HI Folks! Here's the last huge event that was supposed to happen in this story which started out with the intention of being short. As usual it took on a life of its own. I have referenced some things in here, so I have placed a sort of bibliography at the end. I have not attended a Catholic wedding for a long time nor even a modified Catholic so excuse anything that may not be quite right. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I loved writing it and hope it seems appropriate. Please R &R. I know this chapter is twice as long as my normal length but hope you will think it is worth it. Again Love - Carebearmaxi
Little One
Chapter 31
The next day which was the eve of the wedding was spent with the female faction and the male faction being apart. Children, of course, were the exception. Harvey, the groom, was to spend the night with Mike. Mike was kicking out his own wife and child who were going to spend the night with Donna and the twins.
Around ten am that morning Harvey presented himself at Mike's door. The Ross' room was next to theirs, so it was not that long a walk. He said hello and goodbye to Rachel and baby James. Harvey had kissed Donna and his girls and complained that the tradition should be null and void 14since they were already married.
After Harvey had spent his time with Mike going over his vows and other conversations, he joined his groomsmen in walking over to the church for a rehearsal. Hopefully, the rehearsal would run like clockwork. After briefly seeing their families, the factions would separate again.
Later instead of a rehearsal dinner, Mike had planned a real guys' night out as the girls were having their girls' night in since there were children involved. The women agreed that since their husbands were good most of the time with their paternal duties that they deserved a night out.
Upon knowing that Donna was sticking with the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding, Harvey was disappointed that he would not be spending the night in the bosom of his family or sleeping on the bosom of his wife.
"Don't think you're going to lawyer me out of this one, Mister," Donna had said wagging her finger in his face. "We've been doing good so far and I don't want to jinx it if we don't do the traditional thing the night before the wedding. Besides, I want to surprise you with my gown."
"Donna…" he whined. "Come on. Really? You want me to spend the night with Mike?"
"Well, you don't have to stay with him. Just avoid me at all costs. I don't think it will be hard. I'm sure the men of this group will find something for you to do."
"Ok, so what are you going to do?"
"Why, Harvey, are you worried that the females have something "unsavory" planned for me?" Donna flirted. She stood leaning on the counter with her head tilted to the side and a wink of her eye.
"Yes, I do." Harvey said unable to resist stepping to her and taking her into his arms again. They kissed and Harvey hands rested his hands on Donna's hips where he liked to massage them with is knuckles.
"I hope they have two beds in there. I really don't want to be dreaming about you and wind up kissing Mike in the middle of my dream," Harvey said smiling.
"You're an idiot," Donna said smiling back.
So, here he was reporting for some quality time with his best friend.
"Hey, buddy, bummed because Donna kicked you out?"
"Yes. Don't feel bad. I'm not too crazy about spending time with you either."
Harvey took a seat at the table and helped himself to a glass of water. Harvey was sure they would be drinking stronger stuff later.
"Did you see Jessica?" Mike asked.
"Yes, she showed up two seconds after we got settled in the room," Harvey smiled. "Did she stop over to see you, too?"
"She made the rounds. She and Rachel had a long visit while I took care of James."
"The girls were fascinated by her. I think the only black person they ever saw was Robert. He, only briefly, when you brought him over when he and Laura were visiting you."
After a few moments silence, Harvey asked.
"So, what do we do?"
"Donna said you probably didn't finish your vows last night, so that is the first order of business."
"How does she know this? She worked on hers and I worked on mine while we sat at the table last night."
"Ok, let's hear them," Mike said. "As Best Man, I can't let you say something that will remotely offend your bride."
"I would rather wait until performance time," Harvey said laughing.
"Did you work on the Best Man speech that you couldn't give at the first wedding?" Harvey asked when they were done laughing.
"Yes, it is done and in the pocket of my tux. Ready and waiting for the reception!" Mike said lightly slapping the table with his palm just like when he slaps a file onto Harvey's desk and claims "Mission Accomplished!"
Then after a few more minutes silence between them, Harvey said, "You were kidding, right? Donna wanted me to work on my vows with you?"
