When the alarm goes off at 6 am, Josh is wide awake and ready to go. Today is the first day of the rest of his life. He hops out of bed, jumps into the shower and sings to himself. He can't remember feeling this happy in years. Sure, he was happy when Jed Bartlet won the nomination, and then the Presidency, and there have been moments of happiness in the mean time. But this right here, dare he say it, it's the happiest he's ever been.
He normally really doesn't think twice about his clothes, but today he makes sure he pulls out his nicest pair of blue jeans, and a blue sweater his Mother gave him for Hanukkah a few years ago. Last time he wore it, Donna said he looked nice.
He brushes his hair and gives himself a once over in the mirror, smiling. He feels good.
He grabs his keys and heads out to his car. First stop, Baked & Wired. He pulls into the parking lot, hopes out of the car, skips up to the door and tries to open it, only to discover that they don't open until 8 on Saturdays.
"Okay, plan B." He mutters to himself. He gets back into the car and heads toward Donna's place. There is a Starbucks on Connecticut Street. Their muffins aren't quite as good, but it'll work. At least they open at 6.
When he's almost there, he has another great idea. He pops into CVS, finds the biggest box he can, and grins to himself as he checks-out.
The clerk gives him a smirk. "I guess you're hoping to impress, huh?"
"Yeah. It's our first date."
"Well, good luck."
Once he's picked up breakfast at Starbucks, he drives over to her place and finds a parking spot. He glances at his watch. It's only 7:15. He told her 8am. Well. That was poor planning. But he's just so excited he couldn't wait. At least he can see her window from here.
He sits there for a few minutes before he caves and starts sippling his coffee. When he's half done, he starts considering drinking Donna's then going back for more. He'll have time. And he might not feel quite as much like a stalker.
His ringing phone interupts his thoughts. He grins when he see's Donna's name on the caller id. But then he has a stab of concern. He really hopes she's not going to cancel.
"Hello?"
"Why are you sitting outside my apartment? Get your ass up here, you crazy man!"
He hangs up, gathers their breakfast, and walks to the door. The damn buzzer is broken, again, but someone has propped the outer door open. He frowns at that. It's really not safe. He kicks the rock out of the threshold and makes sure the door is firmly shut behind him.
When he gets to Donna's door, he starts to shuffle things so he can knock, but before he does, she opens the door with a bright smile.
"Good morning!" She looks amazing. She's wearing tight jeans and a fuzzy blue turtleneck sweater. She's not wearing shoes but she's got fuzzy striped socks on, they're really cute.
"Good morning!" He responds, leaning in and giving her a quick kiss on the lips.
Her smile gets even bigger and he grins in return.
"You're early."
"I couldn't wait. I was too excited." He looks her over again. "It looks like you're ready."
"I couldn't wait either."
They stand there just smiling nervously at each other for a minute. And then Josh breaks the ice.
"I brought us breakfast."
"Oh good!"
He follows her into the kitchen and sets the coffee tray and bag with muffins down on the table in the corner. Her apartment is tiny. But it's clean and well organized. He opens the bag and puts a muffin on a napkin in front of Donna. Then he hands her the cup of coffee with her name on it.
"Venti Cinnamon Dolce Latte and a Banana Nut Muffin."
"Thanks!" She beams at him, realizing that he has been paying attention all this time.
He pulls the blueberry muffin out of the bag for himself and sits down across from her.
They eat in silence for a few minutes, both feeling a little awkward and wondering why. They've eaten many meals with each other. It's never felt weird before.
"So, what's the plan for today?" Donna finally asks.
"There's a museum I thought you'd like . But it turns out it doesn't open until 10."
"Why didn't you just call me and change the time you were picking me up?"
"The same reason I got here 45 minutes early. I want to be with you."
Her smile lights up her face. It's hard to believe this is real. His dimples pop out as he grins back at her. He's pleasantly surprised she's not bugging him about which museum it is. He wants to surprise her.
When they are done with breakfast, he looks at his watch. They still have a few hours before the museum opens.
"Would you like to go walk around the Mall?"
"Sure."
"Get a heavy coat. It's pretty cold outside."
When she's bundled up in a cute pink hat, scarf and gloves, and a down filled winter jacket, he puts his hand in the small of her back and leads her out the door. Then once she's locked up her apartment, he takes her hand. This just feels right.
They get to the car and Josh opens the passenger door for her. As Donna starts to get in, she sees the box sitting on the passenger seat.
"Josh! Did you get those for me?"
"um, yeah." He answers a bit shyly. "I hope you like those kind."
"Doesn't every girl?"
He grins at her and runs around to the driver's side. So far so good. As he starts the car, she's still studying the box.
"I don't know Josh, do you think there's enough here? Didn't they have a bigger box?" She teases.
"Nope. And nothing says I love you more than the biggest heart shaped box of chocolates that you can find at CVS the week after Valentine's day!"
They both laugh. But it hits them at the same time, this is pretty fast for Josh to be using the "L" word. But somehow, it just feels right. And just like that, any nerves that they had about "dating" are gone.
Josh drives over to the Lincoln Memorial and manages to find a parking spot fairly close.
"It must be my lucky day!"
