It was a great night – the last night at the Convention. It was great, Josh
thought. His oldest friend in the world was nominated to be the next
President of the United States. Will was his running mate. He was going to
be Leo in five and a half short months. He just had to get through the
actual election process first - then he'd use from November to January to
change offices. It'd been a freaking fairytale. He called his mother when
Sam accepted. Donna called Michael to tell him the good news. Then there
was the party to end all parties. And they ended up back at her apartment -
again. They had tried to be with each other at the hotel a few times over
the course of the last week and a half. But, their friends, he decided,
were entirely too clingy. That was the only way to describe the constant
interruptions - visits, phone calls, constant pages - it was never ending.
But somehow, all seemed right at this moment. He was laying on her couch with her curled to him and wrapped in her favorite old afghan. They had decided on the couch after relentless arguing as to why the bed was wrong - Josh was happy that he won that argument. He sighed and wrapped his arms more tightly around her and her fingers started tracing the scar on his chest lightly and then her lips trailed behind.
"Mmmm," he moaned. "Morning."
"You're still beaming," she said smiling up at him.
"I'm a happy man," he told her, running his fingers through her hair.
"As you should be, Mr. Chief of Staff, Sir," she giggled.
"I go home, soon," he told her.
She sighed and pushed herself up so she was sitting. "Yes," she answered, kissing him on the mouth lightly.
"What am I going to do?" he asked.
"Josh...you said you could handle this," she said, frustrated. "I asked you before..."
"I know, I know," he huffed. "And I can. I was just saying that...I'm gonna miss this...I'm gonna miss you, Donnatella," he smiled at her smile when he said her name. He loved that he could make her smile like that.
"You leave tomorrow morning," she smirked when he looked confused. "I've been keeping your schedule, silly."
"And Michael's coming back?" he asked.
"Yes, Josh," she sighed.
"I have to be at work soon," Josh said, looking at her intently. "Wanna conserve water together?" he asked with a devilish grin.
"You, Mr. Lyman, are impossible," she laughed as she followed him to the shower.
At the hotel...
"Where the hell is Josh?" Toby asked, stalking down the hotel floor again and banging on his door.
CJ stuck her head out of her door, "What's wrong?"
"Josh...he's not answering his door," Toby sighed. "I haven't really seen him since the party after the thing last night. I mean...I know I saw him there...but then we came back here and there was more partying...but I don't remember Josh."
"I don't really either," CJ recalled. "But maybe he just is hung over or something...it's not inconceivable."
They turned in the direction of the door down the hall to see Zoey sneaking out of Charlie's hotel room. "Miss Bartlet," Toby called, making her turn around in a start.
"Toby! CJ! I was just...I mean...I..." Zoey tried. "Morning," she smiled.
"Have you seen Josh?" CJ asked, ignoring the situation.
"Not since the party last night at the Convention," Zoey told her. "Why? Did you all lose him again?"
"Possibly," Toby admitted.
"Did we call Donna?" Zoey asked. "Maybe she knows where he's at. Those two have been buddy-buddy again these last two weeks."
"Um...I haven't," CJ remarked as Danny came down the hallway.
"Who'd we lose?" he asked with a grin.
"Josh," Zoey supplied.
"Last time I saw him was at the Convention," Danny mused.
"Us, too," Toby said.
"So, we think it is wise to call Donna?" Danny asked.
"Who the hell else would know?" Charlie said, coming out of his room to stand by Zoey.
"They've been back to their bantering ways these last few days," Zoey agreed.
"I should call her," CJ sighed reaching for her cell phone and dialing Donna's apartment.
Donna's apartment...In the bathroom...
"Did you hear something?" Donna asked as she wrapped her arms around Josh's wet back to grab a towel.
Josh turned around and smiled at her, "I love you," he said.
"I know that. I didn't ask that," Donna smirked.
"Do you love me?" Josh pressed.
"I'm with Michael. We're getting married," she reminded him as she reached for her robe and wrapped a towel around her wet hair.
"So?" he asked.
