Hey Baby, Let's Go To Vegas

<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>This is a follow-up to Finding The Treasure and takes place immediately afterwards</B></div> <bR> </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>   |   <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Finding The Treasure"><U>Finding The Treasure</U></A>   |   <B>Hey Baby, Let's Go To Vegas</B>   |   <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> Hey Baby, Let's Go To Vegas</div> <div> by Shelley</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh knocked brusquely on Sam's office door, then opened it and </div> <div> stormed in without waiting for an invitation. With a disgusted sigh, </div> <div> he flopped down in the chair opposite Sam's desk and scowled.</div> <bR> <div> "Something wrong?" Sam inquired.</div> <bR> <div> Josh simply glared.</div> <bR> <div> "Is it something I've done?" Sam asked seriously.</div> <bR> <div> "Not you," Josh spat out, " but half of the other men in the White </div> <div> House."</div> <bR> <div> "You lost me," Sam said, his voice full of confusion.</div> <bR> <div> "Do you know how many men have asked Donna out for New Years Eve in </div> <div> the last two days?" Josh grumbled.</div> <bR> <div> "How many?" Sam said, barely containing his laughter.</div> <bR> <div> "Too many," Josh moaned.</div> <bR> <div> "Did she say yes to any of them?" Sam teased.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm glad you find this amusing. Because I certainly don't."</div> <bR> <div> "Donna is a beautiful woman, Josh. You have to expect men to notice."</div> <bR> <div> "No, I really don't have to expect it, Samuel. In fact, I forbid it."</div> <bR> <div> "You forbid men to notice Donna?" Sam laughed out loud. "Good luck on </div> <div> that one, buddy."</div> <bR> <div> "Things should be different now," Josh complained, "Donna and I are </div> <div> together. I thought that women in love gave off...I don't </div> <div> know....an ' unavailable' vibe. Why do men still think Donna is </div> <div> available?"</div> <bR> <div> "Give it time. You and Donna have been dating for less than a week."</div> <bR> <div> "How long does it take the vibe to kick in?"</div> <bR> <div> "Sorry to interrupt another episode of Lovelines," said a voice from </div> <div> the doorway, "I really need the revisions on the President's New </div> <div> Years remarks before we leave."</div> <bR> <div> "Right here, Toby," Sam said, holding out a manila folder.</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Toby replied, snatching the folder from Sam's hand. As soon </div> <div> as I fax this out to the President in Manchester, we'll be done. Then </div> <div> I just have to run home and throw a few things in a suitcase and </div> <div> we'll be ready to go."</div> <bR> <div> "Where are you going?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't you remember? I told you that CJ, Toby and I are heading to </div> <div> Vegas for two days," Sam said cheerily.</div> <bR> <div> "I must have forgotten," Josh mumbled.</div> <bR> <div> "Maybe you should come along," Toby chimed in, "Bring Donna. The two </div> <div> of you can sneak off to an all-night wedding chapel and tie the knot. </div> <div> The 'married' vibe is much stronger than the 'unavailable' one."</div> <bR> <div> "Very funny," Josh said, as Sam chuckled audibly. "I'm not sure </div> <div> asking Donna to marry me after only dating for a week would be a good </div> <div> idea."</div> <bR> <div> "I have a news bulletin for you, Josh" Toby smiled, "You and Donna </div> <div> may have only been sleeping together for a week, but you've been </div> <div> dating for four years. The two of you were the only ones who couldn't </div> <div> see it."</div> <bR> <div> Josh sat perfectly still for a moment, thinking about Toby's words. </div> <div> Surprisingly, the thought of marrying Donna didn't freak him out at </div> <div> all. In each of his previous relationships, the mere mention of any </div> <div> kind of commitment, let alone marriage, made him sprint for the </div> <div> emotional exit door. But the thought of settling down and marrying </div> <div> Donna was different. If anything, it made him want to run towards her </div> <div> instead of away from her. </div> <bR> <div> Toby may have made the suggestion in jest, but suddenly Josh was </div> <div> giving it some serious thought. But what would Donna say? Would she </div> <div> think he had lost his mind for even suggesting it? He knew that she </div> <div> loved him, but would she be scared away by knowing that he was </div> <div> considering marriage this soon after they had admitted their feelings </div> <div> for each other?