Josh POV
"I need you to meet me at my room later. We need to talk. I have a
few ideas." I smile to soften my words, I know she's going to think
we're breaking up. Not that we're officially dating to be breaking
up, but you get my point.
I watch Donna pale and then smile again, only this time it's a fake
smile she's picked up while on the campaign. I walk over to her and
lean in, relishing in the ability to, for now, breathe in her
perfume. Once I'm close enough I whisper,
"I love you, Donnatella. Trust me. Please."
With tears in her eyes, she smiles the smile meant only for me and
heads off. When she is completely out of my view, I casually make my
way over to the person of interest I have in my sights.
"Madeline." I whisper over her shoulder, my face right next to her
ear, my body in her body space. I swallow the smile that is trying to
come over my face at her flinching.
"Josh, we're in the middle of the debate, what do you need?"
"I need you to stop the games when it comes to Donna Moss. Do you
hear me? Stop whatever little plan you've got cooking in your
deviously, maniacal mind or I will. I promise you, you won't like the
way I do it."
She never takes her eyes off the stage but replies with pure venom,
<><><><><><><><><>
Mandy POV
"Politics is all a game, Josh, you know that. Who plays it best,
wins. I intend to win."
Does he really think I'm that stupid? I'm not his blond bimbo of an
assistant.
"You've lost every time you have come up against me. You know how
deadly I can be politically. How do you think I'll react when you're
coming after something of mine on a personal level? Do you really
think I won't bury you?"
"Bury me and ruin your reputation, Josh? Please. This is the only
thing you've wanted to do with your life. You'd throw it all away for
a night with your assistant?"
<><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
"One night, Mandy? Never. Believe me, it would never be just one
night. Let's leave it at this, Mandy. Stop scheming and stay the hell
out of my business."
I turn and walk away. Mandy isn't done with whatever she is planning,
but then again, neither am I.
I watch the rest of the debate. He nails the 90 second response on
Social Security, and finally, I think the world can see why Josiah
Bartlet needs to be President.
As the debate ends, I strangely see Mandy watching Donna again. I fix
her with a glare and she steps away, but not before smirking at me.
Something is up with that woman. Pure evil, she's pure evil.
<><><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin. Josh wants to see me
later, and I have this nagging feeling in my gut that he's going to
tell me whatever is going on between us can't happen. After tonight,
I'm almost completely certain that the Governor will win the White
House. I'm terrified of what that is going to do to Josh and me. We
both want to work in the White House, but it's Josh's dream. I can
walk away from it, if it will help him. He can't, and I understand
that.
And can I just ask what the hell is going on with certain people?
Mandy stares at me like she's calculating something. John Hoynes
corners me last night under some pre-conceived notion that I'm going
to sleep with him, and Josh gets all protective and signs us into a
hotel under a fake name, paying cash, and doesn't seem to know that I
know he had a meeting with the Vice Presidential nominee tonight.
I have to meet Josh at his room. He wants to talk. How we're going to
talk with Sam there, I haven't figured out, but I have to get moving
if I want to not look like I'm rushing or doing something suspicious.
Politics is about perception. What could all these political players
I'm surrounded by perceive about me?
<><><><><><><><><>
Leo POV
The debate was a raging success. Jed has to win after this debate.
There is no way the public won't see that. This rag tag team I've put
together, albeit with Josh's help, has turned this dark horse
candidacy around.
I finger the letter in my pocket and realize that Josh needs to read
this tonight before anything goes any further. Noah was one of my
best friends and I promised him I'd look out for Josh when Josh came
to work in the District.
I approach the door to the room Josh and Sam share and with a slight
hesitation, I wait a second before knocking. I know Josh is
disappointed that he had to find me drunk. More importantly, he's
disappointed I drank in the first place. Josh needs to find a balance
in his life. Granted this is the campaign for the Presidency, but
when it's over, it's over. We either win or we pack up our toys and
go home to figure out the next game.
