Title: Because You Loved me (2?)

Author: Cheryl A

Rating: TEEN (Adult themes)

Category: post episode for Transition

Spoiler Info: Everything up to Transition

Disclaimer: WB, NBC, John Wells, Aaron Sorkin etc and Celine Dion for use of her song title.I have no money and get no profit out of this.

E-mail address for feedback: permission: Sure

Notes: This is my very first fan fic. Any and all feedback would be great.

Chapter 2:

Donna trip down memory lane was cut short by a wet, but freshly showed, Josh kissing her neck in nothing but his towel. She just wanted to lie there for a brief moment, as he kissed her and breathe in his smell. She had grown to love the scent, and now just the faintest smell of his cologne was enough to drive her wild with desire for him all over again.

However she realized they were not in Hawaii anymore and needed to come back to reality where they have to be at work in less than an hour. She opened her eyes, and began to get out of bed to Josh's dissatisfaction.

"Joshua, stop. What did I tell you earlier? If we start, you know we can't stop and I don't want us to be late on our first day back. Plus I'm eager to share our trip details with all our friends."

Josh gave her his best pouty face in response, finally resigning to the fact that he will have to wait until later to enjoy his newest favorite activity, making out with Donna.

As Donna stepped into the shower, she called out in her most seductive voice.

"I know you're disappointed as this is like our first morning without sex, but I promise I will make it all up you tonight, I'll even do the thing you like me to do to your ear."

This brought a huge grin to Josh's face as he finished getting dressed for work. As he put his watch on he noticed the various mementos from their Hawaiian escape scattered on the dresser. He smiled as picked up a photo of Donna and him that they had gotten from the Ohana Beach Luau. She looked so beautiful in the pink sarong that she wore, while he actually looked relaxed for once. Josh intended to get the photo framed and placed on his desk, if for no other reason than to prove that he indeed took a vacation to all those who doubted that it was even possible and to brag that he did so with a very beautiful woman.

He also realized this was their very first picture together as a couple, they looked so happy and at peace together, it was almost picture perfect. As he placed the picture back down on the dresser, he thought back to that night and a particular promise he made on the moonlit beach.

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Flashback: Hawaii: Day 4

Josh had been definitely been enjoying their vacation, Sam was right it had been a very restorative and salubrious experience for his body and soul. When they finally found the motivation to leave their room, they found themselves falling in love with the big island, never wanting to return to DC. Together they had gone scuba diving, went volcano hiking, and relaxed out on the beach for hours. Josh was also on a mission, determined to find her the most perfect seashell before the trip was over

It was now their fourth night in Hawaii and Donna surprised Josh with plans to one of those dinner luaus all the tourists go to. Much to his displeasure, Donna further surprised him when she volunteered him to be one of people that dress up and have to go on stage to learn the hula from one of the native Hula girls and basically make a fool out of himself. While she didn't particularly like how closely the native girl was to Josh and how she was putting her hands on her man's waist. It was all worth it to try to see Josh strut his stuff and coordinate the movement of his hips in a rhythmic pattern with the music. Plus she had that added bonus that she caught the entire charade on film and now was in possession of some pretty embarrassing pictures of Josh in an orange coconut bra and matching grass skirt. He remembers this lead to a playful threat posed by Donna as they ended their night with a moonlit stroll on the beach.

"Now Josh, if you ever break my heart, these pictures are going straight to the offices of all of the Republicans senators, so they could see that you aren't really the tough guy that you portray yourself to be."

"You wouldn't dare"

"Don't try me, we will see if they take you seriously after they see your cross-dressing habits."

"Why Donnatella Moss, you have really turned into the ultimate political operative, now haven't you."

Donna smiled proudly, "Well I did learn from the best" as she kissed him gently on the lips.

"Were you talking about me, or did Will teach you to be so cunning?" Josh teased.

"Nope, I learned it all from you. I was just trying to get a rise out of you when I said that to you that evening in the hotel lobby" Donna stated as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Really, then I guess now I have to promise to devote my life to making you happy and never breaking your heart now don't I?" Donna smiled and nodded her head in agreement as he continued.

"After all, it seems the sake of every bill that I would ever like this future administration to pass is dependent on it." Josh said as he wrapped his arms tighter around Donna to pull her even closer.

As Josh hugged her, and lightly kissed her earlobe, Donna thought about this promise and the 4-week window she gave him to define their relationship and she realized in this moment, they didn't need to have the official talk. Josh's actions recently have made it pretty clear it was never just about the sex and he seemed committed to be in a real relationship with her. She knows how hard it is for Josh to discuss love and feelings and she realized that just being with him is enough.

"You know I love you" Donna whispered softly in Josh's ear, with him being unaware of the epiphany Donna had just come to.

