"Annie," Carrie calls, "do you see this, too?"
"Carrie…" Julianne's eyes start to water, "You're gorgeous."
Carrie has tried on her fourth dress in the last hour and half, and it is instantly understood that she has now found the perfect dress, the hunt is over.
"Annie… I can't…" Carrie doesn't finish her thought; she's too captivated by the dress.
"You can't what?" Julianne says with worried eyes.
"I can't allow you and Harvey to pay for this dress. It's… too much…" Carries steps off the platform and turns her back to Julianne.
"Carrie, do you see how breathtaking you look? Do you really think you could find another dress that can make you look half as stunning as this one does?" Julianne is now standing at Carrie's side. Placing her hands on Carrie's shoulders, she spins her around so she can see herself again in the mirror.
"Look at yourself Carrie, are you really going to turn this dress down?"
"I just can't… this dress is amazing, but… I just can't, I won't let you guys waste your money."
"Believe me when I tell you Harvey's loaded! This is chump change to him. I, too, make plenty of money, this isn't an issue. I assure you."
Carrie still doesn't feel fully convinced.
Their conversation is interrupted by the associate of the bridal shop. "How's it going in here, ladies?"
Julianne speaks before Carrie has a chance to make a huge mistake, "Everything is going great, thank you! The dress she has on is perfect, we'll take it!"
"Great!" The associate squeals, she turns her attention to Carrie, "Whenever you're ready, go ahead and change back into your clothes and meet me in the front and we'll take care of everything."
Carrie nods in compliance.
"You're going to love this place; I fell in love with it when I first moved to New York." Julianne tells Carrie as they get out of the taxi and walk up to a little hole-in-the wall restaurant.
They are seated and place their order. They sit silent for a few minutes.
"That dress, I can't get over it. It is so perfect, isn't it?" Carrie says, gushing.
"Truly is, I sent our mom's a photo of it. Neither has replied, but I am sure both will love it."
Once the food comes, Julianne wastes no time digging in. While Julianne sits there eating her salad, Carrie nibbles on her food and talks about all the wedding things she still needs to get done.
"Am I completely boring you yet?" Carries asks, taking a big bite out of her panini.
"Not in the slightest. I just can't believe how much you need to get done. Is Kyle helping you at all?"
Carrie laughs, "He tries to help, truly, he does. But you know your brother, he's so aloof to all this, that he just ends up asking me to make all the decisions."
Julianne nods her head, knowing all too well what Carrie means. If the wedding was left up to him, at the reception, pretzels and beer would be served, he has no imagination.
"Annie, tell me, what kind of wedding dress do you want for your wedding?"
"I haven't a clue," swallowing the last bit of her food, "I haven't given much thought to anything related to my wedding."
"What? How? You're a girl! It's what we do!"
"It has never seemed like an option for me, Greg and all…"
"What about Harvey?"
Nearly choking on her swig of lemonade, "What about Harvey?"
"Oh come on, you don't think of marrying him?"
Remaining silent, Julianne just shakes her head, "Truthfully, no." The lie fell out of her mouth too easily.
Carrie nods, "I think you two would be an adorable groom and bride, well, not as adorable as Kyle and I, but top two, easily."
Julianne just sits back in her chair and gazes out the window.
Julianne Specter, hm, that has an interesting ring to it.
The next morning, Carrie is woken up by a noise, "Annie, do you hear that?"
Julianne sits up and begins to wipe the sleep from her eyes. Seconds later, Julianne hears a knock at the door.
"It's probably Harvey. He stops by early some mornings."
"Oh, want me to come with you when you answer it? Are you scared?" Carrie says, hoping Julianne doesn't want her to go with because she's the one who is truly scared.
"It's fine, just hang out here."
Rolling out bed, Julianne makes her way to the door.
"Mike? What are you doing here?"
Before Mike answers, Julianne notices the cups and bag in his hand.
"Harvey. He asked me to drop this off for you. He was headed here himself. Then Jessica pulled him away."
"Oh, that's very nice of you, thank you. You just scared the shit out of Carrie, by the way. Please, come on in," After shutting the door behind Mike, Julianne walks back into the bedroom, "It's just Mike."
"Oh, sorry I freaked out. I think I've seen one too many episodes of SVU."
