Title:
Author:
Christine
Spoilers:
anything from S3, just to be safe.
Disclaimer:
Nope, not mine. Do you really think I’d make this happen if they were?
Notes: Ok, this
is a little different for me. It shifts a little bit in time throughout. And
it’s very angsty. I blame it on the Escape Club’s “I’ll be There” and Richard
Marx’s “Straight from my Heart” – they got me thinking about this.
Let me know what
you think. Please!!! [email protected]
To find less
angsty stuff of mine, go to http://www.geocities.com/choch07675
**********
The present….
“I can’t believe
you’re getting married,” Marta Lyman said, as tears formed in her eyes.
“I know. I can
hardly believe it myself,” Donna agreed. She reached over and hugged the older
woman. “Thank you so much for being here. It means the world to me.”
“Where else
would I be on my child’s wedding day?” she clucked. She gently adjusted Donna’s
veil. “Time to go, sweetheart. Your future husband is waiting.”
**********
**********
Almost two years
ago….
She spent 3
month in New England with his mother. During the days, they shopped and
gardened and gossiped, filling the hours with as much chatter as possible. But
late at night, when their hearts felt heavy and neither could sleep, they would
sit outside on the front porch and trade stories about him. She would never
forget the words his mother spoke the night before she boarded the plane to DC
– “Your happiness is the most important thing to him.”
**********
Things in DC
were much the same as when she left, but also eerily different. She settled
into her new routine of school and work. Her new job was quieter than her old
one. She missed the hectic pace of the White House, but she was also thankful
for the change.
She didn’t see
much of him at first. Occasionally their paths would cross at a restaurant or a
political function; their meetings were friendly, but strained. Gradually, as
she started spending more time with Sam and Ainsley, she saw him more often.
Their conversations grew more relaxed, more spontaneous. They settled into a
rhythm; they learned how to be friends.
*********
He called her
unexpectedly at work one day. “I want to take you to dinner,” he announced.
“Sure,” she
replied. “What time are we meeting Sam and Ainsley?”
“No, not with
them,” he answered. “Just the two of us. It’s past time we talked.”
They arranged to
meet at ???, a small restaurant in ???. She was late arriving and he laughed.
It broke the tension.
“I certainly know
how to make an impression on you,” she joked.
“It’s oddly
reassuring,” he chuckled. They ordered dinner and talked about a wide range of
subjects as they ate. They lingered over coffee, avoiding discussions of the future. At the end of the night, he
walked her home.
”I want to see you again,” he told her as he kissed her on the cheek.
“I’m not sure
that’s a good idea. There’s too much history,” she began.
“Don’t think
about the past. Let’s start on a new beginning.” Reluctantly, knowing in her heart
that she needed to let go, she agreed.
**********
They dated for
almost a year; it was several months before she felt secure enough in the
relationship to offer him her trust. He’d betrayed it once before and she was
wary of him doing it again. But over time, in words and in actions, he proved
that he was worthy.
He was surprised
one night when, after kissing her goodbye, she took his hand and led him inside
to her bedroom. They made love tenderly and slowly, and in the giving of her
body, he realized that she was also offering her heart.
A month later,
he offered her a ring. She cried when she saw it; he hastily reassured her that
he would wait if she wasn’t ready. She couldn’t believe his patience.
“I know that you
were hurt in the past. It’s taken you a long time to put your trust in love
again and regain the strength you had. I’ll wait as long as you need me to.”
A week later,
she accepted.
*********
Her friends were
happy for her; they were glad that she had found love. Sam’s reaction was
especially surprising. He pulled her aside one day and told her, “He’s a good
man – he’s waited a long time for you.” She hugged him and thanked him for
being such a good friend. When the time came, they asked him to be best man.
Marta was very
supportive and flew to DC several times to help with the planning of the
wedding. She told her she loved her like a daughter and that, finally, she
would see one of her children married. Donna was grateful and promised that she
would always be part of their family.
**********
The church was
packed with friends and family. Everyone from the White House had gathered to
see her get married. Even the President and First lady were able to attend, secret
service agents standing sentinal at each entry of the church. She looked up at
the altar. He was grinning and his curly hair looked slightly mussed, as if he
had been running his fingers through it. Sam stood regally by his side. She
took a deep breath and started to walk down the aisle.
**********