Josh and Donna were sitting side by side on the beach, watching the sun set over the horizon. There was a beautiful melding of colors across the sky in front of them. Yellows, purples, and reds were all swirling together lazily to create the magnificent glow engulfing both the sky and the water. The scent of salt on the air was thick. It coated their faces and skin in a way Josh found nostalgic and Donna found refreshing. The tide roll rhythmically in and out, the noise comfortingly consistent. Josh's hair had curled even more at the ends and Donna reached out a hand to brush it out of his eyes.
"So do you feel any different now?" Josh asked, his eyes bright and reflecting the sunset in front of them.
"Not really," Donna laughed, her hands still playing with his hair. "You?"
"Nah." Josh leaned back on his hands and looked out at the ocean again, his legs stretched out in front of him. They were both still dressed in their makeshift wedding clothes, on the coast of Maine. Donna was wearing a simple white dress with lace piping around the edge while Josh was dressed in a pair of dress pants and simple white dress shirt with a skinny, pale purple tie. His sleeves were rolled up and shoes were off, revealing his striped socks.
Donna shifted positions so that she was perpendicular to Josh with her legs bent at the knee and her head resting on his stomach, tilted slightly so she could look out over the water.
"So how do we tell people without them getting all pissy with us," Josh asked. He raised one hand out in front of him and started inspecting the new ring on his left hand closely.
"I think they're going to be mad either way," Donna replied, her eyes looking up and watching Josh's hand now.
"Do we announce it to them or just let them find out on their own?"
Donna laughed, imagining everyone's reactions.
"We'll tell them. We'll do a joint senior staff meeting."
"Kay," Josh replied simply. He was smiling.
"What?" Donna asked. Josh looked down at her.
"Nothin'."
"Josh."
Josh's hand strayed to Donna's still flat stomach.
"I'm just happy." Donna felt a warm glow cover her.
"Me too," she smiled, resting her own hand over Josh's.
"Okay, everyone," Josh called from the head of the room; the dull roar filling the room dwindled to a soft murmur. Donna was stood next to Josh, looking at him with anticipation, her hands were held behind her back.
"How was the weekend away?" Otto asked curiously.
"Shocked you guys managed to keep the building in tact while I was gone," Josh replied smoothly.
"It was only a weekend!" Otto replied, a glint in his eye.
"Must be the only reason we haven't rejoined with England while I was gone," Josh continued. The room sniggered and then turned as they heard the door open. An aide stepped in and went to whisper something in Donna's ear. After a moment, Donna nodded and then squeezed Josh's arm before whispering. "Be right back."
"So anything to report on from this weekend?" Josh asked the group, after watching Donna leave.
"Well oiled machine, Joshua," Lou replied.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
"We haven't gone to war with Canada?"
"Not yet," Sam spoke up from next to Lou. Josh gave a snort of laughter and rubbed a hand across his forehead.
"Whoa, Josh what did you get up to this weekend?" Bram asked. His eyes were locked on the ring on Josh's left hand.
"What?"
"Nice ring."
Josh looked down at it and then quickly at the door before shoving his hand in his pocket.
"You got married!?" Annabeth cried. The room immediately broke into chaos as everyone jumped at once to question Josh on the details.
When Donna walked in a few minutes later, the hyenas quickly pulled her into the feeding frenzy.
"How could you just get married and not tell us?" Lester asked.
"We-" Donna began
"Or invite us?" Sam interrupted bitterly from his seat. Josh looked up to see him with his arms crossed, looking unhappy.
"Don't start, Sam," Josh said to him with a small smile.
"CJ's gonna be pissed too," Sam told him bluntly.
"Yeah, well," Josh drifted off. "Alright yes, everyone, if you would all shut up and take your seats again."
The room settled back into normalcy.
"Yes, Donna and I got married this weekend," Josh announced to the room.
"We're sorry you weren't invited," Donna said apologetically. "We kind of just wanted to have it be just us without all the White House fuss."
"We're going to have to release a statement," Lou told them.
"Yeah."
"People are going to ask why you got married so suddenly and didn't invite anyone," Lou continued.
"Yeah, we just wanted it to be private and without all the political fuss. We both finally had a free weekend," Donna replied. She and Josh both shifted uncomfortably at the lie and Donna noticed Sam's eyebrows go up slightly. Donna groaned silently to herself. Sam probably got the meetings Josh had to cancel.
"Should get us some decent press," Lou said after a moment with a shrug.
"Anyways, we ready to move on?"
"Don't we get to see any pictures?" Annabeth asked glumly.
"I'll show you some later," Donna promised. They exchanged a look and Annabeth smiled wide.
The meeting then kicked on as usual. Both staff's coordinating messages and consulting with each other. An hour later as everyone filed out of the room, Sam hung back to walk with Josh and Donna, who were the last out of the room.
"I can't believe you guys didn't invite me to your wedding! I'm your best friend," he huffed.
