Chapter Text
After joining the redhead in Paris, Harvey had stayed with her in her apartment while she had taken a few days off, taking advantage of this time to spend it under the sheets with Harvey, talking and having sex, isolated from the rest of the world, staying just the two of them without anyone ever to disturb them. Only, while they had forgotten that there was life outside, both were lying in Donna's bed, naked, the lawyer planting kisses on the bare back of his now girlfriend, they were both surprised that Harvey's phone started ringing while he hurried to answer.
« Hello? »
« I’m not waking you up, right? I saw it was eight a.m. in Paris »
« Jessica? Everything okay? »
« Yeah yeah »
« Why are you calling me? It's two in the morning in New York »
« You have to go home, Harvey »
« Jessica, I — »
« I’m sorry, but the firm needs you here »
« When? »
« Be here tomorrow night »
« Alright »
« I’m sorry, Harvey »
« Not as much as me »
« See you tomorrow »
« See you, Jessica »
As soon as he hung up, he saw Donna looking at him tenderly, a hint of sadness in her eyes as he leaned down to kiss her tenderly and whisper against her lips.
« I have to go »
« I know »
« I’ll come back, I swear »
« I know that too »
« I love you so much »
« Me too »
After yet another intimate moment, they walked hand in hand in the Parc Monceau, a hot coffee in their hands, alternating between kisses and chatting until they returned to the redhead's apartment to prepare the lawyer's bag and finally, headed to the airport. Once in the departure hall, the two of them kissed again and again, without ever stopping, their hearts breaking at the idea of being far from each other again, an ocean separating them.
« Hey, I promised you I'd come back and I will »
« I know. I can't wait »
« I love you »
« Me too »
« See you, Donna »
« See you, Harvey »
After yet another kiss, they parted ways, Harvey heading to security while Donna stood in the departure hall until he disappeared from her sight, only to receive a text message a few minutes later from her boyfriend.
I miss you already
Even though she was sad, she couldn't help but chuckle at his message before answering and putting her phone in her bag, finally leaving the airport to go home. As soon as she got back to her place, she felt the emotion rising when she saw that he had left a gift on the hall cabinet with a little handwritten note without her noticing it.
You changed me and my life forever. It may be crazy, but this gift is for you, until we can make things even more official; that way, you will feel like I am always with you. I love you so much, I can't wait to come back and kiss you.
After putting the letter away, she opened the black box to discover a smaller one inside, blue, with the name Tifanny written in silver on the lid. Barely opened, she felt her breath catch as she saw a band ring in platinum with a full circle of diamonds, with the date of their meeting engraved inside. Barely around her finger, she felt her heart speed up as she thought back to the lawyer's note about making things more official, and as crazy as it seemed, Donna Specter sounded good. After Harvey left, the redhead tried to become a more or less normal girl again, missing her lover terribly despite the gifts delivered to her address, the flowers he ordered directly from a florist in Paris from New York, the frequent FaceTimes, and the constant text messages. For his part, even if he was heartbroken to have had to separate from his beautiful redhead, he was so happy to finally be in a relationship with the woman of his life, and the moment he returned to the firm as requested by Jessica, the brunette was delighted to see her protégé with a smile on his lips, happy as she had never seen him before.
« I guess Paris was a success. Did you find her? »
« I waited for over six hours with a bouquet of flowers in front of the theater where she worked, and when I thought I would never see her again, she came out of the building, and I could finally breathe again »
« And now? It’s crazy love between you two? »
« We spent almost a week under the sheets »
« So you're together? »
« We are, yeah »
« And how's it going to go? »
« We haven't really talked about it, I told her I'd come back as soon as I could »
« We're talking about Paris, Harvey »
« I better warn you, if I have to choose between her and the firm, it will always be her first »
« I know »
« Good »
« Think of a way to work things out without it impacting your work here at the firm too much. I prefer a competent and happy lawyer who doesn't do shit rather than a depressed lawyer who tarnishes the reputation of the firm. Understood? »
« Understood »
« Great »
Even if they tried to stay in touch, it was complicated when he went to sleep when she got up, and she got into her bed alone when he woke up to go to work. So two weeks after his city trip to Paris, Harvey was going crazy not to see the one who made him breathe and worked day and night to advance as much as possible on his files before boarding the plane to the city of lights. He arrived then when it was already almost nine, and then he knocked on her door, praying that there had been no change in the meantime and that she had her evening free. For a few seconds, no response until he heard the sound of keys in the lock, a sign that she was busy opening it before she appeared behind the window door and dropped the glass she had on the floor, her mouth slightly open as she looked at Harvey with wide eyes.
« Hey »
« Harvey? »
« I told you that I would come back »
Without another word, she jumped into his arms to kiss him passionately while he smiled, feeling the cold metal of the ring he had given her against his cheek. Soon, they found themselves under the sheets again to evacuate two weeks of frustration — even if the nudes she had sent him had been very useful for the evening in his bed — before collapsing on the mattress, both trying to catch their breath.
