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It was their fifth day in Hawaii. They had ‘the talk’ on the day after they arrived, both knowing it had to be done and neither wanted it hanging over their heads all vacation. As expected, it had been difficult, with recriminations on both sides, and Josh, in particular, having to hear some hard truths. However, by the end, both had a greater understanding of each other’s motives, and they had both agreed the crux of all their problems had been their denial of their feelings for each other. They both acknowledged they had enjoyed the direction their relationship had been moving in for the past few weeks, and agreed they wanted to develop their bourgeoning romance.
So on day five, Josh and Donna were sat in a beach side bar, enjoying a late afternoon cocktail as boyfriend and girlfriend, legs entwined under the table as, since they’d decided to be a couple, they were finding it hard to be near each other without some part of their bodies touching. Since their talk, their relaxed banter had resumed, and they were now able to talk about their ‘separation period’ without it descending into arguments. Knowing this, Donna felt comfortable to ask, “If Bingo Bob had won the Primaries, would you have come to work for us?”
“No.” Josh shook his head. “Two reasons. First, whilst I like Will in a forgettable way, I wouldn’t have been able to take direction from him. We’d have clashed daily and that wouldn’t have been good for the campaign. Second, I don’t think I could work for someone I don’t believe in.”
Donna tried not to take that as a criticism as this was what she’d done working for Bob Russel. She reminded herself Josh already had an established reputation in the Democratic party, and the financial security to be unemployed for a while until the right job came along, whilst she had neither luxury. Still, she pushed back, “You worked for Hoynes though?”
“Yes. But that was before I met Jed Bartlet, I don’t know if I could have gone back to him if he’d won the nomination. Same this time, once I’d met the now President Elect, I couldn’t have worked for anyone else.”
Donna acknowledged this with a nod. “So would you have gone back to the White House? I’m sure CJ would have loved to have you back.”
She was surprised when he shook his head again. “No. The only space was Toby’s job, and you know I wouldn’t have done well in Communications!”
They both chuckled at the thought, but Donna continued, “Cliff Calley always knew his job was temporary and he’d be out on his ear if Santos dropped out the race.”
Josh narrowed his eyes, comically suspicious. “How do you know what Cliff Calley thought? Did you go for a drink after Super Tuesday?”
Donna shuddered, whilst playfully kicking Josh under the table. “No! He’d read my diary, that’s enough to give any girl the ick. But I had to liaise with him about VP stuff sometimes and he was always trying to make small talk, I don’t think diary reading was as much of a turn off for him than it was for me.”
Josh was secretly pleased there had been no drinks, it would take some getting used to that he no longer had to worry about Donna seeing other men. He continued, "Even if its true I could have gone back to my old job, it would have been too hard doing it without you!"
Donna smiled sympathetically snd squeezed his hand. “So…” she probed, “What would you have done?”
“Worked with the DNC to try and ensure a Democrat congress. Maybe concentrated on the Florida districts so I could stay with my mom for a bit.”
Donna smiled, “Your mom would have liked that!”
Josh nodded. “Of course, I’d have had my candidates attend every function of Bingo Bob’s that I could possibly link them to, and coordinated my appearances on Meet the Press to be the same as when a certain press spokesperson was appearing!”
Donna blushed, understanding his meaning. “You’d have flirted with me on national TV?” she laughed.
“Yep. Would have made things more entertaining for the viewers!” Josh smirked.
Donna became serious again. “Would you have voted for him?”
Josh glared at her, mock seriously. “Donna, can you seriously see me not voting or voting for a Republican, even one I grudgingly respect!”
Donna shook her head. “No I can’t.” she admitted. “But can I tell you something I’ve not told anybody else?”
“Of course. You know you can tell me anything.”
“I didn’t vote for Russell in the Primaries, I voted for Santos.”
“DONNA!” Josh was genuinely shocked, “You should always back the guy you work for, even if he’s a cow poke, just to back yourself.”
“I know, I know.” Donna sounded contrite, “Its just I’d seen Santos close up by then, during the sleepover before the stem cell vote, and I knew you’d found the real thing. And I naively thought I’d have a job on whichever campaign won.” She gave him a pointed look, some things still rankled.