"Yeah. Don't worry. She said she will rehearse hers, too, with Rachel. I think they are going shopping later and then being sure that all their dresses fit or some female shit like that."
"Well, I hope we're doing something a little more interesting," Harvey said.
"Yeah, we are," Mike said laughing
So, as he had promised Donna, Mike helped Harvey with his vows.
Later that night, after sharing some bad room service all day, Harvey and Mike joined Marcus, Louis, Robert, and Jeff for a little late night carousing. Since they were all essentially married men, they took Harvey to a casino. The casino for which Mike had planned for them to visit was too far for a walk but was still only about a forty minute drive. Robert had hired a service to take them there.
Once again, Harvey worried about his brother and his gambling addiction. Marcus said he was on his best behavior and all the other guys beside Harvey were all looking out for Marcus. Louis decided he should be the gambler police and so forewarned Marcus that he could not get around him. Mike and Harvey had a bit of a laugh knowing that any gambler with an addiction could get by anybody.
"Don't worry, Louis. I promised my big brother not to spoil his wedding or my pseudo-reconciliation with Kate."
"See that you don't," Louis said waving a finger in Marcus' face.
Harvey and Marcus shared a good laugh.
Meanwhile back at the hotel, the womenfolk had spent the day as most womenfolk do. Taking care of their children, shopping, and then finally it was time to confirm that everyone's dresses did not need late alterations. Donna claimed the air was different and she was afraid with all the food she had consumed her gown would not fit.
"Anyway, Bride's prerogative: you guys try on your gowns since I did not get to see them."
Rachel said, "Donna, I am sure all the dresses are fine."
"Ok, but don't complain if you all pop a button at the last minute."
MaryBeth suddenly said, "Ladies, I have a surprise for you tomorrow morning. Miss Jessica Pearson, here, (points out Jessica) has treated all of us to our hair being done and getting facials and nails done beginning at 1:00 pm."
"Jessica!" Donna exclaimed. "That's great but the wedding is at 4:00 pm. How is?"
"Why don't you let me worry about that, Donna. You've practically planned all this yourself, so why don't you just let me have my way."
"Ok," Donna said raising her hands up and shaping her mouth into an "o". "Far be it from me to argue with the mighty Jessica Pearson."
They all got a laugh out of that one and continued to drink their wine.
Troy who was one of the older children in the group as he was too young to stay with the men came out of the bathroom and said, "Aunt Donna, can I call me mum?"
"Of course, sweetie, where's your phone?"
"I left it in the suite with Grandma and Grandpa," he replied.
"Well, mine's is on the table. You can use it," Donna said as conversation resumed. To alleviate her curiosity, Donna took that opportunity to see how the twins were sleeping. They had had a big day out in the crisp October air, and everyone wanting to hold them and play with them. As she carefully stepped up to the cribs, she smiled as her two little cherubs were sound asleep. Both of them were on their backs with their arms outstretched. Their little faces so clean in repose. Donna stood and watched their little tummies breathe in and out as any mother does when checking on her children. She crept over to the third crib where James was asleep. He was so light in hair and eye color one wondered if he had gotten any of Rachel in him. He was also sound asleep. The other children like Hayley, Marcus, Jr., and MaryBeth's two sons were all playing a game in the other part of the suite.
On the way out, she noticed that Troy was sitting at the table by himself having just hung up with Charlotte.
"How's your mom and Mitchell?" Donna asked coming over to see how her nephew faired.
"They are good, Aunt Donna. I talked to Mitchell and Mom and both said everything was good in Seattle."
"Are you excited to see your dad on Wednesday?"
"Not really. He's not one who likes to do stuff like Mitchell and Uncle Harvey."
"So, what do you do when you're with him?"
"He buys me stuff. Introduces me to his latest girlfriend. Once in a while we go to a soccer match or ride "The Eye" in London."
"I'm glad you came, Troy. You're a big part of the wedding. You've got a reading which normally young men like you do not really want to do."