« I missed you so much »
« I missed you, you have no idea »
That night, they spent it talking in each other's arms, naked, even skipping dinner, too busy devouring each other's mouths to care about that. The next day, they spent the day walking the streets of Paris, the lawyer never stopping kissing the redhead's lips, then her ring, taking her shopping on the Champs Elysees, showering her with gifts before having a candlelit dinner on the Eiffel Tower. If Harvey thought he was going to spend all his time with his girlfriend, he was disappointed when she woke him up with kisses on his bare back.
« Honey? »
« Hum? »
« I have to go to work »
« What »
« Yeah. I have a job, you know. I can't take time off »
« Are you serious? »
« Yeah, sorry »
« Are you sure? »
« I am, yeah »
« Alright »
« I call you later. I love you »
« I love you too »
After one last kiss on the lips of the lawyer, still half asleep, Donna left the apartment discreetly to go to work, her mind invaded by images of her boyfriend lying naked in her bed. As soon as she arrived, she hurried to clap her hands to attract the attention of everyone in the room and speak in a loud voice.
« Alright everyone, later, it better go like clockwork, not a single hitch because I am expected and I want to be home on time. Understood? »
Once everyone reacted, they got to work to start rehearsals while the redhead smiled seeing the text messages that her boyfriend sent her. The rest of the morning, she made sure that everything was in place for the afternoon performance before waiting for it to be over and running home. Barely in her entrance hall, she spotted her boyfriend shirtless in her couch, his laptop on his lap that he quickly closed and threw away before the redhead straddled him and kissed him passionately before whispering against his lips.
« You weren't too bored here all day? »
« I worked, but yeah, I missed you »
« I missed you too »
« But I had time to think »
« Think about what? »
« How we were going to organize ourselves »
« Really? »
« Yeah. I arranged it so that I would never have to go to court on Friday, I would leave New York every Thursday evening at seven, and I would arrive in Paris around eight the next day. And on Sunday night, he has a flight at eight in the evening, and I arrive at eleven the same evening at home. I will sleep a little on the plane and then arrive on site to be in shape Monday morning »
« Honey, you are not going to do fifteen hours of round-trip flights per week just to see me »
« Of course I will. Look, with your job, you can't move like I can, I will telework on the plane and when you are at the opera, and the free time, we will spend it together. How does it sound? »
« Perfect »
« Good then »
After yet another kiss, they enjoyed their few days together before he returned to New York for work. For nearly three months, the lawyer continued his back and forth between the two continents, enjoying every little second together until the night that would change everything. As he was walking along Fifth Avenue, looking for yet another gift to bring back to his girlfriend, he stopped dead in front of the Tiffany store before entering it without realizing it.
« Hello, sir, may I help you? »
« Hum, I’m looking for a ring »
« What kind of? »
« Engagement ring »
« Jumping in at the deep end? » chuckled the man.
« Yeah. Well, I didn't think about it, but now that I'm in front of these rings, it's like a no-brainer, I want to marry her »
« And you know what kind of ring you want? »
« The most expensive, the most spectacular with a huge diamond »
« Alright, I'll show you what I have »
In less than twenty minutes, he had made his choice, and after adjusting the right size thanks to a ring set that Donna had left in his wallet when he had accompanied him to her pilates session, he walked out of the store with a magnificent scintillating double halo of brilliant diamonds and a striking cushion-cut center stone in the inside pocket of his jacket. As soon as he got out, he canceled his appointments for the day, hurried to prepare a bag, and rushed to JFK airport. As soon as he arrived in Paris, he took advantage of the redhead being at work and completely unaware of his presence to go do some shopping and get back to his girlfriend's house thanks to his spare keys. For her part, Donna had just come out of the opera, and even though it was only eight o'clock, she was exhausted. Realizing that it was only two in New York, she decided to call her boyfriend and sighed contentedly when she heard the raspy voice that gave her butterflies in her stomach.
« Hey baby »
« Hey. Am I disturbing you? Are you at the office? »
« Yeah, what about you? »
« I just got off work »
« How was the performance? »
« Almost no problem » chuckled the redhead.
« And how are you feeling? »
« Tired »
« You'll be happy to get home then »
« Yeah. I just wish you'd be there »
« Me too. Hum, baby, I have to go, they're calling me, but see you later? »
« Sure, call me when you have five minutes »
« I will. Love you »
« Love you too, honey »
As soon as she hung up, she continued walking to her house before gasping when she opened her door. Throughout the hall leading to the dining room, the room was plunged into darkness and lit only by a series of candles, while the floor was strewn with rose petals. As she advanced slowly, inspecting the romantic atmosphere in which her apartment had been immersed, she arrived in the living room, seeing the table set for a candlelit dinner before her gaze fell on Harvey dressed in black suit pants, a white shirt close to his body, the sleeves slightly rolled up, revealing his forearms and the few bulging veins standing out.
« Harv »
« Welcome home »
Immediately, she jumped into his arms to kiss him passionately before speaking excitedly.
