A/N: Hey guys! Slightly faster this time. Really sorry that things with school and campaign work have been crazy lately and I simply haven't had time to post this.
Thank you to everyone who continues to read this. I promise that the end isn't too far off. I am slowly progressing there and I hope you don't feel like the story is draggy. Sadly, I feel even that the end is going to go pretty fast compared to the beginning.
I love hearing from you guys whether it be good or bad. And side note that I had already planned to add more about Dawn's family. I have to thank Holly for that along with just about everything else in this story. This story wouldn't be written had it not been for you.
All that being said, enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-five
The story hadn't broke and she didn't know when CJ would throw it out with the trash. She wasn't even sure who all knew at this point. The President and First family, The Vice President, Will, CJ, Toby, Charlie, Mrs. Fiderer, Carol, Margaret and possibly even Ed and Larry knew the truth behind her stepping down. Everyone else was sated with the obvious: who would want to work for Joshua Lyman when you're going to have another baby to care for?
So she really had all she could ask for. Dawn was going to be lenient about rent, though Donna would sell her soul before she put the burden on the young woman's shoulders. And apparently Dawn knew people who could arrange the barter. And Josh had already talked to her about covering hospital and baby expenses.
She was at the point where she thought that things were finally beginning to straighten out. Now she waited for the other shoe to drop.
But that didn't happen as she made her way home. It didn't even happen right after she got there to find Sam and Dawn making out on the living room couch. But she couldn't help dreading what waited around the corner.
"I got a movie for tonight," Dawn announced to the two over dinner.
Sam looked up in feigned horror. "Remember that there are going to be quite a few people here tonight, so please don't let it be another musical."
Dawn scoffed. "It's us, Josh, CJ, Charlie, and a possible Toby. Also I invited a couple people from one of my bio classes, but I doubt they come."
The blonde woman added. "Leo mentioned how he wanted to come, but he had to attend a performance at the Kennedy Center." Sam smiled at the thought of the prestigious man coming by for popcorn and a movie. "I also invited Mallory." Sam was now choking on his food.
Dawn burst out laughing. "I know you had a thing for her a few years ago. Then the call girl messed things up."
"I...uhh..."
"Sam doesn't like talking about those topics. Especially not together." Donna was chuckling herself. "Though I am sure that he appreciates that you remembered that she is a call girl and not a hooker or prostitute."
"What's the movie?" Sam asked in desperation.
"Mallory couldn't make it," Donna continued.
"That's too bad," Dawn mused. "I wanted to see her again. She was so nice that day when she joined us for lunch."
"What?"
The knocking caused both to ignore his question. "I'll get it," Dawn said getting up to head to the door.
"You had lunch with Mallory?" Sam demanded.
"Oh look, Josh is here. Hey, Josh. Want something to eat?"
"Sure." He looked over at the chipper blonde sitting at the table and decided to grab a plate and join her. "No Chinese?" he asked playfully.
Donna gave him a look before replying, "And tequila is officially banned from this establishment." A moment later. "But egg rolls and lo-mien are always welcomed."
They chatted and ate until CJ and Toby showed up. "This is the highlight of the week," CJ stated as she sat on the sofa.
"And apparently, I had been missing something?" Toby quipped sitting in the chair next to her.
"Uhhh...pop-corn?" Dawn offered.
"Oh yeah," Sam said with a lazy smile as he made his way out of the kitchen. "You never mentioned what the special movie was."
A knock on the door interrupted things again. Josh who was closest, opened it to greet Charlie. "Hey."
"Hey," the younger man replied.
"Guess the President got out of that thing Leo had to go to."
"You bet he did. And let's just say that when Leo gets back to the office, he's going to be one pissed man. I'm on call-got a couple hours."
"Excellent," Donna said gesturing about the room. "Find a seat."
"Debbie wanted to come, too, but something about poker and Albany came up. I asked no questions."