"And I love you too" as he grabbed her hand and placed in with his and they continued their stroll down the beach back to her hotel.

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Present Day, Josh's apartment

Josh was finishing getting ready as he looked for his blackberry that he swore he left on the desk before he left on the trip. He looked under the desk and found it on the ground and dead, realizing he forgot to turn it off before he left. He stuck the charger in his pocket and proceeded to clean the remnants of Hurricane Josh, throwing away the empty Mylanta bottle and Tums wrappers.

Josh recalled throughout the trip, one thing had been continuously on his mind, which he struggled to finally make a decision about. To the surprise of many, it was not who they were going to name VP, or Secretary of State or any of the plethoras of open positions he still had to staff. It was Donna's 4-week timeframe parameter she had presented him with shortly before they had left.

It was only minutes later after she said it, gave him that spectacular kiss goodbye and walked out of his apartment that he knew he never wanted her walking out his life again. He remembered he had walked over to his desk drawer and pulled out a small box that his mother had given him that Christmas after Rossylyn, it was labeled "to be opened once you find that special one" and opened it to reveal a small jewelry box housing the most beautiful antique solitaire diamond ring ever.

He thought back to the significant history that the ring had in the Lyman family, it had belonged both his grandmother, and his great-grandmother. He remembered how surprised and confused he was when he first got it from his mom as a Chanukah present 6 years ago.

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Flashback, Chanukah at the Lyman House, 6 years ago

Mrs. Lyman smiled as she watched her son unwrap the last of his Chanukah presents. It was something so special that she had been saving it for last and had actually been waiting for years to give it to him when she felt the moment was right. But with her son's shooting and the events that followed she realized how precious life was and no longer wanted to wait any longer.

"What type of present is this, mom?" Josh asked as he finished unwrapping the small box, to reveal another small box containing a solitaire diamond ring.

"I don't think it will fit on my finger" Josh smiled as he pretended to try to fit the ringer on his left hand.

"Joshua, stop sassing your mother. This is a very important moment and I would appreciate it if you would be serious for once." Josh's mom then shot Josh that look she always gave him as a child when he was misbehaving.

"This is a very special ring, it belonged to your father's mother, and her mother before that, and I feel they would love no other than for it to be continued to be past down the Lyman family."

"I'm sorry mom, it's just I don't know what to say, I don't even have a girlfriend or anything so I'm just a bit confused"

Josh mom shot him another look as if that minor detail of missing a girlfriend did not matter.

"Mom, as you know, my love life pretty much sucks, I have no time to properly woo anybody. You, better than anybody, knows how horrible I've always been with girls. You had to find my prom date yourself as you insisted that I just had to go and experience that."

Josh's mom nodded in acknowledgment, as it was no secret to her that her son was somewhat clueless outside the political world, especially when it came to members of the opposite sex.

"I mean the closest I have to a girlfriend is Donna." Josh continued as he poured himself a glass of wine, not realizing the meaning behind his admission.

However Josh's mom picked up on it and she smiled, "I know Joshua."

Unbeknownst to both Josh and Donna, she had observed how they acted when Josh was shot and Donna helped him recuperate. She could tell that they both cared deeply about each other, even if they couldn't see it themselves and knew one day they will have a sharp awakening about the true nature of those feelings.

"If this is just another of your schemes to get me to settle down and get you those grandchildren you are always nagging me about. It's not going to work." Josh said as he tried to hand the ring back to his mom.

"No tricks Joshua, I want you to keep the ring and hold on it, you'll know when the time will be right. It would mean a lot to me."

Josh saw the sincere look in his mom's eyes and couldn't as well say no to her so he reluctantly placed the jewelry box in his pants pocket. He still didn't understand why she was giving it to him now, but he wanted to make her happy and if accepting this gift now would make her happy then he would comply.

Mrs. Lyman placed her hand on her grown son's shoulder and said, "One day Joshua you will see how wonderful love can be, how it will transform you into this person who never thought you could be. How much happiness love can bring into your life and how it's right at your grasp if you just embrace it."

Josh gave his mom a big hug and kissed her cheek and thanked her again for the gesture.

------------------------

His memory shifted back to present current day as the box his mother had given him was still sitting on his desk. Although the contents were now empty, he still placed it back in his bottom drawer and shut it. He didn't realize it back then, but he realized now that his mom knew that Donna was the one all along and that's why she looked at him strangely that night many years ago. He thought to himself maybe there is some truths in saying that mother always know best and they are always right.

Josh remembered as he packed his stuff for the trip he found himself not only packing his swimming trunks and suntan lotion but also packing the small jewelry box that had not left in his desk drawer since he returned home that Chanukah after Rossyln.