</div> <bR> <div> As far as Josh was concerned, his search for the perfect woman was </div> <div> over. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Donna. But </div> <div> was she as sure?</div> <bR> <div> "You're actually thinking about this aren't you?" Sam asked </div> <div> incredulously.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah. I am," Josh answered, grinning from ear to ear. "Do you think </div> <div> Donna would go for it?"</div> <bR> <div> "Only one way to find out," Toby said, egging Josh on. Toby had been </div> <div> secretly happy when Leo had told him about the scheme to get Josh and </div> <div> Donna together over Christmas. He normally considered himself too </div> <div> cynical for such things, but if there were ever two people who </div> <div> belonged together, Toby knew that it was Josh and Donna.</div> <bR> <div> "Are you sure it's gonna be ok if we all go?" Josh asked, the idea </div> <div> beginning to take shape in his head. "Shouldn't someone stay here </div> <div> just in case of an emergency?"</div> <bR> <div> "Leo's staying," Toby said, wanting to remove any obstacles, "The </div> <div> President is in New Hampshire. He said he wants us all to take some </div> <div> time off and start the New Year fresh. The only reason I agreed to </div> <div> this little adventure is because Leo ordered us all out of the office </div> <div> for the next few days and Sam is determined to go to Vegas and lose </div> <div> all his money. I figured he'd need someone to make sure he gets home </div> <div> safely."</div> <bR> <div> "It's gonna be fun," Sam insisted. "I've been reading up on blackjack </div> <div> strategies."</div> <bR> <div> "They're gonna see you coming a mile away," Toby laughed. "You might </div> <div> as well just hand over all your money at the door."</div> <bR> <div> As Toby and Sam began bickering over the best way to approach </div> <div> blackjack, Josh got up and headed out the door.</div> <bR> <div> "So are you coming with us?" Toby called after him.</div> <bR> <div> "I'll let you know," Josh answered as he bounced down the hall </div> <div> towards his office.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ looked up from the file she was reading as Donna entered her </div> <div> office.</div> <bR> <div> "Josh said you needed these figures right away," Donna said, handing </div> <div> CJ a stack of computer printouts.</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks," CJ answered. "I need to make sure Jack is up to speed. </div> <div> He'll be handling all of the briefings for the next couple of days."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, that's right. You're off to Vegas with Sam and Toby aren't you? </div> <div> That'll be fun," Donna said wistfully.</div> <bR> <div> "Someone has to go along to keep those two from ending up on the </div> <div> front page of the paper," CJ chuckled. "What do you and Josh have </div> <div> planned for New Years Eve?"</div> <bR> <div> "Nothing yet," Donna sighed a little sadly. "I've been avoiding </div> <div> making plans."</div> <bR> <div> "Why?" CJ asked, eyeing Donna with concern, "Is something wrong?"</div> <bR> <div> Donna bit her lip, deciding whether she should say anything or not, </div> <div> then closed CJ's office door and slipped in to one of the visitor's </div> <div> chairs.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't want to push Josh too hard," she said softly. "I don't want </div> <div> to start making holiday plans for the two of us. I'm just afraid he </div> <div> might think I'm moving too fast."</div> <bR> <div> "I don't think you have to worry about that," CJ snorted. "I've never </div> <div> seen Josh this happy. I don't think things could possibly move too </div> <div> fast for him. He's had a goofy grin on his face since you two got </div> <div> back from California, and if he doesn't stop that bouncing thing he's </div> <div> been doing I'm gonna tie bricks to his feet."