"I'm glad I came, too, Aunt Donna. I love you and Uncle Harvey and Lily and Mimi," Troy said as he came over and flung his arms around Donna as she sat at the table.
She kissed the top of his head and said, "We love you, too, Troy."
The rest of the night after Troy joined the other children in the other part of the room was spent as most women spend nights together. Talking about themselves, their emotions, their significant others or sometimes they just do a little men bashing.
After another couple of hours, Donna went to her phone and sat away from the crowd in her room. She knew that traditionally she was not to contact the groom before the wedding, but since when did she and Harvey ever do anything traditionally? They had been married for over a year now. This ceremony was for their families and so Donna could wear a "real" wedding dress. She hit Harvey's number and was amused that she had never changed it to read "Harvey Specter – husband" or to some other pet name for him. It still read "Harvey Specter – Work". She hit the number.
"Hey…" Harvey answered.
"Hey…" Donna responded. "It's awfully quiet back there. Are you back from the casino already?"
"Yeah, I won all their money including my brother's."
"So, is it just you and Mike now?"
"Yes. It sounds like you guys are still partying. It's loud," Harvey said trying to make sure he was heard above the din.
"Well, you know we're a bunch of rowdy girls when we start drinking," Donna quipped.
"Donna," Harvey said.
"What Harvey?" Donna asked softly. "No. I know what you are going to ask but I broke tradition calling you. It's just one night."
"I know. I miss you. I miss the girls."
"I miss you, too. Hey, I just wanted to call to say I love you."
"I love you, too. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Donna said softly and hung up to rejoin the party which seemed to become rowdier. We are all going to have hangovers later for sure.
Donna woke to one of the twins' crying. Instinctively she figured it was Lily since she was normally the first one up and raring to go. As Donna sat up with a pain in her head, Rachel came over to her holding James and said, "I'll see to her."
"You sure?"
"Yep. Just hold James here," Rachel said handing her the baby after Donna sat up in bed.
James was looking more like Mike every day. What a baby face! He was a happy baby and Donna played with him making him laugh until Rachel brought Lily out to her.
"Here we go, mommy, Aunt Rachel changed Lily and now she's all clean!"
They traded babies.
"Thank you, Rache, but it shouldn't be long before Mimi's up."
"She's awake, Donna. She's just looking around."
"That's Mimi. She likes to laze around and look at her animals at home and then she'll have enough, turn over, and start to cry because she wants out."
"You really can tell your daughters apart without the birthmark, can't you?"
"I can. I really can. You know what is so surprising?" Donna asked.
Rachel shook her head while she carried James back to the breakfast table.
"So can Harvey. It's a wonderful thing."
"Harvey loves being a dad, doesn't he?"
"Yes, very much. Doesn't he Lilyput?" Donna asked Lily as she played "Little Piggy" with her toes.
"Lilyput?" Rachel asked.
"That's Harvey's nickname for Lily. I have no idea where he came up with it."
"What does he call Mimi?"
"Punkin."
"Pumpkin?" Rachel asked.
"No, not pumpkin but "P-u-n-k-i-n".
"Where did he get that from?"
Donna raised her shoulders. "I don't know."
Rachel finished feeding James his cereal. She looked at her phone.
"It's only 8:30 am. Can you believe that?"
"We only went to sleep three hours ago," Donna exclaimed fixing Lily in her arms. She got out of bed and went into the babies' room to retrieve Mimi who was starting to fuss.
"Hey, Harriet Specter!" Rachel called.
Donna came out of the room with a baby on each hip.
"Yes, Michelle Ross?" Donna answered with a smile.
"Did you ever think all those years ago when we made up those personas that we would ever be married to the men who belong to those names?"
"There was no doubt about you and Mike, but Harvey and me? Well, I'm just so happy it all worked out the way it was supposed to."
Rachel smiled. "It sure did."
A few hours later…
Harvey looked at himself in the full length mirror. He pulled at his bow tie and straightened his silver vest and cummerbund. He actually had butterflies in his stomach. He had had them before when he first proposed to Donna, but he fought through them and asked her to be his wife. This was totally different. Donna was his wife and mother of his children. Why was he so nervous?
