DAZED CHAPTER 10 - Hey reader friends, hope you are enjoying yourselves... thanks for reading and reviewing! I'm having fun with Aaron Korsh's little people and I hope you are, too. BTW, I say ass a lot in this chapter, which makes me happy! :)

"HARVEY! Is it really you? You never call, you never write! We used to be so close!"

Harvey huffs into the phone, as he adjusts the bedsheet that he and Donna are tangled under.

"You know… as much as I enjoy hearing that you spend your nights waiting for my call, like some sort of school girl…. You've also got my number, Mike," he deadpans.

"Ever the sweet talker, Harvey… it's hard to believe you're still single!" Mike chuckles. "How are things, man? Everything ok?"

Harvey can't help but smile… he's going to blow Mike out of the water with their news.

"Yeah, everything's great… where's Rachel?"

"She's here."

"Put her on speaker phone," he instructs.

With her head resting on his bare chest, Donna can hear Harvey's heart pulsing, thundering, actually. She's not sure if it's because of the announcement they're about to make, or if he's still recovering from this evening's activities.

Tonight was particularly explosive… three times explosive for her. Maybe it's their crazy sexual chemistry or maybe it's because they're beginning to really connect as a couple. Either way, Harvey's mouth can't seem to get enough of her body, and that alone has accounted for at least one of those explosions.

His wet tongue on her skin is like nothing she's ever felt, and Donna still tingles at the memory of where his sly smile has been.

"If sex is like this," she teased him earlier, her hand gesturing across her chest. "Then with you, it's like this!" Her hand now high above her head.

"Well played, Donna," he chuckled. During their early days together, that gesture was a classic Harvey power move. They can laugh about it now, but looking back, he can't believe Donna ever had time for the cocky and arrogant young man that he was.

Lying naked and tangled in her bed, he's beyond grateful that she did… and tonight, they're about to tell their best friends the most incredible news.

"Hi Harvey, How are you? Rachel asks, sweetly.

Donna quivers at the sound of her friend's voice, her hand quickly cupping her mouth.

"I'm great, Rachel… Listen, I'm sorry about Robert… I had no idea he was going to do what he did with the Ethics Board. I just want you to know, if I had known, I wouldn't have let him."

"Thank you, Harvey, I appreciate that. My parents left this morning, and to be honest, I've never seen my father happier… I think it worked out for the best."

"Good to hear."

Mike's distant voice resonates in the background. "Is that what you called for, Harvey, or is there something else? It's already way past your bedtime, old man…"

Harvey pauses for a second, bracing himself for the reaction he knows is coming.

"I'm getting married."

A sudden silence, and then Rachel gasps.

"Married?!" Mike repeats. "Wow… congrats... have to say I never saw that coming! You were single a month ago when we talked. Are you sure…"

"Congratulations, Harvey…," Rachel interrupts. Swallowing down her surprise, she cautiously asks, "Umm… who's the lucky lady?"

While she's happy for Harvey, Rachel's heart immediately breaks for Donna. For years, she's had a front row seat to their complicated relationship. She knew Donna was dating Thomas, but never expected Harvey to move on so quickly.

"Donna."

This time, Donna and Harvey hear the thud of the phone hitting the floor, and then gasps from both Mike and Rachel.

"Donna, Donna?… our Donna?" Mike is breathless, as he stumbles to recover the mobile.

"Paulsen," Harvey teases, grinning from ear to ear. "She works at the firm."

"You're shitting me! No, this isn't true," Mike screams. "Nice try, Batman. Be serious because you're giving us heart attacks over here."

"It's true…" Donna jumps in to confirm the news.

"DONNA!" Rachel squeals.

"DONNA?!" Mike cheers.

"Paulsen… I work at the firm…," she playfully repeats. "And if you're asking… Yes, I finally wore him down… or as I like to call it, 'He came to his senses!'"

Then Mike chirps, "Or as I like to call it…'He finally got his head out of his ass!'"

