"So a bath and jammies?" Donna says as soon as we get into the car, smirking at me. Then her voice drops an octave "and what is your definition of being a very good girl?" Her eyes are smoldering and I'm finding it a little hard to concentrate on backing out of the parking spot.

Then she breaks the mood and starts laughing at me. "God, Josh I can't believe you said that in front of the kids. Helen's eyes almost bugged out of her head!"

"Yeah, maybe not my brightest moment. Do you think they picked up on anything?"

"No, I think they are still young enough but I wouldn't press your luck like that again if I were you."

"That's probably wise."

"Hey, stop at the grocery store on the way home. I want to make chili tomorrow."

As I pull into the new Trader Joe's, Donna gets a huge smile on her face.

"This is a real store."

"Yeah."

"And it's so close."

"Yeah."

"Oh my god. I am never going to that Foggy Bottom Grocery again."

Sometimes women confuse me. I didn't understand why she went to the Foggy Bottom Grocery to begin with. There are a bunch of little convenience stores in Georgetown. But as we start walking through the store she acts like I just brought her to the greatest place on earth, so I'm not complaining.

"This is even better than the Safeway near my old apartment. I thought I was going to have to go back there to do grocery shopping." Oh. This is just another one of those things that she needed to get worked out. Sometimes I forget how much I just completely up-ended her life. For me getting married just made everything in my life feel settled. I hope she thinks it's worth it. I stop pushing the cart and pull her into a hug.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For doing all this."

"Grocery shopping? In case you didn't notice, you're helping here, bub." She sort of laughs at me. I guess I'm not really making sense.

"For marrying me, for moving into my place, for giving up your stuff. I think you got the fuzzy end of the lollipop."

"I got you." She smiles at me.

"Like I said, fuzzy end." I sort of shrug. I know everyone thinks I have an ego the size of Montana but I know that I got the better end of this deal.

"Josh," She grabs either side of my face with her hands, "there are going to be adjustments for both of us as we figure out how to be married and live together, but don't ever doubt how I feel about you. There isn't anyone else in the world for me. You are all I ever wanted." She gives me a huge smacking kiss and grins at me. "Besides, this store is AMAZING!"

As we walk up and down the aisles, Donna mentions some of the things she can make and we pick up enough for 3 or 4 dinners. I'm not completely helpless in the kitchen either. It's just that take-out is so convenient compared to cooking for yourself. I don't mind getting take-out all the time if it's easier on her. I'm really not looking for a 1950's housewife, but she seems to really like the idea of cooking at least some of the time. And I have to admit that making dinner together on Tuesday was pretty fun and not just the sex.

Back at home the parking on the street is impossible. I'm so glad that I have my spot back. I wasn't sure how Donna was going to react when Purple Heart came to get her car this morning, but she was fine with it. I'm starting to understand that sometimes she's not very confident when it comes to making a decision, but once she makes up her mind about something and has a plan she's full steam ahead. I'm really glad she chose me.

As we are putting the groceries away, I get back to a discussion about work.

"So did you get through your list with Helen?"

"Yes, really everything but the gown just needed her confirmation. I don't know about the gown though. Do you think her idea could work?"

"I'm not exactly the foremost expert on Inaugural Ball Gowns, Donna. I trust you and you need to trust your gut. What do you think?"

"Well, I am completely opposed to the consignment shop idea." My gut twists. Hearing her tell Helen about how she had been treated by the Washington Elite makes me want to scream. I just don't understand how people can be so mean. Especially to Donna, who is always nice to everyone.

"Hey, about that . . . I wish I'd known. I really hate the thought of you being miserable. Wanna tell me which Senator's wife so I can return the favor?"

She looks down at her hands and I see her sigh a little. "No." She says softly. "It was a long time ago. But I don't really want to buy a used dress again. And if Helen does then I feel like I have to also. Am I wrong for trying to steer her away from that?"

"No, I don't think so. You are trying to save her from the hurtful gossip that you went through, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, I call that being a friend. And there is something else to it isn't there?"

"Yes. If the press finds out who's dress it was, or where it was worn before- they can link those things to this administration in a story, even though it's ridiculous. And most of all we just don't want the "next day" stories to be about something like that. ESPECIALLY if she want to try to use it to launch a cause. Right?"

"Right." I'm so proud of her. She gets the big picture stuff. "So what are you going to do?"

"Well I think I'll talk to Abbey Bartlet's COS and see who our "friends" are in the 'capital wives club.' I'm going to ask around a bit and see where they shop. Then I'm going to see if there is a boutique that will donate a dress AND make a big donation to a child hunger initiative. If we get a favorable response from a boutique I'll check with our friends and see if they'll join us in buying cheaper dresses and making donations. And I guess I also need to research some child hunger organizations to see which one we'd want to support."

"You are so ready for this job." I'm grinning at her.

"I'm also ready for my bath."

"Well, that I can help you out with."