2001
"Hey!" Josh calls out as he rushes up to me.
"Hey Josh, what do you need?" I ask annoyed that I'm just about to leave.
"I just wanted to ask you something." He says falling in step with me as we walk out of the building.
"Josh, I'm really hungry and I just want to go to lunch. Can we talk about whatever job you want me to do later?"
"Actually no, I was gonna ask you to lunch." When he says this I stop and pause for a minute.
"If you're paying then I'm all for it." He smiles and leads me to his car, and I don't really care about the suddenness of all this.
"So, where do you want to go?" He asks as we start out of the White House parking lot.
"Well, since you're paying I'm thinking that we should go to Angelo's Italian Restaurant. They have the best Veal Parmesan ever." As I say this, I can already taste the food on my tongue.
"Angelo's it is, it's not everyday we have an hour and a half for lunch is it?"
"Nope, that's why I've learned to relish these days. You've got to take advantage of all opportunities when they come along." Except when it comes to telling your boss you love him. That you keep to yourself.
"Well I just like getting to go out and eat. Sometimes take-out can get boring and bland. You just need to try something else." I'm really surprised at Josh's attitude. There's something odd about him right now. I know there's something on his mind. I'm going to go with the direct approach on this one.
"What's with this attitude change?"
"I found out some information today and I just thought I'd celebrate with my best friend."
"Was Sam busy?"
"No of course not, why?" He asks confused
"Because he's your best friend."
"You're my best friend too. So we're celebrating." He can be so sweet sometimes.
"What are we celebrating? I don't know about anything on the Hill."
"It's a personal victory Donnatella."
"Are you gonna tell me, or do I have to guess?" I ask as we pull in to Angelo's parking lot.
"All in good time my friend." I just roll my eyes as we head towards the door.
"Joshua, Donnatella, it's so wonderful to see you again." That's Adriana; she's the sweetest woman you'll ever meet. Reminds me of my mom too.
"Adriana I've missed you. Everything's been so busy lately." I say as she hugs both of us and leads us to our table in the back.
"I'll be right out with your usual." She smiles wide and heads off to place the order.
"You think we'll ever have to actually order when we come here?" Josh asks with a smile.
"Probably not, that's what makes this place the best. That and the Veal Parmesan."
"I swear you're obsessed with that. I hope you don't like it better than me."
"Well, the veal is a very close second, but I still like you better." I say with a smile as Adriana brings us two cokes and a basket of breadsticks before leaving just as quickly.
"Good to know I'm only slightly better than food." He says as he sticks out his bottom lip and pretends to pout. I tear off a piece of breadstick and toss it at him. Then erupt in laughter when he catches it in his mouth and begins chewing.
"Bet you can't do that." He says as he swallows the food with a smile.
"Oh really, try me." He rips off a piece of breadstick and tosses it at me. I promptly catch it and smile back.
"Beginners luck." He says smugly
"Best out of 3?" I offer as I sip my drink.
"You're on little lady." He says as he tears off three pieces. I can't believe he thinks he can beat me.
We play our little game and in the end he only gets two, while I get all three.
"So, what do I win?" I ask excitedly.
"Dinner on me?"
"Wow, two treats in one day. What's going on?" I ask happy but confused.
"I told you, we're celebrating."
I'm about to ask again when Adriana brings over our food. The smell of the food distracts me for a second, but I snap back.
"Joshua Ezekiel Lyman. Why won't you tell me what we're celebrating?" I whine using his much-hated middle name.
"Because it's a surprise Donnatella Leighton Moss." Oh, that's hitting below the belt. No one uses my entire name, ever.
"I can't believe you called me that."
"You used my middle name first. Besides I like your name. Your full name." He says sweetly. Damn him for being so adorable.
"I guess it's not so bad. I don't mind your middle name either. It's kind of cute."
"Now I know you're lying." He says with a smile. Wait, he never answered my question. He's a sneaky little devil. Cute, but sneaky.
"Why won't you answer me?" Playtime's over, I really want to know what's going on.
"I promise I'll tell you tonight at dinner. Just trust me okay?"
"I trust you Josh. I trust you."
"Good now eat you're food, it's getting cold." He says with a smile as I dig in to my delicious meal and watch Josh try to eat his spaghetti without getting it on his clothes. We finish our meal making only small talk for the rest of the time, and then head back to the White House full and content.
"So, do I get a fancy dinner or are we actually getting take-out tonight?" I ask as we walk into his office.
"It's another surprise, just make sure you arrive at my house at exactly 7:30. And make sure you dress up. Formally dress up." Now I'm seriously confused
"I have no idea what you're up to, but we've got work to do so I've got to go." I don't actually know what work there is to do, but right now I really need to see someone I can scare the truth out of.
"Samuel, what in the world is going on with Josh?" I ask as I barge into his office.