"No congratulations?" Josh asked shortly.
"I said it!"
Josh and Donna exchanged a look.
"I mean, congratulations! But come on! I've been there from the start! I've had to watch you guys making eyes at each other for god knows how long and the fact that you didn't want to invite me to your wedding is just hurtful. After all we've been through together, after how long we've known each other-"
"Alright, Sam." Josh had roughly grabbed Sam by the arm and pushed him into an empty conference room as they were walking. Donna followed them and closed the door. Josh sat Sam down at the main table.
"I didn't even get to throw you a bachelor party," Sam continued to pout.
"Thank God," Donna muttered.
"Sam, we're sorry we didn't invite you. I don't want you to go around the office making a fuss about this," Josh started. He and Donna looked at each other and silently came to an agreement.
"The thing is, it was sort of a time sensitive issue," Donna said.
"Time sensitive?" Sam asked, baffled.
"Yeah. We wanted to get married as soon as possible."
"But why?"
"Sam," Josh almost laughed. He turned away and ran a hand through his hair.
"Read between the lines," Donna insisted, desperate for Sam to get there on his own.
"I don't-"
"Donna's pregnant, Sam," Josh interrupted. "That's why we got married so fast. We just found out."
Sam's jaw fell open and though his mouth was moving, no words were coming out.
"We figured it would be better be married before we told people so the right couldn't... y'know," Josh explained.
Another moment of silence passed between the trio. Then Josh and Donna watched as a smile grew on Sam's face.
"Wow," he stood up. "This is incredible!" He stepped forward and hugged Josh tightly and after a moment, he moved to hug Donna close.
"Congratulations," he told them earnestly. They both smiled back.
"You can't tell anyone though, Sam."
"How far along are you?" Sam asked, looking to Donna.
"Only a couple months."
"How long before you tell people?"
"Two months. Apparently after that stage it's safer to tell people."
"Safer?"
"Yeah, in case. Y'know. Something happens," Josh said quietly. The small feeling of dread that had begun to grow in Josh's stomach grew a little larger at the thought of something happening to the baby.
"So will you stop being mad at us for not inviting you to the wedding?" Donna asked gently.
Sam nodded. "I'm sorry."
"No problem, buddy." Josh clapped him on the back.
"Wow, you're gonna be a DAD," Sam said in amazement as he stood up.
"I know," Josh said, a little dazed at the notion.
"You don't seem to be freaking out?" Sam turned to Donna, who shrugged.
"He's surprisingly relaxed about this."
"We'll give him time," Sam said over his shoulder as he started towards the door.
Donna chuckled and Josh pulled a face, but said nothing.
Hand on the doorknob, Sam turned to look at them.
"I'm really happy for you guys," he smiled. Josh and Donna smiled back and Josh sat back against the table as Sam left the room. He looked at Donna.
"Well, that wasn't a total disaster."
"It wasn't great."
"No."
"Now we just gotta tell the Preisdent and First Lady," Josh said.
"I feel like the swarm we just dealt with will be worse."
"Probably." Josh took her hand and led her to the door. He gave her a quick kiss before walking out into the hallway.
"I'll see you later." He resisted the urge to touch Donna's stomach as he left.
"Bye," Donna replied, also resisting moving her own hand to her stomach.
"Josh?"
Josh glanced up from the note he was scribbling on a notepad, a hand to his forehead.
"What's up?"
"The President would like to see you in 10 minutes," Margaret replied.
Josh turned his wrist to glace at his watch and nodded.
"Kay. Thanks, Margaret."
He looked up a few seconds later when Margaret was still standing there expectantly.
"You need something?"
Margaret's limbs flailed lightly as she sighed.
"Would it be so hard for you to at least show me some pictures from the wedding?"
A smirk appeared on Josh's lips and he sat up straighter, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He opened up to the photos page and slid it over the desk to Margaret who snapped it up eagerly.
"You got actual photos too though right?" she asked seriously after a moment.
Josh rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, the inn had a guy." Margaret just nodded and continued going through the photos. After a moment, Josh went back to writing.
"Wish I could have gone," Margaret said, not bothering to hide the bitterness in her voice
"Sorry," Josh said shortly.
"We have known each other a long time now," Margaret continued.
"Well nobody else got to go either if that makes you feel better."
"Not really."
They stared at each other for a moment and then Margaret put Josh's phone back on the desk and turned away to the door.
"Margaret," Josh called out as she shut the door on her way out. He grumbled to himself. The list of people upset at not being invited was growing by the hour.
Seven or so minutes later, Josh was walking into the Oval Office. He was surprised to find Donna perched on the couch next to The First Lady, looking nervous. The President was sitting in his customary chair.
"Hi," Josh said a little awkwardly. He sat on the sofa opposite the girls, to the President's left. He made eye contact with Donna and saw her give a small shrug.
"What's going on?" Josh asked, looking to the President. Though he had a feeling.
