A Proposal in Paradise

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003399" TEXT="#080000" background="03fc8c00erkjxk.jpg"> <div> <B>This is a sequel to '238 Days'. However, you don't need to read that to understand this.</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#99CCFF" FACE="Edwardian Script ITC" ><B>Smiles, Tears, & Happy Endings</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>  |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Smiles, Tears, Happy Endings"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shelleys Stories"><U>Shelley's Stories</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Boomerang"><U>Boomerang</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="238 Days"><U>238 Days</U></A>   |   <B>A Proposal in Paradise</B>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blood Ties"><U>Blood Ties</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Party Tricks"><U>Party Tricks</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Does Anyone Really Miss Her?"><U>Does Anyone Really Miss Her?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="No Time To Be Shocked"><U>No Time To Be Shocked</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Love Always"><U>Love Always</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Desperate Times"><U>Desperate Times</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Finding Our Way Back"><U>Finding Our Way Back</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Roadblock"><U>Roadblock</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Finding The Treasure"><U>Finding The Treasure</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hey Baby, Lets Go To Vegas"><U>Hey Baby, Let's Go To Vegas</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id186.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Matter Of Trust"><U>A Matter Of Trust</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id209.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Pleasure Sure"><U>A Pleasure Sure</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id226.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="An Excellent Rookie Season"><U>An Excellent Rookie Season</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id227.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Even Steel Magnolias Cry"><U>Even Steel Magnolias Cry</U></A></div> <div> A Proposal in Paradise</div> <div> Josh stared out the window of the plane as he tried to relax and </div> <div> leave the hustle and bustle </div> <div> of DC behind. He cast a sideways glance at Donna, and smiled when he </div> <div> realized that she </div> <div> was completely engrossed in the in-flight magazine.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He reached down and patted his pocket where he felt the ring box. He </div> <div> had planned on </div> <div> slipping it into his suitcase after Donna's final inspection, but he </div> <div> hadn't gotten a chance. </div> <div> He was determined to find the perfect moment to propose to her and </div> <div> turn this vacation </div> <div> into an engagement trip.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He briefly wondered if he should seize the moment and do it now. Be </div> <div> impulsive. Be </div> <div> spontaneous. He wondered what the rules for a romantic proposal were. </div> <div> Then he realized </div> <div> that an airplane, albeit in first class, probably wasn't the perfect </div> <div> setting. Donna deserved </div> <div> the perfect setting.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'OK, Strike the airplane,' he thought to himself. 'I'll just have to </div> <div> wait until the perfect </div> <div> moment presents itself.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh was broken out of his reverie by the sound of Donna's voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you know that the 757 has the lowest operating cost per seat-</div> <div> mile of any single aisle </div> <div> jetliner?" she asked, never looking up.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I didn't know that," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you know that it meets all international standards for engine </div> <div> emission?" she </div> <div> continued.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, it's nice to know we are on an environmentally friendly </div> <div> airplane," he chuckled. </div> <div> "Or a least one that is as environmentally friendly as a jumbo-jet </div> <div> can be."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna ignored the hint of sarcasm in his voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It can even land on short-field runways," she said, looking up at </div> <div> him with a look of </div> <div> triumph.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you even know what a short-field runway is?" he asked with a </div> <div> smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, but isn't it nice to know we could land on one if we needed to," </div> <div> she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I guess it never hurts to cover all the bases," he agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna stuck her tongue out at him as she closed the magazine and </div> <div> returned it to the </div> <div> pocket on the side of her seat.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you making fun of me?" she asked playfully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," he said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled </div> <div> her to his side. </div> <div> "I've just never seen anyone actually read the in-flight literature </div> <div> before."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just like to be well informed," she pouted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know you do. Please go on," he said as he leaned his cheek against </div> <div> the top of her head.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't have anything else," she said matter-of-factly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" he asked pulling back and looking at her incredulously. "It </div> <div> can't be. I never </div> <div> thought I'd see the day. Are you telling me that you are out of </div> <div> trivia?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're not that lucky," she responded dryly. "I mean that I'm out of </div> <div> airplane trivia. But </div> <div> since we will be landing Maui in 45 minutes, I should tell you that…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Her words were cut off as Josh's lips met hers. It only took a moment </div> <div> for her to wrap her </div> <div> arms around his back and deepen the kiss. She moaned softly as his </div> <div> tongue slid across her </div> <div> lower lip and his hands entwined in her hair. She mentally sent up a </div> <div> quick thank you that </div> <div> they were seated in the front row, with the cabin wall in front of </div> <div> them and the seat backs </div> <div> hiding them from the passengers behind them.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As he pulled away for air Josh asked, "What was that you were saying?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I forget," she said slyly as she pulled his mouth back towards hers. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is bigger than my apartment," Donna said as she surveyed the </div> <div> hotel room that lay </div> <div> in front of her, her eyes wide with awe.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you like it?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Like it? Josh, this is amazing. But it's too much. This must have </div> <div> cost a fortune."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't want to hear one word about money this week, Donna. I mean </div> <div> it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But if you gave me a raise, I could chip in for the cost of the </div> <div> room," she teased.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How about if we work out a barter agreement?" Josh said, wiggling </div> <div> his eyebrows.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna giggled as she grabbed his hand and moved towards the sliding </div> <div> glass doors that </div> <div> opened on to a wrap around balcony.</div> <div> "I've never seen anything like this," she said as tears formed in the </div> <div> corners of her eyes. </div> <div> "This is amazing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You deserve the best," Josh said as they moved towards the railing </div> <div> to look out at the </div> <div> ocean.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look how close the water is," Donna said, bursting with </div> <div> excitement. "Let's change our </div> <div> clothes and go for a walk on the beach."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sounds good to me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Maybe I should unpack first," Donna said disappointedly. "I don't </div> <div> want the clothes to </div> <div> get wrinkled."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't worry about that. We can unpack later and we'll send whatever </div> <div> needs pressed to </div> <div> the hotel laundry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" she asked, the excitement returning to her voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Absolutely," he answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh goody," she said moving back through the doors and towards the </div> <div> bedroom where the </div> <div> bellman had deposited the luggage.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you want to eat out tonight, or should I call room service and </div> <div> order something for </div> <div> later?" Josh called, as she began searching for some suitable beach </div> <div> attire.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm kind of tired from the flight. Do you mind if we just stay in </div> <div> tonight?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not at all," he said. "I'll just call down and order now and then it </div> <div> will be ready when we </div> <div> get back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sounds good to me," Donna yelled from the bedroom. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Twenty minutes later, Donna emerged from the bedroom wearing a tank </div> <div> top and shorts </div> <div> just as Josh finished making arrangements for a romantic dinner for </div> <div> two on the balcony.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "All set," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just give me a minute to throw on some shorts and I'll be right with </div> <div> you," he said as he </div> <div> replaced the room service menu in the drawer.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As soon as he entered the bedroom, he looked around for the perfect </div> <div> place to hide the </div> <div> ring. He quickly discarded several ideas before he settled on the old </div> <div> standby of under the </div> <div> mattress. With any luck at all, it would only be there for a few </div> <div> hours anyway. The room </div> <div> service chef had assured Josh that he could create the perfect </div> <div> romantic meal and Josh was </div> <div> planning on taking advantage of it.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He quickly changed into a pair of shorts and rejoined Donna in the </div> <div> living room. "The </div> <div> beach awaits," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh goody. Let's go," she said, bouncing towards the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh smiled brightly as he watched Donna enjoying the beach. She was </div> <div> trying desperately </div> <div> to take in every sight and sound around her. She was so excited that, </div> <div> at times, it seemed </div> <div> like she was going to burst.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He couldn't refuse when she begged him to take his shoes off and go </div> <div> into the surf with </div> <div> her. As the waves rolled in around their ankles, Donna giggled </div> <div> happily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They spent several hours just enjoying the sand and taking in all of </div> <div> the beautiful tropical </div> <div> scenery.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As they walked, Josh tried to plan out the perfect proposal in his </div> <div> head. He wanted </div> <div> something witty. Something that fit the relationship that he and </div> <div> Donna had forged. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Will you marry me, Donna' he thought. "No, too plain.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Donna, you would make me the happiest man alive if you would agree </div> <div> to marry me,' he </div> <div> considered. 'No', even though the sentiment might be true, he had </div> <div> hoped for something </div> <div> more original.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'How about it, let's make it legal,' crossed his mind, but he somehow </div> <div> knew that Donna </div> <div> wouldn't appreciate that particular line.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Come on, Mr. 760 verbal, think!' he chastised himself.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you thinking about?" Donna asked as she saw Josh's furrowed </div> <div> brow.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nothing," he answered distractedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You looked like you were really concentrating. Are you thinking </div> <div> about the Hawkins </div> <div> thing?" she asked, somewhat accusingly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, I swear, work is the farthest thing from my mind right now," </div> <div> Josh assured her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good," she said as she wrapped her arm around his waist.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As the sun began to fade in the sky, Josh asked. "Are you ready to </div> <div> head back and get </div> <div> some dinner?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I am a little hungry," Donna said, realizing that she hadn't </div> <div> eaten since having </div> <div> lunch on the plane.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time they made it back to the room, the chef had delivered </div> <div> exactly what he had </div> <div> promised. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> A small table had been placed on the balcony. It was set with multi-</div> <div> colored fiesta ware </div> <div> place settings and a lovely tropical centerpiece.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's beautiful," Donna said breathlessly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "All we have to do is call them when we're ready to eat," Josh said </div> <div> as he checked the </div> <div> wine that was chilling in the ice bucket.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Should we change into something a little more formal?" Donna </div> <div> asked. "I feel kind of </div> <div> underdressed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That sounds like a good idea," Josh agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great," Donna said as she moved towards the bedroom. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> All of the sudden Josh remembered the ring. He knew that there was </div> <div> almost no chance </div> <div> that the average person would check under a hotel mattress, but when </div> <div> it came to Donna </div> <div> he decided not to take any chances.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He burst into the room and plopped down on the edge of the bed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Something wrong?" Donna asked as she looked at him suspiciously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not a thing," he said trying to seem nonchalant.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure you're ok, Josh? You've been acting a little funny </div> <div> since we were out on </div> <div> the beach."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm perfectly fine," he said, deciding that if he just denied that </div> <div> he was behaving </div> <div> strangely, Donna would be forced to believe him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," she said warily. "I'm just going to grab a quick shower."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent idea. You do that," Josh said without budging off of the </div> <div> edge of the mattress.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna simply rolled her eyes and grabbed her toiletries bag as she </div> <div> headed into the </div> <div> bathroom. Josh waited until he heard the water running, then he </div> <div> retrieved the ring and </div> <div> bolted for the living room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After a few minutes of indecision, he placed the ring between the </div> <div> sofa cushions. He </div> <div> called downstairs and said that they would be ready to eat in 30 </div> <div> minutes, then returned to </div> <div> the bedroom to change his clothes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time Donna emerged from the bathroom, in a little black dress </div> <div> with her hair </div> <div> pinned up on top of her head, the food had arrived and was ready to </div> <div> be served.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wow, you look beautiful," Josh said, as he crossed the room and </div> <div> planted a kiss on her </div> <div> cheek.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You look very handsome yourself," Donna smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh took her hand and led her over to the table on the balcony.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This smells great," she said. "What is it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's Citrus-Seared Ahi," Josh answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, you ordered fish for dinner? Are you sure you're feeling ok?" </div> <div> she said as she felt </div> <div> his forehead with the back of her hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I ordered it because I knew you'd like it, funny girl," he said as </div> <div> he pulled out her chair. </div> <div> He planted a soft kiss on her lips before moving his chair over </div> <div> beside hers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They enjoyed the wonderful dinner as the cool evening ocean breezes </div> <div> blew across the </div> <div> balcony. When they finished with dessert, they moved into the living </div> <div> room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh turned on the stereo, and pulled Donna into his arms. "May I </div> <div> have this dance?" he </div> <div> asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This one and every one," she sighed as she laid her head on his </div> <div> shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They swayed to music for quite awhile, simply enjoying the feel of </div> <div> each other and the </div> <div> comfortable silence. Josh was busy entertaining more thoughts for the </div> <div> perfect proposal.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'I've dreamed of finding someone like you my whole life,' he </div> <div> thought. 'No, too girlie.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'I'll go crazy if I have to live another day without you as my wife.' </div> <div> He quickly discarded </div> <div> that one deciding that mental instability might not be his best </div> <div> selling point.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He felt Donna yawn against his neck.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Tired?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just a little. I think it's the jetlag. It's 4:00 AM back in DC," </div> <div> she reminded him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you want to go to bed?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, let's just sit on the couch for awhile and admire the view."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good idea," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They sat down on the couch and Josh gathered Donna into his arms. He </div> <div> felt between the </div> <div> cushions and located the ring box. 'OK, this is the moment,' he </div> <div> thought, hoping that </div> <div> something witty would just pop out of his mouth at the right time.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna…" he started.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna didn't stir at all, her head still resting on his shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donnatella…" he tried again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He let out a small chuckle as he listened to her even breathing and </div> <div> looked at her face, lost </div> <div> in the peacefulness of sleep. 'You have flawless timing, Lyman,' he </div> <div> thought.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As he lifted her up to carry her to the bedroom, he couldn't help but </div> <div> think, 'Well at least I </div> <div> have a few more hours to think of the perfect proposal.'</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> TBC</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was jolted awake by that eerie feeling you get when someone is </div> <div> staring at you as </div> <div> you sleep. She slowly opened her eyes, only to see Josh's face just </div> <div> inches from hers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "God, Josh," she said, jumping six inches off the bed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I was just getting ready to hold a mirror under your nose to make </div> <div> sure you were still </div> <div> breathing," he chuckled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very funny," she said, taking the coffee mug out of his hand and </div> <div> taking a sip. "What </div> <div> time is it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "7:45," he said, reaching out and retrieving his coffee.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna looked down at the Harvard t-shirt she was wearing, and </div> <div> realized that she didn't </div> <div> remember getting into bed the night before. The last thing she </div> <div> remembered was sitting on </div> <div> the couch, admiring the view of the beach all lit up at night.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did I fall asleep on the couch last night?" she asked confusedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, you did," Josh said, as he sat down beside her on the bed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry," she said, laying her head on his shoulder. "I guess I </div> <div> was more tired than I </div> <div> thought."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's ok," he said, planting a kiss on top of her head.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You weren't in the middle of saying anything important when I </div> <div> dropped off, were you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's head was dislodged from Josh's shoulder as he jerked forward, </div> <div> choking on his </div> <div> coffee. 'Well only if you consider 'Will you marry me?' important,' </div> <div> he thought as he </div> <div> continued coughing and sputtering.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, are you ok?" Donna asked, her voice tinged with concern.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine," he said, trying to get his breathing under control. "Just </div> <div> fine."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Positive," he assured her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Satisfied that he was alright, Donna's thoughts turned </div> <div> elsewhere, "What should we do </div> <div> today?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I thought we would go and see that volcano you were talking about on </div> <div> the plane," Josh </div> <div> suggested.