CHAPTER 13

~Donna's POV~ –

The familiar sound of the alarm on my cell phone pulls me out of the dreamless sleep I am enjoying. I wake to find myself naked and tangled with a certain curly haired Deputy Chief of Staff. I'm lying on my back and Josh has apparently decided my chest doubles as a pillow in his sleep. He's laying half on top of me and I find myself thanking the whatever from high atop the thing that he doesn't drool. My body is so relaxed and cozy that I contemplate just silencing the alarm and spending the day right here with Josh. Then I remember we have a flight back to D.C. to catch… I highly doubt revealing our new relationship to Leo would be helped by being late getting back to the West Wing. I run my hands along Josh's naked back slowly, feeling his muscles ripple under my fingers, before reaching down and pinching the cutest butt in politics. "Donna!" he yells as he flips over away from me quickly, nearly head butting me on the way. I laugh and reach over to run my hand along the morning stubble of his cheek. He really does look adorable in the morning; his hair even more out of control than usual, his eyes glossy from sleep.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You really do have a great ass, Josh," I say, batting my eyes and stroking his ego so he'll forgive my transgression.

"Woman, I'm glad you find my backside so tantalizing, but may I suggest some more pleasant ways you can wake me up in the morning and simultaneously show that appreciation?" he says before leaning back over and taking my breast in his hungry mouth. I squeal at the quick turn of events, moaning and thinking maybe Leo wouldn't be that mad.

"Josh, as much as I really, really would love to continue this… ugh… conversation, we didn't pack last night and we have a plane to catch in a couple hours," I say, taking his face in my hands and pulling him away from my chest to look in my eyes.

"But Donna…" he half whines.

"When we get home, feel free to pick up where you just left off," I say. His eyes light up and I swear I see him get almost misty. "Josh, what is it? What's wrong?" I say quickly, concerned about this sudden emotional display.

He smiles softly. "Absolutely nothing, Donna. In fact, I don't think things could be much better."

"Something's going on… you look like you're about to cry my love," I say, still concerned.

He sniffs and chuckles. "You said 'when we get home'… and it just kind of hit me. I know we talked about this yesterday, but hearing you say 'we' and 'home' in the same sentence… you don't know how long I've dreamt of this Donna. Since my Dad died and my Mom moved away… I guess I never really thought about it before, but I think you've always been 'home' to me. Now it'll be all the more real."

Now I can feel the tears stinging my eyes. "Oh, Josh," I say with a catch in my throat. I hug him tightly against me, not trusting my voice at the moment. He holds me like I'm the most fragile and expensive thing in the world for a few minutes before slowly pulling away.

"Come on… let's go home," he says.

We make pretty quick work of showering, dressing, and packing. I playfully chastise Josh for his "packing" skills, which pretty much include him throwing all his clothes - dirty and clean - haphazardly in to his suitcase and slamming it shut. I've seen him do this before so he knows the jibes are coming. Just like I know his answering commentary on my meticulous folding and packing practices is coming. It feels good to be back in our familiar repartee. The last few days have been wonderful but somewhat emotionally exhausting. Our relationship has never been simple and finally breaking down the last barriers after the long history we share in only a few short days was quite taxing. I'm more than happy we did it. If we were ever going to do this, I always promised myself I wouldn't let it be yet another long, dragged out affair of avoiding the real issues… but rather a divergence from the normal way we handle (or don't handle) things. So to have Josh be so open and willing to move forward together has been a pleasant surprise. I'm just glad we have talked things through; that we both know where we stand with each other and have a strong foundation for our future. A future I not so secretly hope might be one of those forever kind of deals.

Suitcases and bags in tow, we take one last look around the suite that was the backdrop to a very significant weekend in our lives. It almost began to feel like some magical home. But after Josh's speech this morning, I'm beginning to realize wherever I am with him is home.

"I'm going to miss this place," I say with a sigh.

"Yeah… I'm really going to miss that shower! Hey, maybe when we're looking at real estate, we should try and find some place that has a shower like that. Or at least some place with enough space to have one put in!" he suggests excitedly. I laugh… enjoying the boyish grin on his face.

