CHAPTER 14 - EPILOGUE

~Josh's POV~ –

The last three months have been nothing short of phenomenal. Work at the White House is going fine… business as usual you could say. An international crisis here, a natural disaster there. Par for the course. But life both in and out of the West Wing has been infinitely enhanced since Donna and I took a very eventful trip to Los Angeles back in April. We haven't spent a night apart since that trip. Donna moved out of her old apartment officially about two weeks after we got back and put most of her stuff in storage. We found a three bedroom, 2.5 bath townhouse in Georgetown shortly thereafter and moved in about 3 weeks ago after closing on the house. It even has a pretty epic shower that we try to take advantage of at least once a week. Just doing our part to conserve water.

And at work, we are in synch even more so than before we started seeing each other romantically. There was very little fallout from the press. Plus, the only crap we got from the enemy… I mean Republicans… was a jibe from Mary Marsh during one of her interviews on FOX News where she used our relationship to support her argument that the Bartlet White House was full of sinners. That pretty much fell on deaf ears and fizzled out almost immediately. I guess Leo was right when he said he and the President weren't the only ones who saw this coming.

Our friends have all been very supportive. Even Toby seems pretty happy for us. My mother is, of course, ecstatic. She's always loved Donna and insisted on personally delivering my grandmother's ring a few weeks after we got back from California. Then Donna and I went and visited her family in Cheeseland for Memorial Day. I had met her parents briefly before, but was a bit nervous to spend the entire weekend surrounded by the Moss clan. However, like Donna, they seemed to accept me for who I am. I ended up having a great time. I had a very productive conversation with her father the day before we left and was able to get the thumbs up from her parents, which made me relieved and very happy.

But most importantly, Donna is happy. Very happy if I do say so myself! I often find myself smiling for no apparent reason and at first, felt kind of dumb about it. But then I started to notice Donna doing the same thing. Hell, if she's okay with smiling like a lovesick idiot over me, why should I feel self-conscious about doing the same over her?

I have made my intentions pretty clear. I want forever with Donna. And she's made it fairly obvious she is on board with that plan as well. But we haven't made anything official. Well, tonight, that's hopefully going to change. It's the 4th of July… our nation's birthday. What better day to propose to the woman I love? I know I should be nervous, but as often happens with Donna, I actual feel quite comfortable and excited.

We're winding down our work for the day and are supposed to join a small party in the residence for a BBQ followed by drinks and watching the fireworks display. That will be my queue.

"DONNA!" I yell from my office. She pretends to hate that, but I know it really makes her laugh. It's kind of one of our things. One of many "things".

"Josh… really? Still with the bellowing?" she mocks frustration, walking in to my office and flopping down dramatically in the visitor's chair across my desk. She's so beautiful and it still takes my breath away. I doubt that will ever stop.

"I just wanted to say shut down. C.J. just called from the residence and said the First Lady is threatening to BBQ Leo's ass for allowing us to still be in the office."

"So you're saying we should get to the residence to save our boss' ass?" she asks with a smirk.

"That's what I'm saying," I grin in reply.

"Kay, as long as she's not threatening your ass. I'm rather fond of it, you know. Especially in those jeans." Being a holiday, we are both dressed in White House casual clothes… meaning jeans and a button down shirt for me and jeans and a sleeveless shirt for Donna. I made sure to wear her favorite "ass jeans" today.

"Oh, I've noticed, thank you. Come on, before I end up on her radar too," I say, coming around the desk to take her hand. Our day of work is done. The President said when we're on the clock we are to remain professional. But for social functions and parties, we're to be ourselves and drop the professional distance. It took a little getting used to, but we've become comfortable holding hands and sneaking chaste kisses and hugs in front of our friends and the other staffers now. I pull her against my side, wrapping my arm around her waist. She wraps her arm around my back and we head over to the lawn outside the residence where the party is set up.

"About damn time!" the First Lady greets us with a hug. "Donna, looking as stunning as ever. And still putting up with this jackass I see."

"Yes, ma'am. And thank you for inviting us," she replies cordially.

"Please. You're both family. You're always welcome, you know that," Mrs. B. replies. "Come, eat. Have a drink or twelve. The fireworks are always more fun with a bit of a buzz, I always say!"