"So?" she laughed. "Josh...you know what this is...it's just a thing," she smiled hopefully. "You still okay with that?"
"Donna..." Josh started and reached for her face. "I'll take what little I can get of you," he whispered as they heard the knocking on the front door.
"What the hell?" Donna asked. "Get in the bedroom. Stay there. Use the fire escape if necessary."
Donna walked to the door and opened it revealing CJ, Danny, Toby, Charlie and Zoey. "Morning, guys," she smiled at the group.
"It appears that we have lost Josh," Toby informed her.
"And we were hoping that you could tell us where we might find him," CJ finished.
"Since you are apparently the keeper of Josh," Danny muttered, earning a glare from CJ and Toby.
"I haven't really seen Josh since last night," Donna began. "Can I get you guys some coffee or..." she stopped noticing she was all out of coffee, "...or maybe some juice or something?"
"No," Charlie answered. "I think we just need Josh."
"Well," Donna sighed. "Unless I've stowed him in my closet," she laughed. "He's not here."
Then there was a knock on the door. "Jeez..." Donna muttered. "Who the hell else could possibly come over?"
She opened the door and then laughed. It was Josh. Donna smiled and gave him a curious look and he mouthed 'fire escape' to her and winked. "Hey guys! Morning, Donna," he smirked. "I brought coffee."
"Where the hell have you been?" Toby started.
"I was in my room," he answered, setting the 'box of joe' on her kitchen counter. "Should I have been elsewhere?"
"Why didn't you answer the door?" CJ pushed.
"Passed out?" Josh asked. "I have no idea. Maybe I was in the shower or something," he supplied. "We're you worried?"
"Apparently so," Danny smirked. "You're lucky we didn't send out the troops, I suppose."
Charlie laughed and Zoey hugged Josh. "I was worried," she whispered.
"Have no fear," he smiled. "Josh is here. And he brought coffee!"
Donna rolled her eyes and Zoey giggled and they all grabbed mugs for coffee.
"So," CJ began as they all sat down. "Donna? When's Michael come home?"
Only Zoey noticed Josh cringe.
"He'll be back soon," Donna smiled.
"Excited?" CJ asked.
"Yeah," Donna answered.
"So...when are you two gonna tie the knot?" Charlie asked.
"Um...we're thinking of maybe February...around Valentine's Day. I kinda want a winter wedding...and Michael wants to do what I want," Donna gushed.
Josh groaned and shook his head. "I am gonna go and meet with Sam," Josh said.
Donna sighed and tried to meet his eyes, to no avail. "You sure?" she asked him.
"Yep," he said. "I'm a busy man. I need to win a Presidential Campaign."
"Uh huh," she tried to smile.
"And you, my dear," he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, "need to plan your wedding. Don't forget my invitation."
"How could I?" she smiled sadly at him.
Josh nodded and then he looked at the rest of the occupants. "You all coming?"
A chorus of yeses came from the rest of them. They all hugged Donna goodbye and they promised to call her before they left the next day.
Donna was filled with a mix of joy and sorrow when Michael came home. It was the same day that Josh left. She was on the phone with him when Michael let himself in.
"Be careful," she told him.
"Always, Donnatella," he whispered. "I'll miss you."
"Me too," she smiled. "I'll see you at the end of October," she told him. I'm coming down for the week before the Election to help out and all. Then, if Sam deems me worthy enough, I'll be back down there in January for the Inauguration."
"You'll be here," he promised.
"Donna!" Michael called.
"Michael! You're home!" Donna shrieked. "Josh, honey, I gotta go," she told him and hung up. "Michael! I've missed you, baby," she cooed as she kissed him hard on the mouth.
"Hey sweetie," he smiled at her. "Mom can't wait to meet you and I brought you plenty of bridal planning shit for you to feast over."
"Yay!" she screamed. "We're getting married in like seven months!"
"Yes we are," he laughed. "Who would've thought that like a year ago we'd be engaged today and I'd know the highest ranking officials in the evil Democratic Party quite well?"
"Me," she laughed as she kissed him and drug him to her bedroom.