« What are you doing here? You were supposed to come tomorrow »
« I know, but I wanted to come earlier, I missed you too much »
« I missed you too »
« You're the one who did all this? »
« You like it? »
« You're such a romantic man, so hot »
« I know — are you hungry? »
« Starving »
« Alright, have a seat »
As Harvey served them food, both of them ate while Harvey kept sliding his thumb over her fourth finger, hoping that by the end of the night, it would no longer be bare but adorned with a huge diamond. After eating and the couple continuing to chat, Harvey smiled as Donna spoke softly.
« I’m so happy you're here, and this night was perfect »
« And it can be even better »
« What? »
Without even answering her, he stood up, never letting go of her hand, before kneeling in front of her and taking out a small blue box, and her breath caught when he opened it to see a magnificent engagement ring.
« Donna, this meeting in London was the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me. It only took me one night to understand that you were the one for me, and maybe three months is fast, but for me, it's been way too long because I dream of you being mine completely. You are the love of my life, and there is nothing that would make me happier than you becoming Mrs. Specter. So, Donna Roberta Paulsen, will you marry me? »
Overcome by emotion, she simply nodded, whispering a weak yes, tears streaming down her face as Harvey slipped the ring on with a shaky hand before she grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him passionately, ending with the redhead with her legs around his hips, her lips on his neck as Harvey blew out all the candles and ended up in the redhead's bed, naked except for the two sparkling rings on her finger, really hoping that a third would be added soon. During the few days he stayed there, they discussed what they were going to do, when they were going to celebrate their wedding, did they want their families to be there or not, if they wanted to do it in Paris or in New York, a big or a small ceremony — all these questions, they thought for hours, lying in the redhead's bed until Harvey murmured.
« I don't give a shit about how we would get married, I just want you to be my wife »
« I understand that. I mean, you let me make all the decisions »
« Well, we're not going to lie to each other, you've got me wrapped around your finger. I'll say yes to whatever you ask me » chuckled the lawyer.
« That's true » giggled the redhead.
« So? What do you want? Small or big ceremony? »
« Small »
« Family or not? »
« Not. Just the two of us »
« When? »
« As soon as I find my dress »
« Paris or New York? »
« London »
Surprised by the redhead's words, Harvey straightened up to look at her with big eyes.
« London? »
« Yeah. I mean, that's where we met »
« I’m not getting married at Heathrow, baby »
« I know that I’m not getting married in an airport either, but that's where we met, and besides, it's a good deal: it's in Europe, without it being Paris, but we can get married in English, like in New York. So, what do you think? »
« I told you, whatever you want. It could be Paris, New York, London, Singapore, or Buenos Aires.. I don’t care, I just want to marry you »
« So we’re good for London? »
« We’re good for London »
« I can’t believe we’re going to get married »
« Me neither. I’m so happy »
After that, they kissed over and over again before starting to search for ways to get married in London. Two days later, they found themselves again in Charles de Gaule airport, kissing in the departure hall, the beautiful engagement ring sparkling on the redhead's finger, while they hugged one last time, the lawyer heading to security to finally board. The days went by, and the couple continued to live their lives separately, calling and texting each other every second of the day, while Harvey impatiently waited for the text that he expected for days now to finally arrive. While he was in the middle of a meeting with the various partners, he felt his phone ring in the inside pocket of his suit jacket and quickly took it out and smiled when he saw the redhead's name appear. If he received dozens of text messages from her every day, this time the content was different.
I found my dress
He was going to get married. Finally, after several days of waiting, she had found her dress, and they were going to be able to get married.
« Harvey? »
« Hmm? »
« Are you with us? »
« What? Sure, Jessica »
« I don't know, it seems that what happens on his phone interests you more than what we say here »
« Well, that's the case »
« Be careful, Specter. Now focus »
After a dark look from Jessica, Harvey quickly answered his fiancée before putting his phone away and refocusing. Once finished, he locked himself in his office, made a few phone calls, and sent all the necessary paperwork to get married before waiting to get approval to get married in England. At that precise moment, Harvey was happy to earn a good living because, considering the number of bribes he had paid throughout the procedure to get in front of everyone, it was the most expensive engagement he had ever seen, but it was worth it because, a few hours later, he received a call from the registrar from the Home Office announcing that their visa had been approved and that they could go before the superintendent registrar in exactly twenty-seven days. Realizing that it was already two in the morning in Paris, he sent a simple message to the redhead to avoid waking her up.
Baby, call me when you wake up, no matter what time. Ily
A few hours later, while he was still bent over a file, his phone rang, and Harvey answered quickly.
« Hey »
« Honey, hey. Are you alright? »
« Yeah, yeah, don't worry »
« I was scared. I thought you had a problem »
« No, no, I just wanted to tell you that our wedding is in twenty-seven days »
« No way, did you get the okay? »
« Yes. We have a meeting at the old Marylebone Town Hall in central London at eleven »
« Oh my God, I can't believe it »
« And I can't wait to see you in your dress and without it too »
« Classy » snorted the redhead.
« I know »
« I’m so happy, honey »
« Me too »
As he yawned, Donna chuckled before talking softly.