"I ask whether or not we are going to watch this movie or have tea and crumpets."
"Geez, Toby," CJ berated. "How dare we talk for a couple minutes?"
"I want to know what the movie is," Sam reminded.
"Well, then let's watch." And Dawn dimmed the lights, popped in the movie and crawled into the floor next to her boyfriend.
"A cinematic classic." Charlie smiled as he recognized the picture. "Always an uplifting tale."
"The Exorcist?" Donna retorted with a giggle.
Toby slouched further in his seat. "I wouldn't mind switching places with Father Merrin right now."
"Shut up!" CJ said reaching over to slap his shoulder. "You asked me about this all week and you told me that you wanted to come."
All confined their amusement as the Communications Director replied with, "I asked you once on Wednesday." After a pause he added, "And this is supposed to be Donna's special farewell party."
"So you only watch movies on special occasions?" Josh just had to open his mouth.
"So you couldn't remember you slept with her?"
Josh had found the ability to close his mouth now.
The comment didn't sting Donna or Josh like it could have just a month ago. In that time of adjusting to everything while letting their closest friends finally share their knowledge, it had went from a tender subject to almost a joke. Though maybe not as much for Josh as it did for Donna.
As the movie wore on, Donna felt the curly haired man next to her tense. "What?" she leaned over and whispered.
"You'll laugh."
"Probably, but what?"
"What if our kid turns out to be possessed?"
She sat dumfounded. Thenafter a couple of blinks,she struggled to suppress her snicker.
"See," he hissed at her.
"Josh, that's ridiculous." Both turned back to the screen when Chris MacNeil began crying over her daughter's ailments. "Oh, God. What if our child is possessed?" she murmured.
The question was left in the air as both turned their full attention back to the movie. In fact, as the movie pressed on, all talking and discussion ceased and it was quickly growing apparent that all were getting enthralled in the plot.
All watched in suspense as the babysitter led Father Karras up to Reagan's room. The music cued its eerie sound and revealed the stigmata on her stomach.
Then the phone rang. Loud.
Quickly, a panic-stricken Charlie hopped up while grabbing his phone and dashing to the other room. Dawn decided it best to momentarily pause the movie.
"Wow," an awed CJ said as all began to move around and relax. "That was intense." Then she chuckled. "Poor Dawnie. I heard you scream."
"That was Sam," the brunette giggled.
"I was...merely protesting the interruption."
Josh cracked up. "Quite the man you picked out there, Dawn." Then his laughter stopped as he turned to the woman beside him . "Ow!" He wiggled his hand in her grasp. "For the love of God, Donna, that hurts!"
"I see you're quite the manly man yourself, Josh," Sam countered with a smile.
"Sorry," Charlie replied as he walked back into the room. "The President wants me back over for a few things." And soon all made their quick goodbyes before resuming the movie.
Though he had nagged her about her grip, Josh made sure that when the scariest parts came that his hand was in close proximity. In fact, he was secretly concentrating more on his companion than the movie. He watched her features as Linda Blair played her role and how one hand always ventured to her swollen belly to comfort the baby from the horrific images while the other often made way to his own palm in silent plead for reassurance.
He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. More emotion than he ever could have contemplated began running through his body and he flushed with nervous excitement as he felt he had finally reached the point in his life that he could admit the truth.
As "The power of Christ compels you," played over and over across the screen, Joshua Lyman reached the declaration in his life that he was finally able to confess his love to one Donnatella Moss.
But his mind settled on the fact that it wasn't something to shout in the middle of an exorcism.
Time went faster than any imaginedand before too long it was well after midnight. They had all decided to watch a comedy to ease any nightmares that Sam might have and also to show Josh and Donna that they wouldn't have any possessed children.
"I hope my children aren't possessed," Josh commented mid-way through Monty Python and the Holy Grail. "Who's ever heard of Jewish exorcisms?"
