New Hampshire

...The lamp is burning low upon my tabletop,
...Snow is softly falling.
...The air is still in the silence of my room,
...I hear your voice softly calling.

Meadow Farm Bed and Breakfast, Northwood, New Hampshire
11:55 p.m.

The sound of the wind in the trees settled over her as she snuggled deeper under the soft down blankets. In the twilight time before sleep swept over her, she gathered all the day’s memories. She pondered them, rolling them around her mind like small stones in her pocket:

She loved working on campaigns…

Working, moving, getting things done…

Falling into bed barely able to keep her eyes open…

She loved feeling useful…

The excitement of the primary…

Kinda like home…

New Hampshire in the winter was so pretty…

Trees, hills, snow, working people…

Rolling hills…rolling eyes…

Will’s dry humor…

She never remembered rolling her eyes so frequently…

Not even when she was working for Josh…

Josh…

He still owed her a backrub…

She could use a backrub…

So tired…

Thwack!

The sound jolted her from the edge of sleep.

Splat!

Searching out the sound, her eyes darted about the room.

Schplat!

Reaching out from under the covers, she flicked on the lamp next to her bed. The sound was familiar.

Splat!

Throwing her legs over the side of the bed, she yanked on her socks and tried to suppress a smile.

Thwack!

Tightening her robe around her waist, she went to the window, completely unable to keep the smile off her face.

Smack!

Peering through the curtains she saw him.

All alone in the snowy driveway, he stood gleefully packing another snowball. He stopped short of throwing it when he saw her grinning at him. She saw her smile mirrored in his face. Dropping the snowball he raised his hand in a wave of greeting.

Tug and pull as she might, the 200 year-old window would not open. Laughing, she held up her hands, motioning for him to stay where he was. She ran for her cell phone. She dialed his number and went back to the window. She sighed happily knowing that for sure none of this was a dream.

He fumbled, in leather gloves, through his heavy overcoat to find his cell. She was still laughing when he picked up her call and started walking toward her window.

"Hey you!"

"Did I wake you up?"

"What are you doing out there?"

"What? I can’t stop by to see you?" Smirk, thy name is Joshua Lyman.

"Josh! You guys are staying in Concord and that’s like 20 miles away!"

"Aren’t you glad to see me?"

"How did you know this was my room?"

"Genius, cunning, charm, and the promise of a lifetime Starbucks card gets one all kinds of information from your boss."

"Will told you which room was mine?!" Her voice did sort of a screechy-embarrassed thing.

"No," he chuckled as he arrived under her window. "I just asked the desk clerk when I found out you guys were staying here. I didn’t speak to Will at all. Now, you never answered me, aren’t you glad to see me?"

"Yes, you fool. I’m just surprised, that’s all." She hoped he could hear how happy she was about his surprise. "I notice you’re using the snowball method again."

"It’s proven to work 100% with you Donna, I couldn’t not try."

To her, he looked equal parts wayward winter traveler, political mastermind, and adorable grown up Romeo wooing his Juliet. The night sky glittered with stars and the moonlight made the winter landscape glow. Tiny snowflakes flittered down from the trees in the breeze. Somehow this was perfect and he was in the center of all this perfection.

"You gonna come out or what Donna?"

"Outside?"

"Yeah."

"But it’s cold and I’m already in my pajamas."

"So, go put on your boots and coat!"

Putting on her most serious face, she ticked off the reasons she shouldn’t go outside and play in the snow. "Josh, think about this. You are my political adversary, the antagonist in my new world order, the enemy, our competitor, Russell’s rival, a political combatant, if you will."

"Hey Donna, you said like six things that mean the same thing right there."

"I don’t want to get in trouble Josh. I don’t want to lose my new job for cavorting with the enemy. Contrary to your ego-wired worldview, some people have jobs outside your realm of influence." She was trying so hard to keep a straight face. She felt herself losing the battle in a spectacular fashion. He could see her grinning and he was stomping around in the snow, pointing up and her.

"Come on Donna, just put on your coat and boots. Grab your scarf and mittens. I’ve got coffee! It might still be hot if you hurry."

"I’ll meet you on the porch in five minutes." She snapped her cell shut and left him staring up at her empty window.

Opting for speed over fashion, she pulled her flannel pants on under her nightshirt. She wrapped her scarf around her neck, threw on her coat and stuffed her feet into her boots. She didn’t bother to lace them tightly. Grabbing her heavy knit mittens she wandered out into the hallway, hoping no one would see. She didn’t feel like explaining the reason she was creeping down the hallway wearing a yellow nightshirt with blue flannel pants tucked into clunky Sorel boots, a heavy winter coat and a fluffy scarf. Her hair was piled atop her head in a very messy twist and her face was clean of makeup. She could just imagine how odd she looked, so she did her best to creep along as quickly and quietly as possible. She’d nearly made it.

"Miss Moss? Is everything okay?" The proprietor peered out from his office. It looked as though he was a bit of a night owl. The strains of Otis Redding drifted from the small radio on his desk.

"Oh, yes, thank you! A friend of mine just called. He’s outside. I’m just going to go out and say hello." The words tumbled out of her mouth almost as fast as she moved past him toward the door.

