A/N: We're coming into the homestretch of this story! Only two chapters left after this! This one is a big-Josh and Donna's long-awaited wedding. As always, hope you enjoy, and please read and review!
Chapter 16: Wedding Bells
A few days after Danny Concannon's return, the countdown to Josh and Donna's wedding had begun. It would be held at the inn, just like Sam and Ainsley's had been, and between the women of the town all helping with the arrangements, the wedding was shaping up to be an exciting event for the entire town. And now, the exciting day that had once seemed so far off was only T-minus two days away.
CJ was working a shift at the diner before Donna's bachelorette party (it wouldn't be a full traditional party, just a small cocktail party in the loft) while thinking about Danny's sudden return. They had gone to dinner the previous night, gone back to CJ's apartment, and...didn't sleep.
It wasn't that she wasn't excited by the prospect of a relationship with him. It was that she had been romantically on her own for so long that she feared screwing up a relationship. But maybe Danny was worth the risk.
She was so deep in thought that she scarcely noticed the door opening. She turned around to find Zoey Bartlet standing at the counter.
"Zoey!" She exclaimed, coming around the counter to give her a huge hug. "How have you been? How's grad school going?"
"Good, thanks."
"You meet any new guys recently?" After the Jean-Paul mess, Zoey had told her parents and sisters that she had effectively sworn off guys, electing to focus on her studies instead. Still, that might've changed.
But Zoey shook her head as she sat down at the counter. CJ moved to pour her a cup of coffee. "Nope, no prospects as of late. What about you?"
CJ bit her lip. Should she share what had happened over the last few days? Then, suddenly, it came out. "Danny came back a few days ago."
Zoey's eyes grew wide. "Danny...Concannon? My old professor Danny Concannon?"
"Mm-hmm," CJ said. "And we went out to dinner last night and...well, you know."
"Really?" Zoey drawled out. "And what exactly is happening with you and the English professor?"
"Well...I don't know. I don't know what it is we're doing, or what it is I want out of this relationship. But the truth is, I'm in love with him." It was the first time CJ had said those words out loud, and she shocked herself with them.
Zoey sat at the counter with a knowing smile on her face. "You're in love with him? Is he clear on that?"
CJ looked thoughtful. Maybe Danny did deserve a chance, despite her insecurities. "You know what? I don't know, but I might find out."
Zoey smiled brightly. "Invite him to be your date to the wedding!"
"But what if he's already busy?"
"Only one way to find out!" Zoey said, pointing to the phone.
CJ walked over to the phone on the other end of the counter. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the phone and dialed.
…
Meanwhile, Abbey and Millie were working in the office together-a rare occasion, but necessary, given their packed schedule. Abbey was working in the main office, while Millie worked in the pediatric and adolescent clinic. But as the evening wore on, and the pair got ready to attend Josh and Donna's rehearsal dinner, Millie had some news for her friend and business partner.
"Hey, Abbey?" Millie called. "I have some news."
"Oh?" Abbey said, looking up from her papers and pulling down her reading glasses. "What's up?"
"I'm getting married. Or, re-married, in any case."
Abbey's jaw dropped. Then, she schooled her face from one of surprise to one of excitement. "Oh, Millie, that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you!" She stood up and enveloped her in a hug. "Who is the guy? How long have you known him? When do I get to meet him?"
"Well, his name is Leo McGarry. He's an attorney, but he works out of Washington DC as White House Counsel. We met about two weeks ago at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Hanover, and we just hit it off. Before I knew it, he asked me to marry him!"
Abbey's eyes bugged out. "Did you say, Leo...McGarry?"
Millie nodded. "Why? You know him?"
"Know him?" Abbey laughed. "He and Jed go back...God, I don't even know how long! What a small world."
Millie's face was very neutral. "Talk about a small world. When Leo asked me where I lived, he mentioned that his old friend Jed worked here. I guess I didn't make the connection." She laughed aloud at the absurdity of it. "How about that? I'm marrying your husband's old friend. Oh, and your third question? You can meet him-or in your case, get reacquainted with him-right now. He's coming to pick me up for dinner so we can make wedding plans."
Just then, as if on cue, there was a knock on the door, and Leo McGarry poked his head in. He looked good for his age, given that Abbey hadn't seen him for nearly ten years, and still had the same broad smile and twinkling eyes that managed to make him look ten years younger.
He stopped in his tracks. "Abbey? Ab-Millie, your business partner is Abbey Bartlet?"
"Leo." Millie greeted, coming over to kiss him on the cheek. "I didn't realize you two had a history until I told Abbey about you."
"Yeah, when was the first time we met, Abbey? 1970?"
"Yep, 1970," Abbey replied. "Right after Jed and I came home from London."