Julianne bursts out laughing, "that you certainly have, although, they generally don't knock on doors. Get out of bed, come on out and meet him!"
Julianne goes back to Mike, "Carrie is coming. She's just going to change first."
"How's the vacation?" Mike asks while taking a coffee out of the carrier and handing it to Julianne. "By the way, I got an apple juice for Carrie, Harvey mentioned she doesn't drink coffee."
"He remembered? That's so sweet." Julianne smiles, Harvey is always surprising her. "Vacation, it's going good! I love the sleeping in part; its heaven getting up at eight, opposed to six."
"I wouldn't know, I don't think I'll ever sleep in again. I was at work at six thirty this morning, this fucking Frayer-Kline merger is a bitch. Hell I tell you."
Carrie walks out of the room and stands behind Julianne. Julianne turns and introduces Mike to Carrie.
"I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to scare you."
Carrie, embarrassed, smiles, "Its fine. I'm just not used to visitors so early."
Before Mike can respond his cell phone starts to ring.
Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he immediately rolls his eyes and mouths, "Harvey."
"Yeah?" – "I'm still here." – "Yes." – "Because!" – "Fine, bye."
Mike tucks his phone inside his suit pocket. "I better jet."
"Everything alright?" Carrie asks.
"Yeah, Harvey is just being… Harvey." Mike rubs his face and finishes by running his fingers through his hair.
"What do you mean? Harvey seems so nice."
Mike starts to laugh uncontrollably, "Thank you, I needed a good laugh. Harvey is a great guy, don't get me wrong, but you have met a completely different Harvey. He's a real hard ass at work."
"Oh, okay." Carrie says, not fully believing Mike.
"Well, you should go. Or else Harvey will be calling you again." Julianne adds leaning in to give Mike a hug. "Thanks for the coffee, juice, and muffins."
"Anytime, we need to hang out soon, it's been too long. Beers soon?"
"We'll figure something out soon."
Mike nods, "It was nice meeting you Carrie, later Juls."
Once Mike is gone, Carrie and Julianne find themselves back in Julianne's room sitting on her bed eating the muffins.
"Is this what your life is like? Breakfast surprises and daily visits and just amazingness?"
Julianne smiles at the thought, "You know, pretty much."
"That was such a great movie, Annie. I can't believe I have never seen it before!"
"I told you. Breakfast at Tiffany's is a classic. Now you're longer missing out!"
Carrie begins to yawns, "It's already 11 o'clock, is Harvey coming over?"
"I'm sure. I'm going to wait up."
"Mind if I go to bed? I'm so tired!"
"Not at all, please, go to sleep. I have plenty of things on my DVR to catch up on, so I won't be bored."
Carrie get's up off the couch and stretches, "Okay, don't stay up too late."
Two episodes of How I Met Your Mother later, there is a knock at the door.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Harvey Specter. I didn't think I'd see you tonight." Julianne says, playfully.
Harvey leans in and kisses Julianne. His kisses, somehow, manage to get sweeter each time.
Harvey makes his way to the kitchen and pours himself some scotch.
"Tough day?" Julianne says while lightly rubbing his back.
"You have no idea. This merger should be easy, but it has been anything but."
"I'm sorry, can I help?"
Harvey turns around and leans back against the counter, "No. Thanks, but no. I am over it. I don't want to talk about it, if that's okay?"
"Sure."
"Where is Carrie?" Harvey asks while taking another sip of his drink.
"She went to bed about an hour ago."
Harvey raises his eyebrows in acknowledgment. "I'm surprised you're still awake, I was half expecting you to be asleep."
"I'm tired, but I wanted to see you. I miss you."
"I know I miss you, too. This is weird, not seeing each other every day; all day every day."
"It sucks, being respectful of my house guest sucks!"
Harvey just laughs and glances over at the time displayed on the oven.
"I should get going though, it's late. I just came by so I could see you, even if it was for a second."
"Uh, and to drink my scotch, don't forget that."
"Yeah, that too." Harvey sets his glass in the sink and makes his way to the door.
Harvey opens the door, walks out, and turns around. Julianne catches up and stands directly in front of him on the other side of the threshold. Harvey leans in and rests his forehead on hers.
"I miss waking up and having you by my side." He whispers, then kisses her forehead softly and walks away.
Julianne is left completely speechless.