"Alright you two," Harvey counters. "I can always change my mind, and go back to binge-watching Game of Thrones."

Giggling, Donna gives Harvey an affectionate kiss on the cheek. The second she hears Rachel sniffle, however, her tears start to flow.

"Oh, Donna…" Rachel says, her voice quivering.

"I know…" Donna replies, wiping her eyes. After years of heartfelt conversations in the firm washroom, and heartbreaking confessions over wine, they both understand… and nothing more needs to be said.

Sensing what's taking place, Harvey pulls Donna close, and kisses her on top of her head.

"When is this insanity happening?" Mike ribs. "We'll book our flights."

"September 21st… in two months," Donna details. "Invitations go out next week. Keep the entire weekend free."

"Done!" Rachel agrees, excitedly.

"So… Mike… I need a best man… know of anyone?" Harvey asks, lightheartedly. "Can't just be any guy. He needs to admire me, maybe even be in awe of me."

"Sorry, Harvey, no one comes to mind," he quips. "Wait… maybe Louis after you take him mudding?"

"Very funny... now I remember why I never call!" Harvey volleys back.

"Harvey…" Mike says, clearing his throat. "I'd be honoured,"

"And Rachel," Donna chimes in. "I'm not even asking you. I'm telling you… you're my girl, and we need to go dress shopping. Let's book a weekend together… there or here. I don't care."

"I'm bursting!" Her friend can barely get the words out. "I'm so thrilled for you!" Through the phone, Donna can hear Rachel excitedly stamping her feet.

"I'll call you this weekend, and we can talk wedding details," Donna confirms.

"Harvey…" Mike chimes in. "This is the best news I've heard all year. I've said it before… you guys are meant to be together."

'Thanks, Mike," Harvey replies.

"We'll talk soon, you two," Donna says. "We love you both."

"We love you, too," Rachel replies. The women filling in the words they know Mike and Harvey would never dare say to one another.

After hanging up, Harvey turns to Donna with a satisfied grin on his face. "That went pretty well. Now where were we?" Harvey flirts. "Something about being with me is way up here?" he adds, with a highly exaggerated gesture of his hand.

Donna rolls her eyes and sighs, "I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?"

xxx

It's late in the afternoon when Harvey leaves Harry Winston jewelers. He finally picked up the engagement ring that Louis's contact had beautifully crafted for Donna. The one-of-a-kind diamond and platinum piece is exquisite. This ring is very "Donna", and he knows she's going to love it.

Tomorrow is their one-week anniversary, exactly seven days since that incredible morning he woke up with her in his arms. Harvey decides tomorrow is the perfect time to present Donna with this new ring.

As he walks along Fifth Avenue, Harvey reflects on this last week with Donna. He can barely remember what life was like before waking up to her freckles, that sleepy smile and messy red hair.

What did he even do before she welcomed him into her arms?

"Ha-vee, is that you? What a surprise!" says the familiar, high-pitched voice.

"Paula?" Harvey's stomach tenses as he turns around.

"Still me," she replies, with a quick bend of her knees and her accented voice. Paula has always been terrible at small talk. "You look well… How have you been?"

"Good, really good. Work is busier than ever, of course." Harvey says, with a measured tone. His hand safely wrapped around the ring box in his right pocket.

"Lovely to hear," she says, fiddling with the end of her silk scarf. Then, with a brief touch of his forearm, Paula quickly glances at Harvey's hand. No wedding ring. "I hope things are working out for you."

"They are, thank you," his reply, polite and formal. "I'm sorry, Paula, but I'm running late for a meeting. Unfortunately I have to go. I hope things are good with you, too." Harvey turns to leave.

"Even at the end of the work day? Such is the life of a lawyer, isn't it?" she replies, stiffly. "Perhaps we should catch up over coffee or a drink one of these days? I'd love to hear how you're doing."

Turning back, Harvey tilts his head and tenses his jaw. His dark brown eyes scanning the street before looking at her.

"Paula, I'm sorry, but I don't think that's a good idea," he says, flatly. "Donna and I… we're… getting married."