</div> <bR> <div> Donna smiled at CJ's description of Josh's happiness. And the fact </div> <div> that she was the one making him that happy made her want to jump up </div> <div> and sing. What she felt for Josh was different than what she had ever </div> <div> felt for any man before. She wanted him to be happy. Every one of her </div> <div> previous relationships had ended in disaster, and she desperately </div> <div> wanted to make sure that this time was different.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm serious," Donna continued, snapping back to the present, "I want </div> <div> to give Josh as much space as he needs. This relationship is new and </div> <div> I don't want to get ahead of myself. I don't want to rush him."</div> <bR> <div> CJ looked at Donna and smiled. She couldn't believe that Donna could </div> <div> be insecure at all about Josh's feelings for her. She had never seen </div> <div> a man look at a woman with such love in his eyes. She knew that Josh </div> <div> and Donna were soul mates; that had been clear from the beginning. </div> <div> She was glad that they had finally admitted it-both to themselves and </div> <div> each other.</div> <bR> <div> "Trust me, Donna. You have nothing to worry about. Josh loves you."</div> <bR> <div> "I know he does. I just don't want him to feel pressured. I mean, I </div> <div> know that Josh is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, </div> <div> but I'm not sure he's ready to hear me say that yet."</div> <bR> <div> "I think you might be surprised," CJ smiled slyly.</div> <bR> <div> "We'll see," Donna sighed. "I'm just gonna hang back and let Josh set </div> <div> the pace for a while."</div> <bR> <div> "This should be interesting," CJ smirked.</div> <bR> <div> Before Donna could ask what she meant by that, a shout of "Donna!" </div> <div> rang out across the bullpen.</div> <bR> <div> "That's my cue," Donna said. "Come say goodbye before you guys leave."</div> <bR> <div> "Will do," CJ said as Donna headed out the door to see what Josh </div> <div> wanted this time.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "You called?" Donna said as she stepped out of CJ's office. She tried </div> <div> to look annoyed that he had once again chosen to yell for her, but </div> <div> the sight of his dimples made her smile broadly at him in return.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah..I...um...Let's go in my office," Josh stammered.</div> <bR> <div> Josh closed the door behind them and motioned for Donna to take a </div> <div> seat in one of the visitor's chairs. He leaned on the desk directly </div> <div> in front of her, clasping his hands nervously.</div> <bR> <div> "Is something wrong?" Donna asked anxiously.</div> <bR> <div> "No! No. I was just wondering....do you have any specific plans for </div> <div> New Years Eve?"</div> <bR> <div> Donna suddenly became very nervous. She had been avoiding making </div> <div> plans because she didn't want Josh to feel pressured, now she worried </div> <div> he might wondering why she had put it off. "I wasn't sure what you </div> <div> wanted to do. I didn't plan anything in particular," she said </div> <div> apprehensively.</div> <bR> <div> "OK. Well then..." Josh hesitated before deciding to jump in feet </div> <div> first, "How would you feel about going to Vegas?"</div> <bR> <div> "With CJ, Sam, and Toby?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah. Leo wants everyone to get away for a few days so we're all </div> <div> fresh for the upcoming reelection battle."</div> <bR> <div> "Sure, I guess that might be fun," Donna said unsurely. "I didn't </div> <div> realize you liked to gamble."</div> <bR> <div> "Well, I was thinking that maybe we could do something </div> <div> different....something other than gamble."</div> <bR> <div> "You want to see the topless dancers?"</div> <bR> <div> "No!"</div> <bR> <div> "Wayne Newton?"</div> <bR> <div> "God no!!"</div> <bR> <div> "Well what else is there to do in Las Vegas?"