Josh was caught up on everything. Maybe there was an advantage to Donna having an active social life. He put the last signature on a letter with a flourish and gathered things up to take back to her. Donna was busy at the computer and just nodded when Josh placed the completed files on the desk.
"Come to the reception for the kids.", Josh wheedled.
"No thanks. I'm about out of here."
"Okay. Have a good time." Josh hesitated and then said, "Remember to take your ATM card just in case you need cash."
"Josh. Stop."
"Make sure you have your cell phone just in case you need a ride or something."
"Wally may not be your type, Josh..."
"Actually he's not."
"You know what I mean. I like him, so ease up. No one's perfect and at least I have plans."
"I'm sorry. I guess I just think you deserve better. And I do have plans."
"Whatever." Donna hated when they disagreed like this. She extended an olive branch. "Save me a cupcake."
"You got it. Happy Valentine's Day, Donnatella Moss." Josh dropped a kiss on the top of her head and went down the hall.
Donna hated to admit Josh might be right. She had planned on taking her ATM card in her smaller evening purse. Now she'd have to see if she could squeeze in the cell phone too or switch to a slightly larger bag. Wally had told her to meet him so she had to figure in a cab when it came to money and to time.
She looked at the beautiful flower arrangement from her secret admirer. "Who are you? Where are you?" Then she turned back to her computer.
**********
Mandy basked in the burst of applause that greeted the student actors. Their play about the original Josiah Bartlet drew electronic and print media coverage. She knew it was a golden moment for the kids and the Bartlet White House. She could imagine the stories that would recount the performance and the party that was just starting up.
Abigail Bartlet's idea of doing something special was brilliant even if Toby was the one who thought of the party, the media consultant conceded. The kids were excited and anytime the media got fed they were happy too. A win-win situation.
Her work here was done, Mandy figured it was a good time to slip out. She wanted to get away before yet another person asked her about her plans.
It was still early enough to hit the supermarket. Instead of the usual salad bar stop, she'd grab some decadent flavor of chocolate ice cream. Mandy would order a pizza and pick it up on the way home. It would be a large and that meant left overs. You had to order a large she reasoned so you didn't look pathetic by getting a pizza obviously for one.
As Mandy made her way out quietly she noticed Josh talking to the teacher of the visiting students. "He doesn't miss a trick.", she thought. "No wonder he's one of the Hottest Heartthrobs. He's pouring on the charm. Look at her smile."
Josh was feeling the same way, he was on a roll. The visitor was laughing and Josh thought this was it. He was about to invite her on a tour of Washington's Monuments at night. As he opened his mouth, she told him she was sorry their bus back to Ohio would be leaving in the next hour.
But she hoped Josh would visit them at the school there. He agreed that sounded nice, patted her hand and walked away. Josh noticed Mandy leaving. "Figures she's got a great night planned."
*********
Someone else from the Senior Staff was contemplating leaving. C.J. had set the final Briefing for 4:30, then the lid was on. She planned to get a few more things done to ensure that she could make it an early evening too. C.J. like Mandy, was pleased with the whole event.
It had everyone feeling good. She noticed Sam and Leo talking to the kids, they never missed a chance to work a room on behalf of Jed Bartlet. The President and the First Lady were surrounded by laughing children. It was hard to see who was having a better time.
C.J. decided to get another glass of punch. As she moved to the punch bowl she noticed Danny. He was crouched down interviewing one of the students. The girl was the play's narrator. She was tall, slender and had auburn hair. Danny had her giggling while he wrote down her answers. She looked at him adoringly.
The scene distracted C.J. as she headed to the refreshment table. She didn't notice a young boy already there and nearly bumped into him. She quickly apologized and he accepted with an infectious grin. He had red hair and freckles and offered to fill her punch cup. C.J. couldn't refuse such gallantry.
After he handed the cup back to her, C.J. noticed his eyes stray toward Danny and the little girl. But the boy turned back to her when C.J. asked if he was having a good time. The child identified himself as one of the actors in the play and he in turn asked C.J. if she liked the performance.
As they sipped punch and chatted he once more turned to look at Danny and his classmate. C.J.'s new drinking buddy piped up, "That guy's talking to my girlfriend."
"Really?", C.J. was amused.
"Yep, she's my girlfriend.", he sounded proud. Then he added sheepishly, "But she doesn't know it yet, so don't tell."
"Okay, I won't. I promise." C.J. crossed her heart showing she understood the importance of the confidence he'd shared.
"Bye lady." He was scampering off but turned back. "Happy Valentine's Day."
"You too. Good luck." C.J. made a quick get away, she didn't want the lump in her throat to turn into tears in her eyes. It would be too hard to explain.
***********
Toby didn't like any kind of reception. But, at least at most of them, there was a bar. When it was a grade school gathering, the only buzz available was from too much sugar. He tried once again to fade into the woodwork.
He practiced one of his greatest skills, observing. Toby noticed Mrs. Landingham wistfully watching two boys horse around. Her usually guarded face was open to her heart for a moment. It closed back up when Josh threw an arm around her shoulders. She smiled briefly as did Josh when he handed her a plate with cookies on it.
Toby noticed Leo and Sam circling the room. Neither quite sure how to deal with the boisterous kids or each other. Sam glanced at his watch and grinned. As he headed for the door, Leo's face tightened but he tried to relax it. Mrs. Bartlet moved to him, it was her instinct to be there. She made him laugh and then put another punch cup in his hand. He drank a silent toast to her.
Toby's visual sweep around the room showed some of the adults clearing out. Mandy and C.J. were gone. Danny Concannon heading out the door to make the final Briefing. Billy Kenworthy from the Wall Street Journal was right behind him but then veered over toward Josh.
Before Toby could ponder that move, he heard a familiar voice at his side. "Toby, I've been looking for you."
"Yes, Mrs. Bartlet?"
**********
Josh was trying to figure out who might be up for a little overtime on Valentine's Day. He refused to believe everyone had plans. His thoughts were interrupted by Billy Kenworthy. The reporter approached Josh with his notebook out. Josh groaned, "Billy, not the Hottest Heartthrob thing, please."
"No Josh.", Billy grinned. "This party is enough frivolity in one day for Wall Street Journal readers and even more importantly for editors." They laughed.
"Okay, then what's up?"
"I was looking at the list of White House Staff going to the European Summit."
"It's a woefully understaffed trip, off the record."
"Is that because your name isn't on the roster?"
"Sheer coincidence.", Josh deadpanned. "I got the L.A. fund raiser so I'll be here with Toby. Someone has to keep the place looking lived in."
"Too bad for you." Billy made his voice casual. "I'm sure your staff is disappointed."
"Donna Moss, my assistant, wasn't happy.", Josh offered. "But she's over it. She gave C.J. her shopping list."
"Yeah, too bad. Would you like me to take your shopping list?"
"No, I'm fine. But thanks." Josh was puzzled by the reporter's friendliness. He liked Billy but seemed to find him hanging around a lot more these days. Billy excused himself to go to his last Briefing before calling it a day.
Josh decided to leave and search for companionship. He was headed over to Toby when he noticed the First Lady had Toby cornered.
(TO BE CONTINUED)