He had spent the first 6 days of the trip debating not "if" he wanted to marry Donna, because he knew in his heart that was one thing in life he wanted the most, but whether it would be too soon to ask her? The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off, but as they spent more and more time together he found himself falling deeper and deeper in love and didn't want to lose this opportunity that he had here in paradise as the glitz and glamour of DC was no where near as romantic as the cool Hawaiian breeze and the allure of palm trees.

He moved back into his room as he had forgotten his security badge and moved to the edge of his dresser where he noticed that Donna had carefully placed the ring down prior to getting in the shower. He picked up the ring and smiled as it instantly triggered the memory of 48 hrs ago when he was able finally find the courage to give this ring to Donna when she agreed to be his wife.

Flashback, Day 6 in Hawaii (last night)

10:00am

It was their very last night in paradise and Josh really wanted to make their last night special and utterly romantic. But he knew he needed assistance as he had failed at every attempt to surprise Donna on the trip, it was as if she could anticipate his every move. Donna told Josh that's what happens when you know somebody so well, you begin to read their mind. Josh was determined to sweep her off of her feet tonight and took advantage of the fact that Donna was in the shower to place to Sam.

Before Sam had a chance to speak, Josh whispered "Sam, it's me!" into the received.

"Josh?"

"Yeah… Sam, I need your help with something and if you can pull Ronna in as well I would appreciate it."

"This goes against our arrangement, I told you I'm not discussing any events of the last 6 days with you, you are strictly on vacation."

"I don't care what's going on right now in DC, I need your help here in Hawaii."

Sam was surprised at Josh's statement, he couldn't believe that Josh had managed to pull himself completely out of the political atmosphere, he never thought that would be possible. He buzzed Ronna to come to his office immediately so she can help with whatever favor Josh is asking for.

"What do you need us to do buddy? But I'm warning you if you are in the doghouse with Donna, that's your problem and I'm not getting in the middle."

"No, No, No it's nothing like that." Josh reassured Sam.

"I need your help planning a romantic evening for Donna and myself with a private yacht, roses of every color, the best chief available, basically the whole nine yards."

Sam and Ronna smiled at each other as they both thought it was the sweetest thing ever that Josh was pulling out all the stops.

Josh continued, "I would do it myself, but I swear Donna has developed a 6th sense when it comes to my surprises, she anticipates everything! I don't have a lot of time left because Donna is almost done with her shower. Can you get the ball running for me you guys please?" with his tone soundly similarly to the tone Sam heard when Josh called him in the office and begged him to come to DC.

"You got it Josh, we are on it!" Ronna shouted enthusiastically as she was excited to do something nice for Josh and Donna.

"I owe both you guys so much and I will make it up to you when I get back. Sam, I'm going to throw you the most swingiest, coolest, bachelor party ever. We could even get those high class stripers from Laurie's old company as you deserve the best buddy for bailing me out at work and helping me with Donna!"

"Thanks bud" Sam laughed as Josh sounded just as excited as those kids who can't wait to go to Disneyland on the commercials he always say in Orange County.

"I'll call you around 5pm to make sure everything is set! Tell the President Elect I say Hi and see if there is anything in particular he wants from Hawaii. Or just see if he wants a box of Dole Pineapples or chocolate covered macadamia nuts."

"Sounds Good, we got you covered"

"Thanks Guys!" Josh hung up the phone just in time as Donna stepped out of the shower.

"Who was that?" she asked.

Josh put on his best poker face, "Umm… I called my mom to tell her how much fun we were happy and how I should take vacations more often."

"Really, what did she say" Donna said not sure whether to believe Josh or not.

"Umm… she agreed and made me promise that the next vacation we take together will be to see her." Josh said as he engulfed Donna with a kiss as he needed to distract her so that they could end this conversation without further suspicion as he was determined that this evening be a surprise.

7:00pm

All Donna knew was that Josh was taking her on a surprise evening adventure. When they were about 10 minutes from their destination, Josh demanded that she use her Sarong that he brought along as blindfold. She teased Josh that if anything happened to her, she had already emailed his hula dancing pictures to her work email, so if anything happens to her, suspicion would all be on him. He smiled and reassured her nothing bad was going to happen and for her to trust him. He had already spoke to Sam about two hours ago and he let Josh know everything was set and ready to go.

They arrived at the harbor and stepped out of the car and started to walk on the pier.

"Where are you taking me?" Donna asked curiously. She had been able to anticipate all of Josh's other surprises, but for this evening she was drawing a blank.

"Patience, my Donnatella, patience" Josh said as he rubbed the small of her back as he guided Donna down the pier towards their chartered yacht, appropriately named True Love.

"You know I have absolutely no patience, I wanna know now!" Donna teased.

