That night his dream wasn't like the one he had earlier. No little girl running around, driving him crazy, no note on a fridge and no imaginary family.
This time he dreams solely of her.
Of her and a wedding.
He's at the front the church; waiting for her to make her entrance, the one he knows she's dreamed of. He of course looks like his normal, dashing self; for this occasion he chooses to go with a clean, crisp, new suit instead his traditional tuxedo.
She had insisted on a small, intimate ceremony of family and friends. This had made everyone laugh when she first told them about her plans. They were all expecting her wedding to be a grand, over the top, lavish affair. She switched it up and kept them on their toes, again. She delivered on her plan and they got beautiful, understated elegance instead.
Before she enters, he knows her dress will be ivory, not the classic white most brides go for. She isn't most brides. He remembers her saying that ivory looked better with her skin tone.
He told her once that she "can make anything look good".
She lets out a little laugh "smooth, Specter, smooth".
Her ring is what he assumed she always wanted. It definitely cost a pretty penny. It's large, flashy and definitely an eye catcher, but not something over the top. He heard her telling Rachel that she "wanted something she can be proud to wear everyday and not have to take off to type up long case notes".
He watches as everyone filters in and takes a seat around him. Next to him is Mike and he can see Jessica and Louis in the second row with more of her family.
The doors close, music starts and they open again.
The flower girl is her five-year-old niece. Pretty in pink and happily laying rose pedals on the ground. She gets a delighted squeal from everyone.
Rachel follows next, she looks beautiful as can be, Mike can't help but beam when he see's her walking down the isle.
When the doors open again, everyone stands.
His breath is taken away.
Her father leads her down the isle; he can see a tear coming out of the older man's eye. He can see that she's trying to not let her own tears fall. Her make up is simple. She doesn't go for the dramatic look during the church portion. He knows she's saving that for the reception.
Her hair, longer than he imagined, loose wavy, curls that fall over her shoulder. It's a radiant colour. Maybe it's the way the light shines on her from the stained glass windows. He can only describe it as "autumn sunshine".
Her dress fits like a glove, hugs every curve. Something straight out of a Kleinfeld bridal magazine but there's no doubt in his mind that it was made only for her. It looks delicate and is made of vintage lace. There is no puff and sparkle that most would assume her with. This is no princess dress, this is a woman who was waiting for this day to come since she was in elementary school, she wanted it be to timeless.
Her eyes catch his; she beams and gives him a knowing smile.
He knows things will change after today. Work will change, priorities will change and they will change.
When her and her father make it to the front, she hands her bouquet to Rachel as her father lifts her veil to give her a kiss goodbye and lowers it again.
Then he takes her hand and joins it to the man that had been standing at the front of the congregation the entire time.
Harvey is at the front, but sitting in the first row of the church.
He watches his best friend, the only person that truly knows him, his fireball of secretary, life planner, banker, personal shopper, scheduler, his Girl Friday, wing woman, the only person he would go out of his way for, the woman he dreamed of having a family with and possibly the only woman he's ever truly loved, marry another man.
Harvey makes up with a hand to his chest. Breathing heavily, feeling like his heart had been ripped out of his chest.
He glances at the clock on the wall, and realizes that it's only 11:35pm. He had fallen asleep on the couch with the TV on in the background.
His phone lights up on the table beside him.
Five missed called, four from Mike and the last one from her.
Then he see's the cheeky missed text message.
[Was going to pass by and maybe model the yoga pants…but I guess you're busy "entertaining", another time Specter]
He messages back, knowing it's late. [I'm home, feel asleep. You can still send me the pic that I asked for. Better yet come by?]
[You wish! I'm already home and in bed] she replies back after a couple minutes.
He replies right away, a smile on his face. [In bed, hmmm…what are you wearing?]
[We aren't playing this game, goodnight Harvey] he reads with a laugh.
[Oh almost forgot, Mike called me 5 times, he's been trying to get a hold of you, call the puppy back please, maybe then he'll leave alone] she sends right after.
[On it Boss! Sweet dreams, see you bright and early]
He returns Mike's calls. It's nothing important, the kid wanted to go out for pizza and beer since Rachel was still busy studying. Typical Mike fashion.
Before she falls asleep she sends him a picture like he requested. Not of tight yoga pants but of her in her bright, neon pink, fuzzy socks captioning it "feeling really sexy tonight".
He laughs out loud and thinks of the last time he remembers seeing pink, fuzzy bunny socks and with matching slippers.