Donna is good for him. He loves her, that much is certain. Josh will
never admit that to me, but I know. I'd have to be a fool not to
know. Josh looks at Donna very much how I look at Jenny and Noah
looked at Elise. He is definitely his father's son, and he's found in
Donna what Noah and Elise prayed he'd find for all the years since
they lost Joanie. They hoped Joshua would finally be able to overcome
losing his big sister so tragically. I watch Josh watch Donna and
know their prayers have been answered.
With a deep breath of courage, I knock on the door. I hear scrabbling
behind the door, and when it opens, I see Josh, definitely not
expecting me and Donna sitting in the chair by the table trying to
stop the tears.
<><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
Leo is standing outside my door, and Donna is crying in the chair.
What a scene this is going to make. Donna didn't even say anything
when she got here. She just busted into my room, sat down, and
started crying.
I think the stress is getting to all of us. I watch Leo walk into the
room and see the toll it's taken on him. For him to go back to the
bottle, after rehab and being sober for so long, this has to be bad.
"Leo, what can I do for you?"
<><><><><><><><><>
Leo POV
"You can explain to me what knucklehead thing you said or did to
cause Donna to be crying like this!"
Okay. So that was louder than it needed to be, but Josh has to know I
won't tolerate him causing Donna to cry. Quietly, I hear a soft voice
from Donna,
"Leo, it's fine, Josh didn't do anything. I've just been a bit
stressed and quite tired. I apologize."
These kids. These kids who are going to get Jed Bartlet elected are
going to drive me into an early grave. I turn to face Donna and with
a smile on my face I ask,
"Donna, are you sure? Because I know people. I can have him taken out
to the alley and kicked around."
<><><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
Leo's comment makes me giggle.
"I'm positive, Leo. I'm sorry you had to see me like this."
"Nonsense, Donna. Josh has seen me in far worse conditions."
I see a flash of recognition from Josh and realize Leo speaks the
truth.
<><><><><><><><>><>
Josh POV
"Leo, was there something you needed? Something I can do for you?"
There's a reason why he's here, and I'd really like that to become
evident, so I can go back to my conversation with Donna before Sam
comes back.
"I came to give you this." I hear him begin.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Leo POV
I pull the letter from my jacket pocket and hand it to Josh. I see
the emotion cross over his face as he looks down and sees his
father's handwriting on the front of the envelope.
"Noah asked me to give you this when the time was right. I can't
think of a better time. I'll leave you to read it. Donna, get some
rest and don't let Josh work you too hard tonight."
I walk over to her and momentarily wrap my arms around her. I think
she could use a father figure right now, and I'm about the only one
that can remotely handle that task at this time. I feel Donna lean
against me for just a second, and I take that opportunity to whisper
in her ear,
"He's going to need you after reading that letter. Be there for him.
The way you were when we sent you to Connecticut with him."
She nods and I pull away.
"Josh, remember something for me, please?"
"Sure, Leo"
"You've found the real thing."
I hope he knows I don't mean Jed at the moment. I smile at him and
then look to Donna. I offer my silent blessing. It's going to be hell
when we get to the White House, but we'll figure it out. I turn to
leave and stop to look back.
"You're a good girl, Donna." At that, she smiles and nods.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
I sit on the edge of the bed to read the letter and my hands tremble.
Dear Joshua,
I sat in my chemo session today and started to think about all the
things we've never talked about. For all our conversations over the
years, I wonder if you know things I've never said.
Things that are so important. Like remembering that you need to look
at the whole picture before you jump into something head first. Then
again, you didn't really do that with the Bartlet for America
campaign. Though, I think that was because of Leo. You'd follow him
to the ends of the earth, if only because he's an old friend of mine.
You've tried to emulate Leo for a while. I hope only his best
qualities will you follow. You know he is a damaged and broken man.
He's still one of the best men I know. We do not judge people by how
many times they fall down, but rather, by how many times they fight
to get back up. I hope though, that you will find happiness he never
found. Not in politics, but in life.