"Harvey!" Mike called
"Harvey?" Mike asked coming up behind him in the mirror.
"What's going on?" Mike asked seeing a panicked look on Harvey's face in the mirror.
"I don't know. I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack," Harvey admitted. "Don't you dare tell Donna about this."
"Harvey, it's just adrenaline. Donna married you already. I'm still not sure why…"
Harvey game him one of those reprimanding looks.
"You done?" Harvey asked in the mirror.
Mike clapped him on the shoulder. "Just joking. We all know why Donna married you for real last year."
Harvey said very softly into the mirror. "Because she loves me."
Just then Marcus came in with M.J. and Troy, "Let's go big brother. Your bride awaits. Probably your daughters, too."
"Thanks, Marcus."
"I know, Harvey. I know."
The women of the bridal party made a beautifully matched set of formally dressed chess pieces as they walked across the checkered square to the cathedral. Jessica had come to see Donna in her gown and to confirm that the beauticians were worth the money she had paid for them.
"Oh my God, Donna, you are so beautiful. You look virginal."
"Well, we know that's not the case," Donna quipped. "Our two cherubs in your arms prove that. They were not immaculately conceived."
Jessica laughed.
"I will get these two in their strollers and get to the church."
Donna looked in the full length mirror. Rachel was fussing around her laying out her chapel train on her silk sheath gown and laying her lace veil over her head and around her shoulders.
"Let me pin this on top so you don't lose it," Rachel said opening a bobby pin with her teeth and placing it on a strategic place on Donna's scalp.
Laura, Rachel's mom, had the joyous duty of taking care of her grandson, so Rachel could attend to Donna.
Donna's mom was already dressed and coiffed, so she helped Jessica with Lily and Mimi. After Lily and Mimi were both dressed in their formal dresses like their moms, Clara placed them in their stroller and wheeled them over to show their mother how pretty they looked.
Donna looked down and crouched down swinging her train out of the way.
"Don't you two look so pretty? Wait until daddy sees us!" Donna said as she softly touched their noses with her fingertip.
"Luckily I still had your Christening gown. I put Mimi in that one and then the newer dress I put on Lily. Both the bonnets are new," Clara clarified.
"Did you put them in different gowns so you would be able to tell them apart?" Donna asked.
"Of course, I did, dear. We can't strip them every time one needs something."
"It's ok, mom. I understand."
Clara was going to wheel the babies near the door but stopped in mid-step. She came back to the mirror standing behind Donna.
"I always knew you would make a beautiful bride," Clara said tearfully and placed Donna's veil a little more around her shoulders."
"Thanks, mom," Donna said and put her hand over mother's as it lay on her shoulder.
Donna now realized that she and Harvey did a good thing by having a wedding for their families. Nothing could beat the look in Clara's eyes. She only wished that Harvey's parents could be here as well. Especially Lily as Donna thought of her ring now in the safekeeping with Kate being placed on the pillow for M.J. to take down the aisle.
Speaking of rings, she had a surprise for Harvey in his. She could not wait until he saw it.
Both factions of the wedding parties arrived at the cathedral. Donna and her bridesmaids and mother were all in the hallway waiting to go in. The big organ stashed somewhere in the gothic arches was going to play Lohengrin's Bridal March as tradition. Donna's dad came up to her dressed to the nines in his tuxedo with the blue cummerbund, vest and faux handkerchief in the breast pocket. He looked so handsome almost not her father.
"You look beautiful Donna," Jim Paulsen said as his tall daughter hugged him.
"Where are the twins?" Donna asked spotting her mother but without the stroller and the twins.
"Your friend Sheila has them. She's with your sister-in-law in the pews."
"Good."
"You should take a look at your husband. I've never seen a man so nervous."
Donna laughed. "Poor Harvey. There's no reason for him to be nervous. We already did the hard part last year."
"He's anticipating how you beautiful you are," James Paulsen said holding his arm out for Donna to take.