Three and a Half Months Later....
"Baby...it's only till the second," Donna reasoned with him as she was preparing to get in the car with Zoey.
"I know...I just...I'll miss you," he whined.
"Michael! Then come with us," Donna begged.
"No...it's too much. I mean...I might even vote for the guy...but I don't think I can help him campaign this last week. What would my colleagues think?" he asked with a smirk.
"I love you," she told him as she kissed him lightly and her phone rang. "Yes?" she asked impatiently into her headset.
"Are you coming home?" Josh asked.
"I am coming to DC, if that's what you mean," she remarked, kissing Michael again.
"I miss you," he whispered.
She smiled a little at his sweetness. "Josh...you're going to win another Presidential election."
"I know," he grinned. "I'm da man."
"I know," she grinned. "I'm hanging up now," she laughed.
"I'll see you soon," he whispered before he disconnected.
"Bye, Michael," she whispered and jumped in the limo just before it sped off.
"You okay?" Zoey asked.
"I'm good," Donna smiled.
"You're okay with leaving Michael to spend time with Joshua?" Zoey asked.
"I'm visiting my friends," Donna corrected. "Not leaving my fiancé or just visiting Josh."
"I know...but you know what I meant," Zoey huffed. "Nevermind...how goes the wedding plans?"
"They goes," Donna smirked. "You're still up for maid-of-honor duties, right?"
"I can't wait," Zoey gushed.
"I am almost completely done planning everything. After Christmas and New Year's it's smooth sailing. I really think that I'm gonna be happy," she smiled.
"Yeah?" Zoey asked.
"Yeah." Donna answered.
Once they arrived in Washington, all hell broke loose. There were reporters and photographers surrounding the White House as well as the local campaign offices. It was chaos. Donna was in her element. She loved it. Josh met Zoey and Donna at the airport and was with them until they reached the downtown Headquarters. Then he dropped Zoey off in the custody of Charlie and grabbed Donna into the first dark room he found and hugged her tightly. "Missed you," he whispered into her hair.
"Josh," she warned. "We have to work."
"I know," he muttered.
"You need to be 'da man'," she sighed.
"I thought I was," he smirked.
"You are," she laughed. "Now let's get to it."
"You're impossible," he joined in her laughter as they got to work on the latest polling numbers.
The week and half went by very fast. Election Day came. It was the most important day in Josh's life. He'd help win elections in the past. But this...this was his day to shine. And he had Donna to share it with - more or less, anyways. The morning Donna spent holed up with Mallory, Margaret and the rest of the girls - including the newest Seaborn, Gabriella. Donna adored her and she was honored beyond belief when Mallory and Sam approached her and Josh the night before to be Godparents. Josh cheered when they asked and Donna cried. The Christening was going to be before Christmas so it wouldn't interfere with the Inauguration.
It was 10 AM when Josh made his way into Oval Office to find the girls cooing over Gabbie by the seal on the carpet. To his surprise The President and First Lady were playing right along with them and he had to laugh. "Ladies, Sir, Ma'am," he said when he found them.
"Josh," they all smiled.
"Donna...we need to get to work," he told her.
"Josh...it's morning still," Donna whined. "Nothing can be determined at this point. We have hours."
"Yeah...give her a break Josh," The President smirked.
"Thank you, Sir," Donna smiled at the President and glared at Josh.
"Move it," he ordered. "We've got numbers and GOTV locations to check on in the Metropolitan Area. I have an Election to win," he crowed.
"Of course when we win, it'll all be you," Abbey laughed.
"Of course Ma'am," he smirked. "I'm ...." he began.
"Da Man," the room erupted with laughter.
"I'm glad you all see it my way," he smiled. "Donna? Shall we?" he asked offering her his arm.
She kissed Gabriella on the cheek and said her farewells to the room and reached for his arm and allowed him to lead her out of the room.
The day was filled with yelling, numbers and lots of wind. But in the end, they were all smiling and back in the White House for at least another four years. President-elect Samuel Seaborn trumped the competition. He won in all demographics and the Bartlets were thrilled to be passing the torch on to such worthy individuals.