« Go to sleep »
« Alright, I'll call you when I wake up »
« Perfect. Love you »
« Love you too »
As soon as he hung up, he fell asleep, a smile on his face, before arriving in Jessica's office first thing the next morning. As soon as she saw him take a seat in front of her with his arrogant smile, she snorted before speaking.
« What do you want? »
« Two weeks off at the end of September »
« No »
« It wasn't a request, it was for information purposes »
« You already take every Friday off to go to Paris, isn't that enough for you? »
« I’m not taking time off, I'm teleworking »
« No, you're not, you spent your time in bed with your girlfriend »
« I’m multitasking »
« Harvey, two weeks is too long »
« Well, I don't have a choice »
« And why is that? »
« I’m getting married on the 25th in London, and then we're going on our honeymoon to Fiji »
« You’re getting married? »
« I’m, yeah »
« I don't know what to say »
« There's nothing to say, I'm just telling you that I won't be at the firm anymore from the twenty-third and that I'll be back at the beginning of October »
« Alright. I guess congratulations are in order, then »
« Thank you, Jessica »
« I’m happy for you, Harvey »
« I’m happy too, so happy »
« I can see that »
For a few more minutes, they discussed the relationship between the lawyer and the redhead, their potential marriage, and a series of other things before Harvey left Jessica's office to go about his business. Because he was going to take a long leave, he had decided not to make a return trip to Paris this week to advance on his work and be able to totally relax and enjoy his time off with his soon-to-be wife. The days passed, the wedding approached while Donna continued to work at the opera and Harvey alternated between the firm, the court, and the tailor for his suit. So the future husband had the feeling that the days were endless. On the twenty-second in the evening, he hurried to go to JFK with his suitcase for London, his suitcase for Fiji, his suit, and the wedding rings well kept against his heart in the pocket of his jacket. A little over seven hours later, he landed early in the morning in London while he hurried to call his future wife, who answered a few seconds later.
« Hey »
« Good morning, baby »
« Urgh, it feels so good to be in the same time zone as you »
« Almost the same » chuckled Harvey.
« Well, it's already better than six hours »
« That's right »
« Anyway, I suppose you're already in London »
« I just landed, where are you? »
« I boarded the TGV twenty minutes ago, I'll arrive in two hours at Saint Pancras station »
« Perfect »
« Are you coming to pick me up? »
« Of course, I can't wait to see you »
« Me too »
« See you, honey »
« See you »
As soon as he hung up, Harvey called a taxi that took him straight to the reserved hotel to finally drop off his things in The Trafalgar Suite at the Ritz, to take a shower and change before leaving the suite to join the lively streets of London. The last time he had been here, they had walked hand in hand until they found themselves sharing a fiery night under the sheets, in a less luxurious room, but which would remind them of the night that had changed their lives. Plus, the lawyer had taken over the hotel, appearing in the film Notting Hill, one of Donna's favorite romantic comedies. Seeing the time, he hurried to get a huge bouquet of flowers before hailing a taxi and going to Saint Pancras station to wait for the redhead. As soon as he saw her from afar, she ran before jumping into his arms and planting lots of kisses on his face while he chuckled.
« Hey »
« Hey »
« I’m so happy to see you »
« Me too »
« Come on, let's get to the hotel »
As soon as he had the bouquet of flowers in hand, Harvey grabbed his fiancée's big Louis Vuitton travel bag before kissing her again and taking a taxi to the hotel room. Once settled, they asked room service to take care of the wedding suit and dress to smooth them out after the trip, then walked hand in hand through the streets of London, remembering those forty-eight hours that had changed their lives almost seven months ago. God, they were so happy, and even if everything happened very quickly and they respected no tradition, their soon-to-be wedding was perfect. First, they had shared the same bed the night before the wedding; the next day, they had breakfast together; then, getting ready next to each other, Harvey helped Donna put on the dress for a wedding, a magnificent Yves Saint Lauren gown made from lustrous white silk satin with delicate shoulder straps that cross at its open back, a cowl neckline, and a lightly flared silhouette—a dress perfect for a civil wedding. Donna had helped her fiancé with his bow tie and cufflinks before he was leaning against the bathroom sink laughing with her while the redhead was getting her makeup and hair done by a professional who had come for the occasion. Afterwards, Harvey had taken the rings, and the two of them found themselves in front of the superintendent registrar, eyes filled with emotion as they exchanged their wedding rings and kissed when the man whispered the words they had dreamed of hearing for months.
« It therefore gives me the greatest honor and privilege to announce that you are now husband and wife together »
God, they were married, being husband and wife, together forever, in their hearts, and on paper as they both signed in the register. For Donna, she always felt like she was alone, and now she has found the man of her dreams, who always believes in her and supports her in every decision she makes without even making her feel like she is nothing. As for Harvey, he was loved. For the first time in his life, the only reason worth living for him was finally his, forever, and God, he hit the jackpot. As she was busy signing next to him, he couldn’t help but drop a kiss on her neck as she chuckled. Once done, they heard the man talking.
