Donna has never been the type of person to envision her perfect wedding dress. Sure, she has an avid interest in fashion, knows exactly the kind of cut that flatters her height and bust, or shades that complement her colouring, but at present, that is failing to translate to bridal gowns.
"Donna, every single dress you've tried on has been gorgeous," Rachel assures her.
"Rach, I love you, but that doesn't help me."
Rachel smiles regardless, snapping yet another picture before she helps Donna unfasten the dress from the back.
She's tried a dozen dresses at this point; gowns with sweetheart necklines, halters, mermaid fits, a-line skirts. Rachel's right, they've all been equally beautiful, but not a single dress has felt like hers.
"Maybe the concept of the perfect dress is bullshit," she says. "And even with my organisation skills, finding a dress one month before the wedding is a stretch."
Donna was extremely lucky to even get this fitting today; she's called in practically every favour she has to plan a wedding in such an unforgiving timeframe.
Rachel grabs the next gown off the rack and brings it over; its strapless with a lace fit and flare design and a U-shaped back.
"Donna, I don't care if you have to try on every dress in this boutique, we'll find yours."
Rachel helps her carefully step into the dress and buttons up the back. When she steps back from Donna to take in the full picture, she releases an audible gasp.
"Oh, Donna."
It fits her figure beautifully, flattering her tall silhouette and hugging every curve.
"Donna, I think we've found it, don't you?"
"Is this the part where I cry?" she says with a shaky laugh.
"If you don't, I'm going to."
"I love it," she says honestly. "I look…"
"I know," Rachel says, openly teary. Donna grins at her reaction. "Hey, I'm overloaded with baby hormones right now."
Rachel pulls out her phone again and starts taking photos from every angle. "Wait until you see how it photographs," she gushes.
"And that's the main thing, right?"
Rachel stops, a frown worrying her brow. "Well, no, sweetie, it's about how it makes you feel."
"How did you feel?" Donna asks. "In your dress, I mean."
"Honestly? I could have married Mike in sweats and still would have felt as beautiful."
Donna's expression crumples.
"I know, it's cheesy – oh honey, what's wrong?"
Donna waves her off, shaking away the tears forming in her eyes. She looks beautiful. This dress could be hers.
"It's fine, just getting emotional."
"Are you sure that's it? If this one doesn't feel right, we can keep looking."
"No," Donna assures her. "The dress is incredible."
"If you're sure…" Rachel says, still unconvinced.
"I'm sure."
"Okay, I'll let them know."
Rachel leaves her alone and Donna takes the opportunity to study herself again in the mirror. She might never have envisioned her wedding dress but this one is as close to perfect as she can imagine, and yet she can't wait to take it off.
It's clear from the moment Mike steps into the gym, he's completely out of his comfort zone. Samantha sees it too, taking the opportunity to get a few digs in.
"Maybe you'd feel more comfortable on the bike," she jibes, lightly punching his arm with her gloved hand.
"How do you know about the bike?" Mike balks.
"Harvey talks about you," she says, rolling her shoulders back. "Like, a lot."
Mike lays a hand over his heart.
"I complain about you," Harvey corrects.
"Also, I'm not kidding about the bike. You're scrawny as hell."
Harvey cracks a laugh at Mike's expense.
"You know I was rooting for you, but now I think I'd rather watch Harvey kick your ass."
Samantha quirks an eyebrow, strapping on her second glove. "The old man does need all the support he can get."
"And somehow we've turned this back around on me. I'm so glad you two never worked together."
"We'd have crushed him," Mike says to Samantha.
"Big time."
"Are you both done?" Harvey asks, strapping both of his gloves, "the trash talk is getting embarrassing."
Mike and Samantha share another conspiring look. "He's been cranky all morning," Mike tells her.
Harvey rolls his eyes, climbing into the ring. Samantha quickly follows while Mike finds himself a position on the exterior, happy to be a spectator.
Today had been Samantha's idea – a spar months in the making. They've only squared off in the ring a handful of times, but Harvey respects the way she moves; gutsy and quick, albeit lacking a degree of finesse. She's a tenacious boxer, treating the ring the same way she treats any court room. Sometimes he can't believe how alike they are, cut from the same cloth and both too combustive to ever be more than friends or opponents. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought about it, or that is doesn't cross his mind even now as they're trading jabs and verbal barbs. He knows she's thought about it too. On the surface they're a perfect match and it would be…satisfying to say the least, but Samantha has too much confidence to be someone's second choice.
He's distracted for a half a second when she clocks him in the jaw. He'd never tell her this to her face – she'd love it too much – but the woman has an insane right hook.
"You alright there Harv? You look a little dazed."
Samantha throws another punch that he blocks expertly.
"Hard to be dazed when you're holding back."
She scoffs. "Please, you never hold back." Her mouth twists into a gloating smile. "You're off your game."
Admittedly, he is a little tired today. Mike had thrown him with the Seattle offer last night and he barely slept.