There were parties and interviews and everything that Donna used to think she always wanted. But one thing was missing from the picture - Michael hadn't come down and she missed him. In the middle of party number fourteen, she grabbed Josh and pulled him in the hallway. "Josh?" she whispered.
He was a little drunk and he struggled for a moment to focus on her. "Donna? Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes. I just...I want to go home," she stammered.
"Donna," he whined. "It's our big night." He sighed and leaned up against the wall and raked his hands through his hair. "How can you do this to me right now?"
"I'm...Jesus Josh...I'm not doing anything to you! And it's not really 'our' big night. It's your's and Sam's and Mal's...not mine. I don't work for you anymore. I am here to VOL-UN-TEER," she said slowly. "And I'm about done now."
"Donna," Josh said astonished. "How can you say that?"
"Josh...I miss Michael...I have a wedding to plan...I don't have time to follow you around anymore," she cried.
"Donna? Where the hell is this coming from? I thought you liked helping me out?" he asked, confused.
"I do, Josh," she sighed. "I just think...I mean...I'm getting married. It's irrational for me to spending my time chasing after my ex-lover, you know? It's...I don't know...It's not right," she decided. "I want to go home now."
She attempted to smile at him and he shrugged helplessly and wrapped her in a hug. "I love you," he whispered as she cried on his shoulder.
"Maybe you shouldn't" she whispered.
"Not possible," he told her. "So...when do I get to see you again?"
"The Christening," she told him. "Then for Sam's big day. Michael and I will be down. for both"
"I'll send you your Christmas gift, I suppose," he whispered into her hair.
"And you'll get your Hanukkah gift via good ole USPS, as well," she sighed.
"I get eight," he reminded.
"You'll be lucky you get one," she joked and poked his ribs.
"I'll get you home - tonight," he promised.
"A plane?" she asked, as she wiped the tears from her face.
"I'll arrange for a plane for you. You'll be home in less than forty-five minutes," he promised.
"So this is it?" she sniffed. "Why does this feel so...I don't know...final?" she asked through her tears.
"Cause it is," he said simply. He moved closer to her and lightly kissed her lips as his fingers wiped away her tears. "Goodbye, Donnatella," he whispered and looked at her for a moment before turning, flipping up his cell phone and making the arrangements for her trip home.
But somehow, all seemed right at this moment. He was laying on her couch with her curled to him and wrapped in her favorite old afghan. They had decided on the couch after relentless arguing as to why the bed was wrong - Josh was happy that he won that argument. He sighed and wrapped his arms more tightly around her and her fingers started tracing the scar on his chest lightly and then her lips trailed behind.
"Mmmm," he moaned. "Morning."
"You're still beaming," she said smiling up at him.
"I'm a happy man," he told her, running his fingers through her hair.
"As you should be, Mr. Chief of Staff, Sir," she giggled.
"I go home, soon," he told her.
She sighed and pushed herself up so she was sitting. "Yes," she answered, kissing him on the mouth lightly.
"What am I going to do?" he asked.
"Josh...you said you could handle this," she said, frustrated. "I asked you before..."
"I know, I know," he huffed. "And I can. I was just saying that...I'm gonna miss this...I'm gonna miss you, Donnatella," he smiled at her smile when he said her name. He loved that he could make her smile like that.
"You leave tomorrow morning," she smirked when he looked confused. "I've been keeping your schedule, silly."
"And Michael's coming back?" he asked.
"Yes, Josh," she sighed.
"I have to be at work soon," Josh said, looking at her intently. "Wanna conserve water together?" he asked with a devilish grin.
"You, Mr. Lyman, are impossible," she laughed as she followed him to the shower.
At the hotel...
"Where the hell is Josh?" Toby asked, stalking down the hotel floor again and banging on his door.
CJ stuck her head out of her door, "What's wrong?"
"Josh...he's not answering his door," Toby sighed. "I haven't really seen him since the party after the thing last night. I mean...I know I saw him there...but then we came back here and there was more partying...but I don't remember Josh."
