Apologies about the delay, I was away and got caught up with work. Thanks for the perseverance.

Friday arrived on the Lyman-Moss family quicker than expected. Josh had returned to work late on the Monday and had barely seen Donna or Georgie all week. Georgie had returned to her old self, spending a lot of time in the playroom. Drew's mom, a staffer at the OMB was a sound voice in Donna's life.

Donna had spent the day helping Georgie get ready for the ball tonight. The nurses had been trying their best to get all the infusions and treatments done for everyone. An annual event for the kids at GW April Showers was a big deal.

"Mommy, Drew's gonna be here soon." Fussing with blue dress Georgie sat with her feet dangling off the bed.

"Now you remember what daddy said about Drew." Hopping off the bed and fixing her stance with a glare Georgie huffed loudly.

"I'm four years old mommy I can look after myself." Donna grinned wildly.

"Ok, just have lots of fun tonight." Before she could finish the sentence the door opened. Georgie nearly squealed when she saw Drew. He was wearing a mini version of his dad's tuxedo. Lynn, Drew's mom had been right in saying he was adorable. If I was his age he'd be the one I picked, Donna mused.

"Mommy, Georgie looks pretty." Donna watched as Drew handed his date a corsage. It was the same colour as her dress. She scooped Georgie up for a final hug and kiss.

"Be good butterfly." Georgie giggled as Drew took her hand.

"We'll see you and Josh down there soon." Donna nodded and waited till the friends walked up the corridor. Nursing staff had changed from their usual scrubs. Many had ball gowns on, the colours almost as varied as the walls. This was going to be Donna's night too, the first public appearance with Josh since their scare the previous week.

Josh was frantically finishing paperwork in his office. Most staffers had returned home for the weekend but he was hoping to have the weekend off. As he glanced at the clock he sighed heavily. Seven-twenty pm, he was due to pick Donna up at half seven. Patting his pocket he felt the box dig into his chest. The motorcade drove slowly down the streets of Washington. The Potomac was glistening lightly in the April twilight.

"Go get her" Sam smiled to Josh as they got out of the SUV. "We'll see you three down there."

He could see the dance beginning in the foyer and surrounding rooms as he rode the lift up to the 8th floor. He knew Georgie would already be down there enjoying herself. He walked briskly down the corridor and knocked on his daughter's door.

"Wait a minute" in the thirty seconds it took Donna to appear Josh felt his stomach do several back-flips. As she opened the door his jaw dropped to the floor. She'd curled her hair into broad ringlets and her make up was perfect. "You like it?"

"Donna….seriously, do we have to go downstairs." Donna giggled, "Oh wait. The outfit isn't complete yet." Pulling the long box out of his pocket Josh watched Donna open it.

"Josh, that's a diamond. You can't, I mean….thank you" she lifted her hair up so he could put the necklace on. Gently letting his hand take hers Josh led them to the lift. Pausing for a moment on the balcony Donna caught sight of her daughter.

"It's ok to be proud." Josh moved his hand round to the small of her back. "Cos she's gonna make it."

Nodding confidently "she is, between us all she's gonna make it" leading Josh to the lift and down onto the foyer Donna's brave smile was ninety eight percent truth. The constant worry of her daughter's health took a back seat. Spotting her daddy finally at the party Georgie excused herself from Drew who was looking at Felicity Top across the room.

"Daddy" the yell nearly stopped crowds as the now energetic little girl fell into her daddy's arms.

"Hey squirt, manage to get away from your date?" taking Josh by surprise Georgie squished his nose. Wrinkling her own she filled their conversation with tutting.

"I wanna meet Mr P-west-i-dent" Donna grinned as Josh tried to quell his daughter's jabbering. The scar that saved her daughters life was still red and dotted with stitches but the smile was as full as ever.

"Josh?" Matt Santos was wearing a multi coloured bow tie for the event. It was something he joked, made him friendlier to the kids. Excusing herself from a dull conversation Helen suddenly appeared at her husband's side. Ignoring the job titles of president and first lady Matt and Helen Santos had genuinely been concerned about Josh's family. As good friends when Donna had run away after the election night Helen had taken Donna's disappearance personally, despite claims from her husband and Josh.

