Donna was supposed to be home by 5, but at 3:00 Josh couldn't stand it any longer. He showered and shaved, taking special care to use the aftershave she'd previously complimented him on and trying to tame his unruly hair.
He dressed in his best suit and cleaned up behind himself so she could get changed as soon as she got home. He'd seen her put a new dress bag in the back of her side of the closet and wanted to give her space to get ready, internally buzzing at the thought that she bought a new dress to wear that night.
He tugged on his shirt sleeves, pulling them down to fasten the cuffs and draped a tie around his neck, popping the collar of his dress shirt up and reflexively going through the motions of making a knot. It felt good to put on the suit, he thought. He felt like his old self, and he could feel some of his confidence building back up inside of him as he dressed.
He gathered Audrey's small bag and double checked the contents. Even though she was just spending the evening in the guest house with his mother, he wanted to make sure she had everything that she'd need. After accounting for a pair of warm pajamas, her toothbrush and Walter, he zipped the top of the little yellow bag with a unicorn applique sewn onto the side.
The landline rang and Josh grabbed it, tucking it between his ear and shoulder as he toted the bag over to sit it on the bench by the door.
"Hello?"
"Josh?"
"Hi there." He grinned just thinking of her.
"Josh… I'm sorry." Donna stood just out the back door of the resort, speaking in a rush on her cell phone and trying to contain her disappointment. Though she was devastated at the thought of having to reschedule their date, she didn't have any choice. She needed this job. "They're not going to let me go home early anymore. I have to cover for a call out on the late shift and then work a double tomorrow when I was supposed to be off."
"You're… not coming home?" His shoulders slumped as he felt all of the excitement drain out of him.
"I can't," she reiterated, squeezing her eyes shut. "I've tried everything I can think of, I can't get out of this."
"Just tell them you had plans. Tell them you won't take the shift," he advised.
"I don't have that option," she tried to explain. "It's one of the first weekends with fresh powder and the resort is packed. They'll fire me, Josh."
"They're not going to fire you, Donna," he scoffed. "I'm sure they can figure out how to get by without you for a night."
"This is serious, Josh. This job may not seem as important to you as something in politics, but I need it."
"You really don't," he blurted out in frustration.
"Jobs are hard to come by in this town, Josh." Now she was irritated. It had taken a substantial amount of effort and quite a bit of luck to land something full time at the resort. "Audrey and I have full medical benefits here, and it's a year round position."
"Fine." He bit off, feeling the sting of her rejection. "Make your choice."
"That's not fair." She felt her lip quiver on the other end of the line. "That's not fair at all. I'm choosing you, Josh. I just need to reschedule our dinner."
"You'll be back at what time?" He clarified, his tone very short with her.
"Ummm… around midnight?"
It didn't make sense to him. She handled bookkeeping for the front desk and room reservations. She often stayed late because the resort functioned 24 hours a day, but couldn't that wait until the next day?
"I'll leave a light on." The gesture was hollow, but it was all he could come up with as the disappointment coursed through his veins. It felt to him as though he was being blown off. She was taking the easy out and avoiding their date. He wondered if he'd read this all wrong and had his hopes up for nothing. Perhaps he was coming on too strong?
He sat the phone back on the cradle and stared blankly out the window, trying to gather his thoughts. He had always been bad with relationships, but he'd somehow convinced himself that things with Donna would be different. It had taken so many years and so many painful memories for them to finally make it to this point. He really thought it wouldn't blow it this time.
Silently, he shuffled back to their bedroom and closed the door, yanking the tie from around his neck and tossing his suit over a chair in the corner as he changed into a pair of flannel pants and a sweatshirt. He let out a sigh as he looked around their room. Their room. He supposed it was her room again.
He felt himself falling towards despair. Was this destined to be just another failed relationship? Could he go back to being just friends with Donna? Though the thought of losing her love made his chest physically pang, he couldn't bear the thought of her not being in their lives at all. It would destroy him. And it would destroy Audrey. His mind jumped to action, trying to figure out what he should do to convince her not to leave.
But as he looked around again, his eyes caught the black and white photos sitting perched atop the cedar dresser. Simple frames housed snapshots of Josh and Donna dancing at the inauguration and the three of them on Audrey's first day of school. It was the latter that captured his attention that particular day.
He picked up the framed photo and examined the three of them. They'd all worn large smiles and happy faces, but Josh knew better than that. Yes, they were grateful to be together, and excited for Audrey's first day of school. But they were just barely keeping it together that day. He was still recovering from Rosslyn and Donna had been going non stop to raise Audrey and make sure Josh was receiving the best care she could give him. He remembered that day exactly. They'd gone on to a PT session once they'd dropped Audrey off and after what he considered to be one of the more trying days of his recovery, he broke down. She'd held him tightly and promised him that she'd never give up on him. And she never had.
And he wasn't going to give up on her either. He was going to fight for the woman he loved. He was going to prove to her that he was worth staying for. He was going to be the kind of guy that she deserved.
