The last few days of October arrive with an added chill that calls for sleeping in sweaters and socks, her arms and legs wrapped around and in between his, seeking warmth. Her hair is tied in a knot that got almost entirely loose during the night, red splaying over his chest, and Harvey is busying himself with straightening the stray locks and watching her sleep peacefully on a bed that isn't theirs.
He admires for some time while the sun rises outside until it can angle a soft beam of morning light through a crack in the curtains; it shines on her face and she stirs, prying one eye open and finding both of his.
"What time is it?" she mumbles, turning to bury her face on the crook of his neck to get away from the light.
Harvey smiles affectionately "Eight."
She grunts, displeased "Too early," Donna complains, the words muffled against his pajamas.
"It is," he agrees "But you suggested pumpkin picking."
"I take it back." She deadpans.
He snorts a quiet laugh "The kids will have fun."
"They're two and five," she tells him, nudging further into her nook "They won't remember having fun."
"They'll enjoy themselves now," he says, tenderly tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear; Harvey loves her in the morning, so unguarded and fraying prettily around the edges, "And think about how cute they're gonna look, puffed up in five layers of clothing."
She grunts, unconvinced.
"Remember we got them kitten mittens?" He tries again.
She props up to look at him through narrowed eyes, he just smiles and brushes the back of his fingers against her cheek until her frown unfurls and she rolls her eyes "It's so ridiculous to hear you say kitten mittens," Donna mocks, but there is an undertone of defeat.
"What can I say," He starts and leans in to peck her lips "They popped out and I got soft."
She closes her eyes, breathing in deeply to come to terms with leaving the guest bedroom at Mike and Rachel's house to deal with two toddlers; when she opens them again he is staring, kindly, intently and so loving and unexpected it knocks her a little off balance. Good thing she is already laying down.
"What's that look for?" she asks, helpless in fighting the smile that spreads across the corners of her mouth.
He just nods dismissively, "Nothing."
"That doesn't look like nothing," she argues, bringing a hand of her own to cradle his face and, as soon as she does, he turns to press a kiss to her palm, "What's gotten into you this early?" she asks amusedly, curious and intoxicated by his affection.
"If I do nothing I'm an asshole, if I'm caring I'm guilty, I really can't win," Harvey says, sighing dramatically.
Donna rolls her eyes "I'm letting this go because we're on a clock but don't think I forgot."
"Forgot what? I didn't do anything," he says with a half laugh.
She shoots him a knowing glare and starts to detach but he holds her in place by gripping her hipbones, thumbs sneaking under her sweater to run circles on the soft skin there "Harvey, we don't have time" She warns him, but he isn't deterred, one hand creeping further up her shirt and tracing her spine, waking shivers she feels prickle from the back of her neck down to her toes.
"We're on holiday, all we have is time," he says softly, tightening the hold around her waist and pulling her fully on top of him, she looks doubtful but complies with the shift.
"You're being very cheesy" She mocks, though it loses traction when she leans down to kiss him tenderly "I might like it."
He snorts a laugh "Might?"
Donna nods, stealing another quick kiss, "I'll decide when I know what it's about," she ponders, tracing his jawline with a finger and smiling when his eyes close appreciatively.
"I love you," he whispers, perhaps as a means of explanation, enjoying her light caress.
It's so silly, getting butterflies from something she hears all the time from someone she already has two kids with, but the flutter still sneaks up on her, warming her middle and crawling up the sides of her neck to the tips of her ears.
"I love you too, so much," she says, brushing her thumb over his lips and watching as he smiles beneath it.
"Who's cheesy now?" Harvey jokes and she rolls her eyes, pinches his neck lightly.
"Shut up."
"I didn't start it" He chuckles and she kisses him just to wipe the smugness off his face.
He leans into it more passionately than she'd expected, worrying her bottom lip between his teeth then pressing closer yet, urging her lips apart before his tongue slides languidly into her mouth, tangling with hers. One of his hands starts to roam over the skin it can reach; tugging her sweater up, and the other glides down her ass to pull her hips flush against his. The friction sparks a sudden jolt of pleasure and she moans quietly into his skin when the sensation throws her aim for another kiss.
"Are both of you fully clothed?" Mike's voice interrupts from the other side of the door.
They break apart, swollen lips, flushed cheeks and panting slightly. Harvey huffs out a frustrated breath "No! We're mid sex," he shouts back and Donna slaps his chest reprehensibly.
"We got layers on, it's fine" She corrects, glaring at him while running her fingers through her scalp, collecting all the red strands and tying them back into a ponytail.
"Are you sure?" Mike asks, "'Cause I'm still working off the file room trauma."
"We weren't even naked," She argues, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, just pants halfway down and dress halfway up," he says, "Tuck everything away, I'm coming in."
Mike opens the door slowly and pokes his head into the room, carefully covering his eyes with a hand "I'm serious, are you really dressed?" he asks again.
Donna grabs a pillow and throws it at his face; it hits the mark and Mike is forced to drop his hand "What the hell?" He complains, looking around indignantly for the projectile while Harvey laughs so hard his eyes start to well up.
"Do you think I want you to catch us naked?" Donna asks him, sarcastically.
"I could've died" he whines and she reaches for another pillow "Alright, alright, alright," he says, waving his hands in front of his body defensively until she lets it go "But you are on top of each other" Donna glares murderously and he decides to skip to the point, "Your kids are up and it's almost time to leave so; chop, chop" he says, clapping along twice for emphasis.
"Fine, we're going. Now get out, we need to change"
"Hey, this is my house, I decide when I-" He is interrupted when Donna throws another pillow and he has to hop behind the door to evade impact.
"And stay there," She tells him.
"You're not a good house guest," Mike points out, aggravated "And I am leaving but because I want to" he says, starting to stomp away.
"You keep telling yourself that!" Donna shouts after him.
"See?" Harvey starts, looking down at her once Mike's steps fade down the hallway, "We're having fun already."