A/N: Hi everyone! So sorry for the delay on this one. Baby's due any day now so I've been busy "nesting" and getting as much sleep as possible, lol.

So this chapter is steamy. I absolutely wanted to keep it within the "T" rating, but as always, I'm adding my disclaimer: Please do not read this chapter unless you are at least eighteen years old.

Chapter Thirty Three: After The Art Gallery

"I love you Donna," Josh echoed what he had written. "I'm in love with you." He had never said anything with so much conviction in his entire life. He started to walk towards her, Donna meeting him halfway as her hands framed his face, her thumbs caressing his cheeks. "I love you too, Joshua Lyman . . . I'm in love with you."

"Yeah?" Josh asked even though he already knew the answer, a giant smile crossed his face.

"Yeah? Of course yeah. Come here," Donna laughed as she pulled Josh just a little closer, their lips meeting and bodies melding together. Neither Josh nor Donna could stop smiling as they kissed, their emotions running high after finally sharing what had been in their hearts for so long.

Josh found himself thinking about something else he wanted to share with Donna; he pulled back from their kiss and nuzzled her ear, "Bashert" he whispered, planting a soft kiss on Donna's temple, "You're my Bashert, Donnatella."

Donna hummed quietly, enjoying the feel of Josh's lips now pressed to her cheek, and the way he was slowly swaying them as he held her close. "What does Bashert mean?" Donna smiled as her eyes locked with Josh's.

"Soulmate . . . It means soulmate in Yiddish," Josh whispered, his eyes never leaving hers. He had repeatedly told himself before school started that he wasn't looking for love in law school, but love found him that August night in Cabbot's Coffee House. The love of his life was standing there behind the counter, long blond hair, striking blue eyes that he found himself frequently getting lost in, and the kindest smile that could make anyone's bad day turn good, and her name was Donnatella Nicole Moss, and she was standing right here in his arms. For the rest of his life, he would remember the first words she said to him, "Hi there, you seem like a guy in need of a coffee." And somehow, she loved him the way that he loved her. How did he get so lucky to find her? To find his soulmate?

"Oh Josh," Donna's voice was soft as she placed her hand over her mouth, overcome with emotion. She felt her eyes water. How did she get so lucky to find him? To find her soulmate? She never knew that a love like this existed. Seven months ago, when she was in her darkest place, Donna doubted that she would ever find someone who would understand the trauma she had endured. But here he was, the love of her life, Joshua David Lyman. And he was standing in front of her declaring his love. "Sei la mia anima gemella."

"What does that mean?" Josh smiled, hoping it meant what he thought it meant.

"It means you're my soulmate," Donna's words were quiet, but spoken with so much certainty. She kissed Josh with every emotion she felt before taking his hand and leading him towards his bedroom.

When they reached the threshold, Josh turned Donna in his arms and gently explored her neck with his lips, starting with her scar and making his way to Donna's ear. He felt her shiver in his arms and lean into his body, her hand reaching behind to thread her fingers in his curls. Carefully, Josh unzipped the back of Donna's dress, kissing her shoulders and back as more of her soft, alabaster skin was exposed. Donna felt herself breathing heavier in anticipation as Josh's hands moved from her hips across her bare stomach to her breasts. She closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the feeling of Josh's warm hands on her body, the lace fabric of her bra rubbing against her skin making it all the more intense.

She slowly pivoted so that she was facing him and Josh took a moment to study her body, the emerald green dress now pooled at her feet was a stark contrast to her beautiful pale skin. The ocean blue lingerie brought out the deepest blue in her eyes, and Josh couldn't pull himself away from their depths.

He felt Donna gently push his jacket off and slowly begin to work at his tie. Josh stood there with his hands on her hips, enjoying the feel of her nimble fingers pulling his tie off. He felt her hands move to the buttons on his crisp white shirt and then the sensation of her hands running down his bare chest, her fingers began to trace the light trail of hair that ran from his naval down to his groin. Her motions stilled at his waist line as she smiled against Josh's lips before starting to unbuckle his belt. Josh removed his shirt as Donna slowly unbuttoned his pants and carefully pulled down the zipper.

