"Wow, look at this place," Donna gasped in wonder as she gazed around the room. Christmas had certainly arrived at the White House. Decorations hung from everything and anything that could stand still. Wreaths, tinsel, garlands of every kind hung from the walls. Red candles burned brightly on the mantles and table tops as Frank Sinatra's "I'll Be Home for Christmas" played from the speakers. People were milling about everywhere; family, friends, staffers, Congressmen and women, some just talking about political affairs, others singing along or reminiscing with one another. And the center piece of it all was the magnificent tree that stood regally near the windows. Elegant ornaments as well as homemade ones donated from classrooms all over the area hung from the branches with the glorious silver star perched high atop it. It was truly a sight to behold.

"I know, they clean up nice here," Josh joked as he handed his coat to a porter and helped Donna out of hers. She in turn got Emma out her jacket. "So Em, what do you think?" he asked the little girl. "Pretty nice setup, huh?"

"This is awesome!" she cried. "It's so pretty here. How come it can't look like this all year?"

"Because if it did," Donna explained as she brushed some stray lint of the girl's velvet green party dress, "then it wouldn't be as special, would it?"

"Who are all these people?" Emma asked, moving on to the next topic.

"Some of them are friends of the President and his family," Josh said to her. "Some of them work for him, like Sam and CJ over there," he pointed them out, "and some of them work in Congress."

Emma scrunched up her face. "But I thought you said most people in Congress were small minded idiots, Daddy," she stated, conveniently in earshot of some of those small minded idiots, who turned to look at them curiously.

"Daddy was just kidding, sweetheart," Donna quickly recovered, lightly placing her hand over the child's mouth to ward off any other unwanted comments. "Good evening, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations on your victory, it's a pleasure to see you again. Isn't it, Joshua?" she nudged him with her elbow.

"Always a pleasure, Mr. Speaker," Josh forced out to the Southern Republicans standing in front of him. "If you'll please excuse us, we have to mingle." He steered his family away from the hostile group. "God I hate that guy," Josh said under his breath so not to let Emma onto any more tidbits of embarrassing gossip. "I wish we could have gotten rid of him this year."

"Well what would you have rather had?" Donna questioned. "The Speaker of the House, voted out of office or yourself, cleaning out your office. Because you know what would have happened if you had done what you and Toby wanted to do."

"Yes, yes I know." Josh admitted grudgingly. "The President would have lost if we hadn't done what Mark wanted. We'd all be looking for new jobs if we hadn't done what Mark wanted. The world would've ended if we hadn't done what Mark Sampson wanted. And believe me, he doesn't let us forget it either."

They finally arrived at more friendly territory, meaning CJ and Sam. "Hey guys, merry Christmas to you my Christian friends." They exchanged pleasantries for a moment and of course, CJ and Sam both fawned over Emma for a little while. "Is Toby coming tonight?"

Sam and CJ exchanged amused looks. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Sam said mysteriously.

"Where is he?" Donna asked, keeping her hands firmly on Emma's shoulders to keep her in one place.

"He went," CJ paused dramatically, "on a vacation."

Josh and Donna stood looking at her with gaping mouths. "You're right," Josh finally spoke. "I don't believe you."

Sam held up his hand as if swearing under oath. "Swear to God, he said he was heading out West for the holidays and excluding a national emergency, we wouldn't hear from him until January 1."

"Did he say where he was going?" Donna asked.

"Nope, just that he going out West. He could be as far as China by now," Sam hypothesized.

"Though the image of Toby Ziegler among a partially Communist state gives one food for thought," Josh added.

"Mommy, I'm hungry," Emma whined suddenly. "Can I have some food please?"

"May you have some food," Donna corrected her. "And yes you may, let's go get you a plate. Does anyone want anything?" she asked the group. They said no and Donna led Emma over towards the massive spread of food at the other end of the table.

"I'm so glad you guys decided to stay in town for Christmas," CJ said to Josh after Donna left. "Her family didn't mind?"