Josh groaned, he knew he hadn’t shown his best side when Donna came asking for a job on the Santos campaign. “I know. I was a jackass that day.”
“You were!” Donna agreed, “But on reflection, you were right. I wouldn’t have looked genuine if I’d gone straight into supporting a guy I’d spent six months criticising.”
“No, but I could have given you a job behind the scenes to begin with. I was still hurt and confused, and I let my personal feelings override the good things you could have done for the campaign”
Donna was glad Josh acknowledged he could have handled things differently, but decided to move the conversation back into lighter territory. “Of course, it was annoying to know that you were right again!” She poked him with her foot.
“One day you will accept I’m always right, Donnatella.” He smirked.
“I know. Trust me to fall…for a man who’s ego is just going to get bigger knowing he bagged himself quite a catch!” She grinned, hoping Josh hadn’t noticed her slight hesitation. She’d nearly said “fall in love”, and although Josh seemed to be comfortable with their relationship taking a romantic turn, she didn’t want to scare him into thinking it was too serious too quickly. There was also another part of her that felt, apart from organising the trip to Hawaii, she was the one that had been moving their relationship forward, and maybe Josh should do his part, and be the first to make the declaration.
He hadn’t seemed to notice. “Well, I can’t help being irresistible to women!” His smirk was growing.
“And on that note, its time to go back to the hotel and get ready for dinner whilst your head is still small enough to fit through the door.” Donna rolled her eyes. She glanced at her watch, her expression became thoughtful. “Actually, we’ve left it late. We might have to share a shower. You know, just to save time!” Her eyes shone playfully.
Josh eyebrows shot up, in the adorable way they always did when she hinted they may have some ‘fun’ together. “No, arguments from me!” He said, grabbing his wallet and hurrying to pay the check.
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Josh had, in fact, noticed Donna’s near slip up at the bar. She’d done it several times that week, including being careful what lyrics she sang along to when they were dancing on an evening. Since their talk on the second day, he was fairly confident Donna loved him the same way he loved her, but he knew she did not have the same confidence that he was aware of his own feelings. She’d been surprised the previous day when he hadn’t freaked out after the tour guide called “Mr and Mrs Lyman” when collecting them from their hotel. He understood, she knew better than anyone he wasn’t very good at managing his feelings, and he felt he owed it to her to prove he could step up and have a mature relationship. It had taken him four years for him to admit to himself he had romantic feelings for Donna, but seeing her with Jack Reese had made him confront his feelings, and of course, after Gaza, he was no longer able to deny that he actually loved her. Whilst Josh wanted to say it before they left Hawaii, he also wanted the moment to be special, and not just blurt it out whilst Donna was reading on a sunbed, or straight after sex, when Donna would wonder whether he meant it or was just in a state of post orgasmic euphoria.
He would get his opportunity later that evening. They decided against dessert at the restaurant, instead deciding to visit an ice cream parlour they’d seen, then eating the ice cream on a bench overlooking the moonlit ocean. They’d had some friendly banter about Donna wanting her ice cream in a cup with a spoon, with Josh stating that was for children. When Donna had pointed out she wouldn’t be organising the second of only two smart shirts he’d brought for an evening to be laundered if he spilt chocolate ice cream down it, he acknowledged she had a point by bringing each of their ice creams in a cup. They snuggled together on the bench to eat them, and when both were finished, Josh took both cups to a nearby litter bin. When he turned round to return to the bench, Donna was smiling softly at him. “What ya smiling at?” he grinned back.
“You.” She said simply, “You look so much more relaxed than you did when we arrived.”
He arrived back at the bench and put his arm around her as she snuggled back into him, rubbing her hand over his chest. “Well, what do you expect when you spend five days in paradise with the woman you love?”
Donna went completely still. “What did you say?” she said, her voice just above a whisper.
He lifted her head to look into his eyes. “You heard me, Donnatella Moss. I love you, I think I always have and I know I always will!”
In response, Donna dived on his lips. After a few seconds, she broke away, well aware this kiss had the potential to become too deep to be continued in public. “Let’s go back to the hotel,” she breathed, “so I can show you just how much I love you back.”
Josh smiled. “Gladly!”
They walked off together, both delighted to be able to finally be fully honest with each other, after nearly nine years of hiding.