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Donna asked excitedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If you want to."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, I definitely want to. Haleakala is the world's largest dormant </div> <div> volcano, you know. It </div> <div> is over 20 miles in circumference…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna.." Josh interrupted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why don't you save the rest of your fun facts for the drive there," </div> <div> he smiled. "I arranged </div> <div> for a car, and the chef is packing a picnic lunch, so as soon as we </div> <div> shower and get dressed, </div> <div> we can be on our way."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You know what?" Donna said playfully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" Josh said, raising one eyebrow.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If we shower together, we can save time and we'll be on our way </div> <div> sooner," Donna said as </div> <div> she stood up and made a dash for the bathroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I like the way you think," Josh said, following right behind her.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> They parked the car near the entrance to the crater, grabbed the </div> <div> picnic lunch out of the </div> <div> back seat, and began walking.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh could barely keep up with Donna as she ran ahead, talking </div> <div> excitedly. As they </div> <div> reached the edge of the crater, Donna's breath caught in her throat.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh look, Josh," she said breathlessly. "Isn't it beautiful?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It certainly is," Josh said as he slipped his arm around her waist. </div> <div> He was totally and </div> <div> completely mesmerized by the smile on her face and the light in her </div> <div> eyes. She had talked </div> <div> about a trip to Hawaii for so long that he was afraid the actual </div> <div> event wouldn't live up to </div> <div> her expectations. He could tell by the look on her face that he </div> <div> didn't need to worry about </div> <div> that.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "According to Polynesian legend," Donna began as she grabbed Josh's </div> <div> hand and pulled </div> <div> him further along the trail, "this crater is where the demi-god Maui </div> <div> captured the sun and </div> <div> held it captive. He wanted his people to have more daylight hours."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Remind me to give him a call next time I'm at the office wishing for </div> <div> more hours in a </div> <div> day," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As they rounded a bend in the trail, the towering crater walls came </div> <div> into view.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "In some places," Donna said, "The crater walls are 3000 feet above </div> <div> the floor of the </div> <div> volcano."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's absolutely correct," a voice said from behind them.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna turned to see a park ranger, in full uniform.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I see you've studied up on Haleakala National Park," the ranger said </div> <div> to Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know that are at least three separate and distinct climate zones </div> <div> within the crater," </div> <div> Donna said proudly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Impressive," the ranger commented.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You don't know the half of it," Josh chuckled. "I'm sure if you </div> <div> would like to take the </div> <div> rest of the day off, Donna could keep all the visitors informed."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh," Donna said, elbowing him lightly in the ribs.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well," the ranger stated, "I just wanted to let you know that we are </div> <div> here if you have any </div> <div> questions."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," Josh and Donna said in unison.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And you're in luck today," the ranger whispered conspiratorially to </div> <div> Donna. "The </div> <div> conditions are absolutely perfect for Brocken bow."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Donna squealed. "I can't believe it!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh had absolutely no idea what a Brocken bow was, but he decided </div> <div> that it must be </div> <div> something very special, the way Donna was reacting.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Where?" she asked the ranger, eyes dancing with delight.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just stay on this path," he said. "You'll run right into it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Donna said, suddenly so overcome by joy she wrapped the </div> <div> ranger in a quick </div> <div> hug.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Maybe I need to get a uniform before I pop the question,' Josh </div> <div> thought. 'Donna </div> <div> apparently finds them irresistible.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're welcome," the ranger said, a bit stunned, as Donna headed off </div> <div> down the trail, </div> <div> pulling Josh along with her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you going to tell me what a Brocken bow is?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's a meteorological phenomenon," Donna answered, her eyes sweeping </div> <div> the crater.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What kind of…." Josh began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There it is!!" Donna squealed. "Do you see it, Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked into the crater and suddenly saw his and Donna's shadows, </div> <div> greatly enlarged, </div> <div> reflected on a bank of clouds.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wow," he said, torn between wanting to look at the shadows and </div> <div> wanting to watch </div> <div> Donna's excited face. "What is that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The trade wind rain clouds drift in over the eastern edge of the </div> <div> crater where the rim is </div> <div> low. Then they get trapped by the higher northern rim," Donna </div> <div> explained excitedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So we are actually above the clouds?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yep," Donna beamed. "And when the light strikes just the right way, </div> <div> the shadows </div> <div> reflect on the clouds. They call it a Brocken bow."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very impressive," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So now," Donna said wrapping her arms around Josh's waist, "I'm </div> <div> walking on clouds </div> <div> both literally and figuratively."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm glad," Josh said as he leaned down and kissed her gently on the </div> <div> lips.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> As they continued down the trail, he said "Now tell me about these </div> <div> three different climate </div> <div> zones."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Within the crater, there is a rain forest, an arid desert, and a </div> <div> temperate lake region," </div> <div> Donna began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As they continued to descend into the crater, Josh listened to Donna </div> <div> talk animatedly </div> <div> about everything they saw around them. The ambiance of the lush </div> <div> tropical area was </div> <div> amazing. Donna's excitement seemed to grow and deepen with every new </div> <div> sight and </div> <div> sound.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When they reached a plateau beside a small stream, they decided to </div> <div> stop for lunch.</div> <div> As they spread out the picnic that the hotel chef had prepared, Donna </div> <div> continued to talk.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Haleakala was only designated as a separate and distinct National </div> <div> Park in 1961," she </div> <div> said. "Until then, it was a part of Hawaii National Park."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I didn't know that," Josh answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And in 1980," she said, "it was designated an International </div> <div> Biosphere Reserve."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fascinating," Josh said, referring to Donna as much as the crater.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> After they had finished eating their lunch, they stretched out on the </div> <div> ground, and looked at </div> <div> the clear, blue sky. Josh felt the ring box in his pocket. 'Is this </div> <div> the perfect moment?' he </div> <div> wondered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He looked over at Donna and saw the look of rapture on her face. This </div> <div> was what he </div> <div> wanted from this vacation, for Donna to be this happy. She was </div> <div> enjoying her experience </div> <div> in the crater so much that he didn't want to do anything to pull her </div> <div> out of the moment. He </div> <div> didn't want to break the spell that this magical place seemed to have </div> <div> placed on her. He </div> <div> decided to save the proposal for later on in the evening. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ready to head back up?" he asked lazily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah," she said jumping to her feet. "That lunch was good, wasn't </div> <div> it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good for a fish salad," Josh laughed. "Hey, that's two times in a </div> <div> row I've had fish."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're in Hawaii, Josh," she said. "We're supposed to eat fish."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But still…" he whined.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," Donna cut him off. "We'll find you some red meat tonight, I </div> <div> promise."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," he said, kissing the tip of her nose.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We have to go up the other side," she informed him as she headed for </div> <div> a path opposite </div> <div> the one they had come down.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Because we've seen the tropical side, now we have to see the </div> <div> volcanic side."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They walked a short distance and Josh couldn't believe the difference </div> <div> in what he saw. </div> <div> The lush tropical landscape had been replaced by a rocky barren </div> <div> expanse. But Donna was </div> <div> no less amazed by its beauty.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Isn't it amazing?" she said, "Everything as far as the eye can see </div> <div> is hardened lava. Just </div> <div> think, at one time where we are standing was a bed of molten rock."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Strange, huh?" Josh agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The last time Haleakala erupted was well over 200 years ago."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's comforting," he laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just look at how beautiful they are," Donna said as she pointed at </div> <div> the towering multi-</div> <div> colored cylinders that dotted the landscape. "Those are all cinder </div> <div> deposits. The different </div> <div> colors are because all of the layers came from different eruptions."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh couldn't help but be caught up in the wonder that Donna was </div> <div> experiencing. </div> <div> Suddenly she looked at one of the cinder walls and gasped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look," Donna said moving gingerly forward. "A Silversword."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked at the bright silver plant growing out of the middle of </div> <div> the cinder wall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And it's ready to bloom," Donna said reverently.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's nice," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not really," Donna said somewhat sadly. "As soon as it blooms, it </div> <div> will die."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," Donna said. "They struggle to survive growing in these bleak </div> <div> conditions. It can </div> <div> take up to 20 years for a plant to produce a single bloom. As soon as </div> <div> it does, it dies."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wow," Josh whispered. "That's amazing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know. It's really sweet and really sad at the same time," Donna </div> <div> said wistfully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh was touched by Donna's reaction to the life cycle of this </div> <div> special plant. He walked up </div> <div> behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you," he whispered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you, too," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> They made their way leisurely back up the trail, stopping several </div> <div> times to look at an </div> <div> interesting rock formation or another Silversword. By the time they </div> <div> reached the top, the </div> <div> sun was fading in the sky.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They sat on the rim of the crater and watched, as the sky turned the </div> <div> most amazing shades </div> <div> of red and purple that they had ever seen.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We never get sunsets like that in DC," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We certainly don't," Donna sighed.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> As they walked back towards the car, Donna rubbed her stomach gently.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Something wrong?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fine," Donna answered. "My stomach just feels a little funny. </div> <div> Probably all of the </div> <div> climbing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" Josh asked, concern creeping into his voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Positive," Donna answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As soon as they got into the car, Donna settled against Josh's </div> <div> shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why don't you just rest until we get back to the hotel," he said </div> <div> soothingly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As they rode in silence, Josh's mind returned to the task of finding </div> <div> the perfect words for </div> <div> his proposal.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'I've come too see things so much more clearly since what happened in </div> <div> Colombia,' he </div> <div> thought. 'NO!' he chastised himself. 'I'm not going to bring any bad </div> <div> memories into this.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'You know I'm hopeless without you,' he considered. 'Oh yeah, that </div> <div> makes me sound </div> <div> like a real catch.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'I'm not getting any younger so I thought… God, why can't I </div> <div> formulate a sentence that </div> <div> doesn't make me sound like a total dork.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh began thinking back to all of the great movie proposals he had </div> <div> seen. If he couldn't </div> <div> come up with a witty line of his own, maybe he could steal a good one </div> <div> from Cary Grant </div> <div> or Humphrey Bogart. At this point, he would even settle for Jim </div> <div> Carrey.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time they pulled back into the hotel parking lot, Josh wasn't </div> <div> feeling all that great </div> <div> himself. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Feeling any better?" he asked Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not really," she said. "Maybe a shower will help."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good idea," he said as he opened the passenger side door and reached </div> <div> in to help her out </div> <div> of the car.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's face began to take on a greenish cast in the elevator and by </div> <div> the time Josh </div> <div> managed to get the hotel room door open, she was bolting for the </div> <div> bathroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok?" Josh asked as he stood outside the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think so," Donna whimpered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you need me to hold your hair back?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," Donna said as she opened the bathroom door, sipping a glass of </div> <div> water. "Thanks for </div> <div> the offer though."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Should I call the hotel doctor?" Josh asked as he placed his arm </div> <div> around her shoulders </div> <div> and steered her towards the living room couch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," Donna assured him. "I'll be fine. I think it was something I </div> <div> ate."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think you're right," Josh agreed. "I'm feeling a little green </div> <div> around the gills myself."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very funny," Donna said. "We don't know that it was the fish that </div> <div> made us sick."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fish is all we have eaten since yesterday," he reminded her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As he was getting Donna settled on the couch, there was a knock on </div> <div> the door. Josh </div> <div> opened it to find the hotel concierge, with a very guilty look on his </div> <div> face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm so sorry to disturb you," the concierge said. "But we seem to </div> <div> have had a bit of a </div> <div> problem with the fish salad that the chef made for lunch."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No kidding," Josh said dryly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The concierge looked at Donna lying on the couch and said,  "I'm so </div> <div> sorry, ma'am. Are </div> <div> you sick?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you blind? Of course she's sick!" Josh snapped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just a little," Donna assured him as she rose up off the couch and </div> <div> stood next to Josh, </div> <div> taking his hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The fish salad seems to be causing a very minor case of food </div> <div> poisoning. We have been </div> <div> assured by the hotel doctor that any reaction should be mild and will </div> <div> most likely pass </div> <div> overnight."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I will be happy to send up the doctor if you would like," the </div> <div> concierge said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That won't be necessary," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Again, you have our deepest apologies," the concierge said. "I will </div> <div> send up a pot of </div> <div> herbal tea that the locals swear works wonders."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That'll be good," Donna said, showing the man to the door as Josh </div> <div> glared at him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll see to it immediately," the concierge said, shooting Donna a </div> <div> grateful look as he </div> <div> slipped out the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Come on," Donna said tugging on Josh's arm. "Come over here and sit </div> <div> down with me </div> <div> and wait for the tea."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure we shouldn't call the doctor?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We'll be fine," Donna assured him. "This will all be past by </div> <div> morning. And I don't want </div> <div> to spoil the amazing time I had today, so let's just sit here and try </div> <div> to relax."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're right," he said, sitting down beside her on the couch and </div> <div> pulling her back against </div> <div> his chest.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So what were we talking about last night when I so rudely fell </div> <div> asleep?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh instinctively felt for the ring box in his pocket.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well as a matter of fact…" he began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Without warning, Donna sat straight up, grabbed her stomach, clamped </div> <div> her hand over her </div> <div> mouth, and bolted for the bathroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Well I may not be up on proper proposal etiquette, but I'm pretty </div> <div> sure this isn't the right </div> <div> time,' Josh thought, as he began to rhythmically bang his head on the </div> <div> coffee table.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The morning sun streaming through the window gently woke Donna. She </div> <div> realized, to her </div> <div> great relief, that her nausea had passed. Apparently, the doctor had </div> <div> been right, and the </div> <div> food poisoning had been mild.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She turned and looked at Josh sleeping soundly beside her, one of his </div> <div> arms wrapped </div> <div> securely around her waist. She toyed with the idea of waking him, but </div> <div> decided that he </div> <div> probably needed the sleep. She carefully lifted his arm and slid out </div> <div> from underneath it. </div> <div> She pulled the sheet up over him and slipped into the living room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She made a pot of coffee and sat back to peruse the sightseeing </div> <div> information that the </div> <div> concierge had left for them. She read with delight the description of </div> <div> the hotel's Bay Club </div> <div> Restaurant. It had originally been built as a private club for people </div> <div> who owned villas in </div> <div> the area. A year after it opened, the members voted to turn it into a </div> <div> public restaurant, </div> <div> wanting to share the marvelous atmosphere and stunning scenery with </div> <div> all of the island's </div> <div> visitors.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna wondered if Josh would be willing to go there for dinner some </div> <div> night before they </div> <div> left the island. She knew that he hated formal dress, but both the </div> <div> restaurant and the chef </div> <div> had five star reputations. Suddenly, she realized that the only dress </div> <div> she had with her that </div> <div> would be suitable had gotten wrinkled in her suitcase and needed to </div> <div> be pressed. She </div> <div> slipped quietly into the bedroom and began gathering up laundry. She </div> <div> grabbed her dress </div> <div> from the closet, and then slipped back out of the room and called the </div> <div> concierge to ask for </div> <div> a laundry pickup. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> When Josh finally awoke an hour later, Donna had already begun to </div> <div> make plans for the </div> <div> day. She watched as he poured himself a cup of coffee and joined her </div> <div> on the balcony.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Feeling better?" he asked, as he gave her a quick kiss then settled </div> <div> into the chair next to </div> <div> hers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Much better, thanks. How about you?