You will go far, my precious son, in politics, and you will live an
incredible public life. I want to be certain you also live an
incredible personal life. There is life outside your work. You need
to remember that and cultivate it. Your mother and I have prayed for
you to find someone to settle down with. There is no greater joy in
life than the love of a good woman and amazing children. I know of
what I speak. I have been most fortunate to be in love with your
mother since the moment I met her, and I was incredibly blessed with
two amazing children.
Now, Joshua, this is not the Jewish guilt plug for grandchildren,
though they *would* be a blessing. We know how devastated you were
losing Joanie. How you put up a wall around yourself, threw yourself
into school and clubs and politics even in high school. You went to
Harvard and Yale, and no two parents could be more proud than your
mother and I. But there were times we couldn't reach you. There were
times we didn't know what to say, do, or feel to help you.
It pains me to know I won't be with you to tell you these things. I
hope you know the agony I feel in writing this letter to you, rather
than telling you these things when the moment is right. I am
entrusting this letter to Leo, for he will spend the most time with
you and will know when the moment is right.
It is cliché to say I won't be there with you, but I know I won't.
Don't tell your mother. I just know I won't be there for all the
times you are going to need your father. She keeps talking about
fighting the cancer and beating it. You get your indomitable spirit
from her.
I won't get to see you get married, nor will I have the chance to
meet my grandchildren. I will, however, be forever grateful that I've
met the woman who will keep you safe, protect your heart and loves
you enough to scale the wall to meet you on the other side. I may not
have met her in person but in the times I've spoken with her on the
phone, I am certain she is your `one'. She is next to you, Joshua.
When you see her standing next to you, don't waste another second.
Grab her hand and drag her to the closest judge. It may not be the
romantic, pretty, frilly wedding women love, but that can come later.
Do whatever you need to do to not let her go. You have my blessing
and you have your mothers, as well.
I love you, Joshua. More than you will ever know until you have
children of your own. Be happy, be fulfilled, be well. But most of
all, be loved.
Love,
Dad
<><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
Josh is sitting there, holding the letter Leo gave him with tears
streaming down his face. I approach him, and he pulls me into a tight
embrace. I don't know what the letter said, but I know I need to
comfort him. Not because of what Leo said or how he is reacting right
now, but because I love him and he needs me.
<><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
I hold Donna as close to me as I can, my father's words, his voice,
echoing in my head. I know what I need to do.
"Donna, I need a laptop that can connect to the internet."
She stiffens in my arms for a moment, not understanding me. Pulling
back, she searches my face for the reason, and when she doesn't find
one, she eases away from me, stands up and speaks softly,
<><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
"I'll be right back. I'm sure I can snag one from the war room."
What in the hell does he want a laptop for? One minute he's crying;
and the next, he's asking me for technological equipment.
<><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
Okay. So, we're in St. Louis. Who do we know that I can call in a
favor? I need the laptop so I can find out the requirements, but I
know I'm going to need a favor from someone.
In walks Donna with the computer.
"Donna, can you connect it for me? I'm useless."
She smiles at me and nods as she moves to the desk to plug it in to
the data port. When she's done tapping at the keyboard, she stands,
motions me over and moves to sit on the bed. Sam comes into the room,
pulls casual clothing from his suitcase, and heads to the bathroom
without so much as a hello. I know he's stressed, but rarely is he
this rude. As he steps out of the bathroom, having changed into jeans
and a sweater, he looks at the scene before him and begins to talk to
Donna about the debate.
I impatiently do a web search for the regulations I'm looking for,
and when I find them, I smile. Snapping the laptop cover closed, I
stand and say,
"I need an hour – where will you be, Donna?"
Startled she looks at me and says,
"Wherever I need to be Josh."
"Meet me in the lobby in one hour."