"Not really," Josh said. "I mean, we went to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving and Mena came out for Emma's birthday two weeks ago. T.J. sent over his gifts already so we weren't really missing much."

"What about Nicole?" Sam asked. "Have you guys seen her a lot since she moved out?"

"Oh yeah. Nicole takes Emma somewhere every Saturday and we usually go out to dinner. She actually went back to Seattle to visit some friends of hers."

"And how about you?" CJ asked with a smile. "How are you handling your first holiday season of fatherhood?"

"Pretty well, thank you very much Claudia Jean," he replied. "The tree is set up, the menorah was lit, we did Mass, we did temple, we hung the stockings by the chimney with care, we spun the draddle a few times, we sang every holiday song known to man, and Emma has received more gifts this year than I received throughout my entire childhood. All in all, I say it was a success."

"What was a success?" Donna asked as she rejoined them, minus Emma.

"Our first holidays together," Josh told her. "Where's the child?"

"Playing in oncoming traffic," she quipped, handing him a glass of eggnog. "She's playing with some of the other kids."

"Are any of them Republican?"

"Yes Joshua, she's discussing social security funding and tax exemptions with a fellow five year-old who happens to be a member of the Republican Party."

"You see, you think you're cute when you do the sarcastic, know-it-all thing with me but you're really not."

"Yes I am," she countered before placing a kiss on his lips.

"Okay, so I need to go get drunk right now," CJ moaned, only half kidding. Sam followed her with a smile to the happy couple.

"Man if she can't stand to see us kissing that much, I wonder how she's gonna get through the wedding," Josh deadpanned.

Donna hid her head into his shoulder and started moaning. "No, no, no! Please refrain from using the 'W' word around me right now."

"Ah," Josh said knowingly, rubbing her back. "I take it Marcy, the wedding planner from hell, is still causing you grief."

"I swear that woman was put on this earth to drive me insane," Donna complained. "If it isn't the flowers, it's the cake. If it isn't the invitations, it's the music. If it isn't the ceremony, it's the reception. If it isn't my dress, it's the bridesmaid's dresses. And this wedding is still nine months away; I don't how long I can keep myself from strangling her."

"Well, sounds like a certain bride-to-be is experiencing the joy that is planning a wedding," a voice from behind them proclaimed. Josh and Donna turned to find the President and First Lady standing before them, arm in arm. "Believe me, Donna, I know your pain well," Abbey continued to her, patting her shoulder. "Every bride does, no matter when she got married. It's not easy for any of us, especially since we have to deal with the actual planning without any help from our significant others," she said, eyeing Josh and her husband who both squirmed uncomfortably under her probing stare. The President then cleared his throat sharply.

"Merry Christmas, Donnatella," he said fatherly, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "You look especially lovely this evening."

"Thank you, sir," she said, her cheeks blushing slightly at the President's compliment of her simple sleeveless, red silk, full-length cocktail dress. "Merry Christmas to you as well."

"Thank you," he answered. "Josh, it's good to see you again." He told him, shaking his hand.

"You just saw me this morning, sir, at staff meeting," Josh said confused.

"Well there's press here Josh. I don't want them to think I kept my deputy C.o.S away from his family on Christmas Eve, now do I?" he scolded lightly. The President laughed at Josh's discomfort. "It's Christmas, man, you can lighten up a little tonight. Kiss your future wife, play with your daughter." He looked around them. "Speaking of which, where is the little princess? She came tonight right?" he asked worriedly.

"Of course, sir, she's just playing with some of the other children," Donna informed him.

"None of them are Republican right?" Jed asked seriously. "We don't want her confused at a young age."

"That's exactly what I said," Josh agreed, turning to Donna. "And you think it's just me being me. See even the President of the United States doesn't want our daughter interacting with future Republicans."

"Well that's because your both jackasses," Abbey pointed out good-naturedly. "My goodness, Jed," she shook her head at her husband. "You know you can't spend all of your free time reading stories and playing 'Signing of the Declaration of Independence' with the child."

"And why the hell not?" her husband argued.

"Because her parents might have a problem with you moving their daughter into the White House," she said, gesturing to Josh and Donna.