"Thanks, dad."
Soon Donna's tall red-haired mother was escorted to her seat by Troy. Sheila had come back to the vestry to be sure Lucy played her part. She was barely over a year old but very precocious and had done well when they rehearsed her. Besides, Hailey was there to guide her along. Both little girls looked so beautiful in their dark blue gowns and sprays of Baby's Breath in their hair. They sprinkled rose petals in their path up to the altar. Kate winked at her daughter as she went by and Hailey smiled as she saw her dad on the other side of the altar next to Uncle Harvey and Best Man Mike.
Louis was up there as well and when Lucy began to fuss because she ran out of flowers, Louis quickly picked her up and settled her by talking softly to her and having her look at all the people in the church. He gave her a kiss on her cheek and told her what a good job she did. Lucy smiled at her daddy and flung her little arms around his neck.
Everyone smiled at that.
Harvey had said hello to his own daughters and picked them up when Kate had wheeled them into the sanctuary. As he now stood at the altar, ramrod straight, anticipating his wife's appearance he thought he had not ever been this nervous before having to speak. Not even when he was a rookie ADA and litigated his first case in open court. Why am I so nervous? We are already married. We have two children. Am I afraid she decided she had enough of me? Stop it Harvey. Donna loves you. You have loved her from the moment you touched her hand.
Next to walk down the aisle carrying the pillow with the rings tied to it was Marcus, Jr. looking very suave and debonair matching his father's burgundy colored cummerbund, vest, and faux breast pocket handkerchief. The pillow did not teeter one way or the other so steady was MJ. He smiled at his dad and Uncle Harvey as he walked. Both showed their pride in him.
Katrina walked down the aisle in her burgundy silk gown with a burgundy flower tucked in her blonde hair which was pulled up with tendrils hanging down in the back and on the sides framing her face. She winked at Gretchen who she had spotted near the front of the church on Harvey's side sitting with Alex Williams and his family who had cut it close getting reservations and flights on time to Tuscany.
Samantha was next. She looked elegant and sophisticated in her own burgundy silk gown and her own blonde hair fashioned much like Katrina's. She was not only a name partner LWWB but the COO of the firm as well.
"I've got some big shoes to fill. Not only Harvey's but yours, too. You guys really did do us a disservice when you decided to leave," Samantha had told Donna the night before when they had finally had two seconds to catch up.
"By the way, you can have your old job back if you and Harvey ever decide to come back to New York."
"That's sweet, Samantha," Donna said giving her a hug. "I don't think that will be anytime soon." Donna had then regaled Samantha on her couture children's clothing business that Donna had started since she had moved to Seattle.
Samantha had been a tad disappointed but said, "Yeah, I didn't think we would get that lucky."
Next was the Matron-of-Honor, Rachel, that no one would envision as a matron no matter how many doubletakes they made. Her dress was dark blue and matched Hailey and Lucy's on color. It was silk, though, and the style was the same as Katrina's and Samantha's. Rachel's hair was not up but down but she wore a blue lace veil much echoing Donna's white one.
Soon the flourishing of the organ music announced the arrival of the woman of the hour. Donna stood at the doors to the sanctuary with her arm through her father's and in her other she carried a large bouquet of mixed lilies in honor of Harvey's mother. The colors resembled a palette of pastel colors the favorite colors that Harvey's mom liked to paint with. Donna had heard Harvey tell her long deliberately forgotten stories of how he could watch his mom paint with the colors light purple, dark orange, cream white, and pinks of the palette she used. She had mentioned to him that they were her favorite because they were colors of lilies like her and her name. Different shades and shapes of the same person. Donna knew Harvey would recognize them when he saw them.
Quickly Donna took count of the four "Somethings" traditionally of a wedding to bring the bride and groom good luck. Donna's ring covered the Something Old and Something Blue because it was an heirloom with blue stones. Donna quipped the previous night that Harvey could cover the Something Old since he was not a "new" husband. She then said but he's a new Harvey in a way to which all the women in the room went "aww". Then Donna agreed that covering Something New was her gown and veil, which were entirely new, and Rachel's crystal drop earrings that Donna wore were her Something Borrowed.