<><><><><><><><>
Sam POV
Something weird is going on with Josh. I've decided to stay out of it
for now, but eventually, I'm going to have to tell him what I know
about Mandy telling John Hoynes about Donna.
Donna looks perplexed at Josh's leaving.
"What's up with Josh?"
<><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
Well that's just the million dollar question, isn't it?
"Sam, I haven't a clue."
I stand up and move towards the door. I have an hour to figure out
what is going on with Josh.
"I have to meet him in an hour; I should go get some stuff done."
<><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
I make my way to Leo's room. I need to confirm the look he gave me
before.
Before I knock, I take stock of what is rattling around in my brain.
What I figured out, but surprisingly, already knew down to my core.
Okay. I can do this. I raise my arm to knock and hear Leo opening the
door.
"Hey, Kid, you doing okay?"
<><><><><><><><><>
Leo POV
I have to be certain he's okay before this goes any further. Noah's
letter had to hit him hard at a time when he's running on fumes.
"Fine Leo, I mean, reading that letter was one of the hardest things
I've had to do, but you're right, it was the right time. Listen, I
need to ask you something."
Here it comes,
"Sure, Josh, one thing first though. I received a letter from your
father, as well. I'd be happy to share it with you, if you want to
read it. But the upshot of it was him asking me to make sure you
found the balance in your life that I never found. He desperately
didn't want you to turn into me, well at least not the weak parts of
me."
I can't really face Josh and say these things to him. It's hard
enough to look in the mirror each day and reaffirm that I'm an
alcoholic, but to have to admit them to Josh, who has looked up to me
and whom I've tried to take under my wing, is downright painful. Noah
entrusted his son to me. I won't let him down or break his trust.
I face Josh and am stunned by his response…
<><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
"Leo, you are one of the strongest men I've known. My father's letter
was gut wrenching for me to read. Yes, he wants me to find balance,
and that is what I'm here about."
I start to pace, it's the only way I'm going to get this out.
"You said I'd found the real thing."
"You have, Josh."
He stares at me and wordlessly conveys what I need to know.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Leo POV
Ah yes, there's the flicker of acknowledgment. He finally understands
that I'm serious.
"Josh, you've found the real thing. The only question is what are you
going to do about it?"
Come on, Kid, don't let me down on this one.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
"Donna and I will be back in the war room about 11am. We have a
meeting off site."
Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a patented Leo McGarry semi-smirk
and a nod. Now, to convince Donna. A calm discussion should help the
situation, then we can come back to the war room and buckle down.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Leo POV
Thank God! I thought I was going to have to spell it out for him. I
reach into my pocket and pull out a piece of paper.
"You'll need this. Make sure you see Geraldine, she'll know how to
help."
He's flummoxed. Totally flummoxed… I love keeping him on his toes.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
I look at the paper Leo handed me and smile. He thought of
everything.
"Thank you, Leo."
I make to leave and hear him say softly,
"Balance Josh. Balance."
I nod and leave Leo's room. I've got to get to the lobby to meet
Donna.
<><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
I've hung around Josh too long. I'm pacing.
FINALLY! There he is.
"Josh, where were you? What is going on? Why did you disappear like
that?"
"Do you trust me, Donna?"
WHAT? Now he asks me this?
"Josh, of course I trust you."
<><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
"Tomorrow morning, meet me down here at 8:45. Please?"
I watch her think for a moment before answering.
"Okay, but why?"
"I can't tell you. But if you trust me, please just meet me here. We
have a meeting off site."
"Okay, Josh, I trust you. You know that. I'll meet you."
I let out a sigh. Thank God. In a whisper I reply,
"I love you, Donna. Nothing will ever change that."
She tears up, and I know she doesn't understand this all. I need her
to have faith in me till tomorrow when I can sit calmly, away from
the campaign and explain it all to her.
"I love you too, Josh."
At that, she turns and walks away from me. To sleep hopefully, but I
doubt she'll get any.