"How's Jed?"
"He's fine. Still running this town like the benevolent George Washington he is. You know how invested he gets in local politics."
Leo chuckled. "Same old Jed. Hey, you're going to this wedding tomorrow, right?"
"Are you kidding? We've known Josh and Donna for years. Since they first started going out as a couple."
He smiled fondly. "I've known Josh for years. I'm the one who pointed him to Liberty, you know. And now that his parents are gone...well, I feel like I need to be there. Watch the day Josh truly comes into his own."
"I think he came into his own the day he first met Donna."
"You may be right. And besides, this'll be the last event I attend in this town with my fiancee, seeing as how we'll be heading to DC as soon as we get married."
Abbey was flabbergasted. "Wait...DC?" This was news to her, but then again, why would she expect Leo to give up his job to move to small-town New Hampshire? She turned to Millie. "You're leaving?"
"Not right away. Abbey, we've had a good run." Millie said, launching into her prepared speech. "And eventually, yes, we were both going to move on. You'll find a new partner, but...I'll never find another man like Leo."
They were looking at each other with such love in their eyes. And Abbey could see a bit of the rejuvenated spark that Leo had lost upon his divorce from his wife of thirty-two years, Jenny. Yes, she had to admit that the two were perfect for one another.
Abbey softly smiled. "Then who am I to get in the way of your happiness?" She stood up and hugged first Leo, then Millie. "Congratulations."
"Thanks, Abbey," Millie said gratefully. "That means a lot."
"Yes, it does." Leo agreed. "And just because we're moving down to DC doesn't mean you two gals won't stay in touch."
Abbey nodded in agreement. "That's true." She stood up suddenly. "What do you say we go announce your news to the rest of Liberty? Everyone's over at the rehearsal dinner."
Leo and Millie looked at one another. "I guess we can stop in for an hour or so, then get a late dinner." Millie decided.
"Sounds good to me." Leo agreed. And so, the three headed over to the town hall where the rehearsal dinner was just beginning to get underway, with renewed hope in their hearts.
An hour later, Josh and Donna were dancing to the music of Ellie's CD player. They would have a live band for the reception the next day, but they had decided to skimp on the rehearsal dinner. Since Josh's parents weren't present to bankroll the rehearsal dinner, the Bartlets had offered to host, and Josh and Donna were both eternally grateful.
"Can you believe that at this time tomorrow, we'll be Mr. and Mrs. Lyman?" Josh murmured to his fiancee as he moved her around the dance floor.
"No," Donna replied, her eyes shining. "I can't believe that after all this time, we're finally here."
"So," Josh started. "Leo and Millie?"
"I know. I didn't see that one coming either."
"But anyway, I'm glad Leo's here." He said, looking over at where Leo and Jed were obviously in a heartfelt conversation. "It takes some of the sadness away from my parents not being here." His eyes were downcast; he missed his family more than he could say. His parents and his sister. "They should be here."
"I know," Donna said simply. She knew Josh missed his parents terribly. And there was nothing she could do to change it. But then, something occurred to her. "But you know what?"
"What?" Josh said in a hoarse voice. Donna could see the tear tracks on his face.
"They're here right now, watching you. I know they are."
"You think so?" Josh replied.
"I know they are," Donna repeated with more conviction, kissing his palm.
"Thanks, baby," Josh said gently, pulling her into an embrace. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," Donna replied, leaning in to kiss him.
From the dessert table, Ellie watched the tender moment between her father and soon-to-be stepmother. For not the first time, she was so grateful that Donna had come into their lives when they did. She knew that her father and Donna had a love story for the ages.
…
It was D-Day. At 2:00, in front of 200 people at the Presidential Inn, Josh Lyman and Donna Moss would be married.
Donna woke up that morning feeling more content than she had in a long time. She was marrying the love of her life, a man who accepted her and her daughter wholeheartedly.
After a hearty breakfast made by her mother and Abbey, Donna, Ellie, Abbie Jean, and her mother headed over to the inn, where final preparations would take place. The backyard of the inn was beautifully decorated in the couple's colors of blue and yellow. Yellow roses were everywhere, and folding chairs were set up in rows facing a wooden altar. Abbey was walking around the outside as guests were beginning to arrive around 1:30. Satisfied that everything was in place, Abbey went into a room in the inn where the bridal party was getting ready.
"Is everyone ready?" She asked Donna, Ellie, CJ, Ainsley, and Abbie Jean, who were all dressed up for the wedding.
"Yeah, I think so," Ellie replied. "Are you ready, Donna?"
Donna nodded quickly, overwhelmed with happiness. "Yeah. Um...can I just have a moment with Abbie Jean?"