"Nah, I'm the President. I outrank them in these situations," he winked at them. "So what did she think of her first White House Christmas?"

"She loved the decorations, sir," Josh told them. "I think she was wondering why our place couldn't look like this."

Donna took a sip of her eggnog. "Maybe one day it will," she commented softly.

"What was that, Donna?" the President asked her.

"Nothing, sir," Josh hastily replied. He gave Donna a swift look, silently telling her they'd discuss it later. When Josh had first brought up his political ambitions with her a few months ago, she'd been less than receptive about the idea. They'd argued back and forth about it ever since, neither making much headway. But they had time to make their decisions, it wasn't as if they were going anywhere for four more years.

"I'm going to the powder room," Abbey said, breaking the stallmate. "Donna, would you care to join me?"

"Yes, ma'am," Donna said, handing Josh her drink. She squeezed his free hand as she did so to tell him she wasn't angry with him and left to follow the First Lady, leaving the men alone.

"So how have you been feeling, Donna?" she asked conversationally.

"Very well, thank you, ma'am," she replied as they weaved their way through the crowd, occasionally stopping so Abbey could greet someone. The place was packed by then, with contributors and campaign volunteers. Finally, they reached Abbey's private powder room. She set about touching up her make-up while Donna did a quick check to make sure her hairspray was living up to it's eight-hour promise.

"Has your doctor said anything to you lately?" Abbey continued while applying mascara.

"Nothing important. My cell count is perfectly normal, my organs are functioning precisely as they should, and other than the exhaustion of trying to keep up with a five year-old, I'm wonderful." Donna sighed softly. "I just wish I could find time to get back to work."

Abbey looked at her astounded. "You actually miss all this? The break-neck pace, the long hours, the feeling of never getting anything done?"

"The closeness with my fellow workers, the thrill of victory, the knowledge that I help people in some small way," Donna corrected. "That, I miss very much. But on the flip side, if I was working here…"

"You wouldn't be able to spend as much time with Emma," Abbey finished for her. "I can understand that, even as a devout feminist. Whenever I was on call when the girls were young, I'd always panic when I was paged, certain that something had happened to one of them."

"Do you find it gets easier with age, if you don't mind me asking ma'am?" Donna asked as she sat down on the chaise opposite the mirror so the First Lady could still look at her as she applied the necessary make-up.

"No, it's always hard no matter how old they get or you get," Abbey sighed putting on some light blush. "But that's what makes it worth it. That no matter what difficulties you have in life, you're children are always there for you and vice-versa. There's a different that exists between mother and child that no one can explain or break. They're…"

"Our dreams," Donna cut in. "Our dreams for ourselves, for our future. Anything great we ever dreamed up in our lives, our children are the combination of all of them. Hopes, desires, even our greatest fears, children embody all of them for their parents." Donna looked into the mirror to find Abbey smiling at her. "What is it?"

"You should write a column," the First Lady suggested. "For a magazine or something. All those things you just said, it took me more than thirty years to figure it all out and you summed it up in a few sentences. Now if only public speakers like my husband could take their cues from you."

Donna smiled wistfully. "I've always loved to write," she said softly.

"I know some people. I could make some calls if you're serious. Plus it would allow you to work from home, so you could be with Emma more and any other spawns of Josh that decide to make an appearance." She looked at her curiously as Donna shifted uncomfortably. "Are you two going to have more children?"

"We'd like to," Donna said blushing slightly. "I actually talked to Dr. Flynn about that the other day. He said that while my disease probably won't resurface, it can make conceiving difficult for some people. And I'm not even sure what our future plans are yet so…"

"Is that what you and Josh are fighting about?" Abbey asked bluntly as she retouched her lipstick.

"How'd you know we were fighting ma'am?"

"I saw that look he gave you out there. Jed used to give me those looks when we first married after I said something he found displeasing. It took him all of two weeks to figure out that nothing was going to stop that so he just gave up eventually." She blotted her lips and turned to face Donna. "But back to you, my dear. What's troubling you exactly?"