They duke it out for a little while longer and Harvey gets in a few swings for good measure before they call it. His skin is licked with sweat by the end and Samantha's face is fully flushed. Off my game, my ass.
Mike claps as they both climb out of the ring.
"Jeez man, be cool," Samantha mutters.
"She's good," Mike says to Harvey.
"She's better than good," Samantha says.
Harvey smirks at her. "She can hold her own."
They find their gym bags and collapse onto the benches, both dabbing their necks with towels.
"You guys hungry?" Mike asks.
"I could eat," Harvey says.
"I'll see where Rachel is." Mike takes his phone out of his pocket. "Oh she's already texted – wow."
A look of surprised awe washes over Mike's face.
"What is it?" Harvey asks.
"It's nothing."
Samantha snorts, "clearly not nothing."
"Mike?" He stands, eye level with Mike. "Everything okay?"
It's not that he's actively looking at his friend's phone but his eyes flick down to the screen and he sees enough; an image of red and ivory before Mike buries the phone in his pocket as if it's on fire.
"Rachel and Donna are finished if we want to meet them for lunch."
Samantha's probing gaze flits between the two of them before she relents, expression shifting to boredom. "Thanks for the offer, Mike, but I don't love the idea of being a fifth wheel." Her tone is light but Harvey can tell she means it. Samantha doesn't do messy.
"Thanks for the warmup, Harvey," she says, sliding her gym bag over her shoulder. "And Mike, thanks for cheerleading."
"See you Monday," Harvey says with a wave.
When she's gone, Mike asks, "well?"
"I think I'll pass too," Harvey says, gesturing to the state of his gym clothes.
"There's showers here," Mike points out. "I'll get a coffee and wait."
"Mike, I'm really not–"
"Harvey, please tell me it's not going to be like this – that we have to see you both separately because you can't even be in the same room anymore."
He frowns, squaring his shoulders. "That's not it. I can be around her for fuck's sake."
Mike's face softens. "Then just come to lunch with us. I know for a fact that Rachel would love to see you too."
He and Rachel have never been particularly close, so he knows Mike is laying it on a little thick, but there's nothing else waiting for him back at his apartment except a pile of legal briefs and well, maybe he's somewhat of a masochist after all.
"Fine. I'll get showered."
Even when they all lived in New York, it was a rare occasion for Harvey, Donna, Mike and Rachel to spend time together as a foursome. They were more than comfortable split into pairs, but whenever they gathered as a group, it was inevitable that Mike would gravitate to Rachel and Harvey to Donna. It's why Harvey initially said no to lunch.
Rachel greets him with a hug that Harvey returns with only a touch of awkwardness. Donna presses an easy kiss against Mike's cheek. A waiter mercifully addresses them before he and Donna have to figure out how to say hello to each other.
It's sunny and warm so they sit outside. Rachel and Mike both take a seat on either side of Donna, giving Harvey no choice but to sit opposite her. She looks gorgeous today; wearing a light blue sundress that hangs past her knee, her long, straight hair pushed behind her shoulders. Her skin is flushed from the sun, drawing attention to the smattering of freckles on her chest.
"Should we start with drinks?" Mike says, interrupting his train of thought. "Iced tea for you, Rachel?"
She smiles gratefully at her husband.
"Do you guys want to get a bottle?"
Harvey smirks. "When have you ever seen me drink wine?"
Mike laughs. "Basically never but can you really drink scotch on a warm day at two in the afternoon?"
"Point taken."
Donna takes charge and orders a chilled chardonnay which Harvey is certain he'll hate.
"You're going to hate it," she tells him.
A grin threatens to take over his features. "If Mike is picking up the tab, I'll drink it."
"That was never discussed."
Their drinks arrive, they place their orders and Harvey feels himself relax. Donna pours his wine and tries to hide her smile when he cringes at the first sip. He is so not a wine guy – especially white – but it's almost worth it.
Rachel and Mike chat about their firm until the appetisers arrive and Harvey can't help but notice how Mike keeps subtly throwing glances at him. It's clear they're both passionate about the work they do. It's been months since Harvey had that same fire for his own firm. He has to admit, years of defending the wealthy and only making them richer has begun to grow stale.
"It sounds amazing, guys," Donna gushes. "We'll have to come visit."
Harvey flinches, almost certain the 'we' in that scenario is definitely Donna and Thomas. Rachel, who has always been more perceptive than he gives her credit for, notices and says to him, "we'd love to have you both."
"And on that note," Mike starts, "there's something we want to ask you guys." Rachel squeezes his hand. Harvey and Donna exchange a brief glance.
"We love you both, and without getting too sappy," Mike says, clocking Harvey, "you've always been there for us; before we were a couple and after."
At that, Harvey feels a pang of guilt. Although it's been years since he had to actively protect Mike's secret, he regrets trying to steer him away from Rachel in those early days. The way Mike looks at her now – has always looked at her – he can't imagine a more perfect couple.
