Hey Folks! Here's the final chapter to the last little ficlet based on Cassie's picture I posted this morning. I have a few more to write before I am finished the entire book. Please R&R. Thank you. Love - Carebearmaxi

Lazy Sunday Morning at the Beach

Chapter 2

Rachel and Donna sat at an outside table at the Tiki Bar. They had spent the day laughing and talking about their husbands. It was just a little different from the days when they had taken on the personas of Harriet Specter and Michelle Ross. This was a lunch where they could just be themselves but not to the extent of drinking away their troubles with the men with whom they were in love.

Donna had always dampened down being in love with Harvey in order for them to continue to work together. At times it had gotten harder and harder as Harvey would give her glimpses of how he really felt about her and then would take them away. However, one thing always stood out: they protected each other and supported each other when the times were tough.

The only momentary exception was when Donna questioned Harvey's tactics when she faced charges of Federal Fraud. She thought wrongfully that perhaps a less incendiary lawyer would be able to get her out of the charges. Harvey was hurt then and she knew it. He had assured her that thought of her going to prison would drop him to his knees, so he was working as hard as he could for a solution to that issue. When Harvey had contacted her later after the deal was done and all charges had been dropped, Donna then decided then her faith had been placed correctly in her best friend. Since then, she always had faith in Harvey.

When he finally realized how much in love with her he was and really wanted her, Donna let it all flow to him culminating in a swift marriage proposal and then two little babies on top.

Rachel caught Donna in a quiet moment and asked, "Where are you?"

Donna startled herself and then reflected in a wispy voice. "I'm just thinking of how far we have come from being Harriet Specter and Michelle Ross."

Rachel smiled and took a drink of her martini. "I had the same thought when you got married in Tuscany, remember?"

Donna acknowledged with a nod and a bite of her lower lip. "I sure do. You had said we didn't need to pretend any more. We could use our names: Donna Specter and Rachel Ross."

"Who knew?"

They then toasted to their happiness.

Later that afternoon, when his daughters conked out from being on the go all day, Harvey walked the two blocks to the beach from the condo where they were staying and looked for his wife.

"Where's Donna?" Harvey asked Rachel who had come to retrieve her husband and son for dinner.

"She said she was returning to the beach for a bit. Everything ok?"

Harvey said, "Yes. The girls were so worn out."

Mike who sat beside Harvey on the couch in the Specters' rented condo said, "James did, too."

"I see. Hey, Harvey, why don't you go find her. She's directly down two blocks on the beach. She said she wanted to be alone, but I think she could use her husband for company."

"No, she'll be back," Harvey protested. "Besides, I can't-"

"Leave the twins to Mike and me. Go find your wife," Rachel coerced with a smile and a toss of her head.

Harvey smiled and said, "Thanks, Rachel."

Harvey found Donna sitting in her chair with her eyes focused on the coming sunset.

"Hey," Harvey greeted as he stood over her.

Donna looked up at her husband.

"Hey."

Harvey took her hand and helped her to a rising position. He held her so close and so tightly. He sweetly kissed her forehead.

Donna smiled as she pulled back a bit in his embrace. She touched the wilted purple flower that still hung over his ear.

"Picking flowers were we?" She smiled at him.

"Oh, I forgot that was there," he said as he removed the flower and handed the wilted little thing to his wife.

"Mike and I took the kids to a park where there was a field of wild flowers. I put the ones the girls picked in a cup of water at the condo. They wanted to give them to you, but they were so tired they fell asleep on the way home from the Boardwalk. Rachel and Mike are with them."

Harvey took the flower from Donna then and sprinkled the petals in her red hair letting them fall where they may. Donna unpinned her hair and she shook it out spreading some of the petals on the beach.

"Let's take a walk," Donna invited deeply looking up at her husband with all her love for him radiating from her face.

Harvey responded looking at Donna as she was his whole world and taking her hand they took a long walk on the beach as the large orange sun was descending into the horizon.