Donna looked at her carefully, trying to figure out how to ask her question. "Was it worth it, ma'am?" she asked seriously. "Was giving up your privacy, your job, your life, worth fulfilling one of your husband's dreams?"

"Well it wasn't just Jed's dream, it was mine too," Abbey told her, going to sit with her. "Sure, there are parts of this that I hate. I hate my daughters and I being watched by armed guards all day, everyday. I hate that sometimes I have to keep my mouth shut when all I want is to shout from the rooftops. I hate having to pack up and travel on a whim because some idiot Congressmen needs a picture with the President and we need the House back. And I really hate having to be nice to everyone all time on camera. But," she offered Donna a crooked smile, "I know he couldn't have gotten here without me. And that's not ego or anything like that. I know how much he loves me and how much needs me. He wouldn't be able to do this without me and this is what he was born to do. And I know in my heart, if I asked him to, he'd give all this up and live a quiet life on our farm with me." She reached for Donna's hand and gave it a squeeze. "It's worth it because I love him. And that's all the reason I needed."

"Even if you weren't sure that you could handle it? That you weren't sure it was the right life for your children?" Donna asked timidly.

"Donna I'm still not a hundred percent sure I can handle it for another four years," the First Lady answered honestly. "And with the President's illness, I'm even less sure. But a piece of him would die if he couldn't do this. And subsequently, a piece me would die. So I just grin and bear it on the bad days because even one good day here outweighs every bad one. Does that answer your question?"

"I think so," Donna nodded. "For now it least."

"Well if I can just add my two-cents," Abbey said with a smile. "I think Josh would make an excellent President someday. And don't worry, for once, my lips are sealed." She patted Donna's knee affectionately. "Let's get back to this insanity." The two women got up from the chaise slowly. Donna noticed Abbey massaging her forehead briefly.

"Are you all right, ma'am?" she worriedly.

"Oh yes, just a little headache," she assured Donna. "This happens after trying to remember the names of people you've never met and would never wish to meet." She shook it off and smiled. "What I really want to do is go out there and find my middle daughter and her new beau."

"Ellie's seeing someone new?" Donna asked politely as she and Abbey walked back into the party.

"Yes a young man she met when she spent Thanksgiving in Mexico," Abbey explained. "She coerced her agents into not telling us who he is and you can imagine the nervous breakdown this is causing my husband."

Donna grinned knowingly. "I already feel sorry for the first boy that Emma brings home for us to meet. Josh is going to eat him for lunch."

Abbey laughed along with her. "Speaking of eating, remind me to tell you sometime about the meeting Jed and I had with Elizabeth and her first boyfriend. I think that there are still pasta stains from the bowl he threw at the poor boy at the restaurant where we had dinner. CJ!" she declared happily, going over to the Press Secretary. "You look divine tonight. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, ma'am," CJ bent down slightly to hug Abbey.

"Listen have you seen Ellie anywhere tonight? She should have been here by now. Donna and I want to meet this new boyfriend of hers while someone distracts Jed," she told CJ, scanning the room.

CJ looked at Donna and burst out laughing. Donna and Abbey looked at her, mystified. "Are you okay, CJ?" Donna asked.

CJ got herself somewhat under control. "You mean you didn't tell her yet?" CJ asked, looking at Donna and motioning to Abbey.

"Tell her what? I have no clue what you're talking about," Donna replied.

CJ looked at her with wide eyes. "You mean you don't know either?" she asked Donna, shocked. When Donna shook her head, CJ burst into another round of laughter.

"Claudia Jean, how much eggnog have you had tonight?" Abbey asked sternly.

"I am stone-cold sober for once, ma'am," she grinned, raising her glass. "And I think Ellie and her boyfriend are by the tree with Charlie and Zoey."

"Did I hear the words, 'Ellie' and 'boyfriend' in the same sentence?" the President asked, with Leo, Sam, and Josh trailing unenthusiastically behind him. Josh immediately latched onto to Donna's side, smiling at her.

"Yes, sir, they're over by the tree," CJ informed him, still grinning.