« I’d like to be the first to congratulate you both on your wedding. May I wish you both a beautiful day today, a very long and happy marriage, and all the very best for your future lives together. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Specter »
After thanking the man, the two of them found themselves making out in a secluded corridor of the home office before being stopped by a security guard, apologizing, and returning to their suite. That day, they never left the room again, spending hours making passionate love, Harvey leaving the bed only to go get the food from room service and bring it to the redhead, removing his bathrobe, and putting his trunks on to climb on the mattress again. As she sat against the headboard, the sheet pulled up over her naked body, and Harvey sat across from her, handing her a glass of champagne as she admired him, his sculpted abs, his bulging arms, and his crooked smile.
« For my wife »
« Thank you, honey »
« And bon appétit »
As he lifted the dish cover, revealing steak tartare, imperial caviar, and oysters, Donna gasped at the luxury dish he had ordered. For nearly an hour, they ate while chatting and laughing together, sitting across from each other before clearing everything away, making love again, and falling asleep in each other's arms. As they slept passionately, they both woke up with a start when they heard the lawyer's alarm ringing.
« Urgh »
« Oh my god, my head » moaned the lawyer.
« Well, a whole bottle of Dom Perignon for two was risky »
« I need Advil »
« In my bag » sighed Donna.
« You're perfect »
After a brief, lazy kiss, they both took a painkiller, cuddling for about ten minutes before finally getting up and getting ready. Once dressed and packed, they took the TGV back to Paris, where they dropped off their luggage at the redhead's apartment to go to the Paris airport and take a flight to Fiji. For almost a week, they had turned off their phones and spent more than seven days lounging by the water, alternating between champagne in the infinity pool of their room and midnight swims in the ocean on their private beach. On the last day, while they were both lying on the daybed under the sun, Donna was placing kisses on his bare chest before whispering against his skin.
« I didn't tell my parents about our wedding »
« I didn't even tell my brother that I had someone in my life »
« Really? »
« Yeah. I know that if I tell him, he'll tell my mother, and I want to keep you away from all this shit with my family, so no »
« Are you going to tell them at some point? »
« I don't know »
« You know what? Who cares? As long as it's just the two of us, that's the most important »
« Yeah »
« About that »
« About what? »
« You in Paris, me in New York »
« I know.. but it works well like that, right? »
« Donna, I don't want to see my wife only three days a week and waste all the time I could spend with you on planes »
« I know »
« So what? »
« I can't leave my job, Harvey. Not now »
« I know, baby »
« And you can't leave your either »
« I can't, no, but I could ask for my transfer to Darby International in London. I would live in Paris with you and take the train when necessary, it's only two hours »
« Honey, you like New York »
« But I love you »
« I don't know »
« You know what? Let's continue the way we're doing right now, and when things are a little less complicated, we'll talk about it again, okay? »
« Okay »
« I love you »
« I love you too »
After one last kiss, the couple took advantage of the last rays of sunshine before packing their bags, falling asleep, go the next morning to the airport to return to Paris. Harvey made a brief stopover in the city of lights, picking up his things in Donna's apartment to return to New York. His return to the office had started many rumors because, if Harvey knew that Jessica had not said anything, while he was returning after two weeks of absence, with a wedding ring on his finger, a tanned complexion, and a smile on his lips, everyone was talking about the lawyer's mysterious wife. Soon, despite their marriage, they continued their arrangements where Harvey tried to go to Paris every week to join his wife, but between the ton of work at the firm and the many end-of-year performances at the opera, respecting this pace was becoming complicated. As Christmas approached, exactly one year after they met and five months after their wedding, the couple was on the phone, completely desperate.
« Hey »
« Hey. You're not sleeping? » whispered Donna.
« I can’t »
« Why? »
« I miss you »
« I miss you too »
« Are you going to work? »
« Yeah, these last few weeks have been crazy. What about you? »
« We're in trouble with the firm, one of the former partners is trying to sue us, and I feel like I'm spending more time in my office than at home »
« Honey, don't tell me we're not going to be able to spend Christmas together »
« I’m going to do my best, baby. I'm going to work day and night to be able to be there in Paris for the holidays »
« Look, I don't want you to lose your health, you need to sleep »
« I just want to see you, Donna »
« Me too »
« I have to go, Jessica is calling me, but I'll call you as soon as I have a minute »
« Alright. I love you, Harv »
« I love you too »
As soon as he hung up, Harvey sighed before going back to where he was, despite the fact that it was almost two in the morning. For her part, Donna finished getting ready, poured herself a tea, and swallowed a few crackers before leaving her Parisian apartment and going to work. The days passed, and as Christmas approached and Harvey still hadn't bought his tickets to Paris, he felt sick at the idea of not seeing his wife to celebrate this holiday that he could do it only with her. For her part, Donna yawned as she watched the numbers scroll through the elevator shaft until they reached the sixty-first floor. As soon as she got out, she headed to the reception to address the young woman sitting behind the desk, smiling at her.