A unanimous groan resounded through the room to which Josh commented. "Well, what do you say? 'The power of the yamaka compels you?'"
Toby cracked a grin. "Josh loses all talking privileges."
A few minutes went on before the feature was interrupted. This time it was Donna. "You won't believe this, guys."
"You're hungry," CJ guessed.
"I'm actually really hungry."
Dawn paused the movie and turned to Sam. "Go make her something."
"Huh?"
"Go make her something. She's six months pregnant today. Are you going to make her get up and get it herself?" After a second she added, "Please."
"Okay." His quick concession made everyone laugh as he hopped up and headed to the kitchen.
"Here," Josh mumbled getting off the sofa and heading to follow his friend. "I'll help. Did do the impregnating."
Toby shrugged and stood. "Might as well grab a drink."
"Hey, grab me one too," CJ called.
As soon as all three men stood in the room alone, Josh pulled them by the arm in silent call of attention. Once that was gained he was hesitant to move forward.
"What?" Toby asked, taking mind enough to whisper.
"Are you okay?" Sam questioned. "You look like-"
"Look...I...God, this sounds really stupid."
"You've finally realized that you're in love with Donna and now you're nervous to make a move because you're afraid that she won't want what you want. So you have the two of us standing here in desperation that once you tell us-which could be weeks at your rate- that we can give you the magical advice to make all right in the world."
Sam and Josh blinked at the Communication Director several times before being able to pull their eyes away from the man. Sam went back to making a sandwich while Josh opened and closed his mouth.
"Where's my drink?" CJ teased from the front room.
Her question went ignored. "I could have been asking if you think Donna would like pickles in her ice cream."
Sam whipped back around, mustard in hand. "You mean Toby was right? I thought he was just trying to get to you again."
Toby looked almost surprised himself, but didn't let that stop a smug smile from crossing his face. "So what?"
"I want to ask Donna on a date. That seems a better approach that just coming out with declarations."
"You were thinking about this during The Exorcist," the balding man commented.
"Are you kidding? I just came to the realization of my feelings during The Exorcist." A sigh. "I came to the date conclusion about twenty minutes ago."
"Then ask her," Sam urged. "Trust me when I say that she feels the same about you."
"I know what you're saying, but...you could be wrong."
"He's not. But you are looking for a plan that you can cover well with if you get rejected."
"Exactly. A date that I can ask her on that she won't know for sure was a date if she says no."
Sam tilted his head in thought. "But won't that mean that she won't exactly know it's a date if she says yes."
"Oh God." Josh sank against the refrigerator.
"No wonder it's taking so long," CJ joked as she made way in the room. "Josh, if you turn around it makes beverage retrieval much easier." Now she saw the faces of the other occupants. "What's up?"
"Well," Sam began. "It's a secret."
"Oh," the woman pouted slightly.
"We would like to tell you, but..." the younger man ignored Toby's glare and glanced Josh, who threw his hands up in permission and walked over to hang his head over the sink. "Josh is in love with Donna, but afraid to ask her on a date."
"Oh my God." After a second she reiterated. "Oh. My. God." Then she turned to Toby. "I told you they would give in before the end of the administration."
"That was before we knew there would be two terms."
"You declared that it didn't matter there, Snippy. Pay up."
"You guys made a bet on how long it would take for Josh and Donna to get together?" Both culprits nodded. "And you guys didn't let me in on it?"
"Excuse me!" Josh said in a loud whisper as he whipped around to face them. "If you haven't notice my lack of participation in this conversation, it happens to be because I have a problem!!"
CJ walked over to the curly haired mess. "Ask her. Do it sincerely. Make sure that you make it clear that you aren't being your usual ass of a self. End of problem." She then proceeded to walk to the fridge and retrieve a drink and walk back to the other room.
"Is it really that simple?" Josh asked.
Toby shrugged and grabbed a drink and left. Sam turned back to make quick work of food preparation. "She is a woman, Josh. I say give her credit and go with it."
