Disclaimer: Not mine…they belong to Sorkin and Wells.
Notes: Ok guys, this is totally unplanned, un beta'd fluff. I went to see The Washington Ballet today and this just wrote itself. The whole Washington theme thing is true, right down to the dancing cherry blossoms. It just seemed something that Donna would enjoy, soooo… Anyway, hope you like it! Feedback would make an awesome present. I wish you all happy and safe holidays.
"Wasn't that just fabulous?"
Donna is enthused. I took her, or rather she persuaded and wheedled me into taking her, to a performance of The Nutcracker by The Washington Ballet. So now, she is floating, I don't know, somewhere, and all I really want is to get out of the cold wind.
Although watching her all happy is nice, too.
She grabs my hand. "Dance with me, Josh."
"Are you kidding? It's, like, two degrees out here. And I am not waltzing up the DC sidewalks. No, not happening."
"Josh, please?" She pouts.
I remain resolute. "Nope."
"Fine. Scrooge," she mutters.
"Hey! I came, didn't I? That's a lot, for me."
"You know you liked it, Josh. It had a Washington theme. They had dancing cherry blossoms."
"My life's ambition is now fulfilled. I don't know how I've survived this long without dancing cherry blossoms."
She smacks my arm. "Shut up, Josh." Her eyes get this faraway look to them. "I always wanted to be Clara," she says dreamily. She does this little pirouette thingy.
She is just too darn cute.
I've always loved The Nutcracker. My father took me to see it for the first time in Chicago, when I was six, just the two of us. I had on this green velvet dress and a ribbon in my hair and I felt like a princess. I can still remember being snuggled up against my father's wool coat as he carried me from the theatre. I've never felt so secure in my life. There's something magical about moments like that. All around us today, little girls were dressed up, going to the ballet with their fathers. It just made me so happy. And a little wistful. I miss being six sometimes.
But now I have Josh. Who looks rather debonair, by the way. I have always found the "Washington Winter" look favored by politicos to be very sexy, if carried off properly, and Josh is one of those chosen few.
Except, his nose is red. Which is just plain adorable. Even his whining is rather endearing, although I would never tell him that. Besides, right now I am having dreams of being a prima ballerina, uncooperative prince or no. Josh'll hold a minute or two.
"I think I would have made an excellent ballerina," I muse. "I do, after all, have the build for it. Thing is, I was rather gawky and clumsy for a time, there. Unfortunately I haven't always been as graceful as I am now."
Josh bites back a snort, and I glare at him. He's grinning, though, with dimples, so I know he's just poking fun for appearance's sake.
"If I could only find my prince I'd be at least partway there." I sigh dramatically.
Josh holds out his hand. "Come here, Clara." I stand close to him, and he wraps his arms around me. "I know of at least one prince who would be honored to escort you home, unworthy as he may seem."
I think I might be crying. Just a little. "I accept." I kiss his nose, and his cheeks, and his mouth. I can taste the frosty air and smell his cologne, and his coat is warm and cozy, and his hands are warm, and everything just feels right.
While it would be nice to be six again, I think I'll stay right here.