<><><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
I haven't slept a wink, and I have what is amounting to a very
important meeting away from the campaigns offices here at the hotel.
I make my way to the lobby and see Josh pacing while speaking on his
cell phone. He is a sight to behold. Always in motion, always
thinking, always planning.
Today's meeting must be important, if he's already going. He sees me
approach and for just a second, his breathing stops. Then, he smiles
the glorious smile I know is only for me. Josh's face is extremely
expressive. This morning is no different. His dimples dig deep into
his cheeks, his eyes glisten and his body takes on a different
stance.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
She's here!
She's here!!
I can barely control my glee! Okay, yeah, that sounded very much like
Sam, but it really wasn't.
I tell the person I'm talking to that I have to go, and disconnect
the call. Walking over to Donna, I can see her set for whatever today
entails.
Won't she be surprised?
"Good Morning, Donnatella."
"Good Morning, Joshua."
"The car is ready and waiting outside."
Ah, she didn't think we'd be taking a car…
<><><><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
We're taking a car? Who the hell are we meeting with?
"Well, then we should go."
The sooner we get to this meeting, the more I'll know.
Josh waves his arm to beckon me ahead of him. Once we're in the car,
there is a volunteer driving us, and I watch as Josh turns to face
me. Obviously, the volunteer knows where we're going.
"Donna, can I ask you something?"
He's asking if he can ask me something?
"Sure, Josh."
<><><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
"When you asked me how things with us were going to be, when you were
afraid we wouldn't make it, that things would end badly, what were
you really hoping?"
I watch her eyes and have the answer without her speaking a word.
"I wanted things to work between us. There's an undeniable connection
between us. There's just something about us. Not who we are
politically, but who we are personally. I wanted this to work. No,
correction, I want this thing between us to work, and I desperately
need it to work."
I smile at her and lean forward to kiss her. The car pulls to a stop
outside a small group of stores. The volunteer gets out and leaves us
alone as I had requested. She looks around confused both at our
location and my actions. I hold her hand with one of my and cup her
cheek with my other.
"I need this to work between us, as well. Leo told us last night that
I'd found the real thing before he handed me that letter from my
father. My father's letter told me so much, so much I want to share
with you when we have time, but for right now, there is one thing I
need to share with you. My father told me he was very happy he'd had
the chance to meet you. Though he didn't mention you by name, he did
tell me that he was glad he met the woman who loved me, protected me,
and supported me. He told me when I saw you next to me, I should hold
on and do whatever I had to do to not let you go."
I take a breath and see the tears start to slowly fall. Donna still
looks confused.
"So I'm following my father's advice. And Leo's, too. This isn't
perfect, Donna, this isn't as special as it should be. As special as
you deserve. I love you. I need this to work. I want there to be no
question in your mind about my feelings for you. I want there to be
no question to anyone else in the world who I belong to and who
belongs to me. I'm a jealous man at times. I'm challenging and
difficult at the best of times. Can you really deal with all of that?"
I watch her nod at me and I continue,
"Will you do something for me? Will you marry me? Will you belong to
me and let me belong to you? Will you deal with me, protect me,
support me and keep me safe? Will you love me and let me love you?
Will you be my real thing? Will you be my wife?"
<><><><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
OH MY GOD
OH MY GOD
Breathe, please let me breathe.
I listen to Josh, so eloquent and so composed. This is the Josh I
wish others could see, but I'm grateful for being the privileged one
he shares this side of himself with.
He's watching me, waiting for an answer. With a shuddering breath and
a modicum of control of my tears I reply,
"Yes." I wrap my arms around his neck and land solidly in his
embrace.
<><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
I can't believe she said yes. I'm holding her and pull back slightly
to kiss her. I'm kissing my soon to be wife. Sooner than she thinks.
"Donna, much as I adore the current activities, we need to do a few
things before we get back to the campaign."
I move to pull her out of the car with me and she looks even more
confused as I walk towards the stores.
Then it hits her.