"Well, the fun for me finally begins," Jed said, rubbing his hands together. "Please join me and beautiful wife, my friends, as I take down yet another of my daughter's would-be suitors." They all headed over the Christmas tree.

"So what was he lecturing you on while I was gone?" Donna asked intuitively.

Josh groaned lightly at the memory. "A history of mistletoe. I was seriously considering jumping him at one point so the Secret Service would have to physically remove him from me."

Donna giggled quietly. "Have you checked on Emma at all?"

"Yes, she was having a wonderful time doing something with the other kids that the adults could apparently have no knowledge of," Josh said, nuzzling her neck a little. "So I was thinking, when we got home and before Santa comes to visit," he said sexily," I could unwrap my Christmas gift."

"That depends on one thing," Donna said passively.

"And that is?"

"Do I get to unwrap mine?" she grinned at him. He gave her a full watt, dimple-filled grin and leaned in to give her a quick but passionate kiss.

"Urghh," CJ breathed as they broke apart. "Can you guys like not make out every five seconds or would it be too hard?"

"Jealous much, CJ?" Josh shot out.

"Horney much, Joshua?" Leo interjected, knowing it would horrify his deputy. Sure enough, there faces both turned the color of crimson and the group laughed at Josh and Donna's joint embarrassment until they reached the tree.

"Now where the hell are they?" Jed asked impatiently. "I've been waiting for this moment for a week now; I do not want to delay my satisfaction any longer." He looked around the crowded area while everyone else just stood around him. "First person who spots 'em doesn't have to listen me go over the distinctions of the different types of holly," he added while still gazing. At once, everyone else in the group began looking around in earnest with Sam finally being victorious.

"There, there, over there!" Sam said, practically bouncing like a child. "I saw them first, I get to miss a lecture."

"Well you get to miss that lecture, Samuel," Jed replied. "But don't worry, I've got a special one for you just in mind."

"Looking forward to it, sir," Sam sighed defeated. But the President wasn't paying attention to him, he and Abbey were making their way towards Ellie. She was obviously talking with her boyfriend but he was obscured from Jed's view for the moment. Zoey and Charlie were with the couple and the foursome seemed to be having a pleasant time for the moment. Until Jed reached them.

"Eleanor, it's so good to see you sweetie," Jed said just before he got to there. "And who's your friend…?" he trailed off as he got a look at the young man. "I know you, don't I?" he said to him.

"Yes," Abbey agreed with her husband, looking at the handsome, tall, brown-haired boy who had his arm around her daughter's waist. "Aren't you…?"

"T.J.?" Donna gasped from behind them.

"Hey, Bella," he went over to his shocked sister and hugged her. He stepped back and threw his arms up. "Surprise!"

"To say they least," Josh commented, looking from him to Ellie. "How you been, T.J.?" holding out a hand.

"Josh," T.J. nodded curtly at him before turning back to the First Couple. "Mr. President, Dr. Bartlet, it's wonderful to see you again. I'm T.J. Moss, Donna's younger brother. And Ellie's…" he let that statement hang there as he smiled at her.

"Hi Mom, hi Dad," she said hugging her parents. "It's so good to see you again. I've missed you both so much."

"As have we," Abbey told her, having somewhat recovered from her shock. She looked at the happy, young couple again. "Well this was certainly unexpected."

"I'll say," Donna added, a little hurt that her brother hadn't told her of this latest development in his life. "Why didn't you say anything about…?" she gestured to the two of them.

"Told you so," Sam whispered to Leo as the older man slipped him a twenty.

"It was really sudden, Donna," Ellie answered for him. "We met in Mexico last month, we exchanged numbers, and we though that'd be the end. But we just missed each other so much that…" she smiled lovingly at T.J..

"I flow out to see her in Baltimore two weeks ago," he finished. "We've been together all time ever since."

"All the time?" the President questioned giving T.J. a death glare.

The young man swallowed suddenly. "Well, of course not 'all' the time. I mean obviously we're going to have times not together," he stuttered. He was saved when Charlie and Zoey, who had left the group upon the President's arrival, rejoined them.

