"So," Josh asks almost as soon as she comes out the door, gives him a peck on the lips, and loops her arm through his, "how'd it go?"
"You ask me that every time!" She laughs, joyfully.
"Because I always want to know."
"It went great."
"I can tell. You're smiling and laughing."
"If you can tell, why do you ask?"
"Because I want you to know that you can tell me. If therapy makes you feel good. If it makes you feel bad. When it makes you want to smack me for being so stupid, whatever, I want to know. Ya know?"
"I know." She responds softly.
He gives her a few minutes as they walk down the quiet Georgetown street, he's learned from his own therapy that a bit of silence can be good, to give the other person a chance to say what's on their mind, once they know that they'll be heard.
"It's been a great year with you, Josh," she starts while squeezing his hand in reassurance. "But it's also been a hard year. I've had to face some things about myself. Like my tendency to punish myself for things I've overreacted to. Like that time in your office. I thought that you barely tolerated me, that I couldn't measure up to Amy, and that I'd never be worth your attention."
Josh has to bite his tongue not to interrupt, and it's a testament to his own progress.
She sees the look on his face and grins a little, knowing what he wants to say, because they've been over it before. "OH! I know, it wasn't all just me overreacting, you were kinda an asshole. But it wasn't all your fault. We just didn't communicate well."
He gives a little nod. Happy that she's putting some of the blame on his shoulders and not heaping it all on herself.
"But getting through this hard stuff, it's been worth it, because I don't like the idea of having an eating disorder, but knowing about it means I can do something about it. And having someone supporting me, makes all the difference."
He stops on the sidewalk and pulls her close, before leaning down and gently kissing her. "I love you so much. Supporting you is the least I could do after all you've done for me. Without you, I wouldn't have survived."
She shushes him and then returns the sweet kiss before looping her arm back through his and continuing their stroll. He doesn't stop when they reach the townhouse, instead passing by. "It's a nice day for once, let's walk to the park."
Donna nods her agreement, happy to get some fresh air on a rare warm February day.
At the park he steers her towards a fountain that holds bittersweet memories for them. They come here a lot, determined to replace bad memories with good ones.
They sit on "their bench" in silence for a few minutes, then Josh starts to speak. "A year ago, everything changed. When I found that box in your closet, it broke my heart. But it turned out to be a good thing. Because seeing all the little things that represented what we mean to each other, and knowing that you were about to shut it all away, well, it made me realize just how important you are to me and how much I took you for granted. And how much I love you. And well, I've got a new box for you."
He slips off the bench and down to one knee before her, holding up a little black velvet box. "Donnatella, I don't ever want to live without you. Will you marry me?"
"Yes! Of course!" She shrieks jumping to her feet and pulling him up off his knees and planting her mouth on his for a kiss that leaves nothing to be guessed about how she feels about him.
When they finally break apart, he flips the box open, pulls the ring out, and slips it on her finger.
She looks down and gasps at the perfect one carat round antique diamond in a delicate, intricate setting.
"Josh, it's perfect. I love it!"
"It was my grandmother's. They were married for fifty years. She told me the secret was knowing how the other person made you better. You are the strongest person I know, Donna your strength fills in my weaknesses. I'm better when I'm with you."
"Josh," she sighs, her eyes welling with tears. "Some days I don't feel very strong or very brave. But you help me find my courage. I'm better with you. I love you so much."
He wipes away the lone tear that escapes before sealing their engagement with a passionate kiss.
THE END.