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm fine," he assured her. "I wasn't nearly as sick as you to begin </div> <div> with."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know," she smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about all of the throwing up </div> <div> last night."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No problem," he said, pulling her in to his chest. "I just hate to </div> <div> see you sick."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's eyes teared up. "Thanks," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure we shouldn't carry a bucket with us today though, just </div> <div> to be sure?" he </div> <div> teased.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very funny," she said, punching him lightly on the arm.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Speaking of today, what should we do?" he asked with a yawn.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Actually I've been putting quite a bit of thought into that," Donna </div> <div> answered with a </div> <div> twinkle in her eye.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yep. How would you like to go golfing?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You don't golf, Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know that, Josh," she said, rolling her eyes, "but you do. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you going to me caddy for me?" he asked hopefully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not likely," she scoffed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll call you Carl if you want. We might see some gophers," he said </div> <div> playfully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really, Josh. Caddyshack references before breakfast?" Donna tsk-</div> <div> tsk'ed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sorry, I lost my head," he chuckled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well anyway, they say that The Plantation Course is amazing. It is </div> <div> cut out of an old </div> <div> pineapple plantation," Donna continued.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sounds nice, but I have no clubs and no shoes, not to mention that </div> <div> you don't usually </div> <div> shoot a round of golf by yourself."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I called the pro shop. You can get clubs and shoes there, and they </div> <div> have an opening in a </div> <div> foursome that is teeing off in an hour."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "My, my, haven't you been busy this morning?" he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just trying to help," she chirped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know," he said appreciatively.                                </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And you'll never guess who you will be playing with," Donna said, </div> <div> eager to spring her </div> <div> secret on Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Guess!" she said excitedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You said I could never guess so just tell me," Josh said with mock </div> <div> annoyance.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fred Wilpon," Donna said triumphantly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, are you kidding me?" Josh said, obviously stunned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nope," Donna assured him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna, Fred Wilpon?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," she said again, grinning broadly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He's…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The co-owner of the New York Mets, I know," she squealed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How did you manage that?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I keep telling you, Josh, I'm THAT good," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can't believe it," he said, hugging her tightly, "this is great!" </div> <div> Suddenly a small frown </div> <div> crossed Josh's face. "But I don't want to leave you just sitting </div> <div> here. What are you going </div> <div> to do?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I am going to go to the spa," she said, stretching leisurely. "I'm </div> <div> going to have a facial, </div> <div> and a manicure, and I'm going to take a class."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A class?" Josh asked. "I didn't know spas had classes."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This one does."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What class?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The Essentials of Sensual Massage,"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh arched his eyebrows, "Sounds interesting. Maybe later you can </div> <div> show me what you </div> <div> learned."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'd say there's a good chance," she agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll be looking forward to it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I also made reservations at the Bay Club Restaurant for dinner, is </div> <div> that ok?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I sent your suit out to be pressed so it will be back in plenty of </div> <div> time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great," Josh said, still obviously overjoyed at the idea of playing </div> <div> golf with Fred Wilpon.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You better have a shower and get going," Donna laughed. "You don't </div> <div> want to miss your </div> <div> tee time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, I certainly don't," he said happily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh hugged Donna tightly and said, "I love you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> As he entered the bedroom, Josh suddenly remembered the ring. He </div> <div> would have to hide it </div> <div> since there was a chance Donna would be in the room today without </div> <div> him. He didn't want </div> <div> to carry it on the golf course. He remembered that he had left it in </div> <div> the pocket of his pants </div> <div> last night. Both he and Donna had been feeling queasy and he had </div> <div> forgotten to take it out </div> <div> and hide it before they went to bed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He looked around the room for the pants. He remembered tossing them </div> <div> over the chair in </div> <div> the corner but they weren't there.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna?" he called</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" she called back.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Where are the pants I had on yesterday?" he asked, poking his head </div> <div> out of the bedroom </div> <div> door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I sent them out with the rest of the laundry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I thought that as long as we had stuff that needed pressed, I might </div> <div> as well just send </div> <div> everything out," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But I need those pants," he said, trying to keep the panic out of </div> <div> his voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why?" Donna asked suspiciously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think I left something in the pocket," he answered honestly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You didn't check the pockets?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, I didn't. I'm sorry. What did you leave in there?" she asked, </div> <div> growing concerned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh began scrambling for a plausible explanation.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "My watch," he stammered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Your watch is on the dresser," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh…Thanks," Josh muttered, backing into the bedroom while Donna </div> <div> rolled her eyes </div> <div> and smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh mind raced frantically, trying to decide what he should do next. </div> <div> Finally, he grabbed </div> <div> his cell phone and stepped into the bathroom. He started the shower </div> <div> and then dialed the </div> <div> hotel's main number. When the desk clerk answered, he asked to be </div> <div> transferred to the </div> <div> concierge.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, this is Albert," the voice said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is Josh Lyman in Suite 214."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What can I do for you, Mr. Lyman?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I need my pants back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excuse me sir?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "My pants. I need them back. My girlfriend sent them out with the </div> <div> laundry this morning."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, I see," Albert said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I need them back right away," Josh insisted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, that could be a problem, sir," Albert said slowly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You see, we send the laundry out. It's on its way to the cleaners </div> <div> right now. It will be </div> <div> back late this afternoon."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen to me, Albert," Josh said with growing anger. "My </div> <div> girlfriend's engagement ring </div> <div> is in the pocket of those pants and I want it back NOW!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You didn't think to check the pockets before you sent it out, sir?" </div> <div> Albert asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Obviously not. But that is beside the point right now," Josh snapped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sir, I hear water running…"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, I'm in the shower."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sir?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen, just get my pants back ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll try, but I'm not sure what I can do.."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Listen up! If it wasn't for your chef's rancid fish salad, the ring </div> <div> would be on my </div> <div> girlfriend's finger right now and not in my pants pocket so maybe you </div> <div> better do a little </div> <div> more than try."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Of course sir. I'll let you know as soon as I find anything out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good, but don't call the room. This is a surprise. I'll be playing </div> <div> golf in 45 minutes. Call </div> <div> me there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very well, sir," Albert said compliantly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Just as Josh disconnected, the shower door flew open.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who were you talking to?" Donna asked accusingly, hands on hips.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Uhhh.."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Joshua Lyman, did you call Sam?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," he sputtered, shaking his head.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, this is supposed to be a vacation. If there was a national </div> <div> emergency, I'm sure it </div> <div> would make the news."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm serious. It wasn't Sam," he insisted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then who were you calling from the shower, or should I be afraid to </div> <div> ask?" she asked </div> <div> with an arched eyebrow.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm planning a surprise," he said confidently.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For me?" she asked with a smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who else?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it?" she asked skeptically.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise," he said, sensing he was </div> <div> winning her over.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "True," she agreed grudgingly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna wanted to push it farther but decided that it must be something </div> <div> pretty big if he was </div> <div> making covert calls from the shower. She decided to let it go for now </div> <div> and she grabbed the </div> <div> phone and headed out of the bathroom. "Tee time in 40 minutes," she </div> <div> called over her </div> <div> shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh arrived at the pro shop ten minutes before tee time. The pro got </div> <div> him set up with </div> <div> shoes and helped him select an appropriate set of clubs. Just as he </div> <div> was about to head out, </div> <div> the phone rang.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The young man behind the counter talked for a few minutes then hung </div> <div> up and turned to </div> <div> Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That was the hotel concierge, Mr. Lyman. He wanted you to know that </div> <div> they have found </div> <div> the ring and it is on its way back to the hotel. When it arrives, he </div> <div> will lock it in the safe."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great, thanks," Josh said, breathing a sigh of relief. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> As he hung up, three other men entered the pro shop and Josh </div> <div> recognized one of them as </div> <div> Fred Wilpon right away. He also recognized Steve Phillips, who was </div> <div> the general manager </div> <div> of the Mets. He was introduced to the third man, Jack Schultz, a </div> <div> local businessman.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After a few minutes on the practice greens, they headed for the </div> <div> links. The four men had </div> <div> the time of their lives. They talked about baseball, politics, love, </div> <div> and anything else that </div> <div> popped into their heads. They enjoyed the beautiful rolling course </div> <div> and the fabulous view </div> <div> of the ocean. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> None of them golfed exceptionally well, but they all managed to have </div> <div> fun and no one </div> <div> embarrassed themselves too badly. There was one minor incident with a </div> <div> water hazard but </div> <div> they all agreed never to discuss it.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Meanwhile, Donna was enjoying a relaxing day at the spa. She had a </div> <div> facial, a manicure </div> <div> and an authentic Polynesian seaweed wrap. Her skin felt better than </div> <div> it ever had and she </div> <div> was bursting with energy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Next came her one-hour instruction in sensual massage. Donna paid </div> <div> meticulous attention </div> <div> to every detail, planning on putting each one to good use later.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time they met for a late lunch at the Plumeria Terrace, both </div> <div> were humming with </div> <div> excitement. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna entered the lovely open-air poolside restaurant and saw Josh </div> <div> sitting at a table </div> <div> studying a menu.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Have you been waiting long?" she asked as she approached.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not at all," he said with a smile as he stood up and pulled out her </div> <div> chair. He planted a </div> <div> gentle kiss on her lips before sitting down and sliding his chair </div> <div> closer to hers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So…How was your golf game?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh couldn't hide the wide smile on his face. His dimples were out </div> <div> in full force. "It was </div> <div> fabulous," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good," Donna smiled brightly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She scanned the menu while Josh filled her in on some of the details.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How was the spa?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And the massage class?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think you will like what I learned," she teased.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent," he said, dropping his hand to her knee.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Just then, the waitress approached and asked if they were ready to </div> <div> order.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll have the Grilled Chicken on Focaccia," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She looked over at Josh who was looking at her with a pleading look </div> <div> on his face. He </div> <div> looked like a little boy who wanted ice cream and Donna couldn't deny </div> <div> him. She nodded </div> <div> and his smile grew even larger.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll have a hamburger, well done, and French fries," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As soon as the waitress left the table, Josh leaned his head over </div> <div> towards Donna and they </div> <div> shared a deep and passionate kiss. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So this is turning out to be a good day?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For sure," Josh answered. "And it's early yet. Who knows, it might </div> <div> get better."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna spent the afternoon leisurely strolling through the </div> <div> shops on the garden </div> <div> level of the hotel. They stopped to watch a lei making demonstration, </div> <div> where women </div> <div> wove both simple and intricate leis from beautiful locally grown </div> <div> flowers. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> As the sun faded in the sky, they returned to the hotel to get ready </div> <div> for dinner. Josh took a </div> <div> quick shower while Donna sorted through the laundry, which had been </div> <div> returned from the </div> <div> cleaners.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When it was Donna's turn in the shower, Josh called the concierge </div> <div> desk and had the ring </div> <div> brought up to the room. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the </div> <div> ring that he had </div> <div> picked out, the one he was certain would be perfect for Donna, </div> <div> nestled safely in the box.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He quickly changed into his neatly pressed suit and slipped the ring </div> <div> into the pocket. He </div> <div> then stood on the balcony admiring the view until Donna emerged from </div> <div> the bedroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wow," Josh said as he watched her approach in a pale blue strapless </div> <div> dress, her hair </div> <div> pulled up loosely off her neck.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," she smiled sweetly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I mean really, WOW!" he repeated.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The day you took the SAT's," Donna teased. "You were just having an </div> <div> amazingly lucky </div> <div> day, right? The whole 760 verbal thing was a fluke."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very funny," he said, moving to her side. "You look absolutely </div> <div> stunning."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," she said. "You look pretty darn stunning too."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He laughed as he offered her his arm.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Shall we go?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," she giggled.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh!" they heard someone say as they were being escorted to their </div> <div> table. Josh looked </div> <div> around and saw Fred Wilpon sitting at a table right in front of </div> <div> them. "I didn't know you </div> <div> were having dinner here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, Fred," Josh said. He placed his arm around Donna's waist and </div> <div> steered her </div> <div> towards the table, prepared to make introductions.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You must be Donna," Fred said, extending his hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," Donna answered, somewhat startled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We heard all about you on the course this morning," Fred said warmly </div> <div> as Donna blushed </div> <div> a dark shade of pink.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good things, I hope," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Only the best," Fred answered. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> They dispensed quickly with the rest of the introductions, including </div> <div> Fred's wife, Sarah, </div> <div> Steve's wife, Lily, and Jack's wife, Amber.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why don't you join us?" Fred suggested. "We just ordered cocktails."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh hesitated momentarily, thinking about his plans to propose to </div> <div> Donna after dinner. </div> <div> 'But that's after dinner,' he thought. He looked at Donna who seemed </div> <div> in favor of the idea </div> <div> so he said, "Sure, thanks for the offer."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The busboy jumped in immediately with two additional place settings. </div> <div> Seconds later, the </div> <div> waitress returned with a tray of large drinks in coconut shells with </div> <div> umbrellas.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We need two more of those," Fred told her, indicating Josh and Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Dinner passed by quickly with the sharing of stories about both </div> <div> baseball and politics. </div> <div> They enjoyed a wonderful meal cooked by a world-class chef, although </div> <div> both Josh and </div> <div> Donna avoided the fish. Every time the coconut shell drinks were </div> <div> empty, the waitress </div> <div> brought another round. 'These are deceptively strong for a drink that </div> <div> comes with an </div> <div> umbrella,' Josh thought.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh watched appreciatively as Donna held her own in conversations on </div> <div> topics as varied </div> <div> as seaweed wraps and the economic repercussions of the salary cap. He </div> <div> could see that </div> <div> everyone at the table was clearly enchanted by her and it made him </div> <div> smile. His mind </div> <div> wandered once again to the perfect way of proposing.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'You are absolutely amazing, please marry me,' Josh thought. 'No, </div> <div> that's not it.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'I can't picture my life without you,' he thought. Better, but not </div> <div> quite right.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'A relationship is like baseball, it takes teamwork. So I'm offering </div> <div> you a contract…..,' </div> <div> Josh could feel the slap on the head that that proposal would elicit. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> He was brought to the present by the sound of Fred and Donna making </div> <div> plans.