"I'm not telling you, live with the pain" Josh teased back as a brief flash of a Christmas conversation crossed his mind and made him smile.

"Watch your step," Josh said as he held her hand and helped her onboard and guided her a few steps into the main cabin which was perfectly decorated exactly to Josh's liking.

He definitely owed Ronna and Sam big time, they really came through for him. He slowly untied the blindfold as Donna slowly opened her eyes to see some of the most gorgeous arrangement of roses of every color spread throughout the room. A candle-lit table was set for two with a bottle of champagne already iced for their consumption.

"I don't know what to say." Donna said incredulously as she was speechless, nobody had every done something so nice and romantic for her as she breathed in the smell of the fresh roses. She felt like she was living a dream and she never wanted to wake up.

"That's a first." Josh teased as he kissed her gently on the cheek pleased that he was finally able to surprise her.

"You don't have to say anything, I just wanted to let you know how remarkable this week has been and I wanted to express to you exactly how much I love you." Josh said almost in a whisper as he lowered his lips to meet Donna's for a very passionate kiss.

They may have never gotten to enjoy the fine dinner Josh had catered, if they were not accidentally interrupted to the chef's embarrassment. They enjoyed the dinner, and had a good heart to heart conversation about family, old friends, and fond memories of Leo. Soon it was time for dessert, to Donna's surprise Josh had somehow managed to get the chef to recreate her favorite dessert as a child, a vanilla sundae topped with graham crackers, strawberries and Ghirardelli's chocolate syrup topped with two cherries.

"My, aren't you just full of surprises." She smiled as she lowered her spoon to indulge herself in a large spoonful.

Josh smiled back "And the nights still young and I've saved the best for last."

Josh took his napkin and wiped his mouth as he proceeded to get up from his chair and come closer to Donna as he slipped down on one knee and gently took Donna's hand and opened the contents of the small jewelry box he had been keeping in his pocket all vacation long, waiting for the perfect moment which had finally arrived.

"Donna you have been my best friend, my lover, my partner. I want you to know that yhou complete me and without you I will be you I'm nothing. When you walked into that New Hampshire office and squirmed your way both into a job and into my life, your also stole my heart even if we both were not aware of it at the time. I never want to be apart from you ever again, I realized I do need a life and I want to share that journey with you. I want to be with you in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I want to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity. I know this is kinda crazy and we may be moving at lighting speed. But as I told Sam, transition days are like dog years, where one day equals like a week, so I guess it's not too fast when you look at it that way."

Josh stopped himself, as Donna let out a slight chuckle, he realized he was wandering again and needed to refocus. He took a deep breath and gently kissed Donna's hand that he was holding.

"What I'm trying my best to say without screwing up anymore is that my dearest Donnatella, would you please do more the honor of being my wife so we can share this crazy journey of life together?"

Donna couldn't help anymore as tears streamed down her face and Josh affectionately wiped them away. She bent down and gave Josh a light kiss and placed her other hand over his.

"Joshua, nothing would make me happier. I've thought I've been in love with you for years but with each day we spend together I find that I love you more than I did the day before, more than I ever imagined possible. You've given me so much, provided me with opportunities I never thought possible, you took a chance on me and I realized now that you've always had my best interest at heart. I trust you and respect you, and I want to spend the rest of my light laughing with you and crying with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love without any obligation and in no way do I think this is too fast. In fact I feel this absolutely perfect."

Josh had never felt so happy, so complete, so fulfilled than in that particular moment, his hand shook slightly as he carefully pulled the ring from the box and slid it on Donna's left hand. As if by fate the ring fit her perfectly, no resizing necessary, as if his mom already knew.

"Josh, it's beautiful." Donna said in awe as she admired her new engagement ring.

"A beautiful woman deserves a beautiful ring" Josh whispered as he got up from the ground to give Donna another passionate kiss. He sat back down in his chair and recounted the story of how his mom gave him the ring so many years ago.

Present Day

"Don't think you can be Indian Giver and ask for the ring back. You gave it to me and I have no intentions of returning it to you." Donna teased as she finished towel drying her hair from the shower.

Josh turned around and smiled. "No I think you are stuck with me for life, sorry. I believe there is a no return or exchange policy when it comes to Josh Lyman engagements, all sales are final." as he slipped the ring back on her left hand as Donna chuckled.

"You think you are so funny, don't you"

Josh nodded his head as they shared another kiss.

"But you love me anyways, right?" Josh asked.

"With all my heart." as Donna went in for another kiss.

"But if we don't get going we are going to be late and I can't wait to show off my ring and see the look on everybody's faces when they hear we are engaged."

Donna grabbed her purse and handed Josh his backpack as they set off to start their first day in the Santos Administration as future Mr. and Mrs. Chief of Staff.