As he says it, he knows it's true. And it has nothing to do with the parking spot. Donna's on a date with him! And she seems to be as happy about it as he is. He really must be the luckiest man alive.
They get out and walk around the Memorial arm in arm. Josh reads all the quotes aloud and the sound of his voice warms Donna's soul. It might sound crazy to anyone else, but she knew from the first day that she'd found a good man. Her parents doubted her, and based on her track record, who could blame them? Her older brother said she was ridiculous for having a crush on her boss. But she knew. This was meant to be.
After the Lincoln Memorial, they make their way through the Vietnam Veterans Memorial toward Constitution Gardens.
"So did anyone in your family serve in the War?" Josh asks her.
"Yeah, my Dad."
"Really?"
"Yeah, he got drafted. He actually married my Mom right before he shipped out. My brother was born 9 months later. My Dad didn't get to meet him until he was almost 2."
"Wow."
"Yeah, he doesn't really talk about it. What about your Dad? Did he serve?"
"Um, no. He was in college, he got a deferment."
They walk a little further and enter Constitution Gardens.
"Have you been here before?" Josh asks as they walk hand in hand down the path toward the little island.
"No." She says quietly. "I haven't had much time for sight-seeing. But I have been to the Museum of Natural History a couple times."
"Well, we're going to make up for that today. This is one of my favorite spots."
They cross over a little wooden bridge and walk up to the Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence. They walk around the stone semi-circle and Josh points out the names of the four signers from Connecticut.
There are only a few people around and they don't seem to be paying any attention to them, so Josh pulls Donna close and wraps his arms around her.
"Are you warm enough?"
"I'm fine."
"Your cheeks are pretty rosy."
"Really, I'm fine."
"You're gorgeous."
He gives her a little kiss and links his arm through hers. "Let's go find some hot chocolate."
They walk along the path through the German-American Friendship Garden, and head towards the Washington Monument. Along the way they stop at a stand and he buys two cups of hot chocolate. He hands one to Donna, then immediately takes a large gulp of his as she screeches-
"Wait!"
"Ow! I burned my tongue! Holy crap that's hot." He whines and makes a face.
"Let me see."
She giggles as he sticks out his tongue, but then she examines it carefully.
"I think you'll live."
"Maybe you should kiss it and make it better?" He asks slyly.
"Good idea." She leans in and gives him a gentle kiss, but he takes his free hand and grasps the back of her head to hold her close and takes the kiss deeper for a few seconds. Reluctantly, he pulls away. They really shouldn't be making out in public.
She's smiling and her eyes are shining. "That was nice."
"Again with the nice. I'm really going to have to work on upping my game here eventually." He jokes. "So have you been up to the top yet?"
"No. I haven't."
"Let's go. The view is amazing."
When they get to the top of the Monument, he wraps his arm around her waist and she leans into him as they look out the window towards the White House. They are both lost in their own thoughts for a few minutes until Donna finally breaks the silence.
"Thanks for bringing me here."
"I should have brought you up here sooner. I can't believe you've been here over two years and it's your first time."
"No I meant, here, to DC. Thanks for giving me a job, and letting me be part of this is amazing adventure. It's just incredible and there are still days where I can't believe I really get to do this."
He turns her so he can look into her eyes. "You earned your spot. You are an incredible asset to this administration. I would have been a fool if I hadn't offered you a position, and I wouldn't be nearly as good at my job without you right beside me. Thank you. For everything."
A few minutes later, they leave the Monument and walk towards the World War II Memorial. Josh has lapsed into silence. He walks quietly through the memorial holding Donna's hand. When they are finished and walking away, he lets out a deep breath.
"Does visiting that bother you?" Donna asks gently.
"No. Not like visiting the Holocaust Museum, but I do feel the need to be respectful. A lot of people gave up their lives to liberate Germany. They saved my family. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them."
She gives his hand a squeeze and walks quietly beside him. They don't have to talk non-stop to enjoy each other's company.
When they get to the next site, she stops them in front of a statue and she reads the sign out loud.
"This memorial honors John Paul Jones, the United States' first naval war hero, father of the United States Navy, the only naval officer to receive a Congressional Gold Medal during the American Revolutionary War, and whose famous quote "I have not yet begun to fight!" was uttered during the Battle of Flamborough Head."
They walk around the Memorial once. Her eyes taking in every detail. This is one of the things he loves about her. She's like a sponge. She loves learning and is always interested in new information. What a shame that she cut her education short to support some gomer who apparently didn't realize what a treasure he had. On the other hand, Thank God! Because if Dr. Freeride hadn't been a loser, Josh wouldn't have this chance.
He leans over and kisses her gently on the lips.
"What was that for?"
"Just because I can."
She leans over and gives him a kiss back. "Just because I can too."
They head down the path towards the car. When they get close to the DC War Memorial, he stops and looks at his watch. Then keeps walking.
"We haven't seen everything yet." She protests, slightly.
"I know, but it's pretty cold. I thought we could go over to the Museum now and warm up inside and have some lunch. I promise we can come back here another day and see the rest of the Mall. And we'll come in the Spring and walk through the Cherry Trees too."
"Okay," she smiles happily. She did make it a point to see the Cherry Blossoms the first year she was in town, but walking hand in hand with the man she loves down that fragrant path sounds absolutely amazing.