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well then it's settled," Fred said. "You have to come to New York </div> <div> and see a game </div> <div> sometime soon. You can watch from my box and I'll arrange for you to </div> <div> visit the locker </div> <div> room."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent," Donna said excitedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> After several hours, the party broke up. As Josh stood, he felt the </div> <div> affect of a few too </div> <div> many the umbrella drinks. He looked at Donna. She was standing but </div> <div> seemed a tiny bit </div> <div> unsteady on her feet, so he reached out and placed his hand on her </div> <div> elbow. They said their </div> <div> goodbyes and made their way back to their room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As soon as they entered, Donna said, "I'll be right back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're not going to throw up again are you?" Josh called after her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Bite me," she answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If you insist," he countered with a smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh's mind was racing, wondering if this was the moment. He wasn't </div> <div> drunk by a long </div> <div> shot, although "comfortably numb" might not be an exaggeration.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He wanted the proposal to be perfect, something that Donna could </div> <div> treasure forever. If </div> <div> there was even a hint that they were intoxicated, he knew that she </div> <div> would be teased </div> <div> mercilessly about his sensitive system, and the fact that he proposed </div> <div> while he was drunk. </div> <div> He didn't want that. 'Maybe I'll make a pot of coffee and just play </div> <div> it by ear,' he thought.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Before he could reach the coffee pot, Donna emerged from the bedroom </div> <div> wearing just a </div> <div> tank top and a pair of bikini underwear.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ready for your massage," she asked seductively.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Uhh……yeeeeeahh," Josh answered, his eyes glued to her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good," Donna said as she wrapped her arms around his waist and </div> <div> kissed him </div> <div> passionately.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I've never had a massage that started like this," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I would hope not, considering the fact that you usually get your </div> <div> massages from a man </div> <div> named Tom," she purred.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh tried to clear his mind as his hand brushed the ring box in his </div> <div> pocket. He was, </div> <div> however, finding it hard to concentrate with Donna's tongue in his </div> <div> ear and her hands </div> <div> snaking under his shirt and along the waistband of his pants.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hmmm?" she said as her hand reached his zipper.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Never mind," he said. "Well talk about it later. Let's get on with </div> <div> the massage."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh awoke the next morning more relaxed than he had been in years. </div> <div> Every muscle in </div> <div> his body was humming with contentment. Some of it was a side effect </div> <div> of the sensual </div> <div> massage, and some was a side effect of what came after.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He was lost in memories, eyes still closed, when he heard Donna's </div> <div> voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hmmm?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you awake?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna giggled as her hand snaked across his chest and played with his </div> <div> chest hair.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Positive," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna's hand moved further south, finding its way across his abdomen, </div> <div> then lower.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK, I'm awake now," he said, as his eyes flew open.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good. What should we do today?" Donna said triumphantly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's wrong with what you're doing now?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're insatiable, you know that?" she said teasingly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I would have to agree with you there, but that doesn't mean we </div> <div> shouldn't spend the </div> <div> entire day in bed. Besides, it's your turn for a massage," he said as </div> <div> he rolled her over onto </div> <div> her back.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But you didn't take the class," she teased.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I had a very good teacher, and I paid very close attention to all of </div> <div> her moves," he said, </div> <div> waggling his eyebrows.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" she said seductively.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh yes, please allow me to demonstrate," he said as he lowered his </div> <div> lips to hers.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> It was nearly noon by the time Josh and Donna finally dragged </div> <div> themselves out of bed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How about if we just hit the beach this afternoon?" Donna asked, </div> <div> stretching leisurely.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sounds good to me," Josh agreed. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great! Let's just throw on our suits, grab some towels and go," </div> <div> Donna said breezily.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> After applying plenty of sunscreen to avoid vacation-ruining sunburn, </div> <div> Donna flopped </div> <div> down on her stomach. Josh was beside her, on his back, propped up on </div> <div> his elbows, </div> <div> watching the people go by.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After a few minutes he said, "Donna?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hmmm??" she said lazily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Next time we go to the beach, could you wear something different?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Like what?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, I don't know-jeans maybe?" he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excuse me?" Donna said, lifting her head and looking at him like he </div> <div> had lost his mind.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's just that every guy who walks by here checks out your ass." </div> <div> Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you talking about?" Donna asked incredulously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't like men looking at your ass, so I think you need to cover </div> <div> it up more," he stated.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And you don't think my ass looks good in jeans?" Donna challenged.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No-well yes-you know what I mean?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Rarely," Donna said, laying her head back down. "Besides, women </div> <div> check out your ass </div> <div> all the time and you don't see me getting all weird and asking you to </div> <div> wear those baggy </div> <div> rapper pants do you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What women check out my ass?" Josh asked, obviously pleased.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Joey Lucas, among others," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, that's different," Josh sputtered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why?" Donna asked pointedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Because…it just is….we aren't talking about my ass anyway, we are </div> <div> talking about </div> <div> yours..and just how much of it you should be showing in public," he </div> <div> said in an </div> <div> exasperated tone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did that even sound like it was going to make sense in your head?" </div> <div> Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not really," Josh admitted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna returned to sunbathing and Josh leaned back and allowed his </div> <div> mind to wander.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Ok, it's going to be today,' Josh thought. 'This is the day I </div> <div> propose. I just need to find </div> <div> the perfect moment. And the perfect words. Oh God-why is this so </div> <div> difficult.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Donna, over the last several years….no, that sounds like 'This Is </div> <div> Your Life'.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'There comes a time in every life…yikes!! That sounds like something </div> <div> you hear in a 6th </div> <div> grade health lecture.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'I've spent my whole life waiting….God, that makes me sound pathetic.'</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?" Donna asked, peering at him over her sunglasses.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you muttering about?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nothing," he lied.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It was definitely something," she said suspiciously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just want those men to stop checking out your ass," he said, </div> <div> reverting to the last </div> <div> conversation he could remember.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you ever consider the possibility that they aren't checking out </div> <div> my ass at all? Maybe </div> <div> they're checking you out, or maybe they wonder why you're sitting </div> <div> there muttering to </div> <div> yourself," Donna laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You know, you have a real sarcastic streak in you," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I learned from the best," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh spent the rest of the afternoon trying to come up with the </div> <div> perfect proposal while, at </div> <div> the same time, glaring menacingly at every man who checked out </div> <div> Donna's ass. An hour </div> <div> later, when she rolled over onto her back, things went from bad to </div> <div> worse.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> It was an age-old problem, every man likes to think that his </div> <div> girlfriend is hot enough to </div> <div> make other guys stare, but at the same time, other guys staring at a </div> <div> man's girlfriend </div> <div> drives him crazy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How about we plan on a moonlight walk on the beach after dinner?" </div> <div> Josh suggested.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, that sounds perfect," Donna answered. " How about if we go on </div> <div> the Navatek II </div> <div> Dinner Sail. We can walk on the beach as soon as we dock."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure sailing and food are going to mix?" Josh asked </div> <div> cautiously, not wanting to </div> <div> see a repeat of Donna's earlier illness.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Let's be adventurous," she teased.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If you're sure," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Besides, if we came all the way and didn't take one of the beautiful </div> <div> sails, Sam would </div> <div> never forgive us."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're probably right," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That goes without saying," Donna smirked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh wondered to himself where she picked up that smirking thing. He </div> <div> was fairly sure she </div> <div> didn't have it when she joined the campaign.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh sat on the couch in the living room, thumbing through a copy of </div> <div> Newsweek, waiting </div> <div> for Donna to get ready for the dinner cruise.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She finally emerged from the bathroom in a dress that looked </div> <div> suspiciously similar to the </div> <div> famous (or infamous) "Todd dress".</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Have I ever seen that dress before?" he asked, looking her up and </div> <div> down.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," she said innocently.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is that the same.." he began.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Shut up, Josh," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm just saying," he smirked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know," she laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But don't you have any clothes that are… I don't know….baggier?" he </div> <div> said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Would you like me to wear a feed sack?" Donna asked exasperatedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A what?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A feed sack. In Wisconsin, during the depression and even after, </div> <div> farmers made their </div> <div> children's clothes out of the burlap sacks that the animal feed came </div> <div> in because they didn't </div> <div> have the money to buy material," Donna said matter-of-factly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Josh asked skeptically.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, but in those days, the feed sacks were actually very colorful </div> <div> and had wonderful </div> <div> patterns on them so it wasn't that bad. It wasn't like they were </div> <div> plain brown burlap or </div> <div> anything."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Did you have burlap sack dresses?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna rolled her eyes, "Oh yes, Josh. Even though I was born in the </div> <div> 1970's, and animal </div> <div> feed hasn't come in burlap sacks since the fifties, and there were </div> <div> three K-Mart's in the </div> <div> town I grew up in, my parents still decided to dress me in feed </div> <div> sacks."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're being sarcastic again, aren't you?" he asked accusingly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Very astute, Mr. Fulbright scholar," she said as she took his arm </div> <div> and headed for the </div> <div> door. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> As they arrived at Maalaea Harbor, neither Josh nor Donna could </div> <div> believe the size of some </div> <div> of the yachts moored there.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wow," Donna said, eyes wide with awe, "I wonder what those people do </div> <div> for a living?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, they don't work for the government, that's for sure," Josh </div> <div> chuckled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They boarded the Navatek II and headed out to sea. Once on board, </div> <div> Josh and Donna </div> <div> walked the length of the boat, marveling at its elegance, before </div> <div> settling against the railing </div> <div> to watch the sunset.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's so beautiful here," Donna sighed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It sure is. Maybe we can come back someday," Josh said, wondering if </div> <div> Donna would </div> <div> like to come back for their honeymoon.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Donna asked excitedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Would you like that?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh definitely," she answered excitedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We should back during the winter months," Donna added.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Because that is when the humpback whales migrate here, and we can </div> <div> come out on a boat </div> <div> and see them right here in this harbor."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That sounds interesting, lets do it then," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Both Donna and Josh smiled at the thought that this would be the </div> <div> first of many vacations </div> <div> they would spend together.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Eventually, they made their way back towards the front of the boat </div> <div> where a string quartet </div> <div> was set up, entertaining the passengers with live music.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Dinner was a four-course gourmet extravaganza that, much to Josh's </div> <div> delight and relief, </div> <div> seemed to be remaining in their stomachs despite the gentle waves </div> <div> rocking the boat. As </div> <div> they strolled along the deck, walking off all of the rich food, Josh </div> <div> cast a sideways glance </div> <div> at Donna and saw the moonlight reflecting off of her hair. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Maybe I don't need to wait,' he thought as he slipped his hand into </div> <div> his pocket and </div> <div> grabbed the ring box.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna…" he began</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He was so wrapped up in what he was about to do he didn't see two </div> <div> elderly women </div> <div> approaching.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excuse me, aren't you Josh Lyman?" a voice asked from beside them.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, I am," Josh said, startled, as he dropped the ring back into </div> <div> his pocket.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I told you so," the woman said as she nudged her friend. "I just </div> <div> knew that was you," she </div> <div> said to Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh smiled. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're huge fans of yours," the other woman said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I appreciate that," Josh said with a slight blush.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're planning on taking a bus trip to Washington DC next month," </div> <div> they said proudly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I'll tell you what. You call my office and I'll be sure to </div> <div> arrange a private White </div> <div> House tour for you," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Isn't that sweet," one of the women said, "We will take you up on </div> <div> that. Come on, </div> <div> Marge, let's go tell the others."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He's even more handsome in person," Marge whispered loudly as they </div> <div> walked away.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well," Donna said dryly. "That's sure gonna spike the average age of </div> <div> your fan club."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't mock me. At least I have a fan club," Josh said smugly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "True," Donna giggled, "and look at the bright side, at the next </div> <div> meeting at least someone </div> <div> will be old enough to buy beer."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You'll be laughing out of the other side of your mouth next month </div> <div> when you are giving </div> <div> them a private White House tour," Josh said cockily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You can add that to the list of things that are never going to </div> <div> happen," Donna laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The voice over the PA announced that they would be docking in 10 </div> <div> minutes. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Still feel up to a stroll on the beach?" Josh asked hopefully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Definitely," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The boat docked and the other passengers slowly made their way off. </div> <div> Josh and Donna </div> <div> walked along the nearly deserted stretch of beach, hand in hand, </div> <div> enjoying a comfortable </div> <div> silence.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Finally Josh stopped, and turned to Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Josh said, "The thing is…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 'Oh no,no no no no. Not now,' he thought, knowing that the call could </div> <div> only mean one </div> <div> thing.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You better answer it," Donna sighed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Lyman," Josh barked into the phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna could tell by the look on his face that the call came from the </div> <div> White House, and </div> <div> that it wasn't good news.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's fine, Leo. I'll take care of it," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As he disconnected, he said, "Leo said to tell you he's sorry."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We have to go home?" Donna asked, as her bottom lip started to </div> <div> quiver.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, it's not that bad," Josh said, as he pulled her into his </div> <div> arms. "Watkins is making </div> <div> waves and we may be losing the votes we need on the tobacco thing. I </div> <div> just need to make </div> <div> a few calls and twist a few arms."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Now?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're forgetting the time difference. By the time we get back to </div> <div> the hotel, it will be </div> <div> wake-up time in DC. Leo is faxing me some papers that he thinks will </div> <div> be helpful, and </div> <div> then I need to jump on the phone."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Anything I can do to help?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, if you're sure you don't mind. You could go through the stuff </div> <div> Leo is sending and </div> <div> highlight the strong points for me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wonder if the hotel gift shop has index cards," she pouted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's the spirit," he replied.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As they turned to make their way back to the car, Josh wrapped his </div> <div> arm around Donna's </div> <div> shoulders.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm really sorry about this," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's ok," Donna assured him. "I didn't think we would make it this </div> <div> long without a </div> <div> call."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll make this up to you," he promised.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's ok, Josh. Really it is." Donna assured him. As they walked </div> <div> towards the car she </div> <div> asked, "What were you trying to say back there right before the phone </div> <div> rang?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh chuckled to himself at his ever-worsening sense of timing. "I </div> <div> can't remember," he </div> <div> lied. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, maybe you'll think of it later," Donna said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sure I will," he said. "I'm sure I will."</div> <div> By the time they arrived back at the hotel, the message light on the phone was already </div> <div> blinking. Donna gathered up the faxes that the concierge had helpfully delivered to the </div> <div> room, and set about checking the messages. Josh grabbed his cell phone and started </div> <div> making calls.