"At last"

I felt a little self-conscious about my very daring choice of dress as I stepped out of the limousine. It truly was very far from what I wore at the White House. But as soon as Danny's eyes locked with mine, the doubt I had melted away like ice cubes on a sizzling summer day. The pride and love in his eyes as he put his arm around my waste, made me feel warm and lightheaded with happiness.

It was still so early in my pregnancy that most people would have never known the difference. In the two and a half years that had passed since I left the White House we very rarely went out and my trips down any red carpet could be counted on one hand. Somehow that wasn't a part of my life anymore. Not that I didn't enjoy dressing up and putting on a pair of stilettos from time to time, but lately the desire had somehow vanished. Maybe state dinners, official banquets and party fundraisers had been enough for me.

But here I was. My dress was black silk and clung to my body in all the right places as Danny had put it when I showed him my purchase yesterday. The straps were twisted and crossed on my back. The neckline was rather low cut and tastefully showed off my recently enlarged breast. Pregnancy really had its advantages. Besides the twisted straps my back was bare. The silky thin fabric made me feel glamorous and sexy.

"WOW, why didn't you wear stuff like this to work every day?", Josh almost shouted as soon as I stepped into the grand ballroom. We were attending a party fundraiser in LA where the senior staff from the Bartlet administration was invited as guests of honor. He came over and hugged me as I hit him lovingly on the arm for his comment. Along with him came Donna. She looked stunning in a light blue silk slip dress with a big diamond necklace and her blond hair swept up in a soft stylish ponytail.

"CJ, you look amazing, living with Danny really agrees with you", Donna said before hugging me and giving me a light peek on the cheek. They greeted Danny with hugs as well.

"Seriously Danny what did you do to her?", Josh kept on talking. "Well, we all know what a fox she is but still she is really looks..." Donna grabbed him and made an excuse for them to walk away. She was laughing at him when they walked away hand in hand.

It might have been a while since politicians and White House staff surrounded me but I somehow felt right at home. I took a minute to take it all in. The room was filled with the loveliest smell of roses and candles lit up the room along with two giant chandeliers. People sat at small round tables. A band played soft jazzy music as people mingled and I saw as President Santos and Helen started slowly dancing in the middle of the dance floor. Other couples joined in and soon the floor was almost filled. We had come a little late to the party, because we had an appointment with my doctor earlier and we had gone out to diner after.

"CJ, you look absolutely stunning tonight", I turned around and saw Abbey Bartlet smiling at me.

"Danny you are one lucky guy", President Bartlet had a firm hold on Abbeys arm and walked with a cane in his other hand as they moved towards us. We met them with hugs and kissed.

"Sir", I was so happy to see them.
"I've missed you", I told them truthfully.

We talked about the life the former first couple led now, my new life with Danny, working for the Hollis foundation and President Santos new health care plan. At one point Danny excused himself for a short while to say hi to a couple of reporters but he quickly came back and joined the conversation. He came carrying a glass of red wine for him and a glass of water for me.

The president didn't notice but Abbey immediately looked at my glass. She then looked at me and a smile slowly crept to her face.

"CJ you truly are glowing tonight", she said in a "I know what you're hiding" kind of way.

"Thank you Abbey, I never felt better", I said as I reached for Danny's hand.

After a while we parted and as Abbey was hugging me she whispered:

"Congratulations sweetie, call me and tell me all about it", she said as her hand briefly touched my stomach to make absolutely sure I knew that she knew.

"I will and thank you Abbey", I said out loud and laughingly kissed the president good-bye before Danny dragged me towards the dance floor.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this song was requested by the gentleman with the beautiful lady in black silk", the front singer said.

"And may I add you are one lucky guy!" the singer said with a wink before he started singing.

I felt everyone's eyes zoom in on me.

"Danny, what are you doing", I said and resisted for a second but when I heard the first words of the song I gave in.

---

At last

My love has come along

My lonely days are over

And life is like a song

At last

The skies above are blue

My heart was wrapped up in clover

The night I have looked at you

I found a dream, that I could speak to

A dream that i, can call my own

I found a thrill, to press my cheek to

A thrill that i, have never known

You smiled, you smiled

And then the spell was cast

And here we are in heaven

For you are mine at last

I found a dream

That I could speak to

A dream that I can call my own

I found a thrill, to press my cheek to

A thrill that i, have never known

You smiled you smiled

And then the spell was cast

And here we are in heaven

For you are mine

At last

At last

At last