As Donna stood at the door to the sanctuary with her father, her eyes were immediately drawn to Harvey who stood there looking nervous but handsome as ever. When he looked at her for this first time since the rehearsal, she could see tears standing in his big brown eyes and his smile that could light up a room and charm any woman in it.
When Harvey heard the music flourish, he snapped back into attention. The doors were opened and there she was standing on the arm of her father. I am so glad we did this. Look at her. She grows more beautiful every day. She looks angelic. She looks like an older version of the girls all red hair and bright skin. I only wish mom and dad could be here.
He had mentioned that to Marcus the night before. All Marcus said to comfort Harvey's sadness in this one respect was: "They are Harvey. They are."
At the end of the aisle walk, Jim Paulsen placed his favorite daughter's hand in her husband's and then took a seat with his wife and grandbabies who were more fascinated with each other than what their parents were doing.
Donna wiped a tear that had escaped down Harvey's cheek.
"I'm the bride, Harvey. Don't cry."
"That's why I'm crying. You are more beautiful than our last wedding," he whispered. "Are those lilies in your bouquet?"
"Yes," Donna said surprised that her husband could recognize them. "All the flowers are lilies. All shapes and colors. I thought you should feel your mom is here in spirit if not in person."
"You remembered my story."
"I remember everything. Now let's get married again. I think the priest is getting impatient."
The elderly priest interjected. "No. Whenever you're ready."
The time flew through the first part of the ceremony. Soon the standard vows were said but before they exchanged their rings the priest interjected.
"Before the final giving of rings and lighting of the candle, Harvey and Donna wanted to say their own vows as well." The priest took a seat and pointed to Harvey to go first.
He took Donna's hand and held out took her rings from the pillow that M.J. held. One of the items he purchased with his winnings from the casino the previous night was a gold wedding band. He was planning to have it engraved as soon as they got back to Seattle. In the meantime, he cherished Donna's expression when he placed not only her familiar gold ring with the bluestone but a perfect gold band with it on her finger. He said this:
"Donna, I read these words in a book that my father told me to read many years ago, but I think these words sum up what you mean to me:
"But the fierceness of desire, the real heat of a passion long continued and withering
up the soul of a man is the craving for identity with the woman that he loves. He
desires to see with the same eyes, to touch with the same sense of touch to hear with
the same ears, to lose his identity, to be enveloped, to be supported. …There is no
man, who loves a woman that does not desire to come to her for the renewal of
his courage, for the cutting asunder of his difficulties…..we are all so alone, we
all so need from the outside the assurance of our own worthiness to exist."
All that means is that ever since I met you, you always pointed me in the right direction and you always picked me up whenever I was laid low.
"For every man there comes at last a time of life when the woman who then sets her
seal upon his imagination has set her seal for good."
That quote, to me, means that you are the only woman for me and that I finally knew it.
I love you, Donna, and will be faithful to you for as long as we both shall live."
He placed his Grandmother's ring on her finger and fit it in front of the new shiny gold band.
Donna was so overwhelmed with love for this man, she had to wipe a tear away because she had not expected anything so lavish as a quote from a book. As far as she knew the only books he had ever read were law books and those he only read when he was forced!
The priest said, "Donna, it's your turn now."
"Harvey, I searched through Shakespeare's sonnets to find one that would fit how much I love you. The one I chose was Sonnet 75."
Donna took Harvey's hand and the ring from the pillow that M.J. was holding. She slipped it on his finger and holding his hand recited from memory:
"So are you to my thoughts as food to life, or as sweet-season'd showers are to the
the ground; And for the peace of you I hold such strife as 'twixt a miser and his wealth
is found. Now proud as an enjoyer, and anon doubting the filching age will steal
his treasure; Now counting best to be with you alone, then better'd that the world
may see my pleasure: Sometime all full with feasting on your sight,
And by and by clean starve for a look; possessing or pursuing no delight,
Save what is had, or must from you be took.