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Unfortunately, the problem was turning out to be a bit more widespread than they had </div> <div> anticipated. Instead of one vote wavering, there were now half a dozen senators </div> <div> threatening to pull their support. Josh was fighting hard to keep from losing his temper.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time the sun came up in Hawaii, it was approaching lunchtime in DC. Josh was </div> <div> becoming frustrated at this unexpected interruption to their vacation, and his deteriorating </div> <div> mood wasn't helping the negotiations. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was fielding calls from Leo every 30 minutes. The Chief of Staff was eager to </div> <div> know how things were going.  She had set up the laptop and was surfing the web, picking </div> <div> up new information and statistics to help sway the wayward senators back in the </div> <div> administration's direction.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She was writing the facts down on slips of paper and handing them wordlessly to Josh, </div> <div> who was then incorporating them flawlessly into his arguments.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> At 8 AM, Donna ordered breakfast from room service. As much as she wished that Josh </div> <div> would stop and eat a proper, healthy breakfast, she knew better. She ordered donuts, </div> <div> muffins, bagels and fruit; all things that Josh could eat as he paced around the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Slowly but surely, the votes began to fall back into line. Josh coaxed the last vote he </div> <div> needed back into their column just before noon. The vote was scheduled for 6 PM DC </div> <div> time, so they had an hour to wait before they would know if all of their hard work had </div> <div> been successful.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you want me to order some lunch?" Donna asked, rubbing his shoulders lightly as he </div> <div> sat slumped over in the chair.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's ok," Josh said, sitting up straight and pulling her into his lap. "Why don't you go </div> <div> ahead and get a little sleep. All there is to do now is wait for the vote."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll wait with you," Donna said, laying her head on his shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Positive," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll make this up to you, Donna," he said, stroking her hair.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There's nothing to make up," Donna assured him. "This is your job. It doesn't disappear </div> <div> just because we happen to be on vacation. This is an important vote."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you," he said, wrapping his arms tightly around her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too," she murmured into his shoulder. "Now how about lunch?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," he said mischievously, "How about a hamburger?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How about a salad?" she countered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was too tired for a long drawn out food battle, so she searched for a quick </div> <div> compromise. "How about a steak salad?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Deal," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna got off his lap and crossed to the phone to call room service. As she hung up, she </div> <div> turned back to Josh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going to grab a quick shower while we wait for lunch," she said. She had long ago </div> <div> shed the "Todd dress" in favor of a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, but her makeup had been </div> <div> on all night and she desperately wanted to clean up. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," Josh said, "I'm going to give Leo a call and make sure that all of the holes are still </div> <div> plugged."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I won't be long," she said, as she planted a soft kiss on his lips and headed towards the </div> <div> bedroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Leo assured Josh that everything seemed to be in place and that the vote was going to go </div> <div> off at 6 PM as planned. Josh turned the television to C-Span and muted the sound, </div> <div> waiting for the polling of the senators to begin.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna emerged from the bathroom in a pair of cotton pajama bottoms and one of Josh's </div> <div> t-shirts. Her face was scrubbed free of makeup and her hair was pulled back into a </div> <div> ponytail.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Feel better?" Josh asked from his spot on the couch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Much," she said sleepily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh held out his arms and Donna sat down on the couch and curled up against his chest. </div> <div> The silence in the room was broken by the knock of the room service waiter.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll get it," Donna said, rising slowly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The waiter brought the tray into the room, sat it on the table and left quietly.Josh and </div> <div> Donna ate in silence as Josh glanced nervously at the television, waiting for the vote to </div> <div> start. Finally, the graphic came up on the screen. Josh turned the sound up, and then </div> <div> began to pace nervously around the room. He listened intently as the senators with whom </div> <div> he had spent the morning on the phone voted. Each one of them voted with the </div> <div> administration. The final tally came up, and Josh and Donna both let out shout of joy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You did it!" Donna said as she threw her arms around Josh's neck.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "WE did it!" he said, squeezing her tightly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Then suddenly, like a bolt of lightning through his sleep-deprived brain, Josh realized </div> <div> something. He spun Donna around and sat her down on the couch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wait right here," he said, as he turned and bolted into the bedroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh looked around for the pants he had been wearing on the dinner cruise the night </div> <div> before, but had discarded in favor of comfortable shorts when they had returned to the </div> <div> hotel. He finally spotted them on the floor next to the bed. He retrieved what he wanted </div> <div> from the pocket and ran back to the living room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna eyed him with suspicion as he returned to the couch and knelt in front of her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna," he said as he raised the open ring box up in front of her, "Will you marry me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was speechless. She looked from the beautiful diamond ring nestled in the black </div> <div> velvet, to Josh's waiting face, and back to the ring.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Tears of joy began streaming down her cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak but no </div> <div> words would come out.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "All week," Josh said softly, taking her hand in his, "I've been waiting for the 'perfect </div> <div> moment' to propose. Romantic candlelit dinner, the beautiful hike into the crater, a </div> <div> perfect moonlight walk on the beach, but every time I was about to say the words, </div> <div> something happened. But I just realized that all of those things happened for a reason, </div> <div> they were a great big cosmic wake up call."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh placed the ring on the couch beside Donna and took both of her hands in his and </div> <div> continued.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Those perfect moments are nice, Donna. In fact, they're magical. And I want to have </div> <div> thousands….no, millions of those moments with you. But those moments aren't what </div> <div> marriage is about. Marriage is about the everyday stuff. It's about the long hours and the </div> <div> coffee-fueled time spent sweating out a vote. It's about the stuff we do day in and day </div> <div> out. Just like this morning, Donna. We work like a well-oiled machine. We just </div> <div> instinctively know what each other needs, and wants. You make every single minute that </div> <div> I spend with you better, and happier, no matter what we're doing. Anybody can make a </div> <div> moonlight walk on the beach in Maui feel special, Donna, but you are the only woman </div> <div> I've ever met who can make sleep deprivation and senatorial arm twisting more </div> <div> enjoyable. Every single thing I do, I enjoy more with you beside me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna still couldn't find the words, so she reached out and wrapped her arms tightly </div> <div> around Josh's neck.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I want us to always be together," Josh murmured into her hair. "And whenever I catch </div> <div> men looking at your ass, I want to be able to say 'Knock it off, that's my wife'."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  His last comment seemed to break the spell. Donna threw her head back and laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you still on that?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Always," he smiled. "So what's the verdict? Will you agree to be Mrs. Joshua Lyman?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Absolutely," Donna beamed, as she pulled his lips to hers for a kiss.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After a long moment, Josh pulled away and reached for the ring box. Donna held out her </div> <div> hand and Josh slipped the ring on her finger.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's a perfect fit," Donna marveled as she stared at the beautiful solitaire in a white gold </div> <div> setting.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I borrowed one of your other rings and took it to the jewelers with me so I would get the </div> <div> right size," Josh said proudly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Was that your idea?" Donna asked, narrowing her eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," Josh admitted, "It was CJ's. But I picked the ring out all by myself."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's beautiful, Josh," Donna said, holding the ring up to the light, "Absolutely perfect."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm glad you like it," he beamed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love it," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly, something he had said made Donna think. "So CJ knew you were buying a </div> <div> ring?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yep," Josh said, moving up and sitting beside her on the couch.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And she kept it a secret?" Donna laughed. "Well, so much for the sisterhood."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, actually," Josh smiled, "she only kept a secret from you. She needed to tell </div> <div> someone so she told Sam. You know Sam can't keep a secret to save his life, so he told </div> <div> Toby. Toby, in what can only be described as a moment of temporary giddiness, told </div> <div> Bonnie and Ginger. They told Cathy and Margaret. Margaret told Leo, who told the </div> <div> President. They all had a great deal of fun with it in staff the morning before we left. The </div> <div> President apparently told Mrs. Bartlet who cornered me in Leo's office and told me that if </div> <div> I ever hurt you I would have to answer to her."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So I was the only one in the west wing who didn't know?" Donna asked incredulously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Pretty much," Josh said with a wry smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm going to begin to doubt my information gathering capability," Donna pouted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't," Josh assured her, "The President made it very clear to all parties involved that if </div> <div> anyone ruined your surprise, they would be subjected to the ultimate punishment-an </div> <div> afternoon of trivia with him."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna laughed. "So what do we do now?" she asked, stifling a yawn.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I'm not sure what most couples do to celebrate their engagement," Josh said, </div> <div> waggling his eyebrows, "but we've been up for over 24 consecutive hours and I think I </div> <div> could use a little nap."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're such a romantic," Donna said with a smile, as she lay down on the couch and </div> <div> pulled Josh down with her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't you want to sleep in the bed?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nope," she said. "I want to sleep right here, on the spot where you proposed."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Within a few minutes, they both fell asleep, wrapped contentedly in each other's arms.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> When Donna awoke, the sun was setting in the evening sky and the room was bathed in </div> <div> the reflection of the beautiful pinks and purples of a tropical sunset. Josh's fingers were </div> <div> lightly stroking her spine. She slowly opened her eyes and saw him staring back at her </div> <div> with a look she could only describe as happiness and contentment.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi," he said with a soft smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi yourself," she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna pulled her hand back from around Josh's waist and gazed at her ring.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For a minute, I was afraid it was all a dream," she breathed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not a chance," Josh said. "You've agreed to marry me. There's no backing out now. It's </div> <div> a done deal."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wouldn't have it any other way," Donna breathed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have an idea," Josh said. "How about a nice celebratory walk on the beach, just a very </div> <div> happy man and his gorgeous fiancée, and then we'll come back here and have a late </div> <div> supper?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sounds good to me," Donna said, stretching lazily.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "This seems like a dream," Donna said, as they walked arm in arm along the beach.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A good dream, I hope," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The best dream ever," Donna assured him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly Josh stopped and turned to face Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is everything ok?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Perfect," he responded, "but it's just that….. I've been thinking about something."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How would you like to get married here…in Hawaii?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Donna asked excitedly. "You would want to do that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, I think I would," Josh answered. "Would you like that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, Josh," she sighed, "I think it would be beautiful. We could get married on the beach, </div> <div> overlooking the ocean. It would be amazing."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Even if it isn't the big white-gown church wedding that every little girl dreams of?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't need all that, Josh. I just need you, the trappings don't matter."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He leaned over and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose before he continued.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I was thinking, maybe we could fly a few of our close friends and family members </div> <div> here, then we could have big reception back in DC for the people who couldn't make it to </div> <div> the wedding."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That sounds like a great idea," she said excitedly. "So do you want to do it when we </div> <div> come back to see the whales?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No?" Donna asked, her eyes full of confusion.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think we should do it day after tomorrow," he said, watching her eyes closely for a </div> <div> reaction.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Day after tomorrow?" she asked, stunned. "Really?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really," he said, his smile broadening, mostly due to the fact that she didn't seem </div> <div> completely adverse to the idea. "Are you game?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna was nearly speechless. After a few moments she managed to sputter, "Can we get </div> <div> everything together by then?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I figured we can go back to the hotel and call CJ. She won't mind being woken up in the </div> <div> middle of the night for this. If we have the ceremony on Sunday, mostly everyone should </div> <div> be able to get away. I'm here, you're here, the beach is here-all we need to do is find </div> <div> someone to officiate. The concierge should be able to help us with that."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What about a license?" Donna asked, getting more and more excited about the idea by </div> <div> the minute.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll pull a few strings," Josh said. "I'm sure we can get a license on short notice. There's </div> <div> only one problem."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If we have the ceremony on Sunday, we'll have to fly back to DC on the same day," he </div> <div> said. "It will be like we had the honeymoon first, then the wedding at the end. We will be </div> <div> spending our first night as a married couple on a plane. I guess that's kind of doing things </div> <div> backwards."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Backwards?" Donna smiled wistfully, "That sounds exactly like us."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then it's a yes?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes," Donna squealed. "Let's do it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh wrapped Donna tightly in his arms and planted a passionate kiss on her lips. He </div> <div> marveled at how perfect the idea of getting married, in less than two days, on a beach </div> <div> thousands of miles from home seemed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just think," he whispered as he pulled away and placed his forehead against hers, "In </div> <div> less than 48 hours we're going to be husband and wife."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can't wait," she said as she drew him in for another kiss.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna sat side by side on the couch, ears pressed to the </div> <div> phone, listening to the </div> <div> ringing on the line. One ring. Two. Three. Four.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This better be important," growled the sleepy voice on the other end.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It definitely is, Claudia Jean," came the reply.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?" CJ said, trying to read the numbers on her alarm clock.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yep," he answered, unable to keep the giddiness out of his voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, it's 3:28 AM. What could be so important that it couldn't </div> <div> wait?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna and I wanted you to know that we're getting married."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Congratulations!" CJ squealed. "So she said yes?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, she did," Josh said, with mock hurt in his voice. "Why do you </div> <div> sound so surprised?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know. I just figured you'd find some way to screw it up," CJ </div> <div> laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks a million, your confidence in me is inspiring," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I'm just saying…" CJ laughed. "How did the actual proposal go?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It was perfect," Donna chimed in, placing a quick kiss on Josh's </div> <div> cheek and looking </div> <div> again at her ring.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wonders never cease," CJ sighed. "Listen guys, I'm happy for you. I </div> <div> really am. And </div> <div> we'll all go out to celebrate as soon as you get back and you can </div> <div> tell me all about the </div> <div> perfect proposal, and we'll start making wedding plans, but right </div> <div> now, it's late and I need </div> <div> to get back to sleep, ok?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, about those wedding plans…" Josh said haltingly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" CJ asked, suddenly wide awake. "Tell me you're not already </div> <div> married."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're not married," Josh assured her. "Quite yet."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, Joshua," CJ said, getting up and heading towards the kitchen to </div> <div> start a pot of coffee, </div> <div> "tell me what you've done, and whether or not I'm going to have a </div> <div> mess to clean up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "CJ, I'm hurt," Josh said teasingly. "For once I'm following your </div> <div> orders and this is how </div> <div> you treat me."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "My orders?" CJ asked suspiciously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, you always say that you should be our first call. So we're </div> <div> calling you first to tell </div> <div> you that we are getting married…..on Sunday…..here in Hawaii," Josh </div> <div> said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" CJ screamed, as Josh held the phone away from their ears. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think she's surprised," he whispered to Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What was your first clue?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He pressed the phone back to his ear in time to hear CJ ask, "This </div> <div> Sunday? As in </div> <div> tomorrow? What are you, crazy?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That has been suggested on more than one occasion," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For good reason, you pinhead. Let me get this straight. You are </div> <div> getting married in </div> <div> Hawaii in what, a little over a day?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Actually 39 hours, so that's closer to two days than to one," Josh </div> <div> said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't split hairs with me, you idiot."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We would really like it if you could be here, CJ. And anyone else </div> <div> who can get away," </div> <div> Josh said, momentarily serious.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Only you two, Joshua. Only you two," CJ said, shaking her head.