"It seems like congratulations are in order. A little birdy told us you two got married this weekend," Matt began bluntly.
Josh and Donna exchanged worried looks.
"We were going to tell you at the meeting later-" Josh began. Matt waved his hands.
"You didn't want to get married here?" Matt asked.
"Well-"
"You know who I got a call from about half an hour ago?"
"No, sir."
"President Bartlet," Matt said, not sounding amused. "And he scolded me for allowing you to have a wedding in which he and Abbey weren't invited."
Josh and Donna exchanged sheepish looks.
"How did he already find out?" Josh asked, sounding amazed.
"News travels fast," Helen answered.
"We were looking forward to it you know," Matt pushed on. "Having the wedding here."
Josh was taken aback by this, touched.
"You were?"
"It's not every day your Chief of Staff gets married to your wife's Chief of Staff," Matt said with a shrug. Josh smiled. He and Matt had come a long way in the two years they'd been in the White House together. They genuinely enjoyed each other's company these days and the two couples would often have dinner together. Matt had thoroughly enjoyed the funnier, cheerier Josh Lyman that came out when Josh got together with Donna.
Josh had even forged a relationship with the Santos children, much to their parents' surprise. Peter would find himself hanging out in Josh's office a few times a month, talking to Josh while he worked. Josh didn't mind. Miranda also took a liking to Josh. The two of them had a love of baseball and Miranda would talk Josh's ear off about school. Josh would often help her with her English and history homework when she tagged along with Peter to his office. Josh had an easy way with the kids.
Donna's relationship with Helen had taken off right from the get go. They were always comfortable in each other's company and Helen appreciated Donna's subtle touch as she decided what kind of First Lady she really wanted to be. Though Donna wasn't as close to the kids as Josh was, she was still comfortable in their company.
"I know Miranda is going to be crushed she wasn't able to be flower girl," Helen told Josh and Donna. A frown came to Josh's face. He faintly remembered promising Miranda she could be their flower girl at the wedding. Guilt started to flicker in his stomach.
Matt watched them exchange guilty looks before continuing on.
"We think you should have another wedding here at the White House."
"Sir-"
"That way we don't step on anyone's toes. Nobody gets upset they weren't invited. Well, less people will get upset and I won't be scolded by the former President about not getting him an invitation."
"We-"
"We can get someone else to plan it," Helen interrupted. "I'm sure that's why you eloped right?"
Josh and Donna exchanged another dubious look.
"I don't-"
"We'll use the woman who designed all the bedrooms," Helen continued. "She'll be thrilled at the opportunity."
"All you two really have to do is show up," Matt said with a finality that said this plan was already happening whether Josh and Donna liked it or not. "And I won't have a crying nine-year-old upset she didn't get to be flower girl."
"But-"
"I'll help you pick out your dress," Helen insisted, resting a hand on top of Donna's.
"Maybe something with an empire waist," Donna muttered.
"Excuse me?" Matt asked.
"When were you planning to have this wedding?" Josh asked, diverting their attention.
"In a couple months maybe?"
Josh and Donna looked at each other.
"Might wanna move it up a bit."
"What?" Matt asked. "Why?"
"Um," Josh started.
A split second later Helen gasped.
"Oh my god," she whispered. She turned to Donna and grabbed her hands. "Are you?"
"Is she what?"
Donna smiled shyly and nodded.
"Donna!" Helen cried out happily and pulled Donna in for a hug.
Matt just looked at Josh, baffled.
"Donna's pregnant," Josh supplied, smiling.
Matt's face broke out into a large grin.
"You're kidding."
"No, sir."
Matt stood up and pulled Josh up to give him a hug.
"Congratulations, Josh," he said warmly.
"Thank you, sir," Josh replied, beaming.
"So that's why you got married so fast," Helen laughed.
"We didn't want to give the right an excuse," Josh muttered darkly, retaking his seat.
"How far along are you, Donna?" Helen asked eagerly.
"Only two months," Donna replied. "We weren't going to tell anyone yet."
"Of course. Well, we can do this wedding in a month!" Helen said optimistically. "You won't be showing much if at all until your fourth month anyways, Donna."
"Do we have to?" Josh asked, trying desperately to keep the whine out of his voice.
"President Bartlet didn't really give us an option, Josh," Matt said with a tight smile.
Josh groaned.
"He's gonna want to give a speech."
"You say that like it's a bad thing?" Helen said.
Josh and Donna looked at each other before turning to Helen.
"You have no idea."
"It's decided then!" Matt said, clapping his hands together. "We'll have another White House ceremony."
"I'd rather not distract the staff with something so-"
"There's going to be a wedding, Josh," Matt insisted. "But we'll get someone else to plan it, deal?"
Josh looked at Donna again, question in his eyes.
"I guess so," Donna said, relenting.
"Excellent!" Matt cried, getting up and moving to his desk. "Let's get planning."