"I can get on board with that. Alright, come on," I say as I open the door and head toward the elevator, Josh following close behind. We stop at the front desk to check out.

"Chad, my man, I'd like to thank you for everything. You've been amazing. Expect a nice 'thank you' note on White House stationary coming your way in the near future my friend. I'll put Donna on it and we'll CC your boss… make sure they know how valuable you are," Josh tells his newest friend.

"Well, I don't know what to say, other than it was my pleasure Mr. Lyman. Guests like you make me remember why I love this job. Take care sir, ma'am," he nods at us both. We each shake his hand and wish him well.

The ride to the airport is quiet, each of us staring out our windows at the passing palm trees and clear blue skies. I contemplate all that's changed in the few days since Josh was picking on me about my fascination with the palm trees upon our arrival. This is definitely a trip neither of us will ever forget. Josh reaches over and laces his fingers with mine on the seat between us. He's thinking the same thing apparently.

We make it through the airport and to our gate only a few minutes before they start boarding the flight. Josh and I take our seats and get comfortable for the long trip back east. A nagging feeling starts at the pit of my stomach. At first I attribute it to the fact that we only had coffee and a shared bagel for breakfast. But I realize it's nerves. I hate to admit it, but I'm somewhat afraid of what things are going to be like when we get back to our lives in D.C. I trust Josh absolutely… I know when he says he loves me he means it. A small part of me has maybe always known it. But these last few days in Southern California are a stark contrast to our normal routines back home. I worry we'll get back to work and fall in to the same old habits we've had since we got to the White House. I worry that we'll lose ourselves in our work and our relationship will suffer. But most of all, I worry about how things at work might change. If Leo and the President separate us, neither of us will be happy about it and above all things, I fear the ramifications that a professional separation would have on our personal relationship. Right now, we often work 12-14 hour days, which is okay because we're together. If we were apart and still working those hours, we'd never see each other. And I don't think I could take that. I know Josh couldn't.

My brooding must be written on my face, because soon after we take off, Josh is nudging my shoulder.

"Dime for your thoughts?" he asks with a gentle grin.

"Dime? It's 'penny' Josh…"

"Yeah, well I happen to think your thoughts are worth more than that," he winks. I smile at his lame attempt at a joke. He's trying to pull me out of my suddenly sour mood and I appreciate the effort. But taking a lesson from Josh's recently found courage to actually speak what's on his mind rather than hiding it from me, I decide to voice my concerns and see how he feels about it all.

"Josh… what if it's not the same when we get back?" I ask timidly.

"I certainly hope it's not the same," he replies, forehead scrunched. He sees the confused look on my face and continues. "Donna, why would I want it to be the same? That would mean hiding how I feel about you again. It would mean going home at night to a lonely bed. It would mean not being able to hug you, to kiss you, to touch you… why would I want to go back to that after all we've shared this week?"

"Well, when you put it that way… But what about Leo? And the President? Josh, what if they separate us?" I ask, the concern evident in my voice.

"Donna, nothing is going to change how I feel about you. Nothing is going to keep me from having you by my side. Not even Leo or the President. I called Leo earlier and set up a meeting with him as soon as we get back. Like I said before, I don't want to hide this for one second. You're too important to me. If he doesn't like it, he can find a new Deputy," Josh says with conviction.

"Josh! That's really very sweet, but you couldn't quit. You love your job… I wouldn't be able to live with being the reason you quit."

"I haven't loved my job in a long time, Donna. Do I like it still? Of course! I really, really do. But I've discovered I love something else much, much more. And I won't let anything get in the way of that," he smiles that gentle, reassuring smile.

"I love you, Josh," I say, returning his smile.

"See that… that right there means more to me than passing any bill or shaming any senator. You loving me… that's all I need. I love you, too."