</div> <bR> <div> "You're forgetting one other thing that Vegas is famous for," Josh </div> <div> said, watching the wheels turn in Donna's mind.</div> <bR> <div> "Vegas is famous for gambling, girls, shows and...."</div> <bR> <div> Her eyes went wide as she realized the only other thing she could </div> <div> think of that Las Vegas was famous for. Her mouth went dry and a lump </div> <div> formed in her throat. She was suddenly unable to form full sentences.</div> <bR> <div> "Josh...I....I..."</div> <bR> <div> Suddenly Josh stood up and began to pace. He knew that he shouldn't </div> <div> have brought it up. It was too soon. Now he was afraid that he had </div> <div> scared Donna away.</div> <bR> <div> "Look, Donna. It's ok. I didn't mean to push you. We can just </div> <div> forget..."</div> <bR> <div> "No. No. No. I don't want to forget anything. I was just shocked, </div> <div> that's all. I mean---Josh---are you asking me too...?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah I am. Do you want to?" Josh asked, with just a hint of </div> <div> nervousness in his voice.</div> <bR> <div> Donna stood up and wrapped her arms around Josh's neck, pulling his </div> <div> face towards hers. She pressed her mouth hungrily to his, parting her </div> <div> lips willingly as Josh deepened the kiss. She moaned as his hands ran </div> <div> tenderly up her sides, across her ribs, finally coming to rest on her </div> <div> breasts. She moaned softly and pushed Josh back against his desk. She </div> <div> could feel his growing arousal pressing against her hip. Something in </div> <div> her mind began screaming for her to slow down. As much as she wanted </div> <div> to throw Josh down on the desk and have her way with him, she knew </div> <div> that wasn't a good idea. Reluctantly, she pulled away.</div> <bR> <div> "Is that a yes?" Josh smiled.</div> <bR> <div> "Just so I'm clear on this," Donna said, gazing into his eyes, "We </div> <div> are talking about getting married right? Because I don't want to say </div> <div> yes and then find out I agreed to go to some Mets convention or </div> <div> something."</div> <bR> <div> "We are most assuredly talking about getting married," Josh beamed.</div> <bR> <div> "Well then I am most assuredly saying yes," Donna said seductively.</div> <bR> <div> CJ heard Josh's triumphant yell all the way across the hall. She </div> <div> rushed to Josh's office and pounded on the door.</div> <bR> <div> "Come in," Josh called, still standing in front of his desk with his </div> <div> arms wrapped around Donna.</div> <bR> <div> "Everything ok?" CJ asked as she opened the door and poked her head </div> <div> in.</div> <bR> <div> "Never better," Josh said, grinning from ear to ear. "In fact, can </div> <div> you get Donna and I seats on the flight to Vegas?"</div> <bR> <div> "You're going to Vegas?" CJ asked suspiciously. Suddenly the pieces </div> <div> started to fall into place. Josh's yell. The huge smiles on both </div> <div> their faces. "Oh my God! You two are getting married."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you get a hold of your folks?" Josh asked as Donna joined the </div> <div> group assembled at the gate waiting to board the flight to Vegas.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes," Donna answered dejectedly. "My sister and her husband decided </div> <div> to slip out of town for a little New Years getaway so my parents are </div> <div> watching their kids. There's no way they'll be able to make it to the </div> <div> wedding."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry," Josh said, wrapping her in his arms. "Are you sure you </div> <div> want to go ahead with this? If you'd rather have a big, fancy church </div> <div> wedding, I understand."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm positive," Donna smiled, "I don't need a big fancy wedding. All </div> <div> I need is you. My parents are gonna try to make it to DC in a couple </div> <div> of weeks for a visit."</div> <bR> <div> "That'll be good," Josh said. " We can have a reception for all of </div> <div> our friends and family. We'll make it someplace special and we'll </div> <div> bore everyone with pictures of our Vegas wedding."