DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters or dialogue taken directly from the show. I do not claim to be a political expert, I am far from that, I am a biology major. Therefore I would like to preface this story with the notion I wrote this story out of pure love of the show and the characters. Thank you & enjoy.

Part 8: Tuesday, April 18, 2000

It had been three months to the day that I was appointed director of public relations by the President of the United States under Toby's recommendation. It would be dishonest of me if I said that I didn't enjoy the job. Of course it would also be dishonest of me if I said that it didn't make me want to jump off the top of the Washington Monument sometimes. But not today – today was a good day because Josh was cooking me dinner for my birthday.

"Happy Birthday Mack," CJ said aimlessly as she sifted through mail.

"Thanks, CJ," I smiled. "Hey CJ, question, do you know anything about – "

"Josh made me promise to not tell you anything more than you're getting dinner tonight!" she laughed and closed the door to her office.

I sighed and decided to try Donna.

"Donna … "

"No," she smiled. "Go away Mack, you know I'll leak something, go."

"Oh c'mon Donna, how big can this be?"

She simply smiled up at me and scurried off.

"Okay, this is getting annoying … "

"What is?" Sam looked over.

"I want to know what Josh has planned tonight," I leaned on a desk.

"Oh, well, um, good luck with that," he smiled.

"Wait … Sam Seaborn," I walked up to him and smiled and began playing with his tie. "Sam … my dear Sam – "

"Temptation – must resist – "

"But you can tell me, Sam – "

"Mack – "

"Oh c'mon!"

"Mack you're like bribing me with … with … I don't know but I feel violated."

"Huh?" I raised a curious eyebrow. "You know how much better you'll feel if you tell me – "

"It may be temporary relief, but it'll hurt later when Josh kills me – "

"He won't – "

"Wanna bet?"

I looked at him and then backed up.

"You're going to love it," Sam smiled and kissed my forehead. "Happy Birthday, Mack."

At exactly 7pm I waited for Josh outside his office. When he came back he was smiling from ear to ear. I had never seen him so elated. I waited for him to grab his jacket. It was unusually warm for April, I noted as Josh grabbed a light, khaki trench coat. I was wearing a black business suit with white shirt under. He closed the door and we were off.

"So what is this huge surprise that has been plaguing my mind all day?" I batted my eyelashes jokingly as we walked along the sidewalk.

"Well, the first is this," Josh pulled a little box out of his pocket and handed it to me with a devious grin.

"Should I open it?"

"No I was hoping you'd save it for next year so I wouldn't have to get you another gift – "

"Jerk," I smiled as I undid the silk bow and opened the lid. Inside were two diamond stud earrings. I stopped walking and looked up at Josh in shock. "Josh … "

"I thought you might like them … especially after you lost that one at the concert … "

My eyes watered.

"Josh, they're beautiful, thank you," I pulled his lips to mine. "I can't believe you remember that … it was so long ago … "

"Only December, not too bad for a guy who has his head up his ass every day as you so eloquently put the other day," he smiled.

"Yeah … "

"We've got reservations … " Josh said slyly.

We got into a cab and headed off to the tourist area by the water.

"What is this?" I frowned as we got out.

"Just something, c'mon … " Josh led me on to a boat and up to the top where there was a single table set up with dinner, a candle, and champagne on ice. "Happy birthday Mack." He kissed my cheek as I just stared with an open mouth.

"Josh … I … how … you did all this?" I turned completely beside myself.

"Well you know, I'm just that good … " he smiled. "And I had some help."

"A little?"

"Okay a lot, but it was all my idea. C'mon sit."

Thus it happened, under the stars on a warm April evening Joshua Lyman and Mackenzie Adams enjoyed a lovely dinner. It was strange to be celebrating my birthday away from my family. I usually met with my brother after work, went over to my parents and celebrated there. The entire time Josh had a curious smile on his face and through the small talk he seemed to be somewhere else mentally (not that he wasn't every other day).

"Something bothering you Josh?" I asked curiously as we finished dinner.

"Nah, just … enjoying everything," he smiled. "Want to go out on the deck?"

"Sure," I wiped my mouth and set the napkin on the table. I followed him up the stairs and up to the top deck. It had gotten chillier with the night. We leaned on the rail and looked out on to the water, the moonlight reflecting neatly on the surface. "What's up?"

"Nothing, I just want to make sure you're having a good birthday."

"Of course, why wouldn't I?"

"Well, I know you always spend it with family and I don't know if your dad or brother or mother or whoever else is ready to kill me for stealing you away."

"Oh, Josh," I chuckled and placed a hand on his arm. "C'mon, they love you and don't care. They got to celebrate with me last weekend."

"Yeah, but – "

"Josh, be quiet," I smiled kissed him. "You're a good guy but sometimes you just worry too much … Learn to go with the flow some times … "

"Right."

"So is this the end of the evening?"

"No, one more thing, but I forgot something at the office that is required to make this the ultimate night."

"Sure."

We drove back to the White House. It was close to 9pm and things were slowing down. No one was around in the West Wing, which was odd. Josh grabbed an envelope that didn't seem too important since I saw him chuck it on to the floor when Donna first handed it to him. Then he directed me towards the Roosevelt Room and upon opening the doors a loud, "SURPRISE!" was emitted from several White House senior staff and co-workers. It was at this point I cried and laughed and was hugged to the nth degree.

"Happy birthday Mack," Sam smiled and handed me a box.

"Sam Seaborn … you jerk! You knew what was going on!" I hit him in the shoulder with the box.

"Hey stop that! You don't know if there's breakables in there!"

"Are there?"

"Well, no, but – STOP!" he covered his head as I hit him.

I opened up the gift and saw a paperweight with the Capitol Building etched inside it. A small note was at the bottom, it read: "Just to remind you that you are loved here, there and everywhere. From, Sam." I smiled and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek.

After singing, and cake and presents, the excitement was dwindling. Jed had bid his final good night and gone to the residence and CJ and Leo were chatting softly in a corner when Josh pulled me aside. He seemed stressed … still. Something was on his mind.

"For the love of God, just say what's on your mind," I urged him, a little hyped up on caffeine from all the coffee and tea.

"Mack I just hope this day, or evening rather, has been great."

"It has, I told you that before."

"I just … " he paused and then looked gravely into my eyes. "I wanted to tell you that you are an amazing person, and that I never want to let you go. And that I love you."

It was like the world had just stopped. If I were drunk those three words would've been the most sobering message. I simply stared back at him. Sure I had had my flings now and then, even dated someone for close to two years, until he tried proposing and then I decided to high-tail it out of that relationship, but to hear it from Josh on my birthday after everything he had done was something completely different. I looked down uneasily.

"Say something, Mack … " Josh had a panicking quiver in his voice.

"I … I … um … " I looked up at him, unsure of myself and the circumstances. "I really care for you too, Josh." I forced a smile and walked away. Needless to say, it was a lonely birthday night.