"And that's all I need. And I still want to go with you. When you talk to Leo, I want to be there too. This is something we both want and I want to show him we're a united front," I say with a renewed conviction. Josh's words have done wonders to ease the nerves that had taken up residence in the pit of my stomach. No matter what, I know we'll be alright. I just hope Leo makes things easier and doesn't make a big deal out of this.

"I'd like that. We'll head directly to the White House when we land. It'll be like a band aid… just pull it off fast and it won't be so bad," he jokes. I giggle and we share a quick kiss. I snuggle up against his shoulder and link my hand with his. He lays his head on top of mine and we must drift off because the next thing I know, the captain is on the intercom telling us we're making our final descent.

We deplane and head to baggage claim. After a 15 minute wait… complete with a certain Deputy Chief of Staff threatening to climb in the baggage carousel and get the bags himself… we finally have our suitcases and head out to find a cab. It's dark and cool in D.C. The early spring air still has a bite to it and I find myself missing the warm breeze coming off the ocean.

We finally get a taxi and hop in to the car.

"Where to?" the cabbie asks.

"The White House," Josh replies curtly.

"Address?" the cabbie replies.

"Seriously? It's that big White… you know… House! In the middle of town. You know, where the President lives and works?" Josh says in his snarkiest tone.

"Easy man, I just moved here. Still figuring out the place. That's on Pennsylvania right?"

"1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, sir. Thank you," I cut in before Josh blows a gasket. I turn toward Josh and lower my voice to keep our conversation private. "Josh, calm down. We have enough to deal with in the next few hours. I don't need you all worked up before we even get there," I sooth.

"Of course we get the only friggin' cab driver in D.C. who DOESN'T know where the goddamn White House is! This better not be Toby and one of his little acting troop jokes again!"

"Josh, how would Toby know which cab we would take? Just relax, okay? We're on our way. And if you're good, I might feel obliged to reward you later," I say in my best sultry tone.

"Oh really, my dear? You got a deal," he winks, his face relaxed again. It feels good to be in our same old roles – Josh the snarky but brilliant politician, me the calmer voice of reason – only now we have a few new and very pleasant things I get to do to calm him down.

We pull up to the gate of the White House… as close to the entrance as a cab is allowed, and gather our luggage, heading through the security gate and inside. I follow Josh through the West Wing, returning a few "welcome back" greetings from the handful of staffers still around this late. We drop our things off in Josh's office before he turns to me with that soft, loving gaze.

"We're going to be fine, Donna. No matter what. Okay?" he says in a soft voice.

"I know. I'm ready. Let's go." He grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together, apparently capitalizing on his assertion that he didn't want to hide our relationship for one second. Though I applaud his efforts and am touched by the deeper meaning, I'm happy to note that no one seems to really notice us walking through the bullpen hand in hand. Or if they do, it doesn't faze them.

We reach Leo's reception area, noticing Margaret's desk is dark. Leo must have told her to head home for the night already. Josh stops just outside Leo's door, squeezing my hand and smiling at me. I smile back, ready to face whatever lies before us.

Josh knocks lightly on Leo's door with his free hand. "Come in," Leo calls from behind the door. Josh pushes the door open and steps in, pulling me behind him and I wonder if he's subconsciously shielding me from perceived danger. Leo is standing behind his desk, glasses perched low on his nose, reading over some report strewn across the surface in front of him.

"Hey Leo," Josh says hesitantly.

"Welcome back, kid. How was the trip?" Leo replies without looking up from his desk, not realizing I am standing beside Josh holding on to his hand for dear life.

Josh turns his head toward me and that arrogant smile I love forms on his lips. "Amazing…" he replies simply. I smile and squeeze his hand, understanding his meaning.

"Really? I figured it would be alright, but 'amazing'? That's a bit…" Leo stops midsentence when he finally looks up and registers both my presence and the look Josh and I are sharing. "Well I should have seen that coming," Leo states, removing his glasses and sitting in his chair, a slightly shocked look on his face.

"Leo, Donna and I have something we'd like to discuss with you…"

"Yeah, no shit. I think I can infer the conversation topic. But why don't we pretend I'm thick and can't see what's right in front of me. Fill me in anyway," Leo replies tersely. I cringe at his tone and look everywhere but at his face, not wanting to face the disappointment I expect to see there.