<><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
Oh my God! Okay, so that's the mantra of the day. Josh is pulling me
towards the stores in front of us and when I look up, I see a man in
the doorway smiling at us.
Then I look up and see the sign,
"La Gravinese Jewelers"
<><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
"Donna, we don't have much time. Let's move, please."
I have to break her from this trance she's in. I need to get her in
this store, get what we need, and get moving. We've got a man to get
elected President.
As we approach the door, the man steps forward and greets us,
"Mr. Lyman? I'm Peter, please come in."
I hold the door for Donna to step through and follow her into the
store.
Standing in the store, I am taken by the silence that envelopes us.
Peter is moving towards the case with the rings, and I turn to Donna.
"Donna, this isn't traditional. I need you to know I understand that.
We have one more appointment this morning. When we get to DC, I will,
I swear, buy you any diamond engagement ring you want. For now, I
need you to pick out a band. Preferably, one that will go with a band
for me."
<><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
A band? Did I hear that right?
"A band?"
"Yes, Donna, a band. Our next stop is the courthouse. I would love us
to have enough time to plan your dream wedding, but we're going to
have to let you do that after we get the Governor elected President."
Okay. That seems reasonable.
Or not.
I walk to the case with the rings and look at all the beautiful
rings. A platinum band, engraved with two vines separate at one point
and then intertwining. So much like Josh and I. We were separate
individuals until we met on the campaign and came together.
I point to the ring and say,
"That one, please."
Peter removes the ring from the case handing it to Josh. Josh slides
it on my finger and shockingly it fits perfectly. I look down at it,
holding my hand out and look up at Josh.
"This one. This is it."
<><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
She's certain. I can see it in her eyes. I look at the ring, I look
at the love in her eyes, and I look into the case. There's a matching
ring for me. I point to it and Peter removes it from the case.
I motion to him to hand it to Donna. She takes it from him and slips
it on my finger. It will need to be sized but Peter assures us it
won't take but a few minutes.
Before he moves to size the ring, I stop him.
"Two chains, Peter."
"Chains, Mr. Lyman?"
"We won't be able to wear the rings on our hands after this morning
until after the election."
I look at Donna sheepishly. How horrible am I?
I propose in a car. I am taking her to a courthouse to get married,
and now I'm telling her she can't wear her ring until after the
election?
<><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
"You're right, Josh. So since the bands are platinum, let's look for
some white gold necklaces."
There is no sense in letting Josh's guilt eat at him. So I can't wear
my ring or tell anyone for a few days. I'm marrying Josh and that
makes it all okay.
"I love you, Josh, I don't need to wear my ring on my finger to be
your wife."
Ah the dimples.
My dimples.
<><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
Half an hour later, we're back in the car. The volunteer is driving
us to the courthouse, and I remember Geraldine's number from the
paper Leo handed me. I pull it out and dial my cell phone. When she
picks up I begin,
"Geraldine, good morning. My name is Josh Lyman and Leo McGarry gave
me your phone number. Yes, yes, ma'am. Courtroom number four. Yes,
okay. I've got it. Thank you, very much."
I close the phone and realize that courtroom number four is where
Donnatella Moss becomes Donnatella Lyman and I become Donnatella's
husband.
<><><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
We're standing in the courtroom, Geraldine is our witness and the
judge is marrying us. This is, by far, not the wedding I dreamed of
when I was a little girl and my Barbies got married.
As I look at Josh, I realize there is something very right about
this. My soul, which had been in such turmoil since he and CJ picked
me up at the emergency room that night, is finally calm. My heart is
full.
He loves me and I love him. As Leo would say, the rest is crap.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
I'm watching Donna as the judge is marrying us, and I can't imagine a
more perfect setting. Yes, we'll have the whole enormous party when
Donna finally has a chance to plan it. I want her to have her dreams,
no matter how large or small.
She is, quite literally, my other half. We fit together. I don't know
if I ever thought about getting married, but if I did, I think I
presumed I'd be freaking out.