"Sure, Donna," CJ replied. The bridesmaids all shuffled out of the room, and Donna turned to her five-year-old daughter and crouched down to her level. "Hey, sweetheart. You like Josh, right?"
Abbie Jean nodded eagerly. "I love him."
"Good," Donna said. "I guess I just want you to know that no matter what happens, you'll always be my little girl, okay?" She hugged Abbie Jean close. "I love you so much, baby girl. Nothing will ever change that."
"I love you, too, Mommy." Abbie Jean said seriously as she laid her head against her mother's shoulder. They had been through so much, and now they would take this step together.
Suddenly, Abbey walked in, looking very upset.
"Abbey, what's wrong?" Donna asked, alarmed.
"The rain," Abbey said. The forecast had indicated rain, but they all thought it would start after the wedding. "It's coming down really hard. We can't have the wedding outside."
Everyone was gathered in the lobby to get out of the rain, trying to figure out a solution to the inevitable problem of the rain. There was an additional problem, too: the string quartet they had hired for the wedding was stuck in Manchester, heavy rain making travel difficult. M Josh was still determined not to see Donna until she walked down the aisle, so he was in his office with Sam and Margaret, trying to come up with a solution. Ellie was talking with CJ when suddenly she had a brainstorm.
"I've got it!" She exclaimed. She raced off to the other side of the room.
"Ellie, what-" CJ said, but the college student was already gone.
Ellie pushed past several people until she found the man she was looking for-her one-time stepfather Scott, one of the groomsmen. "Scott!"
Scott turned around. "Oh, hey, Ellie. Crazy about this rain!"
"I need your help," Ellie explained, breathless. "I think I know how we can save the wedding."
Half-an-hour later, Scott had found what he needed in his workshop and gotten Sam and Toby to help him. It was tickling to watch these men in tuxedos getting soaking wet, lifting into place the solution to Josh and Donna's rained-out wedding day: a 20-foot canopy that stretched out from the back entrance to the inn.
Music wasn't hard once they had a chance to consider their options. Zoey had played flute in the high school orchestra, and she gamely volunteered. She had then recruited a guitar player from the music store in town to play guitar. They pulled up music from the Internet to play during the service. It wouldn't be exactly the string quartet music the couple wanted, but it would work.
Josh, the groomsmen, and Jed (who would be performing the service) got into position as the music started. To the soundtrack of "Ode to Joy", first Abbie Jean and Justin (in shades of blue), then CJ, then Ainsley (in shades of yellow) walked down the aisle. Finally, Ellie made her way to the front. Josh watched proudly as they all walked down the makeshift aisle, formed by the guests cramming themselves underneath the canopy in two rows.
Then, the two struck up the "Bridal Chorus", or as much as they could remember (they hadn't exactly rehearsed). The crowd turned and gasped in awe as Donna and her father emerged from the back door of the inn.
Josh gaped in awe at Donna. He had never seen her look so beautiful. The dress was a cream-colored strapless satin dress that fell to the ground and flowed behind her. She also wore a veil that fell in front of and behind her.
Before he knew it, she was at the front. Her father kissed her cheek and gave her hand to a beaming Josh. Josh leaned in and whispered, "You look beautiful."
Donna smiled widely as the processional ended and Jed began.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Josh and Donna in the bond of holy matrimony. I have watched these two discover their feelings for each other little by little over the last several years. Their relationship has been tested by many different situations, but through it all, love has prevailed. At this time, I would like to invite Josh and Donna to declare their vows for one another."
Donna decided to go first. "Josh, when I first came here, I didn't know who I was. I was a scared 24-year-old with a baby on the way, and wondering how I was going to discover who I was meant to be in this world. And then I met you, and I stopped wondering. You and Ellie took me into your lives without a second thought. You accepted my daughter with loving arms and made her a part of the family. I don't know when it was that I fell in love with you, because the truth is, I can't picture a time when I wasn't in love with you, even if I didn't know what it was at the time. I love you so much, and I can't wait to start this new journey with you."
Josh brushed his hand across his eyes and smiled, taking her hand into his. "Donna, when I first met you, I can't say it was love at first sight, but it was definitely shortly after that that I realized I was meant to spend the rest of my life with you. You are so beautiful, and strong, and such a good person. And you have raised a beautiful, smart, incredible daughter that is the icing on the cake. You are my best friend and the love of my life, and you make me happier than I ever thought I could be. And I promise that as we bring our families together as one, that I will spend each day making you feel the same way."
Everyone was crying as they listened to Josh and Donna pour their hearts out to one another. As they spoke, Leo had looked at Millie, and CJ at Danny, and Ellie at Charlie, wondering what would be next for them.