</div> <bR> <div> "That sounds like a great idea," Donna said happily. "Did you get a </div> <div> hold of your mom?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Josh frowned. "She won't be able to make it either. My Aunt </div> <div> Sophie is having some minor dental surgery tomorrow and the doctor </div> <div> said she shouldn't be alone."</div> <bR> <div> "Are you ok with that?" Donna asked. "I mean I'll understand if you </div> <div> want to wait till your mom can be there."</div> <bR> <div> "No way," Josh answered. "I don't want to wait another day. We can </div> <div> always renew our vows later in front of everyone."</div> <bR> <div> "That'd be nice," Donna said, laying her head on his shoulder.</div> <bR> <div> Within a few minutes, the voice over the PA announced that it was </div> <div> time to board the plane.</div> <bR> <div> "Let's get going," Sam said eagerly, "Vegas awaits."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna sat huddled together for the entire flight, talking </div> <div> softly about their plans, not only for the wedding, but also for life </div> <div> after they returned to DC. Toby and CJ watched them quietly, </div> <div> exchanging knowing glances. They didn't need words to convey their </div> <div> happiness about the love their friends had found, each knew precisely </div> <div> what the other was thinking. Sam had his head buried in 'The Secret </div> <div> of Winning At Blackjack' the entire time they were in the air. </div> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna were so excited by the time the plane landed they both </div> <div> seemed ready to burst. The five friends collected their luggage and </div> <div> made the short trip to their hotel. CJ had managed to book the bridal </div> <div> suite, even on short notice. Josh was extraordinarily excited about </div> <div> that until CJ told him that he would, in fact, be sharing a suite </div> <div> with Toby and Sam, at least for one night.</div> <bR> <div> "But why?" Josh whined.</div> <bR> <div> "Because it's bad luck for you to see the bride on her wedding day. </div> <div> So as of midnight tonight, Donna is off limits till the ceremony."</div> <bR> <div> "But...." Josh continued.</div> <bR> <div> "No buts," CJ said in a tone that would accept no arguments. "I'll </div> <div> stay in the bridal suite with Donna tonight. Then tomorrow night </div> <div> after the ceremony, we'll switch. The other room is a three bedroom </div> <div> suite so there's no problem there."</div> <bR> <div> Josh looked at Donna, trying to gauge her reaction to the whole </div> <div> situation.</div> <bR> <div> "It's tradition," Donna said softly. "And I don't want to do anything </div> <div> to bring bad luck."</div> <bR> <div> "Ok," Josh said tenderly. "If it'll make you feel better, I'll spend </div> <div> the night with Toby and Sam."</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Donna said, placing a kiss on his lips.</div> <bR> <div> "Lets drop the bags in the rooms, grab a quick dinner, then hit the </div> <div> casino," Sam said excitedly. "We still have a few hours before </div> <div> midnight."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> After dropping off their luggage and freshening up quickly, they met </div> <div> for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Sam was trying to explain his </div> <div> system for winning at blackjack, while Toby and CJ tried hard not to </div> <div> laugh out loud. Josh and Donna snuggled together, oblivious to </div> <div> everything going on around them.</div> <bR> <div> Suddenly Josh sat bolt upright, a look of panic on his face.</div> <bR> <div> "What's wrong?" Donna asked worriedly.</div> <bR> <div> "We need rings," Josh answered. "We can't get married without rings. </div> <div> What are we gonna do?"</div> <bR> <div> "Relax," Toby said calmly. "I know a place. After we finish dinner, </div> <div> I'll take you there. Sam can stay here and get a head start at the </div> <div> blackjack tables."</div> <bR> <div> "Its 11:15," Josh said, "What kind of jewelry store is open at 11:15 </div> <div> PM?"</div> <bR> <div> "This is Las Vegas," Toby said. "You can buy a car at 3AM if you </div> <div> want. Rings at midnight are no problem."