"I don't really either," CJ recalled. "But maybe he just is hung over or something...it's not inconceivable."
They turned in the direction of the door down the hall to see Zoey sneaking out of Charlie's hotel room. "Miss Bartlet," Toby called, making her turn around in a start.
"Toby! CJ! I was just...I mean...I..." Zoey tried. "Morning," she smiled.
"Have you seen Josh?" CJ asked, ignoring the situation.
"Not since the party last night at the Convention," Zoey told her. "Why? Did you all lose him again?"
"Possibly," Toby admitted.
"Did we call Donna?" Zoey asked. "Maybe she knows where he's at. Those two have been buddy-buddy again these last two weeks."
"Um...I haven't," CJ remarked as Danny came down the hallway.
"Who'd we lose?" he asked with a grin.
"Josh," Zoey supplied.
"Last time I saw him was at the Convention," Danny mused.
"Us, too," Toby said.
"So, we think it is wise to call Donna?" Danny asked.
"Who the hell else would know?" Charlie said, coming out of his room to stand by Zoey.
"They've been back to their bantering ways these last few days," Zoey agreed.
"I should call her," CJ sighed reaching for her cell phone and dialing Donna's apartment.
Donna's apartment...In the bathroom...
"Did you hear something?" Donna asked as she wrapped her arms around Josh's wet back to grab a towel.
Josh turned around and smiled at her, "I love you," he said.
"I know that. I didn't ask that," Donna smirked.
"Do you love me?" Josh pressed.
"I'm with Michael. We're getting married," she reminded him as she reached for her robe and wrapped a towel around her wet hair.
"So?" he asked.
"So?" she laughed. "Josh...you know what this is...it's just a thing," she smiled hopefully. "You still okay with that?"
"Donna..." Josh started and reached for her face. "I'll take what little I can get of you," he whispered as they heard the knocking on the front door.
"What the hell?" Donna asked. "Get in the bedroom. Stay there. Use the fire escape if necessary."
Donna walked to the door and opened it revealing CJ, Danny, Toby, Charlie and Zoey. "Morning, guys," she smiled at the group.
"It appears that we have lost Josh," Toby informed her.
"And we were hoping that you could tell us where we might find him," CJ finished.
"Since you are apparently the keeper of Josh," Danny muttered, earning a glare from CJ and Toby.
"I haven't really seen Josh since last night," Donna began. "Can I get you guys some coffee or..." she stopped noticing she was all out of coffee, "...or maybe some juice or something?"
"No," Charlie answered. "I think we just need Josh."
"Well," Donna sighed. "Unless I've stowed him in my closet," she laughed. "He's not here."
Then there was a knock on the door. "Jeez..." Donna muttered. "Who the hell else could possibly come over?"
She opened the door and then laughed. It was Josh. Donna smiled and gave him a curious look and he mouthed 'fire escape' to her and winked. "Hey guys! Morning, Donna," he smirked. "I brought coffee."
"Where the hell have you been?" Toby started.
"I was in my room," he answered, setting the 'box of joe' on her kitchen counter. "Should I have been elsewhere?"
"Why didn't you answer the door?" CJ pushed.
"Passed out?" Josh asked. "I have no idea. Maybe I was in the shower or something," he supplied. "We're you worried?"
"Apparently so," Danny smirked. "You're lucky we didn't send out the troops, I suppose."
Charlie laughed and Zoey hugged Josh. "I was worried," she whispered.
"Have no fear," he smiled. "Josh is here. And he brought coffee!"
Donna rolled her eyes and Zoey giggled and they all grabbed mugs for coffee.
"So," CJ began as they all sat down. "Donna? When's Michael come home?"
Only Zoey noticed Josh cringe.
"He'll be back soon," Donna smiled.
"Excited?" CJ asked.
"Yeah," Donna answered.
"So...when are you two gonna tie the knot?" Charlie asked.
"Um...we're thinking of maybe February...around Valentine's Day. I kinda want a winter wedding...and Michael wants to do what I want," Donna gushed.