Thus do I pine and surfeit day by day, or gluttoning on all, or all away."
"Let me translate," Donna said as everyone laughed including Harvey who obviously had no clue what she was trying to tell him.
"Your love is nourishment to my heart and soul as food is to sustain life or rain is to the ground. For the part that I have of you can be stolen with time so as a miser with his treasures I want only to be with you and to have you to myself as other interests and needs take you elsewhere away from me. All I want is to have you love me and whatever you give to me I will always want more. Echoing my original vow to you: "I'll never have enough time with you."
I love you, Harvey. I am yours and always will be."
She slipped the ring all the way onto his hand. It fit better this time as had he had been wearing it for a year. Harvey shook his hand out as if it was uncomfortable.
"It feels different," he mentioned to Donna.
"Later look inside," she said.
The priest took over:
"Now with the exchange of rings and blessing this union. Please light the unity candle." Donna and Harvey stepped to the side of the altar and each taking a switch took light from the smaller candles and together lit the one large one in the middle symbolizing that two had become one.
Donna and Harvey both stepped back in front of the priest.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your wife."
Harvey smiled to the side, "I've been waiting all day for this."
He took her face in his hands and kissed her slowly and lovingly. Donna held him tight and caressed his head as she normally did loving the feel of his skin and loving the scent of him. She had longed to turn over last night and feel him next to her. Over a year sleeping in the same bed had not lessened the thrill of it.
The Mass part of the ceremony was happening now. Here is where Troy was to read as well as MaryBeth and Louis. Although Louis was Jewish, he had married lapsed Catholic Sheila who had informed him of the finer aspects of a semi-Catholic mass. Neither Harvey nor Donna were religious but being that some biblical readings were necessary to the mass, they decided to go with the standards.
Troy, looking dapper and adult, walked proudly to the side pulpit and read I Corinthians 13 1:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth"
Donna and Harvey happened to hear a baby make a sound. They looked at one another because it sounded like one of theirs. They looked behind them at Clara, Jim, and the twins. Lily was looking around, but Mimi was sound asleep. However, the baby that was starting to make a fuss was James who was wiggling in Laura's arms. Laura, unfortunately, left the sanctuary with a James who had had about enough and wanted to get on with the day.
The next reading was from MaryBeth who was very happy to participate in the mass for her cousin's wedding. She read from Ephesians 5:25-33
" Ephesians 5:25-33: Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church."
Louis walked up to the side pulpit next. He put down his paper and looked around before leaning back on the lectern.
"Before I say the Marriage Prayer, I just want to say how happy I am that Harvey and Donna wanted me and my family to be a part of their second wedding since we could not be there as our daughter was being born. I have never known two people that belonged together more than Donna and Harvey. Mazeltov!"
"Now back to the Christian part of the ceremony," Louis quipped to all congregation who laughed.
"Lord, help us to remember when we first met and the strong love
that grew between us, to work that love into practical things so
nothing can divide us.
We ask for words both kind and loving and heart always ready to
ask for forgiveness as well as forgive.
Dear Lord, we put our marriage into Your hands." Amen."
At this juncture, the priest stood up and the chairs were removed from the altar and the congregation stood. The priest turned to the married couple again and said, "Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Specter."
The organ hidden somewhere in that Gothic structure began the triumphant flourish of the departing song. However, after being handed her bouquet, Donna and Harvey took the stroller with the twins and departed down the long aisle. They both thought the babies had had enough attention from other people. Besides, Harvey and Donna wanted a few moments with them before the Paulsens swept them away with them for the night as promised.
The reception started promptly at 7:00 pm with the announcement of the attendants and then ending with the presentation of the Bride and Groom. Harvey brushed birdseed out of his hair as the couple departed the church doors with birdseed thrown for them.
As Harvey held tight to his bride's arm, he said to her, "Don't you think that tradition is a little redundant? We've already multiplied by two!"
Donna just smiled and laughed. "The great Harvey Specter knows wedding traditions and what they mean!"
"I've been in a lot of weddings, Donna."
