A/N: Here's the final chapter! Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed, and favorited this story! I hope to have more to write in the future, but I may take a bit of a break, just because I don't want to use up all of my ideas in six months and not have anything to write again. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this last bit of this story and how I wrap it up. Please read and review!

Chapter 15: Tomorrow (November 2006-January 2007)

It's the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and I'm anxiously waiting for Mom to pick me up from school. Last night, she and Josh returned from their impromptu vacation from Hawaii. I can't wait to hear what's going to happen with them now. I bounce on my heels with my backpack in front of the school building, as she pulls up to the curb.

Hey, sweetie! Mom signs as I climb in the car. Something looks different about Mom. I take a careful look at Mom, and I smile despite myself.

She looks good-no, actually, great. She has a slight tan, which she probably got from the Hawaiian sun. Her hair is pulled back for the first time in a long time that I remember. Her eyes are sparkling with pleasure. But most importantly, she looks relaxed. Relaxed and another word that I can't think of right now. Wait, content. That's it. For the first time in a long time, my mom looks content with her life. My tiny smile has morphed into a full-watt grin. Mom literally looks as if the world has been lifted off of her shoulders.

She notices my goofy grin, and signs, What?

You just...you look so happy.

Mom's smile matches mine. She reaches over and pushes my hair behind my ear before responding.

I am. She signs. Very happy.

Does Josh have anything to do with it? I ask. Mom looks away slightly, but I see her blush. I know I have her.

We'll talk about it at home. She replies, and I'm fully content with this answer as we pull away from MSD for the Thanksgiving break.

We decide to forego Thanksgiving with my grandparents in favor of Christmas instead, so as soon as we get home (home being CJ's apartment; she says we can stay as long as we want, but Mom's already looking for another place), Mom makes a menu for our annual Thanksgiving dinner. It's not exactly what someone would call a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but it's our tradition.

As we eat dinner the night before Thanksgiving, Mom tells me everything. How she and Josh aired out their problems and grew closer to one another, all while soaking in all the sun, fun, and romance that the Hawaiian islands have to offer. And, oh yeah, Mom and Josh are officially boyfriend and girlfriend.

I'm not sure how I should take this. I feel a little more comfortable after Mom's reassurance last week, but it's still a big adjustment, and I tell Mom this. She always says honesty is the best policy.

You're right. Mom tells me over pizza. CJ's not home yet, and she thought we should go ahead and eat. She usually makes something for me, but during Transition, I have a feeling I'm going to have to get used to many takeout meals. It's going to be a big adjustment. For all of us. But I have a feeling this is all going to work out for the very best.

She pauses. Honey, there's something I need to ask you about.

I nod. This better be good.

I've been thinking that we can't stay here at CJ's indefinitely. She doesn't know what she's doing after the Administration is over, and it's really too much to ask. Anyway, Josh and I were talking, and he suggested that we take the next step in our relationship.

Which is? Forgive me, but for an 11 year old, I think I've been pretty patient.

What would you think if you and I moved in with Josh?

My eyebrows shoot up. Things must be really moving if Josh asked Mom to move in with him. I don't mind, but there's one thing I have to clear up first.

This is a pretty big step. I sign. Are you sure this is going to go anywhere?

Mom sighs, but smiles at me, reaching for my hand. I would never take this big of a step, unless I was sure this was it.

Is he "the one"? I ask her with a grin.

Mom looks straight at me, places both her hands in front of her, palms out, and moves them both in opposite directions.

Maybe.

Suddenly, without much warning, I jump up from my chair and engulf Mom in a huge hug. I feel Mom hug me back. As we pull apart, she signs, Wait, what was that for?

I knew you would get there eventually. I tell her.

Mom looks surprised and amused. You've been rooting for us this whole time, haven't you?

I nod in confirmation. So, when did you want to move?

Hold on. Mom signs, laughing. Not for a few more days, but I'll tell Josh you're on board.

Can he come to Thanksgiving tomorrow? I ask.

Absolutely. Mom replies with a smile. I can tell she's secretly relieved that I'm so on board with the idea.

...

Thanksgiving is the next day. Mom invites Josh, who in turn invites CJ (kind of a given since it's her place), Charlie, Will, and Sam. Sam politely declines, saying that he'll be spending Thanksgiving with his fiancee's family in North Carolina. And Charlie decides to spend Thanksgiving in New Hampshire with the Bartlets. My next goal is to see how long it takes Zoey and Charlie to get married. But CJ and Will gamely join us for dinner. Will even brings a "plus-one": Kate Harper, the Deputy NSA. We all sit around at CJ's apartment and eat the meal my mom has taken charge of making. I look around the room, very cognizant of the fact that this will probably be the last time we are all gathered together in a social situation before Inauguration.

After Thanksgiving is when things really start moving between my mom and Josh. While I'm at school the week after Thanksgiving, Mom moves all of our stuff, even the stuff at our sublet apartment, over to Josh's place. And this is after she has formally started her job as the incoming First Lady's Chief of Staff.

When Mom drives me to Josh's apartment-no, our apartment now-for the first time, I'm a bit apprehensive. Luckily, as I walk in and see my new bedroom, I feel more at home. It's actually a little larger than my room at our old place, and Mom's already moved all of my things from storage. I spend the remainder of the day setting up my new room-putting on my favorite quilted bedspread that's been mine since I was little, putting up my posters, making the room look homey. Once I finish, I walk out of my room-and I immediately wish I hadn't.