Paula's eyes go wide as saucers. With a jolt of her blonde head and a continued forced smile, she does her best to look unaffected. "Well… I guess congratulations are in order then," she suggests, without actually congratulating him.

"Look, Paula. I know things didn't end well between us… it was my fault…and Donna… I guess you were right about that," he admits, regretting that he ever drove down Paula's street that lonely fall afternoon.

"Seems to me that you were right…" she says, as if she's just put on her therapist's hat.

"About what?" he asks, trying to avoid the tension he feels building.

"Donna always finding a way to get what she wants..."

That was a dig. Looking Paula over, Harvey is stunned at her spitefulness.

"If I remember correctly, she came to your office to apologize, and you wouldn't have it," he says in Donna's defense. "She chose to resign from a job she loved to make it easier for the both of us. I would say that's a pretty selfless act… but, then again, that's Donna."

"And she knew she'd force you to choose, didn't she…" Paula insinuates, as if she's talking to a patient.

Her bitterness is on full display now, and Harvey doesn't know why he didn't see this mean-spirited side of her before. For months, he'd felt guilty for starting up with his former therapist, but now realizes that Paula was certainly no victim.

"Paula, you can believe what you want, but Donna didn't force me to do anything," he counters, shaking his head in disbelief. "If you still need to be mad at someone, feel free to be mad at me, but don't blame Donna for a choice I made."

Then, furrowing his brow, Harvey adds, "And I hope… at some point, you can move on, like I have."

"Not to worry, I can handle myself," her icy blue eyes zeroing in on his. "And I do wish you luck, Ha-vee, commitments are not for the faint of heart." The tone of her words suggesting anything but goodwill towards him.

With his temples throbbing, Harvey shakes his head and quickly turns to walk away. He makes a conscious effort to swallow down the bile that's thick in the back of his throat now.

To think that he could have ended up with Paula? That he had asked her to move in with him? It all turns his stomach now. If he had, he would have lost Donna, and the mere possibility of that shakes him to his core.

As he heads down the sidewalk, Harvey thinks about the night Donna kissed him. He was furious with her, and now, he realizes that kiss was, perhaps, the greatest gift she's ever given him.

Crossing the street, he stops at a flower market next to Central Park, and selects a large bouquet of peonies. Their scent helping to calm the frustration burning inside him.

Dating Paula was certainly not his proudest moment, but more than that, he feels a mountain of regret for what he put Donna through.

Donna knew exactly who Paula Agard was, and she was still willing to sacrifice herself for his happiness. It hits Harvey now just how deep and selfless and unconditional Donna's love for him has been. All so that he could pursue a relationship with… Paula.

Harvey had fully intended to head back to the office tonight, but instead, he decides to walk the ten blocks back to his place. Seeing Paula was truly unpleasant, and he's determined to shake off all that negative energy before Donna arrives.

With a blooming bouquet of pink and white peonies in his hand, and a $75 thousand engagement ring in his pocket, he picks up his pace.

Harvey can't see his amazing fiancée soon enough.

XXX

With the sound of the key turning the lock, his heart skips a beat. Within seconds, he's on his feet, and ready to greet her.

Donna barely has the key out of the door and Harvey's pulling it wide open.

"Hi!" he says, fresh faced.

"Jesus, Harvey, you scared me!" Donna jumps.

"Sorry," he apologizes with a sheepish smile. He immediately takes her overnight bag from off her shoulder, and sets it down.

Donna hasn't yet stepped in when Harvey reaches for her face. Thumbs caressing her cheeks and eyes melting into hers before he delivers a slow and gentle kiss.

Next, his arms are firmly wrapped around, one hand holding her head, the other pressing her closer.

Cheeks, jaw, eyelids, forehead. His mouth is tender and loving, and all over her face.

As Donna pulls back, she eyes Harvey with suspicion. "Someone's happy to see me… everything ok?"

"Yes, now that you're here," he says, leading her into the kitchen.