"You guys have to come see this, it's the cutest thing," Zoey gushed as the directed everyone back to the front. A large group was gathered around in front of the fireplace and they nosed their way through to the front. A makeshift curtain had been set up and a cd played set on a table. Someone popped a cd into the stereo and stepped back.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the young teenage girl said to the crowd, "may I proudly present, 'The Bipartisan Guild of America'." She stepped aside, pressing the "play" button on the CD player. The sounds of the Chipmunks, "Christmas Song" filled the room.

"What's all this?" Donna asked Charlie as she sat down with Josh on one of the sofas.

"Just watch," he told her grinning, pointing to the front.

The makeshift curtains were pulled back to reveal a group of young children. On cue, they started to sing,

Christmas, Christmas
Time is near.
Time for toys and time for cheers.
We've been good
But we can't last.
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast.
Want the plane that loops the loop…

Suddenly, Emma stepped forward and sang loud and clear, "Me, I want a hula hoop," swirling her hips in a hula hoop-like motion. Josh and Donna laughed at how adorable their daughter looked and grinned at each other proudly. The song continued and Emma sang another verse all by herself. When the children finished, the received a roaring amount of applause. Emma ran straight for her parents who wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Did you like it?" she asked them excitedly. "We planned it all by ourselves."

"That was wonderful, honey," Donna told her happily, straightening the child's curly hair.

Josh leaned forward to give her a kiss. "You were amazing. You completely stole the show from everyone else."

She ducked her head shyly and cuddled into her mother. "Daddy, you're being embarrassing with me." Her parents laughed at her response and didn't notice when T.J. appeared behind them. But Emma sure did. "Uncle T.J.!" she shouted, racing up over the couch to hug him. He hoisted her up over his head and brought her down, kissing her face all the way.

"Hey munchkin," he said to her. "Merry Christmas to you. How ya been?"

"I'm great! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Portu…" she struggled to say it.

"Portugal and yes I was, but I decided to come home because I want you to meet someone very special. You wanna go meet her?" Emma nodded her head. "Okay then." T.J. nodded to Josh and Donna as he took Emma back to meet Ellie.

"So what do you think of them?" Josh asked Donna, jerking his head towards T.J. and Ellie while wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

Donna shrugged. "I don't know yet," she told him. "I know that I've never seen him look a girl like that before."

"Maybe he got lucky."

"I know my brother, I'm pretty sure he got lucky at some point." Josh smiled at her double meaning. "I don't know yet, this has been a very interesting day." She yawned quietly.

"Tired?" Josh asked, pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She nodded a little. "Exactly how tired?" he asked as he moved in to discreetly take an earlobe between his teeth.

Donna giggled. "Not that tired."

Later, cuddled under their blankets with Emma tucked safely in her room, they were laying together fooling around a little and listening to Christmas carols over the radio. They were kissing, getting ready for another round of lovemaking, when a surprise bulletin on the radio interrupted them.

"We interrupt this broadcast to bring a startling announcement," the announcer said gravely. Josh and Donna looked at each fearfully as they listened on. "Very late this evening, Abigail Bartlet, the First Lady of the United States, was pronounced dead at the White House Residence by on call doctors. Sources say Mrs. Bartlet developed a severe brain aneurysm…" The announcer continued on but Josh and Donna were too shocked to keep listening. They stared at the radio in mute horror until Josh's cell phone started ringing suddenly. He scrambled out of bed to answer it.

"Hello?" he said hurriedly. "Leo, what's going on? Donna and I just heard on the radio that…"He closed his eyes as Leo repeated the terrible words to him. Josh's eyes lined with tears.

"Oh my God," Donna said, her hand over her mouth, tears already coursing down her cheeks. She glanced over at the clock by the bed as Josh continued to listen in dismay to Leo. It read exactly 12:00 am on the digital clock.

'Merry Christmas' she thought bitterly as she gave into her sorrow.

On to Chapter 6: The Begining is the End that Begins Again
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