Mom and Josh are sitting on the couch, watching a movie. Well, they were watching it, but now, they're too busy making out to notice it. Or me, apparently.

I roll my eyes subtly. I guess I must have to get used to this. I walk over and tap my mom on the shoulder, and that's all it takes to break the kiss.

Mom turns around, and her face is slightly red. Tori! I didn't know you were out here. Are you done with your room?

Yes. I confirm.

How long have you been standing there?

Not very long. I reply. I eye my mom with suspicion. You don't have to hide your affection for one another, but try to tone it down a little.

I'm sorry, Tori. Josh apologizes, and I immediately feel better. We got carried away, and to be honest, we forgot you were here.

It's OK, Josh. It's something I have to get used to, I guess. I tell him, and I immediately feel guilty. I don't want them to feel like they can't have a private life because I might walk in.

My mom smiles, and touches my hand. We'll try not to do that again.

I nod, then ask, Is dinner ready?

What do you say we go out to eat? Might be my last chance before the Secret Service takes over. Josh wants to know.

I'd love to! I sign. Josh always seems to know exactly what to say to make feel better. He's almost like my father.

...

The next two months fly by quickly. Transition continues, and my mom and Josh both fill out their staff. Annabeth and Lou, who I both liked from the campaign, are going to be working on the East and West Wing staff, respectively. Annabeth will be working under Mom as the First Lady's Press Secretary, while Lou will be the new White House Communications Director-Toby's old job. I often wonder about Toby. Even though nobody can really talk to him, I wonder how he's doing. But back to the Staff. Josh will be Chief of Staff to the President-Elect, of course. And even Ronna, who was the only person on the campaign besides Mrs. Santos to really know ASL, is going to be the President's new secretary-the new Mrs. Landingham. It's funny, I haven't thought about Mrs. Landingham in 5 years.

Time flies, and before I know it, it's the night before the Inauguration. The President-Elect has kicked everyone out of the offices, demanding that we all get a good night's sleep before tomorrow. I got lucky: this year, Inauguration Day is on a Saturday, so I can be there. I sit on my bed, reflecting about my life. I will be 12 next month. I'm doing well in school. Mom and Josh seem to be hurtling along in their relationship. And Josh was even able to kind of win over my grandparents at Christmas. I didn't have the nerve to tell him that he won them over the second he started treating me like his own.

I'm doing my homework when my door opens. I rigged it so that a light will flicker when someone opens the door. I turn around to see Josh.

Hi, Josh. I sign to him. Where's Mom?

She went to the store. He explains. She wanted to make sure the fridge was stocked up, since we're going to be pretty busy this weekend.

He hesitates. I can tell he's nervous about something. Can I talk to you about something?

Sure. What's up? I respond. He pulls up a chair and sits down.

You're the closest person to your mom, right? He asks.

Yes. I reply, slightly confused.

Well, then I want to ask you something. He pulls something out of his pocket. I realize it's a small black box. A ring box. I gasp.

He puts the box down on the desk and finishes his thought. Do I have your permission to ask your mom to marry me?

My mouth remains open. This is the moment I've been waiting for since the day we walked back into the Santos campaign headquarters. So many thoughts go through my head. But the one thought that keeps recurring is: Yes! I've been waiting for this day my whole life. I can't believe he's asking me.

Some instinct reminds me that Josh is still waiting for me to answer. I smile and nod energetically.

Yes! I sign. Of course you can ask Mom to marry you.

He grins widely. Do you want to see the ring?

I nod. He opens the box and shows me an elegant diamond and sapphire ring. Mom's going to love this!

She's going to love it! I tell him. When are you going to ask her?

Well, how about tomorrow night at the Inaugural Ball?

I grin. That'll be so romantic! I pause. There's something that's been on my mind for a while now. And I think now is the perfect time to do something about it.

Josh?

Yeah, kid? He responds.

I've been thinking about something. And I want to ask you.

Okay, shoot.

I want to give you a new name sign.

Okay. He says, confused.

My hands trembling, I take my outstretched hand and point my thumb to my forehead.

"Dad." He repeats to himself. I read his lips. He starts signing again. Tori, are you sure?

More sure than I've ever been in my life. I sign. You've always been a dad to me, and now you're going to marry Mom. I may as well make it official, if only in name.

He doesn't say anything at first, but then signs, Tori, I want nothing more than for you to call me Dad. He holds out his arms, and I fly into them. It's a beautiful moment, one that I want to last forever.

…

I don't have a ticket, so I stay in the White House with Will during the Inauguration. Nobody seems to mind. I watch proudly on TV as President-Elect Santos-the man my parents believed in enough to get him elected-is sworn as the next President of the United States. The first day slides by, and soon it's time for the Balls. I can barely contain my excitement-not just for attending the balls (Mom bought me a new peach-colored gown for the occasion) but for what will happen during them.

As it turns out, Josh doesn't do a flashy proposal. He just leads Mom out onto the patio of the hotel during a quiet moment in the second ball and drops to one knee. When I see Mom and Josh (er, Dad) slip out, I follow them and watch from a corner. She says yes, of course, and the rest of the evening is spent celebrating both the Inauguration and my parents' new engagement.

They get married that summer, in an intimate ceremony in the Rose Garden. I proudly walk down the aisle as my mom's bridesmaid. And as President Bartlet pronounces them husband and wife, I cannot help but grin wildly. This was well worth waiting for.

A/N: And there's my story! I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was a little bit different, but I loved bringing this OC to life. Please let me know what you thought!