"My meeting ended earlier than planned, so I walked home and picked these up for you," he says, handing her the flowers.

Donna opens the paper wrap to find a giant bouquet of fragrant peonies. "Awe, my favourite, thank you, Harvey," she gushes. "If you keep treating me like this, you're setting yourself up for trouble."

With an appreciative kiss, Donna scans the kitchen. "You don't have a vase, do you?"

"No, I might have a beer pitcher in the cupboard, though," he replies.

"You've lived here ten years and you don't have a vase, Harvey?" she scolds.

"I don't exactly go around buying pretty flowers for myself, Donna," he explains in his defense.

"That's just one more important difference between women and men," she sighs. "Women buy themselves flowers all the time… it's probably why we live longer."

Moving through his kitchen, Harvey opens and closes all his cupboard doors until he finds the pitcher, which he hands to Donna.

"So, that's where I've gone wrong all these years… If only I had bought myself a dozen roses every week," he deadpans, his words dripping with sarcasm.

"You're right… There aren't enough pretty flowers out there to fix this level of grumpiness," she teases, her hands motioning up and down the length of his body.

Harvey chuckles. After today's run-in with Paula, he'll happily take any abuse from Donna.

Arranging the bouquet in the beer pitcher, Donna brings it to rest on the coffee table, before she seats herself on the sofa. "It's settled, I'm buying you a vase tomorrow."

"Fine. Just don't make it too pretty. You can take over the place, but I still have to live here," he sighs. "Did you eat?"

"Katrina and I ordered Indian," Donna replies, curling her feet up under her hip. "Poor girl has been so busy with work, she has no social life. I was pretty much it, tonight."

"Do-nnna…" Harvey warns.

"I'm just informing you, that's all," she clarifies. "You know… keeping track of who we're inviting… who's coming alone."

Harvey rolls his eyes and shakes his head. When the red head is on a mission, he knows better than to try and stop her.

Leaning across the kitchen island, Harvey reaches for two wine glasses, and the bottle he left open to breathe. As he turns around, he notices a curious look on Donna's face.

"What?" he asks. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Honestly?" she quizzes, with a sly smile. "Has anyone ever told you that you have a nice ass, Harvey?"

"Excuse me?" he chuckles. "Um… no, Donna, that's never come up in conversation… except with you, of course… which doesn't surprise me."

"I'm not trying to flirt with you, I'm just stating facts," she confirms, tilting her head to take another look. "You actually have an amazing butt. The perfect shape, size and firmness for your body."

"Really, Donna…" Harvey giggles, a slight blush washing across his neck. "You wanna see it? Because I'm pretty sure you own it."

"Nope, not right now, thanks," she quips. "I just thought you should know, since... you know… you probably don't see it that often."

"Well, if we're talking about asses, I look at yours all the time, and it's perfect," he says with a flirty grin and a suggestive raise of an eyebrow. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

Donna giggles, "You don't quit do you? I just might have to buy you flowers."

"Pretty pink round ones?" he jokes.

"Stop!" Donna can't stop laughing at Harvey's special talent for making everything dirty.

After a second glass of red wine, and an evening of fun and flirtatious banter, Harvey's thoughts turn to his afternoon. He can't shake the terrible feeling that been festering in the pit of his stomach. To think that he had actually considered throwing away his friendship with Donna, to be with Paula.

"Donna," he swallows, his fingers linking with hers. "There's something I need to tell you."

Seeing the serious look on Harvey's face, Donna's senses go on high alert, and, for security, she squeezes his hand.

"Everything ok? What is it?" she asks, her eyes a mix of empathy and worry.

With a pained exhale, he begins. "I ran into Paula Agard today…"

The air between them is suddenly heavy, and Donna slowly nods to distract from the immediate sinking feeling that washes over her.

"It was hardly pleasant," he assures. "I told her that we're getting married."

Donna rolls her eyes. "That must have gone over well."