"We trust you both with our lives," Rachel chimes in.
"You're family," Mike says succinctly. "You guys know that I don't use that word lightly… the only family I had for so long was Grammy, but I was so lucky I had her and I – we – want the same for our daughter."
"Daughter?" Harvey and Donna ask at the same time.
"Daughter," Rachel confirms with a blinding smile. "My parents are getting older and you two have been friends for so long…"
He catches Donna's eyes and feels the immense weight of their fourteen-year history.
"…and we know that if anything were to happen to us, you'd take care of her."
"We want you to be godparents," Mike says.
"Oh my god," Donna breathes.
Wow.
As if reading his mind, Mike says, "you okay there, Harvey?"
He's completely floored. He's spent years being a half-hearted son, brother and uncle, having only begun to set things right with his family. To be trusted like this, by a man who is his second brother in every way but blood, is unfathomable. It means everything. Suddenly Seattle doesn't just seem like an option, but the only real choice in front of him.
"I…I'd be honoured."
Mike and Rachel grin. "Donna?" Mike asks.
"A thousand times yes."
He's in a daze for the remainder of the meal. He's going to be a godfather.
It's after four by the time they finish up. Harvey insists on paying, even though Rachel reminds him that they don't need a thank you for this. Mike and Rachel are flying out early the next morning so he and Donna exchange their goodbyes. He can see by the pained expression on her face that it never gets easier to say goodbye to their closest friends.
"I'll see you in four weeks," Rachel tells Donna. As if he needed another reminder that Donna is marrying Thomas in a month.
Mike pulls Harvey into a hug and says quietly, "think about it."
Harvey nods. "I'll call you."
The pair hail a cab, leaving Harvey and Donna on the street together. He hasn't been alone with her outside of the office since the dinner at her apartment months ago. He's in two minds about whether he wants to jump into the nearest cab or prolong the moment for as long as he can.
Ultimately, Donna decides for him.
"Walk me home?" she asks.
They're only a few blocks from her building but he can't resist asking, "you're not going to Thomas' place?"
She shrugs. "We don't spend every night together."
He wants to tell her that if they were together, they'd never spend a night apart again.
"Sure, I'll walk you home."
They fall into an easy step, Donna without her trademark heels today. The late afternoon ushers in a cool breeze, the wind clinging to her dress and outlining her soft curves.
"I love when they visit," Donna murmurs.
"Me too."
After a beat, Donna says, "we should really go see them when the baby comes."
As much as he loves the idea, he's also a realist.
"Donna, you'll be married by then."
She furrows her brow. "And?"
"And you'll go to Seattle with your husband."
He can tell she wants to press him on it, but she clamps her mouth shut and looks ahead. Silence settles over them and he wishes he'd just indulged her.
After walking the next block, Donna lays a hand on his forearm, bringing them to a stop.
"Harvey, why does it feel like we're not even friends anymore?"
The tremor in her voice shatters him.
"Donna, of course we're friends."
"You sit in the office next to mine and somehow I barely see you."
"What do you want Donna?" he asks hopelessly. "We're busy. We're running a firm. You're planning a wedding."
"About that…"
"What?"
"You haven't RSVP'd."
His shoulders fall. "I know. I've been meaning to tell you… I can't make it. I'm sorry."
She stares at him in disbelief. "You're not coming?"
"It's my family, I'll be in Boston for the weekend."
Her mouth falls agape and then twists into a false smile.
"Are you fucking kidding me?"
"Donna–"
"You've been avoiding me for months and now you're giving me some bullshit, half-baked excuse? I love your family Harvey, but I don't buy it for a second." A few pedestrians throw them passing looks but Donna continues, undeterred, "you practically lie for a living and you couldn't even come up with a decent excuse."
He says her name again, reaching for her hand, but she yanks it from his grasp. She takes a deep breath and looks him straight in the eye.
"I know things haven't been right between us for a long time but you're still my best friend, Harvey. I need you there."
He glances around and somehow the streets have miraculously cleared for them.
"Donna," he says, reaching for her hand again. This time she lets him take it. "I'm sorry, but I can't watch you marry another man. It would kill me. So if it's alright with you, I'd just rather not be there."
She inches closer to him, blinking back tears. Then, the ringing of her phone cuts through them and the moment is gone. He swallows, releasing her hand.
"Answer it."
She takes her phone out of her purse, tearing her eyes from his for the briefest of seconds to check the caller ID. She doesn't even have to tell him that it's her fiancé.
He backs away
"Harvey, don't go," she pleads.
The phone continues to ring.
"You looked beautiful in your dress," he tells her. "I'm sorry I won't get to see it for real."
He turns away from her, ignoring the sound of her voice as she answers the phone.
On Monday morning he calls Mike and tells him to make him an offer.
I know I'm evil for leaving it there but I've got a few more chapters up my sleeve, so I promise not to leave you guys hanging for too long!