"I…I don't know what you mean." He says trying to look clueless, which admittedly isn't a far stretch for him.
"I know that you know what's going on with Josh, and you know that I know that I will eventually find out. So just tell me what you know and then we can both know, you know?" I say trying to confuse him into telling me what he knows.
"No." He says trying to work his mind around what I just said. So I try a different tactic.
"Sam," I whine, "I really, really need to know what's going on. I thought we were friends, why won't you tell me?" I can see his resolve start to crack and I lay it on extra thick.
"If you tell me, I'll name one of my kids after you." His eyes light up.
"Really?"
"Yep, now tell me what's going on."
"You can't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. Pinky swear?" He asks as he holds up his right pinky. I roll my eyes, but oblige him anyway.
"Pinky swear."
"Okay, close the door and sit down." I do what he says and eagerly await what's coming.
"Earlier today Josh came to me with a problem, he had an epiphany during the night and came to a realization. He realized that he was in love with someone, but he wasn't sure what exactly he needed to do to make this a reality. I advised him to talk to Leo, CJ, and the President, and that is about all I know."
"Are you sure that's all you know?"
"He seemed really happy when he left, kept talking about celebrating…" I left before he had a chance to finish and then made my way straight over to Claudia Jean's office
"CJ I'm tired and I have a headache, please just tell me what's going on." I announce as I walk into her office and close the door.
"What do you mean Donna?" She asks as I sit on top of her desk.
"I mean that Josh is acting strangely and I now have to name one of my children after Sam in exchange for information why."
"While I would love to tell you in exchange for a child named after me, I really can't. I promised Josh I would keep everything to myself. And I now have to kill Spanky for saying anything at all." This is seriously annoying
"Sam told me he was in love with someone, just tell me who it is so I can be spared the humiliation tonight when he tells me his big surprise." I blurt out annoyed
"Why would you be humiliated?"
"Please CJ, everyone knows how I feel about Josh, it's probably the worst known secret in Washington."
"Josh doesn't know." She points out right away.
"That's because he's an idiot."
"You're in love with an idiot?"
"Madly. That's what makes it hurt so bad."
"Admitting is the first step my friend."
"I've got work to do." I say sadly as I leave her office and make my way towards my desk.
The day passes and I just get more depressed seeing Josh's happy face. I act happy because I can't stand to see his attitude change for the worst. We both leave around 6 o'clock and I grudgingly make my way home to get ready. Even though I'm horribly upset, I want to look amazing so that I don't feel like a total freak. I look through the dresses in the closet and categorized them by events.
I wore the green one during the inaugural balls, the white, purple, and black one's at various State Dinners and formal functions, and then there's the infamous red dress that I actually did buy after that night. None of these dresses feel right so I go into my roommate's room. Jessica isn't here so I let myself in, and head over to her closet. Right away I find the perfect dress. It's a deep sapphire color and the hem goes down to the floor. It has a halter-style top and a low back. I think I may be in love. Who knows, maybe he'll forget about this other woman and see that he belongs with me. I spy a beautiful pair of silver wrap-around shoes and almost forget that tonight my heart will be broken.
I take a bath, fix my hair and makeup and by 7:00 I'm ready to go. I leave my apartment and arrive at his townhouse around 7:25. He said to come at exactly 7:30, so I wait on the front steps after the cab drops me off. As soon as my phone turns to 7:30 I ring the doorbell and wait nervously. I hear a muffled come in and open the door. On the floor is a piece of paper with the arrow pointing towards the back door. I follow the arrow, which leads me to a Josh's patio. It's pitch black, but I can see the faint outline of a person. All of a sudden, a million twinkle lights come on and I see Josh standing against his fence in a tux! with a smile on his face. In front of him is a small table with two unlit candles and full place settings.
"What's going on?" I ask confused
"We're having dinner. And you look amazing." He pushes off the fence, grabs my hand and leads me over to the table. I'm not sure about what's going on and I can't really concentrate on anything at the moment. Next thing I know, he's at my side with a tray of Ritz Crackers and a can of spray cheese.
"Appetizers for the lady." He says with a smile. I look at him like he's crazy and decide that I can't take it any longer.
"I know about your surprise Josh."
"What!" He asks shocked.
"Sam told me, I have to name one of my children after him, but he told me."
"What exactly did he tell you?"
"He told me that you were in love with someone, so please just tell me who it is so that I can just wallow in peace."
"Um Donna the one I'm in love with…"
"Yeah?"
"Is you."
"Really, because I was under the impression this was a one-sided thing." He sets down the tray and kneels in front of me.
"Donnatella Moss I am totally and absolutely head over heels in love with you. You and only you."
"I love you too Josh." I say as I lean forward and kiss him softly on the lips. He kisses me back and I'm pretty sure this is the best day of my life.