He grabbed his heaviest coat, the one that Donna had picked up for him at the local sporting goods store, and grabbed a pair of work gloves from the garage.
"Audrey Joan," Josh bellowed into the living room. "Put on your snow boots and give me some help."
Once he'd bundled her up, he took her mitten clad hand and they made the trip to the shed for some firewood before loading back into the car and making their way to Alessandro's. Josh cancelled the reservation before they left the house, ordering a 4 course meal as take out, and picking up a pizza for Edith and Audrey on the way home.
Josh walked Audrey over to Edith's before bed time, having explained to his mother the delay in his original plans, but wishing to have some privacy that night nonetheless. He stayed for the movie, snacking on some popcorn as Audrey fell asleep next to him in the oversized chair in the guest house.
He got to work again around 11, building a fire in both of the cabin's hearths. He set up a makeshift table for two near the fireplace in the sunroom, lighting a few flickering candles around the room. The moon was full, reflecting on the freshly fallen snow and illuminating the natural beauty around them, and Josh was pleased with the ambiance he'd created.
He slipped back into his best suit, this time forgoing the jacket and tie as he popped their meals into the oven to reheat. He rolled up the sleeves on his shirt and lit a few candles in the sunroom, arranging the flowers he'd purchased her in a vase on the small table.
Her car pulled into the driveway right on time and Josh pulled the wine out of the cabinet, placing two glasses on the kitchen island and leaning back against it casually.
She slipped in the side door quietly, not wanting to wake what she'd expected to be a sleeping house.
"Hey there," he greeted.
"Josh? What are you still doing up?"
"Waiting for you, of course."
"But when I called…" she stopped in her tracks, looking him up and down and seeing a glimpse of the man she was afraid had been lost forever last January. Aside from the graying hair and the aging face, she felt like she could have been stepping into his office for some playful banter late at night. But a smile grew on her face when she realized that was not the scenario. And that they were, despite the odds, about to have a romantic evening together.
Donna closed the space between them quickly, stopping in front of him and practically beaming at him as she tenderly cupped his cheek.
"What?" he asked, a smirk of his own growing on his face at her reaction.
"My man." She whispered, leaning in to kiss him thoroughly.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her, even after their lips parted, content to simply be near her.
"I'm sorry that I ruined our date," she admitted to him, resting her head on his shoulder with no desire to remove herself from his embrace.
"You didn't ruin our date," he assured in a soft voice. "But I'm sorry I was such a jerk when you called. I know you're working hard to create a sense of stability here and I should never have weaponized that. You've given Audrey so much, and I mean that in every possible way. You've worked overtime for a new bike and to save for skating lessons. You love her, you teach her, you care for her when she's sick and you show her what it means to have someone who will always be there for her. I can never even begin to convey to you what that means to me."
"Josh…" she began to protest. She'd never thought twice about the sacrifices she made to raise Audrey.
"But that's not what this is about," he interrupted her, dead set on making his point. "I mean, I really need you to know that before we go any farther. It's not because you're good with Audrey. I mean, that matters. The way you love her. But this," he gestured back and forth between them. "This is about how I feel about you. And I don't want that to be misconstrued. It's not because we stumbled into a new living situation or because it's convenient. It's not about raising Audrey or looking for stability. It's because I'm in love with you, Donna. And I have been for a long time."
"Oh, Joshua." She looked at him adoringly, her thumb softly tracing his jawline. "I know that. You've shown me that. And I feel the same way about you. Do you know that? Our little family is amazing, and I wouldn't trade a single minute that I've spent with Audrey for anything in the world. But that's not why I love you, either. I love you for a million other reasons. And I hope that you understand the way that I feel."
Josh met her gaze and grinned at her. "I know," he smiled, leaning in to kiss her passionately.
She gently pulled away from him a few moments later, her body remaining pressed against him. "I seem to remember something about a date tonight?"
"If you're still up for it?" He asked, feeling a bit hopeful.
"Of course. Let me slip into something else. I'll be ready in 15 minutes."
He nodded happily as Donna quickly scurried into their bedroom and closed the door.
Josh sprang into action, making sure things were set up exactly as he'd planned them. He pulled their dinners from where they were warming in the oven and placed them on the small table he'd set for them and scanned the room. He was pleased with the set up, and he could only hope that Donna would be too.
He fidgeted nervously as he waited for her, the anticipation building inside of him. When she opened the bedroom door and stepped out, wearing a little black dress he was sure he'd never seen before, he was rendered speechless.
"You look amazing," he managed to whisper, unable to take his eyes off of her.
She blushed somewhat shyly and he didn't hesitate to gently wrap her in his arms and hold her. The mere concept of being able to do that with her still felt like a dream.
After a few moments he head her to the candlelit sunroom, escorting her to the table that held their waiting dinner and pulling out her chair for her.