She could say a whole lot more, but for the sake of not giving Paula any more power over her, or them, Donna chooses to bite her tongue. The sickly feeling of going to that horrible woman's office to apologize is one that she'll never forget. And if she could throw it all up in a paper bag right now, she would.

"I'm sorry, Donna." Harvey says, his eyes pooling with deep remorse. "I'm so, so sorry… I know I've apologized before, but I didn't realize, until today, just how difficult that must have been or how much that hurt you."

"It's ok," her voice quivers. "It's over. We don't have to talk about it again."

"I think we do," he says, gently.

"As unpleasant as today was, it was a good thing that I ran into her," he suggests. "It opened my eyes to a few things, including that I owe you another apology for how I treated you after we kissed in your office."

Donna holds her breath. Those painful weeks after that incident, have taken years off her life.

"I was too angry to realize it at the time, and you probably didn't see it, but that kiss… rescued me," he reflects. "It saved me."

"From what?" she whispers, barely able to get her words out.

"From lying to myself…about what I really felt. From making an even bigger mistake." Clearing his throat, he adds. "Thank you for that. For taking that risk. I'm sorry for the way I was afterwards. You didn't deserve that."

Donna lets out a long exhale. With her breath comes the release of her lingering sadness over what happened. She also realizes that Harvey is right. That kiss was not just about wanting to understand her feelings, it was a final attempt to make him understand his.

"And there's something else I want to say," he continues. "You resigning…"

Donna can barely look at Harvey now, so she focuses on her hands.

"Donna, look at me…." he asks, his hand on her chin. "That should have never happened. I'm always going to regret that… and I know why you did it."

"You needed a chance," she says, with a brave face.

"No… you did it because you loved me," his voice is soft now. "You selflessly loved me… and were willing to sacrifice everything for me."

Donna's shoulders drop in relief. He does understand.

Her eyes glistening and with a quick nod, she says, "You did the same when you were willing to protect me with the Ethics Board… that was selfless, too, Harvey."

"I didn't think twice about it, Donna," he confirms, his dark brown eyes certain and sincere.

"And that's why I love you, Harvey." A tiny smile forms across Donna's lips. "That's why I'm marrying the right man."

Just her mentioning marrying him, sets Harvey's heart soaring. Then he thinks about the new engagement ring… and he can't wait for tomorrow.

"So if I understand you correctly," he clarifies, as if he's breaking down a legal case. "You're saying that this relationship we're in is right, because we'd both sacrifice our perfect asses for each other?"

"Oh my…" Donna giggles, her eyes twinkling. "I think that's exactly what I'm saying."

"Good. You wanna see mine, now? It's not too late," he teases, his mouth, once again finding her neck.

"You're going to keep asking, aren't you?"

"How about now?" he mumbles, his fingers weaving their way through her hair.

Donna's hands slowly travel down Harvey's back until they make their way across his dark blue jeans. He flinches at her spirited touch, his hips thrusting forward.

"Are you seriously grabbing my perfect ass, right now?" he asks, playfully.

"I seriously am," she flirts.

"It's about time," he teases.

Harvey slowly leans Donna back onto the sofa. His mouth on hers is urgent and wanting and so very much in love. As he deepens his kiss, Donna's arms envelop him, and his body melts into hers.

There's never been a time when her arms have not welcomed him, he realizes. Donna has always been there to comfort him, even when he wasn't ready to be touched.

God knows, there've been days when he's needed those arms around him, but he just wasn't capable. Yet, somehow, Donna always found a way. Her faith in him, her acceptance of his flaws and her reassuring words embracing him when he's needed it the most.

"You still gonna love me, even when I'm old, and my ass is less than perfect?" He already knows the answer, but he asks anyway.

Donna giggles, her hazel eyes can't help but fall even more in love with what she sees. Until now, she didn't realize how much it meant to have Harvey acknowledge the sacrifice that she made, and the hurt that she felt.

Tonight, she can finally and completely let it go.

"Yep… I've already included it our vows," she assures. "It's right after, 'in sickness and in health and Donna gets her own shoe closet.'"