</div> <bR> <div> "When you guys get back, we can have a little impromptu bachelor </div> <div> party," Sam said eagerly. "Maybe we can see a show."</div> <bR> <div> "Like Nudes On Ice?" CJ asked scornfully.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't mock, CJ," Sam said. "Vegas showgirls are known all over the </div> <div> world for their grace and beauty."</div> <bR> <div> "Not to mention their big boobs," CJ scoffed.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't worry," Josh said sincerely, "I'm only interested in seeing </div> <div> one woman naked. And since CJ won't allow that tonight, I think I'll </div> <div> just stick with a few rounds of roulette."</div> <bR> <div> "That's so sweet," Donna said as she wrapped her arms around Josh's </div> <div> neck and kissed him.</div> <bR> <div> "Break it up," Toby laughed. "Say goodnight so Josh and I can go buy </div> <div> some rings and then get back here before Sam loses every penny he has </div> <div> to his name."</div> <bR> <div> "Goodnight, Donna," Josh said, planting a kiss on the tip of her </div> <div> nose. " I love you. I'll see you at the wedding chapel tomorrow."</div> <bR> <div> "I love you too," Donna smiled. "And I can't wait. Have fun at your </div> <div> bachelor party."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm gonna go buy rings, come back here, play a couple rounds of </div> <div> roulette, and have one drink tops. I'll be in bed before 2."</div> <bR> <div> Toby returned from paying the check and said, "Let's go buy some </div> <div> rings. You know what they say-Get married on New Years Eve. That way </div> <div> if the honeymoon is a flop, you still have the Rose Bowl to look </div> <div> forward to."</div> <bR> <div> CJ and Donna just shook their heads as Toby and Josh headed for the </div> <div> door and Sam headed for the casino.</div> <bR> <div> "It's kinda scary isn't it?" CJ smirked, "When Josh is acting like </div> <div> the most mature one of the bunch."</div> <bR> <div> Donna laughed as the two of them headed for the elevator.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is it time to leave yet?" Donna asked nervously, glancing at her </div> <div> watch while she nibbled on a bagel.</div> <bR> <div> "I've called a cab," CJ said calmly. "They'll let us know when it </div> <div> arrives."</div> <bR> <div> "And you're sure we won't run into Josh in the lobby?"</div> <bR> <div> "Positive. It's all taken care of. Just try to calm down."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm trying. It's just...I mean...this is my wedding day."</div> <bR> <div> "I know. Are you ok with all this? I mean Vegas and everything? Most </div> <div> little girls dream of a big church wedding."</div> <bR> <div> "I used to think I wanted that. But then I realized that the </div> <div> trappings aren't important. I just want to be married to Josh."</div> <bR> <div> "And you were worried that you were moving things to fast," CJ </div> <div> laughed. "This is what happens when you let Josh set the pace."</div> <bR> <div> The ringing of the phone interrupted the sound of Donna's laughter.</div> <bR> <div> CJ answered, spoke a few words then hung up.</div> <bR> <div> "The cab's here. Let's go."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna and CJ were surprised to see Toby when they arrived at the </div> <div> chapel. </div> <bR> <div> "I thought you were coming in with Sam and Josh?" CJ said.</div> <bR> <div> "I had a little surprise to arrange," Toby said mysteriously.</div> <bR> <div> "A surprise?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, a surprise," the voices said from behind her.</div> <bR> <div> Donna spun around quickly. Her hand flew to her mouth as she saw her </div> <div> own parents, as well as Josh's mother, standing in the back of the </div> <div> chapel.</div> <bR> <div> "I thought you couldn't make it," Donna said tearily as she enveloped </div> <div> all three of the parents in a huge hug. "Where are the kids?" she </div> <div> asked her mother.</div> <bR> <div> "We never really had to baby-sit," Adriana Moss smiled. "Toby called </div> <div> us yesterday and asked us to play along. He said he was planning a </div> <div> surprise for you and Josh."</div> <bR> <div> "You mean you already knew about the wedding before I called you?"