« Hello, how can I help you? »
« Hey, hum, I'm looking for — »
« Donna? »
Hearing the raspy voice that made her shiver, she turned before seeing her husband approach in two long strides, and she jumped into his arms, hooking her legs around his hips and her arms around his neck as she chuckled as she felt the lawyer hug her tightly. After a tender kiss, seeing all eyes turned towards them, Harvey placed the redhead on the ground before kissing her again and murmuring against her lips.
« What are you doing here? »
« Surprise »
« Baby, I don't know what to say. This is the best surprise I've ever had »
« Me too. I missed you too much »
« I missed you. Three weeks without you was horrible » whispered the lawyer before kissing her again.
« Horrible, yeah »
« Come on, let's go into my office »
After intertwining his fingers with hers, Harvey walked down the hallways of the firm, his wife walking beside him as everyone stared at them with wide eyes, clearly surprised to see the lawyer's wife. At the same time, Harvey was proud because his wife was absolutely perfect: black baggy pants, a fluffy olive green sweater on top, sneakers of the same color, her designer bag in the crook of her elbow, with her long red hair cascaded down her back. Once in her husband's office, she saw him grab her face in his hands to kiss her again and again, without ever stopping until she whispered against his lips.
« Why is everyone looking at us like that? »
« Well, I might be a tyrant here, so I guess they have a hard time believing that I'm married to a model like you »
« You're an idiot »
« I miss you so much »
« I miss you too »
While she had wrapped her arms around her husband and Harvey held her close with his arms around her waist, they heard the door open, followed by a gasp. As they both turned around, Donna smiled at the sight of a nearly bald man, shorter than her, with what looked like eighty teeth, she whispered.
« Hello? »
« Oh my god »
« I’m Donna »
« Oh my god »
« You already said that, Louis »
« So it's not a lie? »
« What? The fact that I'm married? Well, no, this is my wife »
« Nice to meet you »
As the redhead separated from Harvey's arms, who groaned, she approached Louis to offer him her hand with a big smile, while the man shook it, his mouth still slightly open as he looked at her in awe.
« You're a real goddess »
« Oh, well, thank you? » giggled Donna.
« Louis, leave her alone »
« What? You're jealous, honey? You never told me I was a goddess »
« I didn't, but I tell you a lot of other things, and I do things to as — »
« Stop right there »
« So you're the wife » started Louis.
« Wife? »
« Jessica » said Harvey.
« Well, I understand the trips back and forth between New York and Paris now — you must be Donna »
« And you, the mighty Jessica » smiled the redhead.
« Is that what your husband calls me? I'm flattered »
« I never said that » groaned Harvey.
« Anyway, it's great to be able to put a face on the woman who drives my protégé completely crazy »
« I drive you crazy? »
« Every time » smirked Harvey.
While the four adults continued to talk — well, three since Louis just stared at the redhead with a dazed look — the couple finally returned at the end of the evening to the lawyer’s condo that the redhead had only seen on FaceTime a few times. The next few days, Harvey left Donna to go to the firm, while the redhead spent her days walking the streets of New York, the Christmas atmosphere giving her butterflies in her stomach. Days passed, and as they woke up on the twenty-fifth of December in each other's arms, they kissed tenderly while Harvey whispered against her lips in a husky voice.
« Merry Christmas »
« Merry Christmas, honey »
For a few more minutes, they continued to kiss again and again, until Donna broke away to look at him, biting her lip while whispering in a soft voice.
« I have a gift for you »
« And I have gifts for you, wait »
After a last kiss, he ran in his boxers to his dressing room to come back a few seconds later with a series of luxury bags while she opened her eyes wide, seeing the number of gifts he had bought — dress, handbag, jewelry, accessories — the redhead didn't even know where to look. After thanking him with a dozen kisses on the lips, he looked at her with so much love that Donna was moved before even offering her gift. After placing a kiss on his jaw, the redhead whispered in a soft voice.
« Alright, my turn »
As she handed him a small white box, Harvey looked at it with a curious look before opening the box and reading the little note inside.
I can't wait to celebrate my first Christmas with you, daddy
As he took the gift inside with trembling hands, he discovered a small beige bodysuit with lots of little reinders with little red noses covering the fabric. Facing the clothes in front of him, the lawyer felt tears running down his cheeks while Donna quickly grabbed his face to kiss him and wipe away his tears, the shock still visible on his face. If for a few seconds he said nothing, he finally whispered, his eyes still filled with tears.
« You’re pregnant? »
« Yeah »
« We’re going to have a baby? »
« Yeah »
« Donna, I — »
Not knowing what to say, he kissed her passionately, trying to put everything he didn't know how to say into that kiss, their tears mixing on their lips. After a few minutes, Harvey broke away before whispering.