"Mr President. Sir" Josh watched his little girls face broaden and fall into giggles.

"He's not orange anymore daddy" Josh watched Matt smile appreciatively. He'd forgotten to warn his boss that his daughter hadn't quite yet controlled her tongue. Donna still hadn't managed a hello past the awkward moment the group had shared not a week ago.

"Is this really what the electoral vote of tomorrow thinks of me?" Matt Santos crouched down to meet Georgie Lyman's level. "I'm Matt, I'm a good friend of your daddy's" Georgie looked curiously at the president's tie.

"I like your tie Mr P-west-i-dent" Donna laughed at her daughter mis-pronunciation.

"Donna" Helen moved forward to speak to Donna as Josh and Matt continued the cute-yet-awkward conversation. "She's awesome" feeling relief pass through her Donna beamed. There hadn't been a moment in her life when she'd been able to show her daughter off. Family of course had rallied round but they were biased. She knew that letting her back into the circle was a huge step for everyone involved.

"Thanks. For everything, last week and y'know" Donna blushed just as Josh looked over.

"You're going to need to keep an eye on that little date of hers. Talking from experience it's those types of friends that will go further." They shared a less awkward laugh.

"Yeah Josh is already perfecting the protective daddy routine. With secret service at his disposal I'm slightly afraid" moving towards the drinks stand near the edge of the dance floor Helen had to admire her friend's courage.

"It's weird suddenly having all these black suites around you all the time" Donna couldn't agree more. The two original agents posted to her family had been increased as the press coverage grew.

"Do you ever get used to it? Y'know being in the spotlight" genuinely curious Donna was beginning to understand some of the advice and commentary CJ had given her nearly four years ago.

"It's two different situations. It's ok after a while. But one big bit of advice always wear the correct underwear" hindsight was something learned in adulthood. Donna had felt genuinely bad for Helen the day the enquirer had posted the picture of her.

"Noted and I'll remember my granny underwear next week" Donna had a content smile on her face. Though Josh and Georgie had no idea she'd spoken to the doctors the day before. If nothing else went wrong Georgie was going to be able to finish the rest of the treatment as a day-patient.

"Why next week"

"Georgie hopefully gets to go home. But I don't want to build Josh up yet. It could all change. There's a lot to sort out though" Helen nodded as Matt and Josh came over.

"I've got to go make a speech. I was wondering if Georgie would be able to give me a hand" Josh's face was an odd mix of protective daddy and glee.

"As long as you can pull her away from her date" Donna motioned to the spotlight where Georgie was happily dancing to the High School Musical finale.

"Aww no they look cute together. I'll go without" Matt knew he was winding Josh up by leaving the four year olds to it.

"No really, feel free to go break em up. The slow song will be played after you're talking and well I know she's only four and…." Donna pressed a finger to Josh's lips.

"The mumbling thing is cute but stop. Else I won't dance with you" as Donna pouted the group erupted in laughter.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the president of the United States" Lou almost looked tall in the six inch heels hidden beneath the black floor length Vera Wang dress.

"Good evening everyone." Looking picture perfect on stage he began his thank you mentions. "What happens in this building is a miracle in today's world. Everyone who comes here becomes a changed person. I can see it in the faces of staff working continuously to help the American nation. To the doctors nurses and everyone else in-between who keeps a machine like George Washington hospital going I want to thank you one and all." A round of clapping filled the auditorium space "in a world with so much uncertainty a place like this. An oasis, can provide the security to loved ones that their person; a mother, father, sister, daughter, who ever it may be, is getting some of the best healthcare in the world right here on Washington's doorstep." Matt beamed towards Josh. "I know personally how valuable an asset this place is. So tonight I would like to extent an invitation to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and appreciate the work that happens here. God Bless America"

Within seconds of the speech ending the room filled up with tune of kiss the girl taking Donna hand gracefully Josh bowed as the dance began. Donna couldn't stifle a giggle as she was waltzed around the room. Feeling his grip tighten as the flowed between lyrics and harmonies Donna relaxed. With things beginning to look up once again she knew she'd have to grab the chance with open hands. No-one could tell how long they'd have this kind of bliss.