</div> <bR> <div> "No, honey," Alfred said, unable to hide the shock in his </div> <div> voice, "That was a complete surprise."</div> <bR> <div> "We knew that you and Josh belonged together," Ruth Lyman chimed </div> <div> in, "We just had no idea things would progress this quickly." </div> <bR> <div> Adriana put her arm around Donna and continued. "Toby called us and </div> <div> said that there was a chance that you would be asking us to travel </div> <div> somewhere to meet you. He didn't tell us why. He just asked us to </div> <div> help him with a surprise. So when you called, we were thrilled. And </div> <div> then we kind of caught on to what he was planning."</div> <bR> <div> "So I guess Aunt Sophie isn't having dental surgery?" Donna asked </div> <div> Josh's mom.</div> <bR> <div> "She has the gums of a twenty year old," Ruth smiled. </div> <bR> <div> "Toby," Donna said, holding back tears, "This is one of the sweetest </div> <div> things anyone has ever done for me. Thank you."</div> <bR> <div> Toby tried hard to keep up his mask of gruffness, but he couldn't </div> <div> conceal his smile. "You're welcome," he said softly. "Now lets get </div> <div> you and all the parents hidden. Josh will be here any minute."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh was just as surprised to see his mother and Donna's parents as </div> <div> Donna had been. He couldn't believe that Toby had actually arranged </div> <div> for them to be here. He made a mental note to make sure to let Toby </div> <div> know how much he appreciated it. He knew that having her parents at </div> <div> the wedding would mean a lot to Donna, and he had to admit that he </div> <div> just hadn't felt quite right at the thought of getting married </div> <div> without his mother present.  </div> <bR> <div> After what seemed like forever, even though it was actually only </div> <div> about ten minutes, the Justice of the Peace, who would be performing </div> <div> the ceremony, finally told Josh it was time to take his place. He </div> <div> stood nervously at the front of the room, wearing his best suit and a </div> <div> tie that was crooked because Donna hadn't been there to tie it. He </div> <div> waited breathlessly while the Wedding March played on a boom box </div> <div> sitting in the corner.</div> <bR> <div> Josh felt his breath catch in his chest and smiled wildly when Donna </div> <div> appeared. She was wearing a simple ivory colored dress and carrying a </div> <div> bouquet of red roses that she and CJ had picked up at a florist shop </div> <div> down the street. She walked down the aisle on her fathers arm-never </div> <div> taking her eyes off Josh. Everyone in the room was mesmerized by the </div> <div> way the stared at each other-and how deeply in love they obviously </div> <div> were.</div> <bR> <div> They were both so completely lost in each other that the JP had to </div> <div> nudge them when it was time to say 'I do'. Before they knew it, the </div> <div> ceremony was over and they were being presented for the first time as </div> <div> Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Lyman.</div> <bR> <div> The group left the chapel and headed out on the town to celebrate. </div> <div> They went to several of the big hotels and even caught the dinner </div> <div> show at Circus Circus. They laughed, and danced, and enjoyed the </div> <div> entertainment. CJ realized that it had been a long time, too long, </div> <div> since they all managed to relax this much. She was confident they </div> <div> would all head back to work refreshed and ready for the upcoming </div> <div> election battle. After a whirlwind tour of downtown Las Vegas, they </div> <div> ended up in the casino at their hotel, where Sam promptly lost  $54 </div> <div> dollars trying to teach them his blackjack system.</div> <bR> <div> "Would you care to try?" the dealer asked Donna, who had been </div> <div> standing back, watching and laughing.</div> <bR> <div> "Sure, why not?" Donna said, "This is my lucky day."</div> <bR> <div> The dealer eyed Donna up and down as she slid onto the stool directly </div> <div> in front of him, then she lifted up her hands and he spotted her </div> <div> wedding ring.