« I have to resign »
« No »
« Donna, I can't be separated from my wife and now my baby just to see them for three days a week. I can't be calm here knowing that you're pregnant with my baby on the other side of the ocean. I can't continue to live normally here while you're there. I'm going to leave Pearson Hardman and come to Paris. I'll find — »
« Don’t »
« Donna »
« Listen to me. I applied for three positions here in New York a few weeks ago when I found out I was pregnant. I'm still waiting for a response from them. So please, don't make any active decisions until I get a response from one of the three jobs »
« You don’t have to sacrifice yourself »
« Harv, I love Paris, I do. But I love you, our baby, and I love New York too. I'm not making any sacrifices, I promise »
« So what? You'll turn back to Paris pregnant, and I'll stay here without you two. Donna, I — »
« That's in the meantime. We keep going like this, you come whenever you want, and we wait for me to get an answer from the jobs. Alright? »
« Donna » moaned Harvey.
« Honey, please »
For a few seconds, he was silent while Donna peppered his lips with hers until he gave in.
« Alright »
« Thank you »
« Sure » sighed Harvey.
« Hey »
« Yeah? »
« We're going to have a baby »
« We're going to have a baby »
Two years later
« Donna, we have to go »
« I don’t want to »
« I know, this is only the twentieth time you've told me, but we gotta go »
« Urgh »
« Come on, tell mommy we gotta go »
« Mama »
As Donna was seating on the couch, her husband standing in front of her with their baby in his arms, she couldn't help but melt. As the little girl pointed at her with her big smile and her little teeth, Donna chuckled to stand up.
« Come to mommy, my baby »
As the seventeen-month-old baby girl reached out to her mother, Donna took her against her to cover her in kisses, dreading the moment that awaited them.
« Babe.. »
« Harvey, let's stay here »
« No »
« Why not? »
« Because we already avoided it last year, we can't do it again this year »
« Why not? »
« Donna »
« It's really cold there, it's snowing »
« In New York too »
« Yeah, but the winter in Connecticut is harsher, I don't want her to get sick »
« Donna, stop. First, we'll dress her warmly, come on, I bought her some really cute ski clothes, and even then, now is the time to show your sister that you married a sexy rich lawyer who gave you a beautiful, absolutely perfect baby, right? »
« I don't want to see her »
« But I want. Come on, if she pisses you off, I'll make you a second baby on the table right in front of her just to prove that we're better »
« Harv »
« What? You think I'm not capable? »
« Oh, I know you are »
« Come on, then. We have more than two hours of driving, we have to go »
Reluctantly, Donna groaned before covering her baby with kisses again and following Harvey out of their apartment. Once in the garage, Donna installed the little girl in her car seat before sitting in the front next to Harvey, driving to Connecticut to the sound of children's music that occupied the little redhead during the entire trip. As Donna watched the scenery pass by, she thought back to the last two years and couldn't help but smile. After telling her husband about her pregnancy, the couple had spent a few more days in New York together before the redhead had to return to Paris for work. If it had been hard enough being apart, now that there was a baby, it was even harder. Harvey now leaves on Thursday mornings to save half a day before leaving on Monday mornings instead of Sunday nights to spend the night with her. Since New York, Harvey has been going crazy seeing only his wife for a few days, feeling like he was missing out on a part of his wife's pregnancy. While the redhead had enjoyed Harvey's presence for the first ultrasound in Paris, the couple had cried when they discovered their baby on the screen for the first time, and if Harvey was about to resign as soon as he returned to New York, the image of his baby running in loop in his head, he was surprised to see Donna arrive at the firm the next day, a tight t-shirt hugging her five-month-old pregnant belly, her new contract for the Metropolitan Opera in New York in hand. After that day, Donna had never set foot in Paris again, organizing her move remotely to the new condo they had bought together and transferring her pregnancy monitoring file to Mount Sinai before starting her new job at the opera. It was true that the beginnings had been complicated, but in the end, their life was perfect. A few hours later, once they arrived, Donna sighed, seeing her sister's car already parked in front of the family home. Seeing his wife so desperate, he kissed her tenderly before murmuring against her lips.
« Well, first, our car is like way bigger »
« You're an idiot »
« Come on, let's go »
Once completely parked, Donna put a fleece jacket on the little girl before giving her a little kiss and taking her out of her seat, carrying her to the door so she wouldn't walk in the snow while Harvey was still busy taking the bags out of the trunk. Barely rang, the door opened, and Laurel opened the door.
« Sweetie, hello — and oh, look at you, you grew up »
« Yeah, too fast » murmured Donna as she dropped a kiss on her little cheek.
« Come on in, everyone is in the living room »
As she walked forward, her daughter still in her arms, she arrived in the living room, where before even saying hello, her half-sister spoke in a high-pitched voice.
« Well, well, well, look who honors us by coming. It's been a while, sister »
« Anna, hello »
« Oh my God, is that your daughter? »
The little girl was Donna's double, and apart from her little light jeans, her fluffy lilac sweater, and her two little buns on top of her head, she was copied and pasted, so Anna's question was even more stupid as the mother looked at her weirdly.
« This is Aida, yeah. Do you say hello, baby? »
« Hello »
As the little girl waved with her hand and a big smile, Anna turned to her three children before screaming in her horrible voice.