"Leo, I want you to know I…" I squeeze Josh's hand and his voice finds its determination once again. "We… we didn't plan for this to happen. But I realized something recently... I realized that I'm in love with Donna. She makes me happier than I even knew was possible, and I can't – I won't - hide it or deny it anymore. Leo, I serve at the pleasure of the President, but I've come to the realization that I don't live my life at the pleasure of the President. So I've asked Donna to move in with me and she's agreed. We don't plan on this having any adverse effect on our work. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it had an overall positive effect. I think we all know Donna and my relationship has never been the traditional boss/assistant relationship, but it's mostly worked out well for us. She makes me a better Deputy and a better man. I know you have to do what you think is best for the administration, but please know that if you decide to split us up, I will be forced to give you my resignation. That's not meant to be a threat in any way. It's just what I have to do. I thought I loved this job more than anything, but I now know I didn't know what love really was until Donna." Josh finishes his speech and stands up a little taller, seemingly proud of his argument. Though he's told me all of this in one way or another, to hear him speak the words to Leo with such conviction brings tears to my eyes.

Leo has one of the best poker faces I've ever seen and is unreadable. He simply nods faintly and looks down. "And you, Donna, what do you have to say about all this?" he asks evenly.

I clear my throat, attempting to suppress the lump of emotion. "I love Josh with all my heart, Leo. I would go to the ends of the earth for him. I know what kind of opportunity this job is… I know that this is a chance I'll never get again professionally. But none if it would matter without Josh. When I had nothing… was nothing, he took a chance and gave me this job and has believed in me and brought out the best in me since day one." I pause and look in to Josh's eyes. "He's taught me so much, but I think the greatest lesson I've learned is that love means never having to say you're a zero. And I now know that no matter what he or I do in life, as long as we have each other, we'll be happy." Josh now has tears in his eyes, but he's wearing a smile so I know they are happy tears. "So I stand by what Josh said but hope you'll understand and give us a chance to prove this won't adversely affect our jobs."

Again, Leo just nods slightly. "And you both know there will likely be some grumbling from the Republicans and press about this new development? You understand that there will be some backlash?"

"Leo, they can say whatever they want. We know the truth and those who know us know the truth. That's enough for us," Josh replies with determination.

"Alright then, come with me," Leo says, standing from his desk, buttoning his jacket, and heading toward the door that leads from his office in to the Oval.

"Leo, I…" Josh replies, as confused as I am by Leo's hasty retreat toward the Oval office.

"Just get your asses in here. Both of you," Leo counters with exasperation. Josh looks at me and raises his eyebrows, just as lost as I am. I shrug my shoulders and nod toward the door. We walk, still hand in hand, through the door and in to the Oval. The President is sitting on one of the couches, playing chess against himself.

"Good evening, Mr. President," Josh and I say in unison. He looks up from his game.

"Josh, Donna, glad to have you back. What have you to report from the western front?" he asks with a gleam in his eye.

Leo clears his throat. "Sir, they wanted to talk to us about something unrelated to the midterm fundraising."

"Oh?" he looks from Leo back to Josh and I, recognition crossing his face when he lowers his gaze on our joined hands. "Ooohhhhh, I see," he says. "Well, Leo, looks like you owe me fifty bucks. Go on. Cough it up!"

"You know how I hate admitting when you're right, sir," Leo says with a grin, pulling his wallet from his back pocket. I don't know how to process this exchange and look to Josh for clarification. He seems just as puzzled, opening and closing his mouth, searching for the words to make sense of this.

"Leo? Mr. President? I apologize; we're a bit jetlagged. Um… what… what is going on?" Josh's free hand lands on his hip.

"Just settling a bet, my boy. And I was of course victorious once again!" the President exclaims, standing and patting Leo on the back.

"A bet sir?" I ask timidly.