She’d just seen him in Iowa, not two weeks earlier, but somehow her heart was thumping in her chest. He was just on the other side of the door. Breathless from her sprint, she opened the door to him stomping his feet and holding two cups of coffee. He handed one her way.

"Coffee, Donna, makes a nice gift and many people enjoy it more when someone is nice enough to bring a cup as a token of friendship and goodwill."

She took the cup in her wooly mittened hand and leaned in letting her cheek brush his so she could whisper in his ear. "Thank you, Josh. You are so thoughtful," she let her whispers float across his cold cheeks.

Pulling back she let her smile reflect in his big brown eyes. "Come on, the moon’s still out and it makes everything magical." She dashed out the door ahead of him.

"Where do you want to go?" He fell in step next to her on the long driveway.

"I don’t know. Let’s go out to the end of the driveway and decide."

The moon and stars were bright enough to light their way, so side by side they made off down the path. In silence they walked together, listening to the crunch of the snow under their boots.  Amid the heavy silence of a snowy winter’s night she was glad he talked her into coming outside.

"You keep coming to my room, you know."

"What ever do you mean, Donna?" His smile crept around the sides of his cup as he sipped.

"Des Moines?" She hid her smirk better than he did, she just pulled her scarf up over her mouth.

"Oh come on Donna, it was late! You know me, it’s those damn keys! They are a ploy to destroy my self-confidence."

"That’s a tall order, Josh. Admit it, you came to my room just so you could have me save you…and well, you know, cop a feel." She felt the blush rising in her cheeks as she said it.

"What! No, Donna. Come on! I honestly got the rooms in Des Moines confused. And in my defense, the way you looked that night, standing in my doorway all rumpled and hot, I’m amazed I didn’t do more than run my hand across your body!"

"Yeah, why was that, exactly?" She was using her best Oprah-style interviewer voice.

He didn’t answer. He just looked over at her. She felt herself blush again as he ran his eyes up and down her frumpy form.

"Hey Josh, it’s not like I knew you were coming tonight. Plus, I was in bed. You’re not gonna get some ski bunny outfit on me anytime soon. Never mind that I don’t actually own a ski bunny outfit. Now, if you’d been a sweetheart of a boss all those years ago, I might just have a nice outfit right now. Alas, I stand in front of you as such." The rest of the words stopped in her throat when she caught him staring at her like, well, she wasn’t sure but it was good. Really good.

Without another word, he took her free arm and linked it with his. They walked in silence out to the main road.

"It’s amazing." His voice broke the silence of their walk.

"What is?"

"How quiet it is out here. It’s not natural."

"Sure it is, Josh." She tucked herself closer to him as they walked. "It’s as if the entire world has fallen asleep under a comfy blanket of snow. The stars and moon shine down on everyone, weaving sweetness and love into their dreams. No loud trucks and rumbling trains. No city lights blocking out the beauty. We could probably lay down right here and make snow angels if we wanted."

"In the middle of the highway?"

"I’d call this more of a desolate two lane county road, Josh, not a highway."

"You grew up in a place like this, didn’t you?"

"Not exactly this rural, but in Wisconsin you are never really far from it. Don’t you think there’s something romantic about being out here, like we are the only two people in the entire world?" She tugged on his arm, urging him to revel in the beauty around them.

"I gotta say, there are days I wish that were true." His voice dropped as his mind wandered off towards the deep end of the conversation. He let his gaze drift across the silvery landscape in front of him.

"Do you think this would be easier if we were working together?"

"I don’t know, Donna. Sometimes I do. Other times, I’m convinced I’d be fired for making out with you all the time and not doing my job."

"So you don’t think we could keep it professional?"

"It’s not that, it’s just, I don’t know," he sighed.

"Drink your coffee before it gets cold." She steered him back toward the bed and breakfast once they hit the main road.

"Why did you guys come out here? You’ve got that monster of an office back in Concord."

"Will thought we needed a quiet time of reflection before things got serious."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. He’s very, well, I don’t know actually. I can tell the Vice President is not filling out the way Will wants and it frustrates him. I’m convinced the reason the rest of us are out here is because the Secret Service couldn’t secure this location, thus no Bingo Bob."

"So that makes no sense."

"I said Will wanted your experience and instincts, Josh, I didn’t say he had any of them."

"Do you feel the same?"

"About the Vice President?"

"Are we off the record?"

"Not that it makes a difference, but yes. This is just us Donna. I’m not working right now and neither are you, I hope."

She looked at him skeptically but continued, "Josh, for a long time I’ve wanted to be more than an assistant. Working for Russell has been really interesting. I’m doing more than making copies and running information for people. I’m in the meetings and getting things done. I’m feeling really good about my contribution and I can’t imagine ever giving up that feeling. Even if it is for Russell."

She didn’t particularly find inspiration in Russell’s campaign, but sometimes inspiration had to take a backseat to opportunity and practicality.

"There’s only one Bartlet, Josh. Believe me when I wish it were otherwise."

They walked together slowly, arm in arm, knowing each step brought them closer to the realities of their world.

She looked at him when they'd made it back to the bed and breakfast. Josh’s jeep was just a few feet away.