« Alexander Junior, Harrison, Agnes... you say hello to Aunt Donna? »
Aged eight, six, and three, none of the three children turned to greet the redhead while they continued to argue, yelling and crying. Faced with the rudeness of her children, Anna pretended that everything was normal before turning back to her little sister and whispering.
« Where is your husband? Already left you? »
« He's coming, he takes the luggage out of the trunk »
At the same time, Harvey arrived, and Donna felt butterflies in her stomach at the sight of him. At almost forty years old, the lawyer was sexy, and as he entered the room in his wide black suit pants and his dark gray sweater, the redhead was so proud of him being her husband. Barely in the room, the little girl ran into her father's arms while he hastened to cover her with kisses. He greeted everyone and grimaced at the screaming children while Donna held back laughter at the sight of his face. A few minutes later, her sister's husband, Alexander Senior, came downstairs before greeting Harvey and Donna, barely glancing at his wife and children before sitting down on the couch, scrolling on his phone. Hours passed, and as everyone sat at the table sharing Christmas dinner, Donna and Harvey watched as the other three children threw tantrums, refused to eat, made messes, kept getting up, and spoke incorrectly to their parents. Meanwhile, Aida sat on Harvey's lap, eating cleanly and silently, thanking him when Harvey cut her food into small pieces, smiling widely, and placing small kisses on his father's jaw in appreciation. That night, as Donna lay in her teenage bed with Harvey and the baby between them, the redhead sighed.
« I’m not going to survive tomorrow »
« Oh come on, it's funny »
« Harv, you're not serious? »
« Did you see her? She's acting like a great lady with her perfect life when you've seen her? She’s so jealous, always trying to destabilize with her sly comments while she rages as soon as she sees you so perfect with your husband, our baby, and our perfect life. Her husband doesn't even look at her, she works in a small consulting room in a shitty town, and her kids are fucking horrible »
« Horrible, Jesus »
« She thinks she's better than you? Please, you're gorgeous, nice, sweet, hotter than hell, and our baby is just as beautiful as you. Plus, Aida is polite, educated, and adorable. You have nothing to envy her. She should be the one envying you »
« Plus, my husband is hot. I'm sure Alexander Senior doesn't have the same six pack as you »
« And I'm sure he doesn't fuck his wife savagely every night »
« Harvey » gasped Donna.
« What? She's asleep »
« I can't believe you just said that »
« I did. Anyway, let's sleep. Tomorrow we give the presents, and I'm sure that with the three horrible offspring that your sister gave birth to, it's going to be hard »
« Don't tell me about it. Goodnight, honey »
« Goodnight, baby »
After one last kiss, they fell asleep hand in hand, Aida already asleep between them until the next day, where they were woken up by the three children, the Specters waking up with a start while they screamed and banged on their doors. Surprised, Aida began to moan and whine while Donna took her in her arms.
« Baby, hush, it’s alright — Hey honey »
« Hum? »
« Can you make her a bottle? »
« Sure »
As he stood up in his boxers, his muscular torso bare, barely asleep, he grabbed the necessary from the baby bag prepared by Donna to start the mixture to hand to his wife as soon as he was done. As the screams of the other children were heard in the distance, Donna sat against the headboard, settling the little girl against her before giving her her bottle like when she was a baby, and even if he was too big for this kind of behavior, Donna just wanted to make up for that horrible awakening this morning. Once finished, they got dressed before going downstairs and sharing breakfast with the family, but as they felt the migraine coming on and seeing Aida struggling because of the other children screaming in the room, Harvey stood up before speaking.
« Alright. Donna and I are going for a walk »
Without even giving her time to answer, he urged his wife to get up. Both of them quickly went upstairs to change as they swapped their loungewear for warmer clothes, dressing Aida in a white ski suit with little cherries, mittens, and an off-white beanie with two pom-poms, while Donna put a small backpack on her with snacks in case she was hungry. While the couple also dressed in their down jackets and beanie before leaving the house to let Aida run in the snow.
« I thought my head was going to explode »
« For real »
« I know she's your family, but your sister is awful »
« Half-sister »
« My bad »
« I’m sorry about it, honey »
« About what? »
« I know how important Christmas is to us, and my family just ruined it »
« Oh, let's come, as long as there are three of us »
« Four of us »
For a few seconds, the lawyer remained silent, looking at his wife with wide eyes before whispering.
« What? »
« I’m pregnant, Harvey »
« You’re pregnant? »
« I am, yeah. We’re going to have a second baby » giggled the redhead.
Without even answering, he grabbed the redhead's face before kissing her passionately, making her fall into the snow in the process, while Aida ran towards them, making little high-pitched noises to join them on the ground and participate in the collective hug, while Harvey alternated between kissing his wife on the lips and his daughter’s cheek before whispering against the mouth of the older redhead.
« If you tell me you're pregnant every twenty-fifth of December, I'm so up for it »
« No way, Specter »
« Alright, I tried »
For a few more seconds, they hugged until Harvey caressed his wife's face while speaking in a soft voice.
« Thank you for making my Christmas so incredible. I love you so much »