Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1: The Beginning of a New Era (Valentine’s Day 2007)
Josh wandered into the East Wing from his Chief of Staff Office, clearly happier than he had been in a long time. It had only been about three weeks since Matt Santos was inaugurated President, but the stresses of the job were nothing new to him. Sure, the loss of Leo had cast a pall over the excitement of the election, but Josh was determined to welcome each new day of the administration with open arms. After all, there was a reason he was so happy and content with his life, and she was sitting right beyond the double doors of the First Lady’s working headquarters. Greeting her assistant Ryan with a cordial nod, he stopped in front of the door, reading the nameplate carefully: DONNA MOSS, Chief of Staff.
Donna and Josh had only become official since their impromptu trip to Hawaii three months earlier. Since then, they had plunged headfirst into the romantic relationship they hadn’t been able to pursue in the Bartlet Administration, with Donna going so far as to move in with Josh. Despite talk of holding off on marriage, everyone in the Santos Administration who had witnessed the passion of the couple on the campaign trail was waiting with bated breath to see how long it would take either one to crack on that front. Unbeknownst to them, that day was about to come sooner-much sooner, in fact, than anyone expected.
After checking to make sure the engagement ring he had scouted with Sam days before was securely nestled in his jacket pocket, he knocked.
“Come in!”, was the cheerful, yet distracted reply. Josh opened the door, taking in the sight of his girlfriend typing furiously on her computer, a pencil tucked behind her ear. He grinned quietly to himself. “Hey.”, he said, gaining her attention.
The soft smile on her face as she read grew into a full-watt grin when she saw him. “Hey, you!”, she said, getting up from her chair and giving him a quick peck on the lips. “I’ll be ready for lunch as soon I can get this memo done for Mrs. Santos.” Since the inauguration, Donna had complied with Helen Santos’ request to be on a first-name basis, though only in social situations or if the two happened to be alone in the office.
“Take all the time you need.”, Josh said. Donna finished up quickly and grabbed her coat, sticking her head outside her office. “Ryan, Josh and I are going to lunch. I’ll be back in time for the briefing at 1.” “Of course, Ms. Moss.”, Ryan responded politely. Josh was secretly glad that since Donna had insisted on hiring the more qualified male assistant over an unqualified female assistant, that he at least treated her well.
Half an hour later, they had finished eating their lunch in Josh’s office. Donna enjoyed eating there because it gave her a chance to say hello to all the West Wing staff, many of whom she knew from the campaign.
“Donna”, Josh said in a nervous tone. Donna’s head shot up. He scarcely ever talked to her this seriously. He reached out across the desk and took both of her hands in his. “I love you.”, he said simply. Donna was suddenly more nervous than ever. Was he trying to break up with her? Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to move in together so soon into the relationship. Maybe-
“And,” Josh continued, “I think that since we’re beginning a new journey with the Administration, I think this could be the beginning of a whole new era for us.”
“Josh..”, Donna trailed off, her voice soft and tender.
Josh had come over to the other side of his desk now. He knelt down on one knee and in one smooth move took out the velvet black box and opened to reveal a diamond and sapphire engagement ring. “Donnatella Moss, I’ve loved you from the moment you first stepped into campaign headquarters 10 years ago. I can’t think of anybody I would rather spend the rest of my life with. Will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife?”
Tears were already threatening to unspool down her cheeks. She opened her mouth but could only release a choked-back sob. After a tense few seconds, she swallowed.
“Yes.”
The answer came out so softly and delicately that Josh almost didn’t hear her.
“Y-yes? You said yes?”
“Yes, of course I’ll marry you!”
“Oh, Donna!”, Josh breathed out, so excited he could barely talk. He stood up, pulled Donna up from her chair and kissed her deeply.
He then flung open his door. “Margaret, clear my schedule for tomorrow!” Margaret nodded and gave the couple a broad smile, a rarity for her-Josh’s excitement was not only palpable, but contagious. “I heard everything. Congratulations!”
Josh rushed out to his old office. He knew he would have to tell the rest of the Senior Staff eventually, but there was one person he had to tell first.
Sam looked up expectantly as Josh rapped on his door. “Well?”, he said. Not that he needed to ask-the broad dimpled grin on Josh’s face told him everything he needed to know.
“She said yes!!”, Josh practically shouted. He wanted to shout it from the rooftops. He and Donna, after 9 years, were finally getting it right.