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She yanked the carafe out of her coffee maker and put her cup </div> <div> directly under the drip.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But you're happy for us, right?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Of course I am," CJ said with a smile. "Listen, I'll make the calls </div> <div> I need to make on this </div> <div> end and be on the first plane."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent!" Josh chirped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Let me talk to Donna for a second," CJ said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh handed the phone to Donna, then wrapped his arms around her and </div> <div> pulled her into </div> <div> his lap. Donna giggled as she said, </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hi, CJ."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, will you two knock it off for one minute," CJ laughed. "I'm </div> <div> going to grab the first </div> <div> flight I can. Is there anything you need me to bring for you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I haven't even thought about it," Donna said honestly. "I guess I </div> <div> need a dress, and </div> <div> something old, new, borrowed and blue."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, we can pick a dress up over there. I'll take care of the other </div> <div> things. If there's </div> <div> nothing specific you can think of, we'll just wing it once I get </div> <div> there. I'll call you from the </div> <div> air and let you know what time I'll be there."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Donna said quietly. "I'm really sorry we sprung this on you </div> <div> so suddenly."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't worry about it," CJ said. "I'm glad to help. This wedding has </div> <div> been a long time </div> <div> coming. Now you two do whatever it is about to be married people do </div> <div> till I get there, then </div> <div> we'll whip things into shape."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's a deal. We'll see you when you get here," Donna said as she </div> <div> disconnected the </div> <div> phone. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So, what did she say?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She said," Donna smiles coyly, "that we should do whatever it is </div> <div> about to be married </div> <div> people do, till she gets here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Really?" Josh smiled. "And what would that be?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have a few ideas," Donna teased.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Me too," Josh said stood up, lifting Donna into his arms in the </div> <div> process.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna threw her head back and laughed, "The carrying over the </div> <div> threshold thing comes </div> <div> after the wedding."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm practicing," Josh said, as he headed for the bedroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He laid Donna gently on the bed, then lay down beside her and pulled </div> <div> her against him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Do you think this is what CJ had in mind?" he asked, with a </div> <div> seductive leer.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not sure. But she said we should do it until she gets here," </div> <div> Donna teased.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I'm not 18 anymore, but I'll give it the old Harvard try," </div> <div> Josh said as he pulled her </div> <div> on top of him and planted a passionate kiss on her lips.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Within an hour, CJ had packed a bag, made 10 phone calls, arranged </div> <div> for her deputy to </div> <div> cover the press, delegated some of the wedding preparation chores, </div> <div> made plane </div> <div> reservations, and drank an entire pot of coffee.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Her flight was leaving Dulles at 7 AM. Ginger, Bonnie, and Carol were </div> <div> going to </div> <div> accompany her on the early flight. The others were going to come </div> <div> later, as they finished </div> <div> up the things that needed done before they could leave town. She </div> <div> hadn't been able to get </div> <div> seats together, but CJ figured she could deal with that once she got </div> <div> to the airport.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The four women stood at the gate, talking to the boarding agent, </div> <div> trying to arrange to get </div> <div> their seats moved so that they were together.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're trying to plan a wedding," CJ explained impatiently.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I understand that, ma'am, but there's nothing I can do," the agent </div> <div> explained.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The boarding call came over the PA. CJ rolled her eyes and picked up </div> <div> her carry on bag.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine, we'll just have to deal with it. I'll make sure to tell the </div> <div> President how helpful your </div> <div> airline was in the arrangements for his Deputy Chief of Staff's </div> <div> wedding," CJ huffed, as </div> <div> she walked off and left the boarding agent with a look of panic on </div> <div> her face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The four women settled in their seats and CJ surveyed the situation. </div> <div> Her seat was on the </div> <div> aisle, Carol was four rows behind her and against the window. Ginger </div> <div> was on the other </div> <div> side of the aisle, two rows back, in the middle seat, and Bonnie was </div> <div> six rows behind her, </div> <div> against the window. 'Perfect,' CJ thought. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ waited patiently for the plane to reach cruising altitude then </div> <div> pulled out her cell phone. </div> <div> She dialed the hotel where Josh and Donna were staying and arranged </div> <div> for a block of </div> <div> rooms. She called Toby to see how everyone's travel plans were going, </div> <div> and how he was </div> <div> doing without his assistants since she had managed to steal them both </div> <div> away.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sam, Ainsley and Cathy just left for the airport," Toby told </div> <div> her. "Margaret is helping me </div> <div> finish up the draft of the AFL-CIO speech and then we will be heading </div> <div> out."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We? As in you and Margaret? Together? On a plane?" CJ asked, trying </div> <div> not to laugh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Enjoy it while you can," Toby said dryly. "I'll be exacting my </div> <div> revenge at a later date."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm shaking in my pumps," CJ laughed as she hung up. "Excuse me," </div> <div> she said to the </div> <div> stewardess. "Can you tell me when the seatbelt sign is going to be </div> <div> turned off?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We're flying into a little turbulence," the young woman answered </div> <div> sweetly. "The pilot </div> <div> will probably leave the seatbelt sign on the whole way to San </div> <div> Francisco."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It figures," CJ muttered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She made a few notes on the wedding announcement she was planning on </div> <div> releasing to the </div> <div> press. Then she turned in her seat and caught the attention of the </div> <div> man behind her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excuse me," she said. "Could you possibly pass this back to the dark </div> <div> haired woman four </div> <div> rows back against the window?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The man in the seat behind her stared at the piece of paper like it </div> <div> was a venomous snake. </div> <div> CJ stared back. Finally he took the paper, and passed it back as he </div> <div> had been asked. Carol </div> <div> made a few notes on the paper and then convinced the man beside her </div> <div> to pass it over to </div> <div> Bonnie. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ginger, meanwhile, was working on a list of people who should be </div> <div> notified directly </div> <div> rather than reading the announcement in the paper. She then coaxed </div> <div> her seat-mates to </div> <div> pass the list over to CJ for her approval and additions. Soon the </div> <div> passengers were </div> <div> muttering and CJ felt a revolt coming on.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She unbuckled her seatbelt and stood up. The stewardess approached </div> <div> immediately but CJ </div> <div> put up her hand and said, "I'll only be a minute." She then turned </div> <div> and addressed the </div> <div> entire cabin.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, My name is CJ Cregg, and I am the Press Secretary for the </div> <div> President of the </div> <div> United States."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I knew she looked familiar," the man in the seat behind her </div> <div> whispered to his traveling </div> <div> companion.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know that I have been causing you all quite a bit of aggravation," </div> <div> CJ continued, "but </div> <div> please allow me to explain. I received a phone call less than six </div> <div> hours ago telling me that </div> <div> the Deputy Chief of Staff and his fiancée of a few hours have decided </div> <div> to tie the knot in </div> <div> Maui tomorrow. Apparently, they don't believe in long engagements," </div> <div> she said dryly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This woman," she said, pointing to Carol, "is my assistant. These </div> <div> two women," she said, </div> <div> indicating Bonnie and Ginger, " are assistants in the Communications </div> <div> section of the west </div> <div> wing. We have a million things to try to get done between wedding </div> <div> announcements, </div> <div> travel plans, hotel reservations, and actual wedding plans. I want to </div> <div> reiterate to you that I </div> <div> found out about this wedding less than six hours ago. So, while I </div> <div> apologize for the </div> <div> inconvenience you may be experiencing, I ask for your indulgence."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The entire cabin applauded and yelled out encouragement to CJ, who </div> <div> began to sit back in </div> <div> her seat. Suddenly she rose and faced the cabin again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "One more thing," she said as a smile played across her lips. "Since </div> <div> this flight originated </div> <div> out of Dulles, I assume that most of you are from the DC area. I just </div> <div> want you to know </div> <div> that if you ever have a church group or an elementary school class </div> <div> that would like a tour </div> <div> of the White House, I will make sure that Josh Lyman provides that </div> <div> for you personally, in </div> <div> appreciation for all of your patience while we try to make his </div> <div> wedding plans."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly, CJ felt much better.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> As the connecting flight left San Francisco and headed for Maui, CJ </div> <div> dialed the phone </div> <div> again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello," Josh answered sleepily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, Joshua," CJ said sweetly. "Did I wake you?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "As a matter of fact you did. What do you want?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Now would really not be the best time to get cute with me, Joshua," </div> <div> she said. "Our flight </div> <div> will be landing in about two hours. I've arranged for hotel </div> <div> transportation to pick us up. </div> <div> Tell Donna to be ready. We'll head out to find a dress and anything </div> <div> else we need right </div> <div> away."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll tell her," Josh said. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good," CJ retorted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hey, CJ?" Josh said playfully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Look at the bright side. With the time difference you will actually </div> <div> gain five hours, so we </div> <div> have more time than you think."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Bite me!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, then. We'll see you in a couple of hours," Josh said, laughing </div> <div> as he hung up the </div> <div> phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is your charm wearing thin on her today?" Donna asked, not lifting </div> <div> her head from his </div> <div> chest.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just a little," Josh chuckled. "Is it wearing thin on you?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Never," Donna answered, flashing him a wicked grin as her hand slid </div> <div> up his thigh. "Two </div> <div> hours you say?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ, Carol, Bonnie and Ginger arrived at the hotel in a whirlwind of </div> <div> activity. They were </div> <div> four women on a mission. Within 30 minutes, they had checked in, </div> <div> congratulated Josh </div> <div> and Donna, grabbed a cup of coffee, and gathered all of the </div> <div> information they needed from </div> <div> the concierge concerning the best places in the area to shop for </div> <div> clothing suitable for an </div> <div> informal, yet tasteful, beach wedding.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> After a chorus of goodbyes and a quick kiss from Donna, Josh watched </div> <div> the women head </div> <div> towards the elevator talking excitedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He went back into the room and called his mother. She had been very </div> <div> excited when they </div> <div> had called her the night before and told her about their plans. She </div> <div> loved Donna, and she </div> <div> was glad that Josh had finally decided to take the plunge. She told </div> <div> him that Leo was </div> <div> going to meet her at the airport in New York and make the flight to </div> <div> Hawaii with her.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's great, Mom," Josh said. "We'll see you later on this evening </div> <div> then."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll see both of you later," his mother said. "Give Donna my love."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I will, Mom. Goodbye." Josh said, as he hung up with a smile. He was </div> <div> glad that his </div> <div> mother was going to be there, especially since Donna's parents had </div> <div> made it very clear </div> <div> that they had no intention of attending.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Before Josh had time to decide what to do next, the phone rang again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Josh, it's Sam," came the somewhat frantic voice from the other end </div> <div> of the phone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What's wrong?" Josh asked, a million scenarios running through his </div> <div> mind.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm trapped on a plane with Cathy and Ainsley. We had to take </div> <div> whatever we could get </div> <div> flight wise. They managed to get us all together, but they are making </div> <div> me sit in the middle. </div> <div> Ainsley is trying to pilfer food from everyone around us, or failing </div> <div> that, bribe the flight </div> <div> attendant."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh laughed and said, "Hang in there, buddy."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's not the worst of it," Sam went on, lowering his voice to a </div> <div> whisper. "The man </div> <div> across the aisle recognized me from that piece in Newsweek. He was </div> <div> very nice about it, </div> <div> and I introduced him to Ainsley and Cathy. A few minutes ago, he </div> <div> turned to Cathy and </div> <div> asked her how she liked working as my 'secretary'."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yikes!" Josh yelped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yikes is right," Sam hissed. "She is staring death rays at him right </div> <div> now. I may have even </div> <div> heard her growl."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know what to tell you, Sam. Ply Ainsley with food and Cathy </div> <div> with liquor, that's </div> <div> my best advice."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks, you're a lot of help," Sam whined.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What time does your flight land?" Josh asked, trying to take Sam's </div> <div> mind off of the </div> <div> chaos around him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "1PM, local time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll arrange for hotel transport to pick you up. CJ took care of </div> <div> booking the rooms. I'll see </div> <div> you when you get here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "IF I get there," Sam sighed, as Cathy made another growling noise </div> <div> and Ainsley reached </div> <div> for his pretzels.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Immediately after their arrival, Cathy and Ainsley jumped into a cab </div> <div> to meet CJ, Donna </div> <div> and the others. Sam flopped down on the couch in Josh and Donna's </div> <div> suite and said, </div> <div> "Please tell me you have cold beer in this place."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I threw a couple extra in after you called," Josh said as he opened </div> <div> the mini-fridge and </div> <div> pulled out two beers, keeping one for himself and handing one to Sam.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'd rather walk back to DC than have to go through that again," Sam </div> <div> said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It wasn't really that bad, was it?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam glared at him over the top of his beer bottle.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, I guess it was," Josh said, trying not to laugh.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But it was worth it to be here for you and Donna's wedding," Sam </div> <div> said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Josh smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can't believe it," Sam said shaking his head.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Me either," Josh agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What made you decide to do it so quickly? Donna's not….is she?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, Sam. Donna isn't pregnant. I just decided that I didn't want to </div> <div> waste anymore time. </div> <div> I want to be married to Donna. I want the entire world to know how </div> <div> much we love each </div> <div> other." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's great," Sam said with a hint of envy in his eyes. "I'm really </div> <div> happy for both of </div> <div> you. Is your Mom coming?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yeah. Leo's meeting her in New York and they're flying in later. </div> <div> They should be here </div> <div> around dinner time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Donna's parents?" Sam asked hesitantly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," Josh answered sadly, "They aren't coming. I shouldn't be </div> <div> surprised though. After </div> <div> the way they behaved the whole time Donna was….you know…away."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The nightmares had finally started to fade yet Josh couldn't bring </div> <div> himself to say the </div> <div> words "held hostage". He preferred not to think about that time.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's ok," Sam said, attempting to lighten the mood. "You are </div> <div> Donna's family now, </div> <div> and your mom, and all of us."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "To families, blood and otherwise," Josh said, lifting his beer </div> <div> bottle in a toast.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll drink to that," Sam said, clinking his bottle against Josh's.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When's Toby coming in?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, I forgot to tell you," Sam laughed. "His flight was leaving </div> <div> about two hours after </div> <div> ours. He is coming in with Margaret."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Margaret?" Josh asked with a smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yep," Sam chuckled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Toby and Margaret, in a confined space, for six hours?" Josh asked </div> <div> again, incredulously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yep," Sam laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I better get more beer for the fridge," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can assure you that I could not be less interested in anything, </div> <div> than I am in the </div> <div> nutritional value of airline food," Toby told Margaret for the third </div> <div> time.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But…." Margaret started</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Margaret," Toby warned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm just saying…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Quiet time," Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But…."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No buts. It's quiet time."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I should have left with CJ and let you finish the stupid speech </div> <div> draft yourself," Margaret </div> <div> mumbled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry?" Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Margaret huffed, pulled a book from her purse, and settled down to </div> <div> read.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh opened the door for Toby and immediately handed him a cold beer, </div> <div> already opened. </div> <div> Margaret pushed past him into the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Where's Donna?" she asked Josh brusquely.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, hello, Margaret. Nice to see you too," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry, Josh," Margaret said, her voice softening. "Six hours on </div> <div> a plane with Toby </div> <div> has made me a bit testy."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I understand," Josh said, shooting a look over her shoulder at </div> <div> Toby. "Donna just called </div> <div> to say that they are on their way back. She said that will meet you </div> <div> in CJ's suite."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Where is that?" Margaret asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Suite 218. It's right down the hall," Josh said, handing her the key </div> <div> that CJ had left in </div> <div> case of emergency.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," Margaret said, taking the key and glaring at Toby. "I </div> <div> could use a few </div> <div> minutes alone."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She took the key and quickly left the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Never again," Toby said, scrubbing his face with his hand. "That </div> <div> woman would try the </div> <div> patience of Job."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Be lucky that you weren't stuck with Cathy and Ainsley," Sam chimed </div> <div> in.