"Thank you, ma'am," I say, pulling Donna through the small crowd to take advantage of the buffet. Donna finds me a very well done burger and I get us each a beer. Another thing I love about this woman… she's just as happy with a good beer as with an expensive bottle of wine. We eat and drink, talking with C.J., Toby, and Will. The sun begins to set and I find myself fidgeting with one hand in my pocket, fingering the metal band I have hidden there. C.J. gives me a look indicating she knows what I'm doing so I quickly pull my hand out of my pocket. If she can figure it out, it's only a matter of time before I ruin the surprise for Donna. I shoot C.J. a smile, silently thanking her for the warning. She gives me a quick wink back. I try to calm my excitement and rejoin the conversation.

As soon the sky is black, everyone begins searching for the perfect spot to watch the fireworks display. Donna and I let our friends disperse while I pull her away from the crowd to a quiet place in the corner, giving us a little privacy. She doesn't question it, thankfully. I notice her body quake in a shiver and goosebumps pop up on the alabaster skin of her arms.

"Cold?" I ask.

"Just a little. I think I might have gotten a little burn. That always makes me more sensitive to the cooler air when the sun goes down," she replies.

I walk up behind her and gently pull her back against my chest, wrapping my arms protectively around her upper arms and chest. "Better?" She hums her approval, resting her hands on my forearms.

"Much, thank you."

"My pleasure," I whisper in her ear. She leans her head back against my shoulder as the fireworks start exploding in the sky above the Mall, painting the night in color and light. I kiss her cheek and nuzzle her ear.

"Donna… you know I love you, right?" I ask softly.

"Of course I do. Just like you know I love you, Joshua," she replies tenderly.

I release her from my grasp and walk to her side, turning her to face me.

"Josh?" she asks, perplexed by my sudden movements. I grab both her hands in mine and look deeply in to her eyes, the reflection of the lights of the fireworks above us setting them ablaze.

"Donna… Do you remember that night in Santa Monica when we had dinner on the balcony?"

"I'll never forget it," she laughs softly bringing a smile to my face.

"Do you remember when I told you I can't imagine a life without you? And how I didn't want to waste any more time since I realized that I was in love with you?"

"Josh, what is…"

"Donna… I meant what I said and if I hadn't been worried that I was maybe being too fast that night, I probably would have done this then. But here we are. And I just want to say that the time we've spent together… Donna, it's been the most amazing, joyful, fulfilling time of my life. I love our life together. I love waking up with you, working with you, going home with you, making love with you. I love making you as happy as you make me. And I want to do that for the rest of our lives. So…" I say tentatively, releasing one hand and reaching in to my pocket with shaky hands to pull out the ring. I hold it up between us and Donna's eyes grow wide, her jaw dropping in wonder. "Donnatella Moss, I love you so much. Would you do me the incredible honor of marrying me?"

And the world around us stops as I await her answer. The booms of the fireworks are muted... it feels like eternity but I realize it's only seconds before she throws her arms around my neck and sobs, "Yes, yes, yes… of course yes!" in to my neck, planting kisses along my jaw. I smile wide and grab her face gently between my hands, bringing her face an inch from mine.

"Really? You'll really be my wife?" I ask in awe. Her face lights up in that wonderful smile I love so much as I feel her hands snake around the back of my neck, burying in to my hair.

"Josh, nothing would make me happier. I can't wait to be your wife," she says before pulling my lips to hers. We kiss passionately as the fireworks' finale bursts in staccato above us. We pull apart, both still smiling ear to ear. I'm in a daze but soon register the cold metal still encased in my palm.

"Oh, here, I should probably give you this. It's been in my family for generations. If you don't like it or it doesn't fit, we can work it out, but I want you to have it either way," I say quickly, cradling her left hand in mine and sliding the antique ring on to her finger. It miraculously fits!

"Josh, it's beautiful. I love it… no other ring could be more perfect… thank you," she says and I can see the earnestness of

her words written all over her face.

"Good. I'm glad," I bring her hand up to kiss her finger just below the ring. "Thank you for making me the happiest man on earth. God, I love you."

"I love you too… What do you say we get out of here and go have our own little celebration?" she asks with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

"Yes, please, future Mrs. Lyman," I laugh and grab her hand before stealthily pulling her toward the exit.

"Moss-Lyman," she states.

"Huh?" I ask, looking back at her.

"Moss-Lyman. Future Mrs. Moss-Lyman," she says with a challenge.

"I can live with that," I wink, "at least for the next 60 years or so."

"Forever, Josh," she smiles.

"Forever, Donna."

And that's all the cheesiness I have for now.

Note: All characters mentioned in this work that are real people belong to... well... themselves. All other non-West Wingers are of my own creation.

Thanks for reading!