"That way if this ruins my life I can blame it all on her."
"Exactly."
"'Kay," Josh said taking a deep breath and following his friend back to the movie. "Okay."
It didn't take long for everyone to deicide that it was best to call it a night. Toby and CJ made quick goodbyes and headed home. Sam stuck around to help "pick up", which led to helping Dawn in her bedroom. That left Josh alone with Donna making sure that everything was taken care of.
"Thanks," an exhausted blonde stated as Josh helped her up.
"My pleasure."
She gave him a quizzical look, but let it pass. "Well, I guess we better say goodnight."
"Yeah we should."
"Goodnight." She headed to open the door for him.
"No."
"I don't get a goodnight?" she laughed as she touched the doorknob.
"No," he said gently taking her hand and turning her to face him. "Well...yes, but not yet."
"Okay."
"I...what are you doing Monday night?"
"Well, I have my first exercise class."
"Tuesday?"
"Nothing."
"Would you like to maybe go see a movie or something? You always talk about how you never get enough Raisinets and movie popcorn. Or there's that new place on Delaware that looks like food you'd go for."
"No, Josh."
"Oh. Okay. It was just a thought. Goodnight, Donnatella." He made quick work of getting to the hallway.
"No." He turned to face her. She had the look of an angel. "You have a dinner meeting Tuesday with Luke."
"I do." He took a shaky breath.
"Are you asking me out, Joshua?"
"I..."
"I have a movie night Friday, but I do know that Wednesday afternoon I'm free. There's just a little doctor's appointment I was going to go to around four thirty that afternoon. But if the guy who wanted to go with me leaves soon after, I might be able to squeeze you in."
"Really?"
"Yes," she said softly. She had no qualms now that she was no longer his assistant. In fact, she had been praying for this moment for years.
"Excellent! So we can just go out after the sonogram."
"Sounds perfect." And she meant that. "Now goodnight, Josh."
"Goodnight, Donnatella."
As she closed the door, she knew she would be sleeping well tonight.
Or so she thought.
She didn't have too much trouble getting to sleep. Faintly she could hear the noise next door and knew that her roommate was practicing her mating rituals, but she was used to tuning out Dawn and Sam's sexcapades.
No, she was even in the middle of a quite pleasant fantasy. She was sure that the actions next door played a subconscious part, as her and Josh were getting ready to make love on a beach in Delaware.
Then she awoke to a loud knocking sound. At first, she thought that Dawn's bed was hitting the wall again. She was on the verge at yelling at the couple until she realized that it was coming from the front door. With a little effort she made her way out of bed and headed to see who it was. A quick peak through the peephole and she was able to determine that it was no stranger.
"Will?" She asked in her sleepy daze. "Zack?"
"There was trouble in Arlington that we made quick work of and decided to drop off a couple things that Dawn had left in New York before heading back home," the younger and more natural blonde explained.
"Oh." Then it occurred to her why a certain couple hadn't gotten the door. "She's asleep. But I'll tell her that you stopped by."
"We can just wake her up," the British brother-in-law decided. "It's just Saturday mornin'. No classes to complain about."
"No," she weakly protested. It was pointedly ignored.
"'Sides, her big sis wanted to herself, but 's helpin' Zangy's missus feed and herd the little bits."
As the bedroom door opened, it was quickly made apparent that the couple thought they were the only awake occupants of the house. A naked Sam walked out and then quickly turned back to face the open door. "You owe me, you know."
She quietly giggled and then whispered back in the same fashion. "Get back here with that ice cream and you'll get your dessert."
"Promise?"
"You'll scream for ice cream."
Then he turned and saw the room full of people. He quickly scrambled back to his girlfriend's room.
"Oh dear," Donna cringed.
"She's...with...she's..." Zack was pacing back and forth frantically.
William took a more direct approach. He went straight to the room.
"Spike!" Dawn screamed when he burst in the room.
