticed Josh checking his </div> <div> watch over and over.</div> <bR> <div> "Is something wrong?" she asked.</div> <bR> <div> "No," he said, "I was just noticing that it's past midnight, so I </div> <div> guess that means it's Christmas. Merry Christmas, Donna."</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Donna smiled as she slipped the key card into her door.</div> <bR> <div> As the door swung open, Donna gasped at the sight before her. Her </div> <div> hand flew to her mouth and tears flooded her eyes. In the corner of </div> <div> the hotel room stood a beautiful Christmas tree, covered completely </div> <div> in twinkling lights.</div> <bR> <div> "But how...." Donna said as she turned and looked at Josh. The look </div> <div> on his face told her everything she needed to know. "You did this for </div> <div> me?"</div> <bR> <div> "Well, actually the hotel did it, but I made the arrangements."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, Josh," Donna said, her voice cracking as she lost her battle to </div> <div> hold back the sobs. She wrapped her arms around Josh's neck and </div> <div> kissed him soundly.</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you," she said.</div> <bR> <div> "I didn't want you to miss the twinkling lights this year. You said </div> <div> that was your favorite part."</div> <bR> <div> "It is," Donna said, pulling him towards her for another kiss. Josh </div> <div> quickly realized that he was getting close to the point of no return </div> <div> and began to pull away. </div> <bR> <div> "Josh?" Donna asked, her voice full of arousal.</div> <bR> <div> "Hmmm?" he answered, not trusting his voice to actually form words.</div> <bR> <div> "Would you like to wake up in the morning and see the twinkling </div> <div> lights with me?" Donna asked, hoping that Josh mistook the insecurity </div> <div> in her voice for something sexier.</div> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Positive," Donna said, without a hint of doubt in her voice.</div> <bR> <div> "I'd love to," Josh answered, capturing Donna's lips in a passionate </div> <div> kiss.</div> <bR> <div> Several hours later, Josh and Donna lay spooned together, naked and </div> <div> satisfied, watching the tree lights twinkle.</div> <bR> <div> I love you," Josh whispered in her ear for what seemed like the </div> <div> hundredth time.</div> <bR> <div> "I love you too," Donna said, snuggling backward in to Josh's embrace.</div> <bR> <div> "I think I'm really beginning to like Christmas. I mean I know I'm </div> <div> Jewish and all....but I can really bring the Christmas cheer."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh you definitely can," Donna smirked as she turned in his arms so </div> <div> she was facing him.</div> <bR> <div> Josh rolled over onto his back pulling Donna with him and settling </div> <div> her against his chest. "And we don't have to head back to DC till </div> <div> afternoon. Maybe I can work on my technique again in the morning."</div> <bR> <div> "I think that's an excellent idea. I want to do anything I can to </div> <div> help with your newfound appreciation of Christmas. And then next year </div> <div> maybe I can work on my Hanukah skills," Donna said, immediately </div> <div> wanting the words back for fear that she had assumed too much in </div> <div> talking about next year. After all, they had only spent one night </div> <div> together.</div> <bR> <div> Josh immediately put her mind at ease. "I think next December is </div> <div> gonna be a very good month," he grinned.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna were awakened at 6:30AM by a loud knocking on the door.</div> <bR> <div> "Who is it?" Donna asked, glancing at the alarm clock.</div> <bR> <div> "Room service," came the voice from the other side.</div> <bR> <div> "I didn't order room service, did you?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <div> "No," Josh answered sleepily. "It must have been our parents."</div> <bR> <div> "You're probably right," Donna yawned.</div> <bR> <div> "I'll get it," Josh said, rolling out of bed and grabbing a robe from </div> <div> the bathroom. As soon as he opened the door, Donna could smell all of </div> <div> the wonderful aromas coming from the room service cart.</div> <bR> <div> "Are you sure this is for us?" Josh asked the waiter, "We didn't </div> <div> order anything."</div> <bR> <div> "The order was called in," the waiter answered.</div> <bR> <div> "It figures," Josh said, signing the check and handing it back to the </div> <div> young man.</div> <bR> <div> "Merry Christmas," the waiter said as he pushed the cart into the </div> <div> room, then headed for the door.</div> <bR> <div> "Merry Christmas to you too," Josh said.</div> <bR> <div> As soon as the door closed, Donna slipped out of bed and joined Josh </div> <div> in inspecting what was on the cart.</div> <bR> <div> "Smells good," she said as she lifted the lid off of the French toast.</div> <bR> <div> "Not as good as you look," Josh growled, wrapping his arms around her </div> <div> naked body. After a few minutes, Josh remembered the envelope on the </div> <div> cart. "There's a note."</div> <bR> <div> "My parents or your mom?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Lets check."</div> <bR> <div> As Josh read the note, his face broke out into a huge grin.</div> <bR> <div> "What? What does it say?" Donna insisted.</div> <bR> <div> Josh could barely contain his laughter as he began to read aloud. </div> <bR> <div> Josh,</div> <div> Since I haven't been able to reach you in your own room all </div> <div> night, I can only assume that your mother's plan was successful. In </div> <div> celebration of the fact that someone finally knocked some sense into </div> <div> you, I think the country can survive for two more days without you. </div> <div> Tell Donna I said Merry Christmas and I'll see you both back here on </div> <div> Friday.</div> <bR> <div> Leo</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Leo?" Donna asked incredulously.</div> <bR> <div> "My mother must have talked to him about this," Josh laughed.</div> <bR> <div> "So he knew all along?"</div> <bR> <div> "Looks that way."</div> <bR> <div> "I wonder who else knows?"</div> <bR> <div> "Lets not worry about that now, Donna. We've got two more days here </div> <div> alone."</div> <bR> <div> "Whatever will we find to fill our time with," Donna smiled </div> <div> seductively.</div> <bR> <div> "We're resourceful. I'm sure we'll think of something," Josh smiled. </div> <bR> <div> "I'm sure we will," Donna purred, climbing back in to bed.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm really starting to like this holiday," Josh said with a grin as </div> <div> he joined her.</div> <bR> <div> "Merry Christmas," Donna said as she reached over and took the phone </div> <div> off the hook.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> THE END</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>