"You wanna come in while you let the jeep warm up?"

He nodded and they made their way, stomping the packed snow from their boots as they went up the old wooden stairs.

Pushing open the heavy door, Donna smelled the warmth of hot chocolate and a crackling fire in the hearth. Toeing off her boots she shuffled to the side table to find a note from the proprietor:

"Miss Moss, noticed you went for an evening stroll. You picked a lovely night! I’ve retired for the evening, but please enjoy some warm drinks. Please feel free to ring if you need anything. Don’t worry about tending the fire, my wife will be up baking before it goes out."

Donna looked back at Josh with a questioning look on her face.

"Can you stay for a hot chocolate?"

He answered her by unbuttoning his overcoat and reaching for the buttons on hers. As he worked on her coat she unwrapped her scarf and tucked her mittens in her coat pockets.

He gave her that look, the one from their snowy walk and the same one from Des Moines, as she stood in front of him in her nightshirt, flannel pants and fuzzy socks. He reached for a big mug of cocoa with one hand and reached for her hand with his other. Their warm fingers entwined as he led them to the overstuffed couch in front of the roaring fire.

"Here," he motioned for her to sit down in front of him on the floor. He handed her the mug and nestled her back against the couch. Facing the warmth of the fire she sipped their cocoa and relaxed. She felt his warm fingers take down her hair and move it to the side. His fingertips traced soft patterns on her neck.

"Hey, you remembered," she murmured through a smile and sip from their mug.

In silence he ran his strong hands over the taut muscles of her back. She didn’t know when or how he learned to do this. It didn’t make sense. She thought she knew him. She obviously didn’t know this. A deep sigh escaped her lips, betraying how very much she was enjoying his attention. Time passed on, the fire burned lower, and the cocoa cooled. He was still massaging her back and shoulders.

"So, by my calculations, I’ve only got another nine hundred and ninety-eight hours left." His joke was met with silence. "Donna? Are you asleep?"

"Hmmmm?"

He leaned forward and pulled her body back so she was securely tucked between his legs and the couch. "Are you sleeping Donnatella?" He whispered, leaning over her.

She let her head tip back so she could see him, albeit upside down. A soft smile spread across her face.

"You were holding out on me Lyman, I didn’t know you could do that."

"Apparently so."

"You should do that more often."

"What? Hold out on you or give you a backrub?"

"The backrub of course." She twisted around so they were facing each other. She propped her elbows on his knees.

"You know what’s amazing?"

"Beyond my mad massaging skills?"

"You’ve never kissed me."

"I haven’t?"

"No."

"Ever?"

"Not even in Germany."

"That just doesn’t seem right, does it Donna?"

"No, Josh, it doesn’t seem right at all," she whispered as she leaned up on her knees to wrap him in her embrace.

It still felt like they were the only two people alive in the whole world when he pulled her close. Leaning back so she could see his face, she smiled to find his eyes warm and inviting. She traced her fingertip across his lips, as if making sure he was real before she kissed him. Finding him very much alive under her touch she leaned in and sighed as their lips met. He tasted like hot chocolate and mint. His bottom lip was full and soft. She was home. She was home and her home was him. Every second the intensity of the kiss grew. The electricity of the moment sparked in her and she felt like her entire being would be consumed if it wasn’t for their kiss anchoring her to him.

She didn’t know how much time passed before her mind caught up with her. Breaking the kiss, she let her forehead rest against his. In the growing darkness she let her fears come to light.

"Josh?"

"You are a good kisser Donna."

"Thank you, but I have a question."

"Let’s go back to the kissing."

"In a minute," she sighed and sat back on her knees. "I can’t kiss you if I have a big worry on my heart, it wouldn’t be honest."

"What’s wrong Donna?" The warmth in his voice betrayed his concern.

"How can we do this?"

"Kiss?" He was genuinely confused.

"Not just kiss, this! All of this! How can we do this when we work for different candidates? Presidential candidates?"

"I don’t know, Donna, we’ll figure it out." He looked as if he really didn’t have an answer, a rarity in his world. He ran his hands down her arms and entwined her hands with his. "I really don’t know what we’re going to do. I don’t know how we can do this. I’m not going to ask you to leave Russell and I’m not going to leave Santos. I just don’t know," he sighed, rubbing circles in her palms with his thumbs.

She really did have miles to go before the campaigns were over. It killed her to think about all the walks on silvery winter nights they’d miss because of the commitment’s they’d made to rival men.

"I don’t want to lose this Donna, not now," his voice was low and quiet.

"I know, Josh, but we have to be realistic. What about the press? Won’t this hurt both our campaigns if we’re found to be sneaking around at night? What message does that send?"

"Not the greatest one, I’ll grant you that much." Will’s oddly monotone voice wafted across the room from the wooden staircase. He didn’t look pleased.

To Be Continued...

Author’s Notes 1: The B&B I used in the story actually exists. I don’t know if Bingo Bob would use such a place, but I wanted to let Josh and Donna play there. There are some nice pictures that I used for inspiration. The website for the Inn is: http://www.bbonline.com/nh/meadowfarm/index.html