"Dawn!"
"Spike!" Sam squeaked.
"Zack!" the naked woman protested as he now entered the room.
"Dawn?" Sam asked.
"Sam."
Both men's eyes flashed yellow as they turned to the accompanying man. In response Sam moved instinctively closer to his girlfriend.
Noticing the neon in their gaze, Dawn protested. "Spike."
"Dawn." His voice now possessed an unnatural calm.
"Spike," Sam trembled.
"Zack," Dawn tried to reason with the other.
"Dawn?" Sam again tried to get her instruction.
"Sam," both men growled in unison as they took a step toward the bed. Sam was too horrified for words and again tried to get closer to his girlfriend.
"Guys," Dawn snapped. "Stop. Now." She took a frustrated breath. "Before I call Buffy."
"I bet she would come bleed him herself."
"No she wouldn't. She knows that I'm a grown woman and that I'm dating a wonderful Congressman."
"She does?" Sam asked in surprise.
"He's a politician too!" Zack's eyes grew wide. "My God, Dawn. Have we not taught you anything?"
"Buffy knows?" Spike's face dropped. "She didn' tell me."
"Because I told her not to. I didn't want you to do..." She paused and looked around the room. "Well, this."
"So you're Spike?" Donna asked entering the room. "I thought it was Will."
"William was my birth name. I got the other by impalin' spikes into people's-"
"Isn't he a riot?" Zack said elbowing him in the side. He then turned his attention back to the bed. "Just so you know, we aren't going anywhere until you get your ass out of her bed."
"And leave," Spike added.
Just as Dawn was about to protest once more, she and the others heard a knock on the front door followed by someone's entrance. Both of the men immediately picked their heads up in new alertness.
"I guess everyone is awake," a young blonde said sticking her head in the room.
"Oh dear," a darker haired one said following in.
"Kill me now," Dawn muttered flopping back on the bed to smother herself with the blanket.
"Can I help you?" Donna was more confused than ever.
"This is my sister, Buffy," a muffled Dawn explained. "And that is Kelly."
"Zack's wife," Donna said remembering the picture.
Kelly shyly smiled. "We were beginning to wonder why the guys were taking so long. Luckily the kids are sleeping in the car with Giles." Then she turned to Sam. "Sorry about the embarrassment, but you are really hot."
"Kelly!" A chorus resounded through the room. The woman simply shrugged and walked over to her husband's side.
"Then we figured, our husbands plus town where Dawnie has a boyfriend equals potential apocalypse, and since we didn't want another one of those on our hands - and so soon - we thought we'd come and fix it before it got really bad," Buffy added.
Spike whirled around to face her. "You din' tell me."
"I know," she soothed.
"You guys are..." Sam trailed off as he tried to pull himself under Dawn's cover.
Buffy let out a whistle. "As one who is perfectly content with what I got, I must say that my sister does have incredibly good taste."
Dawn sat up and stared at the occupants of the room. "But my sister and family do have incredibly bad tact and manners." She then looked to the female spectators. "Please!"
"Right," Kelly said grabbing Zack by the arm. "Let's go before Rosie and William wake up. But it was a pleasure to meet you, Sam. And Donna, of course."
"You too," the singled out duo chorused in bewilderment.
"Bye," an apologetic Buffy added after quickly dashing over to kiss her sister on the cheek. "Sorry about this. I should have known better."
"I really hope we can get together and have some dinner or something sometime," Sam fumbled.
Buffy smirked. "Put underwear on and we'll talk."
Then as quickly as it all had started, the whirlwind was gone. There was much protesting by the men, but their wives were able to pinch their ears and drag them over the threshold. Donna quickly locked the door upon the last one's exit and numbly walked back into the scene of the crime. She stood there in silence as she stared at the still-naked Sam and Dawn.
"I'm going to bed." And she crisply turned and went across the hall.
It took longer for her to get to sleep the second time.