"I also understand that Josh has some vows he would like to make to Donna's daughter, Abbie Jean. Josh?"
Josh took the microphone and knelt down. "Abbie Jean, I want you to know that you and your mom have changed mine and Ellie's lives for the better. I promise to dedicate the rest of my life to being a part of yours. I will be here to support you, to help you, and to be the best dad I can be. I promise that I will always be there for you, and I will always love you. I know I may not have you given you life, but you have brought so much more to my life than I ever could've imagined. You and Ellie are both my daughters, now and forever."
Abbie Jean nodded, her eyes wide with tears, as she hugged him tightly. "I love you, Josh."
The crowd 'aww'd as the pair hugged. Then Josh stood back up to face Donna.
"May I have the rings, please?" Jed asked. Justin bounded forward and held up the pillow. "Thank you, young man."
"Now, Joshua Lyman, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." Josh responded confidently, slipping a silver diamond band on her finger.
"And do you, Donnatella Moss, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." Donna responded in a barely audible voice, slipping a gold band on his finger.
"Well, then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
The pair embraced and kissed to delighted applause. Then, the couple took the time to embrace their children. They walked back up to the inn as one family, happier than any of them had ever been.
…
Two hours later, with the rain still coming down, the wedding guests had gathered in the town hall for the wedding reception. Sam had given his speech, Josh and Donna had waltzed to "Up Where We Belong", an 80s ballad that had been one of Donna's favorites growing up, and now everyone was eating dinner, waiting for Ellie to give her speech.
While they waited for Ellie, CJ and Danny were sitting at a table, making polite small talk but not much else. Finally, Danny pulled CJ outside as everyone was milling around and eating.
"You know, you haven't said much to me about my proposition."
"Your...what?" CJ said, cracking a smile.
"My declaration of love, or whatever it is you want to call it. I mean, I gotta be honest with you, CJ. Do you see me in the picture at all?"
CJ was taken aback by Danny's bold question. But then, she decided to just be honest. "I missed the window."
"What?"
"That's what's going on here. I... missed the window to figure out... how to do this."
"How to…?"
"Share my life with another person."
Danny was silent as she talked, then said, "I wasn't trying to…"
"I know, I know you weren't." CJ interrupted. "The point is, I don't know how to do it. Maybe once upon a time I knew, maybe I never knew, but now it's too late. It's never gonna happen. Not for me, and certainly not for us." She took a breath. "It's not an accident that this hasn't come together. Ever since I was 9, I've lived in fear of losing the good things. First, my mother died, then my father died, and no one else wanted me, so I was shipped around foster homes for three months. Then I came to the Bartlets, who I had no reason to trust. But I trusted them, and they stayed. But they're the exception, Danny. I don't know how to be in a relationship without it being pulled out from under me."
"We're going to get good at new things." Danny promised her.
"You don't know that." CJ told him.
"I do."
"Don't make it sound like it's nothing."
"You didn't miss it, CJ," Danny said. "We'll figure this out. All of it. You're going to learn to trust me, and I'm going to learn how to deal with your insecurities. " CJ opened her mouth, but Danny plowed on. "You can be scared. That's okay. But you're not going to walk away from me because you're scared. I'm not that scary."
CJ laughed. Then, her voice softened. "Every guy I've ever been with has walked away from me. How do I know you won't?"
"Because I won't," Danny told her. "I want you to be able to trust me, and if takes a while, then that's okay. But I want us to talk about it like we're gonna figure it out together. I want us to talk...because I like the sound of your voice. I just want to talk."
CJ had tears in her eyes as she listened to Danny pour his heart out. Why had she waited so long to take a step with this man?
"Okay." She replied.
"Okay?" He repeated.
"Okay." She confirmed. "Let's talk. But I want to hear Ellie's speech first."
Danny grinned. "Deal."
They poked their heads into the banquet room just in time to hear Ellie say, "So, no matter what part I may or may not have played in the epic saga of Dad and Donna, they got here. And I am so excited to welcome Donna and Abbie Jean as part of our family-my stepmother and my new sister." She raised her glass. "Congratulations, Dad. And Donna and Abbie Jean, welcome to the family-although I have to say, you've been a part of it long before my dad asked you to marry him."
CJ looked over at Donna as everyone toasted to their good fortune. Donna had a soft smile on her face as she leaned in to whisper something to Josh. Identical grins spread across their faces as Ellie walked over and hugged them both, before swinging Abbie Jean up into her arms for a hug. Yep, they would be just fine.
And outside, as CJ and Danny kissed, they knew they would be fine, too.
A/N: And there's the wedding chapter! I hope you enjoyed it, as well as the next couple of chapters where I will wrap up this story. Please let me know what you thought!