Josh groaned and shook his head. "I am gonna go and meet with Sam," Josh said.
Donna sighed and tried to meet his eyes, to no avail. "You sure?" she asked him.
"Yep," he said. "I'm a busy man. I need to win a Presidential Campaign."
"Uh huh," she tried to smile.
"And you, my dear," he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, "need to plan your wedding. Don't forget my invitation."
"How could I?" she smiled sadly at him.
Josh nodded and then he looked at the rest of the occupants. "You all coming?"
A chorus of yeses came from the rest of them. They all hugged Donna goodbye and they promised to call her before they left the next day.
Donna was filled with a mix of joy and sorrow when Michael came home. It was the same day that Josh left. She was on the phone with him when Michael let himself in.
"Be careful," she told him.
"Always, Donnatella," he whispered. "I'll miss you."
"Me too," she smiled. "I'll see you at the end of October," she told him. I'm coming down for the week before the Election to help out and all. Then, if Sam deems me worthy enough, I'll be back down there in January for the Inauguration."
"You'll be here," he promised.
"Donna!" Michael called.
"Michael! You're home!" Donna shrieked. "Josh, honey, I gotta go," she told him and hung up. "Michael! I've missed you, baby," she cooed as she kissed him hard on the mouth.
"Hey sweetie," he smiled at her. "Mom can't wait to meet you and I brought you plenty of bridal planning shit for you to feast over."
"Yay!" she screamed. "We're getting married in like seven months!"
"Yes we are," he laughed. "Who would've thought that like a year ago we'd be engaged today and I'd know the highest ranking officials in the evil Democratic Party quite well?"
"Me," she laughed as she kissed him and drug him to her bedroom.
Three and a Half Months Later....
"Baby...it's only till the second," Donna reasoned with him as she was preparing to get in the car with Zoey.
"I know...I just...I'll miss you," he whined.
"Michael! Then come with us," Donna begged.
"No...it's too much. I mean...I might even vote for the guy...but I don't think I can help him campaign this last week. What would my colleagues think?" he asked with a smirk.
"I love you," she told him as she kissed him lightly and her phone rang. "Yes?" she asked impatiently into her headset.
"Are you coming home?" Josh asked.
"I am coming to DC, if that's what you mean," she remarked, kissing Michael again.
"I miss you," he whispered.
She smiled a little at his sweetness. "Josh...you're going to win another Presidential election."
"I know," he grinned. "I'm da man."
"I know," she grinned. "I'm hanging up now," she laughed.
"I'll see you soon," he whispered before he disconnected.
"Bye, Michael," she whispered and jumped in the limo just before it sped off.
"You okay?" Zoey asked.
"I'm good," Donna smiled.
"You're okay with leaving Michael to spend time with Joshua?" Zoey asked.
"I'm visiting my friends," Donna corrected. "Not leaving my fiancé or just visiting Josh."
"I know...but you know what I meant," Zoey huffed. "Nevermind...how goes the wedding plans?"
"They goes," Donna smirked. "You're still up for maid-of-honor duties, right?"
"I can't wait," Zoey gushed.
"I am almost completely done planning everything. After Christmas and New Year's it's smooth sailing. I really think that I'm gonna be happy," she smiled.
"Yeah?" Zoey asked.
"Yeah." Donna answered.
Once they arrived in Washington, all hell broke loose. There were reporters and photographers surrounding the White House as well as the local campaign offices. It was chaos. Donna was in her element. She loved it. Josh met Zoey and Donna at the airport and was with them until they reached the downtown Headquarters. Then he dropped Zoey off in the custody of Charlie and grabbed Donna into the first dark room he found and hugged her tightly. "Missed you," he whispered into her hair.
"Josh," she warned. "We have to work."
"I know," he muttered.
"You need to be 'da man'," she sighed.
"I thought I was," he smirked.
"You are," she laughed. "Now let's get to it."
"You're impossible," he joined in her laughter as they got to work on the latest polling numbers.
