Twenty hours later, Sam stands at his best friend's side in the Rose Garden and watches him exchange vows with the love of his life. At this moment he can see Donna's face, and she's absolutely beaming as Josh slips a ring onto her finger.
As Donna takes Josh's hand and repeats the phrase given to her by President Bartlet, Sam steals a glance at the crowd and spots Amy. She's sitting about halfway back next to Danny Concannon, whose very pregnant date is also part of the ceremony. Amy is focused on Josh and Donna, but she seems to feel the gaze of the best man and lets her eyes flick over to him for a moment before darting away.
He's never seen her nervous before. She's probably the most confident, unflappable woman he's ever met. But after last night... well he can understand why she would feel a little insecure.
Not that she has any reason at all to be.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," President Bartlet announces with a grin. "Now kiss her already," he prods, nodding toward the bride. Without hesitation, Josh steps forward and takes Donna's face in his hands, kissing her deeply. Around them, their guests all applaud as they stand.
Sam smiles widely as the couple starts to make their way back up the aisle and offers CJ his arm to proceed behind them. She waddles up the aisle more than she strides, and Sam sees Danny chuckling as he watches his wife. CJ scowls playfully at him, and Sam takes the opportunity to try finding Amy's gaze again.
Her eyes follow the bride and groom before she whips her head to watch the Santoses striding up the aisle behind the best man and maid of honor, and Sam is sure she is actively avoiding further eye contact with him. She smiles along with everyone else, but he can see it doesn't quite reach her eyes.
Before he knows it, he and CJ are stepping onto the tile floor of the portico and heading for the Mural Room, where Danny promised to meet her after the ceremony so they could go to the reception in the East Room together. "How are you feeling?" He asks her as they pass through the office he will always think of as Mrs. Landingham's.
"Oh, you know," she shrugs, her free hand resting on her belly. "Fat." She laughs at that as she hugs his arm, and he laughs along with her. "I've missed you, Spanky. I'm sorry I don't call more."
Sam takes her hands and helps her sit on one of the couches. "It's alright," he promises. "You were here for eight years. It makes sense you would want to put some distance between you and the White House."
"Yeah," she agrees, apparently surprised at his understanding.
Before she can continue, Danny comes striding in. "Alright, my pregnant friend, are you ready to go?"
"Let me sit for two more minutes?" CJ pleads. "I just stood through the entire ceremony."
"Did Amy come in with you?" Sam asks.
Sitting next to his wife, Danny shakes his head. "Nah, I think she went straight to the East Room," he replies. "Why, what's up?"
"Nothing. I just – " The couple looks at him expectantly, and he shakes his head. "Nothing. I'll see you at the reception," he finishes, heading out of the room.