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll trade you for the trip home," Toby challenged.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Deal," Sam said. "I can handle Margaret.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's what I thought," Toby said, plopping down in a chair and </div> <div> putting his feet on the </div> <div> coffee table.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The three men sat, drinking their beer in silence, until they were </div> <div> interrupted by a knock </div> <div> on the door. Josh opened the door to find Albert waving a handful of </div> <div> papers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Your license has arrived, Mr. Lyman," he said excitedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent, Albert," Josh said, grabbing the papers and looking over </div> <div> them. "Any luck yet </div> <div> finding someone to officiate?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not yet, sir, but don't worry. I won't let you down," Albert said, </div> <div> his voice full of </div> <div> determination.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good man," Josh said, slapping the concierge on the back. "What else </div> <div> do you have for </div> <div> me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, I've arranged for a spot on the beach to hold the wedding. </div> <div> It's up on the point, </div> <div> with a perfect unobstructed view of the ocean. It's the best spot on </div> <div> the island for a </div> <div> wedding. I went up there and checked it out myself."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent!" Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I have a sample menu prepared," Albert said, handing Josh another </div> <div> sheet of paper, "and </div> <div> some information on possible music choices."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Both of those things you will have to clear with Donna," Josh </div> <div> said. "She will be back </div> <div> any minute."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Fine, sir," Albert said. "Please call me when your lovely bride-to-</div> <div> be arrives. Until then, </div> <div> I'll be downstairs making more phone calls."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Wonderful! Keep up the good work," Josh said, opening the door and </div> <div> ushering Albert </div> <div> out.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He's very solicitous," Toby said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "They tend to get that way after they give you food poisoning with </div> <div> bad fish," Josh said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Food poisoning?" Sam and Toby asked in unison.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't ask," Josh laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The women arrived back from their shopping excursion, and swung </div> <div> immediately into </div> <div> motion. CJ had a master list and was delegating tasks at her </div> <div> discretion. So far, Josh's only </div> <div> job had been to find a proper suit for the occasion, and he had done </div> <div> some delegating of his </div> <div> own, giving Albert his size and sending him out to find suitable </div> <div> attire.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh had not been allowed to see the dress that Donna had picked out, </div> <div> but it had created </div> <div> quite a buzz among all of the other women. Josh asked for just a peek </div> <div> so he could make </div> <div> sure that his suit was a fitting match, but he had been shooed out of </div> <div> the room by Margaret </div> <div> and Bonnie, both speaking of the dire consequences of seeing the </div> <div> dress before the </div> <div> wedding. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> When Albert arrived back at the suite with the menu and music </div> <div> choices, he was </div> <div> immediately cornered by CJ and Donna, with the rest of the women </div> <div> close at hand for </div> <div> backup.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Poor guy," Toby said ruefully, as he watched CJ explain to Albert </div> <div> exactly how she </div> <div> wanted the food to be prepared.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Make sure you keep the fish in the refrigerator," Josh yelled across </div> <div> the room. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Albert hung his head. Donna looked at Josh and smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How many times does he have to apologize for that?" she asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh smiled back at Donna, his dimples in full view.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You've really got it bad, my friend," Toby said, patting Josh on the </div> <div> shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You bet I do," Josh said, never taking his eyes off  Donna.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> They had just decided to go down to the beach and enjoy the nightly </div> <div> luau when Leo </div> <div> arrived with Josh's mother.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Mom!" Josh said, wrapping his mother in a bear hug. "I'm so glad </div> <div> you're here. How </div> <div> was your flight?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It was fine, Joshua," she said. "It was nice having Leo for company. </div> <div> It gave us a chance </div> <div> to catch up."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna crossed the room and stood by Josh's side. "Hello, Mrs. Lyman," </div> <div> she said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Hello, dear," Ruth Lyman said, warmly hugging her soon to be </div> <div> daughter-in-law.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh's mother was introduced to everyone in the room that she didn't </div> <div> already know, and </div> <div> then Sam said, "You're just in time. We are all headed down to the </div> <div> beach for a little pre-</div> <div> wedding luau."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sounds good," Leo said. "Just let me make a quick call and check on </div> <div> things back in </div> <div> Washington."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Relax," CJ said. "Enjoy a one day vacation. They know where we are. </div> <div> If anything had </div> <div> happened, one of us would have heard."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You can be very bossy, CJ. Has anyone ever told you that?" Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ rolled her eyes. Toby stepped up next to Leo and whispered, "Do </div> <div> what she says or </div> <div> she'll make you fly home with Margaret."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I've flown with Margaret many times," Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Commercial?" Toby asked. "It's much harder to get away from her </div> <div> there than it is in Air </div> <div> Force One."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Leo thought for a moment before he said "Let's luau."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You go ahead, dear," Ruth said to Joshua. "I want to talk to Donna </div> <div> for a moment."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, but don't be long," Josh said, giving both women a kiss on the </div> <div> cheek before he left </div> <div> the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "I just wanted to say how happy I am that you and Joshua are finally </div> <div> tying the knot," </div> <div> Ruth said to Donna once they were alone.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," Donna said, as tears gathered in the corner of her eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time," Ruth </div> <div> said. "Probably longer than </div> <div> even you or Joshua. I could see how very special you were to him from </div> <div> the very </div> <div> beginning. In fact, I loved you before I even met you. I loved you </div> <div> because you made my </div> <div> son happier than I had ever seen him. It was different than the kind </div> <div> of happy that comes </div> <div> from loving your job. It was a contentment and a peace that I worried </div> <div> he would never </div> <div> find. It killed me not to meddle and try to get the two of you </div> <div> together, especially after the </div> <div> shooting. But I knew that a love that strong would eventually find a </div> <div> way. And now that it </div> <div> has, I couldn't be happier."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," Donna choked out as tears streamed down her face. "I </div> <div> love him more than </div> <div> anything. I promise I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make him </div> <div> happy, Mrs. Lyman."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "First off, you don't have to try to make him happy, you DO make him </div> <div> happy. </div> <div> Secondly," Ruth said, handing Donna a tissue, "we have to do </div> <div> something about you </div> <div> calling me Mrs. Lyman."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry, what should I call you?" Donna asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Whatever you want dear. You can call me Ruth, or even Mom," she said </div> <div> softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'd like that, Mom," Donna said, a smile brightening her tear </div> <div> stained face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Then Mom it is," Ruth said with a bright smile. "Now we better get </div> <div> down to the luau </div> <div> before Josh sends out a search party."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time Donna and Ruth arrived, the luau was in full swing. The </div> <div> native dancers were </div> <div> doing the hula and the chefs were preparing an authentic Polynesian </div> <div> meal.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ok?" Josh asked, noticing the tear stains on Donna's face.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Perfect," she said, planting a soft kiss on his lips.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh was standing watching the festivities, his arms tightly wrapped </div> <div> around Donna's </div> <div> waist, her back against his chest. They were watching Cathy, Carol, </div> <div> Bonnie, Ginger, </div> <div> Margaret, Ruth and CJ learning to hula. The women were trying </div> <div> desperately to get Sam, </div> <div> Toby and Leo to join to fun.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "This is really nice, isn't it?" Donna said. "Everyone together, a </div> <div> chance to relax, away </div> <div> from the office."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It really is," Josh said, as he buried his face in her hair. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure you're ready for tomorrow?" Donna asked, reaching her </div> <div> hand back and </div> <div> laying it on Josh's cheek.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm counting the minutes," Josh said earnestly. "Are you ready?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "More ready than I've ever been for anything in my life," Donna said </div> <div> breathlessly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok you two, break it up," CJ said, as she approached them. "It's </div> <div> 11:45, time for me to </div> <div> steal the bride away."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You can't see the bride on the wedding day until the ceremony. We </div> <div> have to be out of </div> <div> sight by midnight, so say your goodnights."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "CJ…" Josh started to argue.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Don't push me today, Joshua," CJ warned. "We have managed to pull </div> <div> all this together in </div> <div> 24 short hours and I'm not about to tempt fate now."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," Josh relented, recognizing the tone in her voice. "Just give me </div> <div> five minutes."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Five minutes, that's it," CJ said sternly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh turned Donna around to face him and placed his forehead against </div> <div> hers. "Next time I </div> <div> see you, it will be at the ceremony," he said softly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know. I can't wait," Donna sighed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you, Donna. Tomorrow is going to be the happiest day of my </div> <div> life."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I love you too, Joshua. And I'll spend the rest of my life trying to </div> <div> make everyday just as </div> <div> happy."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Leo grabbed two cups of coffee and headed towards the lone figure, </div> <div> sitting in a deck </div> <div> chair, looking pensively out over the ocean.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you doing out here all alone?" he asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just thinking," Josh answered with a wry smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "About your last moments as a single man?" Leo asked, handing one of </div> <div> the cups to his </div> <div> deputy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "More like, how in the world it took me so long to get to this </div> <div> point," Josh answered, </div> <div> taking a long sip. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, you always have been a bit dense when it comes to personal </div> <div> matters," Leo teased, </div> <div> taking a seat in the chair next to Josh's.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So I've been told," Josh laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Luckily you had Donna to set you straight."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You can say that again," Josh sighed. "I'm lucky she didn't give up </div> <div> on me years ago. </div> <div> God knows, no one would have blamed her if she had."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That never would have happened," Leo said seriously. "What you and </div> <div> Donna share is </div> <div> special. It's worth waiting for."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, it is," Josh agreed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I mean it, Josh. What the two of you share is a rare and beautiful </div> <div> thing. I've never seen </div> <div> two people as connected as you and Donna. But that doesn't mean that </div> <div> you don't still </div> <div> have to be careful. Guard the relationship like the precious </div> <div> commodity that it. Most </div> <div> people don't get a shot at what the two of you have."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Believe me, I know how lucky I am," Josh assured him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Leo paused for a moment, searching for the right words, then spoke </div> <div> again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Your dad would be a happy man today," he said softly. "He always </div> <div> wanted you to find </div> <div> someone to settle down with. Something to fill your life with, other </div> <div> than work."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I know," Josh said with a sad smile, "I wish he were here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He asked me about Donna, you know," Leo said, not sure if this was </div> <div> the right moment </div> <div> to bring up the subject.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "When?" Josh asked curiously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "After he had talked to her a few times on the phone, during the </div> <div> campaign. He said that </div> <div> he thought she had spunk, and thought she would be able to keep you </div> <div> in line."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, he was right, wasn't he?" Josh laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "He usually was," Leo said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Both men stared out at the ocean, lost in the happy memories of Noah </div> <div> Lyman.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, enough of this sentimental crap," Leo said gruffly, "We have a </div> <div> wedding to get ready </div> <div> for."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Absolutely," Josh beamed, as both men got up and headed back towards </div> <div> the hotel. When </div> <div> they were almost to the door, Josh stopped.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks, Leo," he said. "I'm really glad that you're here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wouldn't have missed it for the world," Leo said, placing his arm </div> <div> around Josh's </div> <div> shoulders. "Now let's go get you married."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "What are you doing up so early?" Donna asked sleepily, as she </div> <div> emerged from the </div> <div> bedroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just double checking a few of the last minute details, and more </div> <div> importantly, I ordered </div> <div> coffee," CJ said, pointing at the tray on the side table. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "God bless you," Donna smiled, pouring herself a cup.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So, are you ready for this?" CJ asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "More ready than I've ever been for anything in my life," Donna said, </div> <div> a sunny smile </div> <div> spreading across her face. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I can't believe this day is finally here," CJ said happily.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What do you mean by 'finally here'?" Donna asked, sitting down in </div> <div> the chair directly </div> <div> across from CJ. "We didn't give you much warning."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ laughed. "You still don't get it do you? I swear, sometimes I </div> <div> think you are as dense as </div> <div> Josh. I've been expecting this since about ten minutes after you </div> <div> walked into the campaign </div> <div> headquarters in Nashua."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Isn't that just a tiny exaggeration, CJ?" Donna laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're right," CJ said dryly. "It might have been twenty minutes. I </div> <div> was a bit distracted </div> <div> that day, so it took me a while to notice."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna laughed, "We weren't that bad, were we?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ pressed a napkin to her lips in an effort to muffle her </div> <div> snort, "This coming from the </div> <div> woman who raised denial to an art form, who elevated misdirection to </div> <div> previously </div> <div> unknown heights, who developed an Oscar-worthy rendition of 'We're </div> <div> just friends, </div> <div> nothing more'."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok," Donna smiled. "I get the picture."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Seriously," CJ said, leaning towards Donna and looking her directly </div> <div> in the eye. "Aside </div> <div> from you and Josh, no one is happier about this wedding than I am. </div> <div> I've watched both of </div> <div> you go through the wringer, it's time for a little happiness."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thanks," Donna said, wiping a tear from her cheek.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So let's just pray that the idiot boys don't do something stupid, </div> <div> like set the hotel on fire </div> <div> before the ceremony," CJ said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Toby and Leo are there to keep an eye on them," Donna said </div> <div> reassuringly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I find surprisingly little comfort in that," CJ said. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam, Toby, Leo and Josh were sitting of the living room of Josh's </div> <div> suite, waiting for their </div> <div> cue from CJ to leave for the wedding site.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "How about a beer while we're waiting?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No," Sam said sharply, throwing his body in front of the room's </div> <div> small refrigerator.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Everyone in the room turned and looked at Sam as though he had lost </div> <div> his mind.</div> <div> "What in the hell is wrong with you?" Leo asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nothing," Sam said innocently.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sam?" Toby said suspiciously, "What's going on?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I promised CJ," Sam mumbled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Speak up, Sam. We can't hear you," Toby said sharply.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I promised CJ," Sam said sheepishly, "that we wouldn't let Josh have </div> <div> anything to drink </div> <div> before the ceremony. You know...because of his sensitive..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, for the love of God," Leo said, as he shoved Sam aside and </div> <div> opened the refrigerator </div> <div> door. "Josh is a grown man, if he wants to have a beer before his </div> <div> wedding, he can."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "OK," Sam said haltingly. "but I want it officially noted for the </div> <div> record that I didn't think </div> <div> this was a good idea."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We'll make sure you get your brownie points with CJ," Toby said, </div> <div> taking a bottle from </div> <div> Leo and twisting off the cap.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A knock at the door broke up their little argument.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who is it?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's Albert," said the voice from the other side of the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh good," Josh said, setting his beer down on the table.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You laugh now," Sam whispered to Toby and Leo, "but if anything goes </div> <div> wrong today, </div> <div> and CJ finds out that we let Josh have a beer, she will spend the </div> <div> rest of her life devising </div> <div> creative ways to torture us."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good point," Leo said</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I shudder to think about it," Toby added.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> In a matter of seconds, Toby came up with a plan. He reached out, </div> <div> snatched the bottle off </div> <div> of the table, looked quickly around the room, then emptied half of </div> <div> Josh's beer into the </div> <div> potted palm beside the couch. He then returned the beer to its spot </div> <div> on the table, and all </div> <div> three men tried their best to look nonchalant.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Give me good news," Josh said to Albert as he entered the suite.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, sir," Albert said with a smile. "Everything is taken care of. </div> <div> Judge Okawi has </div> <div> graciously agreed to officiate. The food, music and flowers are all </div> <div> ready to go. I even </div> <div> took a drive out to the point this morning to make sure that </div> <div> everything was prepared. I </div> <div> took my wife with me, just to make sure it was ok from a woman's </div> <div> point of view."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And what was your wife's opinion?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "She agreed with me; it's the perfect spot for a wedding," Albert </div> <div> beamed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent," Josh said enthusiastically.