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“I’m leaving.” Donna announces as she grabs her bag and jacket. It’s 9:15, so it should come as no surprise that she’s going home, but Josh hasn’t looked at a clock in hours.
“You’re leaving?” He questions, looking up from the stack of briefing memos.
“Yes, Josh. We’ve far exceeded any normal working hours.”
“Are you okay getting home?” His concern is genuine, which makes her smile.
“Yes. I’ll be fine.”
“Can you be here early tomorrow,” he questions hopefully, as though an idea has just jumped into his mind. “I know I’ve kept you long hours this week, so you can say no.”
She raises an eyebrow at his sudden glimmer of nervousness.
“How early?”
“6?” He questions hopefully.
“Okay,” she agrees, sighing only internally at the early hour.
***
“I’m here,” she announces as she swings by his already open office door. “Did you even go home last night?”
“I did.” He appears at her desk. “Don’t take your coat off. We’re leaving.”
She furrows her brow. “Where do you have an off site meeting at 6am?”
“The tidal basin, with you.” He gives her a full dimpled grin, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “It’s peak bloom for the cherry trees, Donnatella. We have to get there early.”
She gives him a bright smile as he places his hand on the small of her back and leads her out of the bullpen, through the West Wing and to their first stop at a coffee shop.
Lattes in hand they stroll lazily across the mall as the first hints of dawn begin to color the monuments. They cross the street and find a spot where there are hardly any tourists. They take a seat next to each other on the old stone wall, talking easily and sipping their coffees in the early spring light.
The sunrise paints a magical watercolor over the city and glimmers on the tidal basin. When it’s light, she sees that the trees are in full bloom. It’s a magical place, surrounded by soft, pink flowers on the cherry trees and green grass amidst a bustling city. It is, Donna things, worth the hype.
They’re sitting right next to each other, Josh’s arm behind her comfortingly. They feel like they’re the only two people in the world. Donna rests her head on his shoulder and neither of them dare move or speak. They don’t want to break the moment.
The blasting of horns from commuter traffic and the increases bustle of sightseers with camera pulls them from their trance. Josh stands up and dusts the dirt from his pants before extending his hand to Donna as she hops down.
“That was beautiful,” she comments as they reach the crosswalk that leads them back to their jobs and back to reality. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” Josh gives her a soft smile, glad he pleased her. “Same time next year?”
“Yeah,” she returns his grin. “It’s a date.”