"You look beautiful in this shade of blue Donnatella," Josh whispered as he cupped her face and placed featherlight kisses across her cheeks and forehead.

"It's my favorite pair. I was waiting for a special occasion to wear them. Tonight seemed perfect."

Donna's husky voice caused a tremor of excitement through Josh, but it wasn't just her tone, it was what she had said. She was telling him that she was ready for the next step, that she had picked out her lingerie planning for him to see it, planning for them to make their relationship intimate.

He lazily ran his fingers down her bare arms, admiring how her skin reacted to his touch. They wandered under the soft straps of her bra and Josh gently pushed the material off her smooth shoulders, kissing the newly unveiled skin. He felt Donna's hands wander below the waistband of his boxers, her thumbs drawing small circles on his sensitive skin. Josh's hands found the clasp of her bra and after a moment of fumbling with it, felt the material separate. The silky garment fell to the ground as Donna pushed Josh's boxers down, and his hands quickly found the inside of the fabric covering her hips; carefully he slid the material down her thighs until it joined the other articles of clothing on the ground. They both gave a shy yet comfortable smile as they looked at each other's completely naked body for the first time. Their lips met and Donna parted hers for Josh. She felt his tongue entwine with hers as they started to back up towards the bed. The kissing and wandering hands continued as they enjoyed the feel of their warm bodies pressed together. Donna felt her heart pound against Josh's chest and she smiled against his lips as her mind focused again on how lucky she felt to have found Josh and to be here in this moment with him. To experience intimacy with her soulmate.

"So," Josh began as he lightly kissed Donna's lips and continued to rub her back. "Ummm I uhh ya know, bought a box ..." He stammered as he reached into his nightstand and pulled out an unopened box of condoms. "I know you started birth control a few weeks ago, but umm I didn't know if you wanted to use these too ... I mean I've always used them, not that umm I was going through boxes of them at Harvard or anything like that." Josh felt himself fumbling with his words, he wasn't doing a very good job at articulating what he was trying to say. "I'm blowing this aren't I?" Josh lifted an eyebrow at Donna. And as always, Donna knew just how to make Josh feel at ease, with her gentle head tilt and her reassuring smile.

"No Josh, you're not blowing this at all. You're trying to have a conversation about protection with your partner."

"I don't want any barriers between us when we make love Donna." Her reassurance gave him the confidence to explain exactly how he felt. In the past, he had always been overly cautious with protection when he was with a woman, to the point where he always pulled out before finding his release. But with Donna, it was different. He wasn't having casual sex, he was making love with his soulmate.

"Me either Josh. I've always used these," Donna said as she drummed her fingers on the box, "But with you, I don't want anything between us."

Josh's smile was shy as he returned the box to his nightstand drawer. He still had one more concern on his mind, this one possibly a little harder to voice than the discussion about protection. "K, now that we umm have that detail out of the way, how do you like . . . I mean how do you want to . . . What's best with your ummm . . ."

"Come here, Joshua," Donna's voice was low and quiet. She brushed his hair back, understanding that he was having trouble asking her how she wanted to make love. She felt his body flush against hers, taking a moment to kiss his neck, his collar bones, his sternum. She felt his body relax as he responded to her touch. For a few minutes, they laid there exploring one another's body, getting closer to fulfilling their desires.

"I'm afraid I might hurt you, Donnatella. Your lungs . . ." He placed his hand on her chest and then his fingers trailed to her chest tube scar. "You broke a lot of ribs, and its only been seven months since your accident . . . You're still healing," his last words were a whisper, but he was glad he had voiced his fears. He would never forgive himself if he hurt her.

"I don't think making love with you is going to hurt me Josh, and if it does, I will tell you. And if it doesn't, well, I'll tell you that too," Donna whispered seductively, giving him a little smirk.

"Ah-kay Donna," Josh felt his fears dissipate at her reassuring words and his body react to her amorous tone.

"And there's more than one position we can try Josh . . . if it will help you feel more relaxed about my injuries . . ." Donna arched her body against his, both making their desire for one another known.

"That's very true Donnatella, let's start with this one . . ." Josh's voice softly trailed off as he settled himself above Donna. Then as he carefully pressed his body against hers, she barely heard him as he whispered, "I love you."