The week and half went by very fast. Election Day came. It was the most important day in Josh's life. He'd help win elections in the past. But this...this was his day to shine. And he had Donna to share it with - more or less, anyways. The morning Donna spent holed up with Mallory, Margaret and the rest of the girls - including the newest Seaborn, Gabriella. Donna adored her and she was honored beyond belief when Mallory and Sam approached her and Josh the night before to be Godparents. Josh cheered when they asked and Donna cried. The Christening was going to be before Christmas so it wouldn't interfere with the Inauguration.
It was 10 AM when Josh made his way into Oval Office to find the girls cooing over Gabbie by the seal on the carpet. To his surprise The President and First Lady were playing right along with them and he had to laugh. "Ladies, Sir, Ma'am," he said when he found them.
"Josh," they all smiled.
"Donna...we need to get to work," he told her.
"Josh...it's morning still," Donna whined. "Nothing can be determined at this point. We have hours."
"Yeah...give her a break Josh," The President smirked.
"Thank you, Sir," Donna smiled at the President and glared at Josh.
"Move it," he ordered. "We've got numbers and GOTV locations to check on in the Metropolitan Area. I have an Election to win," he crowed.
"Of course when we win, it'll all be you," Abbey laughed.
"Of course Ma'am," he smirked. "I'm ...." he began.
"Da Man," the room erupted with laughter.
"I'm glad you all see it my way," he smiled. "Donna? Shall we?" he asked offering her his arm.
She kissed Gabriella on the cheek and said her farewells to the room and reached for his arm and allowed him to lead her out of the room.
The day was filled with yelling, numbers and lots of wind. But in the end, they were all smiling and back in the White House for at least another four years. President-elect Samuel Seaborn trumped the competition. He won in all demographics and the Bartlets were thrilled to be passing the torch on to such worthy individuals.
There were parties and interviews and everything that Donna used to think she always wanted. But one thing was missing from the picture - Michael hadn't come down and she missed him. In the middle of party number fourteen, she grabbed Josh and pulled him in the hallway. "Josh?" she whispered.
He was a little drunk and he struggled for a moment to focus on her. "Donna? Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes. I just...I want to go home," she stammered.
"Donna," he whined. "It's our big night." He sighed and leaned up against the wall and raked his hands through his hair. "How can you do this to me right now?"
"I'm...Jesus Josh...I'm not doing anything to you! And it's not really 'our' big night. It's your's and Sam's and Mal's...not mine. I don't work for you anymore. I am here to VOL-UN-TEER," she said slowly. "And I'm about done now."
"Donna," Josh said astonished. "How can you say that?"
"Josh...I miss Michael...I have a wedding to plan...I don't have time to follow you around anymore," she cried.
"Donna? Where the hell is this coming from? I thought you liked helping me out?" he asked, confused.
"I do, Josh," she sighed. "I just think...I mean...I'm getting married. It's irrational for me to spending my time chasing after my ex-lover, you know? It's...I don't know...It's not right," she decided. "I want to go home now."
She attempted to smile at him and he shrugged helplessly and wrapped her in a hug. "I love you," he whispered as she cried on his shoulder.
"Maybe you shouldn't" she whispered.
"Not possible," he told her. "So...when do I get to see you again?"
"The Christening," she told him. "Then for Sam's big day. Michael and I will be down. for both"
"I'll send you your Christmas gift, I suppose," he whispered into her hair.
"And you'll get your Hanukkah gift via good ole USPS, as well," she sighed.
"I get eight," he reminded.
"You'll be lucky you get one," she joked and poked his ribs.
"I'll get you home - tonight," he promised.
"A plane?" she asked, as she wiped the tears from her face.
"I'll arrange for a plane for you. You'll be home in less than forty-five minutes," he promised.
"So this is it?" she sniffed. "Why does this feel so...I don't know...final?" she asked through her tears.
"Cause it is," he said simply. He moved closer to her and lightly kissed her lips as his fingers wiped away her tears. "Goodbye, Donnatella," he whispered and looked at her for a moment before turning, flipping up his cell phone and making the arrangements for her trip home.