</div> <bR> <div> "Um..would your husband like to play too?" the dealer stammered.</div> <bR> <div> "No-that's ok. I'll just watch," Josh smirked.</div> <bR> <div> "See, that 'married' vibe works every time," Toby whispered in Josh's </div> <div> ear.</div> <bR> <div> 45 minutes later Sam stared glumly at the pile of chips in front of </div> <div> Donna. </div> <bR> <div> "I like this game," Donna smiled.</div> <bR> <div> "I just don't get it," Sam said. "She's winning and she doesn't know </div> <div> the system."</div> <bR> <div> "It's ok, Sam," CJ said soothingly. "It's just bride's luck."</div> <bR> <div> "I never heard of bride's luck," Toby said.</div> <bR> <div> "Shut up and play along," CJ hissed, "Otherwise he'll mope all the </div> <div> way back to DC."</div> <bR> <div> "Definitely bride's luck," Toby said dryly.</div> <bR> <div> "Do you wanna play again?" the dealer asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Nope. I'm done. I wanna take the money."</div> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Yep," Donna smiled, "I want to buy a present for my new husband."</div> <bR> <div> "You don't have to do that," Josh said, slipping his arms around </div> <div> Donna from behind and kissing her on the neck, "Keep that money for </div> <div> yourself."</div> <bR> <div> "Nope. I won it. I can spend it on whatever I want."</div> <bR> <div> "Okay," Josh acquiesced. "But if you're done playing, maybe it's time </div> <div> for us to say our goodnights."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> A few minutes later, their goodnights complete, Josh and Donna </div> <div> slipped off to the bridal suite.</div> <bR> <div> They barely had the door closed when Josh pulled Donna against him, </div> <div> bathing her face and neck in kisses.</div> <bR> <div> "Hmmmmm." Donna moaned as she threw her head back to allow him better </div> <div> access. "I brought something to wear for our wedding night," she </div> <div> purred.</div> <bR> <div> "Your birthday suit?" Josh asked, barely lifting his lips from her </div> <div> flesh.</div> <bR> <div> "Something from Victoria's Secret," Donna said. "I think you'll like </div> <div> it."</div> <bR> <div> "Right now I'm not sure I can wait for you to change," Josh said </div> <div> hungrily.</div> <bR> <div> Donna stepped back out of Josh's arms and smiled seductively. Then </div> <div> she reached behind her, unzipped her dress, and let it fall to the </div> <div> floor revealing an ivory lace teddy.</div> <bR> <div> "Do you like it?" she asked, already able to tell by the look on </div> <div> Josh's face that he did.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh God yes!! But I wouldn't have been able to keep my hands off you </div> <div> all day if I had known that's what you had on under that dress."</div> <bR> <div> "Well then I guess it's a good thing you didn't know," Donna sighed </div> <div> as she pulled Josh down onto the bed, "because I wouldn't have wanted </div> <div> to make a scene in the casino."</div> <bR> <div> "You're absolutely breathtaking," Josh said, rolling on top of Donna </div> <div> and grinding his pelvis into hers.</div> <bR> <div> "And you're wearing way too many clothes," Donna smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> As midnight approached, they lay naked and satisfied, wrapped up in </div> <div> each other's arms.</div> <div> Suddenly they heard a voice from down the hall yell '30 seconds'.</div> <bR> <div> "It's almost here," Josh sighed contentedly.</div> <bR> <div> "Mmmhmmm," Donna answered.</div> <bR> <div> "Are you happy?" </div> <bR> <div> "Ecstatic!"</div> <bR> <div> They stared into each other's eyes as they heard the partygoers down </div> <div> the hall counting down</div> <bR> <div> "Six-five-four-three-two-one,"</div> <bR> <div> "Happy New Year, Mrs. Lyman," Josh said as he leaned in and kissed </div> <div> her. Unexpectedly, Donna flipped him over onto his back and straddled </div> <div> him.</div> <bR> <div> "Happy New Year, Mr. Lyman," she said, as she began to kiss her way </div> <div> down his body, "And I know the perfect way to start it off."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The End</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>