"I bet Leo that you two would finally get your head's out of your asses before the last cherry blossom fell. I may be a busy man, but it doesn't take a lot to recognize clandestine love when you see it. Well, not for a romantic like myself at least."

"But… sir?" Josh says in shock.

"Well, Mr. President, I don't think it was quite fair of you to stack the deck. Insisting Josh and Donna go out to L.A. at the last minute to appease the DCCC members there? Don't think I didn't know what you were doing," Leo challenges the President.

"Leo! I can't believe you'd think I would ever do such a thing," the President says, hand to chest in mock indignation. "Who else but our Deputy Chief of Staff would I trust to strong arm those egotistical nitwits? And we couldn't let him loose out there unattended," he continues, winking at me at that last comment. I smile in embarrassment.

"So wait, you bet on Donna and I getting together?" Josh asks, his voice up an octave higher than normal.

"Well, you did have me worried… the cherry blossoms are almost gone for the season you know? Time was getting short, but you two have been more... how do you put it… yourselves lately. Your subtext isn't as subterranean as you may think. So I felt pretty comfortable in my wager. Leo here didn't think you had the testicular fortitude, Josh," the President replied, enjoying throwing Leo under the bus.

"You're not always going to be able to hide behind the Secret Service, sir," Leo warns, smirking that Cheshire grin he's known for.

"So… wait… So what about Donna and I?" Josh asks carefully.

"Oh, right! I suppose congratulations are in order!" The President walks over to stand in front of Josh. "Joshua, I'm proud of you, son. A man can have all the power and respect in the world, but without someone he loves and who loves him back to share it with, well it doesn't mean much now does it? Take good care of her… Don't force me to sick the Secret Service on you," he says, shaking Josh's hand and giving him a manly clap on the back.

"I will, sir," Josh replies, his 1000-watt smile returning to his face. The President smiles and nods before side stepping to stand in front of me.

"Donnatella, we both know you have quite the trying task ahead of you. But if anyone can handle Mr. Secret-Plan-to-Fight-Inflation, I think you've proved yourself more than capable. Keep him in line for me, will you? And continue to love him despite his shortcomings," he says with a wink before pulling me in to a hug.

"I will sir… I actually even love those shortcomings," I laugh as he releases our embrace.

"I don't doubt it," he says with a grin. "Alright, it's late enough. Why don't you two call it a night and get some rest? I expect you both here bright and early, ready to get to work in the morning!" he says with a mock stern tone.

"So… we can continue to work together? Even though we…" Josh asks.

"As long as you keep things at work professional… well, as 'professional' as they have been at least, I don't see a problem with this. We're in our second term. God knows you'd be lost around here without Donna keeping you organized, Josh. And believe me, we aren't the only ones who knew this was coming. I think there will be a lot of bets settled tomorrow," Leo states matter of factly.

"Just don't make us regret this decision."

"We won't, Leo. And thank you, both," Josh replies, tugging on my hand to pull me closer to his side.

"Have a good evening," the President states, dismissing us.

"Thank you, Mr. President," we both say. Josh puts his arm around my shoulder and kisses the top of my head as we head out of the Oval office to gather our things and finally head home.

"Well, that went pretty well," I finally say, feeling as though a 5-ton weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

"Yes, yes it did. And I behaved myself. I believe you indicated there would be a reward for good behavior?" Josh whispers in my ear.

I giggle both from his words and from his breath tickling my neck. "As long as there's, you know, reciprocation," I challenge.

"Oh, I am all about the reciprocation, Donna," he purrs.

"Then take me home, my love."

"It would be our pleasure."

"Jooosshhh," I laugh at his horrible pun, swatting at his ass playfully.

"Easy, woman. Leo said no hanky panky at work. And I for one am following the rules. I don't know… you might be getting punished instead of rewarded now."

"Promises, promises," I smirk, picking up my bags and sauntering out Josh's office door. I stop just past my desk and look back at a slightly stunned Joshua Lyman. "Coming?" I ask.

"Oh, hell yes!" he replies, catching up and walking beside me as we head out in to the cool night, eager to start our lives together.