"Oh, Josh," she gushed. "This is incredible. I'm so sorry that I ruined-"
"Shhh," he softly requested, giving her hand a little squeeze. "No more apologies."
They are in a gentle companionship, sharing what had to be nearing a thousand meals over the course of the years, but both found that tonight, their first date, was somewhat different. To Donna, it was a milestone. She wanted to absorb every moment and commit it to memory. Josh was just plain nervous. The excitement had turned to butterflies as he hoped he'd done everything correctly.
He'd ordered two deserts, offering her the choice between the two, and content to take the one she didn't want.
"Let's split the tiramisu," she suggested, "and save the cake for another time."
He gladly complied and topped off their glasses of wine as the conversation drifted from Audrey to the weather to tuition incentives and everything in between.
"It's really beautiful here," he noted as he leaned back in his chair and stared out the sunroom windows.
"It is," she agreed, turning her attention to the landscape that scrawled our before them and standing to make her way to the window.
It was a clear night and the stars could be seen twinkling in the sky as the full moon reflected off of the freshly fallen snow.
Josh walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder, gently kissing along her jawline and down her neck as she relaxed into him, a gentle smile on her face.
"I love you," he whispered. It wasn't the first time he'd told her, but he was sure he'd never tire of telling her.
"I love you too," she responded without hesitation, a soft smile crossing her lips as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
She turned around in his arms and kissed him properly, her hands finding the curls at the nape of his neck for a moment before moving to slowly unbutton his shirt. His hands made quick work on her as well, shedding layers as they stumbled towards the bedroom.
"Look at you," Donna gave him a coy smile as soon as they crossed the threshold. "Getting lucky on the first date."
Josh let out a little laugh, kissing her again as he dimmed the lights. "With you by my side, I'm the luckiest guy in the world."
OoOoOoO
Donna's eyes fluttered open as the morning sun began to pour through the windows. Josh was sleeping soundly beside her and stirred briefly, pulling her a little closer, when she woke. She was content laying in bed as he slept, her fingers running lazily along his arm, as she thought of all of the wonderful changes to her life over the last few weeks.
She was in a loving relationship with the man of her dreams, raising their little girl and building a new life together. She'd never been happier.
Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, she knew Audrey and Edith would be walking over for breakfast at any point. And although the door to the bedroom was locked, and Edith would have kept Audrey quiet, Donna wanted to get up. She slid out of bed, being careful not to wake Josh, and threw on some warm pajamas, slipping out the door.
She made quick work of picking up the pieces of discarded clothing, folding them and stacking them on top of the dryer for the time being.
It was only a moment later when Donna heard the door open as Edith cautioned Audrey to be quiet.
"It's okay," Donna assured, emerging from the laundry room. "I'm up."
Audrey skipped over to the island counter and climbed into a barstool.
"Good Morning, Donna. I had a sleepover at Bubbe's house last night."
"How exciting!" Donna responded, making her way into the kitchen. "Maybe we should let Bubbe go back to sleep, though, while you and I have some breakfast."
Edith, who clearly hadn't slept well, didn't hesitate to head back to the guest house.
Donna pulled two mugs from the cabinet, filling hers with coffee and pouring milk into Audrey's before handing it to her.
Audrey grinned when she took her cup, loving drinking from a mug like Donna's.
"Let's sit on the couch," Donna suggested, grabbing a fork and a carry out container from the fridge before following Audrey, who was walking very carefully, into the living room.
She took a sip of her coffee before placing it on the coffee table next to the mug of milk and sitting on the couch, Audrey sliding in beside her. Donna balanced the to go container on the arm of the sofa and pulled Audrey onto her lap.
She opened the container to reveal a piece of cake, scooping a piece of it onto a fork and offering it to Audrey.
"Yummy!" Audrey grinned at Donna.
"Audrey Joan? Do you know where this cake came from?"
"Ummm…" Audrey considered the question. "From your dinner last night? With Daddy?"
"That's right." Donna nodded.
"You had a date!" She exclaimed, recalling her conversation with Josh the day .
"Yes," Donna smiled softly. "I went on a date with your Dad. How do you feel about that?"
"Did you have fun?" Audrey asked.
"I did," Donna chuckled softly.
"That's good," Audrey assured, taking the fork from Donna's hand and stabbing a big bite of cake.
"When you get older," Donna continued, though Audrey was more focused on the cake than the conversation, "I hope you find someone that you love as much as I love your Daddy. Someone that makes your heart beat a little faster and brings a smile to your face every time they walk into a room."
Audrey looked up at her, offering Donna a bite of cake and then taking another for herself as she watched Donna intently.
"What I'm saying, Sweet Pea, is that I hope you're never taken for granted. And as long as there's breath in my body you'll never be taken advantage of or mistreated. But I can't promise you'll never experience a broken heart. I'll be here to dry your tears and eat a pint of ice cream, and I'll tell you then the same thing I'm going to tell you now, and that I wish someone would have told me years ago. Never settle, Audrey Joan, because the right person will always be worth the wait."