Instead, I am at peace as the judge asks me,
"Joshua Lyman, do you take Donnatella Moss to be your lawfully wedded
wife?"
I look directly at Donna so she can see the depth of my emotion as I
reply,
"I do."
I listen as he asks Donna the same question,
<><><><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
"Donnatella Moss, do you take Joshua Lyman to be your lawfully wedded
husband?"
My eyes haven't moved from Josh since we walked in the room. I
squeeze his hands and quietly reply,
"I do."
I watch as Josh closes his eyes and let's out a breath. Did he think
I'd say no?
<><><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
Thank God! She said I do. I know, I know, it's irrational to think
she wouldn't say yes. But to hear those words, there is nothing like
it. We exchange rings and for a brief moment I want to tell Donna to
screw the world and wear her ring. I just know we can't.
I finally hear the Judge say,
"By the powers vested in me by the state of Missouri, I now pronounce
you husband and wife. Mr. Lyman, you may kiss your bride."
Well now, you don't have to tell me twice!
I wrap my arms around Donna and kiss her breathless. The judge and
Geraldine are smiling when we come up for air and they hand me our
marriage certificate.
<><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
Well, we did it, we're married. How Josh got around the three day
waiting period, I'll never know, but I guess Geraldine owed Leo a
favor. We're in the car back to the hotel, and I take from my purse
the box holding the chain. Sadly, I remove my ring from my finger and
slip it on the chain. Then I fasten the chain around my neck,
dropping it under my blouse.
I watch Josh do the same with his, and I can see the sadness in his
eyes.
"It'll be fine Josh. It's just a few days."
<><><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
God, how I love this woman!
"I know, it's just…"
She looks at me and says,
"Yeah, I know, believe me, I know."
I laugh a bit and Donna turns back towards me quizzically. We're
about a block from the hotel, and I ask the volunteer to let us out
here. We'll walk back. I need time with my wife.
My wife.
My.
Wife.
I look to the heavens, as the car pulls away and I smile. `You'd be
proud, dad.'
"Donnatella, I need you to know some things. Please hear me out."
She nods and looks at me seriously.
"When things clicked in my head last night, I couldn't wait another
second to marry you. If the courthouse had been opened, I'd have
dragged you down there right then. We had to wait till morning, and
maybe that was a good thing. Things between us have been crazy since
you and I first met. We've been running on all cylinders due to the
campaign. Mandy made a nasty comment about you and me last night that
I was looking for a one night stand with you. I told her she was
wrong. That it could never be just one night. And it couldn't be. I
need a lifetime to love you the way you deserve to be loved."
Now to admit what I'm not so proud of.
"I needed to marry you before Election Day, so you'd know I was
serious that I love you and can't imagine my life without you.
Politics, and all that goes with it, takes a second place position
when it comes to you. If we win, if we go to the White House,
sometimes that may not always be possible, but I need you to know you
will always be my priority. My father's letter to me said I needed to
find a balance and to live an incredible personal life. With you, I
find my balance and with you my personal life is worth living."
And it gets worse,
"John Hoynes told me, when I confronted him the other night about you
that only jealous husbands were enough to keep women off limits to
him. I can be a very jealous man, Donna. I'll bury him politically
before I let him near you again, do you understand me?"
<><><><><><><><>
Donna POV
"Josh, you didn't marry me to keep John Hoynes away from me did you?"
I know that's not the case, but I need to hear it from him.
"No, I didn't. You know that. Deep down, you know that. If he so much
as thinks about you I will show him just how jealous I can be. You
are my wife. You are my priority, you are my everything."
The tears are just streaming down my face and Josh stops our slow
walk to dry my eyes with his thumbs. Taking his hand, I kiss him
softly and lean into his touch. I hear him whisper in my ear,
<><><><><><><><><>
Josh POV
"Let's go get the Governor elected President, Mrs. Lyman."
TBC