"Now you've starred in yours twice,"
Harvey smiled.
Food was served and the head table with one or two irritated babies was doing their best not to spill drinks and food on their formal dresses. Donna had Mimi on her lap while Harvey tried to eat and Sheila had Lily and was showing her to Lucy who was throwing a jealous fit. So, Donna left the had table and took Lucy and while carrying Mimi danced with Lucy who thought her Godmother was a lot of fun."
"Trade babies?" Sheila said and gave Lily to Donna who was still on the dance floor and Sheila stayed on there too. Lily decided she didn't like her mom's veil and grasped it in her little hand until she had pulled it from Donna's hair. At that point, Harvey took charge and gathered Lily in his arms and talked to Mimi while Sheila held her. Lucy tugged at Uncle Harvey and he crouched down to play with her simultaneously.
"Look at this. The man's attraction to women knows no age limit," Louis said as he looked down and saw what a fun time Lucy was having with her Uncle Harvey.
"Flaunt it if you got it," Harvey said in his old cocky swagger to Louis.
"Thanks buddy," Harvey eventually said to Louis. They hugged with their respective daughters in their arms and then Sheila handed him Mimi.
"Congratulations again! Be back in a minute."
Donna came back and she took Mimi from Harvey.
Then each parent carrying a twin proceeded to the dance floor and took a twirl in a family dance.
Later on, Jessica was seen going to the stage. It was well known that Jessica was an outstanding lawyer, however, not many people knew she had had a fantastic singing voice.
When the band leader announced her, she said:
"I bet the last person most of you want to see up here is me. However, live with it!"
Everyone laughed and Jessica smiled as she had command of the room.
"I just want to say one more time Congratulations to Harvey and Donna. They have already multiplied as you can see by two! However, I wanted to sing an old song which I heard once when I was a young girl. I think it fits these two. I know I'm not the first one to know this but this song I think fits what happened between Harvey and Donna from the moment they met. It's called "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".
Jessica began in her full resonant voice:
"The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
The moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and empty skies, my love
And the first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hands
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love
And the first time ever I lay with you
And felt you heart so close to mine
I thought our joy would fill the earth
It would last till the end of time, my love
It would last till the end of time
The first time ever I saw your face
Your face, your face
It was an intimate song, for sure, but Jessica had known Harvey from when she plucked him out of the mailroom and Donna she knew when Harvey would not return to the firm without her by his side. Jessica stepped off the bandstand and said her goodbyes to Harvey and Donna and all her other friends as she needed catching her plane back to the States. Of course, she promised to visit them in Seattle. Jeff who had accompanied her also wished them all well. He was staying one more night as his flight had bumped him as he was a last minute passenger on the way over.
The rest of the night had been a great party. At 11:00 pm the only two left dancing on the dance floor in each other's arms was the bride and groom.
Donna lifted her head from Harvey's shoulder as their circle was become slower and slower.
"Hey, aren't you tired?"
"Yes, but I'm not that tired. How about we pay these guys so we can go up to our room?" Harvey whispered in Donna's ear.
"Sure. They have already been paid. My father thought we should have a few minutes on the dance floor by ourselves. They took the twins with them. They left about an hour ago."
"I know. I kissed the girls goodnight. They are going to forget who I am," Harvey moaned.
"Never," Donna comforted.
"Say did you look inside your wedding band?" Donna said placing little kisses along his jawline.
"No, I didn't."
"Well then let's blow this joint and go upstairs," Donna whispered taking his ear lobe between her teeth gently indicating just a bit of what she wanted to do with her husband once they were alone.
Harvey could not drag his wife fast enough out of the room.
Bibliography:
Harvey's Vows quote taken from:Ford, Madox, F.; The Good Soldier; orig pub 1915 by The Bodley Head; London; latest publication Dover 2001 pg 68 paragraph 1 and 3.
Donna's Vows: Shakespeare, William: Sonnets taken from electronic version of Public Domain Etext Sonnet 75.
McColl, E; Song: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face; recorded and made famous by Roberta Flack 1972