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So, I think everything is ready," Albert said proudly. "I'll be </div> <div> downstairs if anything last </div> <div> minute comes up. I wish you and your lovely bride only the best, sir."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you for all your help," Josh said sincerely, reaching out to </div> <div> shake Albert's hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It was my pleasure, sir," Albert said. "And the least I could do </div> <div> after the fish incident."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh laughed, and suddenly he had an idea.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Albert, Donna and I would love it if you and your wife would attend </div> <div> the wedding," he </div> <div> said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's very generous of you, sir," Albert stammered. "But it really </div> <div> isn't necessary. I was </div> <div> only doing my job."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Just the same," Josh said, "we would love it if you would come."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We would be very honored," Albert blushed. "I'll call my wife right </div> <div> away."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Great," Josh said. "And Albert?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, sir?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The entire senior staff is here, and we have to get back to running </div> <div> the country in the </div> <div> morning so...."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll double check the fish. In fact, I'll have a little taste of </div> <div> everything now, just to be </div> <div> safe. If I'm still standing at the end of the ceremony, we'll know </div> <div> everything is ok."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Good job," Josh said, as the sound of both men laughing echoed down </div> <div> the hall.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna emerged from the bedroom, and the other women in the suite let </div> <div> out an audible </div> <div> gasp.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You look beautiful," Ruth said as she stepped forward and hugged </div> <div> Donna. "That dress is </div> <div> absolutely perfect."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you," Donna beamed. "We found it in a small shop almost on the </div> <div> other side of </div> <div> the island. The minute I saw it, it knew it was the one."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The white, calf length dress was gorgeous in its simplicity. It was </div> <div> sleeveless, with a v-</div> <div> neck and a full flowing skirt. The delicate material clung to Donna's </div> <div> figure in all of the </div> <div> right places.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So the dress is something new," Margaret said. "Now we just need </div> <div> something old, </div> <div> something borrowed and something blue."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, we took care of something blue yesterday," CJ said, pulling a </div> <div> pale blue garter out </div> <div> of a bag on the coffee table."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And I borrowed these earrings from Bonnie," Donna said, indicating </div> <div> the small diamond </div> <div> studs in her ears. "So I just need something old."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I think I can take care of that," Ruth said as she crossed the room </div> <div> and took something </div> <div> from the desk drawer. She returned to where Donna was standing and </div> <div> handed her a velvet </div> <div> box.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Donna opened it with shaking hands, and her eyes were immediately </div> <div> flooded with tears.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's gorgeous," she sobbed, fingering the pearl choker.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It was Josh's great grandmother's," Ruth said lovingly. "Passed down </div> <div> from generation </div> <div> to generation. And now it's yours, and someday you will give it to </div> <div> your children."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I don't know what to say," Donna sobbed, hugging her soon to be </div> <div> mother-in-law.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You don't have to say anything, dear. It's my pleasure," Ruth </div> <div> whispered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Suddenly, everyone's attention was drawn to a commotion in the hall.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh please, tell me Josh and Sam haven't started a riot," CJ begged, </div> <div> as she opened the </div> <div> door and peeked out into the hallway, afraid of exactly what she </div> <div> might see.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What is it?" Donna asked anxiously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "See for yourself," CJ answered with a big smile, as she stepped back </div> <div> and allowed two </div> <div> burly Secret Service agents to enter the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Is there something wrong?" Donna asked worriedly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No, the boys are just being their usual careful selves," the </div> <div> President said, as he and </div> <div> Abbey stepped into the suite.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Mr. President," Donna gasped. "Dr. Bartlet. What? I mean how?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Calm down, dear," Abbey said gently. "Jed and I just decided that </div> <div> there was no way this </div> <div> wedding was going to go off without our presence, so we hijacked Air </div> <div> Force One and </div> <div> here we are."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Abbey noticed the stricken look on Donna's face and spoke again.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's fine, Donna. We made a quick stop in California this morning to </div> <div> visit a new </div> <div> children's center being built there, just to make the trip look semi-</div> <div> official. We'll </div> <div> straighten it all out later with the travel office."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "We'll be happy to cover any additional expenses incurred by taking </div> <div> Air Force One out </div> <div> for a spin," Jed said dismissively. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm so glad that you could make it," Donna said excitedly. "Josh </div> <div> will be too."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Speaking of the groom," Jed said with a twinkle in his eye, "I must </div> <div> go find him and </div> <div> impart a bit of wisdom on him before the big moment occurs."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Jed..." Abbey warned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not to worry, dear," Jed said, planting a kiss on his wife's </div> <div> cheek, "I intend to tell him </div> <div> that he is in for nothing but pure bliss."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Jackass," Abbey said playfully.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> With that, Jed looked at all the other women in the room and winked, </div> <div> before gleefully </div> <div> swatting Abbey on the butt.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "See what you're in for?" Abbey chuckled to Donna. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, and I can't wait," Donna answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you sure this is my beer?" Josh asked, looking at the half full </div> <div> bottle. "I could have </div> <div> sworn I just opened mine."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby, Sam and Leo were saved from having to think of an answer by a </div> <div> knock on the </div> <div> door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Who is it?" Josh asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's the President of the United States," came the answer, "And I'd </div> <div> appreciate not having </div> <div> to stand out here in the hall any longer."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh sprinted across the room and opened the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sir, we weren't expecting you," he said, his voice full of surprise.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're soon going to be a married man, Josh. Learn to expect the </div> <div> unexpected," Jed said </div> <div> as he entered the room with the Secret Service on his heels.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'll try to remember that, sir."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Jed spotted the beer bottles sitting on the coffee table. "You </div> <div> haven't been letting Josh </div> <div> drink have you?" he asked the other men in the room. "Because I'm </div> <div> pretty sure that CJ </div> <div> might have your head on a platter for that, not to mention Abbey, and </div> <div> Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well sir….." they all stammered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Never mind. I'll help you keep this little secret. No sense getting </div> <div> them all riled up for no </div> <div> reason. But be more careful in the future," the President said </div> <div> lightly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, sir," they all answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "So, this is it," Jed said, turning to Josh, "You finally wised up </div> <div> and decided to make an </div> <div> honest woman of Donna."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Yes, sir," Josh smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, it's about time," the President said, clasping Josh's </div> <div> shoulder. "I've arranged for a </div> <div> motorcade to take us to the ceremony. Let's get this show on the </div> <div> road."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Excellent. Thank you, sir," Josh said, grabbing his suit jacket.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "And for heavens sake, get rid of those bottles," Jed laughed as he </div> <div> headed for the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Albert and his wife were there to meet the motorcade when it arrived </div> <div> at the wedding site, </div> <div> along with the judge who would be performing the ceremony. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I didn't realize that the President himself would be coming," Albert </div> <div> whispered to Josh, </div> <div> his eyes wide with awe.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That was a bit of a surprise to me too," Josh chuckled. "Would you </div> <div> like to meet him?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh no…that's not necessary…you don't need to go to that much </div> <div> trouble," Albert </div> <div> stammered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It's no trouble," Josh insisted.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> As soon as the President emerged from the limo, Josh caught his </div> <div> attention.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Sir, I'd like you to meet Albert Leiani and his lovely wife, Louisa."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nice to meet you," the President said, offering his hand.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Albert is a first-rate concierge," Josh smiled. "And in a pinch, he </div> <div> makes a hell of a good </div> <div> wedding planner."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, it's nice to have something to fall back on," the President </div> <div> joked. "It looks to me </div> <div> like you've done a wonderful job."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you, sir," Albert managed to choke out nervously.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Jed looked around him, surveying the tropical scenery and the </div> <div> gorgeous view of the </div> <div> ocean. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> There were several rows of white chairs set up, facing the bluff. </div> <div> Large baskets of colorful </div> <div> flowers adorned the makeshift altar. A delicate breeze was blowing in </div> <div> off the ocean, </div> <div> bathing the entire area in the scent of ocean water and tropical </div> <div> flowers. A quartet of </div> <div> musicians sat off to the side.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> One of the agents stepped closer to the President and said, "The </div> <div> bride's party will be here </div> <div> momentarily."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, then," Jed said. "I guess we had better all take our places."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh took his place on the altar along with the minister. Sam stood </div> <div> beside him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When the first limousine pulled to a stop, one of the agents opened </div> <div> the door. Leo stepped </div> <div> forward and escorted Josh's mother to her seat in the front row, </div> <div> where she gave her son </div> <div> an approving smile.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Toby corralled the assistants and escorted them to their seats.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Alright, ladies," he said with an unusually good natured </div> <div> smile, "Have you all got your </div> <div> Kleenex?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A few minutes later, the second limo arrived. Jed approached and </div> <div> helped Ainsley out. As </div> <div> she walked to her seat, she exchanged sly smiles with Sam.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What was that all about?" Josh asked quietly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "What?" Sam asked.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Those smiles," Josh said knowingly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Nothing. It meant nothing." Sam stuttered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Whatever you say," Josh smiled.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Jed helped Abbey from the limo, before leaning in to say something to </div> <div> Donna and CJ. He </div> <div> then turned and escorted Abbey to her seat beside Ruth Lyman, kissed </div> <div> both women </div> <div> lightly on the cheek, and returned to the car. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> He extended his hand to help CJ out of the car. He whispered </div> <div> something in her ear, which </div> <div> caused her to throw her head back and laugh, before she moved forward </div> <div> and took her </div> <div> place opposite Sam.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Finally, Donna stepped out of the limo, and Josh was awestruck. She </div> <div> looked more </div> <div> beautiful than he had ever seen her before. The wind was making her </div> <div> dress billow gently; </div> <div> she had a crown of small tropical flowers on her head. Suddenly </div> <div> Josh's eyes were drawn </div> <div> to the bouquet in Donna's hand. It slowly dawned on him that the </div> <div> flowers were </div> <div> silverswords, the very kind that Donna had been so amazed by the day </div> <div> they had visited </div> <div> the dormant volcano. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> As the music began to play, the President walked Donna slowly down </div> <div> the makeshift aisle. </div> <div> Her eyes locked on Josh's as she approached. They were silently </div> <div> speaking volumes to </div> <div> each other, the intensity of their gazes saying more than words ever </div> <div> could.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When they reached the altar, the President kissed Donna lightly on </div> <div> the cheek and then </div> <div> laid her hand on Josh's arm.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh had never really imagined what this moment would be like. Donna, </div> <div> on the other </div> <div> hand, had been imagining it since she was a little girl. Neither one </div> <div> of them were prepared </div> <div> for the depth of emotion that they felt. They were flooded by </div> <div> overwhelming feelings of </div> <div> happiness and contentment. Both realized that this was the end of one </div> <div> journey, and the </div> <div> beginning of another.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> They never took their eyes off of each other during the entire </div> <div> ceremony. Sam chuckled </div> <div> lightly as Josh reached his hand back blindly for the rings, both </div> <div> unable and unwilling to </div> <div> break eye contact with Donna. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> As each of them said "I do", they realized that this was the </div> <div> culmination of a commitment </div> <div> that had been growing since the first day they met. This was a </div> <div> celebration of a bond that </div> <div> had survived through good times and bad.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When the judge finally pronounced them man and wife, their lips met </div> <div> and they felt their </div> <div> souls merge.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> When they finally broke eye contact and turned to face their guests, </div> <div> they saw that there </div> <div> wasn't a dry eye anywhere to be seen. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The quartet played softly as everyone enjoyed the post-wedding buffet </div> <div> that the chef had </div> <div> prepared. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh and Donna smiled as they watched Jed and Abbey talk animatedly </div> <div> with Albert and </div> <div> Louisa about the history of the island.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "No doubt he's stocking up on trivia for the plane ride home," Josh </div> <div> laughed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> All too soon it was time for them to leave.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I had all of your luggage transported over to the airport," Albert </div> <div> told them. "And I </div> <div> double checked all of the rooms."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Thank you very much," Donna said, giving Albert a hug. "We really </div> <div> appreciate all of </div> <div> your help.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It was my pleasure," Albert smiled. "And I hope to see you again </div> <div> someday, if you ever </div> <div> return to Maui."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Oh, we'll be back," Josh said, wrapping his arm tightly around </div> <div> Donna's waist. "You can </div> <div> count on that."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well," CJ said to Sam and Toby as they approached the airport, "I </div> <div> guess you guys </div> <div> lucked out. You get to take the deluxe transportation home."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "That's right," they both said, feeling as though their prayers had </div> <div> been answered.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Well, that's excellent," CJ said, narrowing her eyes, "because the </div> <div> President tells me that </div> <div> you let Josh drink before the ceremony, after I expressly asked you </div> <div> not to, so this will </div> <div> give me a chance to discuss it with you AT LENGTH."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam gulped and shrunk back in his seat.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I wonder if it's too late to fly back commercial," Toby mumbled.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> By the time that Air Force One reached cruising altitude, everyone </div> <div> was getting settled in </div> <div> for the long flight home.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam, in an effort to hide from CJ, moved towards the front of the </div> <div> plane where he found </div> <div> Ainsley sitting with Cathy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sam had carefully avoided Cathy since the plane flight over, but now </div> <div> between her and </div> <div> CJ, she seemed the lesser of the two evils.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I introduced you as my assistant," he said matter-of-factly as he </div> <div> sat down beside her. </div> <div> "I'm sorry that he called you my 'secretary'."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "But you didn't speak up and correct him," Cathy glared.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "You're right, I should have done that. I'm sorry," Sam said </div> <div> contritely. "Am I forgiven?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Eclairs every morning for a week should do the trick," Cathy said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Deal," Sam said brightly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ooooh!! Eclairs!! That sounds yummy," Ainsley said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Alright," Sam said with a small smile, "but you have to come up to </div> <div> my office every </div> <div> morning to get them. And you bring the coffee.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Deal," Ainsley chirped, as Cathy rolled her eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "Alright, here's the deal," Toby said to Margaret. "I agree to listen </div> <div> to you explain the </div> <div> health effects of vegetable oil for 20 minutes, and you agree to </div> <div> pretend that we are </div> <div> working on the speech for the rest of the flight so CJ leaves me </div> <div> alone."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Deal," Margaret said, as she happily began to spout health </div> <div> statistics. Toby's head began </div> <div> to pound, but when he considered the alternative, Margaret's rambling </div> <div> didn't seem so bad </div> <div> after all.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> CJ sat in the empty press compartment with Bonnie, Ginger and Carol. </div> <div> They were </div> <div> rehashing every detail of the beautiful ceremony.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Why are you smiling like that?" Carol asked her boss.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Because," CJ smirked, "Josh and Donna are too wrapped up in each </div> <div> other to even know </div> <div> the rest of us exist. The President and the First Lady are involved </div> <div> in some sort of trivia </div> <div> extravaganza with Leo and Josh's mom, and I scared Sam and Toby so </div> <div> badly that they </div> <div> are hiding from me. So, it looks like I am going to have a nice </div> <div> peaceful flight home,"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> All of the women collapsed in peals of laughter.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Towards the rear of the plane, Josh and Donna sat on a sofa, arms </div> <div> wrapped around each </div> <div> other, her head on his shoulder.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Was Hawaii everything you thought it would be?" Josh asked, stroking </div> <div> her hair.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It was more than I ever dreamed," Donna said, raising her head and </div> <div> looking into Josh's </div> <div> eyes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Are you ready to get back to real life, Mrs. Lyman?" he asked </div> <div> teasingly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm headed back to the life I've always dreamed of," Donna said </div> <div> breathlessly, "and I </div> <div> couldn't be happier."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Josh reached up and tenderly stroked Donna's cheek, before he pulled </div> <div> her lips to his for a </div> <div> passionate, soul-stirring kiss.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> THE END</